To ask if you take your children out alone

Yes, because I'm single! Not just big days out but actual holidays too, mad eh?!

I took three children under five swimming by myself at the pool. I wouldn't have swum with three under five alone at a beach though. I would have taken them to the beach but not done more than paddled around the edges (but not at a surf beach, just a quiet one).

You have a similar age gap to me. I used to take them out but the big difference is that my little one was happy to nap in a buggy for a long time. I’d get her wrapped up cosy and was a buggy that reclined right back with a large hood (in case that makes a difference) so the older one and I could have an hour or so on our own while she napped.

I am pretty sure those people scoffing at you had buggy nappers too! Or have forgotten what a pain it is timing trips around car naps

Frequently. And often with their friends.

I've also taken them camping.

I'm not a single parent so it's not a case of having to, but choosing to.

Depends though. One of mine gets overwhelmed out and about so not necessarily better than staying in.

Yes why would you not???

Of course.
I am another poster who is a bit incredulous that you wouldn't, without some sort of exceptional circumstances).
I had 3 dc - two of whom were later diagnosed with ADHD, so hardly passive, calm children, but taking them out for the day was far better than not going anywhere.

I have a baby and a toddler. Go out all the time to everyday things - park, softplay etc with both of them. Biggest thing is probably the zoo for the day.
I haven’t done any ‘big’ trips with them both by myself no - like holidays. Maybe when they are a bit older though!

We have three kids. Once when they were 5, 3 and 1 and I took them to the zoo on my own. What a fucking nightmare!! It put me off attempting to go anywhere on my own with them ever again…
Just typing this out has given me anxiety about that day 😫

Don’t let anyone make you feel guilty for not managing “big” days out on your own. In 6 months/ a year your youngest will be more manageable and you’ll feel better about it. Kids don’t need constant big days out. When I have my two on my own we go to garden centres with small play areas, the library, parks I’m familiar with that are enclosed, feed the ducks, play groups for mixed ages, play dates with friends. When DH is home at the weekend we will occasionally do the big things like big soft plays, zoos and museums. It’s all just a season of life!

At those ages I didn't attempt big days out, purely as they weren't enjoyable or logistically relaxing, so would stick to soft play, parks, farm park type places.

As soon as they were both late primary school age we went anywhere and everywhere but they needed to be old enough to reliably follow instructions and do certain things for themselves or it wasn't worth the hassle.

Yes all 4 of them they know how to behave and are well mannered,I wouldn't think twice about going abroad alone with them etc they are 10 and under.
DH on the other hand wouldn't dream to do things alone with them not even trips to the shop with all 4.

I do but I work part time so we have free days in the week. Also I use to be a childminder so I'm use to loads of kids piling in the car.

Weekends we are often seeing family so it's easier to do stuff in the week.

I'm autistic, so no, I couldn't do that.
But we'll wander into town and go shopping, have lunch etc. Or go to the playpark etc

What sort of outings are you talking about, OP? When my eldest two were those ages I wasn't terribly ambitious - soft play, park, library, forest, beach ticked all our boxes. We have a great splash pool nearby as well, that was great. I wouldn't have gone on a big day trip purely because I had no desire to.

Yes, always did since newborn phase even when I didn't drive. We have always taken city breaks, hotel weekends, dinner out together. I love it. DH gets Daddy Days out then we do family days too.

HOWEVER and before you throw your coffee at the screen in response to my smugness we have ONE VERY EASY DC. That's the difference. If it was difficult I know I would not bother.

I never have - and my children are 10 and 7.

Not because I'm a delicate little flower and couldn't possibly manage alone, but simply because we are a two parent family who both enjoy days out and holidays with the children, so would hate to miss something big and fun.

The children don't miss out, we still do the things we want to do, we just do them when we can do them together, which is very easy for us as DP is self employed so can work around my annual leave.

It doesn't mean that we are housebound when he's at work or off doing something at the weekend, it just means that we do more general activities as a 3 - arcades, dog walks, parks, local museums, libraries, lunches, beach etc.

We'd take a light weight pushchair - don't drive - and it it was needed it was there and if not could be used for bag and coats. We also did pack packs with reins and they all knew to stay close to pushchair or me if they were old enough to not have that.

We did Sealife center so train and bus for us at time - or a private open to public for fee garden park place in same city - or child friendly museums - science open air one - lots of snacks. Theme parks were more when DH was around. It depends what there is locally and what they both tolerate.

It will depend on the temperament of the kids mine were used to going out locally with just me and knew if they didn't behave on train or bus we'd have long walk back and if they didn't when eating we'd often leave - so they were pretty well behaved bulk of the time - I did know some of their peers who I don't think I'd have coped as well with on outings.

Mine are a bit closer in age though which probably helped

I have more holiday than my partner so take them on trips and days out but yes I would check with him if it was something expensive or unusual/special that I thought he might like to join on so we could postpone it to a time where we could all go. I have no problem going on my own with them places and have been on multiple holidays alone with them. In some ways it was easier at your stage as I could plan the day around nap time and get some time to myself but equally now they are slightly older it is nice to go out without it all being planned so carefully around food and sleep. I guess I managed it with a detailed plan and routine and it was actually easier to do that alone than get another adult (who hates planning anything) to agree to the schedule

I time the youngest ones naps to be in the car or if we’re out all day I’ll get them to sleep in the carrier when we’re walking around.

18 months is a tricky age isn't it as you get the buggy / walking refusal and running off.
If it's a real struggle for you stick to soft play and the park for a little bit.
What about play groups and the library?

Took my four everywhere as had no family
Nearby to help this included taking them away on holiday.
they are children not nuclear reactors.
You just crack on.