Am I doing enough?

[threelittlebabies]

Was talking to someone at the Stockport meet up about this.
Went to a baby show/fair thing recently- LOADS of stalls promoting activities- tumble tots, baby modelling, messy art class, dance, music etc etc. I don't do anything regularly with my 3yo ds apart from toddlers every week and visiting the library, but nothing structured. Wondered if this was the norm. I felt a bit like I should be doing more, but maybe this is what these people are relying on?

threelittlebabies, is your son happy? Are you happy? That is what is important. Do what is right for you an ddon't worry about others.

Snap, I go to one toddler session and dont even do library every week, HOWEVER, we go to play football in the park, feed the ducks, we paint and colour, do play dough, bake, play with homemade instruments, read, chat, go for lunch, go shopping, go to town/bank/post office/dentist/hairdressers, visit friends and all the housey stuff. I cant really fit any more in.

I do minimuscicians and hope to do tumble tots after easter - but If i'm honest I do these for me - to get me out and about and to meet new people.

Did we have any of these when we were babies? And we've turned out ok!!
Part of me thinks if you meet up with other friends with young children then they are still getting social skills without paying a fortune. I wouldn't worry too much.

agree with winnie - who cares what the "norm" is. Whatever you do don;t make the mistake of too many time pressures that just make these activities a source of stress rather than enjoyment. Has to be said though, me and both dds got huge pleasure from Jo Jingles - they did both really love it. But I also liked my days when we were free to do whatever we fancied

3lb as I said to you I dont do half that stuff with Ds. He much prefers to go to his toddler group, run around a park or be played with or read to at home. I sometimes do craft type things with him but that usually involves just gluing bits to paper like leaves we have got at the park earlier that week. It is harder when you have another little one to try and entertain aswell. I really wouldnt worry about it, your Ds is a very happy little boy.

nah. i don't even do much in the way of playdates (too grumpy, me,). Ds is 2.6 and fine.

Messy art does have its uses-means you don't have to clear up all the paint yourself. But thats all.

And sorry, but-"baby modelling?" WFT is that about?

I think a lot of these are social activities for parents (no bad thing) but also a lot are ways for usually mothers ot run a business which fits in with children..a market which has exploded in the last few years and is in danger of collapsing under it's own earnest weight 9mixed metaphors!)

sounds like you are doing plenty to me - at the moment I only do one toddler group per week, and visit the library with him about once per week - i have vague intentions of trying to take him swimming when he's over his cold and getting him to do a football class (he is ball game mad!), but who knows whether I will ever get round to it as jmum6 says, bear in mind how little we socialised when we were pre-schoolers! And I don't think that baby modelling is ever going to be a compulsory childhood activity!

btw bear in mind that a lot of the organised classes are more appropriate for first time mums/mums with only one pre-schooler, if you have more than one kid, it's a lot more difficult to go down the highly structured route.

I think there is so much time (i.e. nursery, school and work life where they will have to deal with structure), there's no harm letting them run wild a bit first

lol I said baby modelling because I was posting in a hurry and could't think of anything else! But you get the picture
Thanks for all the replies. tbh I think the problem is me, rather than him.
Nemo- thank you for saying he is a happy boy, I really hope that he is and that he seems to be. With G being so clingy lately I find it hard to give him the time I want/he wants/needs, and he- bless him- is just getting on with being a 3yo mostly without any fuss. I agree with whoever it was that said sometimes the activities are more for you the parent to get out! I am stuck in a lot so trying to keep the three of us occupied. I think I started the thread thinking this was the problem, but the actual prob is a whole other thread! Thanks for listening

3lb if you wanted I am more than willing to drive up to yours one day to break the monotony...and hey it gets me and my tinkers out the house.

Thanks Nemo, let's definitely do that. Will look forward to it! God, hope I feel better tomorrow, I'm driving myself mad with self pity! (and prob everyone else too !)