5 Ways My Stay at Home Child is Socialized

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My son Justus is very social! He makes friends every where we go and loves to discover new places. Justus is a stay at home child but we have made a strong effort to ensure he has social experiences throughout each week. And lets me honest, I need to socialize too!

Here are 5 ways that we focus on making sure our stay at home son is socialized.

Library & Music Times

We have a calendar of all the regular library and music times around our neighborhood hanging in the kitchen. There are daily opportunities for us to get out of the house and socialize with other children (as well as other moms)! Having a list helps me plan around errands and naps. When I know I have a few options I feel more relaxed. Sometimes we go to Whole Foods for music or the library for story time. We try to attend one of these classes each week. Check out some story times in your area –www.ci.austin.tx.us/library.

Special Events

We are so lucky to be in such an active city. There are always special events that we can enjoy. Austin Moms Blog has special events and we have an amazing children’s museum (thinkeryaustin.com) and a very fun zoo (austinzoo.org).  We try to take Justus to one or two day-long special events each month. Justus has many opportunities for social experiences at these big events. He learns to share, introduce himself, and learn from others.

Parks

With this wonderful weather, how can you not go outside (everyday)?!?! Justus and I go to the park as often as possible.  Sometimes we just stop by during errands. Other times I pack our lunch and we make a day of it. When we go to the park I try to take an activity that could involve potential friends; chalk, bubbles, balls to play catch, or trucks to play in the dirt. I try to connect with parents while Justus gets to know other children. It’s really fun to see new friends at our neighborhood park repeatedly.  It’s easy to search for parks at austintexas.gov or check out this blog for a list of AMB’s favorite parks.

Play Dates

We are blessed to have a tight community and be involved in a few mommy groups throughout the city. Some weeks we have friends over to our house to play. Other weeks we invite our friends to story time or the park. Play dates are really important for us because I am able to watch JJ implement some of the skills we are working on such as sharing and saying sorry. If you are looking for some play dates join AMB.

Mommy Classes

I am a part to two different Bible studies that meet a few times a month and provide child care. One is free, the other I pay for.  I have found that it is very important for Justus to socialize without me around. While I attend a study for adults, he spends time in a childcare setting. I know he has made some friends at these events as well as learned skills from other children. It is really important for me to be involved in social actives that revolve around me building relationships with other moms. This time of our week is focused on being intentional in relationships and going deeper with friends.

These are just a few ways we have focused on make sure Justus has social experiences throughout his week and learns fundamental skills of getting along with others. How do you stay at home kids socialize?

1 COMMENT

  1. I kept my first daughter at home as long as I could, so I worried about socializing her a lot. She is in school now and doing great, but some of my best mommy friends to this day are the moms we met at Gymboree class. We were all lucky to find each other when our kids were at the same ages going through the same things! The kids spent a lot of time together, first learning through parallel, then cooperative play. And we moms spent a lot of time comparing notes, a little commiserating, and lots of celebrating our little ones! I highly recommend looking for some new friends in Gymboree class!

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