Parent and Toddler Group- shall i go?

[DetentionGrrrl]

There's one right at the end of my street. I've lived here for just under a year, and the area is quite cliquey in some ways. I don't know how i'd fit in really, and DS is 7mths so not really a toddler.

Any experiences of Parent and Toddler groups appreciated!

Well I liked the one I went to for several years with my 3 (not all at once you understand).

We were not cliquey I hope - I always made a point of chatting to anyone I didn't recognise as a regular and sometimes they even came back lol.

Why not give it a go - they can be a lifeline for chat for mummy as well as play for lo. If you don't like it, well, try another one or do something totally different (music time, library storytime, soft play session). HTH

Most parent and toddler groups have babies at them too. I've been going to them with my dd since she was 3 or 4 months old.

If you don't know how you'll fit in, then just go, and find out! What have you got to lose really?!

I started going when DS was 6months and really didn't find people cliquey at all. He is now 19months (where did that time go!?) and loves it. There are 2 7 month-ish babies at ours and they seem quite happy watching the older children play and I'm sure its really good for them to see other children even if they can't ineract with them yet.

Its also good for you to meet some other local parents. Someone there will be on your wavelength and even if you don't continue witht that particular group you can always invite them round for coffee...

Go!

I go to ours sometimes but because most of the mums have toddlers I find myself talking mainly to the mums who have a 2nd child that is a baby or the grandmas as the others all seem to know each other really well.

One woman was new to the area and threw a Body Shop party, loads of people came to her house and she seems to be chatting away to quite a few people now. So if you really want to make a go of it then throw yourself into it.

Be prepared however to be involved in rotas for coffee making, toy cleaning and endless get well card signing for people you don't know. I must admit I find our group a bit too organised iyswim which its why its not a regular fixture on my calender.