Last Friday I went on a night out with the other Mums from our baby group. We had a lovely meal at The Belle Isle - (but that's another post.) A year ago, I could not have imagined doing that, ever! I had a three month old baby, but I was terrified of the groups. I went to La Leche when I was pregnant, to try and force myself to make friends with other Mums, but I just found the whole experience terrifying and a little bit soul destroying. I had done it all before, I love my baby, but I didn't want to just talk about sore boobs and pooy nappies like I was the first person it had ever happened to. It wasn't till I went to a clothing party at On The Rocks that I met with one of the other Mums. "Why don't you come to the bumps and babies group?" She asked.
 |
| Bounce and rhyme when it used to be quiet! |
I'd done it once, but left without even saying goodbye to anyone, so destroyed were my social skills. Two years of talking to nobody but my very close friends, children and husband had turned me totally socially inept!
"Oh, I err, I didn't like it much." I mumbled into my bucks fizz.
"Just come along," she said. She took my number and text me all week to make sure I got involved when the next Bumps and Babies group took place. What a woman. She introduced me to everyone and next thing I knew, we were all having lunch at The Slug. I had a great time and felt a total eejet for cutting off my face to spite my nose. They are a lovely eclectic bunch. From all walks of live and all corners of the globe! I love my Mummy chums now and wouldn't be without them.
Bumps and babies are sadly no more. Our babies got too big and I think they have been cut from the Portsmouth budget.
 |
| We have been to some fab birthday parties |
But Sure Start has been an absolute God send. The group leaders for Southsea Aileen and Missy are really lovely and have time for all the babies and toddlers.
We have been going to the Sure Start Monday group: 1-2.30pm at St Jude's Kent Road, Southsea
and
Bounce and Rhyme: Thursday 1-2.30pm at St Swithuns, Waverley Road, Southsea
 |
| We even go out for drinks sans babies |
These groups are fantastic but there are a lot of young babies there lying on the floor and suddenly, my little toddling rascal chunk who has a penchant for lobbing bricks at random, has become one of the biggest there at only 16 months old, which makes the hall a minefield for soft fontanelles. Eek!
So, I have compiled a list of toddler groups available in Southsea. See you there!
Groups suitable for toddlers in Southsea that we will be trying soon, my good friends are using these already:
Monday 9.45 - 11.30: St Simons Church, Waverley Road - 50p for drink/biscuit
Tuesday: 9.30 - 11.30: Surestart Messy play at St Simons Church, Waverley Road: free
Friday: 12 - 14.30: Salvation Army on Albert Road: £1 for drink/biscuit
Other groups that we haven't tried yet:
Drop In
Eastney Methodist Church, Highland Road, Eastney, Portsmouth, Hants
Every Friday
1.30-3.00
Under 5's
Free of charge
1.30-3.00
Under 5's
Free of charge
An informal group for mums, dads and grandparents.
Drop In for a cup of tea and play with your children.
Art activities and guest speakers.
Information about other activities happening
within our centre.
Drop In for a cup of tea and play with your children.
Art activities and guest speakers.
Information about other activities happening
within our centre.
Boogie Mites are great for older toddlers with a slightly longer attention span. There is playtime, followed by singing songs with movement and drink and a biscuit afterwards.
Children Centres these are free but I think they need to be pre-booked.
Day | Children Centres |
Monday | Penhale, Willows, Stamshaw |
Tuesday | Anchorage Park |
Wednesday | Paulsgrove, Highbury, Cockleshell, St Margaret Church, Baffins |
Thursday | Saxon Shore, Medina |
Friday | St Cuthberts |
Contact your local Children Centres to get more details or log on to ask Sherlock (www.asksherlock.info) Portsmouth City Councils Family Information Service directory
Private Classes £4 Autumn term starts week commencing September 13th.
Day | Time | Venue | Suitable for Ages |
Tuesday | 10.00am | St Judes Church, Kent Road, Southsea | 1 - 4yrs |
| Wednesday | 09.15 am | Baffins Community Centre, Westover Road, Baffins | 1 - 4yrs |
| 11.00am | St Margarets Church | 0 - 1yr | |
Friday | 9.45 | Eastney Methodist Church | 1-4 yrs |
Eastney Methodist Church, Highland Road
Drop In And Cook
St Jude's Church, Kent Road, Southsea
Fri am, 9.30-11.30. Drop in group aimed at 2 1/2 yrs plus (younger siblings welcome)
Come and play, and join in a shared cooking activity each week (all veggie, lots of different recipes, very simple, tasting encouraged!)
No charge, term time only.
Come and play, and join in a shared cooking activity each week (all veggie, lots of different recipes, very simple, tasting encouraged!)
No charge, term time only.
We always have toys to play with, both for younger children and for those who just 'don't want to cook today'. No pressure! Everyone joins in and helps a little. Either eat what we make or take home as you wish. Drop in and find out if you like us!!
Music Mad
Milton Village Hall , Milton Road, Southsea , Hants , PO
Monday, Tuesdays and Wednesdays 10am - 11am
Babies and toddlers
£2.50 per family
Babies and toddlers
£2.50 per family
This is a really special singing group that the kids just love to go to. It's open for all babies up to school age children and costs just £2.50 per family. Upon arrival the children get to play with a number of musical instruments and toys before packing away ready for lots of singing and dancing to some great "action" songs. Then afterwards the kids get a drink and a biscuit and Mums and carers get a well-deserved coffee! I take the kids here every week and I thoroughly recommend it!
Fareham, Portsmouth and Surrounding areas
New term and looking for something fun to do with your baby?
This is not only fun but educational!
Sing and Sign the award winning baby signing classes for babies between 6-24 months.
Saturday 9.45am Eastney Methodist Church, Southsea
New term and looking for something fun to do with your baby?
This is not only fun but educational!
Sing and Sign the award winning baby signing classes for babies between 6-24 months.
Saturday 9.45am Eastney Methodist Church, Southsea
Drop In And Cook
St Jude's Church, Kent Road, Southsea
Fri am, 9.30-11.30. Drop in group aimed at 2 1/2 yrs plus (younger siblings welcome)
Come and play, and join in a shared cooking activity each week (all veggie, lots of different recipes, very simple, tasting encouraged!)
No charge, term time only.
Come and play, and join in a shared cooking activity each week (all veggie, lots of different recipes, very simple, tasting encouraged!)
No charge, term time only.
We always have toys to play with, both for younger children and for those who just 'don't want to cook today'. No pressure! Everyone joins in and helps a little. Either eat what we make or take home as you wish. Drop in and find out if you like us!!
Music Mad
Milton Village Hall , Milton Road, Southsea , Hants , PO
Monday, Tuesdays and Wednesdays 10am - 11am
Babies and toddlers
£2.50 per family
Babies and toddlers
£2.50 per family
This is a really special singing group that the kids just love to go to. It's open for all babies up to school age children and costs just £2.50 per family. Upon arrival the children get to play with a number of musical instruments and toys before packing away ready for lots of singing and dancing to some great "action" songs. Then afterwards the kids get a drink and a biscuit and Mums and carers get a well-deserved coffee! I take the kids here every week and I thoroughly recommend it!
thanks Abby! I only asked on the off chance as I knew you had kids of vaguely similar age.
ReplyDeleteWe've not long been in Southsea having moved from London this summer, so this is just perfect.
I hope me or my wife will see you at one of them so we can thank you in person.