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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

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Original poster

To let the children play outside?

23 replies

MummyPig24 · 10/03/2013 13:10

It's cold and a bit gloomy here but the children wanted to play in the garden. They had coats and gloves on and were having a great time running about. Then my dad came over and was shocked I had let them out in "this weather". Do you let your children play outside whenever they want or are there certain restrictions?

OP posts:

verytellytubby · 10/03/2013 13:11

Of course. My kids were on the trampoline this morning in their PJ's. Rain or shine they go out.

specialsubject · 10/03/2013 13:11

how ridiculous. Wrap them up warm and shove them outside, especially as it is what they want.

They aren't fragile and have the right clothing.

OzmaofOz · 10/03/2013 13:11

No restrictions here, I would rather them wrap up warm and have fun outside than bounce off the walls and argue indoors.

Startail · 10/03/2013 13:20

DD2 is bouncing about on the trampoline as I type. She has been every day this week.

Got soaked and had to stick all her clothes in the wash and herself in the shower after school last week.

She's 12 and, I think a bit at a loss as to what to do with herself. There is still playmobil everywhere, but since she tidied for her birthday, the games haven't restarted.

She doesn't sit still and read or draw like DD1 and she's trying to avoid a project for school

She needs a friend to play with, but no one lives nearby.

DD1 (15) will trampoline, cycle and play, but she has sense and won't go out when it's this cold!

Original poster

MummyPig24 · 10/03/2013 13:20

Glad I'm not as barmy as my dad thought then! Taking them out on their bikes now. Ds especially is like a puppy and needs exercising!

OP posts:

poachedeggs · 10/03/2013 13:26

Crikey no, get them out. All this sitting around indoors is why we're such a sickly nation.

overlooking the fact I'm still in my pyjamas, have been indoors all day except a foray to the wheelie bin, and have just eaten a large bacon and egg sarnie

We are off for a swim in a bit though!

DuchessFanny · 10/03/2013 13:26

nah - the fresh air and exercise is great for them. They're wrapped up and warm, no problems there as far as i can see !

VictorTango · 10/03/2013 13:31

My PIL try and tell me it's too cold to take the dc to the park. They think I should I keep them in for the whole of Autumn and Winter

Obviously I am a cruel mother for letting them have exercise and fresh air in their lungs.

Wrap them up and they will be fine. There is no such thing as bad weather only bad clothing.

Twattybollocks · 10/03/2013 13:40

Why not? They dont melt in the rain/cold do they? Mine were playing swing ball in the dark the other night, in tee shirts! I had asked them to put a coat on but was ignored.

xigris · 10/03/2013 13:45

Definitely no! Mine are about to be taken to the park with DH so I can sit on the sofa clean the house and sort out 8million tons of washing. My boys need a good run everyday as they're so bloody hyperactive lively. A friend of mine won't take her DC out unless it's warm with clear blue skies. Madness imo.

Sirzy · 10/03/2013 13:47

As long as DS is healthy enough he can play outside when he wants. Just make sure they have enough layers on so they dont get too cold

cozietoesie · 10/03/2013 13:50

Get them outside and doing. In a few years they'll likely (and sadly) be plugged into a device playing games for every spare hour they can. (These days, we could identify the school holidays here, even if we didn't know them, by the quiet in the streets and gardens.) The longer you can put that off the better.

Original poster

MummyPig24 · 10/03/2013 13:59

Well I took ds out on his bike, dd scooted for a while then got into the pushchair and she is now asleep! Ds still out in the garden playing football. They need the air and I remember loving being outside when I was younger. I'm sure he will come in when he is cold.

OP posts:

Indith · 10/03/2013 14:03

Children need fresh air and exercise. At least mine do otherwise they end up climbing the walls! Yesterday it rained all day and ds1 (6) was going crazy so I told him to go up to the park, do a couple of laps and see if anyone else was there (knowing there wouldn't be as it was pouring down). He put his shoes on and went while I stayed home drinking hot chocolate. Today while ds1 was at rugby dd (4) insisted on playing in teh garden because it was snowing. She put her warmest jumper on, winter boots, coat, hat and gloves and off she went.

Thewhingingdefective · 10/03/2013 14:09

Mine are outside now on the trampoline.

I think they should get outdoors everyday, whatever the weather.

KLou111 · 10/03/2013 17:46

Put them outside! I bought my 18 month old a waterproof suit as he wants to play outside all the time! Bit annoying as it means I have to clear up the sloppy dog shite most days before he goes out and hose it down just in case he goes on the garden lol! but as long as he's happy in his sandpit I'm happy!

Mum2Luke · 10/03/2013 17:54

I ban my son from going on the xbox when the weather is ok, its very cold but he plays football matches when its cold and raining.

Last weekend I don't think I saw my 10 year old much, he went out after a quick rest from his match and I picked him up when it started t get dark as I didn't want him out in the dark at his age yet.

I am encouraging him to use the bus now that he is nearly 11, he is starting high school in September so needs to learn independence and I am not a taxi service!

MousyMouse · 10/03/2013 18:00

yanbu
kids need to run around outside every day. mine would go bonkers if they didn't.

HorribleMother · 10/03/2013 18:03

Your dad is just an old codger who feels the cold.
I wish I could drag DC out!

BarnYardCow · 10/03/2013 18:48

No, ours go out every day unless absolutely chucking it down.They need to let off steam and do come in calmer.They were out for ages in the snow,what is another load of washing anyway?!

Kafri · 10/03/2013 21:54

had to chuckle at this. Not at anyone - just the general topic. as a first time mum to a 12 week old I've not got to this point yet but I'm sick of hearing on the news about how kids 'these days' spend too much time indoors playing computer games and not enough time in the fresh air. OP's little uns ASK to go out and OP is moaned at that it's too cold out.

love it - you just can't win!

Original poster

MummyPig24 · 11/03/2013 07:10

As ds is in reception, they don't have desks or do much formal work. They spend a lot of time outside, they have the free run of the class and garden and then spend time in the playground a lunchtime etc. So he is used to lots of outside time and wants it at weekends too, which is fine by me! Dd is much less active but does enjoy time outside so I won't refuse her either if that's what she wants.

OP posts:

exoticfruits · 11/03/2013 07:18

You should have told your dad to keep his coat on, that you were all off for a bracing walk- it would do him good too!

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