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Winter in tier three - what are you doing

47 replies

Cathy31 · 27/11/2020 19:04

To make the next few months more enjoyable? We're very grateful to be in a good situation compared to many - DH and I are both ok for work (so far) and neither we nor our two children have any major health issues. But we're both immigrants to the UK (from countries with major quarantine requirements), so although we have friends here, we're feeling quite isolated. And - like everyone else - we're tired of the restrictions. Both working from home too, so longing for a change of scene!

So, tell me - what helps you? I'm looking for things we can do with two under three (either with them, or in the house once they're asleep). We can spend some money, but don't want anything that creates more housework/ mess - so no cooking/ DIY. New pjs is literally all I can come up with!

OP posts:
lala2221 · 28/11/2020 08:31

Some lovely ideas 😄

studychick81 · 28/11/2020 08:52

A lot of walks, ideally broken up with a take away hot chocolate. My dc enjoyed a bike ride to the local park to collect conkers and then spent some time playing with them and putting them in vinegar. We have also been to NT places a lot.

This weekend we are probably going to the local garden centre to see the Christmas displays and buy some decorations for the tree.

We got some aqua beads so dd spends quite a lot of time playing with those and drawing/colouring/writing Christmas lists.

I got some ingredients for Christmas baking to do when it gets nearer Christmas.

starfish4 · 28/11/2020 08:56

As mentioned different parks, countryside, rivers or canals with DC, perhaps going on a search for something, like birds, different trees. After a few dry winter days you might find some dry leaves in woods which children love. Splashing in puddles for DC. Take a picnic to eat out or in car. Some places might sell takeaway drinks, your little ones might like some hot chocolate in a walk.

Say hello to others, make a comment about the weather, a question about the walk you're on -contact lifts spirits even if simple.

Jigsaws, games indoors. If takeaways are open, maybe one of those and treat snacks or ready meals for a change.

Cook a special meal for eachother for after the children have gone to bed - we used to do it once a week when DD was little.

Don't forget me time, so even just getting out on your own for a walk, cycle ride or one of you might like to take up running.

Topsyandtimison37 · 28/11/2020 09:21

@bb14
'Wait until dusk and have a walk to spot Christmas lights (with a hot milk)'

Love this!!!!!!!!

OpheliasCrayon · 28/11/2020 09:28

I understand what you mean about not wanting to make more mess. I can't abide anything like painting as it is just a drama after however my two do love crafts and it keeps them very happy - you can get not badly priced little sets of stuff from sites like Baker Ross. I'm about to put in an order there, and I did during the first lockdown. They give you everything you need, so you don't need to provide much else yourself and none of them are messy things. I'd really recommend that for crafty but not super messy.

frozendaisy · 28/11/2020 09:41

Buy a toy letter box if you don't have or make I guess and "post' some letters to various teddies.

You "hide" place teddies around house or garden

Kids have to run around "posting" their letters - ours did this for hours!

frozendaisy · 28/11/2020 09:43

Ours also loved the wooden train set but we needed fancy pieces (bridges, level crossings and stations) and people .....passengers

Cathy31 · 28/11/2020 10:06

@Bb14 @Topsyandtimison37 - I agree, a late afternoon walk to see Christmas lights sounds magical! People are just starting to put their lights up round here, so over the next couple of weeks this will be a lovely thing to do in that interminable hour between DC dinner and bedtime...

@starfish4 - a special meal once a week sounds good. It's odd - DH and I have a lot of time together atm, but it's really low quality - exchanging info on chores/ childcare/ work schedules. We're trying to keep the cooking mess to a minimum, but I've told him we should open a nice bottle of wine on a Saturday evening to make it a special meal for us. He's agreed, and has put champagne in the fridge for tonight! Smile

OP posts:
userxx · 28/11/2020 10:29

I'll be drinking copious amounts of red wine to get through it and once the pubs are open I'll be straight in there.

LunchWithAGruffalo · 28/11/2020 15:31

Simple routine gives a bit of shape to the week, we do homemade pizza and a film most Saturday evenings. At the moment were watching His Dark Materials together. Board game night, with some snacks. Over the last lockdown we all dressed up as our characters for cluedo evening.

For me knitting or some project where I can just do a few minutes but still see some progress at the end of the week.

I'm also determined to make a better job of the veg patch next year, so I'm starting to plan that out and its motivating me to do a few more jobs in the garden when it's not too wet.

BackforGood · 28/11/2020 17:13

You could try doing one of the numerous 'Random Acts of Kindness Advent Calendars' that are about.
Example

Or look at a few and create your own.

