to be stuck for ideas for tomorrow?

[cjt110]

Usually, when DH is working, I do something with DS and my Mum. Sometimes it's simply just popping round to see her for a few hours.

Tomorrow, she is having her garden done which involves digging, leveling, laying a groundsheet thingy and spreading 2 tonnes of gravel.

So I don't really want to take DS round in case he gets in the way/under people's feet. I don't expect my Mum to come out as she will probably want to be in because of the garden being done (it's my brother and his friend doing the work so she may not be fussed and be able to come out).

So I am stuck for what to do with DS. I can't seem to find anything on my local newpapers website for events on over the weekend, and due to suffering with depression and anxiety, I get a bit fidgetty in new situations.

Can anyone make any suggestions? We're in West Yorkshire btw

[formerbabe]

Do you have to do something major? Cant you just wander round the park, feed the ducks and then get home and do some drawing/games/lego?

[Squiff85]

My plan with my two today is walk to the park, lunch, pop to the shop then crafts and pizza with a movie. Doesn't have to be fancy x

[cjt110]

formerbabe No, nothing major, but something that will take up part of the day. The local park is huge which is great but I'm worried itll be packed because of it being the last weekend of half term.

[IamaBluebird]

If it's a nice day could you take a picnic to the park with your ds. Any National Trust gardens close by. Hope you both have a lovely time whatever you decide to do.

[cjt110]

Forgot to mention, DS is 20m old. Pretty certain he would also do 1 of 2 things if I took him to the park. Either leg it in any direction but where we need to go, or 2, stand there and bawl his eyes out because he doesnt want to walk. Been there, done that. Makes me nervous just thinking of it :(

It's forecast to be A cloudy start with patchy rain continuing, this clearing to the north through the morning with some sunny spells developing. Light winds. according to the BBC.

[MrsLeighHalfpenny]

If it;'s family doing the DIY, DS might enjoy watching and "helping", as long as he's not too young. How old is ie?

Do you have to do anything at all? Can you just chuck him out in the garden to play for a bit?

If it's wet, what about cinema?

[MrsLeighHalfpenny]

Just seen that DS is under 2, so probably not up for "helping" then.

But you really need him to learn that he can't leg it in any direction in the park. Tomorrow might be a good time for the first lesson!

[SaucyJack]

What do you want to do? How old is DS- is he old enough to express an opinion?

In the nicest possible way- 'ave a bit of a word with yourself and chill out :-)

There's no need to stress this much over where to pop out for the afternoon. Contrary to FB memes- not everyday needs to be lived as tho it's your last.

[LizzieMacQueen]

How about swimming or a 1/2 day at soft play.

[KayTee87]

Baking in the house followed by dvd/game/book
Park / picnic
Garden / picnic
Soft play
Cinema
Local mum and toddler group
Cuddle in bed and dvds

[IamaBluebird]

Could you take the pushchair for when he doesn't want to walk and one of those little backpack things with a rein. Maybe you'd both enjoy a bus or train ride somewhere local.

[givemushypeasachance]

Do you have to make it a thing to "go and do something" - if you're anxious about taking him off somewhere on your own then what about mooching at home, building a den using a clothes horse and a blanket, painting with water on the pavement/patio/wall, playing with plastic toys in a washing up bowl of bubble bath, having a picnic in the garden, finger-painting, playing with a bowl of cooked cold spaghetti...

[cjt110]

'ave a bit of a word with yourself and chill out :-) This! I know I can feel palpitations at the thought of being on my own with him as it is.

Might take him to our local village park instead where the swings etc are more enclosed that the bigger town park.

Soft play fills me with dread, especially as he's in that in between stage of not wanting to play with the 0-2 stuff but is too young to play with the bigger stuff, and what with it being the weekend, it'll be likely have bigger kids in there. Not that I'm creating any obstacles here

[MaxPepsi]

Where exactly in West Yorkshire are you CJT if you don't mind saying?

And do you drive?

[sadie9]

You could give him just a playtime bath with plenty of toys, pouring stuff and messing about, that'll take up an hour and he'll love that. Then give him his lunch. He probably has a nap around lunchtime or so. You could go to the park for an hour then. Then back home, it'll be nearly time for tea then. You could buy a balloon on a string or some bubble mixture for him to follow the bubbles (ok buy two or three bubble mixtures). Then at home you can put him in the high chair and give him something to do there like eat some chopped up fruit or mess about with some other toys.
The day goes quickly if you put in even a couple of things in to do. I get the feeling it's more you being a bit anxious about being with him on your own.
So think more about the actual things you can do, rather than how you might feel doing them. Because you are letting 'how I might feel doing them' dictate what it is you can do and can't do. You could even write out a plan for the day. The time will go faster than you think.
You might enjoy the day with him on your own.

[mrsmeerkat]

what about simply making rice Crispie buns. little picnic lunch.

library visit either and coffee shop of you want out.

[mrsmeerkat]

I hope you are ok op. I have two toddlers and I think it is ok to give them some wooden spoons and pans and give youself downtime. don't give yourself too much stress.

[cjt110]

MaxPepsi Huddersfield and yes I do drive.

I get the feeling it's more you being a bit anxious about being with him on your own. YY as I often find he will have a tantrum and I find I cant cope/calm him.

I like your version of my day sadie

mrsmeerkat I'm ok. I'm breathing

[BarbaraofSeville]

^Where exactly in West Yorkshire are you CJT if you don't mind saying?

And do you drive?^

Question I was going to ask too. Weather isn't going to be too bad, so you just want somewhere he can run about for a bit and go on the swings/kick a ball around etc?

Temple Newsam
Roundhay Park
Shibden Park Halifax
St Aidens Woodlesford
Sculpture Park
Rothwell Park
Newmiller Dam
Sandal Castle
Pugneys
Lotherton Hall
Harewood House
Otley Chevin
Cannon Hall Farm
Saltaire and the little train thing
Huddersfield swimming pool with slides

One of them has to appeal and be near you?

[BarbaraofSeville]

Oh, I now see your update - some are a bit further away than Leeds/Wakefield area.

[cjt110]

They all sound really far away Barbara But I'm sure theyre probably not. I'm in Huddersfield incase you missed it up there.

[cjt110]

Yep Barbara

[BillSykesDog]

How about the Sculpture Park? That's massive so it doesn't get packed.

[cjt110]

For just a run around etc? I could do. And I'd likely enjoy the drive too. Last time we went in January it was super muddy

[catsinthecraddle]

Where is your child during the week?

It sounds like he's not with you, so what does he do? I mean, is he at nursery or with a childminder? Just plan something a bit different. If he is in a nursery, he is in a room playing, making crafts etc.. so a walk to the park would be a great change.

if he is with a childminder and he spent his week outside in parks or farms, some fun at home will be great, with legos, playdoh, pots, drawers to empty.

I would go crazy if I was staying indoors all day with a toddler, so even if we only pop to the shops, we do go out. By the time we walk there, buy little things and walk back half the day can be gone.

A visit to a garden center to see the animals for sale can kill an hour too, and the love it. ( the kids, probably not the shop assistants, even when kids just watch nicely )