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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

To think "classes" for babies and very young children a re a money-making scam?

281 replies

Gateau · 01/09/2008 09:17

I've never heard anything so ludicrous in all my life - "classes" for babies and very young children. I'm talking about the likes of music and singing classes, 'gym' classes, overpriced swimming classes etc etc.. The list is endless.
Recently someone told me their baby learnt to "wave" at a music class and another told me their little one learnt to climb stairs at gymn classes. Ummm, can we not teach them these ourselves??! I did.
I just find them so patronising and more than that, I don't think it's fair to put them in classes at such a young age. There's enough time for classes when school comes round.
I know some Mums, partic SAHMs want their LOs to socialise with other LOs and classes are a social outlet for them, but what's wrong with natural growth - ie nursery,a playgroup or mother and toddler group, soft play, the park, the garden, playing inside with them yourself, inviting other LOs round to play......??
IMO these classes are nothing but a money-making scam; I can't believe so many parents have fallen for it.

OP posts:
ScottishMummy · 01/09/2008 14:59

yep did baby massage too,loved it.recommend it

Lizzzombie · 01/09/2008 15:02

too bad they dont teach a 'mum massage' form baby class. That would go down a treat right now! - I'd pay good money to send lo to that!

ScottishMummy · 01/09/2008 15:06

i love the expression "pay good money" by implication can one pay "bad money"

Lizzzombie · 01/09/2008 15:15

I guess if it was a rubbish class and he didn't learn any decent massage tips then I would have obviously paid "bad money" for the class! doh!

ScottishMummy · 01/09/2008 15:19

it is a my mum expression usually said in consternation

NattyThomasAndEllen · 01/09/2008 15:23

M&T groups are awful. no one speaks to you, and if u try to speak to them they look at you like ur insane.
and no YOUNG mothers come to any of the toddler groups round here, only middle aged mothers of 1, which frown apon me (a 22yo young woman with 2 kids and 1 on the way) because they think im some chav with 3 kids by 3 dads. they dont take to time to get to know me, they just make assuptions, most of them would be shocked to know me and DH have been together 5 years, and planned all our children.
when i took my daughter to sing and sign she learnt 20 different signs, i meet several nice mums, and i got to spend a precious hour a week with just her, as one on one time with more than one child is hard.

these classes can do no harm, and if the mother and child are enjoying them why not?

WickedBitchoftheEast · 01/09/2008 15:46

Gateau is obviously a sad, miserable, lonely and very bored administrator who has nothing better to occupy her time.

Whine whine whine

Janni · 01/09/2008 15:50

I would be concerned if classes for babies and toddlers became an expected norm, adding another level of expectation regarding what parents are supposed to be doing with their children. I avoided them, but always had a niggling feeling that my children were missing out, somehow, because there were so
many in my area.

Oblomov · 01/09/2008 15:53

oh don't you just love it when a thread gets really nasty on a personal level.

Original poster
Gateau · 01/09/2008 15:54

WickedBitchoftheEast - you do sound like a horrible witch, so you've chosen your name well.
And I bet administrators on MNwouldn't be happy to read your ludicrous stereotype.

OP posts:
WickedBitchoftheEast · 01/09/2008 15:54

Oblomov ~ I thought that was the whole idea of an OP like this ?

Oblomov · 01/09/2008 15:56

Wicked Bitch, where has all this come from ?
I saw no buld up to this ?
Am I being a bit slow off the mark here ?

Original poster
Gateau · 01/09/2008 15:57

It's only good when it's actually perceptive. Wicked witch's is just bitchy playground stuff - boring.

OP posts:
stripeymama · 01/09/2008 16:01

I didn't think there was any need for this to get so personal!

Its an interesting issue. And Janni is absolutely right in what she says about the expectations placed on parents, and how these things do become the norm. I suspect its partly to do with the need to fill time in an age where so many things (food, water, heating, washing etc) are so much more easily done. Children no longer have the same opportunities to do real things and to mooch about after their parents copying the things they see and learning life skills through imitation.

Oblomov · 01/09/2008 16:04

I actually totally disagree with Gateau on this one. And agree with ... Pruners I think it was. BUT, this has now gone to a totally different level. Shame.

ILoveDolly · 01/09/2008 16:05

i took my dd to swimming and to music classes which she enjoyed much more that full time at home with me and no other kids to play with. there is only one playgroup that we can get to and the rest of the time we were toute seule. not that healthy for either of us! I appreciate that if you have a lot of other kids/facilities around then it is a bit of a waste of cash. but some of us are greatful for the opportunity to add variety to the week!

WickedBitchoftheEast · 01/09/2008 16:06

Oblomov ~ sorry I am new here and just decided to go with the flow. I assumed that it was deliberate OP to provoke a reaction.

Gateau ~ That was the general idea of the name, you 'might' be a very nice person and so 'might' I be, if you think MN admin would be interested then don't whine about it, do something about it!

Oblomov · 01/09/2008 16:07

I never took ds to nuffink. And ds2 will be taken to nuffink either. But, these classes are created , due to the social need for mums to get together, for a cup of tea and a gossip. Is what I believe. Fine.
It is a social need.

Original poster
Gateau · 01/09/2008 16:08

What the hell are you talking about, witchface?

OP posts:
ThatBigGermanPrison · 01/09/2008 16:08

Jesus.

Original poster
Gateau · 01/09/2008 16:10

Meant to add, I can whine about WHATEVER I want on here, witchy.

OP posts:
Oblomov · 01/09/2008 16:12

Agree with stripey. Oh you haven't taken dd/ds, aged 6 months to 15 different classes already. Shame on you. Don't you care about your childs education ?

WickedBitchoftheEast · 01/09/2008 16:14

I would love to stay and explain but I have to peel potatoes

Janni · 01/09/2008 16:15

That's exactly it, Stripeymama. I guess that despite my niggling doubts I DID have the self-confidence to realise I didn't HAVE to pay for and attend lots of activities in order for my children to get what they needed, but I wouldn't be surprised if lots of mums are putting themselves through hell trying to cajole reluctant babies and toddlers to engage in organised group activities when they really really do not want to.

I TOTALLY understand the need for parents to have a chat and a cuppa in an environment that's safe and fun for the kids and as long as these activities are run with that in mind, all well and good, but the adverts for many of them are definitely trying to make you feel that your child will be left behind its peers if you do not sign them up pronto!

Janni · 01/09/2008 16:31

Actually, I've just remembered taking DS1 when he was about 18 months, to a babyswim thing and the stupid stupid woman running it told me to let him go underwater when he jumped in, rather than catch him, which is what he was expecting. And, to my eternal shame, I did. It took him a long time to trust me again