An open – child related – letter to Exeter
Dear Exeter,
Why are there hardly any rainy day provisions for smallies? I realise that Devon is a very beautiful place, full of outdoorsy people but why-oh-why are there so few places to go when it’s rubbish outside?
Yesterday was a Bear Feet day and – according to the lovely member of staff on the door – it was their busiest day of the year. I can confirm it was ear-splitingly busy. Generally – as you will understand if you have read my last post – soft play allows parents a little time to drink coffee and write blogs in a very noisy environment. Today my son didn’t want to play ball and as I nursed my overly-milky slightly tepid cappuccino with my son draped over me, I thought there must be more fun things to do with kids on a rainy day in Exeter.
Dear budding mum or dad-trepeneurs of Exeter,
This song is for you (sing to the tune of Blue Monday, New Order “I see a ship in the harbour“)
I spy a gap in the market,
a gap that would surely pay.
And if it wasn’t for my dislike of softplay,
I would fill that gap today.
How about it? YOU CAN DO IT.
Dear mums and Dads who have been living in Exeter for a while,
Other than the library, RAMM and Bear Feet. Where do you take your kids on a rainy day? Any ideas gratefully received.
Best Wishes,
Me.
Tags: Bear Feet, Exeter, exeter library, kids activities, Parenting, RAMM
7 comments for An open – child related – letter to Exeter
I’m a huge advocate of staying indoors and doing nothing. Honestly, I have never been one of those parents who feel the need to do stuff all the time, I like to think my kids have learned to occupy themselves a bit more now. It was also in part because when the kids were younger going anywhere was very stressful (we are now having eldest assessed for autism so now I know why!) so I kept it to a minimum. But you’re right there’s not much here in Exeter!
I agree Charlie, kids need to learn to occupy themselves, we do a lot of staying in too!
I also know what you mean about taking them out being stressful, mine are three years apart and there was a period where it was too stressful, we’d go to the park and I’d be having a panic attack every couple of minutes trying to keep an eye on them.
Now that they are at quite easy ages so we can go places and I can drink coffee (this makes me happy).
I think soft play is also great for parents who need some respite, I used to take my smallest to play in the toy department at IKEA just to drink coffee & get out of the house for a bit ?
Steph (Exploring Exeter)
I think I’m really just lazy! But yes mine are much better now they are 9 and nearly 7, but there’s so little to do! Crealy we do a lot now they are older and I can just sit myself at a table and occupy myself!
That sounds good.
We had an awful experience of Crealy that involved losing the hubby & dealing with a poo-splosion (there’s probably another blog there somewhere).
RAMM is pretty good we found but it can get a bit repetitive.
Love your blog btw. Tried to comment on your Prince post but I’m not sure if it worked (I pressed the button too many times!)
RAMM is fab but we can’t go as my daughter has a phobia of bones. RAMM even sent us a map detailing which room s are bone free but she can’t cope with it at all (the one with suspected Aspergers) such a shame! I definitely got your Prince comment xx
That’s a shame and how good of them to do that.
Does your daughter have favourite places to go to?
Glad you got the Prince message, guessing you’re a bit of a music nerd like me ? xx
I am a bit of a music nerd yes! We like to go up to Haldon and Crealy mostly, but as you say, we’re not spoiled for choice around here! x