Meet the Other Phone. A phone that grows with your child.

Meet the Other Phone.
A phone that grows with your child.

Buy now

Please or to access all these features

Chat

Join the discussion and chat with other Mumsnetters about everyday life, relationships and parenting.

Trapped Toddler Parents of Winter 2020/21 Support Thread - Puddlesuits at the ready!

999 replies

ReallySpicyCurry · 24/10/2020 17:44

Are you the parent of a small child who doesn't yet sit still for more than five minutes? Do local lockdowns mean there are no baby and toddler groups for miles? Are you sick of walking the same three routes every day since March? Then come and join our support thread! I have started this after some of us had a good moan on a thread in AIBU ("To be worried about staying sane stuck inside all winter with a 2 year old?") because I thought it might be nice to share ideas/activities/general moans and concerns, over what is probably going to be a tricky winter for those of us with babies and toddlers.

Don't forget the answer to all your prayers though... The ever reliable puddlesuit. Puddlesuits are absolutely mandatory this year, and you are expected to wrestle your child into one and make them jump in puddles daily. If your child goes blue with cold, administer a swift dose of hot chocolate and hope your local Amazon delivery driver gets move on with your latest order of kinetic sand/playdough/ball pit/stickers. Failing all else, Peppa Pig is omniscient, omnipotent, and omnipresent, in October as in March.

OP posts:
Thread gallery
95
MessAllOver · 28/10/2020 05:12

@footprintsintheslow. Of course. We have maintain some standards!

footprintsintheslow · 28/10/2020 05:37

I'm lying here (29 weeks pregnant) listening to torrential rain (in lockdown Wales) thinking I don't know how to get through the next 13 hours. Even though I'm full of ideas and enthusiasm for parenting. I'm bloody knackered and I couldn't even stay up for Bake Off last night.
Good job my living room is full of leaves for autumn madness all day.

BigBigPumpkin · 28/10/2020 05:45

@footprintsintheslow

I'm lying here (29 weeks pregnant) listening to torrential rain (in lockdown Wales) thinking I don't know how to get through the next 13 hours. Even though I'm full of ideas and enthusiasm for parenting. I'm bloody knackered and I couldn't even stay up for Bake Off last night. Good job my living room is full of leaves for autumn madness all day.
I was also conked out before bakeoff. I feel your pain.

Interested in this thread?

Then you might like threads about this subject:

FolkSongSweet · 28/10/2020 06:49

@footprintsintheslow I feel your pain. Almost 39 weeks here and the insomnia is terrible. Only started mat leave this week and it’s less relaxing than work as I now have DS full time! We might try a walk/autumn treasure hunt today if the weather isn’t too horrendous. I saw a thread on style and beauty about waterproof trainers/boots and have just ordered some for the outdoor winter ahead!

footprintsintheslow · 28/10/2020 07:25

@FolkSongSweet wow 39 weeks! Good luck, you lot be the first baby on the thread. Keep us posted.

I've got all the outdoor gear (except a coat that does up) I did see an interesting link though on here that I need to go back to. I just need done energy as don't sleep well and if I sleep till 4:30 am it's a lie in.

Camomila · 28/10/2020 07:43

We're going to do yoga today too Smile
Just a normal adult class over zoom (microphone muted!)
The big treat for DS1 is that he can wave to my mum who does it from her house.
DS2 is happy crawling over us.

PolarBearStrength · 28/10/2020 07:54

I think I might win the ‘most pregnant’ award, although only by a few days 😂 Sorry @FolkSongSweet.

I’m trying to decide if I can actually face Asda with a 2 year old the day after a sweep...

Spudlet · 28/10/2020 07:59

Good luck all of you - wish I’d seen these threads in March!

Mum coat recommendation - a farmer’s type wax jacket - not a Barbour, a Dickies one. Mind is padded, massive (room for many layers), reasonably waterproof if you keep it waxed, and has many many pockets for all the things, and hand warmer pockets so your hands don’t go blue. And it’s infinitely repairable so you needn’t worry of your child goes into a hedge and gets stuck and then you get stuck trying to get them out (he was following ddog, who is the only one who didn’t get stuck 🙄). Best coat for winter outdoor mumming ever, its only fault is it’s too heavy to carry easily if you take it off - but that isn’t really an issue in winter.

FolkSongSweet · 28/10/2020 08:23

Solidarity @PolarBearStrength! I’m due next Thursday, though first baby was 12 days late so not expecting this one to be here any time soon. Best of luck!

I’d probably go to Asda and indeed make all kinds of plans - babies like to get in the way of stuff like that so might encourage them to arrive.

BigBigPumpkin · 28/10/2020 08:24

@Spudlet

Good luck all of you - wish I’d seen these threads in March!

