This is a list of resources that I’ve found to be useful as the mother of a young child. It is in no way comprehensive, and links to more comprehensive lists are below. Enjoy!
Support and Play Groups
- New Mothers’ Group at Somerville Family Network Call 617.625.6600 (the main number for Somerville and ask for the Somerville Family Network and ask about the new mother’s group. You can also usually get information on the Somerville Mom’s Group (see below). Somerville Family Network is a notoriously low-tech organization, but the groups are worth the calls.
- Somerville Family Network Play Groups Call 617.625.6600 (as above).
- Somerville Moms Email List (on Yahoo Groups): This moderated group originated with the new mother’s group and is currently a large and very active list and a tremendous resource for all sorts of parenting and parenting-related topics.
- Arlington Parents’ Email List (not part of Yahoo! Groups). This list is harder to read but more entertaining, somewhat more active than Somerville Moms, and more inclusive in its reach.
Activities (indoor, T accessible)
- Science Museum — Located on the Green Line or a short drive from Somerville, a truly amazing museum, more than you could ever see, with a special area for the under-5 set. Passes available at the library.
- Boston Children’s Museum — Located near South Station (plus short walk). Four floors of fun for kids. I personally prefer the Science Museum, but some families feel the reverse. Passes available through the library (call
Activities (mostly outdoor, within 25 minute drive from West Somerville)
- Somerville Parks
- Sandy Beach (13 minutes from West Somerville) — Serene beach along the Upper Mystic Lake. Also walking trails, ample grassy areas for picnicing, and a very short drive from Somerville. Free, ample parking any time of day.
- Walden Pond (25 minutes) — Historic pond with walking trail. Limited beach space, but if you walk a bit you can find a spot. Get there early in the day for parking, which is $5.00.
- DeCordova Museum and Sculpture Park (25 minutes) — Unique and gorgeous outdoor sculpture park and (indoor) museum. Admission is $9.00 per person unless you arrive before 10:00 a.m., in which case you can hang out in the sculpture park for free. Ample parking.
- Codman Farm (25 minutes) — Stop and see the animals (cows, sheep, a donkey, lots of poultry) and have a picnic. Suggested admission $1 each. Farm stand also sells fresh eggs on the honor system. Large and clean bathroom facilities in the barn.
- Verrill Farm (25 minutes) — Great market, and many pick-your-own events throughout the year. Deli with a variety of prepared foods and excellent, reasonable, made-to-order sandwiches. Tents outside make for good informal picnicing. Nice restroom inside the shop. You can get on their email list to be notified of pick-your-own and other events.
Other Activities
- Boston Central lists a great number of activities and other parenting resources by type and by geography.
- Pick-Your-Own Listings (by County) from the Mass Department of Agriculture.
Childcare Resources
- Childcare Resources Center–A Cambridge-based resource center, also has a database of area childcare providers that you can search online.
My name is Leah, and I’m a Somerville-based free-lance photographer. I am booking portrait sessions for families, children, and high school seniors. Please email me at leahcsphotography@gmail.com for details and examples of my work.
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Hello! My name is Paula. I am from Spain. My husband and I ( both doctorcs, pediatricians) we are going to Boston for three months to work in the Children Hospital and we need a babysitter for our little girl of 14 months old while we are working ( eight hours a day). How can a find one?? Thank you so much!
Hi Paula —
Welcome to the area! I would recommend getting on some of the local email lists (Somerville Moms, Arlington Parents — both communities are near to Boston) and inquire there if needed after searching through the archived messages — people are often asking about finding care for young children. Links to both of these groups are in this post: http://eplacehomes.com/2013/10/17/email-lists-for-connecting-to-your-local-community/ There used to be a Childcare Resources Center in Cambridge (also near Boston) but it just closed. I know people have used sitter city.com and an agency called parents in a pinch (now part of care.com) http://www.parentsinapinch.com/services/. Here’s, also, a list of nanny agencies in the Boston area: http://www.bostoncentral.com/educare/nannies.php. Hope this is a good start. There might also be childcare centers affiliated with Children’s so you might inquire with them directly as well.
Best of luck, and be well.
Rachael