So last week Baba and I tried out a new music and movement group at our children’s centre. If you are a regular reader of this blog, you will know that I have been stressing that Baba doesn’t see enough of other children as he spends most of his time with me and Mr L. Now I personally hate these things, but I thought no I need to get Baba interacting with others so we have to go!
Last Friday at 10.30 we had a bags ready and off we went. It was an ok group, the group only started last week so everyone was new to it, that was nice. But I quickly realised that all the other mummies all seemed to know one another and their children seemed to know one another. Not so nice.
Apart from one, she had twins and had brought her friend with her, so she still had a buddy with her. As you need to be doing things with your children, you know the short of thing. They play a song we all sing, and the kids have to do certain actions. Now Baba loves music but he has never had to do certain things to it before, he usually listens to it at home and can dance his own special moves in his own unique way, so after about 15 minutes he got a bit fed up with having to do as he was told with the music and wanted to run around. But I managed to control him for the full 30 minutes, and then they are all given a snack and can go and play in the other room, this he did love and thought this part of the session was great.
So all in all we did have a good time.
The week passed and I didn’t really think about it and then, Mr L asked me last night whether we were going to the music group and the thought filled me with dread once again.
I have to be honest, this morning I was trying to think of reasons not to go, but then the nagging thought that Baba sees no one came into my head, so off we went.
Do you know what he actually really enjoyed it, and he remembered it. I was so proud in one of the songs, he was squatting down, jumping up, stamping his feet and turning around all in the right order. He made a rainbow with his pieces of ribbons, he touched his head, knees and toes when he was told too. He bounced the teddies on his knees, he was shaking the bean bag and played the drum all in the right places. He went and got things from the bags, and then put them back in the bags and clapped himself as he walked back to me. He was a really clever little boy. To top it all of he made some friends, he went out in the playground with the twins H and O and he had a great time, running up and down and playing ‘boo’ with them.
I am so pleased I decided to go with him again. I had made plans for a friend to come down next friday morning but I think it will have to be changed to the afternoon now as we have music and movement to go to!
What a difference a week makes, and I have learned a valuable lesson, it isn’t about what mummy wants to do not all the time!
And Then All I Thought About Was You 
Apr 16, 2010 @ 13:23:24
We had exactly the same problem with my little one. We tried 3 different playgroups. 2 were just chances for the mothers to gossip and leave the kids run about. 1 was great because it was in a nursery but it well over-subscribed and not good for hubby’s bad back. Also she got pushed over twice by stupid adults. We want to let her interact but you know what? it’s not worth it. It made us miserable. All she did was run around and play with different toys and at this age (little one is 20 months) they don’t have or learn the rights and wrongs of social interaction. So to hell with it. We have people round, she meets people in the park. That’s enough and we will send her to a nursery school 1/2 day a week in September hopefully which will do the trick.
Apr 16, 2010 @ 16:30:17
Oh it is so hard isn’t. I have been debating this over and over again, but I am pleased that I have carried on with it, as Baba really did seem to enjoy it this week, so hopefully it will get better. Sounds like you have had some horrible experiences don’t blame you for stopping x
Apr 16, 2010 @ 13:27:53
It can be so, so hard, but do persive. I took both the boys to Music and Movement and it is really good for boys, it helps their leftside of the brain!
Apr 16, 2010 @ 16:31:10
No I am going to keep on with it, he seems to like it so hopefully it will remain that way x
Apr 16, 2010 @ 14:11:47
im glad you enjoyed it in the end but i do understand your reserve.groups of people can be quite intimidating sometimes but it is always worth facing your fears and doing it anyway.well done.x
Apr 16, 2010 @ 16:31:59
At first it was horrible but the twins mum spoke to me today so that was good. See you tomorrow x
Apr 16, 2010 @ 18:45:26
yay 🙂 Glad he’s having a good time, sounds like fun to me!
Apr 16, 2010 @ 22:27:56
Yeah he is, it is fun for him, not so much me but I am coping with it all!
Apr 16, 2010 @ 21:40:34
I didnt go to these groups with B because if how it made me feel. I now think I had undiagnosed borderline PND which didnt help. With H my HV picked up on it and advised me to access the Children’s Centre and I did and it’s through that I have got into my line of work. It is tough because as adults we assume every one else has their friends and we are the only ones finding it hard – I bet by the end of it you will feel much more confident!!! xx
Apr 16, 2010 @ 22:30:25
Thanks, I am feeling better about it. Unbelievably I am quite shy, I can talk to people about work and meet new people every day with Avon and can write freely on here. However when I am talking to people about my personal life for the first time and making friends I find it very very difficult. So I know I have to do it and it will be good for me. But I suppose that shyness comes from having the same set of 6/7 really close friends all of my life really. xx
Apr 17, 2010 @ 08:24:33
I am very shy too, I always begin by observing people and everyone I have ever known has said I am quiet when they 1st meet me, but thats just how I am. Over time – and that length of time varies – I come round and the same people tell me I am a very confident and open person! Yet I blame the fact I changed school lots as a kid and was constantly having to form new friendships, and especially as I got into my teenage years that got quite a hard task!
Apr 17, 2010 @ 08:29:41
I am just the same, totally understand that!