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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

To be worried about staying sane stuck inside all winter with a 2 year old?

270 replies

Lardeedar · 20/10/2020 07:02

Is anyone else struggling at home with a 1-3 year old that isn’t in nursery? My options before were park, playgroup, or friends/family visit at theirs but now The weather is turning I’m just having to keep her inside all day every day and we are both losing our minds!! The playgroups are all shut and now not allowed in anyone’s house.

You know the age where they won’t stick at anything for more than 2 minutes because all they want to do is explore new objects, places, people?! She literally cries when she sees that we’re coming home.

There’s a few outdoor play sessions Thank Goodness but mostly they are shutting everything down. I’m genuinely worried about her development and my mental health being cooped up with her crying continually asking for Hours and hours of tv. Anyone else?

OP posts:
isurvived3under2 · 20/10/2020 07:04

Go out anyway, get some suitable clothes and go explore. I have 2 year old twins and I would go mad if we had to stay in.

Redolent · 20/10/2020 07:08

Placemarking for interest. The depletion of low-cost toddler activities is shocking. No library rhyme time, no Sure Start, no stay and play, no cheap messy play sessions, it goes on and on. The only things available near me are expensive paid activities £6-£8 for 45 mins: things like Little Kickers, Tumble Tots, Toddler Sense, Monkey Music. We’ve signed up to a few of these (mask wearing / distancing of course, so the social dimension for parents isn’t there). But there are still long waiting lists for some, and not everyone can afford to do stuff like this multiple times a week.

I had a panic a few days ago when I realised my toddler had never done proper messy play in her life Sad Have now bought some stuff and preparing for my conservatory to be trashed.

notanotheronepleasee · 20/10/2020 07:08

That's going to be tough. I have a 4 year old and a 1 year old. I feel almost lucky that the 1 year old hasn't experienced much because of Covid, so he has low expectations. Awful as that is.

Could you buy both of you rain macs and wellies and just go outside as you usually would?

Also I would just allow the TV when she asks for it. The fight isn't worth it at a time like this. Could give you the time you need to set an activity up and clean it away. Even if she only does it for 2 minutes (my 4 year old is the same even now)

Could go pumpkin picking a few times

Jumping in puddles

Go to the park and make mud pies

Take buckets outside when it's pouring and full and tip them

Get some cones and ropes and do an assault course

ZigZaggyZoo · 20/10/2020 07:08

First thing mine now says every morning is "what we doing today then?"
Umm, pretty much the same we've done since March kidda!
As PP says, we've got warm clothes so we will be heading out come rain, snow, frost or sunshine.
It will be hard though.

switswoo81 · 20/10/2020 07:11

Same here and I'm in Ireland where they have just introduced a 5km limit from your house for the next 6 weeks.. I work till 2:30 but I am dreading mid term and the weekends. Going to be very long days.

CecilyP · 20/10/2020 07:11

You do not have to stay inside all day everyday just because winter is coming. There will be odd days when it is too wet or cold to go out but they are not the majority. Surely you didn’t stay inside from November to March before you had a child!

hopsalong · 20/10/2020 07:13

Would you consider a few mornings a week at nursery? I used to feel guilty about them going (I work full time). Maybe it would be ideal to go for fewer hours, but I'm starting to think that nursery is the most normal thing in DS's life. Yesterday they had a birthday party so he got to play party games and sing happy birthday and watch someone blowing out their candles, and then have a piece of chocolate cake. It's his entire social world and it means that when we go to the park in the afternoon or at the weekend there are other children that he already knows that he can play with (as I grimly nurse a coffee in the freezing fucking cold, but at least have an in with another mum).

He's three now and was two when the pandemic started. He has no memories of anything before then. It's fucking awful!

Oysterbabe · 20/10/2020 07:18

Wrap up warm, wellies and puddlesuit and out you go. It's not my idea of fun either but small kids don't mind the rain.

GetRid · 20/10/2020 07:21

It's tough and I feel for anyone with a toddler who doesn't get a break.

You're going to have to get creative outdoors. Staying at home all day isn't good. Get a proper waterproof winter coat and trousers, plus wellies (for you as well) and get outdoors every day for at least an hour.

The good thing about this age is that they see wonder in tiny things, so collecting leaves on an autumn day or jumping in puddles is a 2yo's idea of heaven.

vanillandhoney · 20/10/2020 07:22

No need to be stuck indoors for months just because it's winter. Invest in decent waterproofs for you, and a puddle suit and wellies for the toddler and go out.

Pumpkin picking
The beach
Gruffalo hunting up the woods
Pooh sticks
Puddle jumping
Muddy messy outdoor play

All these organised toddler activities are a relatively new thing - there are plenty of other (free or very cheap) ways to entertain small children.

edgeware · 20/10/2020 07:23

I have a long list in my phone of things within an hour or so drive to do so we just go off that. Playgrounds, national trust, farm parks, zoos, museums, soft plays... Plenty is open if you look widely, assuming you drive! We set off early (strapping the ipad to seat rest if I need to for a quiet drive) and then come back after lunch, midday nap in the car.

