Stuck in the house with poor DD on this lovely day

[username6778]

Think I'm here just to have a moan or to see if I there is any obvious way round it. We can only afford one car and DH needs it for work. Been playing in our small garden but DD (2) would clearly like to get out.
Don't live near any parks/green areas. The bus would only take us into the town centre which not really ideal/fun. Our nearest park I would happily get a taxi to, however, I don't know what to do about the car seat. Obviously don't want to be carry it around the park with us. Taxi company does not provide car seat. Just want to get out. 😕

I'd I lived nearby I'd take you both out! Do you have friends who have cars, perhaps make an arrangement to help with petrol costs or provide a picnic for you all to have a trip somewhere? Can you make your garden a bit different, eg set up pretend seaside with paddling pool, sandpit? Den with sheets and clothes airer? Teddy bears picnic? If you travel by taxi could you ask to leave it in the boot if you book a return trip?

Could you get another bus out somewhere from the town centre?
A train somewhere (to the coast ideally as that’s where I’d like to be right now)

Does DH need the car during the day or could you drop him off in the morning and then collect him in the evening?
Remember 2 year olds are simple souls and everything is new and exciting to them - even mundane tasks like pairing socks. Having your undivided attention is better than any outing.
Totally understand that you might be going a bit stir crazy though.

Another one recommending dropping him off but difficult if he drives during the shift.

I'd just put her in a buggy and walk. Doesn't need to have a destination. Just find a path and walk til you feel like it's time to turn back.

Alternatively, water play always kept mine entertained. Fill a big bucket with water, then stick a pile of stuff out with it - paintbrushes, collander, cups, wooden spoons, dolls to wash, toy cars etc.

Sad to hear that there are places without a park or green space within walking distance! I take it you've checked google maps in case there's one you don't know about?

You don't need a car seat for the taxi

www.gov.uk/child-car-seats-the-rules/when-a-child-can-travel-without-a-car-seat

Does the bus not go past any parks on the way to the town centre

I know this feeling well. The feeling of going stir crazy! We rented a tiny house with no garden, just a tiny narrow walkway to steps up to a very dangerous terrace. We used to call the walkway the rubbish dump from Star Wars which the walls closed in on! There wasn't even space for DS to spread out a play mat and i hated it. Once he went up the steps and i had 10,000 fits when he was teetering at the top of these steep concrete steps with nothing to stop him falling. I felt so guilty for letting up there and we never went up again.. It took years to get a house with some outdoor space and if i ever feel that we have a small garden now i just think back to the Star Wars rubbish dump!

The main thing is you've got some outdoor space so think paddling pool and sand pit, etc. Just make sure there's some shade! 😎

Thanks everyone for your suggestions! Unfortunately DH travels about for his work so couldn't just drop him off. We just don't live in a great area unfortunately. We bought the house before we had DD so didn't think as much about parks etc. We also had a lot more surplus money back then and could afford two cars.
I do have another mum friend but she's on holiday at the minute.
Hoping to move house in the next few years if we can afford it. Parks and schools will definitely be on the top of my list of priorities.
Currently sat outside with a big bowls of water letting DD make a mess  definitely better than no garden! @BooseysMom
Thanks everyone again

I use a taxi firm that will keep my car seat in the boot for me. Then that same driver will collect and put it back in.

Are there no parks in your town centre? Most I know of have a couple of parks, certainly big enough for a two-year old. Worth looking on the Council website to see if there are facilities.

Glad you're making the most of it. DD loved painting our paths with water. Chalks are fun outside too. Good luck.