To think entertaining kids is way easier outside the house?

[Teatimeted]

It's been lovely weather here since Friday afternoon so we've barely spent any time in the house - done a few parks, wildlife zoo type place, Gruffalo hunting (basically a walk in the woods) picnics etc...

On the phone to DM tonight who asks what we've been up to so tell her. I then get ten minutes of "you spoil him, kids have got to learn to entertain themselves, if he got used to playing with toys you wouldn't need a cleaner, what's the point in all his toys if you take him out all weekend, we never did that, you had to entertain yourself"

For info - DS is 2.5, me and DH both work full time (me four days) and we find it really hard to control him indoors. I love being able to take him
places and do fun things - and I won't lie, when I see him charging about outside, I feel relieved because I know he'll sleep well that night.

He just has boundless energy and can't/won't sit drawing or colouring or crafting.

AIBU to keep him outside (with us, engaging, not on our phones, not with one eye on the washing up) for as much time as possible? Or should I be trying to encourage him to enjoy 'quieter' and more 'independent' activities??

I'm with you - much better to be outdoors or doing things out the house at that age. They get bored in the house so it's nice to have a chance of scenery, then a bit of wind down time (for parents and children) before bed.

My ds was the same at that age. I had to take him out every day or he'd be climbing the walls. My dd is a different story, even from toddler age, she'd sit and concentrate. She can play quietly for hours. My ds is like a dog, needs a good walk every day!

Did your mother just have daughter/s?

YANBU. I always need to get the kids out of the house once a day otherwise they and me would go insane.

It's much more enjoyable to be out and about together I think. Being stuck indoors gets old really quick and I find we are all bored. When we are out I find it nicer engaging with my dd and I enjoy her company more. That is surely good for us both.

Formerbabe - yes, just me and my sister. DS is a revelation for her.

We took ours to beach earlier today, they got plenty of free, unstructured play which is good for them. I think taking them to beach/playground /out for a walk is fine. Always going to wildlife parks, organised events, zoo etc a bit not so much but at 2.5 he is still little and hasn't learnt independent play anyway so why worry?

You’re both right to an extent. I do think that kids these days do expect to be constantly entertained. Equally there are so many brilliant things to do these days that back in the day weren’t there, and couldn’t be done anyway because your mum had a house to look after which took forever and a day,

He’s really little so enjoy it but equally notice if you always respond to an ‘I’m bored’ whinge with immediately rushing to keep him entertained. Kids do need to learnt to be bored and entertain themselves, and I think too many are utterly crap at this.

I love it when we have nice weather but even when it's not so good, I'm a big believer in getting him wrapped up and outdoors, surely the fresh air is good for them rather than being cooped up at home.

My DS is OK having the odd day at home, but in general, I think it's good to be out and about, experiencing new things and learning.

No I do get that he needs to learn not to constantly be entertained and a lot of the stuff in parks was encouraging him to use his imagination (hunting for sticks and dropping them into the stream) and giving him the freedom to play on things on his own without needing us to hold his hand.

I read the OP and assumed the DM only had daughters. I see this thing a lot, parents with girls (/calm children) just don't get it, never will.

I love the time my DC spend outdoors it makes us all happier and fresh air is good for you. I dont entertain them though, often just leave them to it (while I supervise, they're 2.5 and nearly 4), so I do agree with your DM that it is important skill that they learn to play independently.

I think it's important for children to learn to entertain themselves to some extent but that doesn't necessarily mean staying in! Getting out the house can still include some unstructured play and sounds like your DS needs the exercise. DD (similar age) would often be happy to play with her toys at home all day but I try to get us out of the house every day at some point as I think it's good for all of us!

Going out is great, but equally I never found it hard to keep my dc entertained indoors tbh. I have pretty calm children though (1 dd and one ds, if that's relevant - which it shouldn't be really).

Are you me???? I find D S much easier when we are out and about

I’m with you and my mum is with your mum! 😂 She also only had girls. My DS will actually play for a while at things like puzzles but always wants me to be involved, plus then I’m sitting around looking at all the jobs that need to be done in the house, which drives me insane. Oh, and I also like zoos, parks, wildlife parks, national trust gardens etc. myself!

My ds is 5 and started school and it’s only really now we have genuinely relaxing weekends in the house and garden.
Up till now being home has involved joining in with games dh and I had no interest in. Now he can play independently for a bit and play games we all enjoy (dominoes cards etc).

Three DS I would give up on housework etc. put their coats on and leave the house, a bit of fresh air, running free and they would then settle down. Perhaps girls play nicely but boys in our family deffo. need to let off steam.

My DS is only 7 months but I hate staying in. He gets bored and irritable so quickly. Even if we just go for a walk, he seems entertained by trees, cars, people, noises etc etc and then he falls asleep. It's good for me too, mentally I feel calmer and refreshed. YANBU😊

I think a bit of both is good. My son is 2 and if we meet up with friends in the park I never get to speak to the parent because DS drags me around with him constantly. At least if they come to my house we can talk!

Agree entirely. Plus I am much less irritated when they aren't trashing the house or buffeting each other. There are plenty of creative and independent play sessions during the week. On Sundays I have to get out.

Do whatever suits you best.
Two dds for me, so either out or in is fine.

I’ve got girls so I never leave the house. They just sit and play with their dolls all day while I clean and tidy.

My daughter is easier to entertain outside. She just really enjoys being out and about. Going for a walk in the woods and she will be happy for a good while playing with sticks and leaves and digging in mud. Down the beach she would happily throw stones in the water for hours on end if I let her. We even just walk to the train station and she will be perfectly happy just watching the trains.

Her play outside seems more independent, she will happily plod along with needing minimal input from me other than just talking as we go along. She does enjoy colouring and painting and playing with her toys, but she seems to have a shorter attention span. I like to have a mix of both, we have play time indoors at home, and we go for a couple of daily walks with the dog. It's nice to have a balance between the 2 as I do think both are important

A mix is best I think. Time out doors exploring and time indoors playing with little cars and things, developing fine motor skills and imagination. They get plenty of time in the house over the winter so why not go for it taking them out and about over the summer?

If we don't get out the house time feels like it's standing still at home! DS is almost 3, and isn't easily entertained at home at all. We do try and do something different every day and I keep an eye on local Facebook groups for fun things to do. A big part of that is probably for my own sanity tbh

I must get out of the house for my sanity!
Yes my dc can entertain themselves but at my expense by cleaning up for hours after
Much prefer to be out, even if I’m exhausted, being out is less exhausting iyswim