Meeting up with friends

[munch149]

Is it ok to meet up with non childminding friends. I don't really have any close childminding friends (bit clicky) but have loads of close 'mummy' friends. When I go places or they do we invite each other along. Is this ok? I think one of my parents doesn't like it. Childminding can be so lonely otherwise and its good socialising for mindees. It also helps alot as I have three under 18 months most days and whilst I would never leave a mindee with friends I can leave my own daughter with the (one of three) therefore if I need the loo or something I'm down to two. If parent says anything tho what can I say. I honestly think she might just be worried she's missing out

[Carolc]

I would be interested to hear what people think on this too i have been invited to my friends house next week Xx

[chriss]

If you tell parents you may visit friends homes so children can play, and reassure them that you will supervise them as you always do, then I don;t see it as a problem as long as its not every day :)

[Sarsar3NCH]

You are doing it with the children's interests in mind so I don't see it as a problem

[sarah707]

It's good for the children to socialise - just make sure you plan the time as you normally would with a mixture of adult led and child initiated play... and eat lots of cake :D

[blue bear]

Do you do a daily diary, maybe a detailed write up of what little one got up to during your meet up wil reassure mum.
There's a difference between I met my friend for coffee and my friend and I got together so the children could play together,x had a great time, he really liked the playhouse and toy kitchen, we counted the cups and talked about the colours etc.

[toddlers896]

I would as you are providing a home from home service and this is something you would normally do.we r not a nursery.well ime not!

[tiredandemotional]

I personally think it is OK as long as it isn't interfering with any planned activities or observations you need to do. I meet up with, non CM, friends too. As you say, childminding can be very lonely and isolating and it is nice, and important for you and the children to socialise. It probably makes for a more relaxing experience all round. I think it may be a case of jealousy from the parent who doesn't like it but if you can justify it with using the time to do obs and arrange some planned activities too you will also impress your friends with your professionalism and they may be future clients or recommend you to others!

[Becci26]

I agree, there is nothing wrong with meeting up with mummy friends, it's great for socialisation for the kids (and us!), just be sure not to sit and drink coffee, chat and ignore them all the time. :)

I actually lost one of my families because she didn't like me meeting up with other mums as she 'paid me to look after her children' (she needed a nanny!) but I stood my ground and told her that I would continue to meet with others as it is good for the children - she left under a cloud and did a very good job of trying to blacken my name!

If I didn't meet up with other adults at all I fear I would go insane (some may think I already have lol), this job can be very solitary!

[nikki thomson]

I spend 95% of my time with my friends who are mums not cm, we all go out together, the park, farm, indoor play, swimming, etc. I rarely do things on my own tbh, never been a problem, it's never even come up in conversation tbh.
On the rare occasion it has its always been oh how lovely I wish I could come with you all instead of going to work.
I could not stay in and not have company, that would drive me mad.
I go out nearly every day when I'm working, I don't do this staying in unless it's really cold/wet. X

[bunyip]

I was about to express reservations about this, then I suddenly had a 'personal hypocrisy alert moment'. So many of the people I meet at weekly toddler groups started out as total strangers and are now pretty much regarded as friends - so I'm really in no position to criticise. :o

[kp0781]

I meet with mummy friends for all the reasons already mentioned. Personally I wouldn't take mindees to someone else's house as it is unlikely to be as safe as mine but that's personal choice. If a friend comes to me we will find an activity and the time is still focused on the children. When out and about safety in numbers I say! I never take my children out on my own unless it is an area I know to be very safe .

[jackie 7]

Why not? It is great for them to meet other children. You need your friends.

[Maza]

I think it all depends on how you word it to parents. If the parents think that you are going so that YOU can socialise/gossip then she may feel that her little one is not being looked after properly. Explain that it is in a house that you have risk assesssed (not necessarily on paper) and that the mindees will have a chance to do activities that may be different to the ones in your own home, but are still age appropriate. Let the parents now that the child will be completely supervised by you at all times. x

[Twinkling Stars]

I often meet up with a friend of mine and her daughter. Ive never seen it as a problem. The other parents do know this mum as well so they don't see it as a problem either and their children enjoy playing with her daughter.

[FussyElmo]

Never had a problem but usually the friends I meet up with have children. And all the children play

[tiredandemotional]

When out and about safety in numbers I say! I never take my children out on my own unless it is an area I know to be very safe .

I agree about the 'safety in numbers'. In the holidays, when I can have up to five kids (including my own two) I often go out with friends and their kids - I would find it very daunting to do on my own, in fact nearly impossible. I have a great friend who is a nursey worker and has only one, very well behaved, little girl of her own- she is great to go out with ;)

[Stapleton83]

I agree I think it is fine I often have one of my friends over with her LO, partly to help socialise him but also because it is good for mine to mix and interact with others. Going elsewhere means they are getting a variety of experiences which is all about learning about the world.

We often go to playgroup together and that means that I have an extra pair of eyes, or hands when I have my 14 month old twins with me. Just make sure you are still interacting with them and have some adult led/child initiated activities. We always do a mix when we are at home.

Sam x

[munch149]

I spend 95% of my time with my friends who are mums not cm, we all go out together, the park, farm, indoor play, swimming, etc. I rarely do things on my own tbh, never been a problem, it's never even come up in conversation tbh.
On the rare occasion it has its always been oh how lovely I wish I could come with you all instead of going to work.
I could not stay in and not have company, that would drive me mad.
I go out nearly every day when I'm working, I don't do this staying in unless it's really cold/wet. X

Good to know its not only me

[munch149]

I often meet up with a friend of mine and her daughter. Ive never seen it as a problem. The other parents do know this mum as well so they don't see it as a problem either and their children enjoy playing with her daughter.

This mum knows the mums I meet up with too which adds to my idea that she just thinks she's missing out. Went to farm the other day and a comment was made however it wasn't annoyance think she's upset she's missing out on things her child is doing which is fair enough. Who likes going to work when you can play with children. That's why I combine the two lol

[loocyloo]

i sometimes meet up with friends and their children - either at their houses or mine

but also, sometimes we visit friends of mine whose children are at school or are even older and have left home! its great for LOs to meet other people, and to build relationships with them. mine love visiting one friend as we feed the birds in the garden and my friend tells the LO all about them. ( we don't feed the birds in my garden due to my cat who would eat them! )

i also sometimes have friends visit me, usually in the afternoons when LOs sleep, but if they come round when LO are awake then they always join in & play with them. in fact, i am thinking of asking one friend to register as my assistant for odd occaisons.