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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

to no longer bother with baby sensory?

128 replies

jamiecooks · 05/02/2019 19:14

Have paid in advance for a term's worth of classes. Been to 1 and think there are about 5 left. Feel I should go because of that but I just find myself laughing all the way through it at the pointlesness of it and the grown women earnestly (and very seriously) singing "say hello to the sun" at their precious moppets and think "what the fuck am I doing here"?!!!

OP posts:
macmacaroon · 06/02/2019 01:05

Is it the potentially wasted money that's an issue or the fact that you don't like it? I'm not sure I follow what the "problem" is. If the former, can you negotiate and ask for some money back? If the latter, is it because you haven't made any mum friends there maybe? Perhaps a different class with a friendlier group would help.

AssassinatedBeauty · 06/02/2019 01:09

@importantkath Baby Sensory is a franchise where a leader does an activity session each week, usually on a theme like underwater, space, French week (!) and so on. It's usually split into sections, babies are laid down/sat on mats in a square/circle with the leader at the front. The leader starts with the welcome song which is the Hello to the Sun song, with accompanying baby signing. Then they do various sensory activities like light shows, messy play, water activities, puppet shows, treasure baskets, smelly herbs/flowers and so on. Along with more singing and sometimes dancing round with your baby.

There's usually a less structured section where you can go and play with your baby on various baby play equipment. Then you all gather back for the ending session, similar to above, finishing with the Goodbye song.

I found it was a great way to get me out of the house, my babies enjoyed it, I liked the singing and the leader of the one I went to was very friendly and kind. It was a nice environment to get more confident with breastfeeding my baby when out and about as a new mum with my first baby.

I don't really understand the sneering about this sort of class. If you try it and don't like it that's fine, you don't have to carry on with them.

importantkath · 06/02/2019 06:33

@AssassinatedBeauty I think that sounds amazing. Being a new mum can be so lonely, and you make a valid point about a secure environment when establishing breastfeeding.

OP, Don't be mean. If you don't like it, just don't go. Find something else. Simples.

MayCatt · 06/02/2019 07:07

"Are you a professional woman on maternity leave with her 1st baby by any chance? I think it's a big leap from world of career woman independence to baby singing and dancing classes..."

Yes, because professional career women couldn't possibly sing to their babies Hmm

londonrach · 06/02/2019 07:18

I loved it. Was great to get out of the house, new toys and made some friends. Also you get amazing photos of baby. Best thing i did. Say hello to the sun... my dd loved the music all the different sensory experiences. Her fav being the lights, bubbles and puppets.

SherlockSays · 06/02/2019 07:18

Professional career woman here! I love taking DD to her music and sensory classes - it's an hour-hour and half that I don't have to decide what to do to keep her entertained. Now she's 6 months she loves it even more, especially the singing. S

SherlockSays · 06/02/2019 07:19

..and I get to speak to other adults.

Nothisispatrick · 06/02/2019 10:39

Are so many people really embarrassed by singing to their babies?

RainbowWaffles · 06/02/2019 12:09

Has anybody else found themselves calling their DC little moppett after reading this thread? I have been calling the baby moppett all morning.

MaryShelley1818 · 06/02/2019 12:32

My Maternity Leave was difficult, looking back I was suffering from undiagnosed PND and I found it impossible to go to groups and talk to other mams.
Baby Sensory was amazing, it’s my one truly positive memory and experience. DS attended from 4wks - 11mths old and absolutely loved every second. He’s almost 14mths now and the Say Hello song still calms him down if he’s upset. Our group leader was superb.
We all enjoy different things but try opening your mind a little instead of sneering as you never know why someone is there - it was a lifeline for me.

OMGithurts · 06/02/2019 12:45

I loved Baby Sensory. We still listen to the CD in the car 🌞🌙⭐🌧 and DD loved it too, I can still picture her wee face. We did 8 months of it (from she was 4 months to a year), I got to talk to people, have some daft fun, DD would nap afterwards which was miraculous. I was so sad to finish when my mat leave ended.

It's not compulsory, it's not for everyone, but no need to be sneery eh?

bookmum08 · 06/02/2019 13:09

LawrieMarlow I probably was a bit mean to say 'suckers' (apologies) but I just find it daft people are paying what is actually quite a lot of money when pretty much the same thing is happening for free at the same time in the same building!

Ariela · 06/02/2019 13:31

I'm with you on this, no point going unless you BOTH enjoy it. My pointless experience was with baby signing which 19 years ago was the new 'thing' that all the yummy mummies signed up to - so I signed for a term, it was quite expensive and was a total waste of time. Unfortunately at 9 months my daughter, who'd always been vocal & was an early speaker already spoke many words. Trying to teach a sign to a child that only wanted to copy you and SAY the word was a bit exasperating and frankly I could have done without the eyebrow raising and tutting of the yummy mummies (who were a complete clique of their own) , I just felt very uncomfortable especially when they tutted and said that my daughter should be able to learn the sign (which she didn't want to, and it was obviously pointless) rather than 'chatter too loudly' when she clearly was saying 'Drink' or whatever the next sign we were learning.
Not all these classes are for every child, or every parent come to that. YANBU.

