To walk to nursery with two toddlers in the cold?

I think its great to walk. My Mum didn't like driving so walked lots from an early age. I do the same with my kids even though I like driving, sometimes I'd just rather walk.

Unless your sending them out naked she is being ridiculous.

Much more harmful for kids if everyone drives - a) harms of a sedentary lifestyle if they never walk anywhere, and b) more cars = more pollution! Your MIL sounds a nightmare. And dim.

No it's fine as long as they're dressed for the weather and not currently ill. I wouldn't if it was treacherous with ice or snow but if it's just brisk and cold it's fine.

What does she think kids in Scandinavia do? She’d be mortified that they let babies sleep outdoors in their prams!

You’re fine, they’re fine. Maybe have a word with your partner to ask about stopping the constant texts throughout the day though? That sounds like a lot!

Good grief - when I was a baby I was wrapped up well and put outside in my pram all through the year, when we used to have much colder winters than we do now!

They are pre-schoolers. Or just 3 year olds and often even more work than an actual toddler.

I refer to my just turned 3 year old as a toddler, but coming out of toddlerhood. I can’t keep him safe without using a buggy so his mental age is probably more like a toddlers.

The NHS definition is inaccurate . The generally accepted timeframe and what I was taught when studying child development is 12-36 months. As soon as they turn 3, they are no longer a toddler.

I walk with my son back from pre-school and it takes around 15-20 minutes. He enjoys it and likes just sitting there having a look around. It’s good to get fresh air and show your children that walking is normal. The only time I would rather have a car is when he’s not 100% well, if he has a chesty cough or some such.

Is a 3 year old not a toddler? I understand a 4 year old isn’t but I don’t think calling a 3 year old a toddler is that weird… they’re between a toddler and a child aren’t they? Especially if they’ve just turned 3. What would you call them?

edit to add - just checked NHS definition. 1-3 is toddler, 4+ child according to them

This..ignore her. How does she think people in really cold climates manage. Keep walking it sounds great.

Does she think that every child in Scandinavia and the Northern US etc are deathly ill all winter when the temps are below freezing for weeks on end? Load of old nonsense. If she is pestering you multiple times a day on the same issue, tell her you are not discussing it anymore with her and if she continues, you will mute her…or get DH to have a word

YANBU, as pp say as long as they are well wrapped up it's fine. I'd have a little more concern if it was raining heavily and the were going to be in damp clothing all day , but the cold ? Not a problem.
Ask her how she / her DPs got to school at the same age , dis they survive?

I did the same school run. Tbh I know other people thought i was horrid making the dcs do that and MIL was regularly on at me to learn to drive despite us not having the cash for me to learn, DP needing the car and driving would've only saved us 5-10 mins a day

YANBU, obviously.

We cycle to school/nursery, we have a cargo bike but there are plenty of people who do it with a child in a rear seat or children in a trailer, and of course when children get older they can ride their own bikes. Lots of people do it where we live. I actually prefer cold weather to wet weather for cycling (or walking), it's perfectly pleasant if you wrap up warm. And even in wet weather it can be fun for little ones if you have waterproofs and they can do a bit of puddle-jumping.

Ignore MIL, she is being silly.

She’d have a field day with my child’s nursery who are 90% outdoors (forest school type place) with just a rickety portacabin for torrential rain and toilets etc. They even nap outside wrapped up in prams or camp beds. Yes, even today!

My daughter has been going there 4 days a week for 2 years and hasn’t missed a single day yet with illness, so it can’t be that bad!

YABU because you only have one toddler.

lol your MIL is ridiculous.

If I could walk to drop off at childcare I would! When my baby was small I took him out bundled up in the pram every single morning, rain or shine. Fresh air and daylight in the morning is so good for you.

She’s being absolutely ridiculous. DGS is 11mths old. He gets taken out for a walk every day, unless it’s absolutely pouring down with rain, because fresh air is good for him. As long as they’re wrapped up warm there’s nothing wrong with it.

How does MIL think families in Scandinavian countries get to school? Crazy lady. YANBU

Enjoy. Mine were out on walks in the freezing cold. As long as they're wrapped up for the weather get outdoors and fill your lungs with fresh air. It wakes you up too!

I walked into town today - 20 minutes. It was -4C. I enjoyed it. Really good for you.