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AIBU?

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Park Runs: Children - Why?

506 replies

Knowillbeflamed · 19/01/2025 09:12

There’s a park run every Sunday near me. They jog along the pavement by the seafront taking the whole damn thing up so no one else can even walk along it.

Honestly, I don’t get running. But, what I understand even less is dragging young children along?! Yes, the older one’s (10+) seem to enjoy it but there’s at least 5x more that seem wayyyy to young - toddlers, very young kids - who hate it. They’re dragged along by their parents, literally kicking and screaming and crying.

AIBU to think if your kid hates running that much or patently doesn’t want to be there, that you do NOT force it on them?! Just because you like running doesn’t mean you force it on them. Find them an activity they enjoy.

PS. Yes I am annoyed by the sheer ignorance of 100+ people taking up that much space and forcing others to dive out the way - but mostly it’s the shrill screams of toddlers being forced to run that drives me bonkers. Someone will pop up and say ‘they love it,’ but I’m sorry - kids screaming ‘it hurts’ ‘I don’t want to’ whilst their parents drag them along by their wrist just angers me. And it’s not one parent one week - it’s multiple different parents on various weeks.

OP posts:
TheYearOfSmallThings · 19/01/2025 13:30

SemperIdem · 19/01/2025 13:24

My child who has been pushed over multiple times by adults, and generally blocked from getting around groups parents and children, thinks otherwise.

It is a junior park run not a family fun run.

Parents are allowed to run with their children, but I agree some are thoughtless and don't hesitate to block other children. My preference is that as soon as a child can safely run without an adult, their parent should watch instead.

Workhardcryharder · 19/01/2025 13:29

SemperIdem · 19/01/2025 13:24

My child who has been pushed over multiple times by adults, and generally blocked from getting around groups parents and children, thinks otherwise.

It is a junior park run not a family fun run.

They are allowed by the organisers to run. There are many reasons for that and your preferences don’t get to decide what’s best for everyone else.

3WildOnes · 19/01/2025 13:28

Viviennemary · 19/01/2025 12:49

A great way to encourage her to avoid exercise when she is older.

I've said so many times already on this thread. Her older sister also complained when she first started and now loves going and asks to go to the Saturday one too! I was also dragged on many 10+ mile hikes despite whining and complaining as a child and not only did it not put me off hiking it is now one of my favourite activities!

3WildOnes · 19/01/2025 13:25

JammySlag · 19/01/2025 12:38

☹️ That’s horrible.You will be one of the parents complaining your child moved abroad, doesn’t visit etc when they are adults. Honestly there are so many healthy sports you can do with children, find one they actually enjoy. I grew playing loads of sports, team and individual that I loved, but there are plenty of sports I hate and I can’t imagine how I would have resented my parents if they’d made me do it against my will. I’d never do this to my child.

Ger a grip! My parents forced me on many family hikes as a child and I am eternally grateful to them. Still live close to them and see them regulary- we speak most days too!

I am a long way off Amy Chua!!

LuckySantangelo35 · 19/01/2025 13:25

Instakilogram · 19/01/2025 12:26

I don't think little children should be penalised for their parents life choices, and be dragged around crying because their little legs hurt, just bc that's the only way their parent can get exercise. The adult needs to find an alternative way to get their exercise.

Edited

@Instakilogram

like what? For some people it literally will be their only opportunity all week to exercise.

SemperIdem · 19/01/2025 13:24

Workhardcryharder · 19/01/2025 13:20

It is perfectly ok to run with your kid round a park run

My child who has been pushed over multiple times by adults, and generally blocked from getting around groups parents and children, thinks otherwise.

It is a junior park run not a family fun run.

jasjas3008 · 19/01/2025 13:21

battairzeedurgzome · 19/01/2025 13:18

You seriously think children should not be required to do anything they don't want to do? Good luck getting them to brush their teeth or eat spinach for the pure pleasure of it. And children cry all the time, it's their job description!

Judging by this and many other replies, its little wonder children and adults in the UK do so little sport.

Forcing a child to run 1.2miles is bloody stupid, you re pretty much baking in a hatred of sport for a life time.
Over coming some objections by encouragement/bribery is not the same as the child crying and getting distressed.

Comparing it to dental care and eating veg is equally stupid too.

3WildOnes · 19/01/2025 13:21

Breakingmad1 · 19/01/2025 12:36

Fantastic way to put her off running and exercise for life.

Except as I have said in this thread multiple times now, my middle child also used to complain and have to be cajoled around and now loves it and asks to go to the Saturday park run too!
I whined and complained my way through many family hikes and runs as a child and am eternally grateful that my parents persisted in taking me as I now love running and hiking! I've never been overweight and have always been reasonably fit.

WalkingonWheels · 19/01/2025 13:21

battairzeedurgzome · 19/01/2025 13:18

You seriously think children should not be required to do anything they don't want to do? Good luck getting them to brush their teeth or eat spinach for the pure pleasure of it. And children cry all the time, it's their job description!

I wouldn't force any child to eat something they didn't like.

I'm in the, "Don't get running" camp. It's just... putting one foot in front of the other, but a bit faster than usual. I don't get why grown adults get excited over how fast they can move their feet.

Knowillbeflamed · 19/01/2025 13:20

battairzeedurgzome · 19/01/2025 13:18

You seriously think children should not be required to do anything they don't want to do? Good luck getting them to brush their teeth or eat spinach for the pure pleasure of it. And children cry all the time, it's their job description!

Of course children should have to do things they don't want to do - Gods, if I thought they should do whatever they wanted, mine would never go to school or eat anything other than Bon Maman Shortbread.

But there is a BIG difference between a child not wanting to do something, and a child being dragged around by their parent - particularly, as it was today, to the point where several children were crying and asking their parents to stop.

