Toddler Group Tantrums

I have been involved with a Baby and Toddler group for about 18 months now and I tell you something, its a thankless task. Just like pretty much everywhere, there is an apathy when it comes to getting involved with things.

It seems that people want the services, but do not and will not have any involvement what -so-ever. BUT they will jump up and down, moan, groan, bitch and snipe at any little thing in an attempt to bring said service to its knees. What makes the pill even more difficult to swallow is that if the service is threatened with closure or suspension, they moan about that as well!

Here is the set-up; £1 per family, toys, art and crafts, themed activities throughout the year, Easter egg hunt, Christmas Party, Summer outings, Mothers Day gifts, Fathers Day gifts, homemade cakes, fresh fruit for the children, biscuits and refreshments.

You can imagine that there is also alot going on behind the scenes with admin, FaceBook page, website page, emails, policies, risk assessments, insurance, committee work, fundraising, newspaper column, newsletter, new members info, week to week work and loads more.

I think that this is a pretty good deal for a quid.

A bank of 8 volunteers (3 committee members) split between 2 group sessions has meant that there has been a great deal of work, especially when only 3 or 4 of them consistently do any work at all. It has become an albatross around my neck and I cannot wait to stand-down at the AGM.

Apart from the pettiness within the people who run it (in fact some do not run anything but still want a say in how the group is managed!) there is also a small minority of parents who like being pathetically below the belt.

When I do something it is never half-baked and I throw myself into it, well lesson learned because everyone was very happy to let me do all the work and as a result I became used and now resentful.

We are having to have a meeting to discuss the groups future, but it looks like it will be wound down as I cannot for one moment envisage anyone else getting of their arses and maintaining what we have achieved over this time.

Such a shame.