To think that one hour entry slots are not parent friendly?

[TotorosFurryBehind]

Feeling sad after reading our favourite place to visit as a family has just gone back to timed entry slots of one hour, due to escalating Covid risk.

I understand the rationale, but with a toddler with variable naps this turns a relaxing family walk into a logistical operation that will stress us both out.

We've hardly used our National Trust membership in the past months due to timed entry and now our other place to visit has gone the same way ☹️

It's a bit tedious having to book everywhere but it shouldn't be that much of an inconvenience. Can't you book a slot that will be at a time nowhere near nap time? You do have a whole hour to arrive so there is quite a lot of flexibility in it.

YABU. It may help you to be more organised.

Surely it’s better than going somewhere & being turned away because it’s too busy?

1h is enough really isn't it though? Book the earliest slot. If your child is sleeping when you arrive, transfer them to the buggy. Then you have all day so it doesn't matter if they have a lengthy buggy nap or not.

How do you ever do anything?

Just be grateful it's still open

If arrival times at a National Trust Property are the thing that’s stressing you out, I’d say you were doing better than 95% of the population.

I'd rather have a timed slot than have to queue for ages. That would be worse with a toddler. Just go at a time they are not normally napping.

It's a one-hour window in which to arrive, not a one-hour window in which to have the whole trip. I mean, for lots of things (eg doctor's appointments, school hours, etc) there's about a five minute window in which to arrive, and most people make it, so a one-hour window is tons.

DS's naps weren't regular in the toddler years. Add in a tag teaming baby. Then the battle to get clothes on to DS1.
Getting out of the house was an unpredictable battlefield.

It turns out many years later that DS has SNs so we were actually unknowingly dealing with issues like sensory overwhelm, difficulties with communicatin and knowing what to expect.

Having to be everywhere at a pre-booked narrow band of time would have been hell. It's still not always easy if we're having one of those days when the world is too much to deal with

I miss spontenaity. Too much organising in advance is stiffling.

I know it's annoying, and I remember all too well the days planned around naps. However you need to get over yourself a bit. My one hour time slot is the time to which I am limited to seeing my DM (has mid-stage Alzheimer's) each week, socially distanced and me wearing a mask.

Yes am with you OP it's depressing. It's pretty much impossible with three kids that don't get out the door. So we don't go anywhere. I can't even find my NT cards, not been since January. All you'll hear on here is how you should count your blessings.

We had a timed arrival for a zoo recently.Was much smoother getting in that in the usual way.I just picked a time that suited us

Well it’s either timed entry slots or they have to close so no one can go isn’t it? If it doesn’t work for your family then you can choose not to go.

But if you can’t manage a one hour slot, how do you cope with things like doctors appointments, school start time etc?

So always aim to arrive on time and if they fall asleep on the way you have an hour to wake them or transfer them to the pushchair or carrier...?

It's super annoying having to book everywhere but an hour to arrive is loads!

How do you manage with school/nursery, Doctors, Dentist, Hairdresser, Work/Interviews, Restaurant bookings etc etc? All of the above give you an exact time to arrive.... Not an hour!

I prefer to be spontaneous but actually find that the day goes better when it’s more planned. I would think oh we’ll go after lunch, but then lunch is late so we don’t get there until mid afternoon and then there isn’t really enough time before the place is closing. Now I’m forced to be somewhere at the most suitable time for me it’s an improvement!

@ArcheryAnnie

It's a one-hour window in which to arrive, not a one-hour window in which to have the whole trip. I mean, for lots of things (eg doctor's appointments, school hours, etc) there's about a five minute window in which to arrive, and most people make it, so a one-hour window is tons.

Not true in the museum where I work.

It's a one hour window in which to arrive, tour the museum and then leave.

Having said that, visitors can use the cafe before they leave but all the tables have been removed and it's takeaway service only.

Don't be so precious. Yours, fellow toddler mother.

I agree to a point - ie if I don't plan in advance everything is booked up. My toddler's afternoon nap is variable so we plan to do things in the morning so it's possible to do things and get the nap in

Can you book at the last minute? I've booked places while on the way to them, if there's lots of availability.

I'd vote for the booking of slots to become the norm, they. make life so much easier! You are guaranteed entrance instead of rushing to be there at the start.

Naps are only unpredictable to a point, surely you have enough time around to book a safe slot (or your toddler can nap in the car)

I wouldn’t book the earliest realistic slot but rather the next one. So if you are earlier you could visit toilet/shop/ etc but if you are late you are not too far from your slot.
We were late for our visit to English Heritage property in August. It was our first visit and we lost our way genuinely. It was 2-3 pm slot so not very busy, they were absolutely fine about it. We also were late to our local attraction once because DH’s got unplanned zoom call, again no one said anything but it was 2-2.30 pm slot so less busy.

We'll, thanks for the advice those who have told me to be more organised. I'll just have a talk with 16 month old DD about her tendency to take a massive smushy shit requiring a bath and clothes change.

People saying how do I get her to School... maybe look up toddler in the dictionary

And heaven forbid that I should enjoy any leisure activity in a leisurely manner 🤨

YABU. Timed slots are great. Cuts down on crowds. I hate crowds. I don’t care too much for people really. Social distancing is great!