Two of my nieces were visiting my PIL at the same time as I, aged 3 and 10. I have long wanted to take them up to see my horses, but as their father is allergic to all animal hair, this was forbidden. However MIL is rather more adventurous and a visit was agreed while staying with PIL, as long as they were thoroughly cleansed and fully clad in waterproof/protective clothing.
So I got the horse out, possibly the most gentle, kind horse you would come across, and they were terrified to go near him. They stood cowering next to the car and no amount of coaxing would persuade the elder one to go within 10m of him. The younger one was keen, but put off by the elder one's protests. After no more than 10 minutes, and complaints about the sight of mud in the field (we were standing in concrete), they departed.
However, they have done nothing but talk about it since. How "scary" and big the horse was, what a big adventure it was to go there and how hungry and tired they are now. PIL included. I've since realised that these children have never once in their lives actually touched a living animal. Not a cat, hamster, dog, never mind a horse. MIL took them to a petting zoo once, but it was again one of these short visits and they were discouraged from touching the animals. Their only other "animal" experience has been going to the zoo twice, seeing non-native species behind bars.
Bad enough. But I've also noticed that the children never play outdoors. Always, always indoors, no matter what the weather is doing. PIL have a fantastic garden, but the children never go into it. Going outdoors is limited to the short walk between car and house. Its the same at home, I doubt they have ever played outdoors, the family would never do anything like go on a walk, even a short one. The elder one can't ride a bike either, at least she has a bike and occasionally sorts of sits on it in the hallway of her house, but it has never been outside. Playing on the Wii is considered to be taking exercise.
Am I unreasonable to feel a little sad for them? I spent most of my own childhood in another Northern European country and wondered if this is normal for the UK and considered good for children? I'd love to take them out for the day, but I honestly don't know where I could take them. I do remember that we once had a family outing to a park, and me and DH played football with them, but the poor children were so uncoordinated, they just kept falling over, while the parents sat on park benches. Again, it only lasted half an hour and a short walk was vetoed on the grounds that it was too muddy/wet underfoot.