Muddy walks and puddles ?

[jenjenhappy]

Hi is there a secret to walking outdoors with a toddler.

I see others with toddlers quite close to them just puttering along clean, walking PAST puddles not through them

Within 20 minutes my toddler (20 months ) is carrying 4 sticks in one hand , hand full of mud in the other. Sitting in each puddle or running through and splashing his hand in the water for a while .

All ok wearing a full waterproof puddle suit but my whole outfit including coat need chucking in the wash and toddlers too.

How do others stay so clean

Plus a random daytime bath is fun, over the Christmas holidays last year DD would have a bath for about 2 hours morning or afternoon, I just had to keep topping up with hot water

Mine are 10 and still go in the puddles! I let them get on with it if they want wet feet at school that's up to them!

No clue. Still remember my 18 month wading into the middle of a 8-10 inch deep puddle of skanky mud and sitting down, just wearing joggers, t-shirt and canvas Doodle type shoes. Little twat wouldn't move for love, money or chocolate, didn't follow me when I pretended to run away, nothing. Just rolled in it like a dog and was having the best time. I asked/bribed eldest to go get him and she was like no way.

I was wearing brand new white nikes.

I've still not forgiven the little shit.

My own DS would get wet and muddy and have FUN! With the dog as well joining in of course (Springers and dirty water ,A match made in heaven surely)! I always feel sorry for children not allowed near puddles.Also I mean who dresses "stylishly" for a wet walk!We live near the river, and one day a lady walked by with a pale cream coat! Held on to Dear Dog for Dear life when she strolled by!

Get yourself some cheap waterproof overtrousers and wellies - you can then join in

Strip the muddy stuff off before you get in the car and put in a carrier bag in the boot - then it can just go straight in the wash. My job takes me outdoors in all weathers and overtrousers are a life saver. I stay clean and dry underneath and they can be stripped off at the roadside and washed and dried overnight.

You can get them for around £20 from places like Mountain Warehouse or Decathlon.

I miss those days. I love a good puddle. Or running through a pile of leaves.

I so wish I was young enough to jump in puddles! It’s what kids do and the dirt is what the bath and washing machine are for.

Mine are much older now and still cannot resist a puddle, waterproofs or none. I've given up fighting it, my only stipulation is they help wash the clothes when we get in!

The secret is two pairs of wellies and two puddlesuits/sets of waterproofs. Takes away the stress of washing and drying overnight for the next day.

My DS is like your toddler.... First in the puddle. Every walk results in a new change of clothes being needed. I just accept it... why fight fate?

On the funny side, I heard a nanny trying to keep an immaculately dressed little girl out of the humongous puddle in our local park. DS and some other hooligans were literally rolling in the mud and this little one wanted to join but she was wearing a very smart little pink wool coat. I did feel sorry for her but I could just picture mum's face if nanny had brought her back covered head to toe in mud like DS was .

My kids adore a puddle. We went for a walk on Saturday and DD was 'ice skating' in a big patch of mud - she's six. She was always the child sitting in the puddle sopping wet. God bless the previous owners of our house, who replaced the cream carpets chosen by the developers with Karndean.

@VinylDetective

I so wish I was young enough to jump in puddles! It’s what kids do and the dirt is what the bath and washing machine are for.

I'm in my thirties and go puddle jumping every time I'm out with the dogs

DH just looks at me with disgust!

I'm in my thirties and go puddle jumping every time I'm out with the dogs

Tragically I’m 67 and I think if I jumped in puddles my kids might haul me off to the memory clinic! 😢

I think it's down to the childs personality a bit.

We walk every weekend and my two always avoided puddles since toddler age. They are the ones you see clean as a whistle and grimacing at other children / me stomping through puddle

There's lots of tantrums to get them to go for a walk, and when we do, they whinge and ask when we are going back home.

I'd say just enjoy your child!

Thank you @vanillandhoney do just wear leggings underneath?

Mine are 8 and 5 and still get covered in mud and soaking wet on every walk. I've accepted it and keep a change of clothes and a towel in the boot.

DS and I still puddle jump given the opportunity, and he's 12! He's always been the child walking through streams in his joggers and trainers, paddling in the river, I've no idea what its like to have a clean child!
I have the opinion that life is too short, and trainers dry under the radiator (He does have "Best" trainers that are allowed nowhere near mud and water. These don't get worn much!!)

I have come to accept that my uniform for the past 2 years and probably 2 more, is a pair of wellies, muddy coat and even muddier jeans. Some kids are more cautious about dirt. Mine has been purposely sitting in puddles since she could walk. It’s pretty cute really. Apparently in nursery she’d return from the garden with mud up to her armpits and when they’d ask her how she got so muddy, her reply was “I might have rolled in the mud a little bit”.

@jenjenhappy

Thank you *@vanillandhoney* do just wear leggings underneath?

Yeah, just cheap ASDA leggings! Overtrousers can be a bit sweaty so I wear sports leggings but mine are only £8 a pair or so.

Some days I'm out 4-5 hours in the rain and I never come home wet :)

@vanillandhoney thank you :) do you think these would be any good

www.mountainwarehouse.com/winter-trek-ii-womens-trousers-p17061.aspx/black/

Get a MudDaddy and sluice yourselves off before yoi get on the car.

We do, us and the dog!

www.muddaddy.co.uk/

[quote jenjenhappy]@vanillandhoney thank you :) do you think these would be any good

www.mountainwarehouse.com/winter-trek-ii-womens-trousers-p17061.aspx/black/[/quote]
Those aren't waterproof.

You'll need something like this:

www.mountainwarehouse.com/womens/trousers-shorts/womens-waterproof-trousers/spray-womens-overtrousers-regular-length-p6244.aspx/black/

@vanillandhoney thank you! I will purchase now

I'm afraid I'm the mum who now embarrasses my 13 year old - I still jump in puddles! I taught him and encouraged him. That part of life is over too quickly so embrace it and have a go - that's what washing machines are for.

We have woods by the house and I deliberately put her in her old clothes (leggings and sweatshirt etc) and wellies and let her get as messy as she wants 🤷🏻‍♀️I can’t avoid it, she loves mud, sticks, stones