Staying in vs going out

[bananas9]

Does anyone find it's actually less stressful staying in? Last weekend we didn't go out, just food shop and played in the garden and had a really nice stress free weekend and ds was really happy. Yesterday we went for breakfast, went out to another town for a look around and then went shopping and it was soooo stressful. DS refused to go in pram and wanted to be carried everywhere but only by dh who has a bad back and was just whinging all the time. Safe to say today we are having a chilled one

No I find it so much easier to be out and about!! I just find it easier to entertain my LO that way but do whatever works for you!

I'm with pp I hate staying in. Stuck in today solo as one toddler is sick, weather crap and husband working. Facing a constant battle of trying to stop them putting things in their mouths, touching things they shouldn't etc. Outside they'd be happy and entertained and I would too.

But it's also to do with the type of person you are I think. I find staying indoors boring in general with or without kids. If you're a homebody you probably prefer staying in.

I don't have a garden so no! But if I did then yes. Although within the last couple of months 19 month old has become much less Whiney and more content in the pram, so its actually fine.

It depends on where you are going. I have a 5 year old and a 2 year old so going out tends to be science museum, library, parks, aquarium, quick trip to costa, soft play and swimming. When we stay at home the kids are equally as happy but the house looks like a bomb site.

Nope, I find life much easier when we can get out and about, but I find big days out more stressful again!

The ideal for us is a leisurely breakfast and an hour or so to potter, play with toys etc. Then go out to a toddler group, the park, one of the quieter soft plays - something low key. Have lunch whilst out then DD falls asleep either in car or buggy depending on the scenario.

She doesn’t nap well/ at all if we’re stuck at home and it all just gets quite stressful.

Your example is quite extreme. I find going out to the park or a toddler group or a cafe or the local garden centre much easier than staying in. But 2 year old DS would be a mess if we tried to do everything you did yesterday in one day. Breakfast out OR visiting a town OR shopping would be more suitable for us (assuming from your description your DC is a baby or toddler).

Actually let’s be honest, beyond being bribed around the supermarket with some strawberries…never, ever shopping with a toddler 😬

I find it easier to stay at home too. I used to feel guilty about it but during the pandemic I realised you can have lovely quality time at home without all the rushing around. I think the key is to do what works for you and embrace it!

I find it better to be out and about but my son is only 6 months so still very portable and happy to chill in his pram and tag along for whatever i feel like doing. Might change when he's a toddler.

I do aim to have at least one of his naps in his cot every day so I get an hour to myself though!

Nope... prefer going out! But to be honest it's usually for DD we go out, to parks/soft play/swimming or just for a walk! Keeps her entertained, otherwise it's just her playing in the garden or she watches some tv! I find I spend more time with her one on one when we're out, otherwise she's bored & im doing housework

Almost never. But then, you have gone from one extreme to another.