Playgroups & Moms' Groups
Playgroup Tips
Playgroups can be wonderful fun for both parents and children, if the group communicates well. It is advisable to set guidelines and be proactive before there is a problem. The time to decide how to handle whether sick kids can attend playgroup is not when a child with a green runny nose is standing outside your front door.
What follows is a list of suggested items to discuss before they come up, when everyone is calm and objective. Set guidelines that everyone can be comfortable with. This list comes from some of the topics discussed at a recent General Meeting about playgroups.
- Roster: Do a roster with everyone's number and addresses, and then if plans change everyone can contact each other.
- Sick Kids: How sick is too sick? Obviously when a child feels really bad, you won't want to attend anyway, but what about a cold?
- Birthdays: Do you ignore? Or does one child buy one other child a present? And how do you celebrate? Do you host when it is your child's birthday?
- Different House Rules: Know each other's house rules regarding things like food in the living room and jumping on furniture.
- Siblings: Are they welcome? Only during vacation? Only when host?
- Regular Attendance: call host if unable to attend. What if you are meeting at a playground?
- Snacks: Does the host provide? Is lunch provided? For everyone or kids only?
- Meeting Schedule: Decide on meeting places at least a week ahead avoids too many phone calls.
- Visitors: Are Dads/babysitters welcome?
- Schedule Changes: Be open to changing schedules.
- Childproof: Help each other by childproofing your home. Move your expensive vase (and the balls that could be thrown at it).
- Handling Differences: Discuss how to handle differences in discipline, aggressive kids, parenting styles.
- Communicate: Be open to discussion.
- Meet Without Kids: Meet occasionally without the kids -- a Mom's night out perhaps.
If you have any questions, contact Corrina Lozanov, our Playgroup Coordinator.