To walk to nursery with two toddlers in the cold?

What does she think people who don't drive do? I didn't drive when ds was small, we walked everywhere. When it was time for middle school the children who were ferried everywhere in the car found it hard and had little road sense.

Just tell your MIL you're using the car, she won't know!

Just ask yourself how my parent's generation coped. I'm 56 and growing up in the 70s most households only had one car, which the husband took to work. Lots of women couldn't drive. We walked. Decent shoes and coats, job done.

I have a theory that lots of homes are overheated because people never go out in the cold and get used to it, or if they go out, overdress. How many people do you see wearing bobble hats in the summer.

Just got back from a walk with my 92 year old parent, so we're at the other end of the age spectrum! Fabulous blue sky and winter sun. All wrapped up with hats, gloves and scarves, with thick insulated coats. It was lovely just being outside and looking at the changing colours of all the trees and berries.

We live in Sweden, our just turned three year old is walked to nursery no matter the weather, her nursery is outside apart from toilets and mealtimes as long as temperatures are above -5. It also means fewer colds as she doesn’t spend the day stuck in a room with the windows shut.

How does she even know these finer details of your day?

If children in Scandinavia or Canada avoided cold weather, they'd never go out during the autumn/winter!!! Your MIL is being ridiculous! Fresh air is good for children. As long as they're appropriately dressed, I don't see an issue!

As long as it’s not raining or snowing wrap up and enjoy it

Er what? Does she think kids should stay inside all winter? I grew up where it was much colder and we walked. It's much better for your health and theirs!

Mum of twins who did their toddler years in much colder winters than here. Just wrap them up and keep the walk. My boys were playing outside everyday in the winter, and it only benefited all of us.

Now they insist on wearing shorts to school in the middle of winter and still love being outside!

It really is better for you and your children to walk, rather than drive. It's healthier, cheaper, better for the environment and safer for other pedestrians. I loved the conversations I had with my kids, walking to and from nursery and school - we practiced numbers and colours, sang songs and put the world to rights. I didn't drive so we had no choice.

We definitely used to walk that length of time to school or nursery. And sometimes there was proper snow.

I don't remember ever even feeling the cold until I was about 17 years old and probably wearing a stupid coat. Or no coat!

You're setting such a good example to your kids and getting them into good habits young. Crack on and leave MIL to her odd ideas.

Mil is ridiculous

I would be tempted to reply…what would be more helpful is less badgering from you on this point when I have told you many times that we like to walk and will be walking.

Yeah, that is past making a kind offer ajd well into judgmental and interfering!
I'd maybe just keep replying to a link to nhs guidelines on the benefit of outdoors/exercise for young children. But also be tempted to reply quite firmly something like ' I disagree, the walk is good for all of us and no one was cold as we dressed well. I appreciate the offer of help and if I feel the need I won't hesitate to ask, however currently we are very happy with our current arrangement and do not need any help or advice on how to manage our school run'

It is absolutely better for you to have a walk every day

Fresh air and exercise and all that

Same temp here this morning

All the kids at school running around outside, loving it

As long as you're well dressed it's fine!

I loved taking my babies out in the cold! They were snug and slept like a log when they’d had some fresh air.

Do watch out if you’re walking alongside busy roads as vehckle fumes tend to cling in cold air, and are all at a young child’s head height… just something to think about in winter

The message that particularly annoyed me this morning (sent after I said no to a lift yesterday evening and again by text today) was as follows:
“Lots of ice and frost outside. I think some help might have been better for babies and you”.

Aargh! Some people are so desperate to "help" they don't realise how much frustration and annoyance they are causing.

Could you try "it's so kind of you to offer help but why don't we agree I will ask when I need a lift to save you asking me each day. It's really important to me that the kids get fresh air and exercise in the mornings and we all have appropriate winter clothing."

I was about to mention that saying, and while it's not 100% true, (as evidenced by some hazardous weather in the past 10 days) clear, frosty weather is when its applicable.

This type of weather is the best on offer for daylight quality. It's fitness. It's fresh air. It's so good for body and mind.

I'm finding an increasing number of people increasingly squeamish about going out in normal range weather conditions. I'm also finding the traffic and parking around school time getting worse! Also children without decent weather-proof coats because they're seldom outside long enough to need them (not a cost issue)

I didn't have a car when mine were small and husband worked away so we walked to school rain snow or sunshine! It's not going to make your children ill, fresh air and exercise will keep them healthy!

I never drove my kids to nursery/school whether it was cold/ wet/ roasting hot. They were pushed then walked/ scooted rode the 1 ish miles each way. This was from 6 months for my first and from birth for my second tagging along.

and they are still alive so I am sure you will fine.

I did, however, used to strap a hot water bottle to them on really cold days! Ahhh the memories! 😂

It is known as friluftsliv. As the scandics say, no such thing as bad weather, just bad clothing. As long as you are all wrapped up warmly and have appropriate footwear, I think it's a lovely thing to do.

You're starting the habit of a lifetime for your children so your choice will probably stand them in good stead when private cars are not available to the general public in 50 years time!
I think the issue is grandparents often want to feel like they are being useful/indispensable and if they feel a bit sidelined then they look for any little opportunity to "help" even if it's not what you want.
Perhaps you could think up a task for them that's actually useful and say no thanks on the lifts but if they really want to help out can they do xyz instead that would be super helpful.
Then at least they can scratch the itch without driving you mad!