[TopsyTurvy]

DS is our one and only and is really needing interaction with other kids.

We go to Gymbaroo once a week, but play there is more focused on interaction between the parent and child rather than the kids playing together.

We have no close to home family or friends with kids of a similar age and most are teenaged of the ones close to home.

We have a few kids in the street and DS just lights up when they give him the time of day, ditto to other kids in the park. However these kids ate generally older (5 or so) and fairly soon lose interest in playing with this very friendly toddler.

I am a full time SAHM so he doesn't get to play with kids at CC, and I think kindergarten/preschool is too far away as he is only turning 2 in a couple of weeks.

Play group was a failure and our group split after 3 months and I never joined in another.

So how do I find a playgroup or similar for DS to get some time just playing with other kids?

We are moving to Berwick next month if that helps.

[laridae]

You could always just take him to the park a lot. I know whenever we go there are always a lot of other kids
(its a popular park).
Also at nearly 2, he may not actually play with other kids yet - play near them perhaps, but not necessarily with them.

[suziej]

Try your local council and as for their Community Services (or similar), who should have access to what is going on in your area.

Up here, the local Neighbourhood Centre has a different playgroup every day as well as contacts for the other half-dozen or so in the area.

[Mumof1OneontheWa...]

You could contact Playgroup Australia and see what playgroups are in the area - I think there is a website. Or contact your local churches as they often run playgroups. Library often has story time where you might meet some other mums / kids. Otherwise an indoor play centre if there is one in your area. I put my son into daycare one day a week at 2yrs 2 months and he loves it - can't wait to go each week. Good luck

[jenchristo]

Contact the Playgroups organisation for your state, they can tell you your closest groups. Also try your city council, they might know which groups are nearby.

Library story time is good for an outing.

Try Meetup to find mother's group type meetings in your area Meetup

[twinboys]

When you move to Berwick you will find lots of kid activities!!
Swimming lessons
Playgroups - post in the Vic section or visit playgroups vice .com.au
Occassional care at Casey Arc if you join the gym
Also a good occassional care centre on Webb st near Fountain Gate - you can book them in for a couple of hours on set days or here and there if you need them
Hanging out at the Rocket park on Narre Cranbourne rd - lots of kids around there
Or Casey Fields

[opethmum]

I would put your child in care at least for 1 day or 2 if you can afford it. That concentrated amount of time is important and that socialisation can build his confidence. Most library centres do story time a few sessions a week as part of their community outreach and have age appropriate stories and songs.
Definitely as a PP said contact Playgroups Australia and see what Berwick has, perhaps try and see if Churches have outreach mothers groups too,
I hope you find something that meets your DS needs.

[Puffin]

Casey council will have a list of all play groups running in city of cases. Give them a call or check out their website. We just moved from Berwick and last year went to an excellent play group, also some other friends have been happy at other ones within Berwick area. Can let you know which ones if you like. Like PP said, the libraries have pretty good kids story times and their website will have all the details.

[vitaechel]

Playgroups in Berwick region from Playgroup Vic

I found playgroup invaluable or both my DS and myself. There are quite a few in that area, so if you are not keen on one, you can always try another.

[Femogan Boop!]

As the mother of an only 5yo girl, I think you need to think of the longer term.

It's all well and good to turn up at the park and hope he will make friends with kids he finds there on the day. And that's fine for a 2yo as their play isn't too intense. But as he grows up and wants more interaction than 30 minutes or at the park, and when he gets shy about the idea of approaching strange kids at the park, you will want to have friends with kids his age.

I deliberately cultivated frienships with people with kids my daughter's age, especially those with only girls. My DD is very social and wants friends over all the time. If it wasn't for friendships I made through mother's group and other places including EB, she wouldn't have many playdates at all.

I would bite the bullet and join another playgroup. If you like only 1 person, ask to meet them separately. There are ways around the playgroup dynamics.