We recently moved to a more rural place, we have a lovely big garden complete with play house and "secret garden" at the end. We live on a quiet lane which goes down to a playing field with hardly any traffic. DS (10) is allowed to go to the park on his own and DD (8) is allowed to ride her bike up and down the lane on her own.
Its like the place I lived as a child and I spent hours outside in the summer playing "horses". Making stables, running imaginary riding schools etc etc, climbing trees & going on mini adventures around the nearby footpaths.
But my DCs just hang about inside wondering when they can have their computer time/ TV time (only allowed an hour a day), reading books, doing drawing or begging me to play board games with them. DS will go off and play football especially if a friend is round but DD just holes up in her room to play teachers.
We used to live in a city where they didn't have these freedoms so maybe they need encouragement. I'd love them to enjoy the outdoors like I used to. Am I just old fashioned.
AIBU?
to wish my children would play outside more ...
MelodyBurke · 05/08/2011 11:13
@glitteryskulls. I'm constantly telling them to but within a few minutes they are back inside to do some indoor pursuit. Should I lock them out, give them little packet of sandwiches and tell them they aren't allowed in till teatime?
Do they have freinds nearby they can go and "visit"? I think my 2 get bored by their own company, but will play out for hours if friends are involved 
You can't make them like being outside - unfortunately.
Maybe it's something they have to 'learn' as they're growing up?
DD1 is the same, goes out and five mins she's back in again, which is especially annoying in the winter when it takes ages to get all togged up for the weather.
I think it was because she was an only for 9 years, got out there and thought 'WTF now??'
Do they get on together? If it's just one/one then there's possibly not going to be much to do but sit around, although we'd just get on with it and play horses/dens/Dr Who
Me and DH definately aren't outside people either, we tried but it's just so uncomfortable out there
We've just got a trampoline as well, DD1 just goes out and reads on it 
I am often heard saying 'I need to clean the floors so you need to play outside, I'll call you back when they are dry' 
Lack of friends is a possible problem. There aren't many children down the lane and they go to school in a different village because it was the only one with places when we moved so all their friends are there and have to be taxied in for play dates. I have identified some local children so maybe will have to try taking them round and door knocking. Think part of prob is that other parents work full time so kids are all signed up for summer camp type things. Not just knocking around at home.
I was effectively an only child (much older sibling) so used to play on my own the whole time but was quite happy with that. Hence my frustration. Maybe I was just weird but on my local travels I did encounter other children although you don't see so many now.
They get on OK and do play together when they aren't arguing but their favourite game is "hamsters" which involved wrapping one or other up in a duvet. Maybe I'll have to put the tent up and call it an outdoor hamster cage.
Its not helped by DP who's idea of a relaxing weekend is to sit inside watching sport on TV.
Tent on the lawn is a good start, maybe you could start a thread about it?
I am firstly 
of your garden, sound lovely.
When we did have a garden,(had to move and now have perfect house, good location but sacrificed garden) I found the best way to get my DC in it was to settle myself down in the sun with a nice cold drink and a book and lo and behold, they would come crawling out into the sunshine.
Same as the minute I get on MN they come hovering round the computer like flies.
Get yourself outside and into the garden - they will follow you there.
Start taking the clearings up outside to the play house - take the indoor pursiuts they like outside.
What outdoor games do your dc own? can you go and sort them out in the outdoors and lock the house up
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