Play Group Etiquette

Kellseibellsey

It has been a while since I have posted anything, so I will start by assuring you that I am not a creeper, but instead a too-busy dirty lurker. Sorry I don't contribute more. 

I just joined a play/story time/moms group at our local library. It is awesome, but I would like to know some of the "ground rules" for this unique social situation. For example:

-If your baby puts a "communal" toy in their mouth what are you supposed to do with it? Are you supposed to stop them from doing that all together (they're babies, so it seems impossible)?

-Is it ok to just let your babe crawl around anywhere even if they end on sitting in another mom/baby's space?

I know this seems dumb to ask, but I just need to know what the etiquette is required here. Does anyone have any stories?

algalphys

Communal toys get put in the mouth all the time. I don't know what the rule is but it happens a lot at our library/family centre.

I let my little guy explore his surroundings as long as he isn't bothering others too much. Again, I don't know if my laid back approach pisses others off. If it has, it's not to the point where they tell me!

Kellseibellsey

Loppy19 said:

Babies put everything in their mouth. I think it is up to the individual parents if they are OK with this or not, but in my experience those toys should be put in a different bin to be sanitized rather than back in the communal toys.

Babies are always crawling all over everything. I would hope that no one is bothered by this because it's give and take. Sometime someone else's baby is crawling on you, someday your baby will be the one going rogue. 

Just curious why the questions? Playgroup isn't supposed to be some super stressful time. Shouldn't the babies be mingling and exploring? What's the point if they can't interact with each other and the other adults?

I know it isn't supposed to be stressful and I know I am way over-thinking it. I just don't want to step on anyone's toes and I really want to make friends there. I think asking the question will help me be more laid-back next time. 

olga1311

In our playgroup nobody really cares of someone's LO puts a toy in their mouth. Thats what they do lol! If some mom is bothered by it she'll wipe down the toy with pacifier wipe before letting her LO play with it.

#2. They should be encouraged to explore as long as they don't bother others too much. In my experience moms are very understanding and receptive to LOs coming over to "their space" and interact with them

redfallon

I've been to one play group through meetup.com and what all PP's said is what happens. What was great is that for how clingy E is when we're at home, she hardly noticed I was there during play group. She crawled off and around in the little space that was cordoned off for us at the playgroup host's home. I kept my eye on her, but I didn't follow her around. All the babies interacted well and played with all the toys. I'm not sure about what happened with toys going in little mouths.

barnwife

Ditto pp...this will vary from group to group.
At our library storytime, I try to discourage my kids from putting things in their mouth. That's because they toys aren't sanitized. That being said, it happens and I don't freak out. I just distract LO if I can. Kids definitely roam. If one of mine tries to be in someone else's space, I try to check to see if it's okay. I've never had another mom get upset.

Generally, we help each other out, keeping an eye on all the LOs. 

Ash1103

At our play group all communal toys are wiped with alcohol wipes before and after playing with them. If you don't want to use alcohol wipes then you can buy Johnson's antibacterial wipes instead.
As far as crawling goes I let DD explore within reason. She doesn't need to be sitting on other kids blankets or moms laps but she can move about freely.