Socializing??

Crequito

DD had her 9 month appt yesterday and one of the things her pedi mentioned for DH and I to try and work on was getting her around kids her own age for a few hours each week.  DD doesn't go to daycare as we are extremely lucky to have our mothers provide free daycare M-F and our friends' kids are all 4-6 months younger or older than DD.  My mom is going to start taking DD to reading time at the local library as she's now old enough - what do you do to socialize your LO?  I'm looking for the cheapest options available.

On a side note we may try to get DD into daycare part time sometime this summer so I know I can meet the recommended socialization time then.

BabyD316

We do a baby program at our library every week and kindermusik class every week as well. We also go to the children's museum about 3-4 times a week because we have a membership. It is fun for DS and for MaMa.

mhickey426

My dd socialized with my 2 nieces who are 2 and 6 yrs.  I do not have any friends with children her own age.  She is not in daycare and is watched by family for free.  I am not really worried about her socializing with children her own age and at the moment it really would be difficult to get her into any type of program.  I would like her to take a swim class or some type of class with me this summer where she will be able to interact with kids her own age.  

I plan on checking out the YMCA and JCC for these kinds of classes

Rochacha2013

Music class and swim class. Our DD enjoyed her music class. Now she is enrolled in swim class until mid Feb. She loves to watch other kids walking or running around or held my their mommies. We will go back to music class in March. I actually enjoyed the music class myself. I learned more materials to sing to DD

rdbanks

The reading time at the library is great (and free, woohoo!) We also were gifted a 3 month Gymboree membership for Christmas, which was definitely mainly for the social aspect, but has also been great for LO's physical development.

Another idea is going to a popular park/playground. Even if your LO isn't mobile yet, there are always other babies around to "talk" to.

kgrobot

why is your pedi concerned about that? I feel like that's a matter of personal preference more than a medical issue. Your kid's getting socialization with your family, and they get social time once they hit preschool. What's the big deal now? I mean I don't think it's bad for them to get comfortable being around other kids, just seems funny for your pedi to mention it I guess.

SidraJedi

I take DD to the library twice a week now (storytime and babies and books) and to the park when it is warm enough. We have had play dates with other families and I hope to have more. I do not plan to send her to daycare at any time, but swimming, music and sports lessons, etc. are in her future.

LisaLisa1980

kgrobot said:

why is your pedi concerned about that? I feel like that's a matter of personal preference more than a medical issue. Your kid's getting socialization with your family, and they get social time once they hit preschool. What's the big deal now? I mean I don't think it's bad for them to get comfortable being around other kids, just seems funny for your pedi to mention it I guess.

I'm curious too. DS isn't around kids either

Pitterpatter44

Our ped hasn't asked us about this either, knowing LO is at home with us (no daycare or siblings). She gets lots of interaction with family at this time, and we get out of the house once a day to run errands, sometimes just going to the mall to walk around. LO is getting more social on her own- she smiles at people in line when they talk to her, and is much more comfortable with people she doesn't know now. I wouldn't feel like you have to spend money to get the socialization. Parks, pools, libraries, even stores that sell kids stuff can be great places for her to observe other kids. You might also look into your school districts programs. Where I live, we have a free (paid for by taxes) Parents as Teachers program that is amazing and offers play groups during the week for free at they center.

Lolalipsy

I don't think classes are absolutely necessary but I think taking them possibly just helps them get used to being in a class environment (noise, other kids etc) with other children so that when they are in preschool it's not so much of a shock for them.

We go to soft play (free for under 1's), swimming, baby sensory and twinkle toes which is a music and instruments class. I go for me as well because I find it hard to stay home. It's much harder.

lana22

i see tons of grandparents at the various activites LO and i do. i'm in similar boat, cause my 10mo mostly tags along with his older brother (2 yo). i do a mommy & me once a week where he's around slightly older kids, same with library story time. check out local gymnastics places, they may have an open play. same goes for local churches or temples. obv defer to your pedi, but i wouldn't think it's super important that the other kids be the exact same age, just some exposure to other kids/babies. they're all parallel playing anyway and mostly sticking things in their mouth.

JSNoto

McDonald's play land or the mall play-pit for the not so warm time?  Local playground for the better weather days?  

Oddly, I'm fighting fierce to make sure mine are well socialized in case FaceBook ever falls through and society starts actually talking. . to people they actually know. . or not but at least in person or at least voice calls ;-)

jlpev

I have a 3 yr old ds & 8 month old dd. We do playdates at friends house or at home once a week. We also go to storytime at the library once a week. Both kids love it & its free! Lots of grandparents bring their grandkids up there.
With ds we started doing playdates at alil over a year old. He is extremely sociable. So not doing it younger is probably ok!

LifesGoodMom

We do story time at the library as well. Some stores have free story time too. The Barnes and nobles and pottery barn kids near us both have something.