To say to DH that our 2 year old shouldn’t be doing this activity?

[Yeqpll]

DH has booked a lovely trip for us. He does minimal parenting day to day due to work and i can tell he’s booked nice lunches and activities to make an effort

Last night he informed me he’d booked a boat trip for 1.5 hours, for today. We are in the UK so this will be a windy and choppy event and it is open to the elements. I think DS is going to be extremely bored after 15 mins.

My main concern however is that DS is not yet potty trained and obviously there’s nowhere to change him on board.

I feel strongly this is a bad idea but maybe I’m being dramatic… thoughts very welcome!!

What 2 year old wouldn’t love a boat trip?? I on the other hand would be throwing up in minutes 😭.

You just change nappies on your knee, you change nappies with the child standing up in front of you, you change nappies upside down hanging from a light fitting with a toddler sometimes it seems like!

We’ve done all kinds of boats - ferries, fishing boats, pirate boats, canoes, pedalos, towing boats - all fun, nappies were changed wherever was most convenient. We’ve changed nappies on hundreds of floors, corridors, benches, parks - wherever is needed within usual boundaries of taste and decorum.

Take the carrier so that you can contain them if needed and enjoy, boats are fun!

If he thinks it is ok why would you need to overule this? I presume he is a responsible parent?

Personally I have no issue regardless but i don't get this 'what I say goes' mentality

Jeez, it’s only an hour and a half! It will be fine. I’ve been on loads and loads of boat trips like that and people do bring kids that age. Generally the kids seem to love it and are fascinated by being on the water.

I doubt it'll be the tiny fishing boat you're imagining. It'll be a little tour boat suitable for family groups. Your child will love it, it'll be exciting. A child in nappies is easier to manage than one that's potty training/ed in the circumstances.

What kind of boat is this?!!! I live in Dorset, and the boats used for trips around the harbour, island trips etc are usually a lower and upper decks, that have toilets! What is the trip for?! Unless it's a fishing trip, then yes the boats are smaller and no facilities. I took my son who was just over 18 months on a Norfolk Broads trip, he was bored senseless! He was too young, and not interested in anything. He whinged the entire time. It really depends on the child really, some children may love the trip at 2 years old, and others hate it.

If it is too choppy I would not go! Went on a choppy boat trip with kids last summer and we did not have fun! 90mins is quite long if you are not enjoying it and you can’t get off. Depends on size of boat and weather so take them both in to account before you go.

It's only 90 mins. I would make sure he's wearing waterproof trousers/dungarees plus warm coat/hat as I think the main potential issue will be being cold/ getting wet if water splashes in. Biscuits/crackers or whatever is a treat in case he needs placating. Are you going to see seals/puffins etc etc? Just being on the boat will be exciting! If it's too choppy they will cancel.

When's the trip ? Both my boys pooed on the potty long before pees ! If it's a few weeks away see if you can get him going then you won't have to worry about it ! I think yourll have fun :) enjoy your trip

Appropiate clothes and you will do fine. It's 1 1/2 hour!

Your toddler isn't going to be interested for 90 minutes on a boat, but he wouldn't be interested anything for that length of time at that age.

As for the instantly pooing his nappy - the same could happen on a motorway - stuck in a hold-up on the M25 with a stinky baby in the back.

It might not be the most sensible way to spend your time but his father will hopefully learn and maybe book something more realistic next time.

Enjoy your trip!

i assume you can bring the boat back early if any incidents? DC might be happy chasing ducks. You can nappy change in the boat, it doesn’t take much space.

Like a previous poster mentioned, as long as they are aware a two year old will be onboard and all the necessary safety precautions are in place for your child then it will be fine.

Of course, remember to dress him in weather appropriate clothing with two spare sets, spare hat and gloves too.

Regarding the nappy changing issue, simply change him just before you get on and afterwards as well, unless he has done a number two, I am sure there should be an enclosed area whereby they can accommodate him for the nappy change?

Safety being the priority here, once confirmed, I think it will be fun : ) x

Fuck that. I've been on a similar boat trip before and it was horrible. Those boats are small so he'll have to sit still and he'll be bored after half an hour. Not the kind of activity for an active toddler.

And if one of you gets seasick, that is going to be a long 90 mins.

I'd be more worried that he won't sit still

If your DH doesn't have a clue and is just throwing money at things, you don't have to go along with something completely impractical

Might be worth ringing beforehand?

How many poos does he do? DS only ever went once per day past about 9 months old, so like others he was pooing on the toilet morning or evening long before potty training for wees. I suggest trying to encourage that, not least because it's nicer for you when you can flush straight away!

The boat will be lovely, we've always loved boat trips as there's so much to see. Take spare clothes just in case, lots of snacks and water, then enjoy!

If he doesn’t like it or is bored - your DH booked it - he can entertain him!

I’ve changed nappies outside in the most arduous conditions. Helps if there’s two of you to hold them still, pass you stuff and shield the poo-fest from other people. Take a towel. Put changing mat on the floor or a bench seat, towel over top so it doesn’t feel cold, something soft under head, leave all top half clothes on to keep them warm, whip off nappy, super-fast with the wipes, quick dry with towel, then whip on new nappy. Whole thing should take 2 mins.

Are you hiring the boat yourself? If so, you’ll need to keep tight hold of him on your lap. Wrap up warm. Should be a fun trip. Look up what wildlife you may see before you go.

He’ll love it. We’ve done a boat trip in the Lakes with a 2.5 year old and it was brilliant - just check it’s all fine for little ones with their insurance (correct life jackets, etc). We were actually mid potty training when we did it 🤪 but it was totally fine!! I packed about 10 pairs of spare pants but we didn’t need them haha.
If you do go just take so many snacks, pack snacks like you’re packing for a weekend away 🤣

Sounds like a perfectly appropriate day out for a toddler.

If he poos soon after departure you just change him and obviously don’t leave him in it. You don’t need a drop down table to change a nappy. Your lap, the floor, the pram lying flat??

Have the posters saying YABU actually sat - let alone stood - on a fishing boat in UK seas with a child?

Hold on tight OP and make sure baby doesn't fall out!

Hard to say, I took mine punting in Cambridge when she was 2 and she screamed her head off for 40 minutes, but my friend's child fell asleep immediately.

I'd take some entertainment like sticker or coloring books (Crayola Mess Free coloring work really well in such situations) and a lot of snacks.

As per PPs, surely he can manage 90 minutes - if he can't use pull ups and make sure he's clean getting on board. There'll be so much to see it's unlikely he'll get bored (edit for wrong board/ bored)

I think y son would have loved this at 2. Doesn’t matter about changing him- it’s 90 minutes!!! Go and enjoy. At 2 imo he’s old enough now to do more ‘exciting’ activities!