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Original poster

Parents of older children: if yuu had your Pre schooler back for one day what would you do? (Lighthearted feel good please)

206 replies

Thatbloomindog · 28/06/2023 14:26

Inspired by the other thread about having a whole Pre children day to yourself. I’m asking those who are out of the small child trenches now, what they’d do with their pre schooler if they could have them back for a whole day.
My youngest starts school in September and gosh while I need the time to myself, I’m sure going to miss her and our carefree days pottering around together.

OP posts:
ManuelBensonsLeftBoot · 28/06/2023 16:00

Off to woods for a bimble about, walking and chatting and stopping for a picnic lunch, home for a splash in the paddling pool then snuggles with some favourite books. Some of the best days with him were spent just strolling around.
But if I could have one moment from his preschool years again it would be his 'railway children' moment when he spotted his Dad across the car park when we were on the way to collect him from 5 months away on duty in Afghanistan. The look on both their faces as he squealed 'my Daddy' and broken into a run was quite something.

Deadringer · 28/06/2023 16:01

Cuddle them on the sofa all day, no worrying about going out or trying to get anything done. I would also say yes to everything they ask for.

wutheringkites · 28/06/2023 16:02

Feeling100 · 28/06/2023 14:56

Awwww I’m really treasuring these last couple of months before my youngest starts school. We have 1 weekday together just us two and I will miss it. We went to a pick your own farm yesterday, played in the little playground and sat on bench eating ice cream.

Same. I've been feeling so sad lately that this stage is about to end. 🥺

Hellocatshome · 28/06/2023 16:02

I would take them to the park, feed the ducks followed by a walk around the winter Gardens and museum which are next door. I would take them to the little museum cafe and order them a cake and they would think it was the best day ever and it would cost about £2 50.

wutheringkites · 28/06/2023 16:03

widowtwankywashroom · 28/06/2023 14:32

Go and feed the ducks, have an ice cream, hold my hand on a walk, bath them and when they're all clean and in fresh PJ's, fall asleep on my knee.

This is a very typical mid week day for us. I'll be so sad when he stops wanting to hold my hand on walks.

Randomiser13 · 28/06/2023 16:05

Sit her on my lap and read books together.

HazyDragon · 28/06/2023 16:07

We would go to the park and feed the ducks, then have a picnic for lunch. Go home and do some crafts, maybe paint a picture with their hands and feet?

Then give them in the bath, with all their favorite toys and splash the water everywhere. Next I'd put them in brand new, matching, character pjs and watch cbeebies together.

Up to bed and read their favourite books, as many times as they wanted (without moaning I was tired) and cuddle them to sleep. Then I would brush my fingers through their hair and stare at them, taking it all in.

spiderplantparty · 28/06/2023 16:07

I'd go and jump in puddles Peppa Pig style. We did do puddle jumping, but not as enthusiastically as I'd have liked because I didn't want to have to deal with muddy clothes afterward.

SnackyOnassis · 28/06/2023 16:07

I'm right in these days now with my magical 2.5 year old and his soon-to-be brother kicking the living daylights out of my ribs for another two weeks. This thread is so lovely and a reminder to be present in these wonderful, mad moments because by the sounds of it, I'll want them back in about ten years!!!

MelaniaT · 28/06/2023 16:09

Oh goodness, I would love this so much. DD and DS are now older teens so it’s all a while ago. I’d do finger painting and baking, I think, then let DS explain a train set layout to me and watch DD do a show, a few rounds of Tummy Ache, go to the park and run races together, then all cuddle up on the sofa and watch a bit of Thomas or Numberjacks.

Honestly, I’m almost in tears just thinking about it. I have to be careful not to become one of those annoying women constantly enjoining new mums to “enjoy it while it lasts” 😭 and also take my own medicine because one day I’ll look back on having teens in exactly the same way.

GreeboIsMySpiritAnimal · 28/06/2023 16:10

I would love this!

We'd go for a walk through the park and have a paddle in the river. We'd go to our favourite Italian for lunch, because back then they'd happily share a bowl of pasta with me, rather than having a full adult 3 courses! Wander home via the ice cream van, and cuddle up on the sofa and watch Winnie the Pooh together - DD used to be obsessed.

At bedtime I'd get to tuck them in and sing them lullabies again, and hold their hand till they fell asleep.

And then I'd go downstairs and have a big glass of wine and reflect that while it'd been a lovely day, I'd still be really happy to have my adult sized, funny, interesting and independent girl back in the morning!

