why are there no baby and toddler groups/activities in the afternoon?

[T100]

Really struggle to fill the afternoons with the children (toddler and baby). Mornings are non problem then lunch and nap. But 3pm onwards I struggle to fill the time.

Any ideas?

[Panzee]

Everyone on the school run?

[RhinestoneCowgirl]

Because it's school run time?

[T100]

Oh I see. Yes that's why. Toddler is 2 so not on my radar yet.

Any suggestions on what I can do to fill the time?

[Panzee]

Park? Soft play? Going round the shops? Although tbh by 3pm we were usually in the house, especially this time of year as it gets dark so early.

[Aworryingtrend]

Also lots of babies/toddlers nap at this time, if they are still having a morning nap. What about going swimming? Going to visit friends/relatives/elderly neighbours? Going on a bus ride? My son loves the bus.

[RhinestoneCowgirl]

I do get what you mean about filling that time between end of naptime and beginning of tea-time.

We used to bundle up and go for a walk, pop to the library etc. During winter time a bit more telly got watched than I would have liked, but I tried to be good and get the duplo or trainset out and do a big build.

[plantsitter]

Depends where you are. Round here we have 1 o'clock clubs (for now) that run afternoon sessions.

Otherwise soft play or things like diddidance are available in the pm.

[SinisterSal]

Well you should be home cooking hubbys dinner for him by then

Seriously though, school run time, nobody wants to bring their 9 yr old to toddler group

[Varya]

I get down on the floor with her and we play with her toys!

[BertieBowtiesAreCool]

Yes some classes are later, stuff like ballet, football, etc and some offer sessions for toddlers. Usually more expensive though.

I used to get out indoor toys at that time.

[plantsitter]

Sometimes mine used to spend the afternoon in the bath, playing with bath toys and shaving foam and stuff. That's a good one for emergencies when everyone's grumpy.

You could go for a walk with torches, or go out for tea if that's going be fun (sometimes it isn't! ).

We would watch a film with popcorn and the lights off for a cinema afternoon. You can make tickets if the older one likes that kind of thing.

I agree that winter afternoons can feel a bit of a slog!

[T100]

I have a year old and 3 month old so its hard to always be fun creative crafty mum who gets on the floor and plays with toddler. I try very hard yp but usually the baby is crying and I spend my time jiggling him and saying shhh while toddler watches tv. Its easier if we're out but it gets dark early so park is often out of the question.
Soft play doesn't run in afternoon where I live. I usually do library and shops. Just getting bored of going to tesco every afternoon.

Thanks for the suggestions. It sounds like I'm the only person who finds the afternoons hard to fill!

[T100]

Sorry 2 year old

[T100]

If I didn't have baby I would definitely fo swimming one afternoon but its impossible on my iwn with a 2 yo and 3 month old.

[longjane]

School run is quiet time at the supermarket .

[feelingfuckingfestiveok]

Go to your library its warm free and brillian for your child - I have three near me I go to all have different fun bits in them in the kids areas.

[sittingbythefairylights]

I used to find afternoons hard. I worked mornings, so missed a the toddler groups etc (children were fine as they were at nursery, but I felt very isolated).

We had a sort of routine - village on Mondays, met friends on Tuesdays, park on Wednesdays, home on Thursdays etc.

I found the time at home far harder than going out.

[RhinestoneCowgirl]

You've got a 3 month old and a toddler, don't beat yourself up too much about tv, especially in the winter (been there, done that).

[T100]

sitting this is how I feel - very isolated and bored in the afternoons.

Perhaps I should create an afternoon routine, one afternoon hopping, one at library, one watching a film ....then I just have 2 more afternoons to fill. Once its 5.30pm its dinner time and the start of the bedtime routine so its only 2-3hrs every afternoon to fill but it feels like more than that!

[T100]

Shopping. ..not hopping

[XmasLogAndHollyOn]

Nap time - most babies and toddlers have a nap, and then its the school run.

I used to go to the library or park with my eldest while the small one slept in the pram.

[sittingbythefairylights]

I actually used to break the routine down even more, if it helps.

Maybe nap until 2.30pm, then half an hour play. Then snack at 3pm. Then out for our walk (sometimes I used to walk by the local school because it felt busy). Home for 4.45pm. Tea, bath, stories, bed.

I used to chat to people in the park and library, just to get some adult contact. I still know all of the local shopkeepers.

Baby clinic - I used to pop in there too, particularly with ds1.

[WaxyDaisy]

Library's good.

Or DVD.

Whatever you enjoy doing with a 2 yr old indoors is what I'd focus on. For me that would be baking

[plantsitter]

You're not the only one. My kids are a bit older now but I remember those dark afternoons well... was just giving ideas as sometimes it's good to have something under your belt if you're having one of those (frequent in my case) afternoons in which everyone's crying.

Not trying to seem like super mum which I certainly ain't. Tv is fine if it gets you through, imo.

[T100]

plant I like your go for a walk with torches suggestion, great idea.