6 months of shite weather

[SomeoneStolemySocks]

No toddler groups............can't go to the park because the ground is always soaking wet/play equipment waterlogged. Can't afford softplay every week. One of my sons is nearly 2 and I have no idea what I'm going to do with him until the sun shows it's face again next year.

I'm feeling low about the onset of autumn/winter. Trying to entertain a very active little boy at home for 6 months of cold/dark and horrible autumn rain.

Anyone else in the same boat? Ideas?

I realize with hindsight how lucky I was to be able to take my first son to a local toddler group on a Tues morning. It only cost £1 entry, & he loved playing with different toys. Those groups were great, such a shame Covid has finished them off (near me anyway)

@bookworm14

Hilarious how new people keep turning up thinking they are being terribly original by suggesting ‘jumping in puddles’ or ‘autumn walks’.

so much better to feel miserable and refuse to do anything about it.

Because rain in the UK is a huge shock and nothing anyone would have ever expected to deal with a young child in tow

@bookworm14

Hilarious how new people keep turning up thinking they are being terribly original by suggesting ‘jumping in puddles’ or ‘autumn walks’.

Better than being stuck indoors and miserable all winter because people refuse to go out in the rain.

Learn a letter - let that be the theme for part of the walk e.g. how many letters A's can you see on your walk (you can do this inside as well), anything from clouds, to buildings to making your own from leaves etc. Letters are just shapes to toddlers. Maybe if you can let him'her take photographs on your phone - I used to give disposable cameras to toddlers at functions e.g. weddings etc. the world from a toddlers viewpoint is unexpected and so joyous.

I love this time of year.

I just love putting my fluffy pyjamas on, putting the central heating on, shutting the curtains (and shutting the world out) getting out the snacky snacks and watch movies/play board games for the next 6 months, it's like hibernating.

I was exactly the same when my kids were younger, always hated playgroups and parks... what a load of old b*llocks.

Invest in warm clothes and wellies for the cold but dry days.

@vanillandhoney

Except we all love in different areas so this is not true. It's been drizzling most of the day here in Wales. What are people on this thread not understanding about the weather. There are parts of Wales and Scotland where it rains for 20+ days a month in the autumn and winter.

People are well aware of that. I live in Cumbria - the wettest part of the country. I work outside in all weathers - with good waterproofs and decent layers you won't get wet and cold.

Fair enough if you just don't want to be outside or would rather be doing indoor stuff, but I hate the insinuations on here that you can't possibly enjoy yourself outside in the rain, and that those who do enjoy it are just weird or must be lying about it.

Good waterproofs (jacket and trousers), wellies, and a peaked cap to keep the rain off your face. No, it doesn't look glamorous or stylish but it's practical and will keep you dry. Layer up underneath and you'll stay warm.

Yes, of course driving wind and stormy weather is grim but you don't need to go out everyday and weather like that rarely continues for more than a couple of days in a row.

Clearly they're not all aware because my response was to someone who said it was pleasant outside today, and it certainly hasn't been here. There are also varying levels of restrictions across the country which has an impact. We have been told to expect rolling lockdowns through winter in Wales, and we currently can't meet indoors or leave our county. In normal times, rain seems a bit bleak but in times of increasing isolation, rain can feel like the straw that breaks the camel's back.

I had two toddlers to entertain for four months whilst on furlough with a husband working 50-60 hour weeks. It wasn't great in warm weather but it's a particularly depressing prospect when outside is grey.

Summer in this country has never meant dry and sunny days anyway, and when we finally have a couple of gorgeous days, people moan it's too hot and they couldn't possibly take their child outside.

If people like being stuck indoors, why not, but it's a bit sad for the kids. It would genuinely drive me insane to be stuck in my house for days on end. I have the upmost sympathy for people of Spain and other countries who had a real lockdown. It must have been so hard. I have much less sympathy for British people moaning about the rain. (or the sun, we always moan against the weather anyway)

YANBU I emigrated to a warm sunny place for exactly the reasons you describe. I really can't handle damp cold weather.

There are far too many people on here saying go outside and jump in puddles - you can't do this for hours on end day in and day out. It might be about mindset, but seasonal affective disorder is a real thing. I feel like it's been raining for 11 million years already.

