To take my six year old on a nightly walk?

[AddisonM]

I need to lose some weight. I’ve been struggling with undiagnosed depression and I’m trying to dig my way out. I have been following a friend on Facebook who has dropped three stone since January just by walking. She walks every single night for miles. She looks fab.

I used to run and go to the gym but I can’t seem to muster the energy or confidence right now. So maybe a long evening walk is the way forward.

My six year old daughter is a bit prone to laziness and doesn’t really do much exercise. She’s not keen on it and I find this a bit difficult to accept, tbh (I mean I get that she doesn’t like it but it’s important to be healthy and she has couch potato tendencies). I’m thinking about taking her with me on these walks. I don’t know how up for it she will be but she’s quite clingy with me just now so she may come along just to be with me. I thought it would be nice. We could chat. We walk to school every day and I quite enjoy it.

Husband not keen on the idea (he would be at home with three year old, who wouldn’t walk far enough). Says it’s up to me, but thinks it’s a bit dark and cold and that she wouldn’t enjoy it.

Has anyone else done this?

The drivel just keeps coming tonight. Bloody hell I don't think I have ever seen so much crap spouted on one thread before.

It's fantastic, I love it

@dottiedodah

I think this is a bit of a naff idea really (sorry!) Its dark and cold ,also she may be tired after School and also not keen on the dark. Depending when you went out and came back indoors how would she eat her Supper and have her bath/bedtime story? Also some stories on here about being followed by men in the dark! Maybe try weekend afternoons ?

What utter crap

I think it's great to want to do something. But ... your needs are different to your six-year-old's.

At night in the dark in the freezing cold after school when she needs downtime, food, bath and bed by 8, I can't see how you're also going to fit in a hike, let alone that it would be good for her.

My advice would be go at lunchtime on your own.

Me and my 6yo Dd love our evening dog walks. Something exciting about walking at night especially now with all the lights. I wouldn't go in pouring rain but cold or damp wouldnt stop us, just wear appropriate clothing. Go for it, we enjoy it just the 2 of us.

If police saw you taking a 6yo on a long night walk your be reported to SS. Id report it personally too
Ffs, how ridiculous
Not everyone has a car, how do parents get kids home from childminders, grannies etc after work or hobbies when they don’t drive?
Why do ppl assume kids are exhausted from school or PE, this shouldn’t exhaust them!
The poor wee lambs walk!!!
Wrap up warm and I’m sure she’ll live.

At night in the dark in the freezing cold after school when she needs downtime, food, bath and bed by 8, I can't see how you're also going to fit in a hike, let alone that it would be good for her.

Do your dc not do any clubs or hobbies? Mine have something that takes longer than a walk every night of the week. At one point on a Wednesday dd2 had a swimming lesson followed by dd1s lesson then dd1 went on to brownies which is an hour and a half long and we still had time for all that stuff. There is 5 hours between school end and 8pm. How long does eating dinner and bath take in your house?

*Why do ppl assume kids are exhausted from school or PE, this shouldn’t exhaust them!
*
I can kind of see why now, if they are brought home and made to rest on the sofa each day before being fed and ushered to bed they probably aren't too fit. If a walk is seen as strenuous then school and a gym lesson must be positively exhausting!

I think it’s a delightful idea. I’d have loved it as a child, having mum’s attention and enjoying a chance to really chat to her without distractions. I think the memories you’d be building would be really lovely.

Great idea. Walking is a low impact exercise great for stamina. I used to walk loads with mum as a kid as we didn’t have a car.

Probably a coincidence that I love walking now and I’m one of the slimmer ones of my mum friends. Kids need a couple of hours exercise a day!

Do it!

If police saw you taking a 6yo on a long night walk your be reported to SS. Id report it personally too

SS are far too busy to worry about someone going for a walk, so are all the police I know. But I also know SS get a lot of spurious reports, they just log them (and maybe have a chuckle).

My 6 year old scooters while I walk. That way I can walk for longer and faster than I can with her just walking with me.

Go for it!

I can't believe the people saying it's too late or cold or she'll be exhausted after school.

Six year olds can walk fast. I struggle to keep up with my own six year old - we walk a lot lately. Including even later than 6pm! He runs around with the dog and probably does double the miles I do as a result.
I'm fat and need to lose weight too OP, and I'm about to increase my walks.
What about walking early in the morning before school sometimes? It might help her concentrate better at school and be more active during the rest of the day. I always find I have more energy after a walk than before it.

Also, there's no bad weather, only bad clothes.

