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

[ReallySpicyCurry]

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.

[quote MonkeyPuddle]@PolarBearStrength they’ve managed to break my waters so I think I might just pop you to the post [/quote]
Owww good luck

Oh wow good luck @MonkeyPuddle x

Another one here. Thanks for starting the thread. I'm going to read through it now.

Good luck @MonkeyPuddle

Thanks @OhRosalind I used to be an EYP (now called Early Years Teacher) and I did some of my placements in disadvantaged areas so I always try to suggest stuff that doesn't need many resources/space :)

Went into the shopping centre today - DS1 was very happy and waved at everyone, DS2 didn't seem as excited - thinks he prefers the park to look around (thank goodness as thats the only place he'll go for a while!)

Probably sounds a bit pathetic but I used some shape cutters with playdoh and 3yo DS was far more engaged than normal. Think I need to get a few more to help make it more fun.

Joining in.
Have lots of puddle suits but they are thin so probably need to get a thick style one that babies wear for my three toddlers 😩😩😩

Hello newcomers and welcome!

@MonkeyPuddle good luck! Hope everything goes smoothly.

We've had a really nice Sunday. DD slept in until 8am, which is incredible. I don't know if it's just a coincidence, but over the last week, since she's been sleeping through in her own room, I could swear that she's taken a leap ahead in her speech/concentration levels. She played by herself, unprompted, for ages today- lots of pretend play with her doll etc. I think in hindsight she was chronically overtired, as she has gone from waking 3-6 times a night plus being generally unsettled, to waking once or twice and in fact sleeping through for two whole nights.

We also managed a big play in the garden, with me taking refuge in the shed with w coffee (garden is big and awkwardly shaped so I can't stay in the house and let het loose or anything) we've put two old kitchen chairs in there, and a little table, so it's quite cosy.

We had half an hour of jigsaws and puzzles by the fire too - she's a lot more interested in them now than she was a few months ago. I've ordered some more of the Orchard Toys games and puzzles for Christmas.

...posted too soon... I love them and so did my teen when she was small, I was so excited to get them out again.

What's everyone getting the toddlers for Christmas? We don't go overboard at all, I'm forced to be quite minimalist, as our house is too small for a sea of toys, and grandparents usually contribute to experience type gifts, but for the first time ever I actually feel like toys are the better option - we could keep them back and ration them out per week for the novelty value, seeing as we're going to be stuck in so much more

[quote MonkeyPuddle]@PolarBearStrength they’ve managed to break my waters so I think I might just pop you to the post [/quote]
Or pop will do!
Good luck. X

My DS is younger @ReallySpicyCurry but we are going for lots more blocks for xmas as DS loves construction, and a Pikler triangle for the upcoming birthday. Plus books - I’ll order a second copy for my DPs for story time via videocall - DS is so impressed that DGM has the same books as him 😂

Also some more open-ended bits - he has some wooden coins/rings/cups from Grapat that get used daily to represent all kinds of things, I was sceptical but they’ve been worth it. We spread stuff out though so he won’t get it all on Xmas day and his birthday, but as needed (by me as much as him).

Can anyone recommend bath toys that don’t need a big bath? We have a big shower and DS either plays under that or we stick a tub in the bottom. I’m thinking the Boon pipes look good, anyone tried them?

@Toddlerboozerepeat try H&M. Got DS an all in one waterproof one from there and it's like a fleecy coat for your whole body 😍 goes up to age 4 and was 29.99

@footprintsintheslow I have a similar jacket, it’s not going to win any fashion awards but damn is it waterproof! I think it’s the fetching shoulder cape... Mine is long enough to reach the tops of my wellies

@WeSearchedHereWeSearchedThere haha yes wellies are a must with that coat and what is the shoulder cape for? Is to redirect run off???

@footprintsintheslow yes I’ve always assumed it helps to prevent water from sitting on the shoulders etc, but have no actual technical knowledge!

I’ve just had a £50 refund from our forest tots group. Wondering what to spend it on for maximum toddler entertainment value. Our tuff tray is basically part of the mud kitchen, so maybe I can splash out on a new clean one plus stand... Unless anyone has a better idea!

