What do your days/weeks look like with a three yr old (+/- baby)?

[MeadowHay]

I'm on mat leave now awaiting no.2's arrival and wondering what everyone else does to keep their 3yr old entertained particularly if they also have a baby. I don't drive so that is a limiting factor unfortunately, DH is at work Mon-Fri and DC1 at nursery two weekdays.

Atm our weeks are:

Mon - morning we get out for either a stay and play group or a baby/toddler theatre group (not as odd as it sounds!). If we are at the theatre group we will sometimes go to a local park after and have a picnic lunch and a play in the playground. She will often have a power nap on the way home. PM just spent playing at home, might have a quick walk to the shop if we need a few bits and bobs.

Tues & Wed - nursery.

Thurs - playgroup in the AM, usually power naps on the way home. PM spent playing at home.

Fri - did try a new baby & toddler group for the AM but she was bored and was by far the eldest there, it was more suitable for younger kids, so not sure how to fill this day now. At some point we usually pop toy DPs and DM helps entertain her or we might go there for lunch or meet her in a local cafe or play cafe for lunch.

I already find the afternoons can drag at home especially as DC won't play by herself for more than about 5 minutes and just tantrums if I don't come to play with her after that. And she already watches between 1 and 2hrs a day of TV on the days I have her alone.

What do you get up to?

Tend to do lots of park trips though I did have dc2 in November last year so limited option to keep the oldest entertained. We did walks as well and if you have any friends with similar age kids nice to wet them places just for a bit of sanity!!! We also live near a large aircraft collection that we have yearly membership for though realise that's not an option for lots. Baking with the 3 year old or craft things to break the afternoon up a bit can also work well

I have a 3 year gap. With a new gap but DD was in school nursery every morning. Initially my days were up dressed, school run, home a do a few chores with DD2 in the sling. Then wake up DD2 to bf while a watch TV, nappy change and off on the school run again. Make lunch. Then let DD1 watch TV, read books, playdoh etc. Make dinner while they were in the witching hour and check ‘find my’ a few times wishing DH would be home quicker.

A few months later we were managing an occasional baby group in the morning and an after gymnastics session for DD1. Then covid hit.

I have a 3 year age gap and my 3YO was FT at nursery by the DC2 arrived as it was a school nursery where they wanted them full time for the last year. Baby got carted around with me doing whatever I wanted really. Once we were out of the newborn fog that was mostly shopping, lunches, going for walks.

We visit the library every Friday. They have a pre-school story time with squash and a biscuit and then we return and borrow books.

DS goes to nursery 3days a week. On those days I drop DS to nursery then do a couple of laps around the park with DS2. Then get in the car and go do some errands (mainly to pass the time as I find it somehow better to be out than in).

I get home for lunch then "play" with DS2 for a bit omce he's woken up. He's 2months so this consists of tummy time, reasing a book, singing, playing peek a boo, etc, which collectively lasts around 10mins. Then it's mainly monotonous cycle of naps, feeds and nappy changes until it's time to collect DS1. DH arrives home shortly after.

On days when DS1 is not at nursery, i let him watch far too much TV. We'll occasionally venture out to the park or to visit a friend. I don't manage very well on non nursery days if I'm honest.