Am I the only parent that feels this way?

[EmotionSickness]

Hanging out with a toddler is boring.

I love my child entirely, but when it’s just me and him, I get so utterly bored.

I don’t want to smash trains together repeatedly.

I don’t want to watch Paw Patrol.

I don’t want to sing mindless games at toddler groups.

I don’t want to run around soft play centres.

I don’t want to chase him round a muddy park in the cold.

Please someone tell me I’m not alone in this (and also some ideas for stuff that’s more child and parent friendly because I’m losing my mind 😂)

Aww I bloody love it (in small doses 😂)

I think toddlers are ace, and it goes so fast

Oh no definitely not just you, helps a lot if you can get out and about and socialise with other people and that tends to keep the toddler entertained too. No such luck with my last one as was lockdown. Went back to work and so DC was in nursery full time and the found enjoyed the time together much more

I felt the same, it’s so dull. It’s why I had childcare! I just encouraged lots of independent play when he was with me.

Parenting is very often dull!

My 11 year old has put on some annoying Christmas movie, and in the last five minutes has told me many many facts about basketball. Then said 'do you think bones are stronger than raw carrots' as he loudly chomped a carrot.

My 'mmhmmm' is a fucking superpower by now, I tell you. It's my main parenting skill.

Fair brought a tear to my eye, that did.
It can be pretty boring, it is true, but they are also so lovely.

No I feel like this often, particularly about the bloody toddler groups with the snot and germs and other peoples whinging kids! I also had a year solo during lockdown while DH WFH which was a bit tough to come up with activities every day.
But DD is now four and much more interesting. We can do stickers, Lego and other more engaging things. Days out like going to the beach etc are far easier.
Don't listen to the crap about how time goes so fast, this is often said by older people who have forgotten what it's like to have to play with a toddler after getting up at 4.30am.

And I work part time so I've said to DH any soft play at weekends he is in charge of

No you're not alone. I got mine to do things I enjoyed like going for walks, play dough and building with Lego/Duplo. I am glad I never had any boys, only 3 DDS as all my friends with boys seemed to have to spend a hell of a lot of time crashing toy cars together etc which would have killed me with boredom, mine never liked cars or vehicles...

Some great advice here, thanks everyone!

My DS is 2, doesn’t talk much yet. He’s very aggressive in his play so it usually involves attacking me with soft toys or throwing things on the floor 🙃 I’ve tried baking with him a few times recently but he’s not very interested.

I do work! Unfortunately not full time though. I only have a couple of days to fill with him but I just find I run out of ideas.

I do also see mum friends and find that helps loads, but it’s just post-nap afternoons when there’s not much time to get out before needing to be home making dinner (or when I’m exhausted after a morning of entertaining and just want to sit on my arse).

Those afternoons draaaaaaaag!

Very glad it’s not just me who think it though 😅

Hotgirlinhell, to be fair my dh would tell me lots of facts about baseball!

It continues. Do I really want to do the same journey each morning for school, to then have my work interrupted for the return leg. Or then drive to Beavers/swimming/football/dance? Nope.

Alton Towers is shit. Disney and Lapland are designed to extract your cash and as for Sundown adventure land - they’re having a laugh at parents’ expense.

Good job we love them!

Another 6 months from now, he'll be a different little boy, the weather will be nicer and you'll be broody for your second child it will all seem different.

A toddler who can sit and take apart the Playmobil camper van with you, or can set up a play shop and sell you stuff or colour or actually set up the train track rather than eat the track is so much more fun.

I genuinely enjoy hanging out with my toddler. Love singing songs at toddler groups and watching her join in the actions, and helping her play with toys and explore soft play. I don't know why I don't find it as dull as other mums, or what we do that makes it interesting for me (I'm a sahm and am with her 24/7, and never feel bored). We do go to loads of the more expensive toddler classes which tend to have lots of variety and enthusiastic teachers, it's like a little theatre show each time. And we go to the endless activities aimed at under 5s in London - workshops run by museums and galleries and it all feels very well researched and it's nice being in a grown up cultural environment. I'd find it dull being stuck at home playing with the same toys over and over. Ultimately it's just a short period of their lives and they're not dependant on you for long.

Totally with you.
That's why women work and nurseries exist.
Soooo different once they are 4+

Me too was reading this hoping to find someone else that also enjoyed it but I’ve found the older years much more boring personally! Miss the toddler years 😢

Dd1 loved playing shops and I learned that I hate playing shops and after a purchase each lasting about 4 minutes I was bored but we’d have to play for at least half an hour. Hanging out with a teen is so much better!

I did enjoy the toddler stage, just not playing shops!

A podcast on in your ear for the park, walks etc!!

I love toddlers
I had 4 kids, and now look after my 2.6 yr old dgs and work in early years part time.
I love their energy and the way they soak up every experience, and now my dgs is very verbal, the non stop chatter.
But I do have to have something planned for every day. Summer is easy.. we go to the park, feed ducks, run around with a ball.
Winter is soft play, toddler group, preschool gymnastics.... that covers the morning and then we pop to the shop or just chill at home.. I'm a dab hand at making a brio track !
I won't ever play board games though... HATE them!!!!!

It really does pass so fast .. they are only toddlers for such a short time... hang in there!

Honestly I've never been a baby or child fan. I loved them and enjoyed much, but the tedium was strong in the early years. Fwiw - mine are teens now and my best friends. They're funny, and intelligent. I can chat to them for hours. We go out together and have such fun! Try new food, see films, go to gigs . Teens are amazing. My absolute favourite stage of parenting. Babyhood isn't for everyone. It's a slog teaching babies and children to be good people. It's hard. If you put in that work, and slog away- ime it pays off in rich dividends when they're older.

So you had childcare and encouraged independent play? What is it you like about motherhood?

We lived very rurally when mine were little, 18 months between them, no such thing as toddler groups or mums groups or soft play and I didn’t drive.
I quite liked playing with them and I wasn’t precious over the house so they played with water, painted on the windows, I covered doors with a length of cheap wallpaper and they drew or painted on that, chalked on the patio. Played a lot of music , they knew more Queen lyrics than nursery rhymes I think. Outside they played with sand and mud, built dens. We walked for miles to reach the swings/ slides in the next village which also had a library. Chaotic cooking sessions and I remember us making yoghurt using the airing cupboard. Simpler times I suppose.

God that’s so sad. You do realise having children isn’t compulsory? They’re not toys to be picked up when you feel like playing.

FT work is your friend.