To be a bit baffled by the phenomonen of not letting your children play indoors when the weather is nice?

[Janos]

DS has just started school (aged 5) and I've been off work.

The area where we live is a sort of cul de sac (thats probably the wrong name for it but sure someone will correct me) with small park in the middle. It's a lovely place,very quiet and not a lot of traffic. Everyone knows each other and they are all friendly.

Now, DS has palled up with a few children living here which is great and just what I wanted.

However, one thing I have noticed is that it's expected that the children play outside when the weather is nice and they are not to be indoors.

Now, I'm not making any judgement here at all, but I'm happy if DS plays indoors or outdoors (he seems quite happy doing both) - it really doesn't bother me. Am I unusual? Just wondered!

Not unusual - I leave the garden door open for the dds (5 and 6) to roam in and out at will.

I do have memories of getting tipped out into the street after Robinson Crusoe on a summer holiday morn and not being expected back till lunchtime though.

I've chatted about this with my mum, she remembers all the neighburhood children coming round to ours because she didn't mind them being in ,ucking around indoors.

She even let us jump on the beds apparently - I draw the line at that though :)

I much prefer my DS to play outside in the warm weather - 'playing' inside means playstation so yes, I do encourage him to get outside and play football, cricket etc. I don't forbid him time inside but it does bug me - there are months ahead when it will be dark & cold after school and at weekends - so I want him to get outside while he can (meanwhile I am inside mumsnetting !!)

Oh yes, mine would play on the playstation for hours on end if I let him (which I don't) - I like there to be a balance.

I think children should play where they are happy - and a lot of children aren't that happy outside playing on blazing hot concrete in the hottest part of the day. Mine do as they please. No playstation in this house but if I don't want them watching anymore tv I tell them to switch it off - no need to force them outside!

mine have only just been allowed in, nice weather is too rare to waste, and outdoor play is usually a lot healthier and creates a lot less mess for me to clear up, tires them out nicely and a lot less likely to get on my wick.

tbh unless it is heatwave weather or torrential rain both dh and I encourage outdoor play as much as possible, but each to their own. :)

Our opinion is that in the UK we generally have reasonable weather than means we can all get out and about in the fresh air.

If it is raining slightly/showery then we have shorter trips out to the park etc with raincoats and wellies. If very cold i.e. freezing then wrap up warm but again a shorter play out/trip out.

We are 'ard.

It's not a new thing! My mum would always chivvy us outside in the school holidays when the sun was out. Staying inside was "wasting the day".

Exactly, dita. :)

It is healthy. In the house mine are more likely to demand snacks, watch tv etc. (or playdough/moonsand but I tell them that only dh can do that!)

When I was a kid I couldn't bear to be indoors if the weather was nice. It was a physical sensation, kind of like an itch, the need to be outside when the sun was shining.

I still kind of have it, actually, although it's been dampened by many years of working and having to watch the nice weather through a window.

I could well turn out to be the kind of parent who turfs them outside if my children are inclined to sit indoors when it's nice out.

I just know that dd1 would lurk by the kitchen door asking 'Am I allowed in now?' every five minutes though.

She doesn't have a PlayStation or anything like that, so when the dds are indoors they mainly play with toys or dress up.

This is all really interesting!

I do agree it's not healthy to be indoors all day - I tend to leave the front door open so DS can come in and out as he pleases.

I have never pushed mine outside but both seem to want to be out whenever weather is good - especially DD. I am also very much an "outdoor" type although DH can take it or leave it.

I do like going out but am more of a take it or leave it type. Perhaps this has rubbed off on DS!

Can quite understand why outdoorsy people would think it odd not wanting to be outside when the weather is good, especially as playing out after school won't be an option soon.