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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

...to think that toddlers should go out for a walk every single day no matter what?

76 replies

welliemum · 03/10/2007 21:51

This is really an open question, I promise to take it on the chin if people think IABU >

So, I have dd1 (just turned 3) and dd2 (15 months) and they are lovely but never sit still. If they don't go out for a walk - ideally 2 walks - they're literally climbing the walls at 5pm. And when I say 'literally" I do mean literally: eg standing on the window sill after traversing the North Face of the sideboard, working out how to traverse across to the glasses cabinet.

Yesterday (working day for me) it was very cold and windy and they didn't go out and then were just awful and didn't go to sleep until 9pm.

So, should the person who was looking after them have taken them out?

We're in NZ, it's spring, mostly too warm for frost now, but yesterday we had rain and strong wind, and it was very cold out because the wind was coming at us straight off some snowy mountains.

I'd have layered up and taken them out, but AIBU?

OP posts:
moljam · 03/10/2007 21:53

did you mention to person looking after them that they like to go out?

admylin · 03/10/2007 21:54

When my 2 were 3 and 2 they went out twice a day whatever -rain, snow or sun. I don't know why but that was the routine and the more fresh air they had the better they slept.

Drusilla · 03/10/2007 21:55

YANBU. I don't know how anyone could stay indoors all day with one small child, let alone two!

xXxamyxXx · 03/10/2007 21:55

maybe the person minding them was unsure if they should in case dcs caught a cold,i try to make sure my ds is brought out at least once a day for as long as possible for the fresh air otherwise he stands at the window crying and repeating day day day day!

EmsMum · 03/10/2007 21:56

Um yes, I think you are confusing 'toddler' with 'large dog'

Cooped up toddlers should be allowed to play indoor tig or vigourous bed bouncing.

Original poster
welliemum · 03/10/2007 21:57

moljam, the person looking after them is our nanny, and I've said "They need to walk every day".

What I'm hesitating about is, is it fair to insist even if the weather is horrible?

OP posts:
MaryBleedinShelley · 03/10/2007 21:58

This reply has been deleted

Message withdrawn at poster's request.

Original poster
welliemum · 03/10/2007 21:58

EmsMum, IMO toddlers are just labradors with less fur.

We have a labrador too and some days you'd be hard presssed to tell them apart

OP posts:
tori32 · 03/10/2007 21:59

From a CM perspective I would happily tog up and take them out, however, my parents frequently send children in skirts with socks, little denim jackets, open toed sandals, no coats or waterproofs, no wellies etc. which would mean a whole change of clothes and drying off 3 toddlers.

YABU! because she has others to think about IME.

BrownSuga · 03/10/2007 21:59

nz'ers are a hardy lot, she should have taken them out, that's what swandris and gumboots are for!

xXxamyxXx · 03/10/2007 21:59

if its really awful i try to think up games and activities to keep him entertained{worn out}otherwise he would be swinging from the lampshades

tori32 · 03/10/2007 22:00

There are indoor alternatives such as gym clubs, soft play, swimming etc, which are just as tiring.

bozza · 03/10/2007 22:00

But she stated nanny not CM so should have all the bad weather gear to hand.

xXxamyxXx · 03/10/2007 22:01

ds loves puddles

littlelapin · 03/10/2007 22:01

This reply has been deleted

Message withdrawn at poster's request.

MaryBleedinShelley · 03/10/2007 22:02

This reply has been deleted

Message withdrawn at poster's request.

littlelapin · 03/10/2007 22:02

This reply has been deleted

Message withdrawn at poster's request.

NineUnlikelyTales · 03/10/2007 22:02

Unless it is hammering down or there is snow on the ground deeper than the height of the toddler, they should go out (assuming they aren't ill etc of course).

Original poster
welliemum · 03/10/2007 22:03

She's looking after my 2 and her own little girl.

We're very well sorted for outdoor gear and have plenty to lend them.

I'd never expect her to do anything that I wouldn't do (obviously) but it is really a problem if the dds don't go out.

On the other hand I don't want to be unreasonable and make her miserable.

OP posts:
Original poster
welliemum · 03/10/2007 22:06

Aaaargh at long-winded.

Sort of complicated because I (and the dds) are very cold tolerant (all those scandiwegian genes) whereas I don't think our nanny is. But if she borrows lots of warm clothes from us would it then be reasonable to insist?

OP posts:
nell12 · 03/10/2007 22:09

Toddlers need fresh air DAILY. That is why we buy them wellies, waterproofs and thermal vests!

YANBU

Original poster
welliemum · 03/10/2007 22:09

Oh (sorry for mulitple posts, am trying to keep up)

We live out of town, so there isn't anywhere indoors to exercise them.

Living room is big enough for a bit of ballet dancing and other leaping about, but that's not enough to wear them out.

OP posts:
xXxamyxXx · 03/10/2007 22:14

until they invent toddler sized hampster wheels to tire them out best to go outside

MrsJohnCusack · 03/10/2007 22:17

well mine needs to go out or at least run about A LOT every day. I am a great believer in getting layered up and getting out and about. also, as it's your nanny, I would insist on the daily walk unless the weather was truly awful. Which, lets face it, people are used to in Wellington, no?

BUT I wouldn't have made anyone go out in the hailstorms we had in ChCh yesterday. DD woke up in the night terrified of the storm, the weather was positively biblical!

DottydotsofBloodOnTheFloor · 03/10/2007 22:17

Yes, as much as I loathe it sometimes and would much rather laze around indoors watching the telly, toddlers definitely need to go out at least once a day for a romp. On a horrible weather day I'd alter that slightly to a drive to a soft play, or even indoor shopping centre, and then a play/lots of walking indoors. As long as they get out. Good for them and good for our sanity...