Please or to access all these features

Add post

Watch this thread

Save thread

Start a new thread

Flip thread

Hide thread

My feed

Active Unanswered threads

Getting started FAQ's

Unanswered threads Acronyms Talk guidelines

Hide shortcut buttons

Talk

Parenting

For free parenting resources please check out the Early Years Alliance's Family Corner.

Flip

1 2 3 4 5

Original poster

I never take my toddler out

107 replies

Wednesday23 · 04/02/2022 20:42

I have an 19 month old daughter and I almost never take her out. I've never taken her to a park or toddler group and I feel so guilty about it. I work and I don't drive so taking her places is really hard. We have fun at home and she's a happy kid but it always eats away at me.

OP posts:

Are your children’s vaccines up to date?

Set a reminder

mynameiscalypso · 04/02/2022 20:45

What does she do while you're working? I don't always take my DS out when I'm at home with him but he goes to nursery 4 days a week so figure he gets the socialisation and fun those days!

NatriumChloride · 04/02/2022 20:46

What do you do at the weekends with her? Just put her in a buggy and walk around the block or take her to your local playground or park. It doesn’t have to be everyday (what sort of childcare do you use, if you work full
Time? If she’s at a nursery, do they have outdoors time scheduled in?) but some outdoor time is recommended for kids and I’d go mad if we were cooped up indoors all day. Do you have a garden? Do you take her out there?

RedCandyApple · 04/02/2022 20:46

You’ve never taken her to a park? You don’t need to drive to visit a park? Many people don’t drive

Interested in this thread?

Then you might like threads about these subjects:

1 year olds Behaviour & development Families General parenting

Hockeyboysmum · 04/02/2022 20:47

I wouldnt feel guilty exactly but i have a disabled toddler who is 22 months . Before xmas we were stuck in a rut of barely going out. He was happy as doesnt always cope well witj people and places. I got more and more depressed though so now i make huge effort to go out each day even if just a walk to park. I find he naps better after fresh air and i feel so much happier having been out

AnneLovesGilbert · 04/02/2022 20:47

What do you do at weekends? Do you have any outdoor space? Do you ever go for a walk?

duvetdayforeveryone · 04/02/2022 20:50

If she goes to nursery I don't see what the problem is. Wait for the weather to warm up then start going out more.

SparkleSpangle · 04/02/2022 20:50

Can you try and fit It into your routine? We often do park, home for lunch, nap. DS need the run around to wear him out or he doesn't nap.

I know It is hard to start but once it's part of your day off it becomes second nature.

BuickMcKane · 04/02/2022 20:51

Don't you ever just stick her in the buggy and take her for a walk? Not even to the shops? I don't drive either but surely there's a play area in walking distance even if it's a bit of a way?

Quail15 · 04/02/2022 20:53

If your toddler is in childcare whilst you work then they will be fine - I have a 3 year old and a 9 month old and they go to nursery when I'm at work.

I also take them out on my days off as I'm a terrible parent and I hate make believe play etc ... So I keep them busy by dragging them out to anywhere - parks, swimming, cafe, library, anything close by that's not expensive ..... As long as it's out of the house and they can be distracted/engaged in something.

No matter what you do you will worry/feel guilty about something.

Hercisback · 04/02/2022 20:53

What, do you not leave the house at weekends? What does she do when you work?

As she gets older you'll probably want to get her out for physical activity and fresh air.

Mommabear20 · 04/02/2022 20:53

I take DC (19 months and 6 months) out for a walk daily and find they both nap better than if I don't. It doesn't have to be anything fancy, we go to the park, or into town and look around some shops and if DD has been good, we stop at our local coffee shop for a coffee and hot milk!

AliceW89 · 04/02/2022 20:54

Goodness, I’m jealous! I’m out twice a day with same age DS otherwise we’d both go stir crazy. I suppose if you have a garden which she is getting fresh air in, it isn’t a problem as such. I assume she’s in some form of childcare while you work?

