by Brie The social media possibilities are endless. Blogging, Twitter, Flicker, Stumble Upon and LinkedIn are just a few of the ways you can participate in social media. You can write, read, upload, tweet, share. Maybe you are just dipping your feet into social media. Maybe you have jumped in fully clothed. However you are doing it and for whatever reason you are doing it, there always comes a time when you move out from behind the screen and make it real.

Social media is a way to connect with other people. For Lara and I it has been a great way to connect with other parents. And once you start connecting online, there is also the interest in connecting offline.

I am happy to say that I have meet many, many awesome people in real life after knowing them first online. Like Lara. Like most of the fabulous Kids in the Capital contributors. Like some of our readers that have joined us for our play dates and meetups.

The hardest part of meeting someone in person that you have met online is getting over the worry. Are they the same in person as they are online? Will they think I am the same in person that I am online? Will we still like each other? I am happy to say that most people are exactly like I expect them to be in person after meeting them online. And that I now count many of them as friends.

The key word to remember about social media is social. You might have to give yourself a talking to, but it really is worth coming out from behind your computer. If only every once in a while.

So, in keeping with the idea of connecting offline we want to mention two "in real life" ways of meeting with Kids in the Capital contributors and readers.

Meetup Join us Wednesday, January 19th at 7:30pmfor a meetup at Woody's on Elgin (330 Elgin). It's a chance to hang out and chat without kids interrupting the conversations. Woohoo!

Play dates We are having weekly playdates on Wednesday mornings around town. Everyone is invited and we hope you can join us. This Wednesday, January 19th we'll be meeting at 10am at the Museum of Nature (at the boat on the second floor). We'd love to see you there. There will be a post with more details on locations soon and we will be updating the sidebar of Kids in the Capital with weekly information.

We hope to see you offline very soon!

Brie is the mom of a 4 year old daughter “the girl” and 2 old son “the boy”. You can read her blog at Capital Mom.