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?

Just try it and see. I think you’re over thinking this, go on your own some nights and together on others.
Or is DH uncomfortable about caring for 2 children?

I'd aimed for 30mins every other day and vary the route! Then you won't feel down when bad weather means you miss a couple of days The idea of posting a couple of cards is a good one.

I think you'll struggle to get her out on a dark, wet and windy evening in January after she's been at school all day.

The idea is nice, but the reality of getting a six year old wrapped up and outside at that time of day will probably be very different!

Can't think of anything worse than forcing a six year old out for a walk on a freezing dark night. If she wants to go fine if not dont.

Are you scared of the dark?

I would take her for a walk but not with you when you are doing yours. The level of ability is not the same. If you are doing brisk walking she will be walk/jogging the whole time to keep up and that's not remotely enjoyable for her.

If I'd been told at 6 that I'd be going for a walk every night then I'd have been going for a walk every night

By all means invite her but I think you will build up a LOT of resentment if you force her and there’s really no need

You probably won't clock many miles but it's fine, I prefer walking at this time of year as I don't get hot and sweaty........it's rather worrying the people on here who think your child won't cope somehow. What the hell do they think none car owners do ? They still have kids going to clubs etc.

I'd invite her, it's a good habit to get into. See if she wants to take her scooter or something and go sometime relatively safe and away from roads. She'll probably love it when she gets going.

Is it for you or for her? If you want to walk for therapy and health, good for you. What do you mean undiagnosed depression?

Could it be your project just for you and do other things with your daughter?

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.

I think it's fine to be honest. Try it and see. Once you are walking and chatting, it's not really cold and she can have a warm drink and in to bed when you get back. She doesn't have to go every night.

Or try Couch to 5k with her and you'll only be out for 30-40 mins?

Absolutely do this! My mum used to drag me out for long walks at night too and they are some of my happiest memories now. We had so many good chats, lots of arm in arm walks when it was freezing. Don't do it every night, but definitely 2-3 nights a week.

You're not going to lose weight walking at the pace of a 6 year old!

Put the kids to bed by 7.30pm and then go for a brisk walk or jog

It's a lovely idea. You can look at the Christmas lights together, stare at the stars and the moon and clouds, look out for foxes and listen for night calls of owls. It will feel like an adventure.

One thing that might motivate her is to get a pedometer or app on your phone and let her carry it to see how many steps she's walked. DS went from being a whining resister to marching ahead trying to get to the next 1000 steps.

I think winter night walks will be something she remembers years later with affection if you make sure she's warm and comfortable and turn it into fun.

Our 4 year old run/walks every Saturday morning 5km parkrun (officially not an official one as it’s not back on yet) in a quicker time that I do. You don’t have to go super quickly to lose weight and get fitter. I suffer low mood to and definitely find the being outside and walking or running really lifts me mood. Great idea. You can adapt it as you go to see what works for you. My four year old would love an evening walk just her and me without siblings. especially as pp said with all the Xmas lights at the moment. I think I will copy your idea! Thermals, gloves, hats and lots of layers are a good idea as often I find she gets hot, then cold then hot then cold so layers that I can pop in and out of a backpack work well.

*too

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

Peak Mumsnet

*my... too many typos! I’ll stop looking for them and correcting now.

@OneTC

If I'd been told at 6 that I'd be going for a walk every night then I'd have been going for a walk every night

Same, and my DSs now adults would have been the same. They went out for activities all year round, several times a week. I'm sure given the option they wouldn't have wanted to go sometimes and damn sure sometimes I couldn't be bothered taking them. But who wants/allows their DC to be couch potatoes?

I assume we are not talking about 10 mile hikes in a blizzard at midnight here!

Why not just give it a go and see how you like it? (Rather than listening to people who've never met your daughter confidently proclaiming that she'll hate it?)

If I were you if just say I was going for a walk to look at the pretty lights, "Do you want to come with me?" You say there's a good chance she'll want to because she wants to be with you. I think it could be a lovely time to chat. If you're dressed properly it won't be unbearably cold.

I often take my DS(5) for a half hour walk about 6pm, to take the edge off his energy. He doesn't mind the dark or cold. His scooter has light up wheels, his bike has fancy spoke lights... and atm there are streets near me doing advent calendar windows, whole decorated terraces etc. We see cats, foxes etc too.

If it's raining I would let her stay home though. And also be prepared for your 3 year old to want to go too.

Do it! We try and race to the sunset when we can! And we do a bit of geocaching too.

Why do so many people think it's cold and wet every night? She'll be fine. I think some on here assume that everyone has a car.

@OneTC

If I'd been told at 6 that I'd be going for a walk every night then I'd have been going for a walk every night

Same here, but I wouldn't have enjoyed it.

My dad was big on dragging us all on nice, wholesome family walks - I didn't enjoy it then and I have no positive memories of them now!