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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:
Wineinbathtub · 07/12/2020 18:12

My 6 year old loves going for a walk with me in the dark especially if he takes his torch. He also loves the Christmas lights and looking out for stars/planes the moon etc.

Tzimi · 07/12/2020 18:18

@AddisonM I've just joined my local gym, and it's pretty reasonable. At the moment, they only offer one-hour sessions which you've got to pre-book due to Covid. But this is long enough to do a bit of running, cycling, and some resistance training. Why not do both- join your gym, and go for long walks? Also, give the low carb diet a try, it works wonders!

duvetfan · 07/12/2020 18:25

I've done this a few times recently with my 8 year old. He loves it, just the 2 of us. My 6 year old is not up for it. It depends on the child. We didn't go that far, a mile or so but he loved one to one time. I wish we were able to do it more often, especially in this lovely, cold, crisp weather but unfortunately I have to being my work home with me. We will definitely be doing it over the holidays.

Yogalola · 07/12/2020 18:32

Probably your 6 year old will be tired after school. Can’t you get out during the day or is the 3 year old with you all day? But if that’s the case can you put the little one in the pushchair and go on walks, it would be even better for you having to push your child or even jog pushing. Walking definitely is a good way to kick start losing weight you will probably need to aim for 15000 to 20000 steps most days to notice anything in my experience

tommyhoundmum · 07/12/2020 18:34

I agree with smallsteps88. I think your daughter will enjoy time with you too.I've always walked with my ward, now 17 and we still walk and she enjoys it, especially at night. Really a great habit to get into.

TipperarygirlinLondon · 07/12/2020 18:37

I used to love walks with my Mum ..and sometimes Dad ..at night. Such a lovely time to be out. If you pitch it as you and me time it may encourage her. Also as pps said...Christmas docs galore. Try it and see...

FelicisNox · 07/12/2020 18:37

I say try it. Use the Christmas lights as a motivater, buy her a cheap Bluetooth watch that step counts and use it as quality time.

Never too early to start good habits.

JOFB · 07/12/2020 18:38

I think its even better walking in the dark and cold, so long as she is wrapped up because walking with a torch and exploring is fascinating for kids her age.... I walk with my three year old granddaughter who just loves doing that. I good lap around where you live would be fine so long as you did every day.......doesn’t matter how far, even a short walk is better than nothing but done every day turns into something.......

Aloux · 07/12/2020 18:44

Ask your daughter if she wants too if she does then great be good for the both of u I'm sure you'll use your common sense and wrap up haha I've done it with my 8 year old he loved it x

Rose1981 · 07/12/2020 18:54

This time of year is great for evening walks because of the Christmas lights. I take my 5 year old most evenings for about half an hour. She’s not the most active but enjoys the walks. Go for it, just wrap up and have decent footwear.

winniestone37 · 07/12/2020 19:06

Do it!!! It’ll be lovely. Bring a torch and have lovely chats. Great for both of you.

MaybeMaybeNotJ · 07/12/2020 19:08

My 5 year old daughter can walk for miles and especially loves a walk in the dark.
100% a good idea. There’s no down side!

bigmumsymcgraw · 07/12/2020 19:13

Do it Its a great way to show her how to incorporate exercise into her routine and also she will tell you all sorts which strengthens your bond Try little walks at first xx

threatmatrix · 07/12/2020 19:24

I think think it’s a fabulous idea

CarterBeatsTheDevil · 07/12/2020 19:34

Walking definitely is a good way to kick start losing weight you will probably need to aim for 15000 to 20000 steps most days to notice anything in my experience

Not if you're someone who usually walks 1500 steps or less a day. It all depends on what your fitness baseline is when you start. When I started out I was 20 stone 10 and I struggled to get more than 4000 steps a day in and I burned about 3000 calories a day because of the effort that it took to get moving at that level of fitness. I was also watching my calorie intake and yes if I hadn't been I might just have upped my eating, but I don't really think most people are at a level of fitness where they would have to aim for 6-8 miles a day to make a difference to their fitness or weight.

Porridgeoat · 07/12/2020 19:43

I do this with my child every night and we like it a lot. All the wildlife and chats and our fitness is much better now

niugboo · 07/12/2020 19:44

My 7 year old daughter and I do this most evenings. She loves it. Quality time just mum and daughter.

Mebeline · 07/12/2020 19:45

We do this whenever we can I can't believe anyone wouldnt especially in the current circumstances

Jemimapuddleduk · 07/12/2020 19:49

One of my fondest childhood memories was going night walking with my dad. I had a school project to watch and record the moon for a month when I was about 8. We used to wrap up and walk and share a bar of chocolate, magic,

Courgetteandbeans · 07/12/2020 19:54

We take our 7 year old DD on evening walks, she cycles as she finds it easier. She's not so keen now it's dark and cold in the evenings though

stevalnamechanger · 07/12/2020 20:17

Sounds like a good idea to me

kennycat · 07/12/2020 20:21

We sometimes take our 6 year old and 8 year old for a little walk round the block after tea if they seem like they've got energy that needs to be burnt off. Well I say we. My husband does. I stay inside in the warm and wash up, which gives me some peace so I'm quite happy!
Take the children for a walk. You'll find out soon enough if its a good idea or not.

Justbrutallyhonest · 07/12/2020 20:22

All those saying it’s far too cold, of course there are no children alive in Canada, Finland, Iceland and now we will get someone say well they know how to handle it, yes they put on coats

Justbrutallyhonest · 07/12/2020 20:24

When you were kids didn’t any of you play out after school in the winter? Owwwe it’s a bit cold the kids will be tired, blah blah blah

BringBiscuits · 07/12/2020 20:27

Do it. Took my youngest out the other night and she was excited. There weren’t many people around. It was dark, it was cold we were wrapped up and it was nice. She looked for stars and the moon and Christmas lights. We enjoyed it.