@SomeoneStolemySocks these websites might help with some ideas
www.bbc.co.uk/tiny-happy-people
hungrylittleminds.campaign.gov.uk/
www.booktrust.org.uk/books-and-reading/have-some-fun/hometime-for-your-child/
small-talk.org.uk/

There are lots of Facebook groups linked to tuff spot use, it might be worth looking into them as lots of ideas are shared.

If you Google early years foundation stage activities or similar you should get lots of ideas too.

Better than being stuck indoors and miserable all winter because people refuse to go out in the rain.

Who said anything about refusing to go out in the rain? It’s just that not many people, even toddlers, want to do nothing but jump in puddles every day for weeks on end. Last year it rained fairly solidly from October to March. If it’s similar this year it will inevitably make life tough for families with small children who might otherwise rely on libraries, soft play, toddler groups etc. Not to mention the loss of the usual autumn/winter activities around Halloween, bonfire night and Christmas.

It’s always the same story on here; anyone who dares to suggest lockdown is a bit shit - particularly for those with small children - is leapt on and accused of being miserable. A lot of people are finding life pretty tough right now, and they are allowed to express that on a public forum without being made to feel their reaction is abnormal.

Summer in this country has never meant dry and sunny days anyway, and when we finally have a couple of gorgeous days, people moan it's too hot and they couldn't possibly take their child outside.

I have never in my life heard anyone moan or say they couldn't take their child outside because it's too hot. What country are you in?
Folk in the Northern parts of the UK spend a fortune every year to get to the Med for a week or two in the sun. You know that big yellow ball thing that occasionally makes an appearance.

Reading this thread makes me SO glad the days of having young children are over! Mine are grown and on rainy days I do what the hell I like which usually involves huddled under a heated throw, reading a book and eating crisps. DS’s job is to keep my wine glass topped up (he’s 18).
I have sympathy for those with wee ones; been there, done it and hated every bloody minute of it.

Thank you Bookworm14.

It is shit for people with small children. Another cheap thing I did with DS1 was we'd visit friends, friends who I initially met at baby group, either we'd go to them on they'd come to us. Local lockdown has banned people visiting other people's houses.

It's just shit.

I live in the south and when it is 30 degrees I do not take my kids out its just horrible!

I always liked being indoors, playing, reading, etc, and being cosy. Of course I did go out in bad weather, if I needed something from shops for example, otherwise I'd stay in. Nobody minded, it was nice.

However I do take the point about SAD; I have a friend who has this and she becomes really depressed with no sun. It's easier to cope with that on your own but with children, it must be difficult and so important to not to let your mood infect them.

I'm going down the route of embracing being indoors and making my home and living room as nice as possible for me and my 2 year old. I've been getting really into montessori and laying out the room in that particular way with wooden toys and open shelves. I've also got a low toddler sized table and chairs which he's used loads for drawing and magnetic games etc. I get the wooden toys cheap off market place. I'm going to be adding in house plants and just getting really into the whole observing my child play and getting down on the carpet and playing with them. This is my third child and I have to admit I was a bit lazy about spending time playing with my others. I preferred to go out. But since finding out more about montessori ive learned the importance of having the right environment to encourage kids to play and I'm using this time while things are closed to just really embrace one on one time with my child. Thinking about it now the play groups we used to go to were actually really rammed and chaotic and although my son enjoyed them to a point he was just jumping from one thing to a next without much concentration. Whereas at home in the right environment I can provide unique things which will benefit him more and I can read books with him in quiet and just get to know him. I'm going to invite another toddler he knows around occasionally to play with but the main thing he needs is my attention and me slowing down to play with him.

I agree with @bookworm14

I think I mentioned in my earlier post that mostly I'm quite happy really, very grateful for my lot etc, feel positive and excited about DC2 due soon. But I do worry about my DC1, who clearly misses other children and the activities she used to do, and I do sometimes think it makes me a little crazy (the abstract feeling of not being "real" and almost like my DD is playing with a ghost or something and not a real mum, not because I'm not present and active in my interaction with her but because I feel a bit lost or something. It's a bit strange but I'm not that concerned as I recognise it and just guide my thoughts away from it when I feel like that)

We do also spend a lot of time outdoors and always did anyway. So for us in some ways it's not that bad, but I could easily understand how another mother could feel extremely isolated and worried about their Dc.

