https://boards.hellobee.com/ Pregnancy, Baby and Parenting blog, by Hellobee en Wed, 13 May 2026 03:25:24 +0000 https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/if-you-sah-do-you-enroll-your-kids-in-any-programs#post-2520118 Fri, 08 Apr 2016 17:41:32 +0000 daniellemybelle 2520118@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@Happygal: Playdates have gotten really stressful for us when the group is too large. LO is just not at a good age for sharing and overall handling the intensity of a lot of toddlers who can't communicate on her level quite yet. </p> <p>Right now we have really enjoyed having one friend &amp; mom "couple" over, or meeting them at a park. But I found that the best way to make these friends is to start with larger formal playdates. My mom group was amazing when we first moved here! </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/if-you-sah-do-you-enroll-your-kids-in-any-programs#post-2520015 Fri, 08 Apr 2016 15:25:24 +0000 caterw 2520015@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@happygal I find that kids are usually happiest outside. We go somewhere that the kids can't easily escape (fenced in park, someone's yard, etc) and the mommies sit and hang out while keeping an eye on the kiddos. You do have to stop your sentence in the middle quite a bit to make sure your child doesn't snatch or run off, but you do get a fair bit of adult time as well. When the kids have to stay inside, we tend to let them do their thing in a child proofed room and check on them periodically or whenever there is a loud noise. Activities like storytime, toddler gym, art class, etc are awesome for rainy days too- just something different from their own rooms to keep them entertained. FYI my daughter is 2.5 and her friends are mostly around the same age or slightly older. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/if-you-sah-do-you-enroll-your-kids-in-any-programs#post-2516573 Tue, 05 Apr 2016 21:34:33 +0000 youboots 2516573@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@Happygal: T is only 13 mo so play dates are easy. Sometime I meet friends at a play gym. Mostly it's a chance to visit with my SAH/WAH friends and drink coffee (or wine 😂) it's as much for the moms as kiddos. Helps the days go by fast. A walk or park can be a play date too, IMO it's whenever you get together with other people. We do one every morning we don't have another activity.</p> <p>MOPS is good for me to feel checked in with my community. I've got to know people I already know better. It's nice to see familiar people around town. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/if-you-sah-do-you-enroll-your-kids-in-any-programs#post-2516549 Tue, 05 Apr 2016 20:58:42 +0000 rattles 2516549@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I'm planning to put my 3 year old in an activity starting this summer (swimming this summer and either dance or soccer this fall), but so far, nope. I joined my local MOMS club chapter, and it's been awesome for them for socialization. We have a play date or field trip with the same group of moms and kids about twice a week. I also take them to our library for their toddler or preschool program once a week. I think that's enough programming for now. I'll put them in preK at 4. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/if-you-sah-do-you-enroll-your-kids-in-any-programs#post-2516504 Tue, 05 Apr 2016 19:55:12 +0000 Cole 2516504@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>Mine is still young enough that it's parallel play, she gets so excited to play with other people's toys so it's easy to distract her with something if the host kid has a preference. We usually can chat quite a bit, it helps if you/the other mom(s) are cool with just letting them sort some stuff out themselves too. Occasionally there is toy snatching and if no one is too upset we just roll with it. </p> <p>Snacks are fun and a good way to break up the play date if they are consistently struggling with sharing.</p> <p>We do a lot of outings with friends too, sometimes just to the park (we have a super awesome toddler friendly one so you don't have to be right on top of them every second.) Things like the zoo are fun for the moms too because we get to chat during the times they are actually OK with being stuck in the stroller! </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/if-you-sah-do-you-enroll-your-kids-in-any-programs#post-2516432 Tue, 05 Apr 2016 18:20:36 +0000 Happygal 2516432@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@daniellemybelle: @Woolly Mammoth: @Cole: @youboots: @travelgirl1: tell me about what makes a good play date. I'm not too excited about them b/c I imagine it's mainly watching children closely and constantly managing the sharing, etc.