WIBU to go back to this toddler session?

[CantWaitForWarmWeather]

Took DS2 to toddler gymnastics this morning. This is the first time taking him and just wanted to see how he liked it. Turns out he really enjoyed it.

DS is going through those terrible twos at the moment, coupled with having a speech and language delay. So he can get quite grumpy as well as not being able to follow instructions. On the equipment today, he had went on them but didn't do what the instructor was telling him to do. Eg. He was meant to bunny hop across the bench but instead he walked across it. He was meant to walk backwards on a piece of equipment but instead walked forwards.

Then it came to doing a forward role. He actually did manage to do this a couple of times, but was at first was reluctant so the instructor encouraged him to do a "sausage roll", where he rolled across the mat on his side. This was fine with me.

The bit behind him was older and confident on the equipment, and I'd seen him doing forward rolls no problem. But when he saw DS do a sausage roll he wanted to do one too, so he did.
Then I heard his Grandma say to him "No, you have to do it properly. Don't copy him", and then she kept glaring at me as if to say, 'your child is distracting my grandchild'. Her grandson wanted to do a sausage roll!

As the session went on, DS got a bit frustrated and threw himself to the floor a couple of times. Then he carried on. I then over heard the grandma again saying to another woman "At the other class they got control of the naughty children".

At that point I thought oh stop being so fucking miserable. Not every child is like this because they are plain naughty ffs and I felt like telling her that DS is being tested for Autism and to shut her trap. I didn't of course because I'm not one for confrontation, but she was just such a snob who seemed intolerant of less than perfect children/parents.

He's only just started, and I'm sure all children are different in their confidence and abilities. But why should I keep DS locked away and never build his confidence up because of other people? There may be another new child next week in the same boat!

She's probably hoping I don't go back next week. Should I go back?

Oh, do go back. It is the perfect opportunity to use that Mumsnet classic: catch her eye, hold it and calmly, quizzicly, sadly say:

Did you mean to be so rude?

Go on, practice in the mirror and sock it to her really good

I would go back just to piss her off especially as your DS enjoyed it.
There's always some rent-a-gob willing to make snap judgements and ignorant comments so this is where you develop your thick skin and ignore her.

Don't let mealymouthed people push you out from what you want to do. :)

Definitely go back. It sounds very like the gym class DS goes to (you aren't in Bucks/South Oxon are you?). He is 3 now, but been going since 2. DS still struggles to follow the instructions, point blank refuses to do certain things and has been known to throw himself on the floor in a rage. It got so bad at one point I asked the organisers if they would rather we left. They told me not to be silly.

BUT, he loves those classes, talks about them all week and I have been lucky that I have had nothing but sympathetic comments from other parents or guardians there.

Please just ignore the woman, she won't get much support from the majority of the parents.

He too was a late talker and had some preliminary discussions regarding autism through my GP, but at the moment that doesn't look like it's an issue. He has just graduated to the class he goes by himself, so perseverance worked.

Sweetsuz has a good retort.

I take my dd to a gymnastics class for 3-5 year olds. Honestly your child seems normal. The only time I have ever judged (In my head) is when a child was going week in, week out and clearly was not enjoying and they were being forced into it. There were lots of tears and in the end the instructors had to ask the mum to take the child from the group.

I think we've all been there with a defiant toddler and if I overheard anyone mouthing off about a naughty child I'd judge them more than the child tbh.

Go back next week have fun ds and take her a 'sausage roll'

Your DS sounds just like mine - he never does what he's told to at classes but always has fun - although now mine is now 4 I probably need to start getting him used to it before he starts school in September.
In fact my DS was unceremoniously kicked out of swimming lessons last week after only one session for failure to follow instructions! His twin sister is totally opposite and does everything the teachers ask.

Was it Tumble Tots?

DD went to Tumble Tots for three years (12 months to 4) and it was fabulous for her self confidence. She really loved it too.

The staff at ours just wanted children to go, take part & have fun. So long as they weren't hurting anyone else, they didn't care whether a child did a forward roll, a sausage roll or any other sort of roll. Yes, there was an "official" way to use the equipment each week - walk backwards along this, bunny hop over that, sausage roll down the hill & throw a beanbag in the hoop at the bottom type thing - but they were far more meant as guidelines than law!

Your DS took part & had fun. It was a toddler group not the Olympics. The grandmother was being a twat (and the group leaders probably thought so too if truth be told).

