Letting 4 year old come running with me at 6.30am?

[Giraffeantics]

Early morning runner. 4 year old wants to start coming with me at 6.30am on his bike. Feels wrong given it is dark and he is so young. Am I being unreasonable if let him join me? I would obviously reduce distance covered and only let him.join occasionally and wear a high vis. He has always been an early riser and is awake by 6am each day. Hm..... help!

I would definitely let him come, and learn how to cycle safely with his hi-vis, helmet etc. I’ve no idea why you would discourage physical exercise at such a young age. It’s getting light in the mornings soon anyway. I’m sure you’ll have him in your sight at all times.

It depends on where you live.
It was always a bit risky running and cycling where I grew up in the late 70s and 80s - rural

I wouldn’t. A four year old, 6.30am in the dark? I wouldn’t do this with my 9 year old. If you have to go on pavements next to roads I’d be a nervous wreck. Big lorries hurtling along the road not expecting to look for little lights a foot off the ground. Making sure their helmet stays on, making sure they’re not too wobbly. I have a 5 year old and wouldn’t do this in a million years. Maybe in the height of summer in a park with a path but not in February on any kind of public road.

If there was god forbid an accident I think your choices might be questioned.

My brother aged 14 cycled from Devon to Hythe in Kent in 1977, we could play in the streets too.

Wonder what MN would say to a parent who asked "shall i let my 14yo cycle from Plymouth to Kent this summer?"

For all its huge benefits, the car has also taken away a great deal, wouldn't be so bad if some people could actually drive the bloody things.

This mad. You worry about your 9yo's helmet coming off ?

Not necessarily early morning, but sometimes into sunset my boy has been coming with me on his bike since he could comfortably ride it.. age 3!! We’re always on footpaths.. why are people against that? I’ve run with him and his siblings in buggies so…?!

As it gets closer to spring/summer it won't be as dark/cold in the mornings

Stick to non-busy roads and he'll be grand.

Given the massive childhood obesity crisis in the UK this kind of thing absolutely should be encouraged.

It’s not dark in the morning now and cold and wet weather shouldn’t stop them going out.

It's still quite dark at the moment, but won't be for much longer. I'd probably hold off just for that reason. As a pp said, if it becomes a regular thing I'd feel happier about his competence by the time the mornings get dark again then. (Mind you, I might be underestimating him because my 4 year old can't ride yet)
Otherwise, I think it sounds lovely!

aslong as you’re prepared to not actually jog yourself much those days I don’t imagine it would be too unsafe.

Following common sense precautions like hi vis and staying between him and the road , it could potentially be the safest time for him to get outside on his bike.

but you will likely be forfeiting your alone time and exercise that day, with high possibility of getting him ready and being only outside 15 minutes. Could turn out to be lovely though and set you up for some wonderful times when he’s a few years older

My point still stands that it will be warmer/lighter in spring and summer so what is the actual point of your comment ?

No! Keep this time for yourself!

My point is that it isn’t an activity which they only can do in spring or summer. We did it all year around. If it rained we got wet, if it was colder we put on thicker clothes. If it was dark we used lights.

This is probably the biggest concern, the chatter. I exercise as a kind of Me Time, I'd not want a 4 year old talking to me, but each to their own.

Lights, helmet, hiviz, safe route.

Do you have some specific concern? I would be most worried about the child getting enough sleep, but if they are up at 6 anyway, it isn't an issue

There is only me and my son (9years old) we get up 5.30 mon-fri..go walking 6.00 to 6.45.
Then back home for breakfast/shower etc then to school/work.
We have done this for a few years now and enjoy it even in the dark/cold weather. We wrap up accordingly.
We go to bed quite early though 8.30-9.30..it works for us and we seem to have more energy during the day. Weekends we just chill!

YANBU but you know you won't get any running done, right?

I think it will give the child amazing start in life, doing exercise, having nice routine. Summer mornings will be glorious.
Be safe, have lights and lots of high vis straps on arms and feet and enjoy! I think it's wonderful and might be something child will later in live carry on doing, good for mental health and physical of course.

I would. I used to do this with my son until he got so fast I had to switch to a bike too 🤣 it's nice to do things together. That's if you're happy to. If you need it for alone/ sanity time, then say no

I think it’s a great idea. If it was me, I’d keep the route to pavement/cycle paths so no chance of any cars and also so I wasn’t constantly looking over my shoulder for vehicles as I imagine I’d be much more nervous if I was running along the roadside with my son on his bike. As long as he has his hi vis and lights on his bike, and you’re well lit too, I don’t see the problem. We used to have people bring their primary aged children to our free running group (many of them often better than the adults!) and I think it’s such a good way to set good examples for your kids around exercise - to do it with them. Bear in mind it will completely change your running, you’ll be more distracted and may not keep to a certain pace, have to stop and start etc, so if you’re training for something or that bothers you maybe don’t take him all the time.

What? This is crazy

Not on a school day but don’t see an issue at the weekend. It was light at 6.30 this morning.

Personally I’d just wait till Summer. Nothing wrong with it but it’s dark and cold etc and he is little

Wow you’re mean. She was only saying that it’s totally possible.