To feel the weather is actually now making me a terrible parent

[urex]

Another day pouring with rain and resorting to tv or other long winded draining activities in the house. I’m so fed up. So miserable. It’s May now! I know complaining about it doesn’t make it better but I’ve just had enough. No fresh air again, just like the first 4 months of the year. It’s completely pouring down

Am I the only one with a 3 year old who absolutely refuses to wear waterproofs? She does have sensory issues and all clothes are a negotiation. But there just isn’t a fucking chance in hell she wears them. I cannot believe I’m the only parent who can’t win this battle?!?

I'm not interested in spending hours outside with puddlesuits but every day we have booked activities for my 2yo. She has a toddler group today so despite the rain we headed out and it was miserable walking there, but we had a fun couple of hours before heading home for lunch and nap. We have classes and groups which are booked termly so it gives us a schedule and we treat it like going to school or work - everything is indoors so we just have to deal with whatever weather is on the way (mostly walking or train) and we never consider being stuck at home having a TV day.

Aw man, I feel you. I hate rainy days and so do my kids! Its been a long old winter, hopefully warmer and drier weather is on its way!!

Some of the responses on here are hilarious. Who brings their 16 month old to an art gallery ffs 😂

We've got the telly on here today and might make biscuits later xx

Nope! My 2.5 year old point blankly refuses to wear them too. Will not entertain the idea of going outside if its raining! Its even hard getting them to the car on really rainy days!!

When my DC were little, the weather was awful and funds were low - apart from going out in the rain, which they loved, me not so much we went to 'big' shops like;
Ikea (long drive but worth it)
B&Q, I used to let them choose screws from the pick and mix bit (that I needed anyway) and put them into the little bags provided
John Lewis
Pets at Home (always a winner)
Halfords is quite entertaining
Decathlon (big one with tents on display) and get bonus cheap wellies/waterproofs at the same time
New build show houses
Big garden centres

The biggest winner for a cheap rainy day was 'follow a random car' but your DS might be a bit young for that. We ended up in all sorts of places but we live 10 miles inland and I made sure to only follow southbound cars otherwise we might have ended up in Scotland.

A cheap train journey was also a good time killer with a bit of eye spy thrown in.

There are 2 phrases that spring to mind.

1. No such thing as bad weather, only bad clothes for the weather you have.

1. Only boring people get bored.

As every other poster has said, get some waterproofs and go out splashing in puddles.
See if there are baby/toddler groups on at the local library/church/village hall/childrens centre/sports centre/swimming pool. Go to a friend's house or have them over to yours.

I get it op.

3 month old and 2 year old here. Don't drive so couldn't even get to our usual toddler club (torrential here although no doubt I'm lying, 😂)

If i have to pretend to be a dinosaur for another 2 hours ill cry 🤣

@Bjorkdidit our woods have been so wet the paths are thick with deep sticky mud! You couldn’t take a toddler there it would be miserable.

I think it is simply the rain has been relentless all year. I woke up at 4.30 and went out at 5am to do some gardening without it piddling rain on me. Driven in by a downpour at 6.30

Really would love to see all these posters saying “get their waterproofs on” try and attempt to do so with my child.

no, I’m not a lax gentle parent who has no boundaries. She just fucking hates the way waterproofs feel and it would result in a full wrestling match, screaming and her repeatedly taking them off.

I see this a lot on MN. Scary actually that the mind can’t seem to stretch that far

Because being outside in the pouring rain (not drizzle) has lost its novelty value and it isn't fun. It just becomes an endurance test.

No such thing as bad weather, just inappropriate clothing.

Bingo. Wearing weather approproate clothing still doesn't make being outside in this fun.

God, there are some jolly hockey sticks morally superior posters on here today

I hate it too OP. I am much more unproductive when it’s miserable outside for a start. I end up with mess everywhere, staring at it hoping it will go away. There is only so much time I can spend doing crafts, baking, playing with dolls, playing dress up. Only to repeat it all the next day . I need a whole day of cleaning after it too. The time I get in between I spend cooking. We do go for walks in the rain but she gets bored and wants to leave as she has already seen a hundred snails etc and says she is bored. I book half day at a holiday camp for the half term for my little one now she is older. I still end up with so much time to fill to tire her out the rest of the day or she won’t sleep otherwise. So on top of the mess we end up sleeping late. It is harder and very expensive keeping them occupied when the weather is rubbish. Sucks that play groups are only term time too.

Invest in decent waterproof clothing for both of you and get out there. It'll do you both good. If you had a dog you'd be walking it every day regardless. Being outside is just as important for toddlers

This year has been atrocious. I just came back from 2 weeks in Italy which makes it seem even worse. I walk to work and had to walk through it today, I was half drenched despite having an umbrella. It isn't even showers it's just one long unbroken downpour.

This is when groups and soft play gave a role to play. But out of a coffee, supermarket etc is enough in the rain. Don’t beat yourself up about it

Am I missing something with IKEA being a fun place for toddlers?

Could you get a little more self righteous and smug with this?

Clearly you just need to invest in some "decent" waterproof clothing and your walk to work would be jolly good fun!

Yeah- if you don’t go when it’s mad busy, it’s a great activity. They sometimes have a crèche, they often have a playground outside too. The cafe is very good and cheap for children. It’s a huge space and takes ages to walk around with loads to look at.

And come out with d&v ? Yes afternoon well spent there

Just back from a week of sunshine to this

I remember pushing the buggy around every aisle at the retail park on a rainy day. I was gutted when lockdown put a stop to it.

Thanks @FanofLeaves . I’m probably biased as I hate the place! There is a crèche at ours but it’s three plus so no good for OP.

These are brilliant. We always had to go out in the rain when my DS was little as we had dogs. Never bothered with full on waterproofs, just a coat and got changed when we came home.

I wonder if these large retailers are getting fed up with the extra footfall but no-one buying anything?