To take this approach to parenting a toddler?

I think everyone is different. I was a sahm when my children were that age and we had lots of time at home. We are all homebodies though and need time to have no plans at all and just chill at home. Some of my friends were more like you though and it seemed to work well for them.

I should add she is very good if I'm doing housework but she wants to helps all the time which can be a bit wearing.

I am like this with DD 2.5 if my partner is working or sleeping (works shifts). However I have realised I have made a rod for my back rather as I currently have a foot injury and am supposed to be resting it. So yesterday DP is asleep after nights and I told DD we are having a 'play at home day' she burst in to tears, completely melted down and brought me my shoes! 😂
I stuck to it but it was a tough day. She will play while I'm cooking etc normally but if I'm sat down expects me to play which I realise is because it hardly ever happens. So we will be having more time at home from now on.

I was like this when mine were that age. When I had a 3 and 1 year old, it went double.

The idea of a full day at home with them was terrifying! And the idea that at 2, either of them would have "chilled" at home for the day laughable.

They have a lot of energy and they benefit a lot from fresh air and exercise.

Even now that they are 7 and 5, it's rare for us to spend a full day at home.

You don’t have to justify yourself to anyone OP. He sounds happy and well behaved. I agree with you, being at home is boring as heck. If this works for you, crack on! When he is at school he will be out all day, then at clubs etc.

God that would exhaust me, more so than I already am!

I have a just turned 3 year old and work 4 days a week. Of her days at home (Sat-Mon) we have at least one at home chill day. On the others we will do an activity out of the house of some description, swimming, gymnastics, soft play, library, park etc ... for a few hours either morning or afternoon (not both), and then chill at home the rest of the time. I physically couldn't be on the go all the time on my days off as my work days are like that and I'd be utterly drained 24/7!

Thankfully she's quite an easy going chilled toddler most of the time though, so equally happy with an afternoon out or an afternoon in the house, which I'm very grateful for when I'm having a low energy day.

I agree with you to a certain extent OP. I had DD1 during lockdown and nearly went stir crazy with just the 1 hour of daily exercise for months. So now I'm out a lot.

When DD1 was a toddler I was also part time (3 days). If the weather was good we were out. Probably either morning or afternoon rather than all day though. It's less with DD2 and have to go around school times. Grandparents looked after her at home though so she did get more home play on those days and maybe a trip to local park.

On weekends, again if weather is good we are out most of it. It's rare we have a full day at home unless it's the depths of winter or someone is ill x

That's much better than being at home all day while mum stares at her phone. You are giving him lots of experiences that lots of kids don't get. As long as his loved aswell he will do great.

I was quite like this. I’d had a busy job and I found it hard to settle. The subsequent babies were the same from necessity mainly, life got busier with drop offs and tasks, clubs etc.
Adult ds grew into a happy social able adult with no issues.
I’m happy. Siblings are happy.
Do what you want!

YANBU, up to you what you do with your child. I didn't do anything like as much as you but I do recall that with toddlers it could actually feel less tiring to take them out than to entertain them at home because there would be lots to see that would engage them and they could actually be less demanding of me.

I had to take DS1 out every day or he’d go stir crazy. It’s just his personality. He’s 23 now and still gets cabin fever if he hasn’t been out to stretch his legs at least once in a day.
A toddler with cabin fever is no fun for either of you.

I was the same when my child was that age. We utilised every facility in the area! Every day was different. I think it really taught my child skills in being adaptable to new situations. We had a lot of fun. It sounds like you're doing a great job. 😊

Yep this isn't good.

Going out for activities is great, provided he isn't permanently strapped in a buggy.

But a more balanced approach would be better for you both.

Why are you terrified of being at home with your toddler OP? It's worth pondering this.

The idea of a day at home with him terrifies me a bit!

What are you terrified of?
I can understand this somewhat with a very small baby - the thought of a Whole Day with a crying baby is awful, but your child sounds like they can entertain themselves for a period of time, enjoys being out so would enjoy you playing with them at home. I have some lovely memories of setting up the train set over the whole lounge, and playing shop for an afternoon. nb my kids are all big so I might have my melancholy specs on!

Would you like to have some days at home? If you're entirely happy doing what you're doing then carry on. Nothing stays the same for long anyway. But if it's fear and stress making you "shoot off somewhere" every day then maybe you need to address that.

It's just as important for children to learn how to relax as well as being on the go all the time.

Yes I think you’re probably right. My DC1 had motor skill issues for medical reasons so I did spend a lot of time thinking about and facilitating this stuff. Most kids would probably pick up the skills along the way - as long as they weren’t in a buggy allll day.

I’ve got a two year old and everyone I know with one are also out all day with them - they’re easier out and about; and it’s a lot funner!

I don’t think it’s unusual at all. None of us really do long periods of downtime.

I’m with you OP I hated staying in when mine were small. We were out every single day. Now they are bigger we’ll have days at home but even then I don’t enjoy it. I like being out of the house and there is nothing wrong with that at all

If it suits you it's fine. I found with my eldest we had to go out at least part of the day or she'd go crazy and getting through 3pm until dinner was really tough! I also found it boring to be in the house all day.
We usually had mornings at home then out most afternoons even if it was just for a walk.

I did the same with DS, I couldn’t be at home for long with a toddler. I found it became possible from 3.5 onwards which is good as COVID struck when he was 4. Now he is 8 and can entertain himself at home for hours so has done him no harm and it kept me sane.

I always went out for a walk every day. Sometimes that walk would include going shopping (a good 45 mins to nearest shop). Other times the woods, by the river or whatever (we had a NT card so that got used a lot), so sometimes was a car journey.

I can't get worked up about it, but you say he doesn't always nap because you are out and about.
I would prioritise getting a nap at home, not entirely for the child, but for a couple of glorious hours of peace at home. You say you are exhausted, and unless there are some factors you haven't told us about, a single 2 year old while you are working 3 days a week will be tiring, but shouldn't leave you exhausted.

I worked 4 days a week for a period of time when DS2 was about the same age as your son. I had Mondays at home. We would get up and out in the morning (get the bus to town, go to the library, cafe) and then be home for his nap.
Those couple of hours were the only time in the whole week where I was completely alone. They were restorative.

I think there's a balance to be had between going out all day, everyday and just pottering at home 24-7.

While going out might be easier, I do think it's important for kids to learn to entertain themselves at home, and also to learn that going out isn't always an option - for example if you're sick or have to wait in the for the plumber, you want a child who is okay to just potter about all day without demanding loads of activities or entertainment.

Also what's your own personality like? I found even before I had children I didn't spend much time at home, I find "pottering about the house" quite dull so possibly it's an extension of that.

My children never much liked toys either and aren't very arty so crafty stuff was always a huge faff and mess for about five mins of entertainment. Our general m.o. when younger, or even now on the weekends/holidays, was to pack a bag for the day after breakfast and head out not expecting to be home before late afternoon. They had plenty of time to be bored on the tube!

Just like adults all have different tastes, so do children and indeed families. If it works for you, sounds great