Socialising aToddler

[Dogdogcat]

DS is twenty months and is an only child. We recently moved to a new community and I'm an older parent so I don't have friends with children his age. I used to bring him to a baby group before we moved, but he hasn't really had any interactions with other kids since the summer because of the move and we were living temporarily with a family member for a few months. I took him to a toddler group today at the library and he had a hard time with it as did I. He was much louder than the other children, wouldn't follow directions and was all over the place. He wasn't aggressive with the other children, so I think that was positive. I try to set boundaries at home, we read, play and sing together. I'll bring him back and make it part of the regular routine because I think it will be good for him, even though today was really difficult. Is there anything else anyone can suggest I do to try to socialise him? It's really cold where I live, so going to the park right now is off the table. He's not really talking yet so communication is still a challenge.

It's all new so he sounds like he did ok! I think just keep going - it's hard when you start because you just want to fit in I find. We do a mix of playgroups, classes, soft play and park trips, I try to say hello to all the parents I meet. My DS is very active and loud so I tend to go to things with a lot of room (like playgroups in church halls) or activities where he can burn off energy. Last time we went to a quieter class in the library I found him babbling to an old man in the local history section!

Thanks for the words of support, I cried when I left . It was a lot and you're right, you want your child to fit in. I was going to register him for swimming, we did that before the move, but all the sessions were full so we'll have to wait until the spring. Like your DS, he's very loud and very active and he doesn't understand appropriate behaviour yet. I hadn't really though about the loud voice, probably because we are used to it, so I started telling him today to speak more softly, we'll see how that goes.

Oh bless you, I’m an “older parent” having recently taken charge of my one year old grandson, so I know how daunting just walking into these groups is for you without the added special effects BUT YOU DID IT 👏🏼 the worst part is over, next time it’ll be better because your son will have a better grasp of what’s going on and what’s expected of him.

I’ve long since given up worrying what others think; each child is different they do things at different stages and whatever he’s doing won’t be anything we won’t all experience at some stage.

Hats off to you, I think you’re doing great 🙌🏼

My mum friends and I have toddlers only slightly younger than yours and they all behave like that, all over the place, noisy, don't always follow directions. There is plenty of time for them to learn how to behave socially, no one should be judging someone so young.

Thank your the encouragement! @Cait73, it is daunting to go into these groups. The weather has turned really cold so I'll wait until it warms up to go back. There is usually an argument getting DS into his snow gear and the other day I actually left the library with his boots in my bag. Wrestling him into his snow suit just made the experience more memorable .

@Dogdogcat mine’s similar but I do it because it’s ultimately worth it, and I get a wonderful rest afterwards because he has a massive nap!