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Original poster

Toddler refusing to come in from the garden

115 replies

Summerheadache · 06/04/2023 16:59

It’s lovely he’s having a nice time outside but I’m starting to get mildly concerned he’s going to waste away to nothing. Won’t eat, huge tantrums at bedtime because he has to come in, it’s absolutely doing my head in as I’m starting to feel like a prisoner!

Has anyone got the same problem? Tried outdoor picnics and so on and no joy.

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BruceAndNosh · 06/04/2023 17:00

How many weeks has he been out there?

Original poster
Summerheadache · 06/04/2023 17:02

Ha it does feel like weeks! Problems really started when the clocks went forwards. Bedtimes were previously calm but now are a battle of screaming and kicking and fighting, it’s horrible!

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BertieBotts · 06/04/2023 17:02

Why don't you just pick him up and bring him in and then close the door? Confused

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Original poster
Summerheadache · 06/04/2023 17:03

@BertieBotts sorry if it wasn’t clear. I can do that but that doesn’t help with the eating because he’s screaming and banging to go back outside (tried offering him food outside but he refuses) and for bedtime it’s extremely stressful, especially since I’m getting towards a heavy stage of pregnancy and he’s pretty strong.

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Feeobb · 06/04/2023 17:04

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iusedtobeasize8 · 06/04/2023 17:05

Just bring him in. He'll learn.

Feeobb · 06/04/2023 17:05

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Original poster
Summerheadache · 06/04/2023 17:06

He’s almost 2 and a half - he’s definitely going through a pretty challenging phase! Bedtime I can sort of deal with as I can force it, I mean, it’s not a very pleasant experience but I can do it, but I’m lost as to what to do about eating. Today he’s survived on fresh air, I’m not kidding. Maybe three mouthfuls of spaghetti bolognaise and he’s now refusing dinner.

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Original poster
Summerheadache · 06/04/2023 17:07

How do you mean, a touch more sorry? It really is that he just doesn’t want to be brought in. Every time I’ve brought him in to change his nappy he’s gone absolutely mental. He’s just playing on his toys and exploring and pottering around, it’s sweet in a way but I am getting a bit fed up of him going mad whenever he needs to come in.

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Anycolouryoulike · 06/04/2023 17:09

Bribery?

shakeitoffsis · 06/04/2023 17:10

Don't eat - don't get to go outside. Rinse and repeat 🤣

Original poster
Summerheadache · 06/04/2023 17:10

I would but with what - I suppose this is my issue! I was longing for summer to come around for lovely long evenings and now I’m exhausted of the battles it is causing!

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SquidwardBound · 06/04/2023 17:11

It might be worth taking him to the GP if he just doesn’t eat (as opposed to is picky and will eat so long as it’s in the beige range or something).

Small children with, for example, coeliac disease often just refuse to eat because it hurts their tummies. So it’s worth ruling out any health issues.

Anycolouryoulike · 06/04/2023 17:12

TV time? Couple of chocolate buttons? Pretending to put his outside toys to bed?

FlipFlops4Me · 06/04/2023 17:12

My DSis was like that - our DF would bring her in under his arm kicking and screaming. Every day. Eventually she learned that when he said it was coming in time there was nothing she could do about it, and anyway the rest of us were tucking into a jolly good tea while she was wailing and screaming with her meal going cold and nasty on her plate.

Original poster
Summerheadache · 06/04/2023 17:14

He eats fine at nursery @SquidwardBound , so I do think he’s fine from a medical point of view. He can be a bit touch and go with me but today I’m wondering how he hasn’t wasted away!

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FlipFlops4Me · 06/04/2023 17:14

Meant to say - we're in our 60's now so she survived all that kicking and screaming!

alyceflowers · 06/04/2023 17:14

I'd stop going in the garden for a while to break the habit. Tell him the back door is broken and go out for a walk or to the park instead?

QuickNameChangeForMeToday · 06/04/2023 17:15

Firm but fair…
Eat up your breakfast and you can go outside. Screams and refuses food so stays in. Eat up your lunch and you can go outside… rinse and repeat.

You might have a few crap days but he will learn.

Season0fTheWitch · 06/04/2023 17:15

Lock the door to the garden, don't let it be an option.

have you spoken to him about the new baby? I'm pretty sure he's reacting to change

Original poster
Summerheadache · 06/04/2023 17:16

We need it to get in and out of the house at all, though! We can’t really walk to a park - none in walking distance. It’s nice he’s enjoying it, it’s just getting a bit obsessive.

I have spoken to him about it, not sure it’s linked but it could be a general terrible twos thing, he’s definitely been pushing boundaries lately.

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Nimbostratus100 · 06/04/2023 17:19

Surely he isnt outside on his own?

Original poster
Summerheadache · 06/04/2023 17:20

I sit in the conservatory and can always see him, although I do sometimes quickly nip to the toilet or get a drink or similar.

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alyceflowers · 06/04/2023 17:24

Let him out but bring him in way before tea and bedtime.

If he eats his lunch, then he can go in the garden.
But bring him in by 3 so even if he tantrums, he's calmed down by 5 or 6pm!