Playgroup vs Playground

Are you a playgroup, playground or maybe a mix of both parent?

There are so many options out there for playgroups. You have the free or very inexpensive ones, the pricey ones, the structured ones, the themed (such as religious or philosophy based) ones and no doubt many others I haven't thought of.  I've brought my daughter Sari to a couple playgroups and for us we always seem to end up at the playground the following week instead.
Sari is an incredibly social little girl and loves people in general. Playgroups, playground, just me and her in the front yard with neighbours walking by saying hello, it all makes her happy which makes me happy. So why do we end up time and again at the playground instead of playgroup?

Well here are some of the reasons.

For us at least at this moment the more structured ones are simply too structured for my lively two year old. She gets very excited seeing toys that aren't hers and getting her to sit down and listen to a story or play a game is nearly impossible. Ultimately it usually ends up very frustrating for me. We've only just recently gotten a hold on the tantrums. As those of you who have been through this stage know, you prefer to avoid a tantrum especially in public. Even if a tantrum isn't the result of trying to get my energy filled little one to sit, still a frustrated and tired Mummy IS the result. Chasing, quietly pleading, knowing other parents are watching you hoping your kid doesn't distract their kid or just plain giving you those pity looks. None of this is Sari's fault of course. She's two, she just wants to run and play. A year, maybe two from now, no doubt these playgroups will be perfect for her but as for right now we'll give them a miss.

Now I know it seems obvious why some people avoid the more expensive playgroups but it's not the only reason. First, as you probably already guessed I'm not a big fan spending hundreds of dollars for a couple of hours a week of play but it goes beyond that. Something I've learnt pretty quickly is that children don't care or notice if the toys they are playing with are brand new or a particular brand name. Parents notice but chances are a two or three year old will get just as much use out of a box as the $50 ride on toy that came in it. Free and inexpensive playgroups, in my experience, have just as well trained staff there to supervise and talk to parents as the expensive ones. Now I realise that some of you (some of my friends included) are big fans of these playgroups and please take no offence this is simply how I feel about it for our family.

My daughter loves playing with other kids and I realise that playgroups offer a safe place and weekly routine for her to get that opportunity. So what about the free or inexpensive playgroups that are filled with play and maybe a snack time? This is where we have usually ended up when we have gone in the past to playgroup. Well it basically comes down to this. Is Sari going to do anything she doesn't do at the playground with other kids there or when we go a on play date to a friends house or they come to visit us? Probably not. She still meets other children and plays with them at the local playground. Play dates are fantastic for me as much for her. Often in our living room or a friends living room we mamas can sit down have a cuppa and still be within a few feet of our children in case they need us. It's also a lot less hectic when there a few children playing than the heaps that show up for playgroups.

All of that being said there are many advantages to playgroups. It's a great way to meet other parents and make friends, for your child as much as for you as a parent. It is a safe place for play with usually a lot to do and see. This sort of burn off all that energy time is very helpful for some parents who have tireless toddlers. There are staff there that can offer advice and resources for your family. Mostly it depends on you and your child/ren and what you would get out of it. While playgroups are not for us right now I do think in a years time we will likely find one that suits us. In a year kindergarten will be in our sight and I think playgroup might be a good stepping stone for us then.