To wonder what on Earth I’m going to do with two small DC indoors all day during Storm Ciara?

[Rainallnight]

DC are 1.5 and 3.5. We never stay in all day. I’m dreading it.

Doesn't mean that people have to be twats though does it.

I'm sorry you're going through all of that op.

I apologise for being a sanctimonious twat.

I was coming at this from being a teacher and seeing a definite difference between those kids who can entertain themselves in quiet moments, or rainy playtimes, and those constantly asking 'what are we doing now' or 'what's next'.

Given what you are coping with, your inability to cope today is perfectly understandable. Personally, I'd wrap up and go out anyway, anywhere where you don't need public transport or a long drive.

Also YouTube videos for exercise for toddlers and kids aerobics might be good too.

Really sorry about your situation

@saraclara well there's a life lesson for you - you never know who might need gentle treatment so try to be a bit more gentle and a lot less judgy and critical in the future.

Sorry that was at ihopeyourcakeisshit, there have been some replies since

Long bath in the middle of the day. Ooh do something messy first like finger painting.

Mine were a PITA at that age if there were indoors all day. Also you kill a lot of time with the whole getting ready thing.

Is it definitely too bad to have a run around in?

Mine are 1 and 3 and we probably spend 3 out of 7 days inside because going outside with them causes me anxiety ironically as they both run in opposite directions.

I used to replicate a baby/toddler group using our Amazon Echo to burn off some energy. So we'd play a nursery rhymes playlist and dance around a bit. I also rearrange our furniture a bit and play mini football or tag with them. I mostly let them get on with their own thing though. They have a doll's house and mini kitchen, and play doh is always a big hit. I Google play doh ideas and get them to copy them.

Oh just ignore the judgy-pants-more-perfect-than-the-perfectest-parents posters, OP: they congregate in AIBU.

so sorry for your situation...

We would do a balloon disco at that age. Blow up 5/6 balloons and put on the music. It is amazing how much fun can be had - and half an hour of dancing is as good as a walk to the park for tiring them (and you!) out.

Thank you for this thread OP and sorry about your Mum.

It's just me and 2.5 yo DS as DH is abroad with work. He and I both do better going outside everyday, but I've got some good ideas from here of what we can do apart from our trip to the supermarket as we are out of milk.

Hats off to all the far superior parents to me who can entertain an energetic toddler in their house all day, you wouldn't think this is a parenting site where parents can ask for advice!

we used to tidy up the toys/toy cupboard, which would absolutely spark their interest.
do cooking
painting

A good sort out of toys and books is often a nice distraction. Often seeing toys that they haven’t played with for a while, even ones that they might think are ‘too babyish’, can keep little ones amused for ages.

Good luck!

rippleeffects the idea of a toy party is genius.
My kids are fine being in and entertaining themselves but love this idea. They are currently painting posters for the living room and will be doing invitations shortly. The toys (all of them!) have been carefully chosen.
We're planning recipes for an afternoon tea and the games to play (looking like balloon tennis and musical chairs right now)

Op I'd go for the party idea if you have the energy for it as it will cheer you all up.
I'm really sorry about what you're all going through right now

When mine were little it was normal to spend most of the day at home, , they used their imaginations and they played, they didnt need me to decide what they wanted to do. Do children really need to be told how to play ?
Radical idea but stop micro managing them and let them just "be"

I also used to hate a whole day indoors,
look after yourself op.

@Rainallnight have a look at five minute mum on Instagram. She has loads of quick ideas for kids your age that will keep them entertained today.

If you can't get out and your small people need to run off some steam, setting up a simple obstacle course has worked for us, just using cushions and blankets, jump over a cushion, balance over a rolled up blanket etc. The youngest tries to join in too, so keeps them occupied for half an hour, and tires them out too!!
Also, a basin of soapy water, get them to wash skirting boards and kitchen cupboards.

I hope you can get out for a tiny bit op. have a blow

I'm planning:

Swimming
Treat McDonald's
Home to chill for an hour
Supermarket
Making cards for his friends birthday
Intensive play doh
Bath
Bed

But I love the idea of it being a teddy's birthday, I'm storing that one for future.

@lowlandLucky how about you (1) read the thread (2) try to imagine a world where other people's children have different personalites and needs? Or perhaps I'll have a go at you for not interacting with you kids and failing to give them the outside time, fresh air and exercise they need? Yeah not so nice to be judged by someone who knows sod all about your life is it.

well there's a life lesson for you - you never know who might need gentle treatment so try to be a bit more gentle and a lot less judgy and critical in the future

And perhaps a life lesson for anyone who is going through a tough time and needs people to be aware that they should treat them gently - stay away from AIBU?

I don't think mine have stayed in all day once in their little lives! We have a dog though so couldn't if we wanted to. We'll be off out for a very windy walk later! Mine play together pretty well now they're 18m and 3 so I can get on with chores etc.

OP, I’m sorry you’re having such a difficult time at the moment.
I raised my DC 30 years ago in rural Scotland, and in bad winters we were trapped indoors for three days or more, sometimes without electricity, and the roads closed by blizzards. DH died when they were babies, so I was on my own, and yes, it is hard work.
I managed by planning each day (a bit like a teacher with a lesson plan).
We would have storytime on the sofa, sing nursery rhymes, watch a children’s video (if the power was on), do some painting or craft stuff, make cakes (fortunately I had a gas cooker, so always an option!), play simple board games like baby lotto, do some fun exercise like jumping on and off sofas, skipping etc. I also gave them time together with their toys - they were fond of trains, Lego/Duplo, plastic dinosaurs and teddies/stuffed toy animals.
We also did some housework and chores with them “helping”.
If you switch activities at regular intervals it stops them getting bored.
I was fortunate in that both DDs could read fluently by age 3, so could also easily amuse themselves with books.
On power cut days, we did more running about indoors to keep warm (difficult when it’s minus 18C outside with a wind chill factor taking it down to minus 25!) and I always gave them a long hot bath as soon as the power was restored.
Try and keep positive- see it as a chance to enjoy activities that you don’t often do, and a challenge to overcome. It’s only one day, not a lifetime - you can do it. Good luck.

Have any of you used gonoodle or BBC supermovers? Both great for burning of energy. They have little dances, if you have a smart TV they're great fun.

I've just boiled a big saucepan of eggs. My kids can decorate them with markers, then if the electricity goes we'll eat them Win win.