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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

Do any non drivers not walk to nursery/pre school if it is chucking it down?

107 replies

Okaynowimconfused · 30/04/2018 08:27

I'm being selfish to even consider not going aren't I?

DD will be dry as I'll use the buggy but I am going to be soaked. Not sure how dry my wellies and raincoat will keep me when I'm in it for an hour (30 min walk each way). Then back into them once it's time to collect her!

I will go. I'm just wondering if other people do cancel going if the weather is horrid?

OP posts:
OohMavis · 30/04/2018 09:39

But if she can take a day off to avoid being pumelled with raindrops the size of marbles and watch cbeebies, why not?

You won't be able to do that when she's in school, of course. But you can now Grin

Like I did.

BeyondThePage · 30/04/2018 09:40

Sometimes I did , sometimes I didn't.

Both DDs (15 and 17) are clever - on for a raft of grade 7/8/9 s, have PT jobs - that they have never had a day off from, and are delightful to be around.

So no harm done.

(it is nursery - not compulsory, not necessary, your choice)

Scrumptiousbears · 30/04/2018 09:40

I know someone who works in a pre school and she said whenever it's bad weather there's loads of children who don't rock up (drivers or non drivers I don't know) but they are always the ones who get their child's place for free.

TheNoodlesIncident · 30/04/2018 09:41

We definitely always went, regardless of the weather. It's less optional at school age so you might as well get used to going in less than lovely weather. Invest in some decent waterproofs as PPs have said...

In fairness, in all the years we walked to infant school, I can remember only about three days that were utterly miserable in terms of horizontal rain, bone-numbingly cold wind, etc. That's a lot of days where the weather wasn't that bad.

I had to do this for consistency's sake, DS needed to know that we were going to pre-school whether he wanted to or not. (Obviously different if he wasn't well.) The security of routine and consistency were important to us but may be less so for you. But FWIW, I have noticed that DS is much more stoic about going/being out in the rain and doesn't moan or whinge about it, not all his friends are the same...

georgie262 · 30/04/2018 09:41

My son's school is half an hour walk away (so an hour there and back) I have never kept him off due to weather including snow and I have a toddler as well. (I have now passed my test but this is very recent after DS had been in school for 2.5 years).

Soubriquet · 30/04/2018 09:42

I would stay home for nursery though

It's just nursery

School no

Claire90ftm · 30/04/2018 09:44

I think YABU and as you said, it's new. You need to keep routine. She's not going to want to go but you must persist so that she'll settle properly.

w12newmum · 30/04/2018 09:58

Non driver and in london so walk/bus everywhere. I normally don’t have a choice but either way would take rain over staying in with grumpy toddler anyday.
I guess it’s a bit harder if she isn’t keen to go but it will be good for her to get in a routine of going whatever the weather. Enjoy the child free time with a hot drink Smile

AnythingConsidered · 30/04/2018 10:03

If you have a Cotswold Outdoor store near you (or even online), they have their May bank holiday sale starting on Friday.

The discounts are up to 50%, but for waterproofs tend to be around 30%. We refresh our waterproofs/boots etc every year in their sale!

goose1964 · 30/04/2018 10:06

Don't wear jeans they weigh a ton when wet

Original poster
Okaynowimconfused · 30/04/2018 10:14

In response to some pps:

Once I drive I'll only be using it for bad weather. And when I really can't be arsed to walk.

There is a nursery 15 minutes away but we chose this pre school because it offered what we wanted. Everywhere I walk to is 30 minutes away, whatever direction, and I'm used to this.

In response to work. I'm a SAHM with an 18month baby and also 16wks pregnant. When I was working my nearest train station was only 7 minute walk away. So rain wasn't a problem.

I guess it seems worse because I'll be pushing a double buggy up a a couple of steep hills against the wind and rain plus spray from other cars as a long stretch of road is by a main road.

DD is perfectly happy indoors and outdoors.

I won't lie, I am tempted to stay off!!

OP posts:
GrimSqueaker · 30/04/2018 10:19

To be honest though mine both loved preschool so much I had no fucking chance of keeping them off for an easy day unless absolutely bloody essential. They're similar with school - will sulk like mad if they've got to stay off for any reason (usually 48 hour D+V rule related)!

PerfectlySymmetricalButtocks · 30/04/2018 10:22

No, I used to take them whatever the weather. Wear a coat and boots. With DS2, I already had to take DD to school, which was the longer walk, so I was already out.

PickleJuice · 30/04/2018 10:26

Ive been doing a similar nursery/school walk for 4 years now and it's only in the last few months that I've given in and bought a proper (ugly) sensible coat and decent boots.
Does make a difference, but we still get wet. I feel guilty when 3 year old DS is soaked but I don't think he really cares. Hate the days when the house is full of soggy coats though.

Mummingainteasy · 30/04/2018 10:27

I feel your pain OP! I don't drive and have a 30 min walk to school in the morning. Back out at dinner time for the 20 min walk for ds2 nursery drop off. The back out for school run and nursery pick up. Weather never puts me off, waterproof suits for the DC and a good pair of walking boots and decent coat for me. I value my peace and quiet in the afternoons too much to not go out in bad weather Grin

Original poster
Okaynowimconfused · 30/04/2018 10:29

I wish I had some peace and quiet. Youngest normally wakes from nap once I get home. Perhaps I'd be less reluctant if I had guaranteed solid down time!

OP posts:
Olympiathequeen · 30/04/2018 10:33

Next time stay home and play with the kids. You’ll all enjoy a change. Better than pneumonia.

GhostsToMonsoon · 30/04/2018 10:34

Before she starts compulsory school, I would invest in a decent waterproof coat, waterproof trousers and waterproof boots - it is perfectly possible to walk for an hour without getting wet.

Original poster
Okaynowimconfused · 30/04/2018 10:38

No buses heading that direction!

And taxi is a no because I've got two DC with me. I know you can have one on your lap but not sure on the law of having two? And no car seats bought yet.

OP posts:
Original poster
Okaynowimconfused · 30/04/2018 10:39

We don't have to leave until 12.30 but it seems the weather is going to be like this all day.

I'm still deciding atm!

OP posts:
Fatted · 30/04/2018 10:42

I drive but I have to admit I'm one of those who drags my lids out walking in all weathers. Always have done since they were babies. Get yourself a good warm winter proof coat, some wellies and wear some leggings. Pack a change of clothes for your LO when they get there.

We live in walking distance to school and I make us all walk in the rain. Even today when we were running late, I was 'No we are walking!'.

My mum can't drive and we were all brought up having to walk if we wanted to get somewhere. I want my kids to be the same, I'm not being their taxi!

DuchyDuke · 30/04/2018 10:46

Do it once and the temptation is always there and you’ll do it again and again ; and then before you know it when you need your DC to go to nursery after the baby’s born she won’t. You need to build her routine now.

BitOutOfPractice · 30/04/2018 10:49

30 mins walk away is really your closest nursery? How come?

Because not everyone lives in a big town or city Hmm

Plantlover · 30/04/2018 10:49

I'm going to start a thread about recommendations for waterproof jackets, walking shoes etc in chat.

I walk dogs for a charity and my £5 kagool isn't cutting it!

Please post if you have any good recommendations.

PerfectlySymmetricalButtocks · 30/04/2018 10:53

It's amazing, isn't it BitOut, how people on here seem to forget that. Even in London, we have a choice of 2 schools, both of which are a 30 minute walk away. Preschool's across the road from home, but I'd drop DS2 off after DD, as it didn't open until 9.30.