Are play groups just as good?
Of course. In your original message you said you were having trouble finding enough groups and things, but at 14 months I wouldn't even worry about it too much yet.
Weelll... I agree with the last part, but not with the first. "Playgroups" in the sense that islandofapples means are, I think, mother-and-child occasions. I don't think that interacting with other people in the presence of your mother is remotely the same as doing so in her absence. At some point, you do have to learn to do that - but it doesn't have to be at 14 months, and in fact children who never do it before starting school generally do fine too. I think you consider all the options carefully, and do what feels right.
My friend suggested I need to "cut the cord" a little. Even breastfeed less. But I don't want to... It still seems fine.
Don't listen to your friend. Kids don't need you to "cut the cord." If they experience secure attachment when they're little, they become plenty independent in their own time.
Totally agree with MegMeg here. What you need to do is to be alert to signs of growing independence and encourage it as and when your child is ready - pushing it is counterproductive. (FWIW, DS breastfed for more than 3 years after starting fulltime nursery. For me, 2 years old was the point at which I consciously shifted from feeling he pretty much had a right to breastfeed when he wanted to if I could make it possible, to feeling that my preferences mattered significantly too. Worked for us.)
If you don't need the childcare hours, and you don't want to do it, and your kid is happy, I don't see any reason why you should feel like you should do preschool.
I agree. I do think it's worthwhile to keep the issue on your radar, in case you feel differently later.