At the risk of sounding a bit cheesy, it really is a lovely thing to do a little something for someone else. Really can be the smallest of gestures.
Someone gave me a big bag of apples off their tree last week so I've made some crumbles and delivered them round to 6 different people / couples this afternoon. Everybody was really appreciative - it is the fact you are thinking about them, and taking the trouble to pop round rather than the crumble itself, that is the point. You can do the same by writing a letter, or making a phone call to someone you haven't been in touch with for a while.
You could get the little ones to do some hand prints or something to make some home made Christmas cards and deliver them to your neighbours.

mamaduckbone · 28/11/2020 17:22

I'm making my own Christmas cards and I'm doing a ridiculous advent calendar for the kids (aged 11 and 15) and dh - we have a set of little numbered stockings that usually just have a small chocolate and maybe a message in, but this year they are going to give directions to all manner of goodies to cheer everyone up. So far I have Biscoff spread, hot chocolate, katsu curry rice pots, Pringles, a box of mince pies and Christmas pudding chocolate digestives. They won't all be food but since all shops except supermarkets are shut that's as far as I've got so far.

Starface · 28/11/2020 19:39

Your kids are so little, it often feels a bit rinse and repeat at that age.

Hopefully your day is structured fairly well because of that, and presumably the little one still naps in the afternoon. My youngest is a similar age. Morning is therefore our core time for activities. Morning routine takes to 8.30 weekdays, 9.00-9.30 weekends. By then we are all dressed, washed and fed, with free play and tv time in there somewhere. The morning has a snack about 10.30 to 11, we eat lunch at 12. In the space in between, we might go to a park or out for a walk. We have discovered new parks, and different walks. Variety is important. These can easily be extended by seeing animals, bird spotting, discussion of trees/nature. You can get bird books etc to help. Some places have online pdf nature trails you can follow. Or as others have said, NT or EH places. Night walks to see the lights with torches will be coming soon, plus towns will open up a bit so go to a new one with Christmas decs up and a few kids rides in the pedestrianised area. Petting zoos will open up.

For indoor activities, pinterest is your friend. Loads of inspiration there for different activities to promote different skills, sensory activities, motor skills activities. It will involve planning and organisation for you, but there you go, another evening activity. Again, it's about getting the ideas more than anything. It will help you notice and observe your children and think about where their development needs extension. Rather than list ideas here, I think you need to go exploring for yourself. Just search activities for 2 year olds and you will get pages of ideas. Then build a board and getting planning. Take some photos as memories. Puzzles, orchard games. Get on your local FB freebie groups, people are always giving away stuff, going to collect it becomes an activity in itself. I generally have some toys out or accessible and a table with non messy craft (pens/pencils and paper) out at all times so they don't always need guided activities, they can entertain themselves a bit while I do chores around them.

Afternoon here involves a nap for the little one, snack about 3, dinner about 5. Around that is generally free play and tv.

Then after dinner possibly another activity, bathtime, reading, bed.

In the day time with two such young ones at least one of you is on parent duty, if not both. I can't seem to carve out much more time than for chores and maybe some exercise (though I get enough with walks with the kids tbh).

Evening activities with DH is the next thing. Some nights together, planned like a date. Some nights pursuing your own interests- keeps things interesting. YY to watching together in a planned way eg a boxset. Gaming if you like that. Puzzles. Board games (makes you interact in a different way). Borrow the same book from the library and read along together. Longer telephone conversations with friends. Batch cooking (I know you said you didn't like it, but I do it to make space on the day). Online activities - quizzes, book clubs. Reignite those zoom group activities with family and friends. Crafting for yourself - you can learn a lot from you tube, just find what you fancy trying (pinterest again) and give it a go. There are so many hobby options out there. Make stuff for your home, for your kids, for yourself. Creating is really fun. Do a future learn course. Sex (together or alone). Exercise. Life organisation. Do those things you've been putting off. Sort the family photos and make albums. Plan your pension, plan your new career moves, plan your holidays. Organise making your wills. Declutter. Clean whatever you've been putting off. Again, use pinterest for your own inspiration boards. Invest in self-help. Meditation. Do some self-coaching activities. Discuss your life goals with your partner and generate ideas of how to achieve them. Start bucket lists of places to go, adventures to have.

You are in a rut. But you can definitely self-generate your way out, it's just really hard when you are feeling unmotivated. Good luck!

Cathy31 · 29/11/2020 18:47

Thanks everyone! I went for a jog yesterday, then DH and I had an amazing 'date' evening together. Today, I took my toddler for a walk in the woods and a takeaway hot drink - it was literally idyllic! And I've just cooked a big cottage pie for tomorrow and Tuesday's dinners. I felt a bit down earlier today, but all these ideas, and having actually done some really enjoyable things, helped pull me out of the dip.

@BackforGood lovely idea! I'll bake something with the DC for our older neighbours this week. @Starface - I'll definitely do a weekly 'date' with DH from now on - we both so enjoyed it last night! And I've finally set up an online book club with a few friends - first book picked, and a date in the diary!

Hope you're all doing ok too!

OP posts:
Ginogineli · 29/11/2020 19:37

many places in tier 3 still open

e.g chill factor in manchester is still open for snow/skiing
farms are still doing all their annual xmas activities
safari parks doing lantern stuff
drive through cinemas
go to a cinema in tier 2
swimming
if down south, harry potter world etc still open

there's not that much not open nearby and regardless of mumsnet most people in tier 3 will just travel

Starface · 29/11/2020 20:46

Glad to hear it. Keep on keeping on!

