SAHM with a one year old - how many toddler groups?

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If you’re a SAHM with a toddler, how many toddler groups do you go to a week?

AIBU to not go to many…Im not particularly sociable an like my own company but don’t want DC to miss out?

If you've chosen not to do nursery then you must do play dates or play groups. Something. Your baby needs to interact to learn.

You should do exactly as many toddler groups as you wish. If that is zero and you are happy, that's absolutely fine. They are meant to stop you going mad but if you don't need them, do not worry.

How funny! First 2 replies contradict each other. Yes, a 1 year old needs to interact... with you is fine.

I can’t get to enough myself, hate being home - but I’d think a couple a week would be beneficial

We go to a toddler group pretty much every morning of the week, after we’ve dropped the older DCs off at school.

Depends on age of toddler I think - a one year probably needs less outside social interaction than a 3 year old. Also depends on if you're seeing other people eg friends and family instead?

I think as a SAHP it's probably useful to go to some local groups to make friends with parents of similar age kids. As the kids get older the drudgery of standing in the park in the drizzle is made easier with people to chat to (and friends for your child to play with).

We used to go to two a week, one was music based and the other just a simple stay and okay type thing. Some groups can be very cliquey, so I tended to only go to the ones where the leader was super friendly and helped mums make friends. You may find you want to go to groups once your toddler gets a bit older and drops their nap. It's a long day otherwise!

I works Friday and Saturday nightshift ao I'm mostly a SAHM. My 2 oldest are school age now and do some after school activities (beavers and rainbows, swimming lessons) but I try to go to 2 toddler groups a week and me and my youngest do 1 class. The littlies do a dance class together, which they both hate but some of my friends go and i hate being at home all day. 2 year old goes to forest school three times a week but this is to give me a break 😅

Happy mum is a happy baby, so so long as its working dor you stick with it!

I think research has shown that from 3 is when children begin to see the benefits of socialisation.

I used to go to three a week when mine were 1-2 mainly because I found it hard to entertain them at home all day every day. Broke the day up a bit and gave us some structure.

Whatever works for you. Just because you’re a SAHM doesn’t mean you have to provide the entertainment. I hated toddler groups- the noise from other people’s kids was intolerable to me and I found the groups cliquey. I sent my kid to daycare despite of being SAHM - this enabled me to keep DC home when sick (which was quite a lot in the first year)etc but didn’t mean I have to do all the work for DC’s socialisation.

As many as you want. But for your own mental health at least one. It's easy to get isolated without realizing it.

I take my DS to 3 different playgroups but not necessarily all 3 in one week. I usually take him to music and story time in the library on a Monday and then to the Hackney Play Bus on a Thursday. I don’t like Children’s Centres though, they seem too institutional.

Child 1 - I went to one every day of the week.
Child 3 - zero. Rhymetime at library when she was three. Covid may have had something to do with this initially….They don’t play with each other until after three anyway, they play alongside. She’s happy, outgoing, hitting all milestones etc. Playgroups are for the benefit of the mum more than the child, imvho.

We do something every day - toddler group/outdoor playgroup/swimming/library rhyme time/grandparents. I am lucky in that all of these are pretty much in walking distance.
you don’t need to be “sociable” to go along to most of these, there are lots of free/low cost activities too. Getting out of the house breaks up the day and a break from chores and gives us some routine. If what you’re doing works for you then there’s not a problem but I think at least one a week would be useful.

I did them every day when my DDs were little. I know it may appear excessive but I needed to be out the house for my own mental health so going to groups was perfect. The kids would socialise and play and I'd get to speak to other mums and have a cup of tea.

I've got a 21mo and I don't take him to any. Tried it and he hated it every single time so no more for me. He'll be going to nursery when he's 3 so he'll do his socialising there. Obviously I take him to parks and stuff but he's more interested in running around than other kids

One a week plus singing at the library.
So two organised groups.
We also went to the library just randomly and would often bump into other babies/adults while there.
Being just "out and about" is very good for toddlers. Popping to the shops, getting on a bus, learning to be in a long boring queue at the post office.....etc. Just learning about their local community really.

I did two a week but we really enjoyed them and I didn't have local family to visit so it was our main way to socialise.

We have a list of things on each day and mix it up each week. We do have an existing circle of mum friends though so also ask who is going to what
I met those friends through baby massage with my first and then other classes along the way
I usually do at least 2 activities a week

We do one toddler group and one soft play toddler session each week, but try to get out every day because otherwise my toddler is a stroppy little nightmare. We do the shopping, visit family, go to town or the library depending on the weather. Honestly I hate socialising myself, but if we spend the morning out he naps in the afternoon and it's a nice easy day.
At this age though I think it depends a lot on the personality of the child as to whether it's worth it or not, so just do what works for you.

Mine are much older, but I used to go to 4 sometimes 5 a week in the morning, outside in the afternoon. I am a firm believer of "getting out of the house every day".

I don't think you have to do anything, but it was great to have different toys to play with, learning about other children snatching toys, and activities I would never replicate a home.

I was also guilt-free to get on with chores first thing and late afternoon leaving my kids entertain themselves, bonus the house stayed tidy while we were outside 😂

Nearly everyday for my two year old.

At this age I did two music classes (mainly because I liked them) and a playgroup every week, and a play date/meet up with a friend. I did need a couple of days where we just did our own thing as I found playgroups quite overwhelming.

Thanks for all the replies so far

So we do do a lot of stuff and are out the house most days. I need to pick up DC1 from school so that gets us out for a nice long puschair walk and we say hi to other parents on school run. Plus I often take DC2 out in pushchair to browse the shops, grab a coffee etc. We chat to the barista and say hi if that counts as socialising!

I have a few mum friends from DC1 but there is a big gap between my kids (10 years) so they don’t have babies.

I used to take DC1 to playgroups four times a week which is why I’m feeling a little guilty. It was an effort for me though but I thought it was for DC’s benefit.

As DC2 has an older sibling I guess I’ve been much more relaxed and felt they’ve got most interaction with them after school.

I also see my mum once a week.