How many baby clubs do you attend?

[MrsMyreton]

I have a 7 month old DD. We go to three baby classes a week (reading, music and sensory). When we are not at those classes we will be walking our dog, going to the park, meeting friends for coffee or going on play dates with NCT group or other mums from our village etc.

When at one of these classes I am always quizzed about why I don't attend the local baby and toddler group. Don't get me wrong everyone's lovely when they say it but it's always accompanied with 'you know so it gets you out of the house'.

How many classes did you attend? I'm becoming paranoid that I'm not signed up to enough clubs and so hindering my baby?

I know people are just being nice and I'm just crabbit today biscuit for me.

Well I must be an awful mom because I hate them haha. I take my sons (3&1) to splash time. We used to go to Beenie Boppers and rugbytots but the funding got cut for most children's activities! I did used to take them to a playgroup but it was a bit odd very much full of cliques. Then again I'm an introvert and not good at small talk so those situations are like torture for me.

@Eleast I get the feeling that this club might be clique too. I've met some lovely friends since having DD but I'm unsure about the fascination to ah e them out all day everyday... how do people cook dinner?? Do the ironing? I have one day a week where baby and I just chill in the house in our Pj's and play. I want to fit these days in before I have to go back to work

DD has just started school, so this isn't current, but we went to one. And I struggled with that one to be honest. I already had friends with preschool children, and found meeting up with them much more pleasant. Spot the introvert.... It didn't help that DD hated, really hated big groups too - soon you'll see 'how much do you supervise your child at toddler groups' to which my answer was 'she's permanently attached to me, and demands my attention the whole time or she screams'. It was fun....

Not one! People are constantly asking me this, I say I work at a nursery (which I love) and the last thing I want to do on days off / mat leave is attend a baby group. I have no desire to make friends based on the fact that they also have kids, I feel like I barely have time to see my real friends without dragging myself to baby events.

Thank you for all your replies... you have definitely made me feel better!!

Does running the sling library count? If not erm none. My first didn't even get the sling library! She's bright sociable and engaging. Do what suits you not the masses 😉

I've just started going to baby massage classes with my 4mo DS, we sometimes go to baby sing song and nursery rhyme groups they hold at the local library and I'm planning to attend a sensory group later this week. We're trying to get out more but it's really hard so don't feel guilty when you just can't be bothered!

I never took my first to any, when he was a baby i just saw my family and friends and their kids who were older but i dont think that mattered to a newborn lol. He started nursery when he was 18 months twice a week and he was fine
With my 2nd we have moved away from my friends and family so i started taking him to a couple of baby groups when he could walk around and actually play etc, he enjoys them but i dont. Everyone knows each other, or knows the same people and i feel like a proper outsider. I am no good at smalltalk and feel like i havent got much to offer to a conversation, especially when they are talking about people i don't even know. But he enjoys them so i bear it

Babies don't give the single tiniest shit about "groups" and they don't need to socialise - all they need is mummy and milk. A trip to the shops or a rattle are all the stimulation they need.
Groups are for parents, because you can go stir-crazy at home with no-one to talk to. If you don't feel the need for them, don't go.

That's the thing - I feel like I go to plenty of groups, I have no problem getting DD organised to go out, and no issue chatting. But sometimes, I just can't be bothered and want a home day with her? But when I explain this to them, they look at me like I have three heads and that it can't possibly be truth!

Today, when asked again why I wouldn't be going to toddlers after the class I was at I said 'sorry, can't today, need to get home to let the cleaner away (no key) and have a Sainsbury's Shop delivered at 11'. With lots of added smiles and niceties. Queue looks of madness. Didn't bother explaining that I still need to walk the dog and get organised for the local Christmas fayre. Lots of eye rolling from me on the walk home!

