Poly Alt-Parenting Potluck/Playground Time

We've had consistently high attendance at this event lately, which I take to mean there's a need for this: so I'm hosting again at my place!

We'll meet in the park for the first hour or so to play on the ample playground and adjacent field. Then we'll do a potluck at my home (right across the street- no need to repark). Then we'll have an adults-only discussion, expecting some kid interruptions, for 45 minutes or so, upstairs, that begins with an opening circle two hours after the listed start time.

-Parking at the park can be a challenge on weekends. Sometimes there's parking across from 1089 Gaviota Terrace in my neighborhood; street parking is usually available north of the park as well, around the intersection of Colusa Ave and San Simeon St.

-This mixer is for non-monogamous people (and allies!) who want to explore alternative parenting and build non-traditional families. Parents and prospective parents/co-parents are welcome. Kids are welcome. There is a playground and my house has a bunch of 6ish year-old toys kids are welcome to play with and/or destroy (none of the toys are long for this world). During opening circle participants can introduce themselves, and if you're willing, share what you're interested in and open to relative to alt-parenting.

-Please bring a food / beverage item to share; I'm not posting a potluck sign-up Sheet. Food is only allowed on the second floor (not on the first or third, where only water/sparkling water is allowed)

-COVID policy for the event: please do not attend if you or anyone in your party has symptoms consistent with COVID, or a recent positive test result. Please wash hands when you come inside (yes parents too). Testing, vaccination, and masking are neither required nor enforced: you’re welcome to mask, keep distance, or follow whatever COVID precautions feel most comfortable to you.

Since alt-parenting is a broad category, here are some examples of who might benefit from this event:

-Parents: You're interested in building community with other parents in the non-monogamy community

- Communal Living Parents: You’re a parent / prospective parent looking to create a co-living situation where other parents and kids can live under a single roof

- Poly Partners: You’re romantically involved with 1+ poly parent, and you’re eager to become a co-parent or strengthen your relationships with their kids

- Platonic Parents: You’re a parent / prospective parent looking to find a co-parent without romantic attachment

- Alternative Child-Having Options: You’re interested in adoption, fostering, or alternative fertility options such as IVF, sperm donation, or egg donation.

-Or maybe you’re curious about a different type of non-traditional family model not listed here — you’re still welcome to mingle and we’d love to hear your ideas.

I'll wear a wide-brimmed blue hat if you have trouble finding the group at the park.

If you have questions, please ask your host Brad Levin via DM or, if the answer would help others as well, in the chat.

End of the event:

Cleanup is not an expectation and I understand families need to jettison sometimes. However if you have time and spoons after the adults discussion, the following tasks would be helpful to me:

-Putting trash in the trash bin by the island

-Emptying remaining bottles/cans and placing them in the recycle bin by the island

-Loading dirty dishes into the dishwasher, no pre-rinse needed

-Wiping down the counters

-Putting perishable leftovers into the fridge (food containers are in the bottom left of the island)

-Placing non-perishable leftovers near the toaster

-Putting toys into bins

-Placing full toy bins onto shelves

-Sweeping the kitchen (vacuum and broom are in the laundry room across from the bathroom on the second floor)

-Vacuuming crumbs (if any) created on carpets; though food is only allowed on the first and second floors, kids' behavior is tough to control and in past events crumbs tended to appear at the top of the third floor stairs