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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

6 months of shite weather

310 replies

SomeoneStolemySocks · 04/10/2020 17:03

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)

OP posts:
CrappleUmble · 04/10/2020 18:53

@nosswith

This weekend's almost continuous rain is unusual. Even I expect in Manchester.

Invest in wellies I agree. Autumn leaves, conkers and other things in nature are something to introduce to your son, OP.

It was quite sunny in Manchester today, as it happens! We spent a couple of hours sitting/playing out in the garden.

And OP, my sympathies. Will the group be on every week? If so, there's your activity for 20% of the time sorted already. But like a pp, if I had a toddler and limited income in the current situation, I simply wouldn't be willing to give up seeing friends in our homes.

HollywoodHandshake · 04/10/2020 18:53

At least the miserable weather will shut up the kill joys who are forever moaning as soon as we have a bit of sun, and pretend to be "dying of heat" when the temperature goes over 16C..

It IS very shit, but you can still go outside, go for walks and exploring instead of being stuck in a playground. it won't be raining continuously for 6 months anyway.

Supermarkets, garden centres, pretty sure museum are reopened. There's loads to do, you just need to look at it in a positive way.

Abraid2 · 04/10/2020 18:54

Spare waterproofs from ebay so there’s always something to put on would be my top tip. Not all waterproofs dry quickly. Spare wellies too as putting on wet boots is horrible.

CrappleUmble · 04/10/2020 18:55

At least the miserable weather will shut up the kill joys who are forever moaning as soon as we have a bit of sun, and pretend to be "dying of heat" when the temperature goes over 16C..

Ya think? I myself am perfectly capable of whining about both.

olderthanyouthink · 04/10/2020 18:56

@weepingwillow22 when DD was the same age she could walk but not really in all her gear. I took her to a nature play/forest school type thing in a carrier and then set her down when we reached camp in the woods I live near. That was nice but only because it was a group thing (like 10 adults and their kids), couldn't say out ther for hours just me and DD

dementedma · 04/10/2020 18:59

Poor OP you have my sympathies. Rainy walks with a miserable child are shit, no matter what the bracing, puddle jumping, pooh sticks brigade say. Waterproofs or not, trying to summon the motivation to drag a reluctant child out into the rain when you are feeling low is a huge challenge.

YellowHighlighterPen · 04/10/2020 18:59

Sorry that it's all looking bleak for you OP. I don't know what your situation is regarding meeting other parents etc so I'm assuming you're on your own with 1 DC (ime the hardest option).
You can't change the weather/covid situation but you can help yourself to build some resilience to cope with it. The indoor things I found best were:

having a picnic on the sitting room floor (and pretending we were somewhere else in the world using a picnic blanket and toys/music/sound effects)

Making an obstacle race around the sitting room and hallway.

Body painting in the kitchen (easiest floor to clean.

Cuddling up in bed with milk and biscuits reading story after story.

Brio, duplo etc challenges.

Hide and seek. Treasure hunt.

Dens

Collage (mine weren't keen draw ers)

Junk modeling.

Marble runs.

I know not all of these are good for very little ones but it might help you to feel less shit if you plan a 2-week activity rota. Sometimes it's hard to think of something on the spur of the moment when there's a howling toddler around.

NoIDontWatchLoveIsland · 04/10/2020 19:00

Driving rain - nope.

Yes but you just dont get constant driving rain for months. You might get one day in a week when you really can't go out at all, but most days it's just overcast, or a bit drizzly. It really is rare that there isnt a half hour break in the rain where you can get out for walk.

jessstan1 · 04/10/2020 19:00

@Macncheeseballs

I love autumn winter with kids, on my own or not
So do I. I can almost see the op's long face and it's so ridiculous because we have plenty of fine weather and we know we have seasons in this country. If you want sun and heat all year round, go and live in a mediterranean country. I love the changing seasons and it is cosy indoors when it is dark, wet and windy outside. There's plenty of fun to be had inside too.

Honestly, a few days rain and there are moans already.

IrishMamaMia · 04/10/2020 19:00

I think having a 2 year old can be really challenging, I found it really hard pre - pandemic. It's hands on and the tantrums are difficult. My child would have a tantrum getting his shoes on, then sometimes over sharing and then another one leaving soft play. As others have said embrace easy low cost activities where possible.
There are some great Instagram accounts with tips and ideas for entertaining small children around the house. I am just trying to make the best of a slower pace of life and find fun where I can.

