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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

to bring a toddler to the zoo, well wrapped up, in 5 or so degree weather?

61 replies

Listzilla · 29/12/2011 17:02

We're planning on bringing DD to the zoo tomorrow. It got as low as about 5 degrees here today and my mother has proclaimed that if it doesn't get a lot warmer by tomorrow I'll have to keep DD indoors.

She has a warm clothes, a thick coat, a wooly hat, shoes with sturdy soles and a buggy with a fleecy footmuff.

Am I being unreasonable to expose the poor child to such horrific extremes of weather (it may even spit rain a little!), while only providing her with plenty of appropriately warm clothes? Because I'm being made out to be Evil Neglectful Hardhearted Mammy Who Doesn't Care About Her Daughter's Comfort and it's annoying me immensely. She's surely not that fragile?

OP posts:
ChippingInLovesChristmasLights · 29/12/2011 17:23

Post on MN where we will all tell you they are barking and you are right Xmas Grin

Averyyounggrandmaofsix · 29/12/2011 17:27

I am very surprised at your mother having this attitude, I thought us older (slightly older) ladies were more hardy! We used to go for a walk on the sea front Christmas Day or Boxing Day unless it was actually raining, I always thought it was a privilege to see the sea at Christmas!

wonkylegs · 29/12/2011 17:27

Last year when it was -12 here our heating broke and DS (at the time 2.5) was running round the house with no clothes on the looney I would like to report no ill effects at the time nor a year later... She's being daft!

Original poster
Listzilla · 29/12/2011 17:28

Averyyounggrandmaofsix, my mother seems to feel the cold to an unreal degree. She also refuses point blank to leave the house if there's the slightest threat of a bit of rain - which is a bit inconvenient, given that we live in Ireland!

OP posts:
MrsTerryPratchett · 29/12/2011 17:37

I'm in Canada. 5 degrees is hot here. Teenagers go round in shorts unless it's well under zero. Harden them up, that's what I say!

startail · 29/12/2011 17:38

My DDs enjoyed Munich zoo at about 5°C aged about 18 months 4Y.
We went for a long weekend to the Christmas Market. DD1 still remembers the huge polar bear.

Meglet · 29/12/2011 17:40

YANBU.

TBH I prefer days out in the cold as no one else is about. Give me an empty park with well wrapped up children fuelled by biscuits over a busy park on a sunny day.

mousysantamouse · 29/12/2011 17:42

list is she made of sugar?

Pixieonthemoor · 29/12/2011 17:46

If your mother starts up again, point out that they do, in fact, have babies in Russia, Canada, even in NY where the temp gets much much lower that 5. She is being ridiculous! Hope you have a lovely fun day!

liveinazoo · 29/12/2011 17:49

get out there and have fun!!i get thoroughly narked by people telling me im mad(i know i amGrin)taking the kids out i n all weathers.i have no intention of sitting indoors til it dry and warm

oldmerryolesoul · 29/12/2011 17:50

Oh no take her. DS's birthday is in January and we usually take him to the Wildlife Park for it. I think it nice to see the park in the winter as well.

Last time we went the lake was frozen and the ducks were so funny sliding about on it. They also headed straight for any humans which was different as they usually just ignore you when they have access to the water.

Original poster
Listzilla · 29/12/2011 17:52

I pointed out that people live in colder countried. She said 'But they're used to it'.

I can't win.

Yes, mousysantamouse, I think she is. Mum, I mean, not DD.

OP posts:
meala · 29/12/2011 17:53

I took my kids to the zoo the other day and it was cold and windy and we had a great time!

We go most years in winter as it tends to be quieter. DC wore thermal trousers, trousers, warm clothes on top and winter coats with hats, scarfs etc and they were absolutely fine. No complaining of cold or cold fingers.

have a great day !

magentastardust · 29/12/2011 17:57

As long as your wee one is wrapped up then it's fine ! We are in north east Scotland last winter it was around -12 for about 8 weeks temps of 5 or 6 are almost tropical!Grin

Espoo · 29/12/2011 17:59

My goodness, five degrees is a positive heat wave at this time of year in Canada. It was minus 17 with wind chill here yesterday and my two under 4s were out playing in the snow for most of the morning. This is only our second winter here so not sure how 'used to it' they are!

mousysantamouse · 29/12/2011 18:01

next time only tell her after you went.

To2012AndBeyondTheLimits · 29/12/2011 18:02

My mum and dad took DS to the zoo yesterday. They complain that I dont take him out enough Grin
Can we swap?

Mibby · 29/12/2011 18:05

We took DD to the zoo for her November birthday. Was cold, windy and damp. We wrapped her up in a snowsuit and gloves and she had a great time :) Shes 1

scottishmummy · 29/12/2011 18:05

wrap up warm,have a smashing day
as species we can cope with bit o cold despite your mother proclamation

Original poster
Listzilla · 29/12/2011 18:08

To2012, they complained last week that we don't take her out enough. You don't want to swap really, unless you fancy never getting it right, no matter what you do.

OP posts:
HeidiKat · 29/12/2011 18:41

Sounds like a good day out to me, I want to go and see the pandas in Edinburgh zoo but definitely not waiting til the summer as the zoo is hellish in summer, overcrowded and swarming with wasps. I'm waiting to get a 2 for 1 offer for entrance from somewhere and will go asap.

VikingLady · 29/12/2011 20:03

Presumably she wouldn't approve of them playing in the snow either?

thanksamillion · 29/12/2011 20:40

5 degrees in winter is positively warm here (E Europe) so you are definitely NBU.

If you are worried about her getting cold then layers are the way to go, always tights under trousers and socks and a hat and mittens and you're ready to go.

I do sometimes keep the younger DCs in when it's -10 but 6yo DD1 has a half hour walk to school so has no choice Grin

StewieGriffinsMom · 29/12/2011 20:47

This reply has been deleted

Message withdrawn at poster's request.

Hulababy · 29/12/2011 20:48

If you never went out at 5 degrees, you'd spend a lot fo the winter inside!

Nothing harmful will occur to have a healthy toddler running around out in the cold, esp with a warm coat on.