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)

I get you OP. It’s shit. I dread this time of year; cold, dark, miserable. I’d actually love crisp, cold, frosty days but I can count on one hand the number of those we had where I live last winter. I think I only had to defrost my car a couple of times.

I hated being out in the rain as a child, there is nothing fun about it. I still hate it as an adult. Like a pp, I hate even going from my car to a door. Yesterday it absolutely belted down all day and all night - the dog refused to go into the garden long enough to poo and was very reluctant even to go and do a wee. If there is ever a break in it, it always seems to be in the late evening/night when it’s too late/dark to do anything.

If I’m ever driving past our local park and playground and it’s raining, there’s no one there. As pp said, it’s no fun as a kid playing on soaking wet equipment or as an adult eating damp sandwiches on a wet park bench.

It’s been dry and pretty warm here today but as I type it’s started to rain again....

God what had it come to that IN BRITAIN we don't know how to entertain toddlers in bad weather.

It's only for a couple of days and there will be lapses in the 'driving rain'
No such thing as bad weather only bad clothes

Hi early we've all gone through winter with small children. There's still lots out there for you to do despite COVID restrictions.

Take an old towel to the park to dry the slide and the swings.

You can either stay inside with CBeebies on while your DC bounce on the furniture or you can embrace the weather, buy suitable clothes and a flask and get out there collecting leaves and conkers and sitting in mud (your DC not you)

I do feel for those with almost walkers who want to crawl. It'll be a tricky couple of months, but they can still go in a swing with w aterproofs on, and enjoys a ride in the pushchair.

I second the poster who said get a tough tray

I've got a 2 year old and no toddler groups too op, I feel your pain! Here have this from me

Kicking leaves I love it and I’m 54 but rain is miserable especially if you have to go out, I’m enjoying the cooler weather much nicer than sweating 247.

I mean this in the nicest way you also need a reality check....get a grip! The winter is not rain everyday for 6 months is it? My little girl is 3 and all last winter we still went to National Trusts, country parks and playgrounds. So a lot of the indoor stuff for little ones is restricted but soft plays are open so book them in advance, I've always loved taking my little girl to cafes, you can still do this, it's a lovely way to bond together. Google things to do in the rain with little people, so many ideas even with restrictions.

Lots of these replies are very patronising and I don’t believe them. We are an outdoors family and go out pretty much all day everyday, unless it’s absolutely chucking it down, and on days where it is wet and miserable I probably see about 2 other families out in their all weather gear, Jumping In puddles.

Yes this winter is going to be shit; we used to go to soft plays, church groups, music groups,
Dance groups, football etc- All of this either isn’t on; increased in price by a crazy amount; or Has such strict rules it makes It not fun!

Don't go to the playground... its depressing in the rain.

When my DC where little, we did quite a few "mud walks" in the local park... basically seeking out the muddy paths.
We also did a fair amount of splashing through puddles (Peppa has a lot to answer for!) and just listening to the rain as it falls through the trees ... collecting leaves, sticks or fir cones. Looking for worms and slugs...

All you really need is a kids rain suit & wellies - they can easily peeled off once back at the car.

Puddle suit, at least then you can go to the park and play or puddle jumping when it isn't throwing it down, even though all the equipment will be wet the puddle suit will save soaking clothes.

Do you have a library? Our local one is open and the one in the city centre, free for a wander around and they have a few toys. Not quite play group but it was quiet (we were the only ones there) when we visited last week.

As pp have said get clothing to suit the weather. We go out in the rain. Wellies, umbrellas if it’s heavy rain etc. We have three kids and a dog. So it’s a must to get out and get exercise plus fresh air. When my eldest was just two, I remember going out in the rain and walking with her and my mom. It was cold, rainy and miserable out! But we felt satisfied going out for a walk knowing she was getting some exercise and fresh air (and us too!). After, we had hot cocoa and a movie (dd had a warm milk). I also dislike the crap weather. But it doesn’t mean you need to be inside the whole time.

Sigh, this thread sums up what’s so crap about the world now - everyone is so polarised from the ‘just get a waterproof and have a picnic in all weathers’ brigade to the ‘I agree it’s freezing and miserable and there’s nothing to be done as you can’t possibly use a damp park’.

Op entertaining toddlers is shit. 1-3 years of age was the worst time of child rearing for me. It is worse when you can’t make plans.

However, it’s unlikely that there will be many days where you can’t go out at all and posters are right that good quality water proof clothing can be really good at getting out on damp drizzly days. Also learn which weather forecast is most accurate and use it - you need an hourly one to plan a window of decent time, I recommend Met office and Dark skies. Not BBC anymore it comes from a USA service and is noticeably less accurate than the met office. You do need to take some old towels on damp days to dry off equipment - even just 20 mins of park use can help kids blow off steam.

On the other hand there will be some days where the weather is so shit you can’t face it, and for these I’d recommend retail park type shops like pets at home, toys, supermarkets etc - anywhere at a quiet time with lots of space for browsing. Treat yourself once a week for a coffee shop trip. Also libraries good and indoor markets, just anywhere you can amble about and show him stuff. Then go home abs when it all gets too much literally just get the TV on. Mine watched hours - stick with CBeebies as the content tends to be more educational.

