Do you go out everyday?

[incognito1991]

I Have a 2 year old and work only two days per week. The rest of the days I just can’t seem to stay home, when DH is off we will stay in one day and I will do deep cleans, besides that I can’t sit home all day. I will take DD to playgroups/park usually have a look in a shop or supermarket, go to see my family etc. Many times I tell myself I will stay home tomorrow and always find an excuse to go out. I feel I’m wasting money unnecessarily due to this, is anyone else like this or is it just me?

Though I would have described myself as a homebody back then, when I first had kids I had to go out every day, even if just for a long walk. We went out to lunch at a restaurant on the river the second day back from the hospital. I joined the post natal group when my baby was three weeks. Going from working full time to just me and baby was a hard adjustment!
I don’t think there’s anything wrong with going out every day. The park is free, and we used to alternate from one with a playground to a more nature based one with ducks (the most overfed ones alive). There was a city zoo (farm animals) which was free bar the price of an ice cream. It’s good for you and the kids!
Now with my youngest at uni and my oldest living independently I can spend days on end at home!

Yes, absolutely with small child I went out everyday, even if just to my mum’s or the park, even in the rain. I couldn’t stay in all day with a toddler!

No. But I work outdoors, year-round in a physically demanding job, so weekends are when I get my much-needed "indoor time".

Nope. And I love it.

I would go insane if I had to stay home all day on my home, but with a toddler?

Yes, we used to go out every single day. At the very least, mornings to playgroups, library activities etc, and afternoons at parks or soft plays or walks.

You CAN easily stop wasting money on coffees and drinks however.

I would highly recommend yearly memberships as Christmas or Birthday presents for your child. Things like family farm parks , with indoor softplay and outdoor playgrounds are brilliant when they are little and you can go once or twice a week.

Even during Covid I took the kids outside most of the day, like most parents did, it's less usual for people to mostly stay in when they don't have to.

Depends on what's on my list of things to do! I don't work anymore early retired, live on my own so I can do whatever I feel like.

I get out most days, not when it's lashing rain or howling wind though, nope not that much of a masochist! When I've a job to do I stick at it and stay in until it's done. For example I spent a week or so during the heatwave when it was just too hot to go out anywhere really, clearing out the wardrobes and filling umpteen sacks for the charity shop. I stuck at it and it's done. Then I went out and am back to daily walks.

I'm not one for lazing around the house though. I get fidgety 😊

I’d say I’m spending around 100-120 per week at the minute

I mean, if you can afford it, then crack on, but if (like for most of us) that is putting a strain on your budget, then you can still get out without spending anywhere near that amount.
A good place to start is going out either morning OR afternoon and not needing lunch. Or taking a picnic.
Take water with you, and / or coffee in a travel mug.

I've just been reading a post on my local area Facebook Group where people have been putting free (or very low cost) things to do with dc in the holidays. The post has only been up about 1/2 hour and there have been about 30 replies already, some of which were advertising a list of events. Unless you live somewhere very remote, there will be things going on you can get to without spending a fortune.

Spending money unnecessarily at the retail park on your way home from outings with DD has absolutely nothing to do with spending time with DD! The retail park spending is your problem and something you can stop without reducing the amount of walks/ park and playground visits and toddlers groups you do with DD.

You're conflating your shopping addiction with your time with your toddler. Stay out of the retail park and your problem is solved.

Shopping can be an addiction - if you think that is you tgen seek help - it's absolutely a red herring to conflate leaving the house for toddler activities with the adult activity of shopping at a retail park.

Do you have young kids?

i take the kids out every day but not to retail parks or shops so don’t spend nearly as much as you do.
You’re conflating the two things. You can take your child out every day and spend time with her without going to retail parks.

No, otherwise I would be out all of the time

You’re definitely not alone. With a two-year-old, getting out of the house can be more about keeping yourself sane than actually needing to buy anything. Maybe mix in more free outings like walks, parks or the library, and give yourself a small weekly budget for the shop trips. I wouldn’t feel guilty unless it’s causing financial stress.

You’re definitely not alone. With a two-year-old, getting out of the house can be more about keeping yourself sane than actually needing to buy anything. Maybe mix in more free outings like walks, parks or the library, and give yourself a small weekly budget for the shop trips. I wouldn’t feel guilty unless it’s causing financial stress.