Trapped toddler parents of the fabled Winter 2020/2021. Puddle suits at the ready..hello Christmas!

[footprintsintheslow]

New thread as the other one is running out.

A place to find find and share ideas of how to get through these crazy times with lockdowns and babies and toddlers.

New members welcome.

@MonkeyPuddle sooo cute and snuggly!

@MonkeyPuddle she is a beautiful, dotey wee thing and I bet you just want to eat her. Gorgeous. I do so love a newborn.

Good days here too. Not a breath of wind, very cold, but dry, glorious sunshine. We've managed to get out for hours and hours without a bother on us. It makes me realise what a friend of mine from Scandi land means- she says N.I is actually more difficult to be outside during winter, because even though it's minus 40 or whatever in Scandi land, it is sunny and dry,whereas here the rain just seeps in and you're fighting through mud puddles, rather than skimming across the snow like Queen Elsa (I added that bit)

@MonkeyPuddle oh she’s the sweetest wee squidge! Beautiful baby.
Our excitement for today was that DS, now just over 6 months, has cut his very first tooth! He’s such a chubber and is too big for the Snuzpod now so next steps involve 1.changing the toddler bed back into a cot, 2. Convincing DD to let him sleep in what used to be her bed, 3.getting him to sleep in the cot bed instead of beside me permanently attached to my boob. He is very cute but if I don’t get to stretch/move in bed again soon I’m going to be a hunchback

@MonkeyPuddle adorable baby!

@LassoOfTruth exciting on the new tooth! I remember those mixed feelings around moving the baby out of the Snuzpod / my bed into their own bed (and room in our case). I missed the baby but loved the space in bed! My 14 month old still comes into bed for feeds in the morning so I still get to enjoy that.

Heavy rain here, not sure what today will consist of, apart from a nap for me. Partner is having the lie in today and then we'll swap so I can nap.

@MonkeyPuddle. She is just lovely!

We've been having a couple of quiet days going for walks and playing with new toys. We did a colour mixing and pouring activity this morning which DS loved...you do need a little tolerance for mess though (wouldn't do it on a carpeted floor).

@LassoOfTruth I remember the 1st tooth, exciting.

DS is currently napping on me, he hasn't done this in months so I'm enjoy the the snuggles as he is so active at the moment.

@MessAllOver feet painting is DS favourite thing at the moment, he loves to make a mess. We also do dry messy play which he will interact with for around 30 minutes.

Our (Brighton) primary is closed until at least the 18th - wish us luck!

(we're really lucky, DM is going to come here every day and look after both DC, it might be a bit noisy and crowded in the flat but at least every one will be safe, fed, and she says she is going to try and get some homeschooling done with DS1)

Our preschool has closed to, only one in the county by the looks of it. I'm a little bit worried as DS has newly been assessed as having sensory processing issues, they're meant to be putting things in place for him to transition into school so he really needs as much time as possible there. I do see their point of view though.

Nursery is still open here... it's all outdoors atm so I'm still going to send DS on Tuesday. Not sure how long EY providers will stay open, though .

We're teir 4 in scotland my ds is going to nursey as we are both frontline staff. A bit nervous about it. Also nursey said that there is only 5 kids going. But needs must as I have no one to loom after my son and we both are needed at work . So stressful and uncertain times

@Motherofmonsters. It's so difficult to know what to do, isn't it? I know people say little ones don't need nursery before school, but it can be so helpful in preparing them if otherwise they'd struggle in that environment. And being at home with parents during normal times with playgroups/activities etc. is very different to being at home in a pandemic with limited interactions and new experiences.

@jobbyjg hope it doesn't feel too stressful today - hopefully if only 5 kids are going that makes it safer for yours to be there? More like a playdate than going into a school?
Rain forecast all day here today -planning to get out some new bath toys for DD for an afternoon bath. Got our new tuff tray out but so far we have just done jigsaws on it so maybe some painting or rice on that first!

It's my first day back to work (from DS1s bedroom!) after maternity leave today. DC and husband (took annual leave) are both at DMs for the day and I have had peace and quiet and a lunch break. DS2 hasn't missed me yet but ignored his healthy lunch and only ate puffs and orange wedges - the afternoon will be tricky I think!

5 children sounds the perfect number for nursery - enough to be fun for them but not that high risk wise
Quite a lot of DS1s class are going back as key worker children...I feel a bit bad for DS but know its the right thing to do to reduce numbers/keep DC home if we can.

@Camomila. Hope work is going well! I'm back at work but nursery shut today for inset. Have worked 5-7.30am until DS woke up, then 9-10 while he watched TV, then we went to the playground until lunchtime and now working again while he naps (hopefully have another hour). When he wakes up, I'm going to crack out the kinetic sand his aunt got him for Christmas (thanks all for your recommendations here ) and hopefully get another (interrupted) hour or so done before dinner, bath and bed at 7.30pm. Then start again at 8 and hopefully finish by 11pm. Then get round to everything not done today tomorrow when DS is at nursery.

I understand that nurseries may have to shut but, if they do, it's going to be a tricky few months.

Hi ds got in really well although was utterly confused as usually around 40 kids there. My friend is also a nurse so her little boy was there so all good.
Nicola sturgeon announced schools to remain closed till at leat 1st feb here but key-workers and vulnerable jkids can still go.
I alway have a 14 year old son . He's happy to work fro home and he's a sensible lad. It would of been a logistical nightmare as we live rurally and his school bus is t in as normal. Nursery and his high school are in different towns

Sorry for typos ds has disappeared with my glasses! Need to get a spare pair or contacts I think

Braced for tonight’s announcement... if preschool will be closed (I’m betting it will) I’ll be going back through this thread with my notebook and making a desperate plan of activities!

My little one is due to start nursery in a couple of weeks, somehow I doubt this will be happening :( let's see what tonight's announcement brings

Just praying they stay open... not going to be able to do my job if they shut . But not hopeful...

Good news for nurseries staying open.

Phew!

for all those staring down the barrel of homeschooling and/or wfh.... Again!

I hope they don't shut the parks this time. Not sure what's going to happen here in NI, we've known for a while that years 8-11 would be off until the end of January, but primary schools and secondary exam classes would be going in. DD1 has been upstairs polishing her laptop in preparation

We made strawberry playdough today, and used the Twink laminated playdough boards, which DD2 LOVED. They seemed to hold her attention so much longer than cutters.

@footprintsintheslow has been quiet - is baby imminent? Anyone else ready to go with lockdown 2 babies?

Playgrounds are staying open, woohoo!!

Back to work today! Thankfully childcare is exempt from no visitors rule so DD is still going on next door to MIL.

@MessAllOver yes, thanks - apart from the first hour when I couldn't figure out how to install the virtual desk top and panicked it was really nice. Tomorrow everyone is here so I think it will be awful DS1 is going to think of every excuse to come in the room and wave into zoom I'm certain!

Good luck everyone, hopefully this is the last push

A special good luck for @footprintsintheslow. So many thread new babies!