Mmmhmmm · 06/02/2019 13:32

The baby sensory class we go to is just baby focused not a way to meet other Mum's, I think it would be a waste of money otherwise.

I go to a free group to meet other Mum's and have grown up chat.

I don't know why people have such a problem singing songs to their babies, our daughter has always loved us singing to her and gets a huge smile when lifted up while singing. It's about the baby, not your ego and odd hatred of kids songs.

Ridiculous songs and cartoons are kind of part of the baby/small child package.

Wallsbangers · 06/02/2019 13:46

So much sneering on this post.

Yeah I felt like a bit of a tool at the first one but my baby was alert and interested in what was going on and he grew to absolutely love it. I nearly cried when we finished.

For me as a ftm I wanted to play in a way that was more than waving a toy at him, I learnt so much from classes and could spend my money on things I saw him actively enjoy than just guessing what he might like. I made friends with babies the same age. The toys were always in good condition and clean, I can't say that for my local playgroup or softplay.

LaurieMarlow · 06/02/2019 13:47

i probably was a bit mean to say 'suckers' (apologies) but I just find it daft people are paying what is actually quite a lot of money when pretty much the same thing is happening for free at the same time in the same building!

You always have to factor in what people are paying for. I.e. it's not just a class.

For me, it was worth the money because ...

My NCT class was doing it, it was a good opportunity for us all to hang out. For whatever reason there was more appetite for this class than any other among the group.

All the free classes in my area were oversubscribed, thus requiring me to queue in advance to get in. It was worth it to me to pay money to avoid this.

BS introduced me to more new ideas to try at home (songs, rhymes, activities) than the traditional rhyme time classes. I'm a novelty junkie and get bored easily so I loved this.

The class was more sociable than other classes and I made more mum friends there.

I think everyone finds the activities they (and their baby) enjoy. For what it's worth, I trialled monkey music and hated it, thought it was a total rip off. It's just what works for you.

Mia1415 · 06/02/2019 14:08

Its up to you if you don't want to go again, but I think the comment 'laughing all the way through it at the pointlesness of it' is quite unfair.

You may find it pointless but others do not.

Don't be so quick to judge. I only had 6 months maternity leave before I had to go back to work full time and I'd do almost anything to have those precious months and baby classes back with my DS.

Artesia · 06/02/2019 14:09

I don’t think people do have a problem with singing to their babies- I certainly did it all the time. Just didn’t need to do it in a contrived group environment.

LaurieMarlow · 06/02/2019 14:14

Just didn’t need to do it in a contrived group environment.

Slightly bizarre choice of words there.

Would all group singing environments be classified as 'contrived'? Are choirs contrived? Baby rhyme time contrived?

Lots of babies/mums like the structure, the group dynamics, the other children, the new material. There's nothing unusual about any of that.

Equally, if it's not for you, that's fine. It's not compulsory.

Sockmonster23 · 06/02/2019 16:46

I didn't bother with baby sensory but we did lots of toddler groups much better and beneficial for us. Never doing baby sensory didn't harm me or my kids. If you don't like It don't go.

FlossieTeacakesFurCoat18 · 06/02/2019 18:40

lol at all the mums taking offence at the OP. Have I stumbled onto netmums by mistake? GrinGrin

DrCoconut · 06/02/2019 18:51

We went for one (taster) class of music bugs. I found it far too frantic and rushed for DS as there were too many activities for the time and he was getting fed up with having his instruments taken away when he'd barely looked at them. So, we didn't go again and freed up a place for someone else. Win all round.

bookmum08 · 06/02/2019 18:54

LawrieMarlow if you enjoyed the groups you went too that's good. I'm not against any 'classes' and if parents have the money to pay for them then that is up to them. My point was just that the free group and the expensive 'class' are literally happening in the same building at the same time! I know a lot of people like these baby classes and that's fine. I agree it is very important for parents to get out and about with their babies. For me it was the library singing, various stay and play groups and a Health Visitor led baby group - all free groups. The paid for groups weren't really on my radar but it doesn't mean I am against them. These days I spend a lot of time in my library using the internet and when the singing is happening I sometimes find myself singing along - even though my girl is 10 now so it's been a long time since we have been to sing!

TedAndLola · 06/02/2019 19:03

lol at all the mums taking offence at the OP. Have I stumbled onto netmums by mistake?

I know! I think OP touched a few nerves here...

Pernickity1 · 06/02/2019 19:35

I’m with you OP! I felt like a total knob at these classes, I remember laughing at one point just like you and thinking “how has my life come to this?!”. Plus babies don’t “need” any stimulation like this so it’s more for the mums to get out of the house. I decided I really didn’t need to get out of the house THAT badly so I stopped going. It’s all so cringe!