One of the hardest aspects of parenting that I didn't truly appreciate until I was in the thick of it was something that feels a little embarrassing to admit: how do you make friends, not for your kids, but for yourself? We moved to Fairfield County when my kids were toddlers, leaving behind the community we had built for ourselves after 15 years in New York City, and though I was excited to explore our new home, between juggling nap schedules, and kid activities, the idea of building a new support system for myself was daunting.

Luckily, there's a huge range of groups for moms organized by interest (fitness, breastfeeding, community, and more) or children's age. This is a collection of some of our favorite programs, but you will find others listed in our events calendar.

At the end of a fun-filled summer weekend in the Hamptons, what could be better than a family brunch? In fact, for many families returning to the city after a few days of sun and surf, it’s the final ritual before boarding the Long Island Rail Road or challenging the Long Island Expressway.

Scores of restaurants on the East End offer a brunch menu, particularly on Sundays and holidays, but not all are suitable for children. So we've rounded up six of our favorites that offer a combination of location, ambiance and selection that make them ideal choices for parents eager to share a final weekend meal with the family.

For more on what's going on in the area, take a look at our Hamptons and North Fork Family Guide.

As August temperatures begin to soar, take an air-conditioned breather at cool indoor events this week, including State Theatre’s free showing of Night at the Museum-Secret of the Tomb, Kean University’s Rumplestiltskin and New Jersey State Museum’s Maker Space Program. And when you’re ready to get outside, rejoice in summer fun at the Middlesex County Fair and Festival of the Sea. And don’t forget to check out our Event Calendar for even more options!

As astute Mommy Poppins readers will have noted, a new month usually means lots of free “firsts.” In case you missed it last month, the LEGO Store monthly model build is now on the first Tuesday and Wednesday. That’s right, two opportunities to pick up a free LEGO. The “little old lady in Pasadena” has lots of free stuff to do the fist week of the month, too: The Huntington, Kidspace, and Pasadena Museum of California Art all have a day that is gratis (grandmas, start your engines!). Debbie Allen Dance Studios has free hip hop classes, and the Santa Monica Pier Aquarium’s Free First Wednesdays program continues.

A first I often forget about (much to my daughter’s chagrin) is First Friday on Abbot Kinney Boulevard in Venice, a festive evening of food trucks, crafts, and Venetians. While my kid is drawn to hipsters, others (preschoolers especially) are fascinated by the firemen and other community service members. Finally, this week the communities of Burbank, Beverly Hills, and Santa Monica host a “National Night Out.”

Be sure to check out our Event Calendar for more free and discounted activities.

Now that it's August, it's time for a reality check on summer reading assignments. To keep up with their daily reading logs, my kids have been enjoying visits to the library, where there are some great summer programs. Storytimes with ReadBoston in BPL branches and other neighborhood venues are only going on for a few more weeks, so look for one near you before it's too late.

My family has also been loving all the activities at local parks. In addition to ReadBoston storytimes, there are free craft workshops and outdoor movies. Take a look at these and other picks for the week, and don't forget to check the full Event Calendar for more fun happenings!

We're heading into the last few weeks of summer vacation before school starts, so let's make the most of it. This week, there's magic, outdoor movies, swimming and more. And that's just the beginning--there is so much more on our Long Island Events Calendar.

For more ideas on how to enjoy the season on Long Island, check out our Summer Fun Guide. And if you're spending any time on the East End, visit our Hamptons & North Fork Family Guide.

Can you believe it's August? It's the last gasp of summer, and I confess I'm feeling the pressure to make memories and make every moment count. But it's also hot and steamy, and sometimes the goal of keeping everyone cool and entertained for a whole afternoon--nevermind a whole day!--seems challenging indeed. We've rounded up some of our favorite activities for the week from across the state, sure to entertain kids of all ages and interests, from a magic show that will delight kids and their parents to a rock concert just for teenagers to a car show for the whole family, and so much more. Check out our Event Calendar for even more suggestions. Have a great week!

With temperatures soaring, New Yorkers everywhere are looking for ways to beat the heat. The city's outdoor public pools are a great, FREE way to cool off, but they can be tricky to navigate with a baby or young toddlers. I recently visited McCarren Park Pool in Williamsburg with my 10-month-old and while we had a great time, there are definitely some things to keep in mind when visiting with your youngest kids. We've got details on McCarren's recently renovated outdoor pool, plus tips to help make trips to NYC pools more enjoyable for baby—and parents!