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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

To take my six year old on a nightly walk?

458 replies

AddisonM · 06/12/2020 11:21

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?

OP posts:
RizzleDrizzle · 07/12/2020 08:03

@dottiedodah

On the other hand I go for a walk in the dark every day I’ve never ever ever been followed home at all.

So just as I can’t generalise from my experience that no one is ever going to be followed home. You can’t generalise from one story on a forum where people make shit up that it’s definately going to happen

Also I think the utter crap was also a reference to the rest of your bizzare reply.

It’s cold and dark - ever heard of coats?!?! And sure stay where it’s lit. And how do you know OPs child is scared of the dark

They don’t need to in bed by 8, just cos your child is, doesn’t mean OPs does

How do they eat supper, have bath and bed - really really really easily it doesn’t take 5 hours to do any of those things

They all take about half an hour max, that leaves 3 and half hours to go for a walk!

EnglishGirlApproximately · 07/12/2020 08:14

I'm another one who can't understand the objections. One of the best things to come out of this year is my walks with 8yo DS. He was a reluctant walker at the beginning and moaned just going around the village but he'll happily ask miles now. We mix it up, sometimes just a walk, sometimes pokemon go and I also gave him an old digital camera and he enjoys taking photos. He's happy to go in the dark too, especially at this time of year and since Halloween as there's been plenty to look at. His favourite memory of summer is us totally misjudging the weather and getting drenched, so wet we had to strip in the hallway as we were dripping. Great memories to get had OP if you approach it as fun time.

cravingthelook · 07/12/2020 08:56

Try it, making a game of spotting Christmas lights. Try to go as early in the evening as possible.

Encouraging active behaviour at a young age is a good thing.

Bath and warm pjs when you get back and you'll find she will sleep great.

I've been inspired to try this with my 9 YO as she's terrible at going to bed.

Just don't force her to go everyday. I know by Thursday my 9 year old will be tired out.
Don't push it if she hates it. You want her to learn to love walking/exercise and pushing it won't do that.

formerbabe · 07/12/2020 09:10

What's the obsession with spotting Christmas lights? There's barely any near me...unless you're walking down Regents street, I can't see how it's going to be anything worth noting.

HappyChristmas29 · 07/12/2020 09:13

It’s a good idea if you can motivate her. At the minute me and Dd are going on a evening walk for exercise and to see Christmas lights around the village! DS on the other hand not so keen!

Maybe she could take a scooter?

ApplestheHare · 07/12/2020 09:19

AddisonM I think it's a great idea. I often walk the dog or go to the stables with my 6 year old in the evening while DH stays home with the toddler.

At first she was reluctant and just wanted to stay in the warm and play on the Swich 🙄 but now she loves it. We build in fun things for her to see (e.g. the horses or lovely Christmas lights) and talk about how we feel before/after going out. She's always surprised by how good she feels after going out. Good luck.

icedancerlenny · 07/12/2020 09:24

I don’t think I’ll be a walk for exercise with a 6 year old!

TheOtherMaryBerry · 07/12/2020 09:24

What's the obsession with spotting Christmas lights? There's barely any near me...unless you're walking down Regents street, I can't see how it's going to be anything worth noting.

Well there are more than enough round here to entertain a child. Why would you think that your area is so representative of the country anyway...it's December, of course there are going to be Christmas lights up!

GrumpySausage · 07/12/2020 09:26

What's the obsession with spotting Christmas lights? There's barely any near me...unless you're walking down Regents street, I can't see how it's going to be anything worth noting.

Ah well if there's none near you, there must be none anywhere...

In my local area, a lot of houses have gone crazy with lights this year. It's great fun for the kids. But I appreciate not everywhere is the same.

Parker231 · 07/12/2020 09:33

Spotting Christmas tree light = fun.

HollyandIvyandallthingsYule · 07/12/2020 09:51

Children usually love looking at Christmas lights, as do many adults.

I like going for a gentle evening walk with my DH and appreciating all the trees and lights. We live in a lovely little street, first Christmas here, and lots of people in the neighbourhood have made an effort to decorate beautifully. It’s nice to enjoy that.