</p> <p>I'm following along b/c I'll be transitioning to staying at home. I love the interaction my daughter gets at her daycare, so I'll be looking for things to do with her. </p> <p>@youboots: @skipra: I want to check our local MOPS out. I think our chapter is small and hopefully growing! </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/if-you-sah-do-you-enroll-your-kids-in-any-programs#post-2516405 Tue, 05 Apr 2016 17:40:14 +0000 stargal 2516405@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>P is doing preschool twice a week and i really want to sign him up for a sport or day camp thos summer bc school will be on break til fall. He will be four in july.</p> <p>D is 19 months and he will start preschool at 3 like p.</p> <p>Both boys go to speech weekly so i count that as an activity 😜 </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/if-you-sah-do-you-enroll-your-kids-in-any-programs#post-2516398 Tue, 05 Apr 2016 17:29:58 +0000 autumnlove 2516398@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>My older girls go to preschool 2x a week and they are also enrolled in soccer and ballet. Oh, we also attend storytime at the library. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/if-you-sah-do-you-enroll-your-kids-in-any-programs#post-2516379 Tue, 05 Apr 2016 17:01:24 +0000 Rainbow Sprinkles 2516379@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>Yes. My oldest goes to preschool 3x a week (2.5 hours a day) and is enrolled in swimming lessons. My middle child is also enrolled in swim and will start preschool when she turns 3. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/if-you-sah-do-you-enroll-your-kids-in-any-programs#post-2516279 Tue, 05 Apr 2016 15:10:50 +0000 caterw 2516279@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I'm a full time SAHM with a 2 1/2 year old. Around here, none of the activities are drop-off until the kids are 3 so we spend a LOOOOTTTTTT of time together. We try to do all of our activities with a mommy friend of mine so I have someone to talk to. We usually do storytime at the library every week and sign up for one class per week at our local rec center (lately DD has been loving this gymnastics and art combo). We sometimes go to Saturday stories and crafts at Barnes and Noble, the children's museum (our local library lets you check out free passes), and "toddler time" at the bounce place and the jump place (they give you a discounted rate one or two mornings a week here if your kid is under five). During the summer, we do the splash pad pretty much every day it's nice. I am going to start signing up for "Mommy's Morning Out" at a local church, which is from 9 to 12 twice per month to give me a bit of a break a.k.a time to go to the grocery store by myself. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/if-you-sah-do-you-enroll-your-kids-in-any-programs#post-2513670 Sat, 02 Apr 2016 15:15:26 +0000 SweetiePie 2513670@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>We are starting "pre-preschool" this fall when my son is 2 years old. It's 2.5 hours in the morning twice a week. It starts off with parents and slowly "separates" them. So for example, a week in the classroom the whole time, then a week at the school but in a separate room on standby, then finally just drop off. </p> <p>Also, I recently started taking him to church and dropping him off in the toddler class. It's actually structured a lot like preschool and is 2 hours. It has helped a ton already with socialization and following directions.</p> <p>Currently at 18 months he does a gym class and a swim class, both with me. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/if-you-sah-do-you-enroll-your-kids-in-any-programs#post-2513648 Sat, 02 Apr 2016 14:08:05 +0000 Kemma 2513648@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>We go to our local playgroup on Monday and Wednesday mornings (up to twenty kids from 0 - 4yo, run by parents so very relaxed and casual), we also go to a music class on Friday mornings (up to forty kids from 0 - 5yo, run by volunteers).</p> <p>One my oldest turned 2y8m she started attending afternoon preschool / kindergarten three afternoons a week. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/if-you-sah-do-you-enroll-your-kids-in-any-programs#post-2513519 Sat, 02 Apr 2016 09:51:37 +0000 travelgirl1 2513519@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>Before we moved I used to sign DD up for one off classes run by a free centre, sensory, art and movement stuff. We did lots of museum play dates so I felt like she got lots of exposure and socialization.