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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

AIBU to not take DS out in snow?

46 replies

Champagneandthestars · 11/12/2017 08:41

DS's school is closed due to the snow and I'm dreading taking him out. I have a 3 month old too and even in a sling it's just so hard! He played all day with his dad yesterday. I hate snow. Can I keep him in without mega guilt?

OP posts:
ZoeWashburne · 11/12/2017 08:44

Do you have a garden? Or can you get to a park that has a cafe? If he is old enough to be in school, he can play on his own in the snow under your supervision as you have a coffee and keep an eye on him.

Pickleypickles · 11/12/2017 08:44

Do you have a garden he can play in?
Even if you dont i wouldnt feel guilty, i wouldnt want to take a 3 month old out in it either unless necessary.

deepestdarkestperu · 11/12/2017 08:45

Do you have a garden he can play in while you sit inside and supervise?

If not, I wouldn't feel bad. Just say it's too cold for the baby and have a sofa day at home - maybe watch some Christmas films?

DontMakeMeShushYou · 11/12/2017 08:46

How old is he?

Do you have a garden? When mine were smaller I used to send them outside and watch from inside.

Original poster
Champagneandthestars · 11/12/2017 08:46

He's 4 and not a 'play on his own' sort of child! we do have a garden but I'll be dragged out there too within minutes Sad

OP posts:
Iloveanimals · 11/12/2017 08:48

Hmm tricky. Can't blame you though. Our garden had French doors so I could put baby in room and still see....but get where you're coming from. Don't feel guilty.

Itsnotmesothere · 11/12/2017 08:48

I was just wondering this too! I'm going to feel guilty if DS has another day inside but while there is snow, the paths are a bit icy.

SleepingStandingUp · 11/12/2017 08:48

You have to tell him that its too cold for baby and baby can't be left alone. Do you have anyone local who would come over and play? Our schools are all whit bit its melting tbh so everywhere is accessible

Original poster
Champagneandthestars · 11/12/2017 08:50

We have bifolds onto the garden but couldn't imagine leaving baby inside - he only sleeps on me. Curse my two ridiculously high maintenance children! Thankyou for the ideas.

OP posts:
Migraleve · 11/12/2017 08:51

Why do you feel you have to go out? It's really not that odd to stay at home sometimes. I don't know why you would feel guilty about staying at home Confused

ZoeWashburne · 11/12/2017 08:52

Well, I think it’s time for you to start teaching him how to play on his own. Say: if he wants to play in the snow he can but he has to play alone. Be clear on this. He can make a snow man easily by himself.

Learning to play alone and be creative is a really important skill. This seems like a good opportunity to say no when he comes in to drag you out.

I’m not saying chuck him out, but rather, if he wants to play in the snow he has to ply by himself. Otherwise he can stay inside with you. You going outside is not an option. That is clear and fair.

DontMakeMeShushYou · 11/12/2017 08:59

He's 4 and not a 'play on his own' sort of child! we do have a garden but I'll be dragged out there too within minutes

Stand by the window and get him to throw snowballs at you whilst you take photos. Jump around like a goalie so he can aim at you. Then he's outside and you are playing with him.

Or put the baby in a seat by the window so he/she can watch through the window whilst you play outside with your DS.

deepestdarkestperu · 11/12/2017 09:00

Stand by the window and get him to throw snowballs at you whilst you take photos. Jump around like a goalie so he can aim at you. Then he's outside and you are playing with him.

This is a GENIUS idea!

FluffyWuffy100 · 11/12/2017 09:02

Stand by the window and get him to throw snowballs at you whilst you take photos. Jump around like a goalie so he can aim at you. Then he's outside and you are playing with him.

I'm not sure encouraging children to throw things at window is a good idea.

meredintofpandiculation · 11/12/2017 09:03

Snow of a depth for sledging and snowman building is getting less usual. I always treat it like "this is the last time I may see it". I go with ZoeWashburne's suggestion. It doesn't take long to feel you've played in the snow - its appeal lessens after half an hour when your gloves are soaked through and your fingers aching.

Bluetrews25 · 11/12/2017 09:04

Teaching DCs to throw things at windows?
What could possibly go wrong?

butterybollocks · 11/12/2017 09:06

You are basically me today op. 5 yo DD is off school and not good at playing on her own, and I have a 5 week old who sleeps on me! DD made a snowman with DH yesterday while I watched from inside. Today she'll be told that if she wants to go out in the snow, she can go out in the garden on her own and I'll watch through the bifolds. Or she can stay inside with me...that way she has to make the choice.

She may decide to go out alone if I let her take the dog with her, dogs are very useful companions!

DontMakeMeShushYou · 11/12/2017 09:07

It's a snowball not a brick, Fluffy.

Zoomaa · 11/12/2017 09:07

throwing snowballs at windows is great fun! What could possibly happen?

Killjoys

Bluetrews25 · 11/12/2017 09:08

Bundle up baby, put in buggy, then you have something to hang on to and are far less likely to fall over, go out for a walk / to park / whatever.
And start to teach him how to occupy himself, otherwise you will be stressing over how to occupy him for every second of every day of every weekend and school holiday until he leaves home.

Steeley113 · 11/12/2017 09:12

We all went out yesterday when it was ‘proper’ snow but today it’s icy and I won’t take the boys out. I’m 6 months pregnant and don’t want to risk slipping and I can’t let them out alone in case they slip! I’ve got all of the train track out and they’re covering the house in it and we’ll do crafts this afternoon. You don’t NEED to go out!

KimmySchmidt1 · 11/12/2017 09:15

just tell him to go out in the garden and use his imagination - it will be good for him to learn to play on his own. give him some exciting ideas - go and make a fort for us to have a snowball fight and make sure its got a look out tower etc. etc.

i usually find if you put some effort in sparking their imagination they run with it and it saves you some active involvement!

Natsku · 11/12/2017 09:18

Well, I think it’s time for you to start teaching him how to play on his own. Say: if he wants to play in the snow he can but he has to play alone. Be clear on this.

This. He needs to learn to play on his own anyway, especially as you have a small baby to look after too, and if he likes snow and is excited to go out in it then this is the perfect opportunity to teach him to play on his own.

WhyamIBoredathome · 11/12/2017 09:20

Can you wait for baby to have a nap then dive out in the garden quickly with him? Obviously keep checking on baby.

WhyamIBoredathome · 11/12/2017 09:21

I understand about sling by the way, I've worn babies for 4 years and I wouldn't babywear in the snow as I would be too worried about slipping over.

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