Mum coat recommendation - a farmer’s type wax jacket - not a Barbour, a Dickies one. Mind is padded, massive (room for many layers), reasonably waterproof if you keep it waxed, and has many many pockets for all the things, and hand warmer pockets so your hands don’t go blue. And it’s infinitely repairable so you needn’t worry of your child goes into a hedge and gets stuck and then you get stuck trying to get them out (he was following ddog, who is the only one who didn’t get stuck 🙄). Best coat for winter outdoor mumming ever, its only fault is it’s too heavy to carry easily if you take it off - but that isn’t really an issue in winter.

Have you got a link to an example?
Nancydowns · 28/10/2020 08:33

I’m trying to decide if I can actually face Asda with a 2 year old the day after a sweep...

I've got a 39 week sweep on Monday, then soft play on Tuesday and a phonics class on Wednesday - I might be mad!!

Trixie18 · 28/10/2020 08:44

Anyone have any recommendations on where to get good puddlesuits and wellies? Also how to keep hats and gloves in two 19 month olds, advice welcome 🤨

Spudlet · 28/10/2020 08:44

@BigBigPumpkin

mammothworkwear.com/dickies-westfield-wax-jacket-p381.htm

The description even says ‘ This jacket is tailored for people who are liable to spend the best part of their days in our great, but often grim, outdoors.‘ Tell me that’s not the parents of small children in 2020... 😬

It’s not necessarily the most stylish but it’s the most practical coat I’ve ever had - mine is about ten years old and still going strong, albeit with a few patches here and there.

Camomila · 28/10/2020 08:48

I’m trying to decide if I can actually face Asda with a 2 year old the day after a sweep...

Do it, imagine how much free stuff you'd get if you gave birth in the middle of Asda.
(I wouldn't really though, I've always given birth before my due date).

ReallySpicyCurry · 28/10/2020 08:53

I have a wax jacket like that. I found it in my parent's attic when they moved into their house 20 years ago. It's still good, despite having every substance known to man poured upon it, being singed, being dragged through a bog, being slept on by a dog, and being shat on by a baby otter.

OP posts:
MonkeyPuddle · 28/10/2020 09:13

@Trixie18 I like Muddy Puddles waterproof trousers. And I just gave up with hats and gloves with my DS!

I’ve taken DS to nursery at 8am this morning, got back into bed, DP brought me some breakfast and I’m still in bed now. Off to get my nails done and then my 41w sweep this afternoon. I am a whale made of hormones and rage at the minute Grin

ReallySpicyCurry · 28/10/2020 09:21

Oh gosh, good luck to all those sweeping or yet to be swept!

OP posts:
MessAllOver · 28/10/2020 09:23

Yes, keep us updated! Very exciting... Lots of tiny puddle suits being ordered soon Grin.

MonkeyPuddle · 28/10/2020 09:46

I’m hoping the midwife will have a good furtle around up there, I’ve got all the orchard games, some baking, and easy toys all prepped and ready for when grandma needs to look after DS when I eventually go into labour.

PolarBearStrength · 28/10/2020 10:06

@MonkeyPuddle oh goodness I think you might win the baby race! I’m not due until Monday!

Loads and loads of bloody show but still no progress 😭

PolarBearStrength · 28/10/2020 11:38

Toddler had brioche for breakfast (after watching the iPad in bed for about an hour and a half this morning - which to be fair is his favourite thing in the morning as it takes him a while to wake up) and is now eating a share size packet of chocolate buttons in the car because Asda was terrible and I am too exhausted to do good parenting.

MonkeyPuddle · 28/10/2020 12:08

@PolarBearStrength I don’t blame you, needs must in times like these! I’ve been doing click and collects from Asda for the past few months but have now decided to treat myself to getting the shopping delivered.
I get it delivered at the crack of dawn so that DP has to deal with putting it all away Grin

thecakebadge · 28/10/2020 15:50

@PolarBearStrength I wouldn't worry, I have to resort to chocolate buttons to get through the checkout with DD every time we're in ASDA.

Check out lady: "Oh are you having some buttons as a treat for being such a good girl in the supermarket?"
Me: "No she's having them to stop her screaming"
Checkout lady: Confused

allfurcoatnoknickers · 28/10/2020 15:57

Loving this thread. I'm an expat in NYC, and my 16 month old is in daycare in the week, but 1) that still leaves the weekend and 2) If we get through the winter without another shut down, it'll be a miracle.

I second the warm waxed coat recs. I have a gilet and a thinsulate lined waxed parka. Can I also put in a rec for shearling lined leather boots? I have two pairs, one of them uggs and they keep my feet so toasty. no use for the rain, but excellent for when it's -10 and blowing a gale.

PolarBearStrength · 28/10/2020 16:41

@thecakebadge It was totally bribery. ‘Sit nicely in the trolley and you can have WHATEVER YOU LIKE’ 😂

Swipe left for the next trending thread