HELP! Not been to bed, what activities shall I do with my children today

[MonstersIncq]

For various reasons (work to do, snotty children and DH) I managed to get into bed for just two hours last night and couldn't sleep.

Have my 3yo and 4mo at home today and decided to have a break from the group we usually do in the mornings. 3yo quite old for his age so doesn't enjoy all that many playgroups so i don't want to risk something new today.

So what shall I do? 4mo not well and super clingy at the moment.

Should I sling her up and go brave and do some big day out (we are in London)? I sometimes find this helps when exhausted due to adrenaline or something.

Or shall I try and 'be kind to myself' and have a low key day? Could do some baking, painting.

We've got a little garden and a park nearby. Any suggestions for things to make that fun? (Playground closed at moment). Often do things like searching for insects etc but need more ideas.

Or just General ways you fill the day without dropping down dead!

Oh God. I think in your situation I'd just get the Duplo out and stick the telly on. Do whatever you feel able to cope with - it's almost the weekend!

It'd be a DVD and blanket day for me under those circumstances.

Duvet, Duplo, tv etc day.

Can you set up some sort of obstacle course thing for 3y0 in garden (I make my ds challenges "run touch the trampoline! Now touch the slide - run!" Then after they have knackered themselves out get blankets and snacks and a dvd and don't move for the rest of the day. I hate days like those, sleep deprivation sucks!

Having pulled a few all nighters before Xmas to get stuff done I didn't even attempt a day out!
A DVD that automatically plays on loop like frozen, snuggle down on sofa and doze. DCs will play in that room with an eye on TV. Order pizza for lunch and just aim to survive.

Honestly nowhere does it say that you must do activities with DC every day, sometimes they like a quiet duvet day too

Soft play.

It's the only way.

Have a peaceful morning at home, lunch then soft play for the critical post lunch- supper time slump.

Going into London with no sleep ? I wouldn't even brave Belfast with no sleep

Chill out( as best you can ) cbeebies is your friend for days like these .

I would go out to kill a couple of hours, you will feel less tired. Go and treat yourselves to a nice lunch and coffee and cake too.

A nice film in the afternoon (you can lie on the sofa and rest meanwhile :)) Hope it goes well!

Oh, and London with no sleep is fine if you live there, then it's just life!

What nena says...

A bath for the toddler in the afternoon often saved me on those days, throw in all the toys and keep topping up the water, then duvet on the sofa.

Got us all out and thought we'd go to the library. It was bloody closed! Back already. And house is freezing! I hate winter. Summertime we'd be set up in the park all day long and it would be glorious!

Oh god, the go-easy days described here sound like many of my average days (on a full night's sleep)