Playgroups are important for children’s intellectual and social development, but they can be difficult for those of us with premature babies. My babies were born early, so for the first 11 months of their lives they didn’t have the same motor skills as their peers. I understand this, but many mothers do not and many nannies do not as well. So playgroups can be hard for us because some of the mothers present might compare their babies to mine, or stare or ask a lot of questions about their development. I am a pretty open person so I don’t mind the questions as much but I do hate the comparisons and I also hate the stares or looks of pity.
It is so silly that parents (or worse nannies) consciously or subconsciously get into this competition of what their kid can do versus mine. I’m sorry but the fact that your kid crawls or even talks before mine doesn’t mean he or she will be a better student or be more successful in life. I believe that much of one’s intelligence is genetic anyway not to mention the fact that intelligence alone will not make you successful. There are many other factors involved in one’s success such as hard work and that certain je ne sais quoi. Anyway, as for my kids’ abilities, I am not worried. In terms of their motor skills they’ve pretty much caught up to theirs peers. As for intelligence – mom and dad has them covered. As for that certain je ne sais quoi that you just can’t teach only time will tell, but I am extremely hopeful.
