I hate Mother & Toddler groups - go on have a rant, it feels good

[bobdog]

I hate mother & toddler groups.

Oh it feels good to finally admit it! The way all the kids rush round not spending longer then 2 minutes on anything unless another child wants it thus cuing tantrum and then the soft, cooey parental lecture about sharing done for the benefit of the other mothers.

I hate M&T groups!

The way all the grown ups sit on slightly too small chairs ignoring the children. I do it to you get stuck into a 'what supermarket do you use' conversation whilst little one struggles with the play doh machine finally giving up to read a book we've got at home.

I hate M&T groups!

The cliques, the tatty toys, missing nap time, the big kids, the crying kids, the fact I can't remember anyone?s name....

i went to one. once. never ever returned. I only had a baby at the time so i never got put through the horrid kids and horrid parents...i saw enough and i heard enough of sodding listening to how their kids are the best and the most intelligent and blah shopping for nappies, blah, and blah blah blah blah...would i like coffee for 20p...no i dont, i just want to get away from your crap thanks...

agreed.went once-and that was enuf for us too. does anyone ever clean the toys in these places?do any children really want to go there?are parents really that desperate for somewhere to go? there,said it.thanks bobdog, i'm with you on this one.very therapeutic to confess it too.

Oho don't get me started !!!

Local toddler group is run by local playgroup.
Ju involved in playgroup management as DS2 attends.

Ju registers as CM and decides to use toddler group as a place to take mindees.

Toddler group staff manipulate Ju into becoming the 'meet and greet' for newcomers.

Outcome - Ju spends all her time settling new parents into group, mindees get left to own devices. Ju thinks this is what staff get paid for, now attends Mini Music in next village

(This was over a year ago)

Now you all think I'm a meanie for shirking

You know, I have come round to quite liking ours, as DS always has fun and I have learned to live serenely with...

Witless Daily-mail-quoting conversations

Farking god-bothering invitations to church

Remembering to keep trap shut because I'm never going to get on with a lot of mundanes except on the most superficial level

And remembering to go for a wee before leaving as I'm not acutally used to that much coffee.

M&T groups EAT PANTS

I have never been to one, I am too scared.

dont bother they EAT PANTS

I like your usage of the english language custy.

Went once. Felt like a bacon sarnie at a bar-mitzvah

The one I go to doesn't eats pants...

Depends which you go to really. I went to a couple and it took me a while to find the one that I still go to now - and it's the closest. It was the hardest to find because they don't advertise.

I think it is an unusual group. Many of us were travellers, and many were professionals. Some still are one or both. And a lot of us like to get together after kiddy-time and do what some might call non-mundane stuff. We all rcognise each other for what we are and get on because of it and not despite it.

Some of bring home cooked cakes and fruit from the garden for kids and everyone seems to keep an eye on everyones kids, regardless of how long they have been in the group, and regardless of anyones growing or baking ability. It's almost the traditional idea of community.

It is a bit of a Utopian ideal though - had I have just found the other groups I would have posted in support of pants!

Thank you everyone for allowing your hidden, miserable core to rise up and rant.

Nice to know we're not alone!