How important is socialising for toddlers?

[YummyMummybee]

Hi I have a 17 month old dd & a newborn, I am also a sahm. A bit of background to our story, I don't drive, my friends don't have kids yet, hubby has friends nearby who have kids but those women have always been cliquey since before we married( I've always been excluded!) & even though they have numerous playdates(always posted on fb afterwards with pics!!!) we're never been invited, I have invited them over to our house before & the favour was never reciprocated.
I've been extremely involved with dd & she is a very sociable, well-adjusted toddler with alot of words, she doesn't watch tv, I read her loads of books daily, bring her out for a walk on her trike daily & am constantly playing on the floor with her. We would see her cousins aged 1 & 4 once a week & she plays great.
My problem is there is no playgrounds or mummy/baby groups nearby & I don't drive & don't fancy getting 2 buses with double buggy & dd1 aged 17 mths & dd2 a few weeks old... What else can I do with her? We can't afford nursery... Is socialisation important at this age? Will her little sister be enough in the year ahead?? What can I do, I feel so guilty that she has no little friends....

In my experience it is more important for the mother than the toddler. When I lived away I met women on line and we met up in our own houses. Might that be possible.

I think it's good to see and feel comfortable with other people-other than mum and dad but that can be adults. I don't think socialising with other toddlers at this age is that important. In fact, sometimes i think it can be negative as they aren't able to share or really empathise with each other. Think it becomes more important around 3.

I don't think it matters until they're around 3. They tend to parallel play before then, the only interaction being fights over toys!

But for your own sanity you should try and get out even if it's just once a week. Could you learn to drive? It would change your life.

Ladymetroland, I am definitly going to learn, it's a fear thing but I really don't want to hold dd's back exp when they're a little bit older & mummy can't drive them to gymnastics, ballet etc.. It's bad enough now, we do get out & about walking every day with dd2 wrapped up in sling & dd1 in smart trike but would love her to socialise more with toddlers as she adores them & she worships dd2 no jealousy issues as of yet...

I agree that socialising with young toddlers is often more for the mothers. If your child is out and about they'll be having lots of little interactions-when strangers talk to them, in shops etc - which is all meaningful. If they see their cousins once a week and have a good opportunity to enjoy eachothers company I think that's lovely. Post three they start neefing a little more perhaps, but for now I wouldn't feel guilty at all