You are being deliberately obtuse...I hope.

OP posts:
Workhardcryharder · 19/01/2025 13:20

SemperIdem · 19/01/2025 13:16

Junior Park Run can be great, but actually I’ve stopped taking my daughter because of the sheer number of parents who “support” their children around our local one. They’re effectively dragging their children and getting in the way of children capable of running alone.

She just runs 2k around a different park now, in peace and safe from being knocked over and trampled by an adult.

It is perfectly ok to run with your kid round a park run

battairzeedurgzome · 19/01/2025 13:18

Knowillbeflamed · 19/01/2025 13:14

Oh don't be ridiculous.

How is it helpful to force a child to do a sport they do not enjoy - to the point the child is crying? It's not. It's pretty simple...

You seriously think children should not be required to do anything they don't want to do? Good luck getting them to brush their teeth or eat spinach for the pure pleasure of it. And children cry all the time, it's their job description!

SemperIdem · 19/01/2025 13:16

Junior Park Run can be great, but actually I’ve stopped taking my daughter because of the sheer number of parents who “support” their children around our local one. They’re effectively dragging their children and getting in the way of children capable of running alone.

She just runs 2k around a different park now, in peace and safe from being knocked over and trampled by an adult.

WalkingonWheels · 19/01/2025 13:16

hazelnutvanillalatte · 19/01/2025 10:48

So kids should all be horse riding or paying for other expensive lessons rather than doing communal exercise for free. FFS.

More of a reach than S Club 7.

AmyW9 · 19/01/2025 13:16

cardibach · 19/01/2025 12:20

More accessible than walking?
People. Don’t. Have. To. Enjoy. Running.
If they hate it, then park run isn’t the not the best thing to do.

Ah yes, because no child has ever moaned on a long family walk.

Very impressed by the number of posters who have never been forced by their parents / forced their children to do things they don't want too.

I personally spent a good chunk of my childhood stuck in garden centres, watching my DB play football, trudging through fields on family stomps, etc etc. It is absolutely fine for kids to need to fit in with their parents sometimes.

Knowillbeflamed · 19/01/2025 13:14

battairzeedurgzome · 19/01/2025 13:01

So anything that costs money and requires equipment is ok, but anything that is free should be discouraged? How is that helpful to young children or their parents?

Oh don't be ridiculous.

How is it helpful to force a child to do a sport they do not enjoy - to the point the child is crying? It's not. It's pretty simple...

OP posts:
Whippetlovely · 19/01/2025 13:13

This reply has been deleted

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DragonFly98 · 19/01/2025 13:13

Taigabread · 19/01/2025 11:36

Why is parkrun the only thing you can think of to do for free? Go to the exact same park and walk, or play tag, or use one of the many free playgrounds around the place.
Oh but hang on... None of those things enable you the adult to get the run in that YOU want, so you drag your kid around the parkrun because you want to do a full run yourself rather than a more chilled out bit of footy or tag in the park.
Parents who do this are just putting themselves first. Especially the ones insisting on little 5 and 6 year old completing the full adult 5k parkrun, yes there are parents who do this!!

It’s not but it’s one of them, anyway I am not getting any runs in because I can’t even walk never mind run.

Littlemisscapable · 19/01/2025 13:07

RunSlowTalkFast · 19/01/2025 09:23

Also it's junior Parkrun, it's for kids.

This

Eughenia · 19/01/2025 13:07

Mumsnet snobbery over sport continues...

battairzeedurgzome · 19/01/2025 13:01

Knowillbeflamed · 19/01/2025 09:25

Children being dragged along by their parents do not enjoy it.

Yes kids like exercise - but you should pick the right one (gymnastics, swimming, cycling, skating, horse riding etc).

The kids on these runs are patently on there because their parents like running. “Don’t talk, you should be running” was my favourite quote this morning from a parent when her child said ‘mummy it hurts.”

So anything that costs money and requires equipment is ok, but anything that is free should be discouraged? How is that helpful to young children or their parents?

dynamiccactus · 19/01/2025 12:59

Viviennemary · 19/01/2025 12:49

A great way to encourage her to avoid exercise when she is older.

I agree - if a child really dislikes it, it's pointless. If she just moans a bit halfway round but is pleased once she's done it, that's different.

dynamiccactus · 19/01/2025 12:58

NerrSnerr · 19/01/2025 09:26

OP are you annoyed by the parents who are forcing their kids to do it or by the hundreds of people who are taking up the path (for half an hour of the whole day)?

I suspect the latter. We had a whole thread on here recently about how unreasonable it was for parkrunners to use the park for 45 minutes a week.

You do get the odd parent who's overcompetitive but most parents are really good with their kids and junior parkrun is a completely different kettle of fish to a 5k parkrun on a Saturday.

FabulousPharmacyst · 19/01/2025 12:55

Knowillbeflamed · 19/01/2025 09:25

Children being dragged along by their parents do not enjoy it.

Yes kids like exercise - but you should pick the right one (gymnastics, swimming, cycling, skating, horse riding etc).

The kids on these runs are patently on there because their parents like running. “Don’t talk, you should be running” was my favourite quote this morning from a parent when her child said ‘mummy it hurts.”

None of the activities you have mentioned are low cost. Junior Parkrun is one of the very few no cost activities available to all.

FindusMakesPancakes · 19/01/2025 12:52

cardibach · 19/01/2025 10:58

Walking?
Kick about in the park?
Swimming in the sea?
Beach combing?

Nearest coastline is over an hour from me. Trying to imagine how my kids would have reacted to being woken up on a Sunday to be taken for a bracing January swim and beach combing session. 🤣
That is one of the most peak MN responses to kids whining a bit about junior parkrun.