Until last week I hadn’t set foot in a playgroup for years. My eldest son, now six is in year one at school and my youngest, just five weeks old, has a few months to go before he’s ready for blocks and biscuits. Yet I was meeting a new friend with a newborn who also has an active toddler so she suggested we meet at her local playgroup.
Walking into that church hall on a rather soggy Thursday morning was confronting and to be honest, not all that appealing. I had just left the calm confines of a local hipster cafe and was cursing myself for agreeing to this as a squealing two-year-old hurled a pull-along-dog into my ankle.
For the princely sum of two dollars I decided that I had nothing to lose, so I signed up and joined the club. I was given the grand tour of the two large adjoining rooms filled with toys, kids (lots of kids) mums, grandmas and one or two grandads.
On doing the introductory rounds I was repeatedly apologised to about it ‘not usually being this noisy’, due to the rain and out-of-bounds garden area. But 20 minutes in, and after chatting to the friendly woman and her in-laws who ran the group, I felt ashamed for being a judgmental snob and I made myself at home on an old comfy sofa.
I spoke to a number of mums, some from overseas with no family nearby, who all seemed to know each other well. One of the ladies had bought in a delicious homemade morning tea to go with the provided tea and coffee, another got busy distributing party food and balloons as it was one of kid’s birthdays.
Top Comments
Yes, barista coffee for playgroups is exactly why I work hard to pay my taxes.
Sounds like you really haven't left your snobbery behind. Playgroups are community groups, which is their strength, not a government-subsidized play centre (which is what you're describing). Sometimes things might be a little shabby around the corners, but that's because they were given to the community with love. If you want a latte, donate or fundraise for a nespresso or Aldi machine - and those acts will strengthen the community as well as getting you coffee.
I like how playgroups are run with volunteers. It gives a warm comforting environment. You know the ppl there run the playgroups out of care and generosity not obligingly for pay.