First time going to a group? Advice?

[caffeineaddictx]

I'm thinking of taking my dd to a sort a I assume play group tomorrow? Where u can have a tea or coffee and see other mums and their children but I've never been to one before. My dd is 1 soon tooI feel like I've let her down waiting this long but I'll admit I'm really nervous to go? What if i end up sitting there alone? Or I don't chat to anyone? Or no one chats to me? I'm probably over thinking this but it's actually making me abide anxious?? Do any mums go to playgroup?? The one I'm looking at going to is in Coventry

To a sort of I assume **

Just go. Someone will be nice to you. But you can't expect to fit in first time. You have to go regularly.

Don't go expecting everyone else to make the first move. These people will all know each other and therefore it will be up to you to initiate the conversations. Unless you have a particularly nice group that try to include you (never seen this myself personally) 🙈
I'm sure it will all be fine and you'll both have a great time.

Do you just all sit together or what?

@purpleboy thanks for your reply:) and I just don't really know what happens at a play group really do they let there kids play whilst they chat or do you do activity's as a group?

Different groups offer different things, I went to a few different ones. At one there we loads of toys out and the parents tended to stay with their dc and play with them. Another the mums chatted whilst the kids played independently and a 3rd people were in groups ie 3 dc with 3 mums talking/playing in one group, 4 dc and mums in another group.

You'll be absolutely fine, it's unnerving when you first go, I tended to initiate conversation with people on their own as there is more chance of a conversation, then they would introduce me to someone else etc..

'How old is your little one' or even 'which one is yours' is a brilliant opener!!

And be honest - if you can get a chat going just say 'this is the first group I've been to, it's nerve wracking the first time! How long have you been coming here?'

If there's any helpers etc don't be shy - I'd ask when I got there what the format is, do they give any drinks / snacks out / how much is it / do I help myself to drinks etc etc so you can feel confident you know what to expect,

If in doubt, just watch what other people do and follow their lead.

And if after a few weeks it still feels like a chore, try to find a different one to try.

All groups are different.

You may go to one and they just have different toys out for the kids to play with and you tootle around with DC.

Some have outdoor activities as well,like slides, swings etc

Most have a little sing song and snack time.

Just go with the hope DC enjoys it and if you make friends it's a bonus. Dont get disheartened if no one really chats on the 1st few times, they will after a few weeks.

Good luck and hope DC enjoys

Find a style that works for you. I have really bad social anxiety and find the baby groups where the focus is on an activity - singing (Jo Jingles), Signing (TinyTalk) works better for me than unstructured groups with toys out and parents having a chat.

Good luck OP, you can do this!! If I could, anyone can :)