When will mum and baby groups start up again?

[ReySky]

Sorry if there has already been a thread on this. Currently on maternity leave with my DS who is almost 6 months old. I know in the grand scheme of things it's not really a priority, but am wondering if anyone has heard of any mum and baby groups starting back up in their area? I know it's not the end of the world but I am a bit sad to be missing out on them, and wondering if they'll be reinstated before he gets too big for a lot of the groups.

[GeorgieTheGorgeousGoat]

January?

Sorry I feel for you, but teenagers aren’t even back in school yet. It will be one of the last things because they’re indoors, social, busy, unhygienic places.

[ohthegoats]

In the nicest possible way, why do you think anyone here will know the answer to this? Talk to the person who runs your groups. Listen to the government briefings.

[LividLaughLovely]

Also have a lockdown baby that I had a long, traumatic journey in having.

Pretty sad my maternity leave is being spent this way. Baby massage via Zoom is not the same!

[BessMarvin]

I wish soon somehow. I'm on 2nd maternity leave and it's so different to first time. I wonder if I'll actually meet any mums with same age babies otherwise how will my dd ever have a play date.

If it's really small groups in a big room with props that aren't shared it seems doable maybe. But not sure how you deal with babies on the move...

[SodOffCovid]

Hi OP. Congrats on your little bundle. I also have a five month old. In the politest way possible I would forget getting to any baby groups for your mat leave. I am returning to work in January and feel its highly unlikely. I have a 2yo and attended tonnes with him, and the babies (obviously) slobber everything, touch everything and everyone, the cleaning alone would be tremendous. If any sort of SD was introduced it really wouldn't be a baby group IMO. Also, as PP said, older children aren't at school, and so until education is resolved its really low on the pecking order surely. I'm really sorry, I hope things change as I would love to go too, but I think it's better to assume it won't happen and be pleased if it does by December or so?

[BogRollBOGOF]

@ohthegoats

In the nicest possible way, why do you think anyone here will know the answer to this? Talk to the person who runs your groups. Listen to the government briefings.

Not the kind of thing to be mentioned in government briefings, wrong demographic as children/ mothers seem to be bottom of the pecking order.
Having a baby of 2-3 months prior to lockdown means you probably don't have the contacts for age appropriate groups.

Why not put the question out to a wider pool of people in a similar postition? It's conversation and there's a posibility of a response of where the sector is at from a provider.

I'd suspect that restrictions on group numbers/ social distancing/ indoors meet ups needs to be eased first. Organised social groups haven't been hinted at yet, and no whisperings through organisations like Scouting and Guiding yet which logically have a similar level of risk and would probably be enabled around the same time.

Sadly I don't think it's in a hurry and would be likely to be after schools settle back in the autumn which is sad because it's making maternity leave a very isolated time for new mums at a time that can often be socially fragile anyway. I'd be very happy for timescales to accelerate though, and sometimes I like it when my guesses are wrong

[sansgender]

Ugh these things are important, I'm getting so angry about how children are being treated in all this, and some people's attitudes about it being no big deal. I have a 2 year old, I'm a stay at home mum and I am becoming suicidal because of all this. I used to take him for 3 playgroups a week, swimming, mini gymnastics, story time at the library, soft play most weeks. Or a day trip somewhere on the train and lunch out. 3 months I haven't been able to do any of these things, and I don't have mum friends to meet up with, I don't drive, and live in a crappy area where every bit of grass within walking distance is covered in dog crap and broken glass. I'm trying my best but the thought of no playgroups until possibly next calendar year (will they even bother with them again though??) makes me completely despair.

[Cusano34]

@ReySky I feel for you 💓 I’m missing all the things I used to do with my 2 year old ☹️ Can’t stop wishing that things could go back to how they were. I doubt we’ll get any of those things back for a while yet but I have hope for the future. Have you ever watched the baby club on cbeebies? Not the same i know but it is a good alternative x

[89redballoons]

My DS is also six months OP, and I do sympathise. There are (were) so many lovely baby groups round where I live as well as family friendly pubs and cafes, and it is so crap not being able to go to anything or even introduce my baby to friends and family etc.

However, I've tried to cheer myself up by thinking that even though it is bloody tough, from DS's point of view he is actually having a "good pandemic" as he gets so much undivided attention from me and my furloughed DH. That bond with his primary caregivers is what he really needs at this age. Baby groups are lovely but at the age our babies are, they don't necessarily get anything out of them that they couldn't get from their parents playing/singing/interacting with them. It's friends with toddler DC who are missing out on socialisation, or older DC who are missing out on education, that I really feel for.