QforCucumber · 04/02/2022 20:56

Mine are 5 and 19 months and in ft school and nursery so there are often days at the weekend where we don’t go out, but most times a Sunday morning is a trip to the park or a walk or just something to get us all out together, even just a walk to the local cafe for a scone and some air, no baby groups though - he gets that socialisation 5 days a week at nursery

ShallWeTalkAboutBruno · 04/02/2022 20:56

I assume she’s in childcare while you work, so she’ll be getting some stimulation there?
I’d suggest taking her for a walk to a local playground or something though, or even just a walk round the streets splashing in puddles. It’s nice to get out.

caulkheaded · 04/02/2022 20:58

What stops you? I like taking DC out and the conversations we have about stuff we see, but DH is less inclined to do this as once he’s in he likes to stay in!

Bitofachinwag · 04/02/2022 21:00

@RedCandyApple

You’ve never taken her to a park? You don’t need to drive to visit a park? Many people don’t drive

That depends on where you live.

cookiesandcream24 · 04/02/2022 21:04

I have an 18 month old and would be crazy if I didn't go anywhere with her. So would she actually! Honesty don't be scared give it a go, a baby group or just a local park. You will see her having such a fun time and see how much easier it is than being at home. You'll get a buzz from this too and both go home feeling good. How about get the bus somewhere? This is an adventure in itself for a toddler 😊

RedCandyApple · 04/02/2022 21:06

RedCandyApple
You’ve never taken her to a park? You don’t need to drive to visit a park? Many people don’t drive
That depends on where you live.

I would be really shocked if someone lived somewhere so isolated there wasn’t even a child's playground within walking distance yet didn't drive!

teaandchocolate1 · 04/02/2022 21:07

We are both working and during the week our son (17 months) goes to a childminder, so we also don't take him out during the day.

On the weekend we make an effort though and take him to the park, soft play, shopping centre..... We go crazy if we stay indoors all the time and it's good for him to have fresh air.

Tee20x · 04/02/2022 21:17

Tbh DD is in nursery 4 days a week & on the weekends we literally just chill, play games, play with toys - read books. She does a 2/3 hour nap in the afternoon which takes up a big chunk of the day.

We might nip out to the park for swings or to run errands but nothing excessive

Way I see it is she does all the fun socialisation at nursery and she's literally there 9-5 everyday. That's hard going so I think it does her good to just chill out on the weekends and recoup.

JustWonderingIfYou · 04/02/2022 21:19

Honestly that's awful!

I don't drive, I still take my toddler out everyday. During lockdown we went to 2 parks a day.

Excepting huge disability or major drip feed I think you are really doing your child a disservice. How will she learn abou the world if you don't show her?

How have you never gone anywhere?! Thats outrageous, your poor child.

MyGlassKeepsLeaking · 04/02/2022 21:20

You need to take her out, for fresh air and so that she can see the outside world. There surely must be a park of some kind not too far away. I didn't drive when my sons were little, but I took them to playgroups 9I hated that but they got to play with other kids, which is important)

Abracadabra12345 · 04/02/2022 21:21

@Tee20x

Tbh DD is in nursery 4 days a week & on the weekends we literally just chill, play games, play with toys - read books. She does a 2/3 hour nap in the afternoon which takes up a big chunk of the day.

We might nip out to the park for swings or to run errands but nothing excessive

Way I see it is she does all the fun socialisation at nursery and she's literally there 9-5 everyday. That's hard going so I think it does her good to just chill out on the weekends and recoup.

Sounds great

TheCanyon · 04/02/2022 21:23

I don't drive, I HATE going solo to toddler groups so only went to twins club when dh was rarely off. There is always a park or walk you can go on, id find myself nipping to the shop everyday to get something we needed

RedCandyApple · 04/02/2022 21:23

@JustWonderingIfYou