@WeSearchedHereWeSearchedThere.

What would I do with £50, hmm? How old is your LO again and how much space do you have?

• Magformers are good but expensive.
• Put towards a Toniebox.
• Small indoor climbing frame or tunnel. Or a folding Wendyhouse for indoor/outdoor - www.homebase.co.uk/keter-wonderfold-kids-foldable-playhouse-multi-colour_p468419
• Teepee
• Duplo

I'm sure others will be along with some more inspired suggestions!

Maybe a teepee? I'm considering getting one so DS1 doesn't rearrange the furniture to make dens and then get cross when I need my table/sofa back :)

I found some lego down DS2s vest yesterday which was scary. Somehow it had got off the table. I think I need a playpen or something.

Feeling a bit down today, think I just need a rest after half term/bit sad about lockdown. Have stuck Italian cartoons to watch with DS2.

@Camomila

Maybe a teepee? I'm considering getting one so DS1 doesn't rearrange the furniture to make dens and then get cross when I need my table/sofa back :)

I found some lego down DS2s vest yesterday which was scary. Somehow it had got off the table. I think I need a playpen or something.

Feeling a bit down today, think I just need a rest after half term/bit sad about lockdown. Have stuck Italian cartoons to watch with DS2.

Apparently, teepees are an example of cultural appropriation. You'd be better off with a tent.

The ikea play tent is a bargain and gets lots of use here, same with the pop-up tunnel.

Are you Italian @Camomila (your name certainly sounds it!) We live in Italy, also trying to raise DS bilingual. Anyway, look after yourself, we’re so focused on DC’s needs but need to take care of ourselves too.

Very worried this morning. There's been a Covid case at DS's nursery (thankfully not his "bubble" and child was away over half-term) so it's probably only a matter of time before he's sent home and we're self-isolating. Tbh, we've been lucky so far. I wouldn't mind (in fact, I'd be pulling him out myself), but I have 20 hours of online teaching/meetings to do over the next two weeks and god knows how I'm going to manage that with a bored toddler around .

Has anyone else been in this situation and have any tips?

Si I live in the UK though, DC are half Italian - half Filipino. I'm also trying to raise them bilingual but I grew up in England so find it hard to speak Italian to myself. Luckily we are living back in the same town as my parents so I can speak Italian to someone. Italian cartoons on youtube on the tv are also a big help!

@OhRosalind I've been looking at the boon pipes tooas my toddler isn't interested in squirty toys and we've already got boats for him. I've seen a foam making thing but concerned that it'll go mouldy quickly and difficult to clean. The boon pipes look like a good option.

@Toddlerboozerepeat try Sainsbury's for an all in one. I've got one for my two year old, it's water resistant and fleece lined. It's lovely! I think I only paid around £4 for it in the sale last year.

Yes yes to an IKEA tent. My son loves his circus tent. I put it on a ground sheet in the summer and glad I did as it's meant I have been able to bring it inside for the autumn and it's not mucky at all :)

@MessAllOver he’s 2y10m, firmly in throwing phase still... have plenty of room, but also have a lot of big things (including pikler triangle and slide) already. I had wondered about magformers. Tempted to just bring out the paw patrol marketplace bargain bundle I bought for Christmas!

@BigBigPumpkin DH (and therefore DS1 and DS2) is in fact Indian (he would never say Native American) so I feel morally justified in having our teepee

Actually we have lots of stuff already, it’s having the time and energy to organise it and set up new play opportunities which is the problem. Slightly tempted to spend it on an extra day at preschool next week in order to do said organising!

I've found the thread for me!

@MessAllOver I worked for three months from home with DS1 (and pregnant at the time) in lockdown. Frankly it’s not much fun! Try to minimise what you have to do with him around - prep early morning/late night so that you can give him some solid attention before having to do a slot of work. Plan activities if you can - I set up a tuff tray of rainbow rice, diggers etc (very Instagram) and brought it in before an afternoon of video meetings. Then turned my back and attempted to not notice the utter destruction of the living room on the basis it would all be hoovered up later! Also, food and Disney+.

A pop up play tunnel is really good for toddler energy burning.