Often, at a nice restaurant in Park Slope, you see a table of women
talking in a very animated way. They seem relaxed, even uninhibited.
Talking loudly, they throw their heads back in laughter and discuss
husbands, children, school, money, careers, politics. The big stuff and
the small.

You just might be witnessing a "Mom’s Dinner." More than likely
these are women who met when their children were in pre-school. What
started as an excuse to get a break from the routines of family life,
has evolved into a bi-monthly ritual; a A sanity-check, if you will. A
chance to compare notes and support one another, these evenings are
great way to stay connected and share information.

The women I "Mom’s Dinner" with were introduced at an orientation
meeting at Daughter’s pre-school. The night we met, the teacher said,
"Look around you. You are going to know these people for a very long
time."

She was right.

We were young and innocent then. Ourr children were only
2-years-old. They’d never been in school before. We were worried that
they wouldn’t separate, behave, enjoy this new chapter in their lives.

Most pre-schools have something called Phase-In. In the first weeks
of school, the parents are asked to stay in or nearby the classroom
just in case your child has a difficult adjustment.

Some people have to spend more time than others. Daughter was
quickly acclimated to life in the classroom — she didn’t hang on to me
at all. But some of the other kids had a more tearful time.

Over school-provided bagels, we talked about separation anxiety,
transitional objects, bottles, thumbsucking, and potty training.

Our talk evolved as our children did. Now our kids are in elementary
school. They read the Harry Potter books and "A Series of Unfortunate
Events;" take piano lessons and dance; talk back and give attitude. All
the usual stuff.

And the Mom’s Dinners have changed, too. We talk about who we are
now. It’s seems like we’re on an upward trajectory: there’s less anxous
talk, checking to see if our children are "normal." We’re happier, more
settled, a little more comfortable in our own skin.

Tonight, we were a group of 5. The restaurant was buzzing with a hip crowd. Big parties, couples.

The pomegranite Cosmos were incredible. So were we.