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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

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Original poster

To not spend time doing outdoor activities with DC's in Winter?

40 replies

Wizardora · 12/02/2012 13:22

I really hate the cold weather and spend most of Winter doing indoor things... Our 3 DC's (1, 3 and 6) are happy to play in the house and don't seem to get bored but I can't help but feel I should be doing outdoorsy things with them a bit more at the weekends, aibu not to??

OP posts:

WorraLiberty · 12/02/2012 13:24

If it's bothering you then I think you probably know YABU

Fresh air and exercise is always a good thing and once they start running around, they get warm anyway.

If they're not used to doing that sort of thing, they may have trouble at school doing PE in all weathers too.

Original poster

Wizardora · 12/02/2012 13:28

I used to live abroad and was always outdoors but I just find the UK so cold in the Winter

OP posts:

zookeeper · 12/02/2012 13:35

Mine are like dogs -if they don't go out they literally bounce off the walls.

CogitoErgoSometimes · 12/02/2012 13:37

YANBU... it's bloody freezing! (And I've never lived anywhere else) Even if they're running about in some playground, you're going to be stood on the sidelines getting a bad chill. Wait until it thaws out a little and don't feel guilty.

TheCunningStunt · 12/02/2012 13:38

Mine too. They go out as much in winter as we do in summer, otherwise they are crawling the walls. I'd love it if they were happy to stay in.

insancerre · 12/02/2012 13:38

YABU
Fresh air and being outside are crucial for children's health and development. Invest in some extra warm layers and embrace the weather.

Laquitar · 12/02/2012 13:44

You don't have to go to the park/playground.
A walk/run to the local shop or around the neighbourhood will do especially if they have bikes/scooters. half an hour is enough.

PeppermintCreams · 12/02/2012 13:59

It depends what the weather is like. If you are talking about icy temperatures like it is here (in suburban London) at the moment then you are not being unreasonable. I do try to take DS out for very short periods of time, and to indoor activities like soft play and swimming.

However, average UK winter weather where hat coat and gloves are more than enough, YABU. As mentioned above, children need fresh air and exercise. I normally take a thermos of hot chocolate/ribena (and coffee for me!) to the park with us, to help keep warm, but the small boy is normally warm enough from riding his bike or running around anyway.

inchoccyheaven · 12/02/2012 14:02

I hate cold weather and we rarely go out in it unlike sis in law and her family who go out most of the time. If the kids aren't bothered then don't worry about it.

WorraLiberty · 12/02/2012 14:05

Yes but a lot of kids don't even get to walk to the shops a couple of times per day anymore as their parents tend to stuff them in a car.

So they spend days on end in centrally heated houses with no fresh air at all.

historyrepeats · 12/02/2012 14:13

YANBU. Yes we should all be getting more fresh air and exercise but sometimes its just too cold.

deliciousdevilwoman · 12/02/2012 14:17

Don't beat yourself up about it. Personally, in this weather, the most I have done over the last few weeks is force myself to go to baby and toddler group a few times, take DD out for the odd walk to my gym (40 mins round trip) for the creche facility whilst I have a work out (but I am not exactly motivated to go often at the mo!) and take her out on her sledge in the garden twice. The rest of the time has been cuddling up on the sofa watching dvd's and playing indoors.

purpleroses · 12/02/2012 14:23

Pretty difficult taking a 1 year old out in weather like it is here right now. Can your OH take the older ones out and you stay in with the baby? or vice versa? My DP is like you and doesn't readily take his DCs outdoors, esp in the winter. I hate it - I hate the feeling at the end of the day with the DCs are arguing and bouncing off the walls because they've not been out. Always try and get them out somewhere (though not necessarily outdoors every day - maybe the swimming pool, shops, friends house, etc) Or do you have a garden that's large enough to let the DCs out to play whilst you stay indoors?

Meglet · 12/02/2012 14:25

yanbu.

We went out today. It was miserable and cold. I was foul tempered, the DC's were dawdling and whinging, snotty noses, no nice doggies in the park. I'm sure it did our bodies good, but it wasn't good for family relations .

Now I'm hiding with a cup of tea and they're doing something with playdoh.

rhondajean · 12/02/2012 14:26

Yadnbu.

MissBetsyTrotwood · 12/02/2012 14:31

I do make sure mine get outside a fair bit... they do go bonkers otherwise. We also have a dog so he needs walking too. You don't have to spend the whole day outdoors but the odd half hour or so must be good. We walked the dog today for an hour or so and they were wearing gloves, hats and min of 3 layers under their coats. I agree with the poster who said about taking out hot drinks. We're also really lucky as where we live there's an adventure playground that always has a massive fire going outside all day in the winter.

MissBetsyTrotwood · 12/02/2012 14:33

Also, I might just be getting tougher but did it feel a leetle bit warmer today? Not bitingly freezing, more just a bit nibbly?

LadySybilPussPolham · 12/02/2012 14:37

YANBU to feel like turning up the heating and staying indoors

YABU to make that the norm for your children. Not exactly encouraging healthy habits is it?

UntamedShrew · 12/02/2012 14:40

YANBU - if they wanted to go out and you said no, that would be different but you say they are happy. Plus it's freezing! And I'm sure they aren't indoors all day every day

Stokey38 · 12/02/2012 14:44

YANBU, I am in with my DC today because it's bloody freezing and have to tidy the hous. We are out most days when I don't work and they are happily drawing and playing with trains. I used to feel guilty about staying in but we don't sit in front of TV all day and they are happy playing indoors every once in a while.

fedupofnamechanging · 12/02/2012 15:29

I make dh take them to the park or out for a walk.

That said dd's nursery class are very keen on outdoorsy stuff and dd always gets me to go with them.

LondonMumsie · 12/02/2012 15:35

I think they need to be outside each day. I found it very funny at school this week. All these mums saying "ooooh, it is so cold, why don't the kids go straight in" when my DD had at that point been outside for over an hour and was still quite happy. The difference is decent clothes though - hat, gloves, coat, thermal vest and tights, etc.

Katy1368 · 12/02/2012 16:26

YANBU definitley - I am sick of hanging around bloody playgrounds while my toes slowly freeze off and my nose turns blue. I have refused to do it this winter 'cos I hate it and have had enough! I take DD out plenty when the weather is even slightly warmer - a few missed days when it is frankly beyond horrible freezing is not gonna set her up for a life of obesity IMO.

joanofarchitrave · 12/02/2012 16:28

YABU. Sorry . IMO children need to develop the habit of going out every single day, preferably twice. Make it a short trip if you like - it IS hard with a 1 year old.

insancerre · 12/02/2012 16:37

If you want to be inspired then watch this about outdoor nurseries in Norway

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