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.

Where can I buy a plastic table cloth to throw on the floor under sand table please? I'm after a real life shop I can go to :)

@PinkDaydreams

Where can I buy a plastic table cloth to throw on the floor under sand table please? I'm after a real life shop I can go to :)

I bought mine from Dunelm mill but it’s a proper table cloth so is quite thick.

@Postmanbear.

This isn't our one but I think we bought ours from these people:

www.amazon.co.uk/Tufff-Spot-Plastic-Mixing-Adjustable/dp/B084Z61HGP/ref=sr_1_1?dchild=1&s=kids&keywords=tuff+tray+stand&tag=mumsnetforu03-21&qid=1603805780&sr=1-1

Ours is a black one like this:

www.onbuy.com/gb/black-mixing-tray-100x100cm-and-height-adjustable-stand~c9601~p22696154/?exta=gshp&stat=eyJpcCI6IjM5Ljk5IiwiZHAiOjAsImxpZCI6IjMwODQyMjgwIiwicyI6IjkzNiIsInQiOjE2MDIxNjI4MjMsImJtYyI6IjMuNSJ9&lid=30842280&gclid=Cj0KCQjwit_8BRCoARIsAIx3Rj7e_aUzVkxy1gBbzbCdFVU4fG-zxPTkIqTbfFiRsbcY9eLzWh4-RzUaAq7fEALw_wcB&gclsrc=aw.ds

You can get it in 70cm for smaller spaces:

www.amazon.co.uk/Childrens-Plastic-Sand-Water-Mixing/dp/B08K7LTJM1/ref=asc_df_B08K7LTJM1/?hvlocphy=9045909&linkCode=df0&hvptwo&psc=1&hvnetw=g&hvadid=472520843438&hvpone&hvlocint&hvpos&hvdev=c&hvdvcmdl&hvqmt&tag=mumsnetforu03-21&hvtargid=pla-1004009846114&hvrand=733293765328874642

I've seen thick vinyl ones in Poundland and Home Bargains before, but they seem to be advertised as BBQ table cloths, so may be out of season.

I did 15,000 steps yesterday, and DD did about the same minus carrying time, yet slept like crap last night - how?? DH is currently putting up her toddler bed and we're trying her in it tonight. Wish me luck. I feel that she'll be a happier girl if we can get her sleep sorted.

Another good addition to the wide necked flask is Knorr powdered soup. There was a massive thread on the general delights of this stuff a few months ago, but basically the catering packs (serves 40) are about £6 off you guessed which website, and I HATE cuppa soup, but this stuff is actually very nice. I have the chicken flavour and it makes really good soup for winter picnics. We have it with those long thin herby crackers you can get and it's obviously really easy to make up. Going for a stomp around local WWT place tomorrow and will bring some then. I'll be thinking of you all as DD goes face first in a puddle in pursuit of a duck.

Is everyone just layering up under summer puddlesuits or have you moved on to fleece lined? We have a Regatta basic unlined one, and the Lidl fleece lined salopettes which she wears with a Mountain Warehouse coat, but it's still a bit warm for that when she's running around.

No walks so far today. I am absolutely shattered. We did Gelli Baff this morning though, and eldest DD dug out some teddy bear dress up puzzle thing which was a hit with little DD, and now it's Duggee and listening to DH crash away upstairs

Can I just say that you lot with the toddlers who are also pregnant/with newborn, are absolutely made of steel, and I hope Gérard Butler brings you bacon butties and a hot beverage of your choice next mother's day, but I also hope he forgets to put a shirt on that morning.

@PinkDaydreams I’ve got a big plastic table cloth from Asda. Was about £6. Wipe clean for the win!

So far today we’ve played duplo trains, duplo playground, Thomas trains, doctors, we’ve made biscuits (from a packet mix and squirty writing icing), played musical statutes, ran laps around the house. I’m not in the mood for crafty shit today.
I’m too pregnant to be dragging my arse out for a walk so DP will take DS to the park this evening while I make tea, they’ll take torches, no doubt it will be very exciting for the 3 year old.
I’ve come for a nap now, which I’m obviously not doing, DP is ‘working’ and DS is having some telly time.
I’ve booked myself in to have my nails done tomorrow, thought if I tempted fate by doing it this bloody baby would decide to come out, but no, still chuffing pregnant.

@ReallySpicyCurry I’ve never bothered with fleece lined, I just stick him in his trackies and then waterproof trousers on top, might put him a vest on if it’s cold cold. His winter coat is in two layers, ones a puffa jacket and then it zips into a plastic fisherman’s coat do it’s super warm. Plus he doesn’t ever stop moving so he keeps himself warm!

I did Gellibaff once. DS turned blue. Had to explain why he was like a chuffing smurf the next day when I took him to nursery

@ReallySpicyCurry hahah thank you! I'm a bit of a fraud at the moment as I have DH home still. Literally no idea how I will survive next week - biggest concern is getting DD to sleep as she needs rocking and swaddling and I dont know how to fit that in with looking after DS!! She is currently asleep on me and we really need to take DS for a walk. People just seem to be much better at the logistics of parenting than I am.

Re the clothes layering - we are doing thin clothes under the winter gear (we were given a Polarn O Pyret pair of salopettes which are v warm) so we tend to do vest, top and leggings. We also bought some welly socks from Jo Jo which are excellent, very thick and warm.

Packet mix bakes are good . I like the ones where you only have to add an egg and water... Very easy for DS to "help" and stir without faffing about measuring things.

[quote MessAllOver]@Postmanbear.

