My pre baby self:
I was very pessimistic before I had kids! The thought of sitting around in a circle talking about babies and singing songs made me cringe. Until one of my best friends invited me along and that is how my reliance on playgroups began. Very quickly I gained a circle of 'friends' all first time mums, struggling with the shock of parenthood and sleepless nights.
Dare I'd admit I kinda actually look forward to them now! Well let me clarify what I look forward to, it's sitting down for 5 minutes and having a coffee! But also I love watching Moo interact and play, it's fascinating. It's sadly also sometimes the only chance in the day between feeding Teddy, doing the washing, tidying and cooking I have to really have one on one time with Moo and thats special!
Politics:
So there are two groups of parents the ones who come to the groups to have a chat with other parents. To make 'friends'. If that's what you want great!
Or you can avoid everyone, some parents sit on their phones or read a book. If it's your only chance to time on your own-use it-no one should judge you!
So you should be warned there is an element of competitiveness between some parents. Whilst sharing your child's milestones, some of the parents will in turn compare your child to there's. It's awkward! If people don't compare there child to yours-it's likely your the one comparing-STOP! They all catch up in the end and you'll find out further down the road your child will excel in other things!
I was that parent whose baby rolled, sat up, pulled himself up, crawled and walked before 10 1/2 months! I would be glared at with envy as he hit all these milestones! What they didn't understand (as much as I explained to them) that actually having a child that advanced has its own issues:
-I didn't have a little baby for long.
-He would hurt himself ALOT!
-I didn't have anyone to share these moments with.
For parents:
What is great about playgroups is a that the majority of them are in the mornings, this is a parents dream especially with a toddler. They are SO tierd after playing all morning that nap time is made much easier! You get tea and coffee even hot chocolates at some! At one in Bath they have a kitchen with a window you can go up to and grab a drink and biscuit. At another they come around offering you a beverage and they bring it out to you on trays! How amazing is that!
I know some parents who suffer from varying types of depression, they find going to playgroups invaluable, it forces you out, and they are affordable. You often lose friends once you have kids so you can gain new ones through groups and can talk through difficulties with them.
TIP: When your there you generally are asked to donate towards the snack/drinks this can vary between 50p-£2.50 in Bath. They are normally held in church halls and run by members of the church.
For kids:
They get to run around for two hours, eating snacks, play with lots of different toys and socialise with other children. What I've also found invaluable is watching other parents parenting and gaining new skills to deal with your child.
One of the most important life skills is learning to SHARE which you will hear every parent of a child above the age of two involved in at least once during the session! It it normally goes something like this 'NO! Charlie you share, say sorry please'. We've all either been there or it's inevitable you will!
I'll write about this soon as I feel we are just about to enter this 'stage'! After today I have a feeling it's not to far away!
