To take this approach to parenting a toddler?

I’m a nanny, going out on day trips saves my sanity and often brings out the best in me and my kids! Sounds like you’ve got a perfect balance there between getting things done and enjoying time out! Go for it op!

I take mine to decent playgroups so I can watch him play and have a cup of tea. You don't have to chase them for eight hours.

When my two were little we also went out and did something every day - swimming, playgroup, a walk, beach, the park, soft play, music class, seeing friends etc. We’d normally have some time in the afternoon but I hated the thought of a long day just reliant on me to keep them busy!
Theyre teens now and still like a trip out, although they can amuse themselves at home as well.
In conclusion, do what works for you and your family.

I'm the same, I don't think I've ever had a full day at home since my baby was a few weeks old, can't think of anything worse! If you and toddler are happy, why does it mater what others think.

You've got the nail on the head here. All kids are different and people forget that.
My kids were happy pottering at home and most definitely did crafts from the minute they could stick fingers in paint. BUT, they loved doing this and were very happy and I was happy to cover all the furniture in towels so it stayed slightly clean. Some kids do need to run and jump and climb and naturally have a lot more physical energy to burn off.

It sounds like this works for you and the people commenting have kids that are entertained in different ways. Keep doing what works for you. It will evolve as your child grows and you will also change patterns.

@Gogogo12345 maybe not, but you should still be able to understand that many people do benefit from time to just sit and relax - both mentally and physically.

Well it is pretty tiring standing up every two minutes when your son is climbing this or that or grabbing that unsafe thing etc.

Personally I'd find it even more tiring being out for 8+ hours everyday with a toddler who hasn't had a nap and who constantly needs to be on the go.

Of course we're all different but I just think it OP is exhausted and dreads spending any length of time at home, there are probably changes that can be made somewhere so she gets a bit of down time and her toddler gets a nap 🤷‍♀️

Or maybe it doesn't exist for me lol

On the 2nd post aybe. But you also were trying to say about the benefits of downtime to me. I honestly cannot find any benefit in being sat indoors doing nothing.

Just because you can't see the benefit doesn't mean the benefit doesn't exist 😬

Maybe you're the one who doesn't "get it".

I also hate being at home with my 2yo all day, especially because we have a dog and it's a nightmare trying to keep them both safe and happy.

I'm usually out after breakfast, home for lunch and nap, then out again at some point in the afternoon even if not for the full 5 hours before bed.

My mum watches him 1 day a week at the mo and struggles to take him out without the pram because she can't keep up with him. On those days when I finish work he is absolutely climbing the walls and the house is a bomb site, we go straight out to the park for a run around.

Do what works for you OP, the thought of a full day at home would fill me with dread much more so than the thought of a day out 9-6pm.

Baking with a toddler shudder

Well it is pretty tiring standing up every two minutes when your son is climbing this or that or grabbing that unsafe thing etc.

I was the same when my dd was little. She seemed happier being out and about. She's a teenager now and loves a day (or 5) at home pottering! I also liked being out doing things and interacting with people.

My son is two. I find if we stay in he causes chaos and is climbing everything so we go out everyday. Unfortunately not today as I have a cold and don't feel great. Only to free stuff though. I can't afford NT or swimming.

On the 2nd post aybe. But you also were trying to say about the benefits of downtime to me. I honestly cannot find any benefit in being sat indoors doing nothing.

2 year olds can be hard work!

DS1 was quite placid and would play by himself, whereas DS2 (who was diagnosed autistic and ADHD during primary school) was not at all like that and I used to go out pretty much every day with him otherwise he was tearing around creating chaos. He didn't understand the concept of a day "pottering at home" until he went to school and was tired from that and then he did start to need more unstructured, low demand time. He also never napped in the afternoon from the age of around 2 and a half until starting school, maybe occasionally in his car seat on the way home if we'd been out in the fresh air all day. It also helped me not to feel so isolated on my home days, which I did with DS1 as he was more reluctant to go out (he is autistic without ADHD, so struggles more with change and transitions).

What's the point of staying at home with a child who is restless and you feeling unhappy, overwhelmed and isolated, if going out helps both of you?

You know your child and your own limits best. It may become easier to stay home with him when he's a bit older.

@exprecis maybe - but I just think the fact that she's exhausted and "terrified" at the idea of being home alone with him that's an issue.

@Gogogo12345 why do you think I don't get it when I literally said "of course we're all different and some people relax by doing things" 😂

kudos to you making it a week! When we were potty training I was climbing the walls by about 11am 😂

My son is also 2 and we're very similar to you, OP. I won't say we're never at home but on the days one of us is home with him we're usually out between 9am - 12pm and then 2.30 - 5pm (home for lunch and naptime). We'll do a combination of groups, play cafes/soft play, parks, walks, playdates, zoo/museum/aquarium and running errands. As an infant he was always much happier out and about than in the house and so it's just stuck as a habit as he's got older. I've always been prone to going stir-crazy if I'm stuck inside for too long and I think he's wired similarly. We spent a week inside when he was potty training and by the end we were all climbing the walls...

Independent play is fine,and of course needs to be encouraged, but it sounds as though you are losing a huge opportunity to enhance his language development, he is missing out on one to one chat and play supported by focussed language. I am sure you talk to him when you are out and about, but there are many distractions then ( which is why you do it!) and missed opportunities to recall and repeat language to reinforce vocabulary and structure.

Nursery is too busy and understaffed for much 121 language development.

To me it's a sign she has a 2 year old.

I have yet to meet a 2 year old that relaxes at home or allows their parent to do so

It's fine op. You do what works for you. It's not like you're being neglectful!

But you don't seem to " get" that I relax by doing something.Doesnt have to be " jobs" I'm very relaxed when out and about with friends etc Just doesn't involve sitting around in the house. I can manage that for about an hour tops then get fidgety.

And u don't know its just the being out of house with toddler that's exhausting the OP. Don't forget she's working the rest of the week as well. And toddlers are mentally exhausting so far more tiring ( even sat indoors) than being In an adult workplace

'Exhausted but can't stand being at home all day with a toddler'

... choose your hard I guess! Being out all day every day can be exhausting, tbf sometimes being in all day with a toddler can also be just as exhausting. Small children can take a lot of energy!! But if you 'can't stand' one and can tolerate the other, then do what makes you happy!