Go back with your head held high. She's not worth your attention.

Don't explain anything. Why should you? He's 2, that's what 2 year olds do. It's not 'naughty'. If she says anything again, just smile and say "always easy to parent someone else's child, isn't it?".

He's 2! He mainly did it and occasionally didn't...that's being 2 isn't it?

Ignore her! If she doesn't like it she can go boil her head ;)

Go back and super praise your ds for every move! If he does a sausage roll say 'well done sweetheart, that was a FANTASTIC sausage roll! You're such a clever boy!'

Smile, be proud and just think how much fun your ds is having and how much this will help him! :)

Granny can go home and book her tickets for the 2032 Olympics.... 😌

Go back, and when granny twat feels the need to share her freak opinions, just say 'oh, I am sorry, I didn't realise it was toddlers and twats session, I thought it was open to normal parents and carers too'

Your ds was being 2, and behaving like he's 2. She was behaving like a twat, therefore she is a twat.

Go back. He loved it. He enjoys it and it is good for socialisation.

You said your child is being tested for autism - if he it turns out he is, you are going to hear far worse from other parents who don't understand.

You need to toughen up - do not apologise for a two year old acting like a two year old. Do not let it get to you.

She was a grumpy grandmother - ignore it.

I'm guessing the poor old grandma has memory issues. Seems to forget her golden grandchild had to learn these things too...

Yes, go back. He had fun. Sounds like the teacher was engaging him too.

You should go back if he enjoyed it. Just ignore her. (I say that but I know I'd struggle not to say anything! )

Your DS sounds completely normal. At 2 they are only just learning to follow instructions & wait to take turns. You'll find some weeks are better than others. If bitchy Grandma is there again try & make sure your DS goes after her DGS as I found following an older, more confident child helped. My DD spent a fair bit of yesterday's session running round in circles & refusing to actually climb anything. No one batted an eyelid, even when half of the other toddlers decided to join her!

Go back and have fun. Ignore her. Classes for 2 year olds are about learning through trying new things and having fun. As long as he is generally having a go and joining in then that is fine. The instructor should make it enjoyable and should understand all children are different.
I will warn though that I did a ballet class with my spirited 2 year old and she was similar. She would join in some bits but not others. Some of the other mums were quite snotty and the teacher was too. I didn't feel comfortable there and switched to a much better, general fun dance class which my DD loved. Turns out DD was not a ballet type of girl.

Why is the teacher taking it so seriously. They're only little babies ffs.
At that age you just want them to have fun. You can't expect 2 year olds to follow such complex instructions. And they are complex instructions to a baby. Walk this way, roll that way.
I agree fully with Spider. She's taken the words out of my mouth.
You should have turned around and said something to that Grandmother. I wouldn't dream of passing a comment about someone else's child/grandchild. You don't know what's wrong with a child .

If he enjoyed it. You damn well take him back.

Of course you should go back! Your child enjoyed himself and the teachers will be well used to kids (with or without SN) doing variations of things according to their ability and confidence. And they are toddlers, it's for fun and exercise and I guess to help physical awareness etc. If your son is enjoying it and the teachers are supportive then keep going!

Oh and he's not being disruptive (could see why that might annoy other parents), so there's no reason for huffing and puffing from anyone!

He is 2, and enjoyed it. So go back.

It seems as though the grandma was maybe a bit out of touch in her thinking and assumes each class should be like school in terms of rules and doing things in a certain way, rather than accepting that classes for young children are about fun and interaction.

Definitely go back! & just ignore her if she is there. Enjoy watching your DS enjoy himself

Go back. My son is two with no suspected ASD and would have similarly freestyled his way through that experience! Seriously, what a wally. Who cares if their toddler does a sausage roll or a roly poly? Is that something which would actually trouble someone?!

This has made me really want to try a gymnastics class with my 2 year old! Definitely go back. Honestly the number of toddler activities I go to and 2 year old's ignore the actual activity and do what they enjoy...they're only little who cares! Tbh if an older child preferred to do sausage rolls then it still wouldn't matter. Taking part and trying is the most important thing and just being there around other kids their age is just great.

The person moaning is in the wrong and probably makes comments about anyone and everyone.

Also anyone else think sausage rolls sounds very cute! My dd does these at home she calls them role polys but I might encourage the use of sausage rolls. Although she'd think she was getting a snack!

You are doing brilliant-don't let anyone make you feel otherwise.

Keep going back and don't let her get to you.