I thought Facebook and Twitter were bad enough. Now new social networking service Foursquare is telling me I’m pretty much a loser.
For the past year, Foursquare, the social service with a geo-locator twist, has allowed tech-savvy hipsters to connect with their friends wherever they are. When you head out to a restaurant, club or coffee shop, you can use your cell phone to “check in” through Foursquare, which will post your location on its map.
Through Foursquare, you can earn points and unlock “badges” by discovering new places or by hopping from club to club. Check in at one location more than anyone else and you become the “mayor,” earning freebies from your favorite restaurants and stores.
Because my manager and I work eight-hour days and both have toddlers and infants at home, we joked we would have the saddest Foursquares ever. Don’t believe me? Here’s a random sample of what my Foursquare would look like.
Nicole P. @ Daycare - 12 hrs ago
4got today was show & tell. Think 3-yr-olds would be impressed with a tire jack?
Nicole P. @ McDonald's - 8 hrs ago
$1 double cheeseburgers. Score!!
Nicole P. @ Chili's - 3 hrs ago
In da club @ Chili’s. Applebee’s had a 20-min wait.
Nicole P. @ Walmart - 2 hrs ago
Picking up toilet paper, shampoo and diapers.
Nicole P. in Metro East: wrote a tip @ Walmart: Rollback prices on toothpaste!
Nicole P. @ Walmart - 1 hr ago
4got baby formula.
Nicole P. in Metro East became the mayor of Walmart.
Nicole P. @ Home – 1 minute ago
Zzzzzzzzz
I do enjoy social networking and know I’ll get on Foursquare soon. I just need to plan some exciting nights out so my Foursquare friends don’t LOL at me.
By Nicole Plegge, Lifestyle Blogger for SmartParenting
Metro East mom Nicole Plegge has written for STL Parent for more than 12 years. Besides working as a freelance writer & public relations specialist, and raising two daughters and a husband, Nicole's greatest achievements are finding her misplaced car keys each day and managing to leave the house in a stain-free shirt. Her biggest regret is never being accepted to the Eastland School for Girls. Follow Nicole on Twitter @STLWriterinIL
Stop in and have some fun in the indoor pool at the Lodge of Des Peres with your little one at this drop-in swim time for kids up to age 6. No pre-registration is needed; Water Waddlers is open to residents and non-residents of Des Peres.
Science Tots is designed for children ages 18 to 36 months. The class provides opportunities to support brain development and learning. Toddlers and their grown-ups will explore STEM topics through songs, stories, hands-on exploration and play.
Join Ms. Amanda in the Makerspace at the Edwardsville Children's Museum for a fun, lively Dance Party. The toddler-friendly tunes will accompany free play time and musical instrument exploration.
Come over to the dark side and meet the amazing birds that exist by moonlight. Owl Prowls are an opportunity for families to learn about owls from the naturalists at the World Bird Sanctuary.
Kids can work on existing gym skills, learn new skills or just play around during Open Gym at Miss Kelly's Gym in Creve Coeur.