Going to a stay & play alone

[RedRobyn2021]

I'm going to a stay and play on Friday, I don't know anybody going and it's a possibility that nobody will talk to me as they can be quite cliquey there.

I have a friend who usually comes but she won't be going anymore, I still want to go because my daughter loves it.

I will obviously say hello to everyone and get a cup of coffee, but would I be weird to sit on my phone a bit whilst there if nobody speaks to me?

It's kind of a horrible feeling like nobody likes you. But we need to get out the house and DD will enjoy it. It's 2 hours long.

No, the point is for the children to be around other children, socialise, have a change of scenery, play with some different toys, have some independent play etc.

Obviously, people do make friends, but it's definitely not the whole point or even a second or third point. I do think that's a common misconception though and why they sometimes get labelled cliquey or unfriendly because everyone isn't acting like it's a social club. Some people just want a cup of tea and a break from their child! Some people want to talk to a pre-existing friend. Some people want to make new friends. It's all fine because the point is for your child to have a social experience.

I’ve never been to any but I’ve always heard people going to them to make mum friends and it’s often suggested when people ask how to make friends, the op is worried about being alone because the place is cliquey yet doesn’t realise that she probably came across the same to other mums that come alone, she’s planning to sit on her phone the whole time so won’t come across as very friendly herself.