So my son is 26 months and he has always been at home with me.  I have taken him to story hour since he was 8 months but he still doesn't participate with the other kids.  He has two cousins, on six months older, one 6 months younger that he sees at least once a week if not more and he does play with them.  He is a little rough.  He loves to wrestle.  Not being mean though.  He also has a 10 month old sister that he plays with constantly.  They are like two peas in a pod.  My question is Do you think he needs to go to daycare for a couple hours a week so that he can learn to play with kids?  He is either non responsive to them or all over them.  I think he might do better if I am not there.  I am not sure what to do.  Any Advice?   

Thank you

Amber

Amber...  I would check out www.meetup.com for a playgroup.  I have made friends & so has my son!

IN MY OPINION, Daycare makes it a little more likely he'll get sick (parents have to go to work & some sick kids go anyway) with a playgroup - you can obviously still get sick, but parents are more likely to keep them home if they are ill.

Hi Amber...as if being a SAHM isn't tough enough already worrying about the physical needs, huh?  I know what you mean, though.  I like Sandi's suggestion of checking out playgroups if you are not ready to send him to daycare.  I agree that the chances of getting sick in daycare are probably way more, esp. w/the circumstances today and things, but it really is your call. my son is 2 and a half and i am seriously considering putting him in something so that not only does he makes friends, but also starts getting used to me not always being there.  i am extremely nervous about it but i think that i am going to give it a try.  as for the sick issue w/daycare, they will either get sick now or get sick later.  my son gets sick even being at home w/o anyone around, so....i'd rather, i guess, he get the childhood sickness now b/f he starts school and it's more serious to get him out of school and things.  but, these are opinions and you really ahve to do what you are comfortable  doing in the end.

playgroups are best you can find some that will watch your kid for you

that sounds like my situation.. i have a 17 month old son and he is always w/ me and not really around other kids. i have a 3 and a half month old daughter that he cant really play w/ yet. i need to do the same and find some place to take him to get him w/ other kids  to be more social. he also is rough but not in a mean way. when my sister or mom takes him w/o me they say he listens to them and is really good, but he doesnt seem to listen to me thats why i thought about daycare too...any advice?

I know I sound like a broken record- but we have lots of Moms in our group with a toddler & new baby...  it's a lifesaver because people (like me) always need a baby fix- so you get to run with your toddler...  plus- you are with other mom's that "get it"  Really - check out meetup.com (& I am not part of the company LOL- just a really thankful Mom with a very successful Mom's group

Hi Alicia,

my son turned three back in January, and we were concerned, for he heard what he wanted, and did not what he did not wanted, very selective little guy:) Anyway, I'm SAHM, and my husband is home, basicly, just before our son gets to bed, which means, all he hears is my voice all day long, what I thought, he must just bored to hear my voice, and he needs to learn about other people giving him directions. We started putting him into different classes, and sure enough, teachers were saying at first he was struggling with the following directions, but pretty fast he got it by observing other children, you know how it goes. We are so fortunate, we have such a great park district, which offers bunch of different classes and helps kids to socialize. Hope this helps,

Irina