Park Runs: Children - Why?

[Knowillbeflamed]

There’s a park run every Sunday near me. They jog along the pavement by the seafront taking the whole damn thing up so no one else can even walk along it.

Honestly, I don’t get running. But, what I understand even less is dragging young children along?! Yes, the older one’s (10+) seem to enjoy it but there’s at least 5x more that seem wayyyy to young - toddlers, very young kids - who hate it. They’re dragged along by their parents, literally kicking and screaming and crying.

AIBU to think if your kid hates running that much or patently doesn’t want to be there, that you do NOT force it on them?! Just because you like running doesn’t mean you force it on them. Find them an activity they enjoy.

PS. Yes I am annoyed by the sheer ignorance of 100+ people taking up that much space and forcing others to dive out the way - but mostly it’s the shrill screams of toddlers being forced to run that drives me bonkers. Someone will pop up and say ‘they love it,’ but I’m sorry - kids screaming ‘it hurts’ ‘I don’t want to’ whilst their parents drag them along by their wrist just angers me. And it’s not one parent one week - it’s multiple different parents on various weeks.

The frequency with which I see parents dragging scooters while a miserable looking kid plods along next to them would say that that isn’t a more enjoyable activity.

There’s nothing wrong with kids learning you have to something you don’t want to look after your health. If more people had that attitude we’d be a healthier population.

Far from alone in this, and at least parkrun happens at known times and is over and done with, usually within an hour. Dogwalkers tend to move around in packs in our park, strolling along right across the path with dogs racing in and out. Fair enough, it's their right to be there just as much as mine.

Ah....but would some of the patents enjoy standing out in the cold kicking a muddy ball or watching from the side lines.

YANBU especially if the kids genuinely don't enjoy it as you say it's not the only way for kids to get exercise and it should be enjoyable.

Conversely, I am eternally grateful that my parents took me out hiking and running throughout my childhood, despite all of my complaining!

I have carried on leading an active life and have always been slim and fit.

One of my other ones complained when she first started park run too, now she runs off on her own or with friends and asks to do the main park run on a Saturday too.

It's wild how some view walking/running in a safe environment for a short period on a Sunday morning with family members as cruel or torturous, explains alot about why so many people are unhealthy and overweight though.

If you need to take her with you, surely she doesn’t need to run it though if she’s not enjoying it?

THIS. There is a junior park run in my town and I think it's brilliant- all the kids I have seen look super excited and seem to be loving it. Never seen any toddlers being "dragged" along lmao

Parent cant win can they?- they get told there is too much screen time but when they try to engage their kids in healthy physical activity they get slated for that too.

What a stupid post- getting kids running is a great habit to instil in them.

Everything you listed costs money. Running is free. YABU OP

It's good for parents and kids to do something together and also good for kids to let off steam.

Running is the best thing I ever did for my mental health. Maybe you should join in op!

The amount of people defending parents forcing their children to do things that hurt and cause them distress is wild.

Some children might enjoy running. Not all children will enjoy running. Forcing them to run is cruel. It's ALL about the parents.

I was a very active child. I was constantly outside climbing, cycling, rollerskating, riding, hiking, etc. If anyone had tried to make me run, absolutely no chance.

My biggest regret is that I can't play the piano. I started when I was 8. I didn't hate it but it was at the same time as my favourite cartoon so I pretended I hated it. My mum was really cool for her generation. Her parents had forced to do things (including playing the piano) and she didn't want to be that parent, so she told me that as long as I told the teacher myself, it was OK to stop. I hated having to do it. The teacher told me it was a pity as I was learning well. I was soooo happy afterwards.

I now of course so wish my mum had just forced me....

The fact that some of them don't enjoy it does not mean that it shouldn't happen at all (and it sounds like that's what you want). It's an organised event for a short time once a week - it's not a bunch of people being 'ignorant' . What does 'I don't get running' even mean? Everyone has activities they enjoy and activities they don't enjoy. There's nothing to 'get' about it.

😂yes.

Hour a day in the pool minimum, two dog walks a day (hour each) and horse-riding four days a week.

My kids also exercise - but unlike a lot of people on this thread, I let my kids do sports they enjoy.

It is good for her though. I would save your concern for all of the overweight children glued to screens not a 4 year old encouraged to slowly jog around a park for 25 minutes on a Sunday morning!
I also drag my children out for long hikes on the weekend and usually despite their initial complaints they end up having a great time!

I think in 20 years time we will have the equivalent to the stately home thread but about ParkRuns!

Mr Monkey is a parkrun director, they always look out for any poor behaviour by runners and take it up with them afterwards. You can also always contact the run director if you are concerned about anything, as people have said they are easily identifable on the day. It is unbelievable how many people moan about a free short activity that has such proven health benefits many GPs prescribe it.

Junior parkrun is a thing but is held separately from the adult event. It is 2km which is a perfecfly fine distance for younger children to run or walk.

Lmao a horse rider moaning about people being in the way is wild work 🤣

As many people have said, lots of kids moan, look like they aren’t enjoying it, complain but actually afterwards they are really pleased with themselves.

And 40 mins/ an hour once a week of a slow jog/ brisk walk is not going to cause pain or distress to anyone.

It’s exactly the same as my child saying every morning that they hate school, yet once they are there they have a ball and are incredibly proud of themselves. Ditto
most hobbies. Would you suggest I just then them spend all day watching Minecraft and eating crisps- because that’s what they would choose given half a chance.

What a weird thing to be annoyed about. It’s so good for kids (and parents) heath.
Benefits: free, releases serotonin, helps mental health, family bonding, teaches resilience, insanely good for physical health. Cons: might not be as fun as other sports. Imagine judging parents on being amazing and doing great things for their kids?!?!

I don't agree about the fact it exists (just avoid that small window), but agree no one should be crying or demonstrably not enjoying it. For all those on here saying 'oh kids getting fresh air instead of eating junk in front of the tv'.Eh? Like what about taking your kids to the park for a WALK or a bike ride or to the playground - why is it run or nothing?
I bet any of the adults on here would not put themselves through it if they really hated it. There are many healthy activities that both adults and children can enjoy, it shouldn't be forced on anyone.

@Knowillbeflamed with all that exercise I'm amazed you have time to complain on Mumsnet!

Why not? If my kid only did things they liked they'd be stuck inside playing all day

Running was the only sport I was good at as a child and I loved it. I still do it 40 years later and it has kept me slim, healthy, and helped my mental health massively. As PP have said, my experience of park runs for kids has only ever been positive - all the kids I've seen are off like rockets when it starts (of their own accord- NOT being forced into it). I use that park when the kids park run is on to walk my dog and not once in 10 years have I ever seen a child crying and asking to stop- quite the opposite actually, they all seem to be having fun and the park run volunteers are all cheering them on. It's a lovely fun atmosphere.

YABU.

Why are you going if you know when it’s on, and it annoys you?

YABU and miserable