Motherhood can be emotional. Motherhood can be life changing. Motherhood can also be…pretty darn isolating. When I launched my local “mom blog” in 2014, my goal was (and still is) for it to be a go-to resource for local parents, as well as an online community for new moms in the Boca Raton area. But now, especially post-pandemic, moms are craving real-life connection—an excuse to get out of the house with the tiny human who has officially taken over.
With more than 12 years of motherhood under my belt, I can confidently say: having a village is everything. Gone are the days of grandparents and siblings living nearby or, frankly, wanting to be involved in the day to day chaos of child rearing. These days, it’s up to us to build our own support systems and seek out friends who eventually become family. Thankfully, it’s gotten a whole lot easier thanks to two local women who’ve made local, in-person, parenting connection their professional mission.
Mom Dates & Play Dates | Nicole Kaplan
Meet Nicole Kaplan, founder of “Mom Dates & Play Dates”. This growing community of more than 750 moms has become a powerful reminder of how essential connection is. In just around two months, the group has blossomed into a true “village,” offering friendship, support and plenty of shared experiences. Kaplan was inspired to create the group after her own experience with postpartum depression, realizing firsthand how vital real-life connection and understanding are, especially during those early days of motherhood.
Each month, Kaplan organizes a full calendar of events designed to bring parents together, from stroller walks, playdates and craft sessions to moms-only evenings out and monthly “Mom University” workshops with local experts. Events take place at parks, community spaces, local businesses and even, on occasion, her own home! Recently, I even spotted an exclusive “Breakfast at Tiffany’s” event at Town Center at Boca Raton (yes, they’re closing the store just for them!) and a playdate at a private jet hangar in Fort Lauderdale.
Beyond the group, Kaplan also hosts a podcast called Life’s a Mom, featuring honest conversations about motherhood, identity and self-care, extending her mission to uplift, connect and empower moms across Palm Beach County. Membership and most activities for Mom Dates & Play Dates are completely free, but Kaplan also works to negotiate discounted group rates if there is an activity fee involved.
“This isn’t just a project for me—it truly feels like my calling. I’m lucky enough to be a stay-at-home mom with a lot of help and this has given me the space to dedicate myself fully to creating something meaningful for other moms in Palm Beach County,” says Kaplan.
Follow on Instagram @momdates_and_playdates
Mamas & Minis | Kim Altman-Karr
Meet Kim Altman-Karr, your own personal “mommy matchmaker”! A Boca Raton native and mom of two boys, she launched Mamas & Minis from her own search for meaningful connection after becoming a mom. With nearly two decades of experience in marketing and community building, Altman-Karr created her business as an intentional, concierge-style matchmaking community, not just another mom group. Through what she’s dubbed the Inner Circle, she ensures every mom is personally matched, thoughtfully scheduled and supported, so real friendships can grow.
The Inner Circle is a 12-week, connection-first experience to help moms find their village, the people who truly get what they’re going through. Designed for authentic connection rather than surface-level socializing, the program pairs moms through a proprietary Mommy Matchmaker Quiz that generates small, hand-selected groups of local women (currently 70+) in similar stages of motherhood. These groups meet weekly for curated activities like playdates, coffee chats and park hangs, and stay connected daily through private WhatsApp chats. Members also gain access to a digital community platform filled with conversation, advice and encouragement, plus exclusive discounts and perks from local partners.
Each Inner Circle membership requires a three-month commitment and includes all coordination, event access and partner perks for a monthly fee of approximately $150-$200. For moms not ready to commit, Mamas & Minis also hosts pop-up playdates and moms’ nights out open to the wider South Florida community.
Altman-Karr told me, “At its heart, Mamas & Minis is about authentic, intentional friendship. It’s less about picture-perfect moments and more about coffee-fueled conversations, laughter and the kind of support every local mom deserves.”
Follow on Instagram @mamasandminis_southflorida
Michelle Olson-Rogers is a mom of one and the founder of Modern Boca Mom, a lifestyle website for the stylish & modern South Florida Mommy. She can also be found on Instagram at @modernbocamom.
