Posted: 1/14/2007 8:04:50 AM EDT
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since I have been home, my four year old has not had much social interaction, especially with kids around his age. Does anyone have any suggestions on how I can remedy this? We don't have kids in our neighborhood and I can't put him in daycare/preschool part-time right now. I've tried Internet searched for play groups but mostly I just find mom's groups (the kids being ancillary.) I want to find an outlet for my son not for me. We are in the Tacoma area Thanks |
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The playgroup may seem mom-centric but by its very nature, the kids get a lot of time together. I'll ask my LTW (lovely and talented wife) how she got involved in playgroup when our kids were little. Our families were quite diverse (in every way except race) and I think we all got a lot out of the relationship. IMHO, zero to five year olds get a whole lot better start in life when they are home with mom than they do when they are in an institutional holding pen while mommy pursues her precious career. Good for you! Good for the kids! Good for the future! |
My 4 yearold son was in the same boat, I do have him in Pre School 3 days a week now, but I also have him in the Local Chruches Cubbie's program ( kinda like a Christian Boyscouts/girlscouts gone wild for little kids) Too bad that You guys have not moved to the SCR, Your kid's and my kid's could rule the world!
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My wife ran a daycare in our home for a number of years, so our boys got socialized that way. I would second (third or fourth) the preschool idea. Not only will your child learn how to deal with other kids in preschool, but it will give the child a running start when they hit Kindergarten age. Our boys both started preschool at 3 and have been avid readers from the get go. Both read 2 to 3 grades above their grade levels, and they play well with others. I credit in-home daycare and preschool for that. |
No kidding, there are magazines to load and rifles to clean, the kid will have time to socialize when he retires from the Marines. |
I know you are just talking a little crap so I'll put this nicely. I'm realistic, I don't believe that a smile and a "please leave me alone" is going to help in a bad situation. Unfortunately my friends, albeit good people, are born and bread liberals and don't share my hobby or a lot of my opinions. I use arfcom as an outlet to meet or at the very least chat with people who share my thoughts on firearms and gun rights. |
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Hippy what about places like The Little Gym, or Swimming Lessons, Indoor Sports (like the YMCA)? Most are only like an hour long 1-3 times a week, but at least its something. Pierce County YMCA The Little Gym |
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You can try finding a Mygym (my-gym.com) or Gymboree in the area. Also most local community centers have an indoor play area once a week for toddlers, you may want to check out the local community/family centers. Some of the malls have play areas as well....gives the kids time to socialize. I would recomment a lot of antibacterial hand gel though since you have the little one too and lord knows kids are the original form of germ warfare. |
They still haven't completed the body count from LAST time Hippy went to the mall. We don't let her go there any more. |
Um, I am not a parent and I am not from Washington, but I'll be visiting soon!  Anyway, have you thought about storytime at the library? They are free, have lots of kids who tend to have somewhat intelligent parents and are a great way to meet lots of other people. I know several kids that have met in storytime that are now part of playgroups and similar stuff. Or, you could go with the lighter thing, but please don't bring it to the library! ETA: You would also probably be surprised at the number of dads that come to storytime with their kids...its not just a MILF thing anymore. |
That's MY MILF thank you very much. |
I have my daughter in swimming lessons right now and she's loving it. It's only twice a week but she gets some social time and some exercise. There are plenty of kids there your his age and even younger. A friend of ours has a boy around his age too and I he's enrolled in karate lessons. |
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I've a good friend that owns a pawn shop down in Ponders. I like to drop my kids off there so they can go in the back room and tear the tags off of everything... then, to the front room to reorganize CDs across the floor and spill golf clubs. If they have enough time, they can reorganize the other shelves as well. I'm sure he'd love to have your little tornado stop by as well. IM for the address! |
I think I know which one you are talking about... Are adults allowed to do the same stuff? |
Not trying to be difficult. The problem is that I don't get along with most women and I don't scrapbook which seems to be an example of the activites that go on. I want my kid to make friends, but I don't think I could survive through adult arts and craft time 
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UP Parks has soccer starting in February and I was looking into that there is also Swimming through Metro parks but it is all in the evening, YMCA is a little too expensive for just having a four year old in swimming. I would love to have him in Martial Arts, but the age limit is five for Akido and up for Karate or Tae Kwan Do. I've never been to a UP library so I will have to look that one up but I know Barnes and Noble has a story time, but if I remember right (his Tutu used to take him there) they had very poor attendance. I don't know where there is a community/family center around here. The UP website has very little activities schedualed for kids his age. Once the warmth comes, we will make excusions to the park, but at the moment I don't want to freeze the baby (I forgot to mention that I had a one month old for those who don't know). Thanks for the ideas everyone. |
YOU HAD THE BABY ALREADY!? 
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If you are sincere in your interest to have him in Martial Arts, I can help. It will definitely help him with any social issues he may be experiencing. My Instructor typically does not take students below 5 either. But your son is more advanced mentally than most 4 year olds. I'm pretty sure Master Candidate Goins would let him try. Would you like for me to arrange a visit? |
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