To take this approach to parenting a toddler?

Not at all! This sounds perfect. Kids need outings and stimulation. I often feel to exhausted to take mine out- and getting everyone out is such a challenge! But I feel so guilty when they are just at home all day as they get bored and too much screen time. Sounds like you are doing great xx

I would find the idea of a whole day at home every week depressing. What do you do all day? What's your 3 year old doing all day? Apart from anything else how does she get her 2 hours exercise on those days? Maybe you have a huge house or garden?

Children won't explode if they don't get a certain amount of exercise each day!

@Gogogo12345 I'm really not convinced you need someone to explain it to you - if you've managed to reach 53 and can use a computer I'm sure you can Google it 😂

But for me, the benefits are being able to switch off and relax. I work a physical, outdoors job and don't feel the need to spend my down time rushing about and doing things constantly.

Of course, we're all different and some people relax by "doing", but If OP was happy rushing about all the time, she wouldn't have posted and wouldn't be saying how exhausted she is all the time.

My friend was like this with her two, never ever stays inside or has a lazy day or a pj day. Weekends out by 8am and home by 6 for tea bath and bed.

The children are permanently exhausted and not very well behaved because they've never had time to sit and do nothing or relax and play

After school they are at the park or out on a bike ride or swimming classes. Their house is used for sleeping and eating and nothing else but they don't get any downtime

Nothing wrong with being out and about but you also need to recognise that time at home is important and needed

Who knows lol. I don't get bored as I'm not sat indoors doing nothing.

@sunsetsandboardwalks please do explain the benefits of " downtime" to me as obviously in 53 years I've failed to understand it

@DinosaurMunch this gives me hope!
DD is 2.5 and I really struggle at home but actually before DD I was a real homebody so would love to be able to stay home more

I would find the idea of a whole day at home every week depressing. What do you do all day? What's your 3 year old doing all day? Apart from anything else how does she get her 2 hours exercise on those days? Maybe you have a huge house or garden?

This is what I'm going to aim for more of now

Agree with this. I do love being outdoors but I’m far more of a homebody than my husband. I can practise yoga and Pilates at home, cook, bake, read, paint, craft, write… Our DC enjoys being active outdoors (more like him) but can also appreciate some quiet time too and enjoys books, jigsaws and getting arty and crafty at home. I will also bake/cook with them when they’re old enough.

A lot of the "outdoors is amazing" posters seem to be ignoring the fact that OP is the one saying she's exhausted - surely that in itself is a sign that what she's doing isn't working for them?

Nobody's saying she should be home in front of screens all day but a few half days a week where you just potter about inside and relax is no bad thing for any child.

I was out and about every day unless we had other children over or my children going to play at friends house. We did a lot of child swapping to get the odd free day .
I was generally at home for whitching hour tea time so 4pm onwards .
I just found a whole day at home without any other company absolutely mind numbing ,

It's downright boring sat at home doing nothing.

Isn't the saying that only boring people get bored? 😉

Why is it not good to be on the go all day? Both DD2 and DS were like this from toddlers and now in their 20s are still the same and very productive people as they not wasting time dossing about

It's absolutely fine to be on the go all day if a) you're an adult and are able to decide for yourself and b) you know you can stop and chill if you want to.

But as you seem to think it's "dossing about" to have a chill day occasionally, there's probably no point trying to explain the benefits of downtime to you 😉

This is what we aim for now. I feel much calmer for it. When we were out all day, I’d spend a small fortune on hot drinks and snacks cafe hopping trying to find places to do nappy changes, or warm places for lunch in the autumn and winter - and much of the spring and when raining in the summer! 😂

No, quite! Mine are similar ages and it's actually enjoyable these days (you know, when they're not turning the lounge into a wrestling ring...) :D much to look forward to!!!

I was always out when dc were toddlers. We did break in up though, morning activity, back for a 2 hour nap then something in the afternoon. The places you've listed. This was the norm amongst my friend group and we did lots together.

I recently spent a whole day indoors with my 3 and 5 year old and it was actually ok - a revelation! It wouldn't have been possible a year ago though.

I'm sure he'd soon let you know if he needed some down time! If you were doing it purely for his sake I.e. we need to be out and about he shouldn't stay in then I'd say stop lumping pressure on yourself and let him potter; but if it benefits you it's not like it's harming him! It sounds like he gets time to rest and play as well at home, I'm sure if he was tired or poorly you wouldn't force him out

Unless OP continues having lots more children she won't have a 2 year old for 16 years. So probably not

@Cobblersorchard honestly for me it was the unknown. We'd just never done it (a day at home) and I was daunted by the idea of it. However once I started doing it (including a lot of the tasks/activities you mentioned) or just letting them play independently etc I realised there are many wonderful aspects to having a day at home together. It can be very relaxing and I now really enjoy home days. Do think they were both older by the point I had that realisation though. Two year old tornadoes + being outside is just a winning combo!

My ds HATED being indoors. I spent all hours when he was awake, which was all the time as he rarely napped, outside. I mean….that’s historically normal for humans, to not be indoors all the time?

It sounds just perfect, there's nothing worse than being stuck indoors with a toddler all the time.

Whatever works for you ...

Most 2 year olds are a bit young for chopping and peeling, even painting and drawing only keep them occupied for 5 or 10 minutes . 2 year olds can't manage craft. You have to do it all for them.
You are probably thinking back to when your child was 3.5 or 4 which is very different.

If you have a quiet child who likes to play with their toys it might be ok but lots of 2 year olds want to spend their time running, jumping, throwing and breaking things, which is great outdoors but not when you're at home

As someone said up thread and hour until bed time can feel like an eternity!

It doesn’t have to be all or nothing. A morning out of the house going to a playgroup or the park, for example, followed by an afternoon playing at home. Or vice versa. Sounds like perhaps you’re a little out of balance.