To walk to nursery with two toddlers in the cold?

[Chillyoutthere]

I like to walk to pre-school/nursery with my 3 and 1 year old children whenever possible. I enjoy it, I think they enjoy it, and I believe it’s better for us all to be outdoors instead of in a car.

The walk is about 25 minutes to pre-school, and then a further 15 minutes to nursery with a buggy and buggy board. Sometimes my husband will take one child and I’ll take the other (older one scoots in this scenario), which makes each journey about 20-25 minutes. Traffic is awful so it’s only about 5 minutes quicker in the car.

Obviously, it’s getting colder, which is leading lots of input from my MIL regarding our commute. She feels very strongly that it’s bad for kids to be outside in the cold (1C this morning). I am being told / texted multiple times a day that they will get ill, this is bad parenting and that I am selfish.

I disagree. I was brought up to believe that there’s no such thing as bad weather, just bad clothes! Both kids were both wearing hats, gloves and snowsuits this morning.

So, dare I ask… AIBU?

I refer to my just turned 3 year old as a toddler, but coming out of toddlerhood. I can’t keep him safe without using a buggy so his mental age is probably more like a toddlers.

They are pre-schoolers. Or just 3 year olds and often even more work than an actual toddler.

Good grief - when I was a baby I was wrapped up well and put outside in my pram all through the year, when we used to have much colder winters than we do now!

What does she think kids in Scandinavia do? She’d be mortified that they let babies sleep outdoors in their prams!

You’re fine, they’re fine. Maybe have a word with your partner to ask about stopping the constant texts throughout the day though? That sounds like a lot!

No it's fine as long as they're dressed for the weather and not currently ill. I wouldn't if it was treacherous with ice or snow but if it's just brisk and cold it's fine.

Much more harmful for kids if everyone drives - a) harms of a sedentary lifestyle if they never walk anywhere, and b) more cars = more pollution! Your MIL sounds a nightmare. And dim.

OK, point taken on the toddler issue, although this really isn’t the point of the thread! I just thought it was an easier title to read than “my toddler and young child” or “three year old and one year old” and gets the point across that they are little. Sorry to have caused upset!

Unless your sending them out naked she is being ridiculous.

I think its great to walk. My Mum didn't like driving so walked lots from an early age. I do the same with my kids even though I like driving, sometimes I'd just rather walk.

I grew up in the north of Sweden and our schools only closed if it was colder than -25 degrees. In any other weather we walked, cycled or skied to and from school. Nobody was driven to nursery or school back then. None of us was harmed by the weather.

Ignore MIL. It’s fine and healthy. As long as they’re dressed sufficiently it does them a lot of good!

My three year old son goes to a forest nursery. He’s outside all day when he’s there. Dropped him off this morning when it was a brisk -7c and he hopped off happily to crack the ice on the puddles.

Totally fine, dress them up warmly!

MIL is insane!! You're walking to nursery, not plunging them in ice baths! Ridiculous woman to text you multiple times throughout the day about this.

And nice thread derail over the word toddler! 🙄

We lived in the northern US when my eldest was that age and a dry 1 degree day would be considered something to take advantage of and we’d definitely try to spend time outdoors and visit the playground! I wouldn’t start thinking along the lines of your MIL unless it was getting towards -10 including the windchill. 1 degree is positive temps and the kids were dressed appropriately, of course it’s fine! My 3YO is doing ski school in the alps in 2 weeks where it’ll be much colder than that and the lessons are 3 hours long, but IDK apparently taking him on a fancy winter holiday makes me a bad parent according to your MIL 🤣 My opinion is that you’re fine, good on you for not using the car and ignore her.

How the hell do kids survive in colder countries

I've a solution for you on cold mornings: don't turn your phone on (or keep on focus/airplane mode) until you've returned from the school run.

I walk with 4 every day, everyone is dressed snug and it's actually really nice to talk to them and listen to their little curiosities along the way which you don't get in a car really
I asked my oldest boy (6) what his favourite part of school was and he said
"Walking to school feeling the crunchy leaves"
It's slightly different if it's raining though and I will put wellies on them and put shoes and spare socks in their bags but the school are ok with this
If your happy and everyone else is happy just keep doing what your doing, the kids have 100% more chance of catching colds in the classrooms surrounded by other snotty noses than a walk in the fresh air to school 💜

Stop engaging with her.
'We've made a decision the children are happy and this works for us, we don't want to discuss'

Dressed correctly so they don't get cold, no problem. If they do get cold, yes, lower body temperature makes you more susceptible to catching germs.

I read this to my Scandinavian DH and his eyes rolled back so far (at your MIL) I thought they'd gone forever.

Of course they can be out in the cold as long as they're suitably wrapped up in appropriate clothing. If we had a secure and enclosed garden DH would happily have 6 month old DS left outside for naps in the cold weather.

A quick search brought up so much research showing that walking to school has really positive effects on children and adults.

Obviously if it's extreme weather conditions you can use your car or public transport.

When I was a childminder I would more often than not walk the children to and from school and nursery.

Coming home was always an adventure; we live in an area with lots of lanes and footpaths that offered opportunities for tree climbing and other imaginative play.

Giving children that free space after school, to share snacks, act out stories, use their bodies is so important.

You keep doing what you do.
Maybe MIL might bring some fruit and drinks, wrap up warm and have fun with the children.

If it's pouring with rain and windy, no!

Benefits of walking to school

Research shows positive outcomes

Not an issue if everyone is dressed appropriately.

I must be a terrible mother as my child will spend the whole day outside today (outdoor nursery).

I’d never be able to turn it on though… The morning texts have stopped but a message about this evening is what prompted my post! It starts when it dips below about 15 degrees and intensifies in the current weather. 😂😂

In fairness, she isn’t from the UK and I genuinely think she believes that this is “colder climates”. Will reiterate the existence of people in Scandinavia whilst, yet again, declining the offer of a lift!

Thank you all for the reassurance that I’m not actually the world’s cruellest mother!

The school run was Baltic this morning, -4 and the pavements were like ice rinks. If I'd had the choice I definitely wouldn't have walked but if it's what you like to do then you carry on and ignore mil.