A friend has told me I am unsociable for not attending playgroup, but gardening all day!

[blackrock]

I do socialise my DS of 2years, but he loves the garden. I have lots of vegetables, and beds, the whole place is a work in progress...

He attends nursery for several days, a day and a half (at least) in the garden with me plus most early mornings/late afternoons, and half a day meeting with other two year old friends.

How much time do you spend in the garden during a week? Are we unhealthy?

She's talking nonsense. What she really means, probably, is that she missed you and would have liked to see you down there.

Gardening with your 2 year old is brilliant.

No, you arent.

Your friend is a nob. Some mothers think that the be-all and end-all of socialising as a parent is going to baby and toddler groups. It really isnt.

Getting your DS out in the garden getting fresh air and learning about growing things is great. He gets plenty of socialisation elsewhere I'm sure and he'll get more when he starts pre-school at 3.5.

I think you and him are bloody lucky to have a garden to enjoy together... enjoy it!

much more fun than sitting round at playgroup and it's good for kids to join in with adult stuff, spend time on their own etc. It helps them to be self-reliant and creative, ime. Too many organized activities sometimes make for kids who get bored at home.

I would MUCH rather come help in your garden than go to any playgroups, can I come pleeeeease blackrock? [bambi eyes]

Thanks for the maessages, have just spent anpther morning in the garden, with happy smiling faces all over. Will keep it all up and feel happier about doing so!

PHD I live in the South West, are you in Wales? It might be a bit of a long drive!!!

Message withdrawn

My ds hasn't got a sand pit either. Today the estate agent was a bit when he saw all the mud castles

SORRY YOURE WEIRD..
why spend the day in the garden , taking advantage of good weather to have some 1 to 1 with your lo?

beyond me!!!!

do the same myself whenever i can!

Ha! I've had this comment too.

DDs and I would gladly spend every waking moment in the garden if we could - the only thing stopping us is that baby DS finds it too bright and windy right now.

We are in the SW too backrock - where are you?

some people are odd! I have a friend who keeps saying I dont let my children out to play but the truth of the matter is my DC find her DC hard work and when they ask (at tea time) for my DC to play I simply say its tea time, because it is!. Her DC phoned and asked my DS to come over, he asked them to "hold whilst he checked with me" but what is actually said was "mum xx wants me to go round please say I cant go"

Some people like to moan and find fault in everyone elses lives.

I'm another one who loves "pottering" round with my 2 year old and we don't go to any organised toddler groups. She goes to nursery 2 mornings a week and swimming once a week but other than that we like to do as the mood takes us, gardening, baking, making a mess etc. We are currently learning to do gardening together, we have had a few disasters but have managed a few successes too. We have done really well with the tomato plants we have grown and we were looking together at a large tomato when she proclaimed that "Mummy and me made that. I will eat it all up soon." so much more satisfying than a toddler group. Take no notice of your friend - invite her round to help!