<br /> Now we live somewhere much quieter, so she will be starting preschool for two mornings a week after the Easter holidays. I will look to sign both her and the baby up to a class too. There is a little scientist class I like the look of for DD. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/if-you-sah-do-you-enroll-your-kids-in-any-programs#post-2513455 Sat, 02 Apr 2016 07:23:49 +0000 Tanjowen 2513455@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>You sound similar to our family life! I work 2 days a week and DH or my mom keeps LO. When he was 18 months old we started him at a mom's morning out program nearby 2 x's a week that he really enjoys. We also took him to baby time at our local library until he turned 2, and now he and DH go to a cute little parent school program one time a week together. And as someone else mentioned, the gym daycare a few times a week also gives him opportunity to play. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/if-you-sah-do-you-enroll-your-kids-in-any-programs#post-2513409 Fri, 01 Apr 2016 23:35:06 +0000 Portboston 2513409@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>We do swim once a week and starting music class next week. Im SO excited for music class because DS loveeeees music and loves to dance. Its adorable! (he's 8.5 months) </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/if-you-sah-do-you-enroll-your-kids-in-any-programs#post-2513301 Fri, 01 Apr 2016 19:40:10 +0000 oliviaoblivia 2513301@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>DD1 does Preschool and swim.<br /> I'm looking for all art class for the summer.<br /> She'll be starting tennis soon too.</p> <p>My one year old has a once per week music class that the baby sleeps through.</p> <p>The baby has nothing of her own. Whatever DD2 does DD3 will do too. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/if-you-sah-do-you-enroll-your-kids-in-any-programs#post-2513241 Fri, 01 Apr 2016 18:35:36 +0000 Cole 2513241@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I joined a moms club that has a few events/play dates each month and we do informal play dates through that too. We are in a Music Together class as well. In the fall when she's two she will start a 90 minute drop off dance class. Dance and the moms club are just as much for me as her, we don't have any help so 90 child free minutes a week sounds amazing! </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/if-you-sah-do-you-enroll-your-kids-in-any-programs#post-2513234 Fri, 01 Apr 2016 18:17:15 +0000 fancyfunction 2513234@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>We did storytime since 4 mo til about 2.5. We've also done music, play gym and craft classes. Now she's in p/t school 2 days, dance class and will be starting a cooking class in May. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/if-you-sah-do-you-enroll-your-kids-in-any-programs#post-2513222 Fri, 01 Apr 2016 17:50:03 +0000 Foodnerd81 2513222@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>We do various story time or music things at the library or whatever, but she doesn't Really play without other kids there as much. Then we do an organized playground thing through the school system where it's the same people in class all year. And our local gym has a "gym and swim" drop off program-2 hours once a week, so that's her only thing away from me. She loves it, it's good for her to have time away from me and it's really good for me to have time away from her. :wink: </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/if-you-sah-do-you-enroll-your-kids-in-any-programs#post-2513206 Fri, 01 Apr 2016 17:15:44 +0000 JerricaBenton 2513206@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>We started with 2 classes per week at 7 or so mos, now we're up to 3-4 days a week at 3 (going to preschool in sept.) We've done music, art, swimming, dance, gymnastics...all kinds of things. Keeps us busy and keeps her social and on a schedule. So many kids go to daycare now I wanted her to have the same social advantages and it's fun to explore her interests and see what she loves. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/if-you-sah-do-you-enroll-your-kids-in-any-programs#post-2513199 Fri, 01 Apr 2016 16:56:26 +0000 Woolly Mammoth 2513199@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I SAH with my 2 year old, and we do a cooperative preschool twice a week for two hours. I work one of the days and drop off the other day. He really loves it and has gotten to know the other kids. </p> <p>We also go to the park (or the indoor play gym at the community center) and the gym daycare several times a week.