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Planning for a Week Off with a Toddler

     

    I have the week off from work! I love my job, but I'm looking forward to having some time at home with Avi and Joel. 

    That said, this morning I started feeling a little overwhelmed at the thought of an entire week off without any structure or plan. Before we had Avi and the pandemic, we would travel for Thanksgiving to be with family. I find myself missing the change of scenery. Case rates are really high right now, which significantly limits what we can do outside of our home and outdoors. Also, I think Avi is about ready to drop a nap, which can lead to a topsy-turvy routine and overtired child. 

    Given those givens, I'm trying to be more proactive about how I can enjoy this time off and embrace this messy, somewhat cooped up time at home, even if it doesn't look exactly like a typical vacation. My goal is to make the time off feel special and out of our normal routine. 

    Yesterday, I jotted down a few ideas of what I could do this break. Current ideas in addition to the above list: make play dough, meet up with friends at the park, happy hours in the backyard with heaters, slightly more special takeout, and more reading for fun. Plus lots of fun Thanksgiving cooking projects with our friend who is visiting.

    I don't know that all get to all of the things on the list, and I'm sure I'll add to the list, but I feel a lot more energized going into this week with a few options of things to do as a family. Yesterday we met up with a friend at the park for coffee, which felt like a nice way to connect in the chilly weather while still enjoying time outside. This week I want to remember to opt outside, even if the weather's not perfect this time of year. Being outside always makes me feel happy and more patient/present. 

    Looking forward to a week with lots of slow, toddler walks, trips to the park, endless mugs of tea, cooking and baking, "art projects," and reading. I'm appreciating the flowers and wine Joel brought home from the store! I'm especially excited because he bought a bottle of wine from a winery we visited on a trip to Argentina several years ago, which will give us a little taste of travel from our living room. 

    If you are a parent, what suggestions do you have for making this time off feel special and different than our daily routine?




 

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  1. Grateful KaeNovember 24, 2020 at 4:54 AM

    Ahh that sounds wonderful. I don't have any extra time off this week. Since I work from home, I sometimes "forget" that I should still plan time off! My job is flexible, so I'm able to fit in things like a walk with the boys, etc. but it's not the same of course as a full week with no work.

    I'm trying to think of any good ideas for you but your daughter is at a bit of a tough age yet. In another 1-2 years there will be SO many fun options of how to spend a holiday week!!

    You could build a fort and read together in there while eating a snack with flashlights! My boys used to love doing that. I think baking is always fun to do, though she's probably too little to help much. ;) I think your idea of lots of outside time is a great one. Will she watch a movie yet? Obviously Christmas movies are fun to have on, even if just in the background. Definitely lots of reading! The outdoor happy hours and wine sound perfect to me, too.

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