@Crystal90567

I think its awful idea. And very cruel. If you want your daughter to do an evening activity try football or ballet or swimming club or any organised club. I recommend you keep your dark cold wet dangerous walks to yourself. (Or start a class yourself eg Zumba) If police saw you taking a 6yo on a long night walk your be reported to SS. Id report it personally too.

Surely you're joking. Cruel?! 😂😂😂

This thread is insane.

If she's well dressed then absolutely go for it. Christmas lights are lovely and you'll no doubt see dog walkers out winding down from their day. Me and DD8 go every day, we love it - either looking at the lights or we take torches and wear wellies round the fields near us. Great for our physical health, mental health and our relationship.

I wonder if this thread is a candidate for classics for being unintentionally hilarious. Some of the replies are pure bonkers!

In your place i'd go on family walks in weekend, go for a run or walk in your lunch break or when dh watches the children in the evening. I would let the 6 year old do hoola hooping or a just dance game.
Gentle walk might end up waking her for bed time. If shes been at school she had a full on day at school.

OP said of her fit friend:

She walks every single night for miles

So maybe a long evening walk is the way forward.

My comment is that a long hike is OTT for a six year old, every night after school, in the dark. Yes 20 mins round the block fine - but not hours/miles. This kind of hard exercise is better done alone at lunchtime. You can also then pace yourself. I doubt having a kid with you allows you to walk fast enough/get in the zone.

She could take her child for a bit then carry on?

I’m sure the op isn’t talking about walking a nightly marathon.

@midnightstar66

At night in the dark in the freezing cold after school when she needs downtime, food, bath and bed by 8, I can't see how you're also going to fit in a hike, let alone that it would be good for her.

Do your dc not do any clubs or hobbies? Mine have something that takes longer than a walk every night of the week. At one point on a Wednesday dd2 had a swimming lesson followed by dd1s lesson then dd1 went on to brownies which is an hour and a half long and we still had time for all that stuff. There is 5 hours between school end and 8pm. How long does eating dinner and bath take in your house?

Most of us, including the OP, are at work for several more hours after school ends so don’t have anything like five hours between school and bedtime.

Your children can do homework etc while your at work @KleinBlue

Unless you live in an alternative universe there is five hours between 3 and 8 that’s just MATHS

Many children have their dinner at 4/5 after school

Say you finish work at 5 there’s still 3 hours between 5 and 8,

Bed and bath don’t take that long have a half hour walk instead of watching tv would probably be good for the child

Haven't had time to RTFT so apologies if this point has already been made, but while walking is fantastic for health and fitness (physical and mental) it's not going to make you lose weight. That's a bit of a myth really, as apparently the research shows that any calorie deficit you might build through exercise is completely undone the second you get home tired and 'reward' yourself with a small treat.

Absolutely do the walking. But you also need to look at your eating if you want to lose weight. Intermittent fasting is brilliant for weight loss and general health, without the faff of Slimming World and calorie counting and all that.

Just go for a walk if that's what you'd like to do. We have always been an active family having adventures in the rain, evening etc. dress appropriately and see how your daughter goes. It's an excellent way to get kids talking about their day. You might just need to juggle things around at home, have dinner a little later or earlier but far better to have a nice walk than blob in front of the tv. Early morning can be nice too if you can get into the routine of waking a little earlier. Go for it OP and I applaud you for doing something to get out of your rut. Good luck

Exercise is not just about losing weight! It's one of the best things you can do for your general health, immunity, longevity, mental health. A fat person who gets out and walks regularly will be miles healthier even if they never lose a pound through it and don't hit the cardio zone or whatever.
Of course kids are going to hate walking if their parents drag them out and treat a walk like a punishment for being chubby. It's about teaching kids to enjoy the outdoors and enjoy movement and notice the world around them a bit and get a bit of quality time with their parent.

It would be time together as well as exercise which is prefect.
Chatting with no phones I love the idea
I did it for a few days and now I am asked to go for walks.
Even at the end of a school day most children can still manage a walk and you find the motivation to do at least 30mins a day it is a good start.
Does your daughter have a scooter or bike?
You will see Christmas decorations or do a scavenger hunt.
Rug up and wear hats the fresh air will be good for you..
Nothing like walking to lift your spirts and mind set because it does work and I'm not a Lycra wearing person 🙂

RainbowUnicorn There was a thread on here a few weeks ago ,re a Mum and her DD being followed home by a guy ,after visiting their park at 4.30 pm. So no not "utter crap" Hopefully this would be a rare occurance but who knows? Why take the chance ,in any case you have all weekends and School Holidays coming up .I dont think many DC would be up for a Night time walk when they have been at School all day in the depths of Winter!