Categories: uncategorized
Date: 20 June 2008 22:59:59
... but I love my toddler group!
I never thought I would be a person who would actually enjoy going to mums* & toddlers. On paper it's pretty grim isn't it - you just imagine loads of women banging on about nappies and getting competitive about their children's development. Bleah. And to be fair I have enjoyed it much more since I've been helping to run it - it's a lot easier when you feel you have a role.
But anyway. I love it, and I especially love some of the friends I've made there. It's the kind of place that friendship sneaks up on you. There can be people that somehow you didn't think of as a friend - just someone you see once a week in that context. And then you realise that when you bump into them in town you actually do stop and talk rather than just smiling hello. And then they hurtle up to you one morning and give you the most enormous hug because they've heard from someone else (who heard from someone else) that the first bit of your amnio came back clear. Then you tell someone about the amnio result and they cry tears of relief because they'd been so worried about it, and you had no idea.
There was someone this morning who I've always thought I didn't know that well/gel with that closely, until recently when she'd been having a complicated pregnancy as well. She came for the first time since her little girl was born this morning, and after much squeaking and hugging whisked the sleeping baby out of the pushchair and shoved her into my arms for a cuddle.
Like I said, it sneaks up on you.
Which is why I will be absolutely gutted if it closes after the end of term. I, and the other lady who runs it, can't carry on after the end of this term. Both of us have boys who will be in pre-school on Friday mornings from September, and the logistics of preschool finishing 15 minutes before toddlers is just too much. (Plus my new arrival, obviously.) One lady came up to me this morning and was really upset to realise we might not carry on - she said it's the only toddler group she goes to with her daughter because it's the only one she's enjoyed coming to. So a notice is in the church newsletter, and I am planning to stand up and nag people about it on Sunday morning. Because it's a church-run thing we really need churchy volunteers - if that wasn't the case, it wouldn't be a problem as so many of the mums have said "I'll run it if that will keep it open" - and I've had to say no.
I will stop banging on now but it struck me today how very sad it (and I) would be if we had to close. I know there's nothing any of you can do about it!
*technically 'parents and toddlers', but usually it is mums. Occasionally a very brave dad turns up, I think they usually enjoy the attention...