HazelWong · 20/10/2020 07:24

It is going to be hard. I really would try and get a part time nursery place if I were you!

My two go three days a week and I used to feel bad about that but there is so little we can do that I honestly think they benefit a lot from it now

notfromstepford · 20/10/2020 07:24

Always took mine out in the rain - still do. Wrap up warm, puddle suit & wellies - she'll have a great old time. You not so much probably, but better than being stuck indoors! Don't let the rain/cold stop you.

happylittlechick · 20/10/2020 07:24

We go to parks, woods, playgrounds in all weathers. Do you have a garden? I'm considering investing in a patio heater.
Our local library has just opened so we walk up, read some books l, choose some to take home and then walk back2hrs gone.
Also depending on areas you can still go to peoples gardens and it's not as cold with a cup of tea.
Also I'd rotate toys every week. Put a few away and swap them over Sunday night so it feels like they've got new stuff.
It's hard with little ones but they honestly don't feel the cold as much and need fresh air.

Wiredforsound · 20/10/2020 07:26

Look out for things like Halloween trails at parks or country parks, conker and pine cone collecting to decorate for Christmas, if you live near the sea you can still go and throw stones in it, car picnic, do some of the activities they would do at the library. Just get warm coats and wellies.

BendingSpoons · 20/10/2020 07:27

It is going to be a long, tedious winter for many. I have a 20m old and a 4yo at school, which helps as there is a school pick up routine.

It's frustrating the free/cheap activities have mostly stopped and the pricey ones continue (for now at least). I took my kids to soft play because we couldn't go to my friend's house. I suspect soft play was a greater risk.

I am currently doing lots of walks in the leaves, playgrounds, visiting the local farm (give a donation), feed the ducks, watching the trains etc. This will become more miserable (for me!) as the weather gets colder but we'll have to persist! Along with some paid activities like swimming lessons. Hoping I can find a friend to meet outdoors for some company.

PinkFondantFancy · 20/10/2020 07:28

You have my full sympathies. The point that other posters are missing is that a lot of the old activities meant that you got some social interaction with other parents too, which is good for your mental health.

See if any of your friends are up for going to be park too - I've had times where the kids and I have even had a picnic in the rain, they thought it was hilarious. Make sure you wear lots of clothes, being cold will make it utterly miserable for you

DayKay · 20/10/2020 07:29

The weather is turning but winters seem to be mostly mild with a few very cold days.
Get hats, gloves, wellies and warm coats and just get out anyway. It’s likely to get boring but it’s better than just staying in for days.
Research all the local places you could take them and choose different ones. Any extra wildlife such as ducks, squirrels or city farm places will be exciting for them.

Thisisworsethananticpated · 20/10/2020 07:30

I agree with everyone saying get wet weather gear and get out
Daily
Maybe one early morning and one after lunch on a brave day !
For everyone’s mental health

Thatwentbadly · 20/10/2020 07:30

I have a 15 month old. I’m placing marking and will be back to post later.

CrazyOldBagLady · 20/10/2020 07:32

Agree with the others, go out anyway. Get some waterproof coats and trousers and explore. In heavy rain a wood is usually quite dry under the trees. When it's just muddy then waterproofs will protect clothes. Take a backpack with extra layers, snacks and spare dry clothes. You will go mad staying in all winter, so try embracing the outdoor lifestyle. If your toddler doesn't already have a balance bike I would recommend one to allow them to cover more distance.

Twizbe · 20/10/2020 07:32

We go to the park lots. Get some warm and waterproof clothes and just go for it.

dontdisturbmenow · 20/10/2020 07:35

The weather is turning I’m just having to keep her inside all day every day
Why? Its us adults who do t care much for cold and rain. Kids don't care or even love it.

It's a mindset. I've given up my car after years commuting and started to walk anywhere. Realised that it can still be greatly enjoyable even in rain cold and wind. Clothing quality has vastly 8mproved in the last decade and it's easy to stay warm and dry.

Whatthebloodyell · 20/10/2020 07:36

Still get outside every day. Even if it is only for a walk around the block. Get wet weather gear and go out even if it is raining. The woods can be better than the park in the rain. Anyway, 2 year olds love puddles!

Plan some activities the night before and get some set up and ready to go. 5 minute mum is great for ideas , she is on facebook.

You can have outdoors sort of fun indoors if the weather is terrible, set up an obstacle course with cushions, make a den, play hide and seek, jump up and down on the bed, play catch etc.

OnlyFoolsnMothers · 20/10/2020 07:36

Hate it and dreading it too. I’m grateful my LO goes to nursery a couple of days a wk but it will still be hard. We will go out when cold, no I won’t be venturing out if pissing it down raining. I will likely still mix with my sister and her kids for sanity and to allow my child to see someone outside school.