To stay at home every weekend ?

Love how so many posters forget that we don’t all live in big spaces with secure gardens, or gardens at all, in my case! We have no option to make use of the common/playground/woods but actually I’m glad we make the effort. We don’t have a lot of money so often go to fetes/church hall craft things/ a trip out on the train somewhere local/ an allotment open day to buy produce/ park run as well as swimming, soft play, city farm, trips to see family (there isn’t anyone local) etc when affordable but yeah, I would think I was doing my son a disservice if all we did was stay in at the weekend. He really thrives on social interaction and new experiences, he is naturally inquisitive and chatty and he gets quality time with me while doing it so everyone is a winner. Maybe it comes down to personality but no, he just wouldn’t enjoy his life as much if weekends were spent at home, all day. We do that when he’s tired or unwell or to chill after doing something out and about.

Er, no, why? He goes three days a week, what’s the relevance?

I would find it very dull but is up to you. DH grew up like this and he hated it.
I thrive on variety as it makes time somehow slower and life more memorable

Of course it’s perfectly fine! My kids do footie and drama each week (they are older) but they love being at home at the weekends between this. Days are long with brekkie club school and after school club.
They need to relax and unwind!!

Each to their own. When my DC were little we would have weekends when the highlight would be a trip to the playground but there would also be others when we were out and about.

A good mix worked for us - even now I make sure we have 1 weekend a month where nothing is planned so we can catch up with each other.

OP, I think SIL is finding her mother a burden and wants you to pick up the slack. Direct her to your DH each and every time.

This
sounds very boring for your kids

But don’t you have any friends to go and see? Don’t you go on trips or travel, go to the cinema, theatre, fetes, every go and do anything different? It sounds really dull. Kids need time at home chilling 100%, but they also need new experiences, exercise, nature and friendships.

I would be bored but if it works for you that's fine, as long as you are ready to change things up if your children ask to see people and go places (which at least one of them will at some point).

Do you not go to friends/family or outdoor attractions at all on the weekends? What about play dates/ children's parties etc?

Staying at home every weekend doesn't sound normal or healthy to me.

If this works for all of you currently and the children are happy, relaxed and not overstimulated and you and your husband are able to recharge your batteries, I think this sounds great. No doubt the children's requirements will change before too long and you can make changes then.

Great that DH has your back and pushed back with MIL and SIL. Do what works for your family. 🌹

It's definitely less hassle to stay at home tbh. I enjoy both but I wouldn't criticise someone else for what they do. They are in nursery so they are socialising. My boys love being at home after a week in school. If mil keeps on tell her to take them out and give you a break.

You are happy, your kids are happy who cares?

it's my worst nightmare, I can't stand being stuck at home doing nothing, my own kids love - and need - to spend energy doing sports and clubs, meeting friends, going to parties or wherever day trip we do, and we all have a great time when we are out and about.

It means that I have to listen to some people commiserating because "my poor kids don't get a chance to chill, are over-stimulated" and I am basically an awful parent 😂 I rest and relax by going out and doing things. My kids go to clubs because they enjoy them, not as a punishment!

My point is that, whatever you do, you will get criticised and someone will pity your kids. You can't win either way.

My father in law once made a comment about how sorry he felt for the kids that I didn't take them out every weekend and every day of the school holidays. I believe it's unnecessary and expensive. But, it caused an argument between myself and my husband who said, if I went back to work it wouldn't be unaffordable and his dad was right, they should go out more often.

So I did, and now I work occasional weekends and leave them with my husband, who also doesn't rush around taking them out. So my point was proven.

Other people should keep their opinions to themselves.

We are currently at home in the garden enjoying the weather, playing games, tending to our home grown vegetables and just generally resting after having a busy week at school/after school activities.

I have one trip out planned for the half term holiday and the rest we will just be going with the flow.

Sounds fine to me, there’s no huge reason to go on days out when they’re little too often, you can adjust it as they get older. I’m flabbergasted that someone would say this to you or about you.

exactly. mom threw us in the garden and we got on with it. too much expectation placed on parents now. petting zoos for heavens sake!! why??? to have a screaming kid running off from chickens or goats, no thanks been there done that. kids don't need constantly over planned faux fun.

I'm mid 40s and thinking back to my (very happy) childhood, we never went on days out. We played in the garden, did crafts, went to the park but there wasn't any soft play or petting zoos and whatnot. Everything was centred around home and our bikes and make believe. I've turned out ok! 😂

I think it's all to do with your personality type. If you recharge by being at home and you're all happy with that, then do what works best for you all. It's no one else's business.

Every weekend? It's rained for about the last 18 months. You can do an hour puddle jumping in the park much more easily than an hour getting soaked on a patio.

So you do take them out and about in the holidays. Nothing wrong with enjoying your home at a relaxed pace over the weekend, I find it's overly busy during Saturday and Sunday anyway, our youngest would have a meltdown with too many people around.
It sounds like this is a MIL and SIL problem, let them crack on and you enjoy your peace.

i work full time, have 2 teenagers and a toddler...that's exactly what i do as i'm 40 fat and knackered. slightly prefer that to being and patronising prat though

This sounds lovely OP and I highly suspect your children will love having a nice, chilled time with their parents. You're making lovely, cosy, homely memories for them.

It’s up to you but I do think the odd trip to a park to socialise with new kids or a petting farm would be good for them.

is he at nursery all day every day???

me and my kids stay in every weekend, we only go places in the holidays. Not on the weekends.