How often does your child(ren) socialize?

[septmommy]

I have this illogical Mommy guilt about how often my kids get to see other kids. I am a SAHM and they have each other, but otherwise we only play with other kids about 2 times a week. How many days a week are your DC around other children? If they are in daycare or school please include that # of days in your total. Thanks!

[climbermom]

I think we probably average about 4 times a week or so. They play in the gym daycare while I (or DH) work out 2-4 times a week. Then we usually have a playdate once or twice a week. DS will play with kids he meets at the park, too, when the weather allows us to go out.

DS is very social. He gets really excited when I tell him he will get to play with other kids, so I really try to give him opportunities to do so. I wouldn't worry about it so much if he didn't love it so much.

[MtBikeLover]

A lot - we have a playground behind our house!! My kids are very social, plus DS goes to preschool. During the summer, they interact with other kids almost every day, several times a day. In the winter, it is less since people don't go to the park. But it is still about 4 times a week.

[mistymama]

Until my son started preschool last August, rarely. Over the summer he got the chance to be around kids at the pool and was going NUTS ... he really had to learn how to socialize because he's so outgoing and was sooo excited to have playmates.

Then he started morning preschool at age 3, almost 4 for 5 days a week and LOVED it. He's much calmer and better socially now, it's made a big difference.

[limabean]

We go to the park about 2-3 times a week, but in settings like the park he tends to play by himself most of the time, or play on the seesaw with one kid for 3 minutes, play in the tunnel with a different kid for 5 minutes, go down the slide with another kid a couple of times, etc. -- he's not actively playing with a particular person, just kind of doing his own thing and giggling with whoever is doing it at the same time.

In addition to that, we get together with friends of ours who have kids once or twice a week, so at those times he has actual playmates for an extended period of time. We also visit with our next door neighbors and their kids every couple of weeks.

[Ceili]

4 to 5. We're very active in our local MOMS club. Ds is extremely social (and an only child for now). When we wake up in the morning one of the first things he asks is "See friends?"

[Aliviasmom]

During a typical full-week school week, dd is at daycare 5 days a week, and we go to church 1 day a week. SO...at LEAST 6 days a week does she socialize with kids her age.

[newmommy]

Once per week :. On Saturdays. and I feel horrible about this as he is our only child and he thrives on people.

He is home with DH (WAHD). His only interaction is with adults during the day when DH takes him to meet with clients. Sometimes the clients have kids but not all the time.

I work full time but I don't walk in the door until 6:30pm. Even with Summer times extended hours I'm too wiped out to think about a quick jaunt to the park.

But, that will change this summer because we are taking a big family vacation with his cousins and DH and I feel comfortable enrolling him in our Church's Children's Ministry on Sundays. So that will increase to Twice per week.:

I can't ask DH to schedule playdates during the week because DH is working and bringing home money. So, we just to have over compensate on the weekends.

[*daciaperfect*]

about 2-4 days a week. sometimes more and sometimes less.

[Yooper]

It varies widely but typically it is only about twice a week and usually with the same 4 or 5 kids. Winter. Once the park thaws, she might see more kids, but generally it is empty during school hours. I do not feel guilty about it though. She enjoys it when it happens but is not asking about it.

[TripMom]

Everyday. Sometimes multiple times during the day.

Older DS goes to preschool in the am - but usually has a second play session with neighborhood kids at home in the pm.

Triplets usually go to the park in the am or pm -- and then play with neighborhood kids in the alternate time.

On weekends - usually more like 1x day at an outing or at our house or a neighbors house.

[lisac77]

Originally Posted by newmommy

Once per week :. On Saturdays. and I feel horrible about this as he is our only child and he thrives on people.

When things are going well, it's about once a week for us, too. We've go the same situation as you guys... he's home with me in the morning, then our babysitter (my sister) comes in at 3. I do try to take him to the children's playplace or the park at least once a week, but when things are super busy, even that doesn't happen sometimes.

