Heatwave next week

**mumofone** · 16-07-2016, 07:57 AM

Will you be taking the kids out or staying in? I get so worried in the high temps that I err on keeping them inside...

**moggy** · 16-07-2016, 08:18 AM

Early mornings we are out, keep to the shade as the day goes on and all in for naps anyway after lunch.

**BallyH** · 16-07-2016, 03:17 PM

Originally Posted by moggy

Early mornings we are out, keep to the shade as the day goes on and all in for naps anyway after lunch.

I do this.

But I'm very excited at thinking about all the washing I can catch up with! I feel I'm a 'great' mummy when I've got a big line of washing out on a sunny day.

**alex__17** · 16-07-2016, 01:52 PM

We go out earlier than normal to parks etc as air still cooler, then have a big gazebo out in garden although it's often too hot even under that at hottest time of day as our garden doesn't get any shade until about 4pm, at which point they're all outside in the paddling pool or sprinkler :-)

**FloraDora** · 21-07-2016, 09:16 PM

Today I set up my garden ....... I had this idea that it was going to be a little cooler, so lots of opportunity to stay in the garden...water wall sorted, ramps, gardening etc....my two 3 year olds just wanted to play with their babies ( dolls) ...in the house....in the hall - justifying that the hall was cool too ( as well as in the shade/ tent outside). One is moving on tomorrow as she has moved 30 miles away and parents have continued to bring her to me since March....so only one more day to play together....I just watched and listened and planned next week walking/ photography with DH.
When home time came they both said they didn't want to go...they wanted to stay here forever....sometimes you just have to go with the flow...
DH chuntered as he packed away the garden activities that had not been played with....they chose dolls over his water wall!!! ...he just does not get the call of dolls when you are 3!

**mumofone** · 21-07-2016, 09:26 PM

Originally Posted by FloraDora

Today I set up my garden ....... I had this idea that it was going to be a little cooler, so lots of opportunity to stay in the garden...water wall sorted, ramps, gardening etc....my two 3 year olds just wanted to play with their babies ( dolls) ...in the house....in the hall - justifying that the hall was cool too ( as well as in the shade/ tent outside). One is moving on tomorrow as she has moved 30 miles away and parents have continued to bring her to me since March....so only one more day to play together....I just watched and listened and planned next week walking/ photography with DH. When home time came they both said they didn't want to go...they wanted to stay here forever....sometimes you just have to go with the flow... DH chuntered as he packed away the garden activities that had not been played with....they chose dolls over his water wall!!! ...he just does not get the call of dolls when you are 3!

Fd, I hope you don't me asking but would you and your husband otherwise be retired or was childminding a conscious career choice for you both? X

**FloraDora** · 21-07-2016, 10:20 PM

Originally Posted by mumofone

Fd, I hope you don't me asking but would you and your husband otherwise be retired or was childminding a conscious career choice for you both? X

DH retired ...with dreams of creating in wood.on his lathe and in his blacksmiths workshop....and Lego, riding his bike, taking photos...cooking..exploring local and national historical sites..
I semi retired early and became an educational consultant....a close friend who unfortunately had no parents was trying to path out a career after having her child...I looked after her LO occasionally to help out...as a surrogate grandparent. She wanted to return to work....I was enjoying my days with LO more than my days with grown ups....we decided childminding was the way forward, she would feel happier if she paid me...I would be earning and therefore able to drop the grown up work...it suited all.
DH became my chief cook, bottle washer, caretaker, toy mender, secretary.cleaner.... Extra money pays into our real retirement pot/ holidays/ nice things....he's happy...the LO's join him on his creating as our sons did...LO accompanies us to RSPB/ zoo/ national heritage visits.
Original parent spreads the word...friends ask, parents have babies.....it just developed...we both now love our days ....only 3 days in September which is perfect.
So...arrived here accidently but have thrown my heart and Saul into it...lovely to have the freedom to follow my vision ...
DH is still just that, but does all the background roles and loves it as much as me...but he has to chunter over...wasted energy planning things that don't happen, turning off lights...buying resources for business with money that could be used for buying camera equipt ..he reminds me of my school bursar, he halves wipes if he takes one out of the packet, he makes resources that I show an interest in buying..he is not happy if LO's do not love his new vegetable/ fruit concoctions from the garden produce..but he secretly loves his days as much as I do...he isn't here all of the time as his interests keep him busy, but he does tell folk that the business is now his biggest interest.....he still gets to cook, bake, build Lego, make things....
When our last LO starts school of our 4 families...then we are off on a grown ups gap few years, my childminding will be funding this ...but I am already deciding on the resources I will keep....just in case...as I am hooked on playing!

