Bored toddlers/daycare?

Question

When we realized that about 99% of my husband's salary was going to pay daycare, he quit his job and became a full-time stay-at-home dad. Our sons are 3 and 2. The problem is, I think they need interraction with other kids (other than each other and with their father). We don't really want to put them in daycare, because that would defeat the whole purpose of my husband staying home to raise them, plus, daycare is ridiculously expensive, and we live on a very strict budget and don't have the extra money for even part time. Any suggestions? How would I go about finding a play group or something similar?

Answer 1

Check out the Library in your area. They often have activities for little kids. Also, if there is a vocational high school in your area see if they have a program that teaches HS kids to work in Early Childhood programs and have a Lab School. those are usually free. If all else fails, post a notice somewhere in your neighborhood and announce that you want to start a playgroup and see who turns up.y kids are now parents but when my son was little he was in a group with three or four other kids and we all took turn hosting it.

Answer 2

Ask around. If you belong to a church or any other kind of organization, that's a good place to start (a lot of churches actually HAVE a playgroup.) At other child-friendly places, like the library, ask if there is a bulletin board or anything that would have that info.

Or become a regular fixture at things like the library's storytime, or storytime at Barnes & Noble, or the park, or kids-go-free day at the zoo, or whatever, and at some point, start up a conversation with some of the parents to see if they have any reccommendations.

They may benefit from a Mother's Day Out program, too, which can be a lot less than regular daycare, can give dad some time, and can provide weekly interraction with other kids.

Answer 3

My kids go to a local playgroup that i found in the yellow pages. I was shocked at how many were listed there. You could also search online. The library usually has really good programs for little kids for free or a little amount of money. We do story time twice a week. They read a story then do a craft and then have free time to look at books and interact with other children it is great and I only pay about 15 dollars a month for both of them. Just a few ideas

Answer 4

Start going to the parks during the day and find the other stay at home parents and form your own....you guys can all rotate houses and do a little afternoon playdate in the back yard for them all.....most play groups or stuff for stay at home parents you have to pay a fee so if your budget is that strict might not be an option!!

Answer 5

I wonder if theres a fathers group like Mothers and More. They always have playgroups.

Does your city or your park and rec,school system offer any parenting type activities. Our library has these kinds of things posted too.

My sons, also 2 and 3, are currently into Play-doh and the Wiggles. I dont mind them watching the Wiggles as they're up dancin and doing the songs with them - not just being lazy in front of the tv.

Answer 6

try looking for a playgroup in your area. Also, doing something as simple as going to a park a couple of days a week might help. Or some malls have those indoor play areas now. Anyplace where there may be other kids should be fine. Some churches also have parents day out.

Answer 7

well the library usually has activities for toddlers, and at 3 you oldest should be able to get into a city school program for free

if not then start a web group

We have on in our town

Freecycle.Org and create a play group for your town

Meg

Answer 8

well, if you guys are part of a gym (which im now realizing that your most likely arent) then he could go and work out/ just relax and sign them in for like 2 hrs. the place where i volunteered (when i was younger, like 14) only charged about 2 dollars and hour