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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 13:33

@dottiedodah again your child isn’t OPs child!

And only now you think it was ott until I said I’d never been followed home you were still scaremongering about men following people home from the park.

A walk is and can be part of the wind down

I really really don’t see your problem

KleinBlue · 07/12/2020 13:34

@RizzleDrizzle

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

My maths is fine, thank you. I am merely pointing out that not all of us are SAHMs, and our children are in some form of childcare setting, so there isn't a five hour stretch of free time between the end of school and bedtime. I usually get home about six or six thirty, and we always eat together. DS (8) is unenthusiastic about TV, bar a slightly odd enthusiasm for Escape to the Chateau and GBBO. I think taking your child for a walk at night is a nice idea.
dottiedodah · 07/12/2020 13:54

RizzleDrizzle I was not scaremongering at all ,just pointing out that here on this very website a short while ago ,someone posted that they felt they had been followed from the park ,thats all! I dont have a "problem" as you seem to think,I was just recounting a post on here ! Gosh I have taken the dog out in the dark and been known to pop to the local shop at 7/8pm in the winter myself!

notacooldad · 07/12/2020 14:04

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
😂😂😂😂😂

Helmetbymidnight · 07/12/2020 14:07

There's 15 pages on this?!

Its a lovely idea, no. Are people really suggesting there are massive downsides to this?

timeforanewstart · 07/12/2020 14:09

Maybe take her once / twice a week when its not freezing

midnightstar66 · 07/12/2020 14:52

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

Can always rely on the good people of mumsnet to make a drama out of a mundane everyday event. Yesterday someone was horrified that a parent had turned their back on their toddler to get a drink! 😆

BadTattoosAndSmellLikeBooze · 07/12/2020 15:42

Can always rely on the good people of mumsnet to make a drama out of a mundane everyday event.

That’s true. It’s quite funny that the OP made the post in the first place though, I mean, can people not decide whether to take their child out for a walk without needing advice from others. I guess not. Confused

RizzleDrizzle · 07/12/2020 16:15

i was not scaremongering at all ,just pointing out that here on this very website a short while ago

Yet when some one on this very site literally in this coversation went what utter crap (it wasn’t me btw) instead of going oh ok I’m over reacting cool I will back off and take my over reaction else where. You repeated the story - the very definition of scaremongering it wasn’t even your story it was a story you were repeating third hand, and instead of going this case might be rare (yep- proof on this thread that it is) you said “you hope these are rare occurrences but” - absolutely scaremongering.

It took me dogging as you’ve taken one story l’ll tell you that I have never been followed him and you suddenly go Oh I over reacted

HollyandIvyandallthingsYule · 07/12/2020 16:47

@RudeAF

This thread has it all. Imaginary nefarious men, social services and the specification of a SMALL hot chocolate Grin
We’ve just had delivery of an insulated flask for our walks. First time we use it I’m going to make us each a huge hot chocolate. Wink
RudeAF · 07/12/2020 16:56

Hope you will also take a Tupperware containing a huuuuuuge salad Grin

Writerandreader · 07/12/2020 17:00

Oh this thread is sad. My 5 year old loves walking through the winter evening streets looking at all the lights! People see so sedentary and miserable.

RizzleDrizzle · 07/12/2020 17:22

My maths is fine, thank you. I am merely pointing out that not all of us are SAHMs

And I was pointing out that your children can do stuff in that child care setting while your at work and your statement was some of us work there’s not five hours.

Yes there’s still five hours between your kid finishing school and 8 o clock wether your at work or not there’s plenty of time for them to eat read do homework bath and bed AND go for a walk!

Turquoise123 · 07/12/2020 17:27

A lovely idea. Just wear the right clothing and you are good to go

whittingtonmum · 07/12/2020 17:30

I would go for the walk myself but not drag my daughter out in the evening. If I were concerned for her fitness/lack of exercise I would find something more appealing for a six year old to do. Signing her up to trial a sports (any kids sport which could appeal) class and also do some fun family activity at weekends which involves some physical activities apart from sitting on swings. If no concerns for her fitness I would just leave her be.

pollymere · 07/12/2020 17:31

I used to do this with my dad and loved it. Not every day but frequently.

Fingerscrossed4 · 07/12/2020 17:33

It’s a great idea and I say this as someone who lives on the east coast of Scotland and has just got in from an hour and a half walk with my 8 year old twins. It’s lovely and crisp, there are lots of twinkly lights, we had a good chat and now we are feeling all cosy inside.

ArthurChristmas2 · 07/12/2020 17:36

Goodness me! Just try it! What a perfect time, lots of lovely things to look out for, change the route, go now and spot how many more trees are added? She may love it, she may not like it, maybe 2/3 nights rather than every night. BUT why not just try? You’re doing this for you and as a lady in your position if at just go for it. We bought a puppy a year ago. I thank myself every day that we had that puppy during lockdown, that we all could go for some exercise, that I could have some me time (and puppy time!). It’s done me a world of good, I was made redundant and without a doubt it’s helped my mental health, and now I have new dog walking friends. Please just give it a go, can’t believe some of the negativity on here!!

Fraida · 07/12/2020 17:37

I walk with mine in the dark at this time of the year with the dogs and they love it. Find, oddly enough, that they open up more when it’s dark and we can’t see each other!!!

BatleyTownswomensGuild · 07/12/2020 17:47

Depends how late it is and how safe your neighbourhood. I do take my son out at about at about 5pm at the moment. He likes the lights Smile

Jeeperscreepers69 · 07/12/2020 17:49

My son had no choice. We had a 2 dogs. I had no partner. Didnt harm him. And yes he got chilly but thats not the end of the world

jwpetal · 07/12/2020 17:52

I take my children out for walks almost every night. This was even before we got our puppy. Started when my son was 3 and was full of energy at 6pm. Then the twins came and we all needed it for our sanity. Now we go most nights since it is dark at 4pm we have to go out. It is a wonderful to talk to your daughter. When there is a clear night,, we talk about the moon, stars and what is out there. Go for it.

Supermum29 · 07/12/2020 17:55

I agree with some others if it’s late and cold and she’s been at school all day then I’d give it a miss. Why not take the time for yourself, listen to a pod cast, have some you time and encourage your daughter to take part in family walks at the weekends and things.

Bakingcupcake · 07/12/2020 18:06

It will do your 6 yr old good! Theres no bad weather only bad clothes, so get wrapped up and enjoy! You dont want to encoursge a 6 yr old to become a couch potato

TheOtherMaryBerry · 07/12/2020 18:07

If I were concerned for her fitness/lack of exercise I would find something more appealing for a six year old to do.

A walk can be appealing for a 6 year old though, enjoying the dark, looking at stars, moon, lights etc, spending time together. Surely it's better to foster a general enjoyment of walking from an early age rather than just try to find more 'entertaining' activities that may not always be available. I enjoy doing sport, running, but even when I can't do so for whatever reason, I always have walking everywhere to fall back on as exercise.