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Original poster

Anyone else struggling to get little kids out of the house?

37 replies

Wingingthis · 19/01/2021 13:47

8mo & 3yo. Between baby’s naps & the time it takes to feed and clean her up. Actually managing to get myself ready and convincing very determined toddler to get ready I am failing most days to get out of the house for a walk.
3yo HATES walks now as well, moans she’s tired the whole way round. Any advice? Feel awful for not getting daily or nearly daily fresh air & exercise!!

OP posts:
JS87 · 19/01/2021 13:49

I'm struggling to get my 9 year old out the house. He has no interest in fresh air and exercise and between home schooling, working full time, hours of daylight and the weather it's hard to find the time.

Sitt · 19/01/2021 13:52

Similar ages, similar feelings. We do get out most days and it is usually worth the effort but each time I feel such resentment for the lack of museums, libraries, swimming, going to friends houses, toddler groups that we would normally have access to at this time of year to mix things up

FuckOffBorisYouTwat · 19/01/2021 13:53

Use a scooter, and always being a snack (bribome). Try geo aching or something to make it more fun. Is there a park she likes?

Hotpinkangel19 · 19/01/2021 13:53

I'm struggling to get my toddler out because my older children are home doing live lessons and I can't leave the younger one.

FuckOffBorisYouTwat · 19/01/2021 13:54

If it makes you feel better I have to virtually drag my teens out the house each day and they are not allowed on screens

Sitt · 19/01/2021 13:55

“ Is there a park she likes?”

Sorry to laugh at this one, though I know it’s meant helpfully. I think all of us with toddlers have made full use of parks in the last year

Dahlietta · 19/01/2021 13:57

I was going to say scooter. Or balance bike? Or a 'treasure hunt'. Could you take a bucket and look for themed items - leaves, stones, sticks? I'm sorry, it doesn't sound very exciting really, but they're strange little creatures, toddlers, and one of those might sell it.

user1493413286 · 19/01/2021 14:02

I find it hard between naps, bottles and meal times and if we miss the time slots (pretty much 11.30 or 3pm) then it’s hard to find other time. Do you have a buggy board? Or would your toddler be safe with a dolls pram or scooter? I use a combination to convince DD out of the door and we also go out on bear hunts or gruffalo walks. We also go looking for sticks and leaves to make a picture with.

TwirpingBird · 19/01/2021 14:03

I have a 2 year old and a 10 week old. I have a window of between 9:45 and 10:20 to get out of the house every day and if I miss that window then naps, bottles, lunch, dinner prep all gets in the way. I am managing it about 3 times a week if it doesnt rain but I am wondering how long it will take my DD to get sick of the playground as it's the only place local to walk to, unless I walk around the estates in circles. Considering we spent regular weekends on long walks with the dog in forest parks, and my weeks at softplay, nursery, and playgrounds, the solitary nature of it all is killing me. I hate it so much I cant explain.

RedskyBynight · 19/01/2021 14:06

Scavenger hunt (take a bucket)
Jump in mud
Jump in leaves
Offer instructions (can you find a tree? Run to the tree! Now hop to bush!)
If you can get out earlier peg coloured pegs to items and then challenge toddler to find them.
Make a natural items "Sculpture" (aka put some leaves and twigs in a pile)
Tell a story as you go
Bark rubbing (or leaf rubbing if you have any that aren't sodden)
I spy (with colours)
Count things. 10 trees. Then 10 pine cones. Then 10 puddles.

RedskyBynight · 19/01/2021 14:07

Oh and hide and seek.
(Of course it will take you ages to find toddler who is hiding behind tree just ahead of you).

Sitt · 19/01/2021 14:14

All these ideas are so lovely but all very much done since March! I agree the tricky thing can be timing with the baby, and mine is keen to be moving about herself and that’s not always compatible with walking

busface999 · 19/01/2021 14:16

I feel you! I think getting out early is key for us. Then it's done and you can spend the rest of the day warm and cosy! Maybe getting things organised the night before? I'll lay out my toddler's clothes, nappy, puddlesuit etc plus bag with drinks and snacks. And just get up and out as soon as I can in the morning! It's tedious though, all these cold walks..