Poppystars · 29/11/2020 20:50

Hire a hot tub for the conservatory for a weekend
Book tickets to outdoor lights show at nearby stately home

Go to the library if open to get books for the children

Dowser · 29/11/2020 23:00

Going to Tenerife for our usual two weeks before Christmas

BogRollBOGOF · 29/11/2020 23:43

I've treated myself to a Boot Buddy so that the hallway isn't caked in mud from walk, after walk, after walk.
I know how to rock and roll.

userxx · 30/11/2020 08:53

@Dowser How lovely. After this year I bet you can't wait. I spent last Christmas in the canaries, absolutely loved it and would do it every year if I could.

bumblingbovine49 · 30/11/2020 09:02

@Starface

Your kids are so little, it often feels a bit rinse and repeat at that age.

Hopefully your day is structured fairly well because of that, and presumably the little one still naps in the afternoon. My youngest is a similar age. Morning is therefore our core time for activities. Morning routine takes to 8.30 weekdays, 9.00-9.30 weekends. By then we are all dressed, washed and fed, with free play and tv time in there somewhere. The morning has a snack about 10.30 to 11, we eat lunch at 12. In the space in between, we might go to a park or out for a walk. We have discovered new parks, and different walks. Variety is important. These can easily be extended by seeing animals, bird spotting, discussion of trees/nature. You can get bird books etc to help. Some places have online pdf nature trails you can follow. Or as others have said, NT or EH places. Night walks to see the lights with torches will be coming soon, plus towns will open up a bit so go to a new one with Christmas decs up and a few kids rides in the pedestrianised area. Petting zoos will open up.

For indoor activities, pinterest is your friend. Loads of inspiration there for different activities to promote different skills, sensory activities, motor skills activities. It will involve planning and organisation for you, but there you go, another evening activity. Again, it's about getting the ideas more than anything. It will help you notice and observe your children and think about where their development needs extension. Rather than list ideas here, I think you need to go exploring for yourself. Just search activities for 2 year olds and you will get pages of ideas. Then build a board and getting planning. Take some photos as memories. Puzzles, orchard games. Get on your local FB freebie groups, people are always giving away stuff, going to collect it becomes an activity in itself. I generally have some toys out or accessible and a table with non messy craft (pens/pencils and paper) out at all times so they don't always need guided activities, they can entertain themselves a bit while I do chores around them.

Afternoon here involves a nap for the little one, snack about 3, dinner about 5. Around that is generally free play and tv.

Then after dinner possibly another activity, bathtime, reading, bed.

In the day time with two such young ones at least one of you is on parent duty, if not both. I can't seem to carve out much more time than for chores and maybe some exercise (though I get enough with walks with the kids tbh).

Evening activities with DH is the next thing. Some nights together, planned like a date. Some nights pursuing your own interests- keeps things interesting. YY to watching together in a planned way eg a boxset. Gaming if you like that. Puzzles. Board games (makes you interact in a different way). Borrow the same book from the library and read along together. Longer telephone conversations with friends. Batch cooking (I know you said you didn't like it, but I do it to make space on the day). Online activities - quizzes, book clubs. Reignite those zoom group activities with family and friends. Crafting for yourself - you can learn a lot from you tube, just find what you fancy trying (pinterest again) and give it a go. There are so many hobby options out there. Make stuff for your home, for your kids, for yourself. Creating is really fun. Do a future learn course. Sex (together or alone). Exercise. Life organisation. Do those things you've been putting off. Sort the family photos and make albums. Plan your pension, plan your new career moves, plan your holidays. Organise making your wills. Declutter. Clean whatever you've been putting off. Again, use pinterest for your own inspiration boards. Invest in self-help. Meditation. Do some self-coaching activities. Discuss your life goals with your partner and generate ideas of how to achieve them. Start bucket lists of places to go, adventures to have.

You are in a rut. But you can definitely self-generate your way out, it's just really hard when you are feeling unmotivated. Good luck!

Blimey this sounds exhausting. I think I am very depressed
Starface · 02/12/2020 05:34

@bumblingbovine49

It's not all at once! I mean, parenting small kids is exhausting and relentless, quite frankly. They aren't very independent and want to be around an adult all the time. I find structure helps me not feel overwhelmed actually, and then within that variety because otherwise I personally get really really bored and then become a crappy frustrated parent, which comes out in my parenting. This variety includes days with no organised activity, but more free play/tv whilst I chore in the activity gaps. But that massive list was in response to OPs request for ideas. So I listed a bunch so she could maybe find something that sparks. I wouldn't suggest this for someone not parenting small children, where there can be a lot more space and downtime.

I get the humour, but it really wasn't a manic "do all this this week" list, more of a "here's a bunch of ideas, it feels shite and samey, but something here might change it up".

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