Too much soft play?

[inspector1983]

How often would you take your 18 month old to soft play? I go 2-3 times a week, is that too much? We stay for between 1-2 hours each time

Also once we are in there, he generally does his own thing so there's not much chatting with us, Altho he's not chatting yet anyway just lots of babbling, but not much of that when we are there as he seems to do his own thing. Is this normal?

I guess overall I'm just a tad anxious as he's an only child so far (trying for number 2 currently), and overall I'm not really a hugely fun parent. My hubby is the crazy childish one whereas I'm more about doing what needs to be done etc. I do read to him tho. After breakfast in the high chair I read him about 3 or 4 toddler books like the Julia Donaldson type ones. And I narrate what I'm doing to him but I'm not always down on the floor with him. He does play alone sometimes when we are at home and I do feel bad Cos I do have time to play it's just I don't think I'm hugely good at it, he's happy by himself with me watching etc so I leave him to it.

Am I bad? Like I say I do chat and read to him and I do act silly and fun sometimes like at least once a day I act stupid just not tons

Anyone?

Anyone??

Hey there i take my son maybe once ot twice a month to softplay. Independent play is fine as you've already stated you do bonding on reading and am sure other ways as well. You are not bad at all this or normal parenting. I feel the same my sons a very independent kid and like to play alone so i read, take to park, softplay and watch movies some days

2-3 times a week is plenty! I think once a week would be fine. You could do other things like take him to rhe park gor 30 minutes. There will be other kids/babies there.
I think you're overthinking this. Coming from someone who often overthinks, i think he's getting plenty of socialising.

Thanks for replies. We do go to the park but in this horrible weather the last week it's better to stay indoors

In this weather particularly it’s a great option! Our sons sound pretty similar and I’ve had the same anxieties but as long as you’re having 1:1 time each day then independent play is absolutely fine 🙂 You’re a wonderful mother for even thinking about this.

Never but that’s because I hate it!

I would (and still, she’s 2.5 now) go to cheap & cheerful church toddler groups - usually just a donation, plenty of toys and other children, some singing, snacks, and tea and biscuits for adults (perfect!).

Park or woods etc whatever the weather - just wrapped up warm in puddlesuit and wellies etc

Walking round garden centres once the Christmas bits are out! Hours of free entertainment!

Don’t feel like you need to be constantly interacting - it is a fantastic skill for them to play independently for a while - that is how they learn to use their imagination and creativity!

Honestly, I think that sounds great. I have a one year old and take him to soft play once or twice a week. But I work 3 days a week when he's in nursery. If I was a sahm I imagine I'd take him to soft play two or three times a week of the weather was bad. We aim to get outside to National Trust etc whenever the weather is dry but when it's raining, I pretty much just take him to soft play, playgroup, baby music class, supermarket or occasionally the swimming pool. I'm dreading this winter as we are an outdoorsy family and I can't think of much else to do with a loud one year old indoors (he can't walk yet). Sounds like you're doing all the right things with yours - reading, narrating etc.