Baby group nightmare

[summerrain8]

My son is coming up to 18 months and is finding social situations hard. He often gets really upset and cries when confronted with unfamiliar faces.

I've taken him to several baby groups recently - a music class and storytime - and on both occasions he's burst into floods of tears and I've had to take him out. The first time I managed to calm him down outside and take him back in, only for him to start crying again as soon as we got in the room!

I'm quite socially anxious so found it really difficult with all the other mums in the group looking at me due to DS's crying. All the other babies were calm and chilled while DS was screaming his head off!

This has really put me off going to groups, but I know I need to keep putting him in social situations if he's ever going to improve. But honestly just the thought of it makes me so nervous.

What would you do?

Please keep going to the baby groups.
I also have an 18 month old and it seems the ‘lockdown’ babies are very similar.
My DS would cry going somewhere new,
Cried when others came up to him, didn’t like shops for a while etc

But because I was so anxious from covid and being out alone with my DS, I think I made him worse. So I’ve pushed myself to go to baby groups and it’s worked wonders. In fact, he started taking his first steps when he saw others walking.
It was amazing.

I am still nervous before I go into a session in case he has a meltdown though, because he is still sensitive and wary of others, especially if they are loud. I’m just an anxious person, and going through covid with my first baby has completely changed me as a person.

I now enjoy going to the sessions. Before, I dreaded them!

I really think it will get better in time 💐

I’m with @imaginethemdragons ! If he doesn’t enjoy the groups just give them a miss for now and do things he actually likes. It’ll just be a phase and he’ll grow out of it regardless of whether you keep putting yourself through his crying and your anxiety. My boy went through a period during which he would scream in rage at random people he took against when they spoke to him. Check out ladies, bus drivers, etc. It was really embarrassing. And then he just stopped. It wasn’t because of anything I did, he just grew past it.

They are shit baby groups if you feel you have to leave the room because your baby is crying. But ditch them if neither of you is getting anything out of it.

I was never a fan of baby groups myself. Everyone else's child seemed to sit still quietly, I had a feral one that always wanted to move and wander off!
I'm also quite a shy person and found them a little cliquey.
Church ones are better, the toys are older but they seem to be more accepting although it still wasn't great for me to be honest!
Have you considered softplay? Many of them have areas for babies and up to 18 months. It's easier to chat to mum's or just for your son to be around other children. Or in good weather go to the park and feed the ducks maybe? There will be children there doing the same.

Hi did it get better over time ? ☺️