Do you go out everyday?

You’re definitely not alone. With a two-year-old, getting out of the house can be more about keeping yourself sane than actually needing to buy anything. Maybe mix in more free outings like walks, parks or the library, and give yourself a small weekly budget for the shop trips. I wouldn’t feel guilty unless it’s causing financial stress.

You’re definitely not alone. With a two-year-old, getting out of the house can be more about keeping yourself sane than actually needing to buy anything. Maybe mix in more free outings like walks, parks or the library, and give yourself a small weekly budget for the shop trips. I wouldn’t feel guilty unless it’s causing financial stress.

No, otherwise I would be out all of the time

i take the kids out every day but not to retail parks or shops so don’t spend nearly as much as you do.
You’re conflating the two things. You can take your child out every day and spend time with her without going to retail parks.

Do you have young kids?

Spending money unnecessarily at the retail park on your way home from outings with DD has absolutely nothing to do with spending time with DD! The retail park spending is your problem and something you can stop without reducing the amount of walks/ park and playground visits and toddlers groups you do with DD.

You're conflating your shopping addiction with your time with your toddler. Stay out of the retail park and your problem is solved.

Shopping can be an addiction - if you think that is you tgen seek help - it's absolutely a red herring to conflate leaving the house for toddler activities with the adult activity of shopping at a retail park.

I’d say I’m spending around 100-120 per week at the minute

I mean, if you can afford it, then crack on, but if (like for most of us) that is putting a strain on your budget, then you can still get out without spending anywhere near that amount.
A good place to start is going out either morning OR afternoon and not needing lunch. Or taking a picnic.
Take water with you, and / or coffee in a travel mug.

I've just been reading a post on my local area Facebook Group where people have been putting free (or very low cost) things to do with dc in the holidays. The post has only been up about 1/2 hour and there have been about 30 replies already, some of which were advertising a list of events. Unless you live somewhere very remote, there will be things going on you can get to without spending a fortune.

Depends on what's on my list of things to do! I don't work anymore early retired, live on my own so I can do whatever I feel like.

I get out most days, not when it's lashing rain or howling wind though, nope not that much of a masochist! When I've a job to do I stick at it and stay in until it's done. For example I spent a week or so during the heatwave when it was just too hot to go out anywhere really, clearing out the wardrobes and filling umpteen sacks for the charity shop. I stuck at it and it's done. Then I went out and am back to daily walks.

I'm not one for lazing around the house though. I get fidgety 😊

I would go insane if I had to stay home all day on my home, but with a toddler?

Yes, we used to go out every single day. At the very least, mornings to playgroups, library activities etc, and afternoons at parks or soft plays or walks.

You CAN easily stop wasting money on coffees and drinks however.

I would highly recommend yearly memberships as Christmas or Birthday presents for your child. Things like family farm parks , with indoor softplay and outdoor playgrounds are brilliant when they are little and you can go once or twice a week.

Even during Covid I took the kids outside most of the day, like most parents did, it's less usual for people to mostly stay in when they don't have to.

Nope. And I love it.

No. But I work outdoors, year-round in a physically demanding job, so weekends are when I get my much-needed "indoor time".

Yes, absolutely with small child I went out everyday, even if just to my mum’s or the park, even in the rain. I couldn’t stay in all day with a toddler!

Though I would have described myself as a homebody back then, when I first had kids I had to go out every day, even if just for a long walk. We went out to lunch at a restaurant on the river the second day back from the hospital. I joined the post natal group when my baby was three weeks. Going from working full time to just me and baby was a hard adjustment!
I don’t think there’s anything wrong with going out every day. The park is free, and we used to alternate from one with a playground to a more nature based one with ducks (the most overfed ones alive). There was a city zoo (farm animals) which was free bar the price of an ice cream. It’s good for you and the kids!
Now with my youngest at uni and my oldest living independently I can spend days on end at home!

I am a sahm to a 4 and 2 year old, we dont go out everyday. We have some days just pottering at home, playing in the garden, I catch up on housework and once they get started they can play independently quite well. I also dont drive so going out involves planning around bus times and takes a lot longer than by car. We do go out of course but can't just be nipping all over the place for quick outings.

Pre kids I loved days at home just chilling doing my hobbies, playing games and watching tv - it's not so relaxing now though!

I'm aware but I wouldn't be able to afford my rent if I did that as you have to give up some of the money. I'd also need several thousand for building work to change the entryway as I wouldn't be able to fold the chair to get it around a corner and up a step like I can with the manual.

I looked into moving but I can't find anywhere less expensive (I've been here over a decade and rent didn't go up much) and I'd be reluctant to move anyway as this is the home I shared with my late OH and I'm not ready to give up that connection yet.

There are definitely cheap/free things you can do if you’re worried about the money you’re spending. It definitely does add up. Coffees, entry fees, snacks, lunch, ice creams, gift shops…and most places massively overcharge. Have you tried visiting different parks, walks in the woods, picnics etc?

I think most people, particularly with children leave the house every day. That’s hardly abnormal. But having to go to a retail park on the way most of the time is quite excessive.

If you have the space in your budget to allow for £200 a week on coffee and impulse spending then I guess crack on, but if you don’t have savings or own a home it’s a crazy amount to spend.

OP it's great to get out and good for your child too, but it sounds like you're worried about the spending. Maybe for a month make a conscious effort to really cut back. Take a coffee out with you, and snacks etc if necessary. Try to go to places that don't charge in. And force yourself to drive on past the shops rather than needlessly buy things. Also maybe just bring a small amount of cash and leave cards at home so that you're not tempted to spend more.

If you receive the enhanced rate for mobility on PIP, you could look into getting a powered chair, if you think that you would benefit from that.

Yes most days even if it’s just a quick walk. I find it harder being home with them to be honest.

I love a day in the house. I do it regularly. I work 12 hrs a day though so I like being home

No, not every day. I love having a day at home playing in the garden amd baking etc. Despite travelling and living in different countries in my 20's, I'm now quite homely.

I can honestly say it has never occurred to me at the end of the day to wonder how many steps I’ve done or how I’ve got my heart rate up?!

I can go days without leaving the house. It’s my haven. And most of the time if I go out money is being spent and I can’t afford that. I have to drive to the nearest park and that’s too much fuss to do every day. I do sit outside a bit most days which is enough for me.