Playgroup Day

On Monday's we have Playgroup here in town. It's a great opportunity to get together with some on the Mums in town. Some of the Mums from the stations outside of town also bring their kids in, sometimes travelling on the dirt for an hour at least, just for playgroup.

I have always been a big fan of playgroup. When I had my first child I was quite young and met through my cousin, a lovely bunch of women. We all had kids around the same age, some were our first, some were our lasts, some were trying to have babies, and some were having their middle children. We came from different age groups and walks of life but we would meet, eat and debrief once a week. There were always lots of laughs, sometimes a few tears and always a friendly ear and some advice if needed. It was these hours that made me so relaxed about being a parent... and I'm pretty laid back now... Thanks ladies.

I still keep in contact with them even since the move and the babies that were playing in nappies are all now turning 8 and I miss them all so much even though they are all only a text or call away. These playgroup days were really informal, occasionally we would do a craft  activity for Christmas or head to the pool for a swim but much of this time was for the kids to meet, have a informal play and for the Mum's to chat.

The Playgroup here in town is a bit different. Because the kids here don't have access to childcare or pre-school we have started to do more a formal playgroup with themes each week and a structure. This week the theme was 'On the Farm', which was great. There was a duckling, a turkey and a bantam chick all there for the kids to play with. Only in the country could you have a farm theme with actual farm animals!!

They also made face masks of their favourite animals.......

The kids all sat beautifully on the mat and listened to a story then had some yummy morning tea or 'Smoko'.

It always is a lovely morning out and a great chance to catch up. We share travel stories, learn which creeks are up, where are the best places to do a grocery shop and share healthy recipes using as little of our precious fresh food as possible. Our kids get to socialise and for some of them its the only chance to play with other kids for a few weeks so they love it. We are starting a Facebook Page soon so when it's up and running I will share the link so you can follow all the exciting things we are doing.  It's so nice to know that wherever you are there are other Mums going through the same things as you. It's a fantastic part of our culture women supporting women just like the villages of old, I hope that whereever you are you are as lucky as I am to have such a wonderful network of 'Mums'. It's always great seeing the kids all growing up together.... and looking at these pictures remembering these times, so special and part of ....'these beautiful days'.