Who goes to 'Playgroup?' Do you like it? Is it worthwhile? What age is best?

[Alleykat]

Just sussing out the idea of playgroups...

DD is 8 1/2 months old, we dont have a mums group and dont really know any babies her age.

I feel like im letting her down!!! No friends!!! :o

I am wondering what do you do, what age is best, and if its good!

Also do your bubs catch many bugs? :confused:

THANKS!

[sam's mum]

I love playgroup.

when you have a baby, it is good for just getting out of the house and talking to other mums, especially if you don't have friends with babies.

when the kids are older, they love the interaction and playtime with the other kids. once again, not so much of an issue if they are getting this from your friends.

[abibelsmum]

I love Playgroup. Any age is good. DD1 started at 2 yo, DD2 at 5 days.

It's a great place to play with children, catch up with friends, exchange parenting advice or just have a coffee / chocolate biscuit and a bit of a break.

It was good for DD1 to see the younger kids and get used to the idea of a baby at home. DD2 is now 11 months and enjoys having a big area to crawl around and play in, and she loves both morning tea and book time.

We haven't caught many bugs - people don't tend to take kids if they are sick.

Different playgroups suit different people so if you go to one and don't quite like it, you might find another one is better. I didn't stay at the first one we went to, but I've been at the second for 2 years.

[mummeeto2]

I started both of mine when they were young (DS about 2mths, DD 2 wks) to get them used to having other people around them. I didn't stay at the first cos some mum's were really catty, but love the one i'm at now. This is my 3rd year with them. Ours is really good, there are no nooks & crannies to hide in & we can see the kids all the time. It gives me a chance to relax with the kids & have some adult conversation!

[poppet]

I love playgroup.

Started DD at 2, and she loves the craft, and outdoor play, the next one will tag along so will only be about 2 weeks old when it starts.

Its great if you don't get enough interaction from friends etc. Its also great to get other mums advice.

[forbetoel]

I LOVE LOVE LOVE playgroup. I have great friends at my playgroup who I catch up for a coffee and a chat with, while all of our kids have fun for a couple of hours playing together. It is great socially for mums and bubs. No age is too young for the child, as it is just as important for the mum as it is for the child, and before you know it, the baby will be up and playing with the rest of the kids.:)

[poshBecks]

Playgroup is my saviour!! I hang out for tuesday mornings :yelclap:

I started taking DS when he dropped his morning sleep :thumbsup: DD just had to power through the morning haha!!

We love it & has been wonderful for us :D

[Tam-I-Am]

Yup, we go to a Steiner playgroup - I love the social interaction that DD gets, the structure, the other like-minded mums, I love it all :) I really missed it this last term when we couldn't go - and now I'm on maternity leave we'll be going back :smiliedance:

[Alleykat]

Thanks!
Sounds good! :yes:

[charlen49]

Playgroup is my saviour!! I hang out for tuesday mornings :yelclap:

I started taking DS when he dropped his morning sleep :thumbsup: :iagree: lol..we started thgis year dd is 16mths..she really enjoys it and it wears her out for her arvo sleep;)..mummy helps her with the craft..but thats ok!

[justmum]

I just walked back in the door from mine! DS loves it, it completely wears him out. I love it too - ADULTS!!!

Ours is a baby group with all our bubs between 8 and 11 months.

It's been great - if you want to find one with children your bub's age, I suggest you ring the Playgroup Association in your state and get a list of those groups in your area and then just work the phone. Find a group with similar aged children or similar interests.

You should be able to go to 3 sessions for free before joining so you can check out a few groups until you find the right one for you and bubs.

[LivinOnAPrayer]

We LOVE playgroup. I started taking DD when she was 8 months and alot of the kids have 'grown up' together now. It was hard at 1st cause i didnt know anyone and found it hard to fit in, i had to make myself go. But now we're like old friends and i think us mums look forward to it more than the kids! ^The bubs are ages from newborn to 5 but most are around 2-3. We all love it so much, its now on 2 days a week!!

[forbetoel]

Oh yeah and every playgroup is different. Ours is very relaxed and not structured at all, which is very importnant to me. (they will have 13 years of structure at school). So you may have to try a couple until you are happy, or you may strike gold with your first one like I did.

[zenifa]

We lurve playgroup!! I started taking DD1 at 18mths, so its been over a year!! It was around the time, I started seeing my mum's group a little less (as many had moved or returned to work). DD2 came along when she was 3 weeks old. Many of the mums attending have 2 or 3 kids. We have kids ranging from a few months - four years old, with toys and activities for the younger bubs and older toddlers (including craft). Its not structured and lots of fun for us all - we look forward to it each tuesday!!
Plus if you are a member of playgroup assoc, you can access their free toy libraries too!!

I think you should take just mums advice -ring up and try a few, as your 3 sessions are free, that way you find one with mums and kids you like.

I initially went to one that had a person paid to run it, and it was a little more expensive, then I found the one I go to - mums are so friendly and the kids all play nicely.

Good luck!!

[SYDYYZ]

I am interested in joining one and have found a few in my area on the playgroup Australia website on the days that suit me. Do I just turn up? Some of them don't have a phone no included on the website.

[HollyHotLips]

dd will be going to playgroup for the first time this friday, she is 9 1/2 months now and crawling. while i've enjoyed the mums meets i feel they're more centered around the mums than the bubs, so hopefuly she'll enjoy it and we can go every week

[BeachBaby3]

I am interested in joining one and have found a few in my area on the playgroup Australia website on the days that suit me. Do I just turn up? Some of them don't have a phone no included on the website.

Most of the ones in my area you can just turn up. When we first started 6 years ago there were waiting lists but apparently now that so many mums go back to work earlier it is easier to get in.

It's a fantastic way to make friends. When we first moved to Aus it's where we made a lot of our friends, many of whom we still have 6 years down the line, even though the boys have now gone to school.

I now go with DD every Tuesday and love it. It is worth trying a few to find one you like. And you must be prepared to participate if you want to make friends.

[UmmInayah]

I LOVE playgroup! Although I miss it occasionally :( DD absolutely loves seeing all the children playing. She gets so excited sometimes she screams!

[Queen]

I love playgroup, we go weekly, to 2-3:) they are cheap here:).... DD loves it and she has been going now since about 9 months, different toys, different kids, great learning opportunity. I love it for me too, ADULT conversation:)

[HarvestMoon]

I started going to one a couple of months ago. I found i didn't really click with anyone so i gave it up. It's a shame as i don't really have any mummy friends.

[Terrible2+1cutie]

We joined a playgroup when we moved into our new house almost 3 years ago, DS1 was 20 months and DS2 was 5 months old. We never found a playgroup to join till then that was really nice, lovely and layed back. Our playgroup even has a babies room with a couple of cots set up and chairs for mothers to feed on if you dont like feeding in the open.