Toddlers and Park

I usually take my 2yr old once a week. The park is only about a mile up the road from me, so we just walk up there. I put my older ones on the bus and walk to the park from there, If I make it back home first I find it to hard to get back out, I get busy with everything else.

Hello mom of three,

I can relate:) I have a 5 (just turned so he's still at home), 2, and 8 month old and I also watch a friends children 3yrs and 15 month old...I try and take them all to the park 2 to 3 times/week. It is such an awesome way for you all to get outside and let them release some energy (great nap times later:)..your kids are at a really hard age where they don't totally listen yet (not that I know them, but mine really didn't start really listening until end of 3/4), so its hard taking them because they run in different directions. We go once a week with a play group which is nice because while I am chasing the older kids someone is watching the baby:) My best advice is to maybe find a play group in your area and/or if you go buy yourself go at 9ish because there is usually no one else at that time and its easier to watch them. The other thing is to have the diaper bag prepared the night before with snacks and diapers, that way you can just throw that in the car and have water cups ready in the fridge. The more I prepare the night before the easier it is for me to get 5 little ones out the door:)...Hope that helps:)

R.

i have a 4 year old, 3 year old, 1 year old and a newborn. before i had my baby i would go to peterson park every now and then. it's small but they love it. and it's kind of closed in so i don't have to worry about them running off too much. my husband and i used to take them to the park every saturday when we lived in houston. now with the baby here i can start taking them more often. just as soon as the baby is ok enough to go. maybe i'll see you there! =-)

every other day usually, either myself or the babysitter. I only have 1 though. usually there are other moms who form little play groups. That may help alot as the 2 and 3 yr olds would have a group setting to play in so you could concentrate on the baby.

The community where I live has a park, and when I was on maternity leave last year, we went to the park almost every day. I’m becoming a SAHM in a couple of weeks, and I plan on continuing our daily park adventure. I made it a point (and will make it a point) to get outdoors everyday (weather permitted) - some days we spend an hour or so at the park, playing with the sand, buckets, shovels etc, but other days it’s a walk with a quick stop at the swings. My 2 year old loves being outside playing, and it’s such a simple pleasure for her (and me!). My 5 month old usually stays in the stroller (or I wear him in the Snuggli), but when I plan on staying longer, I’ll bring a blanket for him to play on. Pretty soon, he’ll be sitting up and playing in the sand with his big sister!

~J.

I take my 3yr old about twice a week. I am president for a stay at home moms club. I have met great friends this way and wonderful playmates for my children. We have a monthly calendar that the moms can choose to attend as much or as little they want. Try googling MOMS Club International for a chapter near you or respond back to me and I can give you the head of Florida's info. She would be able to direct you to the correct Chapter.(We are not faith based.) We meet for craft day, MNO (Moms night out), holiday parties, playgrounds, playdates in a moms home, picnics, Chic-fil-la, Zoos, etc.. every month.

There is also, MOPS. Mothers of preschoolers. You could call your local churchs to find a chapter near you. C.

1 to 2 times a week, sometimes more often for my sake :). It's hard with multiple small kids. They want to go in different directions. Try and find a park that is small, maybe fenced in, and try to go when it's not to busy (easier to keep track of them). I don't know the Ft. Myers area at all, but here in Largo there are two play grounds with fences around them which help. One is smaller and it's covered and not very busy, but it is new...so it's perfect for moms with multiple small children. It's at the local rec center. Good luck...you do have your hands full :). Another outing could be an indoor playground to let your kids play safely in. I do that often as they will play by their selves there, where at home they seem to want my undivided attention. You gotta get some down time too and inside play grounds work well for that.

M.,

I usually take my daughter to the park only once a week. I work full time so it is hard for me to always go during the week. If you have a yard or even a driveway take your children out there for a little bit to play you don't always have to go to a park in order for them to enjoy the outdoors. I use to feel guilty for not taking my daughter to the park all the time and then I took her to a park where there was a bunch of kids. I had heard that there was a stomach bug going around and she caught it from being around the other children so now I don't feel so bad by not going a lot. (She goes to work with me and we have virtually no contact with a lot of people)
Just spend time with them outside whether it's going for a walk or if you have a wagon you could put the older ones in the wagon and your youngest in a sling and enjoy the outdoors.

Good luck hoped this helped.
R. J.

I have a 2 and 4 yr old and this may be off the topic a little but I am part of a great mom's group and we meet at the park a few times a week and help watch each other's kids, which makes it so much easier. It's like having extra pairs of eyes. It is a little easier these days with the 4 year old being a little more mature and I'm sure in another year things will get easier for you too. At your kids' younger ages and with a baby to watch, I wouldn't feel too guilty about not taking them to the park a lot. It may not be practical right now for you. Do you have a yard you can take them in to play? Or a sandbox/table? As someone suggested, a fenced-in park might work better than something wide open if you do take them. Good luck!

I have an 18 month old and we go 2-3 times a week. It gets her out of the house and wear out her energy, plus it's free. But I understand with three kids it must be hard.

Yes! I take my 2 year old daughter and 3 year old nephew (we live together) to the park at least three times a week. I think it is so important that they explore and appreciate everything nature has to offer. I read a book titled "Last Child in the Woods" which explored the relationship children have with nature and what happens when they loose that naturel wonder. I want to encourage them to respect our planet and all of the different species we share it with!

I have a 2 1/2 yr old and an 8 month old and we go about once a week. It is difficult. Bring a stroller for your little one to sit in so that they can look around and see all the sounds, I push him around to wherever my oldest one is. Your little one will enjoy just being in your company and watching their siblings play

I go at least once/week. I also go to story time at the library once/week (not every week though). I keep my 2week old in a sling and let my 2yr old play. I will be babysitting my friend's 2yr old and infant as soon as we're both off of maternity leave though. It'll be crazy then. I'll probably keep the infants in the double stroller and will let the toddlers roam. It's hard being cooped up in the house now. I feel so guilty b/c my 2yr old likes Disney movies. He watches them while I nurse or take care of the baby or email etc.