The weather won’t be as bad as you fear and It will be March before you know it!

Hmmmmm..........according to the majority on this thread the parks should be stock-full of happy, rosy-cheeked autumnal-clothed children, with smiling parents chatting amicably as they stand welly-deep in golden brown leaves.

Except the parks near me are devoid of human life. Not a soul. Odd that.

Of course I get out for a walk or a play in the park if it’s sunny. But in the rain it’s a lonely existence, dragging a reluctant, cold toddler to a sodden playground in the hope I might see and meet some of these happy-go-lucky MN’s who live the autumn/winter dream. They’re not there. Maybe I should try the woods instead FFS

Want to switch with me? I can offer 10% humidity and 37 C+ days.

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.

I agree with this. We all have days we don't particularly like, it's either too hot, or cold, or wet - but that's life, we just have to get on with it and know that it doesn't last forever. I don't live in the UK, but even so I'm pretty sure the weather there isn't going to be shit every day for six months!!! Don't be so dramatic.

I’ve always been one for going out for walks in the rain but seriously there is only so much puddle jumping I can do every day with my two year old. Luckily he is a bit of a home potterer. If this had been with my first born whirlwind of a son I think I would have had a breakdown by now. Luckily that one is hopefully going to be in school.
Things I have planned: a forest school toddler session. Yes it’s outdoors and had to sign up for a term. But they always put stuff out and entertain them when I have run out of ideas and there is a snack and chance to chat to other mums. Is there anything like that near you?
Another day meeting other mums at the park/woods in full gear. And soft play for when it is totally miserable.
A day at home pottering broken up by the school run is also actually a welcome relief after always being guilty of doing a bit too much and burning the candle pre covid.

Lots of books, lots of shit crafts and lots and lots and lots of audio books and Disney Plus.

Lockdown ruined walks for me. I used to love going absolutely anywhere and just walking for ages. If I never go on another walk again, I'll be very happy. Fuck it all forever.

For gods sake your children won't melt if they have to stay indoors for a couple of days. Let them learn to occupy themselves as well enjoy fami,y time.

gods, my cat is being a pain enough about the weather, I'd hate to have a toddler.

The thing is with kids, all they see is the now.

OP, you got a twister set? That could help. Also, bubble bath in a baby's tub, with food colouring.

Any garden centres near you? The one near us has loads of fish; my brother and I have fond memories of going to look at those and being fascinated by the tropical section. They also have a cafe and one of those cheap bookshops - The Works I think, that always have loads of cheap activity/colouring books for kids. I’ve also got 3D jigsaws in the past for friends/relatives children.

Look about - toddler groups are not banned. They have begun to start back

Your missing out on all the outdoorsy fun sitting inside op. My favourite place in bad weather is the coast. Crashing waves. The sea is alive. And the chips always taste better when it's cold out. Get wrapped up and get outside. Jump in puddles. Build a stick den. Collect autumn things. Collect stones to paint and hide.
And if it really is to bad to go out; bake some cookies, make some Halloween/Christmas decorations, watch a movie, sing songs, colour in.
Do playgroup things at home.
But most of all, make memories.
Don't waste the time you have worrying about the things you can't do, and do something, anything, together.

@SomeoneStolemySocks

Hmmmmm..........according to the majority on this thread the parks should be stock-full of happy, rosy-cheeked autumnal-clothed children, with smiling parents chatting amicably as they stand welly-deep in golden brown leaves.

Except the parks near me are devoid of human life. Not a soul. Odd that.

Of course I get out for a walk or a play in the park if it’s sunny. But in the rain it’s a lonely existence, dragging a reluctant, cold toddler to a sodden playground in the hope I might see and meet some of these happy-go-lucky MN’s who live the autumn/winter dream. They’re not there. Maybe I should try the woods instead FFS

Parks will be virtually devoid of human life if it is pouring with rain. Just don't go out, play indoors. That's what everyone else does.

We are all a bit tired aren't we? And facing 6 months of restrictions. Dark nights. It is a bit shit. Add to that entertaining a 2 year old, often alone and I can understand why you are feeling despondent.

But it's not going to rain every day. There will be crisp (but grey) mornings to come. Garden centres for Christmas tat, toy shops, Pete at Home etc are all good recommendations. As is wet weather gear even if you only use it once a week.

FWIW I have to walk our dog twice a day and regularly do a lap of our local park. There are parents and children there every day out - they aren't rosy cheeked smiling chilled parents referred to here but most of the kids are enjoying it and the parents are doing the best they can.

Hang on in there Op - this to will pass and before you know it you'll be trying to peel them off the Xbox to come outside.

Puddle suits and wellies are our new friends. I put the kids in these and we go puddle hunting in our local area and they love it. We went out Saturday in the pouring rain, pram, balance bike and wellies.

Hot chocolate when you get in to warm up and snuggle on the sofa as they have burnt loads of energy off.

I know it seems rubbish but there isn’t much we can do. The more you dwell on it the worse it is, try to make the best of the bad situation and maybe even try jumping in some puddles I promise it’s more fun than I remember

I must add you can’t catch a cold from the rain / being out doors you still need a virus / host to catch it from (I.e another person).