YellowHighlighterPen · 04/10/2020 19:02

oh and when I was really desperate and the kids were a bit older there was the bobsleigh run down the stairs on the cot mattress but I can't recommend that for H&S reasons🤣

ohnothisagain · 04/10/2020 19:05

@weepingwillow22 waterproof footed dungarees, raincoat, waterproof mittens, and then you do whatever you usually do. Find a relatively clean puddle, or a flooded bit of grass, and some bark, small stones, sticks etc, and get playing!
For older kids, slides are great fun in the rain (super speedy with waterproofs, you can race sticks etc down ), same for sandpit (make canals)

MillieEpple · 04/10/2020 19:05

People seem very grumpy on this thread! Perhaps they spent too long in the rain. It is going to be a tough winter as, although going for a walk in the rain/cold is fun, its less so if thats all thats on offer with no friends. My children both got a huge amount out of a once a week toddler group and we all used to meet in each other houses too. I am glad my children are past this stage during covid. I dont know what your local regs are OP but can you set up a rota of friends houses or are household visits banned .

jessstan1 · 04/10/2020 19:07

tammy909

You’ve got to be joking?

We’ve had heatwave after heatwave since March. It’s been horrifically unpleasant. Far too hot and far too humid. Thank god for the rain and the cooler temperatures. After the awful summer, long may it last!
.......
Yes it was very hot most of the time. It was nice out though. If we hadn't been in lockdown people would have been going to different places enjoying the weather as they did last year. I remember we had a week's rain last year in August and people moaned. Honestly, they don't know they are born. We've been very fortunate with the weather in recent times and should be used to the nights drawing in, more cold and some rain in autumn and winter. Then it's time for indoor activities.

Complaining about the weather is extremely negative and brings everyone else down. There is something positive about every season and so far, we have little to moan about.

Hokeywokey · 04/10/2020 19:08

OP, my advice is not to go out in the pouring rain but to try and find things in the warm and dry to entertain your two year old. Some TV time won't hurt her.

A big favourite of mine at that age was playdough. It's easy to make your own or it's usually very cheap in wilkos or b and m.

Livpool · 04/10/2020 19:08

I hate this time of year for this reason. It rained all day and night yesterday- that is not an enjoyable walk

vanillandhoney · 04/10/2020 19:15

@weepingwillow22

I want to know what you do with a pre walker in the rain. My 11 month old is crawling and cruising and does not like buggy walks but is not quite ready for wellies and puddle jumping.
An all-in-one puddle suit and wellies and let them crawl or toddle about somewhere safe.
GameSetMatch · 04/10/2020 19:18

Swimming? My youngest goes to a lovely swimming lesson group, I get in the water with him. It’s £35 a month buts he’s lovely and tired after it.

Park with puddle suit on

Weekly trip to Smyths to look at the toys (usually passes an hour)

You’ll just have to take him to garden centres to look at all the Christmas tat and lights, it’s my children’s best thing to do.

ErrolTheDragon · 04/10/2020 19:23

Weekly trip to Smyths to look at the toys (usually passes an hour)

I used to take DD to Pets at Home - ostensibly to buy something for the dog, but quite a bit of time looking at the fish etc.

jessstan1 · 04/10/2020 19:26

@Livpool

I hate this time of year for this reason. It rained all day and night yesterday- that is not an enjoyable walk
Don't go out for a walk then, do things indoors.
spotlovesbedtime · 04/10/2020 19:27

Are libraries open near you? Make a trip once a week for new books to read. It's free and great for your child. ....and dry! Take each day as it comes, some will be long and hard others will be fun! It won't rain every day! Do you have a car.....sit in it one day and play pretend driving games or clean the inside of it with toddler helping! If stuck in house try and find something different to do in each room.....toys in sitting room, bouncing on bed in bedroom, a daytime bath with different toys or buy coloured bath foam/fizz stuff, water play where you can stay dry reading on the loo! Making cookies in kitchen, etc....

Bluewavescrashing · 04/10/2020 19:30

You don't get a medal for spending all day out in the rain. If you don't like it, don't do it!

Some libraries are open.
Go to a friend's house or invite them to you.
Walk to the corner shop, buy ingredients for baking, bake, eat!
Do you have family nearby who you can visit (obviously not in a locked down area)
Set up activities in each room. Bubbles, shaving foam in a tray, glowsticks in the bath with the light off, stories on your bed.

honigbutter · 04/10/2020 19:30

People post on weather threads as if it's exactly the same from Cornwall to the Cairngorms.

Yet if anyone talks about moving north there are always those who couldn't contemplate it because of the weather.

Lockheart · 04/10/2020 19:53

You do realise you get dry cloudy days, or even sunny days in winter, right?

Just make the most of those and reserve the indoor activities for when you need them.

No need for a crisis.

catsjammies · 04/10/2020 19:54

Aldi just did their winter gear and might have some left- just bought some waders for my 20m old.
This winter is going to be hard. Luckily mine is obsessed with his brio track and will play with it happily for hours. I have spent a lot of time over the past few months buying a few new (to us) toys and starting a toy rotation which is brilliant. Once he gets bored of a toy it goes away, and when it come out again 2 weeks later he is OBSESSED.
I have some great wet weather gear for all of us- I think even a 30 minute play outside in the rain is good for them.