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AIBU?

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Original poster

To find it expensive keeping preschoolers fed & entertained?

263 replies

pirateblue · 17/05/2024 18:54

I mean, it is, isn’t it? Or am I doing it wrong …?

OP posts:
Pixiedust49 · 17/05/2024 19:02

Wait till they’re teens 🙈

Original poster
pirateblue · 17/05/2024 19:02

rainbowunicorn · 17/05/2024 18:59

Kids don't need to be constantly doing paid activities or be transported places. There's plenty they can do at home. Just playing.

See mine do … if I ever decide to have a quiet afternoon at home I generally regret it by 2pm!

OP posts:
PuttingDownRoots · 17/05/2024 19:01

Its got more expensive in recent years I believe. No more Sure Start, lots of toddler groups never reopened after Covid, Soft play is insane price now (our nearest is £8 plus a £1 an adult... I'm sure it was less than half that when mine were young!

Hopefully the better weather will come soon.

Original poster
pirateblue · 17/05/2024 19:01

I hear a lot about church groups on MN but I have to admit, the only ones round here are very past their best and wouldn’t interest DS (3 and a half) - very tired range of toys only really suitable for 12-18 months. And plus you also have to get to them!

Libraries are a problem too. The rhyme time at the local one is always booked up. I did go to a different one once and it was quite nice but miles away.

They are all also morning only and so still have to fill the rest of the day, somehow!

OP posts:
BendingSpoons · 17/05/2024 19:00

Mine were quite cheap to entertain as young children, as they were happy with 'small' activities e.g. park, trip to Tesco, playing at home, sometimes swimming or soft play but not that often. We are lucky enough to have quite a bit of space at home. They eat the same food as us broadly speaking (quite a few meals where they will only eat parts of it!). My eldest is 8, and beginning to reject the 'little' places and want to go to the bigger places e.g. Go Ape that is £20pp rather than soft play for £7. I suspect it's going to get worse!

rainbowunicorn · 17/05/2024 18:59

Kids don't need to be constantly doing paid activities or be transported places. There's plenty they can do at home. Just playing.

Needmorelego · 17/05/2024 18:59

Not really.
Food obviously you've got to buy but as for the entertaining....
Books from libraries are free and activities like Rhyme Time etc are free or about £1.
Stay and Play/playgroups etc are usually free or a couple of quid.
Going to the park is free.
Watching the local building site is free.
Toys can be bought cheaply from charity shops or car boot sales (and sold on when outgrown).
Toddler like to sort things - give them all the socks to sort.

KickHimInTheCrotch · 17/05/2024 18:59

Of course. Human beings need food and clothes and entertainment. If you choose to bring another person into the world then you need to plan for how you're going to support them. Did you expect them to survive on fresh air ?

PickledMumion · 17/05/2024 18:58

Mud = free, sticks = free 🤷‍♀️

Neurodiversitydoctor · 17/05/2024 18:57

mitogoshi · 17/05/2024 18:55

They cost as much as you are willing to spend. Plenty of free or cheap options out there and we all know they prefer to play with the recycling to toys!

This although I think it is harder than it was after COVID and with no sure start, also harder outside of London ( no one o clock clubs). But there are church groups and libaries everywhere no ?

Original poster
pirateblue · 17/05/2024 18:56

Mmmmmm but … even the cheap options require you to get to them and they do get a bit dull and tired over time.

The crap weather hasn’t helped (I know today was nice) we’ve been more reliant on usual on soft plays and the like which can work out expensive.

OP posts:
mitogoshi · 17/05/2024 18:55

They cost as much as you are willing to spend. Plenty of free or cheap options out there and we all know they prefer to play with the recycling to toys!

ChildcareConundrums · 17/05/2024 18:55

YANBU no matter what people say. I’m sure older kids only cost more. One of the reasons we’re thinking about being one and done

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