let them play in the garden all day?

Am feeling guilty...!

the garden is out

what ARE you on about

ah but i meant being supermum and doing the park, swimming, other jolly activity instead?! i.e out of the confines of where we live?!

nope
more creative and better for them to make their own amusement in the garden
jolly activity is for treats and rainy days

It's far better for children to amuse themselves rather than be shunted from one jolly activity to another by an exhausted parent. I know so many kids who as soon as you say you aren't going out start with the "I'm bored" routine..

take them out every day?

are you mad woman?

ah lovely, thanks for that.

will continue slobbing whilst DS digs the garden then!

I'm pretty sure the 'taking them out every day' thing is purely for the mum's sanity.

I have to take dd out every day...as we don't have a garden

What wouldn't I give for a garden!

Right now as I'm pregnant and have SPD we are living in the garden, well we go to nursery and toddlers and a friends but I am doing a lot less with them than usual. They are having a ball in the garden.

gardens are great!!! I take DS out a lot but have plenty of days where we just stay home and play!! activities are overrated

Definitely only for mother's sanity.

I like to get out of the house with them, but in this weather, who can face piling them into the car when they could be messing about in the garden.

Much better for them to be eating gravel and getting soaked turning on outdoor taps (what my 2 did today).

I did go out with them to town but that was for a doctor's appt. Would have prefered to stay at home.

You def don;t need to take them to do something every day. Children need to learn to play independently on their own, without the activity being guided. And they need to learn to be bored too IMO!

We've only been out twice in the past week. Partly because of car problems, but partly because it is so nice just lazing around at home. We are living in the garden atthe moment.

Far better for children to get fresh air and develop their imagination etc than to go to endless improving activities, IMO.

children have an astounding capacity to self-educate, given a healthy bit of boredom and minimal intervention from adults. You're doing them a favour. When I hear about kids dragged off to the library one afternoon and swimming the next and gymtots the day after I usually feel sorry for them.

Tried to get my 18 month DD out of the house to go to go to Kew this morning she made it quite clear she just wanted to play in the garden. I seemed to spend the whole day pushing her in the swing - she loved it, no driving, we both had an afternoon nap, long may the good weather continue.

My dd wanted to be taken out every day. By 9.30 we had exhausted all home based activities and she was getting her shoes and saying "Where goin today? Where my friens?" So I automatically did the same with ds, until one day he took my hand, looked into my eyes and said " Us go home, mum mum. Watch Bargain Hunt togella"

I think a day digging in your own garden is A GOOD THING.

Oooh I'm loving this thread...justification for a day 'out' in the garden with DS tomorrow! Mind you, its not that relaxing as its a tiered garden from hell (which will soon be rectified if the quote is low enough - please keep fingers crossed for me!) but its better than the faff of going out in the car!!

Hooray for the sun!

I think you're doing really well. Christ, I've had days where dcs have not got dressed, and sometimes I haven't, and CBeebies has been on from dusk 'til dawn.

Onceinalifetime...I think I love you for admitting that!!!

You're not doing it right though. Bargain Hunt, not Cbeebies!

sun is a great excuse for doing nothing. Get them in the garden with a bucket of water and they can amuse themselves for hours.

hilarious seeker. and if he spends time in the garden he might end up with the tan to match!

Cant tell you how great it is to read this thread! Feel so much better, honestly, I can't thank you enough!!!

I have to stay at home with DD, most days in fact, as I have a horrible problem with my back and arthitis in the hip that isn't replaced. I've felt guilty since she was born, almost, that we have to spend so much time at home.

However, I console myself with the fact that it means she gets an enormous amount of 1-1 with me. She has learnt ( at 15months) how to adapt to our situation. MAny days I can't even lift her up, which is heart breaking if she's crying. She's found ways around it. She knows that she can stand next to a chair, or sofa, and scramble a little, and I can then pick her up!

It meant that from early on, we've read a lot of books and done puzzles. So now, she is happy to sit on the floor and look through books, or in her bed when she wakes up. as she's got a bit older, we've been able to do painting and drawing too. ( if you can call it that! )

I was at the pain clinic last week, and I got really upset about the fact that DD doesn't get to go out to toddler groups, or gym tots etc, we do have a few friends with small Dc's and i have one very nearby so we do get there when we can so she is with other children. Anyway, the consultant said that she's always felt sorry for the children that do't get to spend time at home. The children that are taken from one place to the next, and aren't getting that attention at home from their mummies or daddies.

Everyone comments on how happy she is, how secure she is, and when she goes to my mums, we try at least once a week, mum takes her to see other people, or they pop in to hers, and all comment on how confident she is, and chatty, and happy etc. So, I guess all i all, its benefitted her more than anything... at least thats what i've convinced myself and I feel less guilty... a little!!

I LOVE this weather though, as she toddles up and down the garden, happily playing. I need to get a few more toys for the garden now though. Or there will be no shingle left on the driveway, and the plants took a bit of a battering today

one last thing, more a question really... how on earth do you get them to keep their hats on, especially when its essential with the gorgeous red hair she's got!! ??