Tips For Toddlers: Single Parenting Beach Edition

When you think of taking your toddler to the beach it can either stir excited feelings or fill you with dread. As a single parent you have to be creative sometimes, especially if you and your tike are going to the beach solo. But trust me, it is possible. I take my daughter with me everywhere, nothing stops us. Here are a few suggestions that might be helpful to a first time parent, like myself.

1. Don't overpack!
Your arms can only hold so much, and odds are, one of those things will be your toddler. Parenting at all is almost a circus act. I am often amazed at how much my two arms can hold.
Bringing an umbrella, a stroller, extra towels, or an icebox is kind of overkill though. It's not like you'll be there for five hours, little ones can only take so much. If anything bring a medium sized towel for the kid. If it is just the two of you, I guarentee the likelihood of a two-ish-year-old sitting happily still while you go swimming is pretty much impossible.

2. Do bring a backpack with sunscreen, water, snacks, and something to lay on (obviously diapers and wipes if they aren't potty trained).
Having a backpack means one less thing to carry. As far as snacks go, we bring things like sliced apples, goldfish, carrots, Annie's gummy fruits or dare I even mention it, potato chips. Okay so my daughter loves chips... I typically put an Honest juice-box in the back pack for her and a bottle of water.
PRO TIP: Using a shower curtain works great for laying on. Not only is it the perfect size but it cleans easy and comes in fun designs (Amazon has any shower curtain you can think of). The one we use has a real-life giant face of a raccoon. It's amazing.

3. Bikini for you and a long sleeve swimsuit for the tike.
Who doesn't like a good tan? As for the little one, I have found the long sleeve swimsuits to be amazing! The water is generally chilly so she stays warm and well protected from the sun. I have a set of clothes for her to change into when we are done playing in the water as well. There really isn't a need for mommy's (or daddy's) to bring a change of clothes as they done typically get wet.
4. Don't stay out to long.
Our maximum beach time is usually three hours. This way no one gets burned or to overworked. At the end of a three hour beach day my daughter is exhausted and walking back to our raccoon shower curtain saying "All done."

5. Be each other's magnets.
Toddlers tend to be free spirits. If my daughter could, she would walk straight into the ocean and swim with the dolphins. She's constantly on the move, which means I am to. If she is within about 4 feet of the water I am also holding her hand.
PRO TIP: Rocky beaches may not sound ideal but they are if you have a little one. The waves are no where near as strong and they get to play in the water more as there isn't as big of a chance of getting swallowed. This last weekend we went to a park in Dana Point called Strand Vista Park and I LOVED it. Newport or Huntington, not quite as much.

And don't forget to have fun!

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