I appreciate PND is distinct because of the hormonal element etc but isn't isolation and everything that goes with having a newborn considered a factor? In many ways this is the same but instead of being able to talk about it openly women are just attacked for their mindset. I do think mindset absolutely plays a part so I don't personally think to myself "if only we could go to playgroups, especially when I have DC2 as a new baby and DC1 wants to play" except on these threads I suppose when it's a nice outlet. But for some women in a more difficult situation it might not be that easy to switch the mindset.

Equally, recognising there are bigger problems doesn't always diminish the smaller things, sometimes it magnifies them. Like on a previous thread where I once asked for advice, (wasn't complaining) someone told me I should just be grateful for my DC's health. The thing is she has a major procedure coming up and it's very worrying so believe me that I do value her health (and happiness) more than anything else, but being isolated and with little distraction brings it closer to home I suppose as I'd hoped to fill this year with fun things ahead of her admission and recovery (yes I know crafts and puddle jumping and biscuit making is fun but I had in mind other things in addition to that, primarily playgroups and play dates, plus seasonal activities)

I do understand as well though it's been shit all round so people are probably all out of sympathy really!

@Spinakker that's really interesting. I'm going to look into that. Thank you, I think it's a really valuable contribution

@Nonamesavail

I live in the south and when it is 30 degrees I do not take my kids out its just horrible!

It doesn't hit 30deg in Glasgow very often, taps aff is 20deg, the hottest day recorded ever is 32!

@Bikingbear

Summer in this country has never meant dry and sunny days anyway, and when we finally have a couple of gorgeous days, people moan it's too hot and they couldn't possibly take their child outside.

I have never in my life heard anyone moan or say they couldn't take their child outside because it's too hot. What country are you in?
Folk in the Northern parts of the UK spend a fortune every year to get to the Med for a week or two in the sun. You know that big yellow ball thing that occasionally makes an appearance.

just read some summer threads on here.. it definitively IS a thing in this country!

but for some people, 25 C qualifies as a heat wave

There is a play area near us under cover, at a big shopping centre, anything like that you could seek out? Also baby and toddler groups here are running. Get waterproofs and a gazebo if you have a garden. It is crap but some things like this might make it less crap.

seasonal affective disorder is a real thing.

It most certainly is, but you will only make it so much worst by being stuck indoors! Even the North of Scotland doesn't spend the entire autumn-winter in a full on storm.

I spent a LOT of time in garden centres with pet shops and aquariums when DS was that age! I'm like you OP, even with wet weather gear I see no joy in being out in tne rain constantly. The odd day is fine but not all the time. Also spent loads of time at the library and our free local museum. They are open here now, not so many activities but can still kill an hour.

@NeonNerds thank you. Most people have probably heard about Montessori before. I did a few years ago but I'd never really investigated it until now. But there's loads of YouTubers who make great videos of montessori layouts for play rooms or whatever space you have to make it more inviting for your child. It's also more appealing for an adult to play when the toys are more organised and set out nicely. There's alot more to it than just the layout as well, there's ways of including your child in what you're doing like helping in the kitchen or having low pegs so they can learn to hang up their coat, that type of thing. In this situation we find ourselves in now when we are at home alot more is a good time to teach kids things. For example using a knife to chop things, or to use scissors.

just read some summer threads on here.. it definitively IS a thing in this country!

but for some people, 25 C qualifies as a heat wave

I generally class the summer threads as Not Applicable to Scotland and move on. But I think 25+ should be a local holiday on health and Vit D grounds

I have a three-year-old and a almost one-year-old. Like the OP, I am not relishing the idea of six months in the cold. We live in the north east. I miss the soft-play, swimming, playdates in other people's homes, coffee with friends (not allowed here), playgroup (we had four a week in my town) etc.
We spend A LOT of time in the park, in the woods, by the river, on Hadrian's Wall, but really, all these Pollyanna-ish people going on about waterproofs and wellies... it's relentless and cold. There are only so many sticks I can feign interest in.
Having titchy kids is hard enough without pandemics and lock-downs. I am dreading the winter and the thought of going back to work (in the spare room) three days a week is what is giving me hope right now.
Maybe it's not so bad in other parts of the country.