FourTeaFallOut · 07/12/2020 09:56

Every other house near me has lights up and I regularly go for a walk with ds6, when it's dark. I mean, sunset here is at 3.40 ish, not long after that it doesn't matter when you go out because it's pitch black regardless.

Smallsteps88 · 07/12/2020 09:58

@Parker231

Spotting Christmas tree light = fun.
On one night, possibly two. But that novelty will wear of very quickly.
Simplyunacceptable · 07/12/2020 10:01

What's the obsession with spotting Christmas lights? There's barely any near me...unless you're walking down Regents street, I can't see how it's going to be anything worth noting.

Lots where I live and kids always enjoy looking at them. My Mum used to drive us around our local area every year to look at them, it was a tradition and we loved it.

OP, I’d go for it provided it isn’t too late. Also consider investing in national trust membership or English heritage (or both) and get out walking at the weekend.

FourTeaFallOut · 07/12/2020 10:01

Yes, that's true enough, when I say walk with my 6yo - he's actually on a scooter. It means I can walk quicker and he could spend his life on his scooter never getting bored.

TheOtherMaryBerry · 07/12/2020 10:31

On one night, possibly two. But that novelty will wear of very quickly.

I still enjoy it! The novelty never wore off for me, I always loved an evening walk with my parents, chatting and just being outside. Maybe the novelty will wear off for the OPs daughter, but that's no reason not to try.

NerrSnerr · 07/12/2020 10:53

I really don't get the huge debate. The OP has said she isn't going to force her to go so if she wants to go for walks why is it an issue? I'm sure being the parent the OP is able to assess whether she'll have time for homework, food and baths and can adequately dress her own child for a walk in the cold.

I sometimes think that some people genuinely think that if they don't enjoy doing something no one else should ever do it and cannot get their heads around the fact that it doesn't make someone inferior for liking or doing something different.

CaptainMyCaptain · 07/12/2020 11:31

@formerbabe

What's the obsession with spotting Christmas lights? There's barely any near me...unless you're walking down Regents street, I can't see how it's going to be anything worth noting.
There are a lot near me, the top of my road is like Blackpool illuminations. Not so much down my end, obviously the grumpy end.
Allington · 07/12/2020 11:38

Until I read this thread I would have said going for a walk with your child in the evening was just about the least controversial activity possible...

DecTheTreeTime · 07/12/2020 11:45

I think this time of year is lovely. Make it fun to go and see people's Xmas lights. She could scoot or cycle? Make it fun for her!

RizzleDrizzle · 07/12/2020 12:04

I can't see how it's going to be anything worth noting

The estate I live on is brighter than Blackpool illuminations at the moment, has been since late October.

There’s a bit of my road that literally 10 houses in a row all have different lights they do every year

There’s more than normal this year too, anything from the the completely absolutely everything looks like a lit up ginger bread house, with light up snow men and reindeer too a few fairy lights in a wreath on the front door, one house is projecting hearts and snowflakes,

People around here would find regent street dull by the amount of lights we have.

As for the oh the novelty will wear off just Sunday I was out walking with a friend and her family and several houses were putting them up so it changes by the week:day there’s always more to spot

CarterBeatsTheDevil · 07/12/2020 12:47

Yes, it's gorgeous round here. Every house has lights outside. Even we gave in this year - we used to put the tree up on Xmas Eve.

CarterBeatsTheDevil · 07/12/2020 12:48

Maybe it is about what there is to see, actually. Round here there are open fields, livestock, not many big roads and lots of gardens full of Christmas stuff.

dottiedodah · 07/12/2020 12:53

RizzleDrizzle .Sorry my post did sound a bit OTT I think! I mean mine are older now,but I would think they needed a bit of time to unwind a little TBH. Obv looking at Christmas lights would be a nice thing to do ATM or the "Ho Ho Ho Houses as my DC used to call them!)However a 6 year old little girl who has been to School all day ,(and the OP said they walked as well) may be a little tired at the end of all that was all I meant .My DS had enough energy for 10 men ,but my DD was conked out quite often at the W/E or after School! Just have to try it and see I guess .I doubt the OP is going to drag her DD along kicking and screaming if she doesnt want to go!

RudeAF · 07/12/2020 13:12

This thread has it all. Imaginary nefarious men, social services and the specification of a SMALL hot chocolate Grin

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