AIBU to think that Mums and Babies' classes are all rubbish [hmm] & need to take cues from the real world?

[semi]

....by asking all mums (or dads) to introduce themselves and their babies first before you descend it badly sung nursery rhymes and crazily bouncing babies on your lap ?!!

[wonkylegs]

Nope - there are some that are rubbish and some that are lovely. Just don't go back to the rubbish ones.

[AgeOfEarthquakes]

There are some crap ones and some excellent ones so YABU to lump them all together. When DD was small I tried out lots of different groups but only ended up attending a few regularly. It's just a question of finding one or two you like. I chose the ones with free biscuits.

[Kenduskeag]

I think the focus on them needs to change. The babies don't really give a stuff where they are and what they're doing, it's the parents who want to be engaged. A group near me was a parent-and-baby choir - the babies just muddled on the floor with the toys on a playmat, if they wanted to, but the main focus was singing. The parents were taught the harmonies and learned the breathing techniques while the babies (who could sing along if they were old enough, whatever they liked) got to be singed at. Ultimately, the goal was to focus on the adults in the room. I think that's a great idea. You could do it with creative writing or, I dunno, Dr Who Plot Discussion group, something that's just encouraging adult conversation, and then both babies and adults get something out of the session.

[thatorchidmoment]

I go to a v relaxed and informal group. We pull out a selection of toys, put them on the floor and the kids get on with it. The mums sit around drinking gallons of coffee and putting the world to rights, and there is a rota for one mum to provide snacks for kids and adults each week.
Boom. Job done.
I am in a closely knit community though and we know each other's names. It was a really good way for me to get out of my depressing renovation project of a house and meet people when we moved here a couple of years ago. These people are now my good friends and we have supported each other through some hard times.

[Me624]

I like them, even the crap ones. It's just something to do - I have to go out with DS (11 weeks) every day otherwise I go stir crazy. Love a few nursery rhymes, different toys to the ones you have at home and a bit of chit chat. I don't like it when other mums are cliquey but there's always at least a few who aren't.

[semi]

for taking so long to respond. I guess not going back makes sense wonky legs but that means no feedback. Maybe they should feedback boxes or email addresses as the dropoff rate might be sky high for some. Ageofearthquakes maybe I'm trying to do too many? Aiming for 4-5 per wk. Kenduskeag, I like the idea of a choir, I guess the groups I was thinking of tend to focus more on babies. If you are part of a community something like a choir would work but not for an inner city dweller like me, where I guess mums are more transient. Thatorchidmoment my little one can't quite sit up on her own yet so just leaving her there wouldn't work. I'll have to look forward to doing that when she is older. Me624 I've found lots of cliquey mums at some of the more tight knit community groups, but interestingly the babies aren't, and my little one is v good at cracking out a smile and introducing herself to others :)

[Carrados]

I have friends who get a lot out of them but I went to a few and found it dreadfully boring and for SAHMs who want a structure to heir week to keep busy.

When dd was under 1 and I was on maternity leave then working part time, I would just do what I wanted to do and should tag along. More than enough of an enriching experience for her and I got to do things I'd always wanted to do/see.

[MargaretCabbage]

I liked baby groups, just for a reason to get out of the house. I preferred the ones with activities where I could just play with my baby, as wasn't particularly looking to make small talk or seek mum friends, just wanted to be out.

[NarkyKnockers]

I didn't make any friends at toddler groups other than to say hello to. My youngest enjoyed the toddler groups where they did an activity like dancing or football.

[LifeInJeneral]

I tried to go to one but walked into a huge group if women who all knew each other. I have social anxiety which has got worse since I had ds as I suffer with PND. I had a huge panic attack and had to leave I've never been to another one. I'm not writing for sympathy just so that if you ever see a nervous looking mum at the group for the first time try and make her feel extra welcome because some.people find them very intimidating