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Parenting

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Original poster

How much does your toddler "do"?

23 replies

timetolalanow · 23/03/2016 10:24

Just that really - looking for some perspective (especially if your child is not in nursery yet). How often do you take them to activities and in particular, how often do they get to socialise with other children?

My son just turned 2 - I probably take him to activities with other children between 1 - 3 times a week. He also plays with the neighbouring kids at home. Does that sound like enough?

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weeblueberry · 23/03/2016 10:31

My oldest daughter will be three in May and has varying levels of group and one to one contact with other kids. At least once a week she has group contact (generally either soft play, toy cafe or playgroup) and nearly every day plays with either my childminder's son/cousins son etc.

Are you happy with his socialisation when he's with other kids? If so I wouldn't worry

figginz · 23/03/2016 10:33

Mine goes swimming once a week with other babies and then one day at nursery. She's one. Apart from that she doesn't see other kids very often.

Terrifiedandregretful · 23/03/2016 11:00

My 2yo is at a childminder's 4 days a week so plays with the other 3 kinds there a lot. Her childminder also takes her to toddler groups. This means I feel no guilt at avoiding all toddler group activities on the 3 days she's with me! I think what you're doing sounds plenty. I don't think children this age get anything out of organised activities, they just need some opportunities to learn to play together.

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cornishglos · 23/03/2016 12:15

We go to a group most mornings and see friends most afternoons. But sometimes we just like to hang out at home or go to the park.

BelfastSmile · 23/03/2016 12:19

DS is 18 months. I go to 3 toddler groups and one music session at the library. He tends to nap for a good bit of the afternoon.

When I was that age I don't think I went out half as much as he does now! Not convinced it matters too much, as long as he's not sitting bored in the house for days on end, or being chucked into groups constantly just so you can get a break and ignore him every morning.

Iguessyourestuckwithme · 23/03/2016 12:19

2.4 year old with a nanny and younger brother. Goes to gym, toddler group, music group, library rhymes and swimming in the mornings. In the afternoon does playdate or meets with friends every afternoon at playground/cafe/home/friends house. We also go to the library, bake, garden, paint etc during the week. Constant friend in younger brother but out socialising a lot.

Muskateersmummy · 23/03/2016 12:22

Dd is nearly 4. She's in preschool 3 days a week. Outside from there she goes dancing on one day and cooking classes another day. She also has a trip to the library every few weeks.

NickMarlow · 23/03/2016 12:23

Mine is 14 months. She's at nursery a day and a half each week, and we go to groups the other mornings. But that's mostly because I need the company, not her!

As long as he's happy, stick with what you're doing :)

PurplePotatoes · 23/03/2016 12:24

My 2.4 year old goes to a playgroup one morning a week (one where parent doesn't stay) and then we usually go to soft play / park / friends house 1-2 times a week. The rest of the time I'm working so she is with her grandad who often takes her out to various places where other kids will be.

Oogle · 23/03/2016 12:29

My 15 month old goes to nursery 2 days a week, has a day a week with Nanna and we go out at weekends. I don't take him to groups on the days I'm off with him, mainly because they all fall over his nap times. Instead we play at home, in the garden, we go for walks and to the park. Some days we do chores and those days are the best EVER especially if it involves a supermarket as then he can sit in a trolley

Lolly86 · 23/03/2016 12:30

My 2.5 year old DD goes to a toddler group once a week 2 toddler Rhyme sessions at local libraries but I work shifts so we aren't always able to go to all of them

oldlaundbooth · 23/03/2016 12:35

DS was two at Christmas.

He's in nursery 5 days a week. Weekends tend to be more chilled as I'm knackered and can't be arsed and want to spend time with him. We got to the park, walks, play outside lots.

Sounds like yours is getting enough social interaction.

oldlaundbooth · 23/03/2016 12:36

I've realised this age is really all about discovery : you don't need to go miles, they are happy just pottering in the garden with a stick and a bucket!

ODog · 23/03/2016 13:02

My DS will be 2 in June. We go to local playgroups on a Monday and Wednesday morning, swimming on a Thursday, rhyme time at the library Friday am and we see nct group friends on a Friday pm. Around these activities we do chores, food shopping, playing at home, walks, park, playing in the garden, play doh/painting/drawing. I think that's quite a lot sometimes but he needs to get out of the house at least once a day.

CoodleMoodle · 23/03/2016 14:03

My DD just turned 2.

We go to one toddler group. (I hate it as nobody talks to me at all!) She likes playing with the toys but doesn't interact yet. We go to the library most weeks but just when we want to, not for rhyme/story time.

The rest of the time we just potter about at home, or go for walks or to the park, or wander around the shops. Sometimes we go out for lunch or to soft play, but we can't really afford it.

We don't really have any friends, so rarely see people other than DM and PILs. She'll be going to preschool next year. Wanted to start at 2.5 but it's too expensive. Maybe if our finances change between now and September.

What you're doing sounds fine, but maybe I'm not the best judge!

Original poster

timetolalanow · 23/03/2016 18:08

Thanks for all the answers!
I live in quite a different culture to the UK so I guess sometimes my toddler's life does not look like what I imagined my children's lives would look like when I was younger (if you see what I mean).

I work part time and when I'm at work he's basically at home with his nanny and not doing anything structured - but 'home' includes access to a large, shared outdoor space and he spends a lot of time with our neighbour's daughter who's a similar age. They adore one another!

I'm not at all worried about his ability to socialise, he loves other children.

I think I swing between thinking; "ooh, what a wonderful childhood he is having, outdoors, freedom, etc etc" and "but if we were in the UK we might be doing XYZ and maybe we should be doing XYZ and he's missing out and maybe he should have more variety/structure".....

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Original poster

timetolalanow · 23/03/2016 18:08

At what age would you say children do benefit from more structure eg. nursery?

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ODog · 23/03/2016 18:52

I would say it depends on the child. There's no way my DS will be ready for pre-school when he turns 2 in a couple of months, but others are desperate for that independence and structure by that age.

MeredithShepherd · 25/03/2016 14:12

My just 2 year old DS is at nursery 3 full days a week and goes to group swim lessons on Sunday mornings. That's it for now although I'm considering adding toddler football as he'd love it now the weather is getting nicer.

Choceclair123 · 25/03/2016 21:15

My DD is 2.5 years and has been going to nursery two afternoons now for few months. She really didn't like going to start with but she loves it now. Starts screaming and getting excited when she sees her nursery friends

timealone · 25/03/2016 21:36

Mine is 19 months. He goes to nursery 3 days. 1 day he is with his granddad, and they either go for a walk in a nearby country park, or soft play.

The other days we generally do an activity in the morning (eg. swimming, toddler gym, playground/feed ducks, playdate or just run some errands). He has a long nap in the afternoons, so once he is up we usually just chill out at home, occasionally do a bit of painting or baking or play out in the garden.

I find it is essential to get out every morning, but with him having 3 days at nursery I don't think it is necessary to do any organised toddler things.

timealone · 25/03/2016 21:44

Just read your post above and it sounds like a great set up. My DS loves being outside and can run around and play for ages.

foxessocks · 25/03/2016 21:45

I have a just turned 2 yo. We go to 3 toddler groups a week and swimming lessons once a week. A couple of afternoons we usually go out for lunch with friends and / or for a nice walk on our own or with friends. We usually have 1 day just us chilling out at home sometimes 2 if dh is working Saturday. Then family time at the weekend.

She doesn't go to preschool yet but is due to start in September.

I don't think it makes much in the difference in the end as long as you're all happy and having fun together! I do enjoy seeing my dd interact with others her age though but equally love it when it's just us.

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