Am i the only one who can't stand toddler groups??

[anon1987]

My children are 4,7,11 so I'm past that stage now, but I was never one to want to go to toddler groups.

I just find them a little irritating. Am I the only one??

My dds all started 15 hours free nursery at 2yrs 9 months so I also never felt the need.

I have never been to one but was going to try one next week as I am trying to handle two on my own - 2.7yrs and weeks.

What is wrong with them???? I'm worried now lol xx

Supposed to say 6 weeks xx

Do you hate all toddler groups everywhere? Including ones you've never been to. Or did you just not happen to enjoy the ones you tried.
I loved my local toddler group. It got me out of the house when I was struggling with PND and i met some people I am still friendly with now.

No it's not just you, I took my youngest a handful of times but have never taken my youngest. It's just not my bag. Like most things in life they're not for everyone.

Chosenbyyou There is nothing wrong with toddler groups at all. You should give it a go and see how it goes.
It's like any club or group you join there may be people you gel with and some you don't.
If the first one you try doesn't suit have a look around for others.
The one I went to was a small local one. It was lovely and friendly and got such a good reputation that people used to come from the larger town to attend ours.
I found it a great way to meet some new people and it was great for my dcs to meet some children they would be going to pre-school with.

Mine are 4, 3 and 18months and I have never stepped foot in a toddler group.

It's not that I didn't want too, I just talked myself out of it every time. I do regret it a little

I've met people at more specific groups / classes e.g. Baby swimming but I found toddler groups of the stay and play sort incredibly awkward and not for me.

But then I am an antisocial bint

I took my DD to a 'creative play' group which was fun.
One 'side effect' is that you can observe other children of similar ages so the things you might have been concerned about as being 'odd' in your child can usually be seen in others which if you are new, on your own a lot of the time and not surrounded by other toddlers can be very reassuring.

i also couldnt stand them, found them boring and pointless. They helped when I lived in a rural area with not much going on but we have since moved and there are loads of things to do here that don't involve sitting around eating biscuits. I put my oldest in a nursery at 10 months to let him socialise and to give me a breather, it worked much better for us. He's about to start his 15 hours a week and i'm due with second in 7 weeks, so it'll be nice having the time to ourselves.

Iv never set foot in one tbh.
Iv just looked though the window at a few and thought 'Christ not for me thanks' lol.

I'm sorry I just can't think of a more boring way to spend a Tuesday morning
My mil was a childminder and was always pestering me to go saying I'd like it, but in all honesty I'd rather take my dd to the beach with the dog and her cousins then sit around nattering and drinking tea.

Chosen there is nothing wrong with them. Give it a try and see how you get on.

I'm not saying there's anything wrong with them, in fact I'm pretty certain it's more to do with me then it is the groups.

I go to them but I don't have any sort of support network, without them I'd probably lose my mind. Saying that though, I can totally see where you're coming from, sometimes the last thing I want is to be surrounded by more kids and perfect mothers

I liked them but they aren't all the same.

My favourite were the ones where they didn't get fussy and silly about hot drinks near the babies (we might be mothers but we are capable of watching a drink!) and there was a steady stream of tea and the DC could play unhindered and we could chat. Preferably one where I knew some of the people there. Disliked earnest, structured ones or where they had fussy rules.

I'm quite extrovert though and need company/conversation and like meeting new people, I think if you're more introverted or have your close circle of friends you don't want to expand then they might be less appealing.

It definitely depends on the group. I went to one when DD was about 18 months and hated it. There was no one to greet me and all the other parents already knew each other and sat in unwelcoming groups. I sat in a corner and cried until I realised I didn't need to be there and left.
I subsequently moved house and was told about another more local one which I tried and never regretted it.there was a warm welcome and I was introduced to other parents who lived on the same road as me who I'd never seen before! I made some great friends with kids the same age who will be attending the same school as DD.
Yes, they can be boring but can also be a lifesaver for a SAHP who might not get a chance to talk to another adult all day (I also don't have any family living nearby).

Nope, I never liked them either. Different strokes for different folks though. I have some friends who love them and would always try to get me to go with them. I tried a few out, but they weren't my cup of tea. I grew up where we live now so have plenty of friends, but that is why a few of my friends liked them that have moved here... for meeting new friends and people to do play dates with.

I usually have a couple play dates a week I schedule for the kids with friends, take them to the children's museum, park, etc and that works for us. Everyone needs something a little different though! ;)

Given you've never attended and don't have toddlers, YABU.

I tried a few. Some good, some bad. But they saved my sanity during maternity leave.

I avoid them like the plague!
I'd rather slit my own throat slowly.

I went as a SAHdad. Made several friends there. Presumably I was a 'novelty' as I can manage to change nappies and function without being told what to do.

They kept me sane when on mat leave.a change of 4 walls and some different toys and scenery for dc. I didn't speak to many people. It was just nice to do something different even thought I had a dog...
How can you judge it when you have never given them a try.

I used to love them, the one I went to regularly anyway. I made some very good friends there. I appreciate they aren't for everyone though.

Would I prefer to meet my friends in town for coffee and a spot of shopping- hell yes

But I have a toddler. And like if or not, he is one of he "spirited" Ines who doesn't enjoy coffee and shopping.

So we can sit at home with him acting up because he is bored. Or head out to toddler groups to burn off his energy

So no, I don't particularly like them. But he does.

Believeit that's your opinion, but I'm pretty sure most of my interests you probably wouldn't be interested in.
So YABU as well.

Winnerwinner my children have a lot of cousins, so when they were toddlers we'd spend days out at the beach, park, zoo etc.

I personally wouldn't want to waste our time going somewhere we'd get nothing out of.