november90 · 19/01/2021 14:22

Yes same here! My baby is 8months old and I have a 4 year old. He hates walking... it's so hard to get him out just for a walk. I end up having v to bribe him which doesn't make me feel good but I'm equally trying to not be so hard on myself. It's so upsetting. I looked forward to this preschool year with my baby and son so much :(

rowlandsden · 19/01/2021 14:26

Only a few days a week depending on weather. My will to live and motivation is out the window right now like many others. Before despite the lack of sleep, I felt that I needed to be out not to miss out on life and now there is no life and it's so much effort to go out. We have been doing the same damn thing every time we are out since March. Parks parks parks I never want to see one ever again once this is over! Btw op, don't be hard on yourself you're and like many other parents on the same boat, are doing an amazing job!

icanboogieboogiewoogie · 19/01/2021 14:27

My 3 year old is a right moan. We have a buggy bar so she doesn't even have to walk but it generally takes threats and bribery to get her out of the house. She's fine when she's out but takes such a long time to get her out.

BogRollBOGOF · 19/01/2021 15:57

I remember finding winter tough when my two were little. They could tag team naps and wipe out the entire afternoon.
Mornings were just hellish to coordinate getting them fed, dressed and with clean backsides.

It's hardgoing now at 7 & 10. It turns out that the 10 yo was a particularly tough toddler/ pre-schooler because of ASD and that's not easy in the face of few options that he likes. Homeschool is one long rumbling battle. He doesn't want to go out to the saturated mudpit of our park around the corner or go for a walk. He doesn't do ball sports... it's a small window to get out between two children's live lesson schedules. I'm trying but there is very little inspiration or willpower left.

MrsHugsxx · 19/01/2021 16:46

Yep. It takes ages to get out. We went for a walk the other day, eldest didn't want to come and younger kids screamed and cried and wanted carrying. We were out less than an hour.

Tavannach · 19/01/2021 16:51

Bribery.

SockQueen · 19/01/2021 16:55

Yep. Mine are 4 and 1.5, and it takes most of the morning to get ready to go out. If we're not spot on, then DS2 starts getting overtired and ratty because he needs his nap. But if we have his nap, then by the time he's awake and eaten lunch it's after 3 and getting dark soon!

DS1 is also very particular about which play areas he'll go to, and hates getting wet/muddy - doesn't even like his wellies to be dirty! I feel like I'm letting them down so much by having so many days at home, and I don't have the emotional energy to pretend that going on another nature scavenger hunt is really fun and exciting.

Zofloratheexplora · 19/01/2021 16:59

Go out first thing (i was usually out by 9.30 am when mine were that age)
Go out late (before dinner?)
Go for shorter walks (20/30 mins is fine)
Leave tidying up until later
Mine are 5 and 2, they will walk for longer and more quickly if they take their toy pushchairs

ColourMeExhausted · 19/01/2021 17:27

Sick of walks. Sick of mustering enthusiasm for yet another one. We do manage to get DC (3 and 5) out every day though. What works is snack bribery. And it's a firm part of our routine now so they seem to know to expect it, thank god. I also have a bag of chocolate coins in a hidden compartment of my rucksack for those 'refusing to budge' moments...

It's so hard though. What I wouldn't give for an open soft play, no matter how grubby...

Treaclepie19 · 19/01/2021 17:33

I am too. Its not my 5yo, its my 4mo. She hates the pram and sling.

istheresomethingwrongwithme · 19/01/2021 17:44

Agree it's so hard. Mine are 3 and 2. We live down a fairly long lane so mine walk up that (uphill), then they get in the double pushchair and I walk for miles. They seem to like it and whilst they're not exercising themselves, at least they're getting loads of fresh air and aren't staring at a TV screen. Plus it's good for me, I'd go bonkers without those couple of hours stomping around in the morning and I'm not going to make this time even harder by forcing them on a walk they don't want to go on. Could you do something like that? Then at least your toddler would get change of scenery, even if she's not walking herself.

EatingAllTheCookies · 19/01/2021 17:44

Similar here. I've found in the 30 min they're happily playing after breakfast is run upstairs get myself sorted make beds get their clothes out. Get the baby ready. When he naps get the 2 Yr old ready. And a bottle ready to take out. Then when he wakes if go straight out.
Or if he's woken later so doesn't nap till afternoon is wait till he's had 2nd bottle and go.
We have loads of parks locally. And a couple by car. Which I only do if in way to Aldi as I drive past it and its much more spacious.
At the moment dd likes going just for a walk. Cannu print like a mini treasure hunt to make it fun. Dd gets them from pre school
Find a brown leaf, stone, tree with no leaves., a green Bush, a bird etc.

Maybe things like that online to make it more fun