To have "made" DS's friend go swimming

[Frontier]

He's here for the day because his mum had to work. They're 13 though so he doesn't need looking after a such, she just wanted him to have a place to go.

So, they've been on Xbox etc all morning and then I gave them lunch (which I made them have at the table!!) then I said right get your stuff and off you go. I had previously arranged with mum that this was what the plan was and he brought his kit so it can't have been a complete surprise but he made it clear he'd far rather spend the afternoon playing video games.

Anyway I put my foot down and told them they'd had enough screen time, off you go. He was then most put out that I wasn't going and that they'd have to walk (I'd told mum this was the plan too) It's exactly a mile along a main road with a wide grassy verge and a good footpath, so they're quite safe and I gave them cash for snacks afterwards. I'm really not that horrible, am I?

Will he never want to come again?

Op yanbu

blue, that's just not true. I am mixed race, wearing a hat and long sleeves as I burn in this weather. Won't be going outside if I can help it until the sun goes down all summer. If you burn so it's noticeable and you peel then the damage is already done apparently. One of my brothers burns too, whereas the other, and my daughter just tan. I think there are general types but variations.

It is 30 degrees here today! I would have made them walk to the pool but would have picked them up afterwards!

Where was it 35 today?!

I can't believe anyone is objecting to OP's plan on the basis that the boys had to walk outdoors for twenty minutes in the heat. It's a 20 minute walk to a swimming pool! It's not the kind of heat that will make healthy 13-year-olds pass out if they have water (they do) - and frankly, even if they don't.

I would neither drive them there nor pick them up. The walk will do them good.

No wonder kids are getting fatter.

Funny that blue how I was wearing factor 50 today but still burnt

Parallax I'm in the southwest and it's been 35 in the sun this afternoon.

Thing is if I started a thread to say aibu to let my 13 year old(blonde) dc walk for 2 miles (1 mile there 1 mile back) in the afternoon sun (35 degrees) with no sun cream no hat no sunglasses. Some Posters would no doubt say yes you are being unreasonable.
Yes I know they had a bottle of water but that doesn't stop sunburn or exposure to the sun.

No of course it won't kill them to walk a walk does us all good. I used to ride miles on my bike as a kid. But I still say my concern with frontiers op was the strength of the sun.

Hang on a minute the OP has said that there was a hat, water and a shady side of the road on offer, she also made a reasonable point about not wanting to force sun cream on a resistant, non related teen

Lets not argue about sending kids out in the full sun with no sun protection... Because nobody thinks thats a good idea...

I'm 33 weeks pregnant and managed a 30 min walk along a shady path today without passing out... I don't think the OP has behaved unreasonably at all.

Christ, my friends and I took four two year olds on a trip that involved a 25-minute walk today. Someone had better call social services.

Not unreasonable in the slightest.

I'd be more annoyed if I sent my child to a friends and they DID sit in front of the box all day. Swimming will have been great, and the 1 mile walk (which heavily pregnant I can manage in 15mins) will have done them good.

They are 13? I'd say that's responsible enough to decide for themselves that walking in the shade might be the best option. I do know that at 13 I'd have been mortified if my friends mother started rubbing sun cream on me! But you gave ds and his friend the option of drinks/cream/hats and that is the best you can do! Kids belong out playing, not sat indoors all the time.

Susie, I'm jealous!

Bluebell, that is just not true! Anyone can burn when it is hot like it has been the last few weeks - and to suggest otherwise is dangerous, at best.

Op. I'm with you. UANBU.

It's too hot for me I'm afraid.

I'm pissing myself laughing at the thought of it being somehow dangerous or neglectful to let two teenage boys walk just along the road in the sun.

Bloody hell, are people really saying these things? Do you remember having childhoods at all?

Well I never. I fully expected to be told he'll never darken our door again as I made his life so miserable by not letting them use the xbox all day, I really had no idea a short walk was so dangerous.

DS1 is very ginger, with very ginger skin, which is why he rarely leaves the house without a hat, but really a 20 min walk in a short sleeve shirt (ie shoulders covered), with a hat isn't going to do him any harm. At 13 they know if they need to be particularly careful in these circumstances, his friend doesn't which is why he though my offer of a hat was OTT.

So, families without a car have to stay at home all summer? Do children not go to school when it's hot? Do you not do any exercise at all, not even a stroll when it's hot? It really is no wonder 20% of 11 yos are obese. There's a little athletics comp going on ATM and iirc the football one a couple of weeks ago was somewhere warm

This place is ridiculous sometimes. Too hot for them to walk 20 mins to the pool? Seriously?

OP, YANBU.

Comedy posts regarding it being too hot to walk about in.