Anyone else find playgroup or mothers group a bad experience?
Why is it so hard to say 'Hi, how are you? How has your day been?' I went the first time to a new playgroup today and the best that I got was a mumbled 'hi' before the woman ushered her child off to play with the kids belonging to the group of mothers that she knew. I tried to talk with others but they were so closed off and not at all easy to have a conversation with, as though I was taking them away from speaking to the people that they really wanted to talk to. I could have really done with some adult conversation and a friendly word this morning and it just didn't happen.
I've heard of other women also having negative experiences. So to all the women who attend these things (and I will try again) PLEASE go out of your way to make newcomers feel welcome. Please respond positively when someone new is putting themselves out there to say hello to you. Please make every effort to include newcomers. You never know how much they need it.
3 Replies
I had the same experience! It was awful. Years later there was a mothers group at my local park and they all seemed so nice and welcoming (I'd just taken my son to the park to play not realising there was a mothers group). Totally different experience.
All I can say is different groups are more welcoming than others.
My first time at playgroup this year was hard as I'm a shy person but we have been lots of times now and I'm starting to make new mummy friends. Just keep going people will start recognising you and start talking. I think some mothers can be quite stuck up though ;) I stay away from those ones
Coming from a 'Play Group mum' I know exactly how women feel turning up for the first time because I was once in your shoes. I kept going and I made the effort to put myself out there, not being shy etc even though it's not who I really am and I am now the president of our playgroup.
Also some advice don't go having some big expectation of what you will find at play group, usually we are a bunch of mums from the same area that discuss alot of our lives and advice and our kids play well together. Dont expect it to be like a kindergarten. The kids get messy, they play in the sand, they have fun and us mums get to sit back, have a coffee and whinge about our husbands haha!