To have taken my toddler out in the rain?

[Chocolateismyvice]

My little boy is nearly 19 months old. he's a very active and busy child, and loves nothing more than running around. We've been cooped up for nearly 2 weeks due to a virus, so yesterday was the first chance in ages to go out. All he's wanted to do the last week is walk up and down the stairs and run around, with so much built up energy.

Now DS is like a puppy, he's a bundle of energy so needs a lot of exercise and fresh air. Plus, I just love taking him outside. Anyway, in the morning, it was a little drizzly and windy but nothing to bad. I bundled DS up in a vest, jumper, thick trousers, all in one rain suit and wellies, and went to the park. He had a great time running around and playing on the swings/slide. We were there probably about 45 minutes. A woman was walking with her dog and friend, and saw them a few times.

At one point, they smiled at DS and fussed over him a little. Then woman with the dog piped up that he shouldn't be out in the rain, he needs to home where it's warm. She wasn't necessarily rude, but it was a little clipped in the way she said it. I just said that we've been stuck in for nearly a fortnight due to colds etc, so nice to be out. She just have a forced smile then went.

It made me feel like shit to be honest :(

Was I/am I unreasonable for taking my toddler out when the weather is not great? He was warm and dry, and obviously I wouldn't bother if it was torrential rain or gale force winds. It was misty rain and light wind/bit cold at the time! It's not like I left him run around completely naked.

Do you or did you used to take your kids out when it's a bit windy/raining?

The year ds started nursery it rained like billyo for about a month. Dd was a few months old. Snug under the pram's rain cover. Was I supposed to keep him at home? Couldn't use an umbrella because had to push pram. He had wellies and waterproofs. I had two coats. The morning coat was wet to the lining and didn't dry until the next morning.

It was fine.

Absolute twaddle. Fresh air is much healthier than stuffy overheated rooms. Even rain!
Mine have very happy memories of puddle jumping, collecting wood and pine cones and even swimming in the sea at this time of year. I rarely wear a coat and the children are similar. Bodies are waterproof.
How are children meant to learn the extensive vocabulary that surrounds weather, physical feelings and to develop an understanding of what the world is really like through a window?
Pity more children aren’t out splashing in puddles and making snow angels.

I used to take my toddlers out in the rain specifically to jump in puddles! They both loved it.

You kept a small child inside for 2 weeks? Speechless

I take mine out every day without fail, maybe skip a day if really ill but not leaving the house for 2weeks? Impossible

Tell everyone else to mind their own

Lots of children use time outdoors and active physical play in order to help self regulate their feelings. Even as adults we can experience reduction in stress etc if we go for a walk or get more in touch with the natural world.
I actually think you were being a really good parent to take him out. He needed it for his physical and emotional well being and you realised that and acted on it.

He's hardly going to dissolve, is he?
Today DGSs age 2 and 5 and I went puddle jumping. We were all dressed for the weather and we had a whale of a time.
I suspect more than one person thought we were crackers but they had far too much energy to burn off! Came home to crumpets and hot chocolate too.

Yanbu-we took ours out for a walk in the rain the other day and stopped at a chip shop get a cone of chips to share. The woman in there was lovely but horrified-she offered to let us stay inside the shop until the rain stopped (would have been another 24 hours ). She couldn’t understand that we’d come out knowing it was raining!

God no. My friend has her DD in a nursery in the country and every day come rain, wind or snow they are outside for at least 2 hours - often more. They would only stay in if the weather were dangerous. Her DD has an all in one rain suit and all in one snow suit and they get bundled up and sent out. And they LOVE it! A bit of rain never hurt anyone dressed for it!