ideas for my 16month daughter to socialise with other kiddies.

[dotty03]

I am mum of 2 and i want to get my 16month old daughter out interacting with other toddlers her age as she is very shy around other kids and cautious of new people. I was very much the same as her when young and still now find it difficult to interact with others for which i dont want her to suffer the same problems at school i did.

i have taken her to a play centre where she was very uncomfortable and clung to me the whole time. i didnt pick her up so she would still try and play with the kids and told her that everything was fine but it didnt ease her. at home she is a very loud, playful and funny girl..its so hard to see her miserable and shy with others. i didnt know what is best to do..any other ideas of places to take her with lots of people/kids..or any tips to get her out of her shell ..I also have a 6week old to care for so wanted to do things that could take him to aswell.

many thanks in advance.

dotty

[zzxxee]

try a child minders once a week not as many kids as a nursery and its more intamate

[tamborine]

Invite mum with kid of same age over to your home.

[sqad617]

You don't get many mums of 2 LOL

[gossipgirl]

I would persevere with the playgroups etc. Why not invite nieces and nephews, friends with children etc around. Now that the weather is improving take her to the local parks. She will get used to it and make friends in time.

[zzxxee]

why dont you get many mums of 2 squad???

[ganesh]

My kids loved playgym if you have something like that in your area. That way they can play on the equipment and interact with other kids when and if they want to. Don't force her to play if she's too shy. It takes all sorts and shyness isn't a disease. We can't all be extroverts and the world would be boring if we were.

[sqad617]

Cus mums are usually over 16........you know ovulation and all that.

[zzxxee]

oh you were on about the age not the number of kids i see lol

[sqad617]

zzxxee....can't fool you eh?

[tamborine]

sqad darling......de - men - tia notice the 'men' in centre

[zzxxee]

im feeling a bit blonde today squad lol

[sqad617]

tambo...intellectual as well as desirable.

Just back from the bins.......I am allotted all the menial tasks. LOL

[tamborine]

menial ......men - ial - ofcourse, Y not U?

[sqad617]

tambo.......I think that you quite fancy me........LOL.....good choice of lover....LOL

[snorpah]

can you try a class together first where her fun is reliant on you. i took my shy one to a music makers class where we both sat together in a circle of other mums and tots - he did not have to 'socialise' but had to look, fit in and take cues off of others. after a few weeks he smiled, laughed with the others, a few more weeks on he started to socialise at his own pace. it was great - he never felt left out as he had as much fun as everyone else from day 1 so i guess he never felt pressured to make friends.

by the way he is 6 now and makes friends in a second!

[Lore]

Hi, have a nosey on here... www.netmums.com
You'll be able to find out about what's going on for children and/or babies in your area and also get in touch with other mums in your area too.

They have lists of local libraries who have story time and some feedback from local play groups / mums n' tots etc etc.