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ADVICE RATING

4.69 (Highly recommend) from 16 votes (183 Visits)

Playgroup - This is a great way to meet people, socialise your kids, feel sane

by Domestic-warrior

(July 2007) (rank 41st)

There's been a few questions lately about how to meet people after having a baby and leaving work. I thought I'd reiterate - Playgroup's in Australia are an excellent way to do this. Whether they be an informal group who go to the park once a week to a more organised group like the one that i'm in.

When i first went along i was dubious about them (you know, a bunch of women griping) but i soon got into it and really enjoyed it for myself and for my child. In the time that i have been there i have made some beautiful friendships and found everyone to be kind and caring. By the way I am now co-ordinator for our group.

A few things you may consider when looking into a group for you and your child are:

*Is the area child friendly and free from hazards

*Is there a roster system that everyone participates in

*Do they have safety standards in place ie. first aid kits,list of emergency contacts

*Are memberships up to date - important for Public liability

*Mostly - do they have FUN!

Playgroup Motto is Excellence at Play. Value Play and Have Fun, Feel Safe and Secure, Participate and Share, Encourage not Discourage, Respect and Value Difference.

A general day at our Playgroup goes like this:

Someone opens up the hall and member help set up as they arrive,

One person will do an activity with the kids be it craft or physical or music,

A couple of people will bring morning tea to share with everyone bringing fruit,

Everyone helps pack up one person stays till the end and closes.

I've really enjoyed my time there and it's as easy as contacting them on 1800 171 882 or www.playgroupaustralia.com.au

Or if anyone wants more info on them just minti mail me . Julie.

Any contributed content above is the subjective opinion of that member or external author, and not of Minti.com Pty Ltd. If you are searching for health related advice we strongly suggest you seek professional medical support. View our Terms of Service for more details.

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ADVICE RATING

4.69 (Highly recommend) from 16 votes

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	5.00 (Excellent) \| February 25th \| kathryn-solaris

Re: Playgroup - This is a great way to meet people, socialise your kids, feel sane

be nice for rhiannon cept for every site i go to for playgroup listings never has any in my area. closest one i can find online is 35km away.

Reply

	May 4th \| Domestic-warrior

Re: Playgroup - This is a great way to meet people, socialise your kids, feel sane

Sounds like a good enough excuse to start your own!!

Reply

	February 25th \| Rose24

Re: Playgroup - This is a great way to meet people, socialise your kids, feel sane

I have been going since my daughter was two, and now 5 years on my boys really enjoy it. I have recently become a group leader so that I can help more mothers see what a great social outing it is for their children and themselves. Great article!

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	May 4th \| Domestic-warrior

Re: Playgroup - This is a great way to meet people, socialise your kids, feel sane

Thats great that you have now become Group Leader, i'm sure you'll be good at it. I'm Group Leader for ours but we all have an input, although everyone is just like yeah whatever...lol...they are all pretty casual and everyone is agreeable!

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	5.00 (Excellent) \| September 2007 \| kseers

Re: Playgroup - This is a great way to meet people, socialise your kids, feel sane

Hi Julie - great article. i joined a playgroup when my son was about 15months old - don't know why we waited so long! Now we love it and I am treasurer for the 2nd year running. We have made great friends and now that my daughter is growing up she is making her own friends too. More than that it has been a lifeline for me at times!

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	May 4th \| Domestic-warrior

Re: Playgroup - This is a great way to meet people, socialise your kids, feel sane

It's a good way to meet people and get out especially if you are feeling isolated. It's not the only thing to do but it is a start and especailly if you are in a small community where activities are limited. Thanks for reading.

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	5.00 (Excellent) \| September 2007 \| hermy

Re: Playgroup - This is a great way to meet people, socialise your kids, feel sane

great advice Julie......thanks for sharing.......regards Sandra xxx

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	5.00 (Excellent) \| August 2007 \| emmie

Re: Playgroup - This is a great way to meet people, socialise your kids, feel sane

great advice cheers

Reply

	5.00 (Excellent) \| July 2007 \| merlin0903

Re: Playgroup - This is a great way to meet people, socialise your kids, feel sane

great advice and thanks for sharing, i have been trying to get into a mothers group or play group since i had charlie but there doesn't seem to be any near me, or they are all full and not wanting to take new members or the mothers groups are happy with the number that they have in them, i have been trying to set up my own mothers group so that charlie has that social interaction with other kids, but since he got sick we have now been told that he can't do anything like that until he has his immune system test to see if he could cope with it, since finding this out i have been in contact with some of the hospitals to see if they do a playgroup or a mothers group and still no luck, oh well i guess i will just wait and see what happens

but great advice well done

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	5.00 (Excellent) \| August 2007 \| Domestic-warrior

Re: Playgroup - This is a great way to meet people, socialise your kids, feel sane

You may find that if they are full their books will be closed but often at the end of the year peoples kids move on to school etc and they'll be looking for new members. Maybe Playgroup Assn can let you know when a Playgroup near you is looking again. Just a thought not sure if they do this. Good luck. Hope the tests are OK too. Julie

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	5.00 (Excellent) \| July 2007 \| cazza

Re: Playgroup - This is a great way to meet people, socialise your kids, feel sane

great advise and yes so true.... I went to a playgroup with all my children and i have 3 ... I started there whe n brodie was 2 and caitlyn was 6 months old..I then had 3 years off and fell pregnant with chloe and so we started her there as well,..... Well a few weeks back after being part of this group and watched most of the mums kids go through, i decided to pull chloe out of there, as we got a few mums that were very clicky and very bitchy and thought that they could tell my daughter and me what to do,.... Thats not what i loved about playgroup and decided as chloe was distressed over it, i would resign me and chloe from there....

We attend the school playgroup and we both love it and the mums are great.....

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	5.00 (Excellent) \| August 2007 \| Domestic-warrior

Re: Playgroup - This is a great way to meet people, socialise your kids, feel sane

Yeah, have heard of this bitchyness and even at the one i go to it happened before i started. Luckily it's not like that now we have a great bunch of mums and dads.

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	5.00 (Excellent) \| July 2007 \| bubble

Re: Playgroup - This is a great way to meet people, socialise your kids, feel sane

I am just waiting for my son to get over the flu and then I think it is time he goes.... Him (and me) need interaction with other people!!!

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	5.00 (Excellent) \| July 2007 \| angieh

Re: Playgroup - This is a great way to meet people, socialise your kids, feel sane

There are also local play groups - the one in my suburb is actually in the local library and is run by either a volunteer mum or maybe one of the library staff (I'm not sure). But either way it can get noisy from lots of excited kids playing around, and I agree - it is a good way to meet new people and bond over having children. And you can set play dates with other mums too!

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	5.00 (Excellent) \| July 2007 \| Domestic-warrior

Re: Playgroup - This is a great way to meet people, socialise your kids, feel sane

Thats right. A lot are started by Mums who meet before baby, pregnancy yoga etc. Most libraries have storytime and the Sate Library here in Brissie has a Kiddies Corner with activities on all the time. Jx

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Any contributed content above is the subjective opinion of that member or external author, and not of Minti.com Pty Ltd. If you are searching for health related advice we strongly suggest you seek professional medical support. View our Terms of Service for more details.

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