**BallyH** · 22-07-2016, 08:14 AM

Originally Posted by FloraDora

DH retired ...with dreams of creating in wood.on his lathe and in his blacksmiths workshop....and Lego, riding his bike, taking photos...cooking..exploring local and national historical sites..
I semi retired early and became an educational consultant....a close friend who unfortunately had no parents was trying to path out a career after having her child...I looked after her LO occasionally to help out...as a surrogate grandparent. She wanted to return to work....I was enjoying my days with LO more than my days with grown ups....we decided childminding was the way forward, she would feel happier if she paid me...I would be earning and therefore able to drop the grown up work...it suited all.
DH became my chief cook, bottle washer, caretaker, toy mender, secretary.cleaner.... Extra money pays into our real retirement pot/ holidays/ nice things....he's happy...the LO's join him on his creating as our sons did...LO accompanies us to RSPB/ zoo/ national heritage visits.
Original parent spreads the word...friends ask, parents have babies.....it just developed...we both now love our days ....only 3 days in September which is perfect.
So...arrived here accidently but have thrown my heart and Saul into it...lovely to have the freedom to follow my vision ...
DH is still just that, but does all the background roles and loves it as much as me...but he has to chunter over...wasted energy planning things that don't happen, turning off lights...buying resources for business with money that could be used for buying camera equipt ..he reminds me of my school bursar, he halves wipes if he takes one out of the packet, he makes resources that I show an interest in buying..he is not happy if LO's do not love his new vegetable/ fruit concoctions from the garden produce..but he secretly loves his days as much as I do...he isn't here all of the time as his interests keep him busy, but he does tell folk that the business is now his biggest interest.....he still gets to cook, bake, build Lego, make things....
When our last LO starts school of our 4 families...then we are off on a grown ups gap few years, my childminding will be funding this ...but I am already deciding on the resources I will keep....just in case...as I am hooked on playing!

You both sound content and I feel I should send you a big hug! (but don't know where the hug icon is - sorry).

**alex__17** · 16-07-2016, 03:28 PM

I know, I love that I can wash everything and it all be dry by lunchtime...was gutted to have to hang things on my heated airer earlier in the week as it has got drenched 3 times on the washing line in the downpours!
I hope this is the beginning of summer, especially as it's my 4 year olds bouncy castle party in our garden next Saturday...!

**Maza** · 17-07-2016, 06:05 PM

I have never had a washing line as an adult! I love having my washing drying inside as I love the smell of the detergent! Plus, I have lived in flats for the past sixteen years.

I'm lucky with my garden as there are so many trees around it that there is always plenty of shade and so we just move all of the toys from one side of the garden to another so that the children can play in the shade. I'm not really a sun lover (except when I'm abroad with a pool and sun lounger) and so I always cross the road from one side to another so that I can walk in the shade. My mindees used to always comment on this and there was only one poor mindee who loved the sun and so I could tell that he felt badly done to, bless him. We would walk in the sun for a little while to get some vitamin D (not sure how long it takes to get your daily quota) but then we would stick to the shade. The woods are nice places to go to when really sunny as they are usually cool and shady.

We usually make smoothies or fresh juices on really hot days because even though all mine have loved drinking water, I like to give them a big cool drink after outdoor play that I know they will all finish rather quickly, whereas with water they all tend to sip on it continuously throughout the day.

**BallyH** · 17-07-2016, 06:11 PM

I think I read somewhere that it is about 10mins daily in sunshine to get your vitamin D quota. (may be wrong - it has happened before.)

I love taking little teasets outdoors in the really warm weather. The children pour, drink, pour continuously. Very good for hand to eye, independence and keeping hydrated.

**mumofone** · 18-07-2016, 12:23 PM

Do they have any rules at schools and nurseries and pre schools in a heatwave?

**samb** · 18-07-2016, 02:22 PM

Different schools will have different rules I am sure?

Personally I also go out in the morning and stay either inside or under our covered area between lunch and school pick up. After this we have an hour outside before tea time and I will get out water play.

In the summer holidays I will get out a gazebo too so there is more shade. I'm fully in the sun for the majority of the day here.

I freeze frubes for snack and give ice poles for the older kids. Fresh water all the time. Sun cream applied before they come and then reapplied after lunch. Everyone has a legionnaire style hat.

**mama2three** · 18-07-2016, 05:40 PM

WP_20160718_16_13_10_Pro.jpg
this is how we spent the afternoon

**Maza** · 18-07-2016, 07:14 PM

Originally Posted by mama2three

WP_20160718_16_13_10_Pro.jpg
this is how we spent the afternoon

Fantastic! Lucky children. So much nicer than being stuck in a nursery all afternoon.

**mumofone** · 19-07-2016, 06:48 AM

I think I'm Going to stay in completely today, due to be 32 degrees! Argh!

**clareelizabeth1** · 19-07-2016, 08:56 AM

Kids been here since 7. Have been outside since they got here. Not have the pool out n all children sitting in it to get cool.

**mumofone** · 19-07-2016, 09:09 AM

Yeh I changed my mind, we've been out too, but are back in as think they were wilting already!

**Mouse** · 19-07-2016, 09:39 AM

I've got an 11 month old and a 21 month old here today. We went out into the garden just after 8am. We came in just before 10 and they were both fast asleep within minutes. I'd kept the curtains closed and the fan on in the room they sleep in, so it's lovely and cool in there for them.

They should both sleep until lunchtime, then we'll go out in short bursts throughout the afternoon.

**mumofone** · 19-07-2016, 09:24 PM

Originally Posted by Mouse

I've got an 11 month old and a 21 month old here today. We went out into the garden just after 8am. We came in just before 10 and they were both fast asleep within minutes. I'd kept the curtains closed and the fan on in the room they sleep in, so it's lovely and cool in there for them. They should both sleep until lunchtime, then we'll go out in short bursts throughout the afternoon.

Just out of interest mouse, what do your 11 month and 21 month old get up to in the garden?