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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

to wish there was toddler groups on the weekend

16 replies

AuntiePickleBottom · 01/05/2011 09:33

i would love to take dd to a baby and toddler group, but they are all in the weekday when i am working.

also it would mean when the father (or mums) have weekend access they can also take advantage of toddler groups.

OP posts:
ben5 · 01/05/2011 09:36

Why don't you start one? Church halls or community centres will help you start one up. Also ask other toddler group leaders for there help

ragged · 01/05/2011 09:58

It probably won't work, sorry, just in my experience people preserve weekends as time with their partners & school age children & visits with extended family (even if their partners often work weekends). Sundays pretty sacrosanct as slow don't-have-to-get-up-early-n-go-anywhere day.

It might work if you live in a very high density area, especially if lots of shift workers.

littleducks · 01/05/2011 10:04

They dont really work, have been in different areas where surestart centres have tried (often as a father and toddler group Hmm I even sent dh to one once, he said there were three other dads, one of which was the one hired to bring some soft play equipment, so not a raving sucess)

Some areas have gymboree type things on saturday mornings or soft play places have special 'breakfast' offers if you go at the crack of dawn.

nannynick · 01/05/2011 11:09

Sunday school is a bit like a toddler group at some churches. Perhaps try going along to one of those, even if you are not religious.

The dads groups I don't feel work... but if it was a group open to all then it might work - but not sure how many people would attend groups at the weekend, so budgeting wise it may not make enough for the hall hire.

How about arranging an informal meet for local parents at a local soft play place. You may be able to do a deal with the soft play place if it's held during a quiet time for them to get reduced entry or a free coffee.

SardineQueen · 01/05/2011 11:36

It's funny isn't it, my DH often works weekends as do a lot of others I know and so you would have thought there might be a demand. Maybe it depends on which area you are - might work in some?

Agree with the point about some churches having sunday schools that are very good.

4madboys · 01/05/2011 12:07

we have one near me for single parents (ginerbread?) that runs on a saturday and also one for dads, tho i saw recently that it was now not being soley advertised towards dads, i think they are fairly popular tho, but i live 20 mins from a city adn the toddler groups, pre school here are all oversubscribed so there is obviously a 'need' iyswim?

4madboys · 01/05/2011 12:08

btw i am in the same boat with a parnter who works three weekends out of four, so am on my own with the kids and often NEED to get out, i tend to do trips to the park etc, which is fine now the weather is getting better.

and there is a local sunday school near me that i can send my eldest two or three boys to and i dont have to go with them Grin they were happy to go despite us not being a religious family cos it was lots of game playing and there was a tuck shop which they were allowed 50p for sweets! (bribery) Grin

MrsVidic · 01/05/2011 12:46

I'm in the same boat, my Dp also works most weekends! My friends and I often meet up though as one is a farmers wife and the other's Dp is training for a sports event. It works well on a sat, then church is the alternative on a Sunday!

Icoulddoitbetter · 01/05/2011 12:57

There's one near us on a sunday afternoon and it's really good. I tends to be quite quiet (it get's packed on the weekdays it's also on). DH takes DS on his own to give me a break and it gives our very active toddler someehere to expend his energy.

I'm lucky as I have DH around all weekend but I'm sure if he worked shifts then I'd be in dire need to this type of thing too!

colditz · 01/05/2011 12:58

I'm utterly with you on this. As a single parent, I spent the vast majority of my weekends alone until I got a boyfriend and my youngest was 3 then. I would have loved a Saturday afternoon group.

Lizcat · 01/05/2011 13:01

Sunday School and Swimming were the things I went to when DD was a toddler. Sunday School the vast majority were left so I was one of the few/only mum who stayed the I would tidy up when they moved on to another activity and help keep the scissors with the big ones in craft activities etc. Swimming was a chance to chat to other mums.

theghostofposhlymanor · 01/05/2011 13:11

The children's centre near me does one on a Saturday morning, but it's only for dads Hmm

tallulah · 01/05/2011 13:19

I was just thinking this yesterday. DH works just about every weekend, and working full-time I don't know any local mums. Surely there must be enough people in the same situation to warrant something being on on a Saturday?

Groovee · 01/05/2011 13:47

One local board I use set up a single parents group who met on Sundays and had lunch or coffee together and just got out of the house. From that around 13 mums and dad's attend regularly and have set up a baby sitting circle between them for evenings or appointments etc. Try your local board and see what you can set up.

Southcoastsarah · 01/05/2011 14:31

why dont you cut down your hours to take your kid to toddler group, or work on a weekend?

Firawla · 01/05/2011 14:54

Our children's centre does one on sat and it gets quite busy, I think they have a lot more success if they don't limit only to dads but make it open for anyone.

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