Anyone have 2 under 2….

[GoAgainstNicki]

And neither kids go to nursery yet? If so, I just wondered what your day to day schedule looks like with the kids?

I see a lot of comments where people say mum’s should try and get out everyday but I can never think of what to do with both of them so we’re out for a considerable amount of time. I also wondered what sort of activities (if any) do you do inside and how much screen time your toddler gets?

For additional info, I take my 20 month old DD to toddler groups 2/3 times a week. She’ll occasionally go to soft play but these things are only 1/1.5hrs. My 9 month old DS has a genetic disorder so his days are split between physio, OT and his other regular appointments

is there a petting farm type place near you? I found this to be a good place to go to see the animals and a play in the sand pit/ soft play/ out door equipment etc. I had an annual pass. At that age my toddle would watch some cbeebies but no devices.
we did a lot of arts and crafts and reusable sticker books.

Do you have 2 under 2? Just asking because I can’t imagine taking two kids to the farm very often. I could probably do once a week but even then, that’s only for a few hours anyway

Go to people's houses. I spent many days visiting friends and family. They want to help and make you coffee all day. Plus you'll sometimes get lunch. At my mums I'd even have a little nap!

It's brutal but you'll get to nursery soon!!

I had 2 under 2 and walked miles every day. Took in cafes and garden centres. Buses into town. Playgroups/swimming/soft play. Get outside. They are now 32/31 and very active!

This too shall pass :)

Thank you:) unfortunately all my friends and family members work full time so there’s no one’s house to visit! My mum is the one person who doesn’t work and is home everyday but we don’t have a good relationship so I don’t go round there! What a bummer

I had 2 under 2……… and then 3 under 3! Honestly just do what you need to do to get through those first few years. Be kind to yourself, don’t try to have a perfect looking house and an empty laundry basket as neither will happen for a couple of years! Don’t compare yourself to other people and especially not their social media versions of their lives. Some days we made it out to the library, for a walk to the park, met friends for a coffee, a local playgroup ………. Other days it was a disaster and I didn’t get out of my pjs til half way through the day. And that’s fine also! My toddlers watched too much CBeebies and played on tablets more than I would have liked when I was taking care of a new baby. Please don’t judge yourself harshly, or think other people are….. they are probably thinking what an amazing job you are doing with two small children. I promise it gets easier as they get older 🥰

Thank you for your response. I can’t believe you had 3 under 3, you’re a super woman😩 it’s great to hear your experience as I feel a lot of other parents don’t understand what it’s like. I’m literally just trying to survive until the end of each day😂 there’s definitely days where my DD has way too much screen time and I’m trying to limit that but it’s so tricky!

She’s constantly in toddler mode so sitting down trying to colour pictures or do arts and crafts last about 5 minutes. She either wants to cause havoc or watch tv. I’m always busy with DS too so it’s a lot. Hopefully she’ll go to nursery within the next couple of months so she has something to occupy her time with. I definitely need to stop comparing myself to people on social media as that makes me feel so much worse. Thank you for your comment x

I think more crazy woman than superwoman! Number three wasn’t planned, but wouldn’t change her for the world. I just re-read your post and realised you asked for activities inside - playdoh was a godsend for me and if I was feeling brave enough a little painting, slime, kinetic sand etc. But the mess agh! But like I said when you have your hands full feeding baby don’t bear yourself up if toddler is watching more TV than you’d prefer. This time passes and you’ll look back and that time will all be a bit if a blur in your memory.
I think making local friends with similar aged children is what really helped make the difference with me. We moved to a new city when I was pregnant with no2 and it’s hard until you have a network around you. Just start chatting to other families at the local playground and playgroups etc even if it’s awkward to start with. And if your toddler starts preschool/nursery aged 3 then I found it gets easier to start making friends for your children and yourself.

I had 3 under 2 (twins). It took me all day to go anywhere or do anything - there rarely seemed to be a minute when everyone was fed AND wearing a clean nappy, and not in need of a nap. Be kind to yourself, it's extremely hard work.
We used to walk to a park and talk to the ducks, we had a membership at a local farm/zo type place. Pets at Home have wonderful fish tanks that we would pop in and watch. I think they also had bunnies and mice to look at too. I spent a lot of time with NCT and church friends. We would go to the toy library at our local Children's Center (back in the days when they still existed) and storytime at the library. Goodness, we could make a walk round Tesco take an hour or more if needed. We lived in a small town that was walkable, so an activity lasting an hour or two could easily fill in a whole morning by the time I'd walked there and back, especially if any of it was done while walking at toddler speed.
Afternoons at home - we did lots of playdoh, painting, sensory bins (we could get a good long play out of a big box filled with lentils, rice, beans etc with some spoons, pots and scoops). Sometimes I made coloured ice cubes and they would either play or paint with those. Shaving foam with food colouring. Gelli Baff (I think that's what it was called). A favourite was a little bucket of water and a big decorator's-style paintbrush. DD would spend hours pottering about painting the paving stones on the patio. If you're OK with the older one having scissors, my kids loved cutting up old magazines to make pictures. Just random bits of cuttings glued onto a piece of coloured sugar paper. Sometimes we posted them to grandma...
We also liked painting in colouring books, they also went to grandma's house!
My eldest started pre-school a couple of mornings a week at just gone 2 and that freed up some morning time to spend with the babies. It does go in a blur, I'm not sure I have many clear memories from before the twins were about 3!

I have 4 under 5 (surprise twins). Every day I have/had a 'usual' activity. So I don't have to think about what we do, but I don't have to actually go, if you see what I mean?I prefer stay and plays, as it takes up 2 hours. Hate 30 min classes.

Weekly activities:

Two stay and plays a week, minimum

Swimming (local pool had splash area and allows you to supervise two children)

Toddler forest school usually 1.5-2 hours (from age confidently walking, pop baby in sling).

Supermarket (top up shop and cafe visit)

Throw in travel time, the odd playground, cafe, trip to library, running errands. You can be out for the morning.

So schedule is something like:

Pre-9am playing and getting ready
9-12 out
12-3 lunch, naps, etc.
3-dinner playing and letting them help with chores. Can spend an hour folding a load of laundry with the right 'help'

Thank you for the comments all:) much appreciated!

I did toddler groups and met up with postnatal group and other friends.

More difficult if you have lots of appointments to attend.

I also had the school run to do 9am and 3pm which meant we got out.

Did you have 2 under 2? Just asking because you mentioned the school run

Taking them out once a day for thing that last an hour and a half is great!
Have you got a little playground nearby? That’s where you go everyday you don’t have anything different on. The best ones are fenced in so your toddler can’t escape (or not so quickly).
Also you could look for playgrounds near all the places you go for physio/hospital visits etc.
Talking to the ducks is also a good idea.
If there’s a park that large or fenced with no ponds you can go with a balance bike/ride on toy for the toddler and let them burn off some energy.

Yes I had 3 (then 4) DC

So 6 years
14 months
Newborn

Then 22 months later another newborn.

So 3 in a smidge over 3 years plus one that was 8.

We go to the park and the petting zoo. Soft play if it's really wet and cold. At home I usually paint or draw with them. Sometimes baking if I can face the thought of clearing the kitchen up afterwards. Stickle bricks keep the eldest amused for hours when we don't go out.