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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

To walk to nursery with two toddlers in the cold?

184 replies

Chillyoutthere · 28/11/2024 12:36

I like to walk to pre-school/nursery with my 3 and 1 year old children whenever possible. I enjoy it, I think they enjoy it, and I believe it’s better for us all to be outdoors instead of in a car.

The walk is about 25 minutes to pre-school, and then a further 15 minutes to nursery with a buggy and buggy board. Sometimes my husband will take one child and I’ll take the other (older one scoots in this scenario), which makes each journey about 20-25 minutes. Traffic is awful so it’s only about 5 minutes quicker in the car.

Obviously, it’s getting colder, which is leading lots of input from my MIL regarding our commute. She feels very strongly that it’s bad for kids to be outside in the cold (1C this morning). I am being told / texted multiple times a day that they will get ill, this is bad parenting and that I am selfish.

I disagree. I was brought up to believe that there’s no such thing as bad weather, just bad clothes! Both kids were both wearing hats, gloves and snowsuits this morning.

So, dare I ask… AIBU?

OP posts:
Moonlightstars · 28/11/2024 12:41

Wow. She sounds awful. I would completely ignore her. Unless she has other issues going on.

terriblyangryattimes · 28/11/2024 12:41

If she feels so strongly about it she can come and do your preschool/nursery run herself!

ImJustAGirlInACountrySong · 28/11/2024 12:41

Don't know why you are bothering to engage with her tbh!

Just laugh and carry on with your day, surely?

fuzzwuss · 28/11/2024 12:41

MIL is being ridiculous. As long as the dcs are well wrapped up, being outside actually protects against getting ill.

WomenInConstruction · 28/11/2024 12:40

I did it all the time.
SO much fun walking to nursery when it's icey... In fact we used to leave early so we could spend longer on it... Cracking little puddles with our feet, brushing ice off walls, admiring things that sparkled...

Can't imagine why this would be a problem, even if it's not pretty and icy, even if it's a bit grim and wet .. so long as you're wrapped up what's the problem!?

We loved our cold walk to nursery set you up for the day same as any other warmer day.

Imagine if you had to go by car just because the thermometer got near freezing... Barking mad.

SwingTheMonkey · 28/11/2024 12:40

How ridiculous. Wrap up warm and get walking!

Does she think children being raised in very cold climates never go outside?

serendipity70 · 28/11/2024 12:40

You are definitely not BU - your MIL is! Your oldest will be outside at times during the school day anyway and as long as they are adequately dressed for the weather there is absolutely no problem! Don't let your MIL bring you down - it sounds like you are doing an amazing job!

Doveyouknow · 28/11/2024 12:39

As long as they are dressed warmly I really don't see the issue. I don't drive so I walk most places with my kids. They are perfectly healthy and probably a lot fitter for it.

MoMhathair · 28/11/2024 12:38

Cold weather does not make you ill unless you're out in it so long that you get hypothermia.

Why does your MIL think she has a right to criticise?