Is this going to carry on for a whole year...

[LucyJones]

My ds is 3. he goes to nursery 2 days a week while I work.
The other 3 days we do activities like M&T groups with my 9 month old dd.
People keep asking me why he doesn't go to play group.
It's starting to irritate me bwcause yes, he might be one of the oldest, ut the places we go say up to 5 years. Yes, I could put him inot aplay group or pre school the other 3 days. But it would cost £5 a morning, (the free places will be taken by his nursery) but also I want him with me the days I don't work.
Will people keep going on about this until he goes to school?
Hardly anyone around here seems to work so all the kids go to the free sessions 5 days a week...

How strange? Mine have never gone to playgroup either, instead they have gone to nursery whilst I work which is attached to the pre-prep school dd is now at.

Sil sent her dd to nursery whilst she worked, then straight on to school nursery before reception. Mind you the local playgroup has an 18 month waiting list so maybe that is why it isn't questioned around here.

Playgroup is great for socialistion, getting used to being left on their own, chance to do creative stuff you might not do at home (I am hopeless in the art and craft department) but your ds will get all that at nurssery.

Forgot to say ds is also 3 he does 3 sessions a week at nursery which I will increase to 5 in September and on the other days we either stay at home or go to Tumble Tots.

I am in the same situation - my dd is 4 and goes to nursery when I'm at work (2 or 3 days a week), she stays with me and my youngest dd the rest of the time. We have a lovely time - people don't say anything to me, I'd just ignore anyone who says anything and enjoy the time you have with him - school comes around all to quickly ime.

I work part time. My oldest son started reception automn 06, my youngest is 2 and he goes to nursery 3 days per week. The other two days I want him with me, as I dont work, no reason I should not enjoy his company?

If you want your children with you, why not? he is away from you two full days! I guess the other free sessions are just 2 1/2 hours? Hardly time to do anything in that time for you. I guess those who dont work, find it nice to have that breathing space for themselves.

Have the same thing - ds (who has just turned 4) goes to a M&T group in the village sometimes with dd (2). All the mums are fine with it and if he is ever wild, we leave or go and play outside - frequently I am to be found playing chase outside with a larger group of children than are inside and am now much in demand at parties!

However, depite this one CM who goes to our local group said to me when ds was 3.5 "its just selfish to bring him here - he's bored and would be much happier in playgroup".

The odd ignorant fool will keep on about it but I now ignore them (though this upset me a lot at the time). I cannot see how either you or I are doing the wrong thing by keeping out children with us!

thanks for all the replies I was starting to think I was the only one.
I think I will have to watch ds' behaviour as he does sometimes take toys off the younger children but I always tell him to give them back.
But it seems wrong for dd to miss out on these groups so that I can spend time with both of them.