He doesn't like structured classes, so I'm really at a loss as to how to provide social time for him. Hopefully things will get better when he goes to school.

This week we're going to a playgroup hosted Easter Egg Hunt. He is very excited.

[jillmamma]

DS goes to preschool two days a week, and has t-ball one night a week. We have lots of neighbors with kids that are similar ages, so if the weather is good, we are all outside a lot. If you are THAT worried, try going to the library for story time once a week or so or go to the playground at the park. Both are free and a great chance to meet people and make friends.

[gretchtables]

For DD:
In the winter about 4-5 days a week(preschool, playgroup, plus I babysit one day). In the summer every day - there are 14 kids under the age of 5 on our block!

DS:
Winter 3 days (his playgroup, DD's playgroup, and my babysitting day). Summer every day. (this is not counting the not-always-civil sibling interaction!)

[Mere]

Definitely every day during the week, and sometimes 1 day of the weekend. Usually weekends tend to be our time as a family to do things, or for dh since he works M-F. DCs go to daycare two days a week, but even if they didn't we'd see friends. I'm not a stay-at-home-all-day kind of person, and my kids seem to enjoy getting out and about too.

I do like to have down time every day at home, but we all need some social interaction each day :-).

[Brigianna]

Dd1 has dance class 2 days a week, which she wants to move up to 4 days a week, but there isn't a lot of socializing in class, which is fine with her.

Ds goes to play-based preschool 3 times a week specifically for socialization. He also has playdates and friends at the park, so I'll say maybe 4-5 times a week socializing.

Dfs doesn't really socialize, but if ds has a friend there, dfs loves to tag along.

Dd2 doesn't socialize; I'm the only company she needs.

[EnviroBecca]

5-7 days a week. He goes to childcare 42 hours a week : but he still enjoys socializing on the weekends. He doesn't mind if it's all with adults, though. We go to church most weeks, but so far he prefers attending the service with me to Sunday school; at coffee hour he seeks out the other kids and babies. We often go to the playground or library once a week or more, and sometimes he gets really social with another kid--usually he just watches them and plays alongside.

Both my child and I really enjoy getting out and seeing people. If we were more introverted, I think socializing once a week or so would be fine.

[lilyka]

Well they are social with me and social with each other and social with thier grandparents, extended family and with the guys at the shop (where dad works) and have been extremely social with the new mail lady. we are real and intresting people to be around, in my opinion thats some good socializing. but as far as other kids go lets see . . .

Sunday they go to church but there is no childrens program. but they do chat and hang with other people.
Monday absolutely nothing
Tuesday I teach a preschool class. Ava hangs with the kids but Madeline and lily prefer each others company. they do spend a lot of time being social with the co-teacher and joking around with her.
Wednesday - they have cuhrch stuff and this is full on kid socializing (although it is ireally structured). We also do a babysitting co-op and that is full on kid time. Thats their only real hanging out with other kids for the purpose of playing and having fun.
Thursday - hang out with grandma
Friday - they go to co-op. again lots of kids but also lotso f structure. most socializing is done during the few minuites before class and car ride home (aproxamately 4 minutes)
Saturday - nothing
also on any given day they may or may not hook up with a neighbor hood kid and play a bit.

as for playdates and what not it is a rarity. Madeline calls people every now and then. I am also trying to get to the gym more where they go in the play room. but Lily and madelie usually prefer the company of each other simply because there are no other kids their age.

[jdedmom]

Everyday for my three. They all go to school 5 days a week (the 2 younger in Montessori). Our house is the place all the neighborhood kids come to play including 6-10 neighborhood teenagers because we have a basketball hoop. It gets a little crazy.:

[edamommy]

I was a sahm for 3 years and I think my son was VERY READY to socialize by the time I went back to work! He LOVES going to preschool and goes full-time. Plus he has friends over or we go to friends houses on the weekend. He would play all day if he could!