To really hate that my toddler keeps deciding when we are going?

[Sunflowerpoppies]

When we go to a group at the moment my toddler knows the format and when it’s the ending song or rhyme gets up and walks/runs out.

I do bring him back and make him say good bye and thank you but he then as soon as we’ve said it he runs off again. It’s rubbish as it means I’m charging after him (also have a baby) and I know this is selfish but means I don’t get ten minutes to sit and chat with other mums, I’m not sure it anyone can relate?!

There's nothing, absolutely nothing, more boring for children than hanging about being expected to wait quietly and do nothing while mum chats to other people. Can't you meet them earlier to socialise?

I take my 1 and 3 year-old to a playgroup most mornings. I chat with the other parents throughout the playtime.

Going against what a lot of you are saying but.... I think your little one is the organisers dream child.
They have a routine of singing a goodbye song as a signal to all of you that it's time to leave. They don't want you then hanging around for another 10 minutes to chat.
Take the hint, bothe from the organisers and your child and go. Get your chatting done in the time before.

I honestly think so many of you haven’t understood and I do realise that I wasn’t initially clear but why would you keep posting on a thread you haven’t read?

yes, they do want us to stay. That’s the whole point of it. There is a structured session and then there is a fifteen minute stay and chat session!

My DS regularly runs away from things he can’t be bothered with. When I used to take him and older DS to a rhyme time group, older DS would sit really well listening to the story and getting involved with the songs but DS2 had no interest. He’d just try to run away constantly so it made it really difficult for me. He loved the part where they got the toys out so he could play and he does love stories at home but he didn’t like the librarian’s choices I guess… I gave up in the end because I spent most of the time chasing after him and it just isn’t fun.

Maybe it’s just the wrong sort of group and you should try a more interactive/active one?

DS was like this. Later diagnosed with ASD and ADHD....