That's what I'm telling myself anyway...

[EarlGreywithLemon]

@89redballoons , I have a 7 month old and I think that’s a very good way to think about it. My husband is working but from home, and our daughter loves having him around. She would barely have seen him during the week otherwise. Yes, it’s not the maternity leave I envisaged, but we are here, healthy and spending time with her, so that’s what matters.

[Bol87]

If it helps, my baby massage class is hoping to get back up & running ASAP in July if allowed. It’s a lovely class I did with elder DD & I so hope I can get back with my now 13 week old! It’s a mix of massage, baby yoga, singing & sensory! Babies do it until about 5/6 months (or crawling). Seems doable, easy to socially distance a small class in a village hall, bring you own towels, she’ll wash the padded mats between classes (she only runs one class a day anyway) & it’s with babies who don’t move!

I bet other massage classes will get going again! I know it’s not much but it’s something?!

Around me, there is also a mum walking group. They are back meeting up for walks now! And on the nicer days, the sit & have cake in the park!

[Orangeblossom78]

I have seen groups of mums with babies sitting in groups in the park 2m apart, looks very sweet. Maybe could do that in the nice weather.

[AgnesWestern]

I have a 2 year old and was really hoping playgroups might come back again at some point. I’m very worried about his socialisation.

[Spam88]

My daughter goes to toddler ballet classes and they're preparing to get back to face to face lessons in September. They're following the guidance for childcare settings, so reduced numbers, social distancing, cleaning of props etc. Hoping my sons baby sensory class might go back to face to face by then as well, although he's the same age as yours and I think unfortunately they're going to be the trickiest age - crawling and shoving everything in their mouths, with no understanding of the word no.

[SandieCheeks]

I run a toddler group and we aren’t expecting to start again before September, maybe not til next year.

If I was you I would start your own baby meet up in a park over the summer, up to 6 people socially distancing is allowed at the moment.

[Jrobhatch29]

Im on maternity too have a 6 week baby. Was so looking forward to taking her to the same baby sensory and messy play classes I took her brothers to. The girl who runs baby sensory has posted on facebook she doesnt think she will be able to restart would only be able to run one class a day as opposed to several like she usually does, as she would have to clean every toy, prop and mat after each class. She said the money she would make wouldnt cover the cost of room hire. It is such a shame for this type of business. Baby yoga and massage may resume socially distanced eventually if bring own mat etc as toys and props arent shared

[AgnesWestern]

We have a sure start centre in our town that runs baby and toddler groups. I’m really hoping that’ll open up again in September, as they’re much more regulated as a general rule.

[Billyjoearmstrong]

Not for a while yet.

Impossible to social distance while trailing behind crawling babies/toddlers and they put everything in their mouths. Disinfecting the toys would take the volunteers ages.

I know it’s hard but don’t worry - with my first we were travelling round the world, petty isolated places. he didn’t know or really see any children of his own age until he was two and a half he was just fine, no problem with socialisation.

[flamingochill]

Have you thought about doing a shoutout on a local social media for new mums wanting an outdoor meetup? Everybody bringing their own food, toys and drink would minimise risks.

I've seen other groups (like hobby groups) do this until they can rent their normal group rooms

[dobbythedoggy]

Our church is about to trail mini groups from our usual toddler group in their garden. Pre booked with a maximum of 8 people, no toys, snacks or drinks. But the plan is for half an hour outside with each family group to be provided with bubbles with the lovely children's worker leading singing and reading a story at the end of each slot. We're giving it a go on Monday.

[clareykb]

I did outdoor buggy fit classes with mine wonder if anything like that is running .night be worth a Google

[dobbythedoggy]

Our singing group is also planing a drive in group for what would be the final session of this term to say goodbye to the preschool leavers. AV equipment broadcasting from the hall into the car park.

[Scottishgirl85]

Not for a long while yet I imagine. Do you have any mum friends from before lockdown? What about socially distanced walks with buggies? Remember all mums on mat leave are in same position, I bet even if you don't know anyone you could find local mums and arrange a walk together via local Facebook group? Then garden meets with those you click with. It's easy to SD with a 5 month old as they're not mobile yet.

[JammyDodgersandPeas]

Unfortunately for me it looks like a while yet - thank goodness for the Self Employed support payment!!

Currently looking possible for some outdoor classes over the summer if the numbers allowed lifts. My reading of the legislation is that "groups of 6" doesn't mention age so you'd be looking at the teacher, 2 parents and 3 babies max, so not really profitable. I'm looking at how to implement social distancing, upping cleaning and leaving bigger gaps between classes for cleaning. And keeping my fingers crossed for September reopening!