Gymboree Social

My stepmother is very concerned about my 19 months Olds social skills. Should I be?

My stepmother always pushes the issue, my daughter needs friends. We're going to play dates, Gymboree, swimming lessons, the zoo with other children every day. My daughter is in itself Most of the time I thought it was normal. Is there a typical age when this change and will be interested in other children? I always thought that being a housewife was a blessing, but I'm depriving my daughter of something that daycare can give?

ooh dear, I'm sure your MIL has all the best intentions, but it is really worrying unecessarily. Without wishing to upset many people, I believe that what I have read and understood the benefits of being at home with you outweighs the advantage of being in kindergarten - children at home are not worse off socially, sorry! It's ridiculous. Your daughter sounds perfectly normal to me - your MIL may have forgotten, but Children have developmental stages on their social skills and they are simply not capable of forming the kind of friendships at this age it Think! Small children often like to see other little children and do activities with them around, but that's about as far as it goes! As a teacher for infants, it is not uncommon for children from 4 years to still be playing alongside each other and not really with each others. I know that your MIL is more experienced than you, but it was long ago and memories fade and confusion ... reassure (and yourself!) Your Daugh is perfectly normal and all activities that you are putting up great for a social life much later, when she is able to have (my eldest is 3 years old and just beginning to form friendships that could be considered as adults, but they are still very "shallow" - It started with activities as you do with your daughter. I am a SAHM too.)