To think that I can go to this baby class?

[Gerbera55]

Background info:
A friend and I are both teachers so have an understanding of how language development works and how important it is. I am a mum to a 12 week old.
My council have released information about a language development focus baby class they are going to run at a local children’s centre. They haven’t announced cost yet, but based on other classes I have seen, it will likely be free or very low cost.
I saw my friend today and she asked about any classes I have been doing with baby. I told her about the baby massage and sensory classes I have been doing. I mentioned the language development class to her and she told me she thinks I shouldn’t go because I know how to support my baby’s language development, so I should leave the spaces for mums from low income families who can’t afford classes or for those parents who need support with language development.
In one sense I can see where she’s coming from, but equally my maternity pay won’t stretch to the more expensive classes for much longer and also I want to do as much as possible to support my child’s language development, especially with them being August born.

AIBU?

Came to say the same. Child services are one area where support can really be targeted in this way, so I'm sure the council would have set certain criteria if this was a concern. If they find it isn't achieving its aims after one round (which won't last more than a couple of months) then they can make it more targeted in future. No point second guessing it in the meantime.

LOL at "language development" for a 12-week-old baby! Or 6 months come to that - PFB nonsense. Talk to the baby in daily life and barring any learning difficulties they will eventually talk to you.

To be honest if I went along to a baby group and encountered someone with attitudes like yours I would probably be put off going back. It wouldn't matter what class I was. I would not want to spend time with someone as narrow-minded as you are coming across.

Your baby is only 12 weeks old and you are a teacher who has an understanding of language development- I very much doubt these classes are meant for you.

You think that’s ‘angry’?! I’m pleased you’ve lived such a very sheltered life! Do tell, which bit was ‘angry’?!

If you want to go then go , if it’s being subsidised by the council then surely it’s people’s council tax that is helping towards the cost so as far as I’m concerned if you pay your taxes then you are entitled to use the facilities/ classes .

Sorry, I misunderstood you were just being kind

Idk whether you should go to the class or not, but I am also a teacher and my son is also summer born, and I would say don't worry so much. Unless your baby has some kind of SEN their language will develop just fine! I never went to one of those classes and my son's language is fantastic. You just have to talk to them. I'm not saying the classes cannot be extremely valuable; just don't feel too worried if you don't end up going.

The point some people are making is that a teacher will be likely to already have the kind of basic parenting skills that will be taught at this course - eg knowing that it’s really important to talk to her baby all the time. Not everyone is this competent and needs the extra help. In that sense, she’s not as deserving, because she doesn’t have the same need to take the course. It’s not to do with money.

I hadn’t thought about local parents FB groups, thank you - I’ll have a look for one.

I’ve been keeping an eye on the cafe noticeboards and the general local FB group but I’ve only seen the children’s centre, one library class and an outdoor toddler thing. We didn’t used to have an NCT class nearby but I’ll check in again if we reach that point.

I don’t to take a much needed place from anyone but it’s hard to know where to start when you know nothing!

So, you couldn’t point out where I was being ‘angry’ because I wasn’t! Also, I don’t have to be kind, it isn’t a prerequisite of being a woman. OP and her child are as entitled to join in any group she likes and it is not her duty to gatekeep places within those groups. For all you know, OP could be very much struggling with being a mum and needs interaction within these groups, I would argue that your inability to see that, is unkind.

Language development for a 12 week old! Seriously????

The parents it is aimed at won't go. Many of the free activities for children on low incomes don't get much interest from that group so I don't see why you can't go?

They might do?!

If you were an expert in something, to the point where you’d studied the subject beyond degree level and now taught that subject at degree level, what exactly do you think you might learn at a course covering the fundamentals?

It’s like saying a maths professor might learn something at a class covering basic maths such as percentages, ratios and fractions, ie ridiculous.

Right then. Thank you.

I found having ADHD and just constantly wittering away to my child helps. Only now they constantly witter away too.

Yeah, welcome to parenting 😂
The judgment never ends, so just make your decisions with the best intentions.

You’re welcome!

Not all parents do know how or feel comfortable talking to baby. Communication development starts prenatally. I’m not sure I’d LOL at being ignorant.

Yes, I'm in that situation also. I wouldn't begrudge a mother and baby a little once weekly group though.

Do teachers learn about development of babies?

In my experience, things like that tend to be 'invite only' and you get referred by health professionals if your child is obviously struggling with speech and language.

The comment from someone that 'middle class mums' shouldn't go as it'll 'alienate working class mums' is one of the funniest things I've seen on Mumsnet! The notion that middle class mothers are automatically knowledgeable about the topic this class is aimed at, and already will know everything the facilitator might be teaching, and that working class mums will not know any of this, is deeply, DEEPLY classist and offensive. I'd love to know where this comes from, other than a chip on the shoulder of someone who considers themselves working class and resents 'middle class mums'? Or worse, a 'middle class mum' that feels comfortable viewing themselves as superior to working class mums? Neither is a good look!

Go OP, I would. There have been times in my life I've assumed something has very little to teach me, and I've been proven happily wrong. Plus it shows demand, so it'll be more likely to continue running. Anyone who needs more intensive support than this course offers, whose child is experiencing delays, or whose parenting raises concerns, will have more support than a voluntary class available.

These topics really do bring out some deeply weird perspectives.

Well said. I found myself in a very similar situation with my firstborn.