AIBU to not let them outside in the heat (35°)

[Beanbag12]

So today where I am it was realllly hot. Myself and my partner decided to keep our DC in the house in the cool for most of the day. They went out this morning and after dinner when the garden was partly in shade, but I limited the amount of direct sun. I have seen a lot of photos of kids out in direct sun in paddling pools etc, so I am wondering if I was being a bit unreasonable to keep them in? I know tomorrow is going to be a lot cooler and they’ll be outside most of the day.

How old?

Oops sorry, 3 and 5

But know.
Your children and you made a call.

I limited time outside but they had the most wonderful couple of outside slathered in factor 50 running through the sprinklers from 3-5. Lots of water, lots of sun cream - I made a call and I felt comfortable with it. 6 and 8

But “no”

Paddling pool with a gazebo over it?

A child being outside in the heat if they are wearing a hat, suncream, are well hydrated I see no issue. I think vit D is important.
If your kids get cranky in the heat then keep them in, you know what’s best for your child.

I don’t see any issue with children out in this heat as long as they have suncream and plenty of fluid.

3 & 5 is tricky because they can go downhill so fast in the heat and not really know what’s happening to them. I think YANBU to keep them out of the sun.
I used to take mine to a very nearby soft play in this kind of weather when they were 3 & 5 because it was out of the sun, air conditioned and often near empty.

yep.....keep them in all summer...good for them, then keep them in all winter...good for them too. Buy a giant plastic bubble for further protection just to be on the safe side !

Mine were outside most of the morning with hats and sun cream. Inside watching a film 12-2. Outside with hats and sun cream again 2-4. Inside 4-5. Last play outside 5-6. Plenty to drink, all was fine.

@Lemonlady22
I agree with this, but wouldn't have been brave enough to say it!

I think you’re doing the right thing. Couple of hours in the morning then again this evening plenty of vitamin d. I’ve done the same for myself today so I would for young children.

If they’ve been out in the cooler times of the day, that’s more than enough outside time, I should add.

My 3 year old was outside a lot but we did first thing and later in the day and made her have a pause inside around lunchtime. I have the sort of child who is just happier outside but I do need to really watch her as she has my skin and I burn to a crisp.

We were out 11:30 until about 4pm today, but we’re Pakistani, so our skin is less vulnerable.

My garden is south facing with no shade at all, I didn't let my toddler play out today. She played out Thu/Fri so didn't seem a big deal.

Lemonadelady22 ha ha, very funny. If you read my post they were outside this morning and late afternoon through to evening. It was very intense heat today, like I said 35! Not a very common occurrence. We’re usually outside exploring in all weathers, definitely more than the average family.

Whoops, that should have been @Lemonlady22

My son and I spent this afternoon indoors deliberately. I think that's more to do with my dislike of hot weather but, yeah, it's a concern.

Your call, when mine were that young we'd do morning out, lunch in, later afternoon out and dinner in garden when it was cooler. I've seen sunstroke on a child and it's not something I'd want mine to go through. I know my kids though, one would probably be fine but the other gets heat rashes and would be miserable for days.

I think you just have to balance it for your family. We're south facing and have a gazebo with pool under and usually have the sprinklers on when they're getting a bit rowdy so they can keep cool now they're older and can make the call themselves. Homemade ice lollies are a god send too. Or shop bought, no judgement here

YANBU. Mine are 15 months and 3. They were out in the paddling pool in the shade for a couple of hours this morning, but then came in for lunch and by the afternoon the whole garden was in direct sunlight (and around 45 degrees - it's a total suntrap!) so stayed inside. We were planning to go out again a bit later but they were both really tired so didn't.

Usually outside most days all year round so an afternoon spent indoors isn't going to make much difference.

Totally normal.
I’m not saying that being outside is dangerous etc... but I Yes being inside in the shade between 12.00~3.30pm makes sense.

We stayed in over lunchtime today. Tbh I don’t really want to be out in the midday sun if it’s 35 degrees either.

YANBU. We went out for 2 hours in the morning wearing a hat and plenty of sun cream until it got scorching hot and stayed indoors until it got cooler and then spent some time in the garden. It’s fine, don’t worry about what other people are doing, you know what’s best for your children. Like you said it’s going to be cooler from tomorrow, a day spent mostly indoors is not going to hurt them.

Sensible OP, I was out for 10 mins at midday today walking through town and felt the onset of heatstroke - felt headachy and faint.

I can see if you have a garden with lots of shade you could be out more in the middle of the day, but it is not wise to be out for ages at the peak of the day. A small child could become seriously ill quite rapidly.