Ah this thread has actually made me feel better haha. I think the worse part for me was DS1 was going through a possessive stage when we went and it was constant battle and DS2 was a baby so didn't get anything from it and I do think it's more about the moms. I'm going to sound judgemental here but it was a chance for a few of them (not all) to talk and not pay attention to their kids. And that does my nut in. I take them to a soft play centre and it's adult supervision and the amount of parents who have no idea where their kids are or what they are doing drives me crazy. I've seen kids pushed over crying and the mom has no idea because she's too busy on her phone. Now as an exhausted mom myself I know we all need breaks and to have adult conversation but don't ignore your kids and let them run riot to do so. Sorry rant over

I didn’t go to any baby and toddler groups, mainly because I thought they were more aimed at toddlers rather than babies. When i was on ML, I went weekly to Baby Sensory, Waterbabies, free Rhyme Time at the library and lots of aimless walks with coffee stops.

None. Absolutely loathed all of them. Babies don’t give a fuck about baby sensory or baby yoga or baby calculus. These groups are for parents to socialise I suppose.

The answer is ‘I dont want to.’
You don’t owe anyone an explanation

jesus, none! well, we go swimming, and occasionally go to rhyme time at the library or the music group, but nothing regularly. i didn't go to nct either it's shocking i've been allowed to keep the child.

When my DS was about 7 months (he's now coming up for 3) I was at the children's centre or a group every day, sometimes twice a day because I found it easier than being home with him. And guess what - he's no further advanced or social than any other kid his age (actually he's very behind developmentally, due to a few additional needs). So I am glad in a way I did all those groups as it helped ME and my PND but frankly if you don't want to do more then don't. Think its like most parenting dilemmas - do what works for you and your child. Ignore the comments. Days at home are great!
And before people ask, no we don't do 7 groups a week anymore!!

I love the Mums that say ' none , except for the occasional Baby gym , baby ballet , signing and piano'
Didn't take baby to any . Spent his first year trying to get him to nap and into a routine as he was very very difficult .
At 20 months now he goes to a sure start stay and play twice a week . The Mums barely talk to each other but the toddlers seem to have a good time . It's well facilitated with indoor and outdoor spaces and he has learnt loads of things like using a spade to fill up a bucket with sand , mixing soil and water and squishing it into cakes ,using a push bike , playing with loads of toy instruments , bashing play doh with a rolling pin and trying to cut out shapes ,etc so it has been for his benefit rather than mine . Other mornings are spent at the park , play cafe , soft play , visiting friends or lounging about at home with his toys !

Hi all ,
Just wondering how many mothers would enjoy a baby/child friendly cafe that also has the support of breast feeding specialist / infant feeding , plus massage and nail station for mothers to enjoy , whilst toddlers play and babies are watched over by cafe staff ( all professionals ) in your presence . I feel like this would bring mothers together , they can off load and have a pampering session whilst having the babies with them . Also would help mothers who may suffer from postnatal depression or be alone ! I would really appreciate feedback as this is something I’d like to set up .
Thank you

Sounds like a good idea be

I’m with you op - I like to do one thing and my Nct would always be trying to go on for coffee after a class or back to theirs for lunch and then to a soft play for the afternoon. I like to be more in control of things and have already scripted out my day and chores in the head. I always felt self concious saying sorry no I need to take dc Home for lunch/sort out the house/chill out time

Everyday because my 2 are both under 3 and the eldest (almost 3) has ASD, the baby is very boisterous and days at home are a bit of a nightmare.

We go to 4 toddler groups and a SEN group at a disability centre where they do sensory play and hydrotherapy. On Saturdays we do either messy church (crafts), soft play or the children's centre stay and play session. Sunday is the only day which isn't planned but we still have to go out, usually it's a walk/park thing.

When I only had one and before ASD symptoms were present we used to do 3-4 anyway because I like groups BUT I did enjoy just being at home sometimes and I do miss it, especially in this weather when it's cold and I'm walking around pushing a double buggy.

I currently go to a breastfeeding group some Wednesday mornings literally over the road from my house, waterbabies also on Wednesday and have the opportunity to go to free very local groups Monday, thurs and fri if I can be bothered. In January I'm starting baby signing because I fancy it. If the weather is bad I'm staying home, some days I prefer a walk around the park with the baby and dog to socialising. Changes each week so far, Baby is only 10 weeks though!