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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

AIBU to take our DDs on a long walk?

98 replies

Joolsy · 08/08/2015 20:29

OK it was a lovely warm day today so OH decided it would be nice to do one of the walks in our book (1st time). It turned out to be quite steep uphill for 2 miles but with breathtaking views from the top. It was then a long, slow decline back for another 2 miles. Both DDs were crying on the way up as it was hot & they said their legs were aching. I quite enjoyed it myself - I just like getting out in the fresh air & getting some exercise. But I feel a bit guilty that we made them do this walk when they'd rather be doing something 'fun' and there probably wasn't much in it for them. AIBU to feel like this?

OP posts:
Original poster
Joolsy · 08/08/2015 20:31

I should add that the walk took 2 and a half hours

OP posts:
Hellionandfriends · 08/08/2015 20:32

How old are the children

LaurieFairyCake · 08/08/2015 20:32

Depends on the age of your children

But real crying as opposed to being a bit whingey isn't a great look

Fishwives · 08/08/2015 20:33

It depends whether they are barely staggering little toddlers or lazy pre-teens.

VerityWaves · 08/08/2015 20:33

How old are they?

TurnOverTheTv · 08/08/2015 20:33

I would have been hot and bored! 2.5 hours is a fairly long time for a walk.

ninaricci · 08/08/2015 20:33

18 months or 18?

Runningupthathill82 · 08/08/2015 20:34

I was going to ask how old they are, but it's pretty irrelevant. YANBU.
DS is two and has done several hill walks in the Dales, Peaks and Lakes, though we do carry him when he really can't go any further.
Perfect, fun and healthy family activity I'd say. In fact walking and running up hills is our standard weekend.

EquinoxEclipse · 08/08/2015 20:34

Yes, I would need to know the ages of the children to make my judgement Smile

cashewnutty · 08/08/2015 20:34

Definitely depends on the age of your DD's.

EatingMyWords · 08/08/2015 20:35

You need some kind of incentive. We do geocaching sometimes- the kids get 'treasure'. Today we did bilberry picking- or in DS's case bilberry eating Grin

WorldsBiggestGrotbag · 08/08/2015 20:36

Crying, distressed 2 year old = YABU.
Whingy teenager = YANBU

Floggingmolly · 08/08/2015 20:38

It was stinking hot round here today; "fresh" air was the last thing I wanted, never mind a nice walk...

Doyouthinktheysaurus · 08/08/2015 20:38

It absolutely depends on the age of the children. Our dses are older, 11 and 12 and walk pretty well.

We climbed Haystacks in the Lake District last week, fairly steep climb and some clambering over rocks. Anyway, we passed a couple with a child of no more than 4 or 5 going up. They made it round and we saw them descending the same way we did. Dad was carrying the little one and the descent was very challenging. No idea how they did It! We could barely stay up right on slippery rocks with both hands free. Carrying a child must have been so tough.

trollkonor · 08/08/2015 20:39

If they are young and dont ever walk for more than a mile then ywbu to suddenly get them on a 5 mile walk in the sun.
If they are used to the distance, properly equipped then yanbu, sometimes they have to do things they don't enjoy.
If they're teenagers, and no health problems, they should be able to walk the distance and sod it if they moan.

AndNowItsSeven · 08/08/2015 20:39

Yes depends if they are little.

Hellionandfriends · 08/08/2015 20:40

Yes to geocoaching or rewarding the children with something small at different landmarks. A fruit flake or whatever.

thegreenbackboogie · 08/08/2015 20:40

Not unreasonable but that's a long walk for a child. I would maybe start off with shorter walks so that they're used to it. It does depend on their age though too.

Hellionandfriends · 08/08/2015 20:40

Age please

MrsWembley · 08/08/2015 20:41

My two, 6 & 4, love going for long walks! We call it exploring and give them plenty of opportunities to do so. There can be some moaning from DD but we generally try to distract her with insects or sticks.Grin

Yes, the ages are relevant!

cardibach · 08/08/2015 20:41

2.5 hours isn't that long for a walk for adults, TurnOver! If you are walking and chatting and ,oozing at the view it's far from boring! As for the DCs, it entirely depends on their age.

Egosumquisum · 08/08/2015 20:42

This reply has been deleted

Message withdrawn at poster's request.

cardibach · 08/08/2015 20:43

Looking not oozing!

mom2twoteens · 08/08/2015 20:44

I've taken my children out for walk since the youngest was 4. I used to plan stops and in the case of my daughter food to keep her going. It's good for them.

The first walk I took them on was five miles. At 2.5 miles we stopped for food then walked back. My daughter was whining that she was tired, then as we came back into the town near the car we passed a children's play area. Goodness the energy she found for that was amazing. LOL

My son is now 21 studying for an Environmental Science degree and doing huge expeditions out. (now it's me who's whining when he takes us on massive expeditions)

My daughter is 18 and still moans when we get her up early but loves it when we go out.

Walks are a great family bonding time and I found as teenagers they'd talk to me about things they'd never have mentioned if we'd been at home. Stick with it, but when they're younger you have to plan your walks to include things they are interested in. Even take a bat and ball and play for a bit or picnics to stop for or include a town along your route for a super ice cream.

Too many children these days are lazy and stuck to the internet. Get them outdoors. It's worth it.

PurpleSwift · 08/08/2015 20:44

I don't think yabu. Kids legs get tired but you push on. I'd happily walk for hours in a new place, especially with great views.