Mondays

This is a really old article that appeared in The Guildford Dragon. It warms my heart to remember how demanding my two were and how hard I had to work to fill a day with them!  It must have been written in Autumn 2012 I think..

Today I had that Monday feeling.  Mondays in Guildford are a bit of a desert when it comes to toddler groups. I have done the research and the best I can come up with is St Josephs, which is fantastic when it is on – tea and chocolate biscuits for the mums, tables and chairs all laid out nicely for snack time, loads of toys, a craft table.  The only bad things are a) a playdough table with masses of cutters and a tiny lump of dried out playdough, and b) the fact that it runs irregularly.  I have been searched in vain to find the dates on the church’s website, and turned up on several occasions to find that it isn’t on, in which case we go to the playground or Oxfam (the new one at the top of town has a great toy section).  But each time Monday comes around, there are new challenges.  Living in a small terraced house in the town centre, we can’t stay in much past 9.30 as my two are desperate to be out and be doing. But when it’s cold and wet and your kids don’t like going in any shops, your husband has the car for work, there are no playgroups on and the library has a staircase running up out of its children’s area with no gate (note: this is not helpful), then the options become slightly limited.  Especially since my three year old has broken his arm.  He keeps suggesting soft play (not with your broken arm), or riding his scooter (not with your broken arm), going to park (yes, but only if you’re careful with your arm).

So here are our top tips for cold wintry days, (especially for children with broken arms):

Wintry walks – if it’s really freezing, just go for 20 minutes, and have a run about – it will make all the difference and you will all feel better for it.  Research good short walks for toddler legs – our favourites are St. Martha’s and Pewley Down.  If you’re restricted by transport, a walk down any road to anywhere with a toddler or two can be a mini adventure – in the rain there are always snails and slugs about and you can always take a bag and pick up leaves, sticks and other interesting things to do printing/collages later on.

Garden Centres – Badshot Lea is the best – great aquatic and pets section, with Bobby the parrot who gets down from his perch and wanders around.  There are also loads of crafty, gifty bits to gaze at longingly whilst chasing your littlies around!  It also has a new outdoor play area which is basic but does the trick, and a great café which has loads of seating and an ice cream factory.  £2.50 for a bowl of ice cream with sweeties on top may sound steep, but my two shared one and it meant that my hubby and I could sit down and have a quiet cup of tea together while our two ate in silence. Silence!  (On an aside, Santa is coming from 24th November, and it is free to visit him in his grotto, see website for times http://www.squiresgardencentres.co.uk/garden-centre/badshot-lea/)

Family movies – especially the cosying up, wintry ones.  Get some yummy snacks and a blanket and you have a happy afternoon.  (This one may depend on having been out on an energetic walk beforehand.)

Baking- best reserved for when one child is napping.  My eldest loves measuring the flour, cracking the eggs, mixing, licking the spoon, and I remember loving it when I was young. Bake often.  It is good for the soul.  And then you get to eat your creations too!

Visit a Cafe – if it really is freezing and you’ve got nothing to do, go for a walk and find a café – it doesn’t cost the earth and is still a real treat for little ones.  Babycinos are only 50p or free so they don’t break the bank.  Just remember to take books or colouring to entertain the children once they’ve finished, otherwise you won’t get to finish your drink!

Just this week, after we’d all been feeling a bit under the weather, we went up to St. Martha’s and although he had an awful cold, our boy was as happy as could be, brushing crunchy leaves into great big piles with a stick, looking for owls in the trees, and running around.  It was all he wanted; to be outside, to not be told no, and to have space to run.