Page 10 | Bringing toddler out in the rain

RainRainRain123 · 2025-01-28T09:36:14+00:00

Just started a new nanny position. Mother of the child (20 months) is quite insistent that he should be brought out twice a day even if its raining. He has rain gear, I do not. Just arrived this morning to be told he loves the library, its only a 30 minute walk each way, it's lashing rain here. I said if it eases of later I will get out with him. Questioned me yesterday if we went to the park. Has sent me numerous groups, all of which are at least 20 minutes walk away, not allowed take him out in the car. Where they live is also quite hilly and buggy isn't the best. Mam seems to walk everywhere and always has her rain gear on. AIBU to not want to go out twice a day when the weather is bad.

starsinthedarksky · 29/01/2025 18:30

Thank god my children don’t have someone like you looking after them!

Just pick up my 3 year old and 17 month old. Eldest has been to forest school in the rain for 5 hours and youngest has been out in the garden twice jumping in puddles!

Wemaybebetterstrangers · 29/01/2025 18:31

RainRainRain123 · 28/01/2025 14:34

My jacket is waterproof, I don't have waterproof trousers or shoes. It's the expectation of going our twice a day no matter how bad the weather is that's the problem. As I said previously the area is not well serviced with amenities so everywhere is a 40 to 60 minute round trip before we even get to a park or library. The buggy is terrible and pavements not great. Two hours walking a day everyday in the rain is quite unreasonable.

Ask them to buy you a ‘Dry Robe’. They are amazing. Get some wellies. As long as you’re weather protected you’ll be fine.

strawberrycrumbles · 29/01/2025 18:41

chargeitup · 29/01/2025 18:23

@strawberrycrumbles
You are just being obtuse.
No one in their right mind would insist there is no such thing as too much rain to go out for a walk.

I would even go as far as to say it's stupid and dangerous to go out with a small child walking in very heavy rain.

Drivers vision is impaired. They have water hitting their windscreens. We all know what's it's like with the wipers on full and you still can't see properly. Rain in your face. Rain in your child's face. Crossing roads would be straight up dangerous.

But no no. You've got yourself wedged into a corner. You are now going to stick to the story that there could be horizontal rain in -10 degrees with zero visibility and you'd still be screaming maniacally 'snooooowwwflaaaaakes. It's just raaaaainn' to save face.
🙄

oh dear, you are still here?

Who's being obtuse here. AGAIN, in extreme weather, libraries and clubs are SHUT. Chances are the OP is not stuck in the middle of a hurricane.

Most dogs haven't learn to use the house loos, people DO go outside when it rains. Why do you need to convince yourself that everyone hides indoors You realise we couldn't care less where you spend your days, don't you?

dangerous to go out with a small child walking in very heavy rain.
yes, you keep telling yourself that. That's why no one is at school on time when it rains heavily during the school run. Oh, wait 😂
It tends to snow when it's minus 10