to think that children should be made to exercise?

[manicinsomniac]

unless they are ill, injured or disabled?

I've lost track of the number of parents I've heard say, "Oh but little X doesn't like running around, little Y is more of an indoors person, little Z is not the sporty type" etc.

a) the vast majority of children love being active and will enjoy the right exercise given the opportunity.

b) even if they do hate it - so what? Many adults hate it too, we still do it or suffer the consequences.

I really think that exercise should be built into a daily routine for a healthy lifestyle.

AIBU?

[RuthChan]

YANBU.
They may not be sporty types, but doing sport is how you come to love sport.
The recent reports about how much body strength children have lost in comparison to 20 years ago are scary.

[pointydog]

I don't recognise anything you say in your op.

I have never heard anyone say their child doesn't like running about.

All I can think is you live in an area completely different to mine or mix with very different people.

[fuzzpigFriday]

Well duh :)

(in other words, YANBU)

[belgo]

YANBU.

My dd1 is going to a sports day tomorrow 25km (about 15 miles) away from her school. All of the children who are 10 and above are cycling there and back, escorted by teachers (in Belgium).

[usualsuspect]

I don't know anyone with kids that don't like running around /going to the park/playing on bikes scooters etc either

[GwendolineMaryLacey]

I've never heard anyone say that either. Every kid I know is running round like a mad thing all the time.

[manicinsomniac]

usualsuspect - that's part of what I'm trying to say, I'm sure the vast majority of children would enjoy it if they were given the opportunity. It's the parents making excuses a lot of the time. I know we're all very busy but half an hour a day to make sure your children are doing some exercise should be a normal part of parenting imo.

If they've done it at school that day great, if they haven't get them out running, on the bike or to a lesson.

[usualsuspect]

There are always children playing out round here,maybe its were you live?

[manicinsomniac]

maybe. Most of the parents won't let the children out alone.

[TimeWasting]

They don't need to be made to exercise if they've been allowed to exercise, from a young age.

[GypsyMoth]

important to not categorise exercise as 'sport'....

[manicinsomniac]

yes, very true timewasting

[Sirzy]

Yanbu but like others I have never come across anyone who says the things you mentioned in your op.

That said, if I child doesn't want to go and run around the park one day then that's fine as long as they still get plenty of physical activity. As long as it's not made to seem a chore then most children will happily do it.

[MrsKravitz]

I have heard a few people say that of their children. IMe so far it has been with girls. Yes i think they should be encouraged to be active but the trick is finding the enjoyable way of doing so. Some kids just dont like running, some dont like "outside". I think that has been almost created by the parents though.

[usualsuspect]

All mine happily ran about like loons without any encouragement

[deliciousdevilwoman]

I agree to an extent, but too proscriptive an approach can back fire. Make it a part of normal life/fun. Not something to be endured. Encourage rather than coerce. My stepfather used to try and force me to go outside and play rounders/go on the bike/skates with the other kids and I just didn't want to. I was a home bird who preferred reading comics/books in my room. I would just sit on the step and refuse to join in! I figured he could force me to get "fresh air" but not partake. It caused all manner of rows. When I got older, I also used to forge letters excusing me from netball/swimming at school. I just hated being "made" to exercise! I exercise now of course, and my grown up sons are very sporty.

[GypsyMoth]

it says more about the parents than the children to be honest!!

[GnomeDePlume]

None of mine are particularly keen on sports (they have had plenty of opportunity to try things out). On the plus side they walk everywhere.

Not everyone enjoys sports but I think that parents should encourage their kids to be active whatever form that takes.

[tigercametotea]

Making kids do things they don't want to do won't work tbh. Best to encourage them, expose them to as many different activities possible, help them to find a sporty endeavour that they enjoy doing.

[GypsyMoth]

SPORT ISNT THE ONLY WAY OF EXERCISING OR BEING ACTIVE!!!!!!

sorry,but its annoying!

[GypsyMoth]

just playing out in the street....in the park....walking round a lake or down the river. taking the dogs out etc etc......

[GnomeDePlume]

I agree with Belgo - when we lived in NL (another cycling country) kids & adults cycled absolutely everyhere. I have happy memories of cycling many kilometres to some event or other with DS (then aged 4) making the Crazy Frog noises all the way both ways.

[usualsuspect]

Exercise doesn't necessarily mean sport though

I don't think children should be forced to do sports

[RevoltingPeasant]

OP are you suggesting these are parents who can't be arsed to make time to give their DCs exercise?

[TheCountessOlenska]

If all kids love running around, how come there are so many overweight children in this country?