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Parenting

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Original poster

Do you go to any mother and baby groups and what do you think of them?

21 replies

Ilikeyoursleeves · 29/04/2015 21:02

im thinking about going to my local one but not sure! Have you ever been to one and if so what are they like???

Thanks :)

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weaselwithin · 29/04/2015 22:06

went to my local when dd 4 weeks. she was the youngest by far but we've been twice now and the mums were so welcoming we love it already!

sailoratsea · 29/04/2015 22:09

They really vary. I have been to lots. I have hated some and love others. Don't let a bad 1 or 5 put you off. Most people find at least 1 or 2 that they and their DC enjoy.

MissMuffetisin · 29/04/2015 22:14

Yes, only once a year now though - but then the babies are now pushing 30 ! Was a lifeline for me - in a city were I had no relatives or friends from pre baby days . I tried a few then found one were I just felt at home . Kept in contact even though we moved away. It was nice for my kids to start nursery then school with children they knew really wll - and the mums could all fret together !

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MrsCs · 29/04/2015 22:16

I love them, I think they are the reason my 22 month old has fabulous speech and has learned so much. Also socially he is slowly learning to connect with other children.

AGirlCalledBoB · 29/04/2015 22:21

I have gone to a few. I think you can only try them. Some will be great, others you will only go once. You will also get to know what kind of groups work for your Lo. My son can't deal with structured groups at all, so we go to more relaxed ones.

Nolim · 29/04/2015 22:27

I did during mat leave and they were the highlight of my week. I was great to de able to talk to other mums.

mumofboyo · 30/04/2015 09:56

I went to a SureStart one when ds was tiny but I didn't like the fact that you had to play and interact with your baby - I wanted to interact with other adults. I only went once.
I have started to go to a mother & toddler group with both dc, who're now 4 and 2.7. They enjoy but I feel a bit invisible. Last week, I put my bag, the travel potty and coat on a chair, went for a cup of tea and came back to my stuff on the floor and a group of women sitting around where I was, chatting. That happened twice more in the 2 hours I was there but felt like I couldn't say anything because I was on my own and didn't want to cause a scene. The thing is, though, that whilst I'm not bothered about making friends now, I want my dc to get to know other local children, children who ds will be going to school with in September because we know no-one locally and they go to nursery in the next town.

TheBuggerlugs · 30/04/2015 10:34

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ThatsNotEvenAWord · 30/04/2015 10:37

I've been to great ones and crap ones, all you can do is try. Smile, ask them about their babies and hopefully you'll meet some friendly mums

Ticktick · 30/04/2015 15:04

My local children's centre baby group has been great for me, as needed a reason to get out of the house. They provide a friendly safe environment to road test being out and about with a new baby. Everyone there has been through the same and no one minds you feeding or having a crying baby. Meeting other mums can be a bit hit and miss but just for somewhere to go I'd recommend it. I'm not very social able so I focus on my baby while there... But even still I have gotten to know a few mums now which is really nice.

lemonyone · 30/04/2015 15:09

Loved them.
Met tons of amazing women, and men. DCs were happy as they were babbling away with other DCs. I was happy as I was out of the house.

I saw there could be cliques, but was never intimidated by them. People were generally friendly. I think you get out of them what you put in. If you are sociable, you'll find them a sociable place. If you are more shy, then you'll probably find it a bit intimidating, but it's somewhere to go with your DC to play with them in a different environment. I don't really get why people often sneer at them on MN.

Lindt84 · 30/04/2015 20:19

Up until today I've only gone to groups like baby sensory and sing and sign which my little one has loved. Today I tried a church hall style baby group, and it wasn't great. Everyone knew each other, nobody said a word to me and everyone stared when my baby screamed (because she'd bumped her head). Couldn't wait to get out!

However I'm glad I took myself out of my comfort zone and went (and the cake was nice!), but it might take me another year to build up the courage to try another one!

squizita · 01/05/2015 11:34

Yeah I ended up helping out at my local one.
They're good for babies but really good for mums ... like a real life parenting board of tips and sympathy!

hawaiibaby · 01/05/2015 15:02

I like them! Love that you don't have to book or pay a fortune. It's nice when they are little babies as the mums can sit and drink tea and talk properly! I wish I had gone sooner, but didn't until ds was crawling / 9 m. He has always loved them.
This is more apt to when they hit 1/2/3 but think it sums them up quite nicely!
bigtroubleinlittlenappies.com/humour/ten-personalities-toddler-group/

Midorichan · 02/05/2015 20:08

I tried, for my son's sake, but unfortunately they just weren't for him. He acted out too much in them and because they were free for alls (i.e., noone seems to be policing their children) it was a very difficult environment in which to teach him not to snatch, to share etc, though he was quite young when I first started trying (17/18 months). he's more an outdoors kid, not a crammed into a room full of other kids kind of kid. Most women seem to go for their own benefit i.e. to meet other mums but I never even got the chance to speak to other women at all the ones i went to as I was so busy trying to keep up with my son, lol. I think they;re good for more sedate kids.

Midorichan · 02/05/2015 20:10

Also, at all the ones near me there are waiting lists as well as "must go only on alternate weeks" lists, so it was all quite difficult to even get into a toddler group. So much hassle. I just take him down the park now.

RabbitSaysWoof · 02/05/2015 22:05

I dont like the sure start ones, I want to socialise but I feel they want to educate parents on parenting I find them patronising. We love the dusty church hall ones that cost about a pound for unlimited tea drinking while the dc play with old toys clearly bought at their jumble sales.
I always try to leave before the singing starts tho.

hideandseekpig · 02/05/2015 22:10

I love them but they are all different and you do have to find one that suits you.

I go to several sure start ones and really like them but do agree they can sometimes be a little bit patronising however they can also be really helpful to a new mum and I actually got a lot of good advice when I first started going. Now I just go to see other mums and for my now toddler to run around so I just ignore the leaflets and bits they give out.

I also go to a church group which is lovely really friendly and tea and coffee and biscuits served all for just a pound. Fantastic.
My dd loves the groups too she likes all the different toys and activities

There's some great ones out there just try them out and see! You don't have to go back if you don't like it.

Love51 · 02/05/2015 22:21

The Surestart ones near me dont let you sit on a chair. Deliberate policy to get you to interact with your child. Even when preg or milk feeding the younger sibling. There is a small church hall one I love, craft most weeks, loads of support for carers - nice mix of foster carers / childminders / grandparents / parents. Tea and toast. Try a few - one thing I like, now I am back at works, is I dont have to go every week - its like a fall back option.

Love51 · 02/05/2015 22:26

And chairs at the church one!
Surestart also have signs saying dont use your phone. Church will watch your kid if you want to step.into the foyer to make a call! (or take your other kid to the toilet). No one at church one abuses being treated like an adult an allowed to use their phone. We sit on the chairs and still.manage to interact with the children!

SoonToBeSix · 02/05/2015 22:31

Hate the sure start ones, very patronising and rude.

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