The Return to Normalcy

Seems like it has been ages since we got back from our year end trip but it has only been a mere 2 weeks! I truly need a break from Jakarta again, but for now playgroups have been keeping me sane.

I can possibly say this a million times but our playgroup routine is definitely a life saver. Meeting other mothers and children, chatting over coffee and cake is a rather relaxing and educational experience for us both. Strangely enough P is very much well behaved whenever we are at playgroups; no screaming fits, no unneccesary crying, no fussiness and when we get home he takes a 2-3 hours nap which is a dream!

Now that I have become much more familiar with the playgroup mums, I have organized for more playgroup sessions and activities with them. Lil P has a bursting activities calendar. 3 days a week at different playgroups, once a week at Kindyroo, once a week swimming (more like water familiarization) and we are now organizing Kindermusik too. His activities pretty much takes up the entire week which means my worry of being confined to malls is gone!

Win-win situation since P enjoys himself immensely at these activities and Mummy gets to have grown up conversations too.

Ah....the life of a so-called expat SAHM.

Activities with a 6 month old.

P has a very active weekly schedule that takes him out of the house for half a day most days of the week. Partly because I need adult conversations rather than babbling and acting like a clown each day of the week.

Initially, when we first got back to Jakarta I would have weekly lunches with my girlfriends at the mall. After a while I found that P would get restless even when we were in the mall hence I would only spend half my time at the table catching up on the gossip.

On top of that I would rather P be exposed to a more interactive setting where he can see, touch, feel, learn and play. 

Then viola, Ps super Grandma suggested and actually searched out playgroups for P.

On top of that, the playgroups only cost Rp20,000 ($2) per session and I get to mingle with other women outside of my regular social circle & P gets to meet other kids.

For those in Jakarta, I cannot recommend enough the playgroups run by ANZA and BWA. The women are friendly, the coffees are good and it gets you out of the confines of home.

One thing that does stand out from these sessions is how quickly a little person adapts and learns. P has had much quicker progress with his motor skills, crawling and sitting just by attending playgroup and simply....playing!

Although I have to admit that Ps attendance at Kindyroo has also helped a great deal. I am however, still a little apprehensive about continuing Ps classes for January and thinking of trying out either Gymboree or Kindermusik. Would love to hear comments from other mummies (if there are any other there reading this). Preferably within the Kemang, Kebayoran Baru or Senayan area.

Oh, I might also add that playgroups at BWA also has infant/toddler swim lessons run by a certified swim instructor!