Did children of the 70s/80s go to baby groups?

[summertime232]

It feels like there’s so much pressure these days to entertain your kids, taking them to baby groups and classes and putting on lots of fun, stimulating and educational activities, followed by the obligatory photos on social media.

Has it always been like this for mums or were babies in the “old” days (by which I’m talking 1970s, 80s or even 90s, so not that long ago!) left to their own devices more?

I’m just curious because I feel pressurised to be filling my toddler’s days with wonderful experiences and know I’m falling short.

My children went to nursery in the 80's. Started off mornings, then morning and lunch then a full day in the term before going up to school. Staffed by qualified nursery nurses and was free. High quality provision in purpose built nursery school.
Before they were old enough to go to nursery at about 3 and a half there was a great choice of playschool, toy library etc
I don't know about others but I think preschool provision is worse now than it was before

My children were born late 70s/early 80s - yes playgroups and as they got older, cub/brownies/ swimming clubs/dance classes/horse riding/football etc etc - every evening was taken up with something !

I also remember taking my children to the players every week

Playbus

@Eviebeans
I can see that, it was also easier to find childcare then as any ones mum could do it for a bit of extra pin money. Some of that provision would have been excellent, some of it down right dangerous!

The nursery was funded by local council - which I realise now was very lucky particularly as I did not work at the time and so didn't 'need it'

I'm an 80s kids and not once did my mum take me or my 70s siblings to any such things as a toddler groups, she did in fact work full time. We had odd days out to funfairs etc, and annual holidays, but generally I was left to play ferrel outside and I loved my childhood, at school I was very outgoing and had lots of friends, as an adult I'm confident and outgoing, so it didn't affect me negatively. My children were born over the last 15 years and I did do the group's, but i hated them, and I have to say despite sitting through hours of endless mind numbing baby chat with the other mums, and doing all the singsongy nursery rhyme sessions etc, my children aren't any more socially adjusted for it, they are all introverts and shy. Just goes to show, doesn't matter what we thrust upon our kids, they will be what they will be. Op, don't conform to what other people's ideals are.

I got taken to playgroup

I was born in the 70s - my mum went to friends' houses so I played with whatever children were there, she also went to aerobics/squash/tennis/any other activities she wasn't giving up because she had children in tow and I just hung out waiting for her and either amused myself or played with the other kids where also left at the side/in the bar/waiting area. We were also regularly left in the car whilst my uncle went to the pub - absolutely loved that!
If I was to do it all again with my dcs I wouldn't bother with any baby swiming/music/other classes and would just get on with my life until they hit nursery again. They were a total waste of time (mine and the dcs!).

I took mine to mum snd baby group in a church hall every Wednesday. From that came regularly going for walks/ to the park with mums I met there . Also all our neighbours knew each other so we often used to take turns to have other mums round for a cuppa while the children ( ransacked the house) played . Much simpler times . It wasn't unusual to have ten kids running round the garden while we had a coffee. Then as they got older they played out on the green across the road . Plenty of SAHMs around then so we all kept watch .

@summertime232

Have you looked at what is available at your local library? My local (and very small) library has a mix of activities all year round.

I went to a playgroup in the local church hall - mid-70s. I'm sure my mum didn't stay, I don't remember any parents staying. I was still going there until nearly 5 as back then I think we started school in the term we turned 5. There were no other classes/groups until we were old enough to join Brownies, I did do ballet but that would have been around the same age as Brownies

I'm an 80s kids and not once did my mum take me or my 70s siblings to any such things as a toddler groups, she did in fact work full time

Something in that sentence doesn't make sense. Where were you while your mum worked?

Round my way at the moment the baby classes are £10 a pop and you have to sign up for a ‘term’ of 8 weeks, and most are sold out until September. And those are the ones run by the local library! FFS. I feel your pain OP! I feel like I should be signing up but also can’t bring myself to do it. Also, most are in the morning but baby sleeps best in her cot for the morning nap so I feel that taking her out the house at that time would just be depriving her of sleep. Sigh

@Thortful

Lovely posts *@MissMarplesGoddaughter*

Thank you

I am a 70's baby and had babies myself in the 00's. I remember going to play groups and "play school" in Church Halls with I think 1 or 2 members of paid staff. Also 1 O clock clubs (I think they are a London thing?). In the 00's as others said it was all sure start, although also Church run groups and again 1 O clock clubs, rhyme time at the libarey. The only sign up for activity mine did was swimming.

@Lockdownbear

I'm an 80s kids and not once did my mum take me or my 70s siblings to any such things as a toddler groups, she did in fact work full time

Something in that sentence doesn't make sense. Where were you while your mum worked?

If anything like my 70s childhood probably left with a 12yo older sibling in charge or maybe left for the day with a neighbour.

I think it's the group, community and socialisation in general - not necessarily the unique group type. It's all for the mums early on and rightly so.

@Nhsquestion1 yes! I hate the requirement to sign up for a term with some of these classes. There really needs to be an element of flexibility with babies/toddlers - they could be unwell, teething, naps could be shifting. I can’t commit to sessions weeks into the future, especially when they’re £10 a go!

@summertime232 bare in mind most of the baby groups are private enterprises, it does make good business sense to sell the spaces as a block booking. However not that great for mums with unpredictable babies.

We definitely live in different times to the groups and lots of SAHMs of the 70s and 80s.

I'd be tempted to use your local FB group and ask if anyone knows of low cost or free activities for mums with babies. Or even ask of other mums would like to meet for a walk.
There must be other mums in your area who would also like to make friends.

Dd born 1982 was taken to playgroup, gym club, dancing classes, storytime at the library. She also took part in church led activities, like the annual pantomime.

@summertime232 remember that the situation now IS exactly as you describe it - an industry. A multi million pound industry with the associated marketing which inevitably preys on people's desire to do the very best for their child. And twists it in to a stick to beat you with.

It's not a service built from community and need (like the playgroups described).

Do you have any community spaces near you? A church hall or centre of some kind? Or library? Search notice boards or websites for places like that and you might find parent and toddler groups or playgroups.

Many churches still run them as a kind of community outreach. My experience is they keep the religious aspect out of it so wouldn't be pit off by that.

My mother looked after my DD when she was a toddler and they went to a playgroup for mothers and toddlers in the local park every afternoon right through the year. When I became a SAHM my daughter told me it was boring being at home with me.

Sorry - that was in the 70s. With my DS we used to go to coffee mornings from the baby sitting circle and local mother’s group. There wasn’t the same range of baby classes that there is now and , in any case, I wouldn’t have been able to afford them.

That is very true @Griefmonster.

I'd be tempted to use your local FB group and ask if anyone knows of low cost or free activities for mums with babies. Or even ask of other mums would like to meet for a walk. There must be other mums in your area who would also like to make friends.

I’m also going to try this - there must be someone out there!