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The Players: Mommy vs Toddler
The Challenge: Keep toddler occupied, while keeping mommy sane

With the support of playdates, a spouse, parents, friends and a local line-up of incredible toddler friendly venues… I am happy to say I not only survived my summer maternity leave with both a newborn and a toddler, but it was possibly the best summer of my life.

I feel like I know so much more about my child, my surrounding area, and motherhood than I did a mere 10 weeks ago. Not just 10 weeks later, but 6 parks, 5 museums, 4 waterparks, 3 beaches, 2 farms, and 1 zoo later… 

Best Outdoor Park = Hess Hathaway
I do love Dodge Park #5, which is enclosed in white pines and offers giant soccer fields for an energetic toddler to run wild on. But the prize has to go to Hess Hathaway, which has a huge toddler friendly playscape, a giant sandbox, a maze, a shaded eating area, and a petting farm. Priorities for a good park this summer included enough shade to park and nurse Charlie, low traffic, and a safe enough area to let Simon run wild without me having to run after him every minute.

Not so toddler friendly is the park at Inglenook Park in Southfield and Milford Central Park. Both are really awesome parks, but only offer parental stress in the way of ultra tall slides, insanely busy traffic, nearby fast streams, etc. Maybe next summer.

Best Waterpark = Waterford Oaks (outdoor), Huron Valley schools (indoor)
I have not been to Red Oaks Water Park, but I have been to Kensington Metro Park’s Splash ‘n’ Blast. Kensington is nice because there is the beach and the splash ‘n’ blast area, which is pretty much all toddler friendly and Simon approved. Priorities for a good waterpark included shaded seating, not too deep water, and access to food. Splash ‘n’ Blast fails to bring the food and the shade.

Waterford Oaks in Waterford, however, has great food, plenty of shade, and a fairly toddler-friendly play structure that has kept Simon busy for hours. He also enjoys the wave pool. But, unlike the regular parks, I have never attempted a water adventure with the kids without another adult… but a low key day at Waterford Oaks might be doable. Charlie naps in the shade within clear eyesight, and if he gets hungry there is always a stroller to strap Simon into while I nurse.

The Huron Valley high schools, both Lakeland and Milford high school offer indoor waterparks, which are far cheaper than Waterford Oaks, and offer some deep water to practice swimming (which Simon doesn’t love yet). Only drawback is no strollers allowed, so no way of restraining an active toddler if the newborn needs attention.

Best Day Trip for a Rainy Day = Marvin’s Marvelous Mechanical Museum
Not really a full “day trip”… for that I’m loving Great Lakes Crossing Mall, which has a kids play area, Rainforest Cafe, a carousel, and lots of interesting stores and room to run around. But none of that can compete with the look of sheer joy that came over Simon’s face when he realized that coin + machine = action at Marvin’s Marvelous Mechanical Museum. The best part is that the machines are so close together that there isn’t much room for a toddler to shimmy his way behind or wreck general toddler havoc. I don’t think I’ve ever gone through quarters so quickly!!

Best Day Trip for a Sunny Day = Greenfield Village
Henry Ford Museum was kinda a bust. Simon liked looking at the cars and big trains, but the museum is pretty tiny for the cost of entry. However, Greenfield Village is HUGE… too huge to conquer before nap time even. And, unlike Henry Ford, the actual exhibits feature large glass walls, so tiny hands and bodies can’t get in. Simon enjoyed just running up to house after house in the Porches and Parlors section, and going inside to explore… and I felt safe letting him do it!

Also, the train rocks. I dreaded the idea of a 30 minute train ride without seat belts, but as soon as that train got moving, all I heard for half an hour was “WEEEE! WEEE!”. 

I hate to say it, but lower on my “sunny day fun” list was the Detroit Zoo. I think I need Tom involved to prop Simon up on his shoulders, and too take turns walking him around, because the view at stroller height is just not the best and all that time in the stroller with not enough action is not as toddler-friendly. Still, it was fun for mommy who got to have a playdate with her friend and co-worker, Erin… who’s little Tait was born less than 24 hours after Charlie.

Parting Words of Wisdom

• Always bring snacks!! Snacks keep a toddler not only happy, but occupied. An occupied toddler stays happy when strapped to a stroller for too long. And a hungry toddler also stays near the person who has the snacks, which is essential while breastfeeding an infant.
• Love that double stroller. That double stroller works as a purse, as a diaper bag, as a snack and activity dispenser, a sun shield, and as a way to restrain and keep a toddler safe when necessary (which is often). By the end of the summer I felt like I could go anywhere as long as I had my double stroller with me.
• Invite friends. Whether your friends have kids or not, it’s an extra set of hands and eyes and some adult conversation. Plus older kids help keep younger ones in line and interested in safer activities.
• Better than books are real life things… Use your adventures to enhance your toddler’s growing vocabulary. Why just read about cars and trains or lions and bears, when you can go somewhere and actually see them in action!