</p> <p>In the past, we also did Gymboree classes/open gym, story time at the library, and a regular playdate group. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/if-you-sah-do-you-enroll-your-kids-in-any-programs#post-2513184 Fri, 01 Apr 2016 16:39:06 +0000 skipra 2513184@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>My older LO goes to preschool two mornings a week. It's a cooperative school, so my younger LO (almost 2) goes about once a month and loves it. We have him on the waiting list for next year.<br /> LO1 does gymnastics and LO2 plays in the play area at the same time. He has a couple favorite friends from that.<br /> Swimming lessons<br /> MOPS - they both play with the other kids while I join the moms. It is at a church but not overly religious.<br /> We also have two playgroups, one for each kid and meet with them every 2-3 weeks.<br /> I haven't been very good about it but we also have childcare at the gym.<br /> ETA: we do story time at the library while LO1 is at school and there are other less frequent events, such as singalongs that the local libraries host. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/if-you-sah-do-you-enroll-your-kids-in-any-programs#post-2513171 Fri, 01 Apr 2016 16:19:41 +0000 NavyRN2012 2513171@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>DH sah and we just signed F (3 years old) up for swimming lessons twice a week and joined the Y, so they'll do childcare there 2 hours a day while he works out. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/if-you-sah-do-you-enroll-your-kids-in-any-programs#post-2513170 Fri, 01 Apr 2016 16:16:45 +0000 daniellemybelle 2513170@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>We do a lot of playdates both "formal" through my mom's group and casual just with friends. LO is in dance class once per week which is a drop-off thing. We love to go to story time but we don't go every week. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/if-you-sah-do-you-enroll-your-kids-in-any-programs#post-2513165 Fri, 01 Apr 2016 16:12:04 +0000 deerylou 2513165@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>We go to a few parent &amp; child classes, throughout the week. We're lucky in that our small school district has a tot campus with some great classes. DD (2.5) and I attend a playgroup, and also drop in on science, art, cooking and music classes. We plan to start soccer and ballet this summer, when she turns 3.</p> <p>Our library has a preschool storytime on Tuesdays, a craft hour on Wednesdays, and "Tales for Tails" program on Thursdays, where kids can read (or, in DD's case, make up stories and share pictures) to shelter dogs. We've met great families through all these programs. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/if-you-sah-do-you-enroll-your-kids-in-any-programs#post-2513158 Fri, 01 Apr 2016 16:02:32 +0000 jhd 2513158@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>LO will be two at the end of the month. I work two mornings per week (8-12:30) and my mom watches him. He goes to story time at the library, a weekly music class, church on Sun mornings and Wed evenings, and has two EI appointments per week. He was also doing a mommy and me tumbling class but it's been canceled for now. He will most likely do two mornings per week at preschool when he turns 3. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/if-you-sah-do-you-enroll-your-kids-in-any-programs#post-2513130 Fri, 01 Apr 2016 15:18:32 +0000 youboots 2513130@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>She goes to daycare two 4 hr mornings a week. She loves it and this year she's the youngest- it works well for us.</p> <p>I'm also in MOPS which is 1x a month, but that's more for me.</p> <p>We go to story hour- it's 3x a week at our library we go 2x a month.</p> <p>We have done swim lessons.</p> <p>There is an indoor playgroup here in town that I will start in the fall.</p> <p>We have a play date or activity every weekday morning. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/if-you-sah-do-you-enroll-your-kids-in-any-programs#post-2513123 Fri, 01 Apr 2016 15:11:00 +0000 Ash 2513123@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I work part part time (one 12hr shift a week) and on the day I work family watches the kids (husband, mom, mil). I want to enroll my two year old in some kind of program that allows him to play and meet other kids. I thought about doing daycare a few hours couple times a week, swim lessons or tumbling (both are mommy and me classes though). </p> <p>Any other recs? We do play dates every now and then but we need something more. </p>