Being out in the sunshine is great but it can be a challenge if you own a toddler. So here are some guidelines on how to survive the summer:
Don’t mention the word “suncream”. Your toddler will run to the furthest point possible. The bottom of the garden is ideal…or given the opportunity, France.
Don’t pursue your toddler with suncream in your hand. This only happens when you’re wearing something nice and Factor 842 doesn’t come out. Ever.
When you chase your toddler they always run faster. And laugh at you. If you’re in a public place, strangers will say “you’ve got your hands full there” as you pass by unable to breathe. They will offer no help.
Once you’ve caught your toddler, expect extensive wriggling when you apply suncream. Remember looking like a ghost is better than burnt skin.
Clothing and a swim nappy should be nearby – wedged between your thighs is good. An escaping toddler will always make a beeline for your sofa.
If your toddler is outside, a swim nappy is best. Whatever they’re doing they will always get wet. Normal nappies are not designed to soak up an entire paddling pool. However funny that may seem.
Make sure you have three hats. Hold two so when the first comes off, you can replace it immediately. One hat will go missing, only to re-appear in November.
It’s unlikely any food you have prepared will be eaten on a sunny day. If you have an alfresco lunch planned, your toddler will want to eat indoors. Preferably with Peppa Pig.
Do not entertain the word “lolly” unless you have one in your hand. Always eat your icy treat at the same time as your toddler. A delay will result in your toddler finishing their lolly and taking a bite out of yours before you’ve even looked at it.
Do not question a *tired* toddler on their insect knowledge. Flies are ants with wings. Ants and spiders are flies. Spiders do not have ears.
Finally as well as playing with your toddler, you can sing nursery rhymes together. POD’s personal favourites are the Alphabet Song, the Grand Old Duke of York and this new one…”See a little goblin, see I hatch”.
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this all sounds so familiar haha, except the suncream, she rubs in into her own skin then proceeds to help me with mine! Hats, we have so many, a toddler in a hat, uber cute xx
That’s brilliant you have the help! POD does cream herself at times but it’s a messy business – she gets totally carried away! Impressed I actually know where two hats are at the moment 🙂
All sounds pretty standard! My 3 yo was definitely like this, though I can assure you there is hope as she now stands still for her sun cream and always wears her hat. I’d like to say ‘glad those days are behind me’, but as I’ve a 10 mth old, think they’re just around the corner again…! #MMWBH
Standing still for suncream and wearing hats. Goodness me, I look forward to those days. You will welcome them back with open arms I’m sure 🙂
those tips are all too familiar and oh so true! I can relate to the suncream on the sofa, and the exploding (non-swim) wet nappy after paddling pool play (all over the house!!! on the way to the bathroom. My little girl doesn’t seem to mind the sunlotion going on though – she actually tries to help. Another thing we discovered rather too late is that sunlotion can damage the paintwork of the car if it is not cleaned off straightaway – so we now have lots of handprint patterns all over the car that will not wash off whatever we do! Fun in the sun, eh. xxx
Oh my goodness! We’ve not had an exploding nappy in the house yet thankfully although I am still scarred from what happened after a swimming lesson once! We frequently have suncream everywhere although POD does help more now. Thanks for the car tip, I’ll bear that in mind 🙂
So true – suncream and running…always running! Very funny x C
Always running and it’s always hilarious 🙂
Ha, this is all so true! I’ve discovered sun cream in an aerosol can over here. Best thing ever. You can catch them as they run past 🙂
Now that is an inspired idea. You can get spray sun tan lotions for adults, you must be able to for kids. I could spray her whilst she’s on the run 🙂
lol great post, so familiar to me 😀 especially the always getting wet – that is so my kids. my sister was looking after them yesterday, and as a slightly unexperienced with kids person she should she can give them a little baby bath of water to play and they would just quietly sit and play with the boats. hahahah no way with my kids lol, came back whole place was soaked!! 😀
Thanks Anna – your kids sound exactly like POD. She gets soaked, usually because she’s poured water on herself 🙂
So true! Annoys me when O wants to watch Peppa indoors when the sun is shining. Doesn’t he realise it will be snoring soon! Le sigh!
They’re so funny aren’t they. And when you need to do something indoors, they want to be outside. A great age though 🙂
Sadly the wiggling around at sun cream application time doesn’t go away any time soon – my 6 year old is still doing it.
I suspect you’re right there Erica – POD rarely stands still 🙂
LOL how very true! My daughter is only 9 months but I am experiencing most of these! Especially the needing of two hats and not showing her the suncream!!
I think they just get better at wriggling as they get older – and running! We’ve already lost one hat!
So cute yet so true! My sofa has a lovely ‘sheen’ to it – luckily it won’t get burnt when the sun streams in the windows… x
We have a few things with a white glaze to them too – amazing how that suncream doesn’t wash off anything! Loving the sunshine though 🙂
Oh don’t get me started on suncream. The Bug wails every time I come near him with a tube. He’s nearly 6 for chrissake!
Oh no! There must be a spray we can use – get them while they’re on the run 🙂
Spray sunscreen is definitely a genius product…. 😉
I must find that Jenny – it would be ideal 🙂
Brilliant! I love this – too much of it rings so very true 🙂 Thank you for linking to PoCoLo xx
Thank you Vicky, she keeps me entertained 🙂