ohanditdidntgo£45 to take a family of four into a soft play for 90 minutes on a Saturday.
Absolutely ridiculous.
Avoiding the need for a pair of Wellington Boots is relatively easy when you don't have young kids; you don't like the snow or rain? Don't go out in it, or atleast don't actively chase it.
Every single year since I became a parent nearly seven years ago I've made the call to buy some wellies. It never happens mind, and then every single time I go out in the snow, or to chase puddles, or to visit a dirty farm or a muddy nature walk I regret my inaction.
Do I get back home and buy wellies? Of course not, that'd be too easy. I'm not about easy. Easy is for losers.
And now here I am. My trainers are soaked. My feet are basically useless for the next two hours and I'm once again regretting my inaction.
https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/articles/cp3dykw576yo
Much as the internet is quick to blame parents, I think there's much more at play here.
We've turned our society into a place where if you're not wealthy, you're working; and if you're not working, you're not providing for your family.
That doesn't excuse individual cases for sure, but this is a trend that's only getting worse, and it's directly down to how little time modern #parents are allowed to spend with their pre-schoolers.
This is my 'it's 6:30 on a Sunday fucking morning why am I having to colour in to appease a toddler and how did my life become this?' look.
Need a solid way to keep the kids busy for half an hour? Chrome Music Labs. Works in the browser and is great on a touchscreen.
Right now they're drawing on the screen and then it turns it into music. They've got some genuinely amazing little things available and I don't think enough parents know about it.
Me when my kid says they're bored:
Lil' Man just had a full on meltdown and try as I might I couldn't reach him. I got down low, I spoke softly and I did all the things I did with my daughter when she was younger and he just couldn't come over to me.
Real hard to go through that. I know he's okay and safe and all that but when a toddler loses it in such a way you know they're scared and frightened and the fact I couldn't help him kills me.
Had the last 12 days off. Longest I've spent with the kids in, well since I started working days. Holiday was great. Being with them was (tiring but) great. I'm going to miss them so much tomorrow.
Already had a lil' cry. Told them how much I love them and how I'd love to be able to stay with them always, but I guess we don't live in that world.
Fully expect to be a total wreck on the way to work tomorrow. This didn't happen when I worked nights.
Mummy is back at work today. I'm back at work on Tuesday. The holiday (for us) is officially over. Sadness.