So Unfair! - About the Playgroup we went too.

Kirstenmumof3 wrote: I'm so upset right now. I just got a message from the childcare worker at the Family Resource Centre. She informed me that the Playgroup Claudia and I attended on Tuesday afternoon is for pregnant moms and parents with children up to age 1. Claudia and I will no longer be able to attend. I'm so upset right now. They have other Playgroups but they are in the morning on the days that Claudia is in Daycare. We couldn't go all summer because they were only open 1 afternoon. a week for everyone. And they were open for 1 another afternoon, but that program was for teenage mothers and their babies. I find that very discriminatory! There is another Playgroup in my area but you have to provide a snack and pay $3.00 to attend. I'm really, really upset right now!

amynicole21 replied: Oh no! What a disappointment. I hope you can find something else for her to do.

coasterqueen replied: Ahh that just stinks! Hope you find a better group. I can't believe the one you mentioned you have to pay to attend.

Josie83 replied: That seems really unfair! I hope you find somewhere else that's better! How annoying and rude xx

Kaitlin'smom replied: awww that just stinks, I hope you can find something for her and not have to pay. I understand the snack thing but to pay also whats that for?

Alice replied: Why not start your own??

Try www.mommyandme.com; they're supposed to be a good way to hook up with other moms. (I read about it in a magazine; haven't actually tried it.)

Or send letters to a bunch of pediatricians in your area. Ask them to either post a notice you include or keep you in mind if their patients are experiencing the same problem. Post a notice on the boards of all the local supermarkets. If you're having this problem, you know other moms are in the same boat.

Have the first one at your house... as soon as possible, while the weather is nice. Tell the moms it wil run from 10-12, so they can get their kids home for lunch. Tell them not to bring anything-- you'll provide coffee & tea, a coffee cake or donuts, and juice and snacks for the kids. That way, they don't have to stop with a child in a car seat and buy anything. Put out all the toys you have (except your child's favorites) and let them knock themselves out. At 11:45, announce cleanup and have everyone chip in.

During the playgroup, ask who is willing to host the next one, and when. Do it on a rotating basis. The one hosting is the only one spending any money.

I did this when I first quit my job, and we kept it up for about 2 years, until my son started preschool. I made some great friendships and it worked out really well.

Kirstenmumof3 replied: I've reread my post and I realize that I've probably sounded really harsh towards those teenage moms. That was not my intention. I was just upset that they offer this drop in specifically for teenage moms, that us older moms are not allowed to attend and yet the teenage moms are allowed to attend other drop ins. I'm very sorry. I'm not angry with the teenage moms, just the system that's all. I'm having a very rough week and I do appologize if I have offended anyone.

Alice replied: I'm about 30 years from being a teenager, but I don't think you said anything harsh at all. You were annoyed at the scheduling, not at the people attending the playgroup. I don't think you have anything to apologize for.

MommyToAshley replied: Well, that just stinks! I am sorry and I hope you find something else soon.

A&A'smommy replied: OH hun I'm sorry I know you really needed this!!! (((((BIG HUGS)))))

Kirstenmumof3 replied: I just wanted to say Thank You to all of you for responding! I'm still taking this very hard. When they first phoned and left that message for me, I reacted very badly and left a pretty harsh message for them. They called back yesterday, but I wouldn't answer, I was still pretty upset. I'm going to call them back today and appologize, say my goodbyes and try to move on. I don't know how. I made friends there and first the first time since we moved into this neighbourhood(6years ago) I felt like I belonged here. I'm sorry to ramble this is hitting me pretty hard!

Littlejojames replied: Thats really bad, how can they turn someone away like that?

teenage mothers are just the same as the older mothers (not meant to offend anyone). No matter how old or young you are you should not be treated any different.

Thats really shocked me sorry