To ask for your tier 4 survival tips

[lofthouse]

Three kids under 6, tier 4 area in London. Have been avoiding parks as the playgrounds are rammed. Have a garden but weather rubbish today. Have been home isolating with kids for four days so we could see family at Christmas, so no food in/ planned so will need to do a shop.

DH and I (like others I am sure) have had a tough year and are exhausted. Can't quite get my head around not leaving the house for next fortnight (and of course very sad at not seeing family).

Any tips ? What are you planning ? Built sheet fortresses today. Part of challenge is youngest is 2 and needs pretty constant attention.

I’m so sorry. I would buy naice things. Nice food, wine, new games, bubble baths.

Following as I have 2 under 3 :( loosing the will. Screen time limit has gone out the window that’s for sure. Only so much play doh and pretend tea parties you can do. Was a lot easier in the summer!

You can leave the house! I know the weather isn't great but walks/drives to see xmas lights, playgrounds, woodland. I've torches in my kids stockings for evening walks. X

Take kids on walks to see Christmas lights and decorations - maybe even an “I spy” or “scavenger hunt” element for the oldest. My eldest has been winning chocolate coins for spotting pictures of bells, for example.

Find some Christmas movies.

Order food if you can get a slot.

Spread out Christmas so rather than one day of overwhelming excitement, you have several days where you can open a few presents and really enjoy those ones. For example We’re doing a “Grandpa and Grandma Christmas” on the 23rd, an “Auntie Liz Christmas” on the 24th etc. On those days we FaceTime with that relative/friend, open the presents from them, they open the presents from us, we chat a bit. I’m hoping it will break up the days. We did similar at Easter and it helped.

You can still go outside, but can't meet up with people.

Perhaps check tomorrow what's still open near you (we are exhorted to stay local)

Try parks without playgrounds and take a couple of balls and a frisbee?

Also perhaps try posting in the London topic for ideas on what's open across London?

Who said you can't leave the house ?
You can go out you just can't go anywhere.
Go to a park down the canal anywhere . I think it's quite sad that people think they have to lock themselves at home .

I’m in a similar boat. So tired. Trying to be positive about Christmas tv, crafts, bakes and at least new toys on Friday.

Pinterest and five minute mum are useful websites.

Why won't you be leaving the house? There is still a lot outdoors you can do - do you have a car? Places like Kew and Wakehurst are remaining open. Also you have a garden, a luxury a lot of people don't have, especially in London! I know it's tough, but try to remain as positive as you can if you are able - I don't know what the alternative is!

All the parks near us have playgrounds, I can't really think of one that doesn't and my experience of them that they are beyond rammed - I wouldn't consider them safe (or fun) even without Covid. I know we don't have to go in them, but I don't have the heart or the energy left to explain why we can't.

We'll do a drive around central London lights one night I think.

I've just read the guidance and hearteningly it doesn't say that you have a limit on how far you can go for exercise, so maybe we could visit some of the forests on the edge of London that are in tier 4.

Make sure you get enough sleep.

With 3 very young active kids it is very tempting to stay up late simply to get some adult time and a break.
As good as that feels, having lots of sleep leaves you better equipped for the next day- especially if they are early risers.
Get kids settled, have some tea, and go to bed at 9pm.
Next day you can tackle anything.

I think you are right op, plan to drive to some slightly further away but hopefully less crowded places, spend a few hours there and it will at least feel like you've been somewhere

@speakout

Make sure you get enough sleep.

With 3 very young active kids it is very tempting to stay up late simply to get some adult time and a break.
As good as that feels, having lots of sleep leaves you better equipped for the next day- especially if they are early risers.
Get kids settled, have some tea, and go to bed at 9pm.
Next day you can tackle anything.

This is such good advice. I stay up late every night so 8 can have some alone time and it's killing me :(

Place marking

Depends on if you’re in a high risk category, we are not (based in London)

Definitely go and see the lights-some beautiful ones
Get to the playgrounds early-ones like battersea are fantastic (good parking)
My children love a garden centre (all still open)

Hey, old school, but have you got a bit of chalk and a pavement? What about hopscotch? Or just molesting the pavement with chalk?

*SebastianTheCrab
This is such good advice. I stay up late every night so I can have some alone time and it's killing me *

I do understand the temptation.
With little children under the age of three, night wakening and early risers it is a killer- I have been there.

Weighing up costs and benefits is what it comes down to.
Which is best- a few hours child free in the evening, with Oh, wine , tea , no one needing attention.
Or waking up early feeling fresh, energised and ready for the onslaught.
It may not be the same every day, or you may give yourself a couple of later nights a week, but for me there was usually no contest.
I had an early morning riser- 4.30am- for years until school.
I tried everything.

Best approach was an 8pm bedtime for me.
Tea, toast, asleep by 9pm.
Come 4,40am I was set to go!

My 3 always used the love "the park in the dark"
It was a DH classic due to disorganisation and not managing to leave the house till 4pm - but it became a thing

Go outside everyday whatever the weather

Lots of rest, early nights but also you and DH should plan to get a lie in once or twice whilst the other lies on the sofa and pretends to watch Cbeebies

Loads of nice food. Take-away diaried as a thing to look forward to.

Once you are rested, and not before:

I'd have a sun over the yard-arm rule re screens

Divide and conquer so you get one to one time with each of them over the stretch. And get the eldest helping to cook dinner.

Not sure which part of London but f you've a car there are so many amazing places to walk around and look at. The City is amazing on a deserted Sunday. Along the Thames.

Playgrounds don't seem very busy at 7.30am which is when my park gates are unlocked.

Get up and out of the house early, burn some energy off before it gets busy?

Waterproofs on and a outdoor picnic in the garden

Fellow Londoner, again we avoid playgrounds at peak time. Occasionally with military effort we get to playground very early or on wet day (in waterproofs) and enjoy when no one else about! Hand sanitizer on exit.

Buy this... my kids have loved it.
toddlebornwild.com/shop/family-bucket-list-poster/
Lots of different ideas and then you scratch them off... oh and lots of gin!!

With 3 under 4 I used to lie on the floor with my feet up on the bed, covered with a duvet. Find something for little kids to use to climb on to the bed and then slide down your legs. Active Entertainment for at least 30 mins plus you get to lie down.

Also, I was just looking at the rules and there a little different to last time, organised sports for under 18 is still taking place