To not go to baby/toddler groups?

[ToddlerDecibels]

Is my DS(1) massively missing out?

We go to soft play centres every so often but the idea of going to mums groups or children centres isn't for me.

How important is it for toddlers to interact with other toddlers?

Obviously it is completely your decision, but both my dc and I made friends that have lasted through primary school at toddler groups. I found the friends I made through out toddler group hugely supportive.

Definitely try a class vs play group/open soft play type thing.

I'm not a fan of play group or soft play to be honest...mainly because a lot of parents at my local ones sit on their phones with a coffee, ignoring their kids.

But I loved taking my eldest to a baby class, there were some really lovely parents there and I'm an extremely socially awkward introvert. I really surprised myself!!

Don't stress either way op, I really don't think it makes any difference to be honest.

I don't think your child would be missing out if socialising, learning to share, getting used to following rules etc in another way.

I did LOTS of classes and baby groups for Me - as I got really lonely and miserable having no adult interaction all day every day! Some were awful and clichy, some were lovely and welcoming. The local Childrens Centre was amazing and I started with bumps and babes when DS was 4 weeks and 5yrs later I'm still in touch with some of the mums I met there and progressed through the different groups to they started school! Classes could be great too - swimming I made some Fab friends through. Massage DS hated so I never got chance to chat to anyone as was so stressed with him screaming. Baby sensory was mostly groups that already knew each other so didn't talk to me but DS enjoyed it and leader very friendly. Music groups and baby signing when he was 6m plus were also brilliant. Playgroups when he was on the move also hit and miss. I'd avoid the ones where the mums just sat on the sides drinking tea and leave their toddlers to hit my DS over the head with toys... The ones where the leaders come and chat if one own and introduce you to other new mums/ with child same age we're my favourite.

In my experience it was just trial and error and if not enjoying just leave. But often just being out somewhere was better than being miserable at home!

Living in a military community we, four friends and I, were asked to take our toddlers to a group because many of the very young army wives simply didn't know how to play with their children. When we went they seemed to think, Great, someone to entertain our children, lets go and have a coffee and cigarette! We never went again.

I did because it gave structure to our day, forced us to go out and it was nice to chat to other DMs.

I don’t think DS got much out of it. I now cringe at the memory of carting him to weekly Mini Mozart classes at 3 months .

I went to groups with my eldest because I knew no one in the local area and wanted to make friends. We don't have family nearby so wanted to have a support network.

Four years on I have a lovely friendship group. They helped out when my youngest was born (came to look after my eldest when I needed to go to hospital etc). It's also nice to have people to go to the park, soft play or activities with. A group of 4 of us are going climbing with our 4 year olds in half term, we met at baby groups when they were tiny.