This isn't our one but I think we bought ours from these people:

]]

Ours is a black one like this:

www.onbuy.com/gb/black-mixing-tray-100x100cm-and-height-adjustable-stand~c9601~p22696154/?exta=gshp&stat=eyJpcCI6IjM5Ljk5IiwiZHAiOjAsImxpZCI6IjMwODQyMjgwIiwicyI6IjkzNiIsInQiOjE2MDIxNjI4MjMsImJtYyI6IjMuNSJ9&lid=30842280&gclid=Cj0KCQjwit_8BRCoARIsAIx3Rj7e_aUzVkxy1gBbzbCdFVU4fG-zxPTkIqTbfFiRsbcY9eLzWh4-RzUaAq7fEALw_wcB&gclsrc=aw.ds

You can get it in 70cm for smaller spaces:

]][/quote]
Thank you, ordered a red one!

Come on mini monkey puzzle!!!

A colleague once said that nature is genius. U end up.looking forward to labour and sleepless nights because late pregnancy is so damn uncomfortable.

DD arrived on her due date, I spent the first 2 hours of labour as I have the rest of lockdown... in the park

Some great ideas but I think DD 16MO might be a bit too young for most! I’ve ordered a puddle suit and wellies tho. What age is kinetic sand suitable for? Says 3+ online but she really enjoyed the sandpit at playgroup! Might have to invest in a tuff tray and stand but it’s the space thats putting me off!

Ohhh yes!! Love this thread already. Haven't read the whole thing but I have a 2 year old an 3 year old and one thing that's rainy day gold in this house is the "box of shit".

Plastic tub, full of any old bits of shit. Sounds incredibly basic you say?? Ahh yes, that's because it is. Packaging before going in the recycling, random bits of shit from craft shops, utensils, weird bowls, parts left over from games etc. Dh and I always top up the box of shit, we have several on the go and rotate them.

Obviously we have fuck tons of actual toys and rotate all of that often too. But the wooden grapat that I spent a small fortune on isn't half as exciting as making a dolls house from rubbish apparently.

I promise I'm not taking commission for tuff trays (!) but you can hang them up if you get sick of them. We don't have a garage and our garden shed is clogged so I drilled a heavy duty masonry screw into our garden wall outside and it lives there when I want my kitchen back.

Also, a good idea for those with small babies/babies on the way is the mirror insert. Just add a few balls or bricks. My friend has one and it keeps her youngest (just sitting) happy for ages. Definitely going to get when we get round to DC2 here!

@MessAllOver I’ve seen people use their tuff trays on their outside walls with water pistols for target practice games as well, squirting off pavement chalk.

@MonkeyPuddle. . We haven't tried that.... Think we missed a trick in the summer!

@PinkDaydreams

Where can I buy a plastic table cloth to throw on the floor under sand table please? I'm after a real life shop I can go to :)

You can use an old shower curtain

For those who’s toddlers won’t wear wellies mine wouldn’t either until I bought some demar ones. They are super light weight and my boys love them. A bit more expensive but have been a lifesaver. I found them originally at a garden centre but they do them on Amazon.
www.amazon.co.uk/Girls-Wellington-Boots-Wellies-Liners/dp/B013RFFQNU/ref=mp_s_a_1_2_sspa?dchild=1&psc=1&keywords=demar+wellies&spLa=ZW5jcnlwdGVkUXVhbGlmaWVyPUEyTE5aOTZTM001RE4zJmVuY3J5cHRlZElkPUEwNDYwNjg0MlpGS1JDQUpBN0lKOCZlbmNyeXB0ZWRBZElkPUEwMTg5ODkxMTQyRjQ3WUtTWFdLSCZ3aWRnZXROYW1lPXNwX3Bob25lX3NlYXJjaF9hdGYmYWN0aW9uPWNsaWNrUmVkaXJlY3QmZG9Ob3RMb2dDbGljaz10cnVl&tag=mumsnetforu03-21&qid=1603811760&sr=8-2-spons

@ReallySpicyCurry thanks for that I'm hoping Gerard Butler turns up too to put the hoover round and clean my bathroom

@MessAllOver I'm a teacher with tuff trays in my class plus three trays (1 bought and 2 taken from a skip) and I still didn't know you could hang them up!

We've cleaned our tuff tray today in anticipation of doing something exciting with it. We've also gathered a huge bag of leaves.....

Oh gosh I feel so embarrassed- but what is a tuff tray? Nursery sometimes talk about it but I haven’t the foggiest. Can someone enlighten me? And should I get one?

It's a builder's mixing tray, I think - thick rubber/plastic. Its usefulness in the present context lies in the large rim around it. This keeps the mess on the tray and off the floor (well, mostly) so small children can do messy play activities without the aftermath making you feel like you want to kill yourself. Here's ours at the moment...

Hanging a tuff tray up - genius! I’ll be doing that this weekend.

I bought a Frugi all in one for DS. He seems to really feel the cold this year (don’t recall this being a problem last year) so he’s in it already - padded and fleece lined. Also been letting him just take mine or DH’s bobble hat, super warm for him as they go right down over his ears!

Five minute mum has this ‘golden rule’ for activities which is never get excited! Just put stuff out and let them find it, or play with it yourself. The moment you try to excitedly present an activity it’ll fail...

Can anyone recommend a small, ideally wooden, dolls house?

DS has been playing with my old fisher price dolls house (it’s 26 years old!!) at my parents’ house and LOVES it. Hilariously he has no idea what the ironing board is for and told nana it was ‘for exercise’. I’d like one for home but would prefer to have something a bit more compact and less ‘plasticky’. Lots of friends are into peg dolls but I think he’s a bit beyond that now really, he likes to be able to move and position things.

The Legler one is quite nice and small. I've secretly been coveting the Petite Amelie one which is very beautiful but DH, who is normally very open-minded about these things, says it's too "girly" (and too big and expensive).