[nicole31]

(Apologies if this is in the wrong spot -- I couldn't see any other suitable place.)

At the moment our only social activity for the week is mothers group. I am trying to think of some other no-/low-cost activities (during the week) where 6.5mo DS can play with other babies and/or I can meet some other parents.

Does anyone have any suggestions of what to look for?

So far I am looking into playgroups (not sure though if DS is too young; thoughts?) and we will also start attending story time at a local library soon. I'm also looking for a child-friendly knitting group.

Thanks in advance!

[bubbatime]

Definitely check out the library for Rhyme Time/Story Time activities. Ours is always packed.

It's starting to get a bit too cold now but over Summer we went to our local indoor swimming pool, always lots of other Mums there to meet. Might be an idea for next Summer?

I tried Play group but it's NMS.
Have a look for a Mother's walking group or sometimes churches run Playgroup Style things where you don't really need to pay or it's a small donation.

[melaine]

We went to aquaplay at the local YMCA - I think it was about $5 or $6 for the class and no committment was needed, so good for if they got sick or you didn't feel like going.

Storytime is also good at the library. (our has baby story time as well as preschool storytime).

There are local church playgoups near me that run structured activities - though mostly for older kids.

[meggs1]

My local TAFE has a playgroup run by childcare students and lecturers. $4 a time.

You might also see if some of your mg mums want to do an exercise club. You meet in the park, each mum minds the bubs on a big mat or asleep in prams for 15 mins and the rest do some exercise. Followed by coffee of course. Also works for tennis.

[mummy.to.one]

We went to the library which had a music session once a week for under 2's.

Also look at playgroups, I eventually found a free playgroup just up the street from us, which DS loves.

[nicole31]

Thank you all -- some great ideas! It seems that my MG are going all in for the formal/structured activities (they're all doing at least one of swimming/music/gymbaroo, some are doing two), but I don't want to commit to anything while DS's routine is still all over the place.

We are swimming by ourselves and intend to start going weekly/fortnightly around the same time. The YMCA aquaplay sounds good, and I have an YMCA nearby, but it's outdoors so that's something for the warmer weather.

The exercise club also sounds like a good idea. I think I've seen some people doing something similar in a park once, but the kids were a little older.

[meggs1]

My mg did the whole Gymbaroo thing, and we mostly agreed it was a waste of money until they can walk and have longer awake times. Chances are they are either asleep, feeding, or cranky and needing a sleep at the exact 45 mins of Gymbaroo and you've done your $15. I paid $75 a session for the ones we actually made it to and didn't spend bf.

[nicole31]

meggs1: I figured as much.

Actually, I just remembered the advice I gave to my SIL, who is living OS with her 6mo DD where they don't have MGs: look on Meetup for local groups. It looks like there's a few mums groups in Melbourne that do the activities we plan to do anyway (park, zoo, cafes etc.) -- I'm just waiting on membership to be approved to see exactly what they get up to. I've also found some knitting/craft groups which look promising.

[jenooo]

Our local council does a 'Magic Yellow Bus' mobile playgroup, which basically sets up lots of activities (painting, play mats/toys, sports equipment, play-dough, music, books) in a different park about 4 days a week. It's free to rock up and there are babies to preschool age kids there - my DS is 6 months and can only really play on the baby mat with toys or do books, but he loves watching all the other kids playing, too. It will be brilliant when he's a bit bigger. I wouldn't bother if he was any younger, but from here on in I think he will get more out of it and I can meet some other mums. Maybe check with your local council?

My mg also tried a local baby gym session but it's a waste of money until they can walk or at least crawl. It's at a local community centre that also does baby music sessions once a week. Maybe check out what's available locally? I second the library - if it has a nice kids section, even just popping in to read a book with your LO is nice and you might meet others. We've never made Rhyme Time but I hear it's great.

[nicole31]

Wow, that yellow bus looks great. But our council has nothing like that sadly. All I have from them is a list of playgroups; one of those (which is at our MCH centre) is a possibility.

I think we'll start with story time at the library, plus continue with our swimming, and I'll also ask the MCHN when I see her next.