go to your local toy library, and see if they have any larger toys like cubby houses, indoor slides etc to borrow. Best thing is, as you return them after a couple of weeks, it keeps it fresh for the kids!
See if you can clear out a room or a bit of space - even a neighbour's garage - and set it up with the big borrowed toys. We have a climbing frame thingy ($180 from myer) that's blow-up and it keeps Pip amused for hours - and physically tires him out. Also stuff like ball pits - buy a couple of hundred balls (usually heaps in second hand kids shops) and fill a porta-cot with them, give tasks like finding 5 blue balls etc.
Thanks for all those great suggestions ladies. I've made a list of our first lot and what I'll need so now just waiting for DP to get home this arvo so we can go shopping.
And thanks so much for your lovely offer MG - I can't make you drive for 30 mins just to take DD for a walk. So I'll explore other options and see what I come up with but I really do appreciate your lovely offer.
Marydean - family day care is a great idea but as I don't drive, I can't get her there. DP works odd hours - today for example he started at 5am so he couldn't take her either. I've got a special arrangement with the childcare centre I've enrolled her in that, if necessary, one of the carers will collect her/bring her back for cash, otherwise I wouldn't be able to get her there. But obviously most places won't do that.
Roll on moving to the country where at least we'll have a backyard and I can get used to driving with barely any traffic around.
I just wanted to say thank you again for all the great inspiration. We've had the best week we've had in ages. DD got up this morning and instead of running straight to the TV (she's been watching far too much lately) she headed to the kitchen to find her paints. Bit of a meltdown when I insisted that she get dressed before we could start painting (I was expecting someone to collect her soon) but hey, I was chuffed.
Fiona, some FDC ladies will pick kids up/drop them off...or there may be one just around the corner who could walk around. If you explain your needs to the office I"m sure they will take particular care to find someone who can help you.
thanks Marydean, the last time I enquired about FDC there were only two carers in the whole of our council area and I was told the chances of getting a place were very slim. I think it's unlikely we'd get a place given that we move in June, I'd only want one day a week AND want someone to collect/drop her off.
I do have the option though of getting in-home care for Kitty though which doesn't HAVE to be in-home, they could take her to the park for instance. The only problem with that, however, is that there's a four hour minimum and I can't expect someone to be out with her for four hours straight. But if I start feeling myself going potty, then that will be my emergency measure.
As I said, this week was a lot better so it now seems doable. Though DP was meant to have tomorrow off and is now working Saturday as well as Sunday which was planned. Slight grrrrr.
Glad you've had a great week! You'll come up with lots of things to do! When you move, we'll only be half hour apart, so I'm sure the kids and I could occupy DD for a while for you!
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