Itsbeennice · 28/06/2023 16:12

Call in sick for 2 days, take her to the seaside, stay in a b and b and build sandcastles. Honestly - I took life way too seriously back then and I really, really regret it now.

areyouhavinglaugh · 28/06/2023 16:17

Itsbeennice · 28/06/2023 16:12

Call in sick for 2 days, take her to the seaside, stay in a b and b and build sandcastles. Honestly - I took life way too seriously back then and I really, really regret it now.

Ahh I know what you mean! My first child I worked full time too and barely saw him. He's 19 now 😀 he has happy memories of being a kid, so don't be too hard on yourself

NoraLuka · 28/06/2023 16:18

Go to the beach, have a picnic and then go home and let them get all the Playmobil out at once. Bath, tea then read them a story before bed.

They are grumpy older teenagers now but the other day DD2 found a book with a collection of different short stories that we always used to read and said ‘We’ll keep this, won’t we?’ I didn’t realise she even remembered it!

DontCallMeBaby · 28/06/2023 16:18

StopStartStop · 28/06/2023 14:52

Thousands of little kisses. Hide us both under a blanket. Tell her how much I love her. She's 41 now.

Oh god this has made me cry. Easy to forget that, if we’re lucky, our mums feel (felt 😥) this way about us too.

SirVixofVixHall · 28/06/2023 16:22

Hellocatshome · 28/06/2023 16:02

I would take them to the park, feed the ducks followed by a walk around the winter Gardens and museum which are next door. I would take them to the little museum cafe and order them a cake and they would think it was the best day ever and it would cost about £2 50.

😭😭😭😭😭

LondonLovie · 28/06/2023 16:24

Take them to splash in puddles like they just don't care.

Mumtothreegirlies · 28/06/2023 16:27

I would get them up, make them some breakfast, then they’d watch CBeebies whilst I did some ironing, then we’d go to the park and feed the ducks, then visit my sister and my niece and nephew for a play and then come home for dinner, Have a bubble bath, then a nice book and a nice cuddle before they fell asleep.
honestly this question was so bitter sweet for me I was almost in tears.
my last day of having a little one feels like only yesterday. I took my youngest daughter to the local childrens farm for the day. Now she’s preparing for year 6 and off to secondary 😢

UnfortunateTypo · 28/06/2023 16:29

Go to the beach, paddle, pick her up and carry her about. And the have a lovely tea with lots of ice cream. And sit and answer her one million questions about everything and listen to all her crazy toddler ideas.

shmiz · 28/06/2023 16:31

Oh this thread !!!
it’s so emotional !
i have a teenage DD
if we could nip back to a pre-school day,
we would have brekkie and play and I would enjoy dressing her and putting girlie things in her hair !
i’d take her out in buggy or push along trike and go feed the ducks,
chit chat
go home, watch bit of a movie snuggled,
do some messy art, or messy baking
put music on in the kitchen and dance and I’d chuck her about and make her laugh
she would sleep in my bed after bath, and stories !!
awww that warm snuggly smell of a little one !! My heart is aching !

HereComesYourMam · 28/06/2023 16:39

Oh my goodness, this thread! 😭😭😭

I'd take him to the new playground that has been built near us recently, which he would have LOVED when he was little. Then back home for snuggling up on the sofa in front of CBeebies. Those preschool years could be challenging but I do miss those snuggles!

847arc · 28/06/2023 16:43

Zhougzhoug · 28/06/2023 15:45

Mine is 7 and a half and I'm pleased we still do most of these things. Parents of younger kids: you have a while yet!

This.

We still do the kite flying in the park, squirrel feeding, picnic, walk along the river type things, even teens can be persuaded (sometimes…). Though I do miss the cute toddler years.

Sunnydaysareahead · 28/06/2023 16:48

Day out to the beach, chips and an ice cream for lunch. Home to watch paw patrol together (I can hear the theme tune now). Bath then cuddles in her pjs. Then I will get v emotional watching her run to the door saying Daddy's home and giving him a big hug when he gets home from work - you just don't imagine that stopping when they're small but mine just look up from screens and he gets a hi if he's lucky now.

clarebear111 · 28/06/2023 16:50

Oh this thread is making me so teary!

I have a very active 3 year old, and a baby on the way, and I've been worrying how on earth I'm going to manage the two. What a healthy dollop of perspective this is bringing, and how touching to read these beautiful memories.

AncientBallerina · 28/06/2023 16:50

Big cuddles, petting farm, read stories, go to the beach