I don't take my 7 months old to playgroups - is this wrong?

[Frarling]

Hello. I have a 7 months old DS. Most mums I know take their children to playgroups and various classes, cinemas etc. I don't because (1) the baby is on a routine which I don't like to break; (2) I hate playgroups. They make me anxious. I just go home thinking I'm doing something wrong, that my baby is behind, and other silly thoughts. This kind of environment feeds my insecurities.

Instead, we go for walks, shopping, play at home together with rattles and musical toys (when the oldest brother is at nursery), sing, read stories etc. Often I'm just too busy cooking, with admin and looking after the house though. 2 or 3 times a week I see other mums for tea or lunch.

The baby will start nursery in August, at 10 months old. And will start swim classes next month. Is this ok? Is this enough?

I feel guilty for not taking him to playgroups. There seems to be so much pressure to stimulate stimulate stimulate. I just don't like it, they make me uncomfortable.

What do you think?

Thanks

[Only1scoop]

Op I did exactly the same with dd....she started nursery at 10 months just 2 afternoons a week which she loved.

These groups at the tiny ages are more for the parents I think. Like you we had a great routine and nursery kept that up to a point.

[EmilyMaitliss]

You are sooooooo lucky to not have to go.

[Grewupinafield]

I went to a few when ds1 was small but I hated them! I often have friends to my house and all our kids play together, they learn just as well that way.
If you don't want to go, don't! You're not a bad mum at all!! Sounds like you're doing a marvellous job

[puppy123]

We are v.similar! Much prefer shopping and lunches and my DD is happy as anything in her buggy for walks, enjoy it, I think we are the lucky ones who are entertained doing things we like to do!

[Thurlow]

Absolutely fine. At that age they won't get anything out of it. I went to loads but they were purely for me, as I prefered seeing people during the day. I'm under no illusions that DD got anything from those hours at all!

As they get older and turn into toddlers, that's when I think socialisation is much more important as they need to learn to share and all that. But not as a tiny baby.

[angemorange]

I started taking my DS when he was about a year and met some really nice people who I still speak to now, but it was more about getting my DS to meet other children as we didn't have any friends with children the same age at that time. 7 mnths is pretty young - I wouldn't stress about it, just do what you're comfortable with.

[NickyEds]

I went to baby massage/yoga/sign etc because I enjoyed them and I didn't know any other mums so wanted to meet people. My ds didn't really get anything out of them at that age though. After turning one and starting to walk he now gets a lot out of toddler groups and it feels a bit more like it's for his benefit. Now he's 17 months (and running riot!)I couldn't be without them.

[Frarling]

Thank you everyone. I just feel the pressure sometimes, I find leaflets everywhere, other mums talk about them, it feels like a must for the child's development. But for someone who is introverted like me, playgroups are just not a place I want to be. And this makes me feel not normal. Thank you

[BunnyLebowski]

OP I exactly the same.

DS is 8 months and hasn't been to a group and he isn't suffering for it.

I hate them. I didn't enjoy a single one I took DD to so I stopped pretty quickly. She's now 6 and the most sociable and outgoing kid in her class so it most certainly didn't affect her social skills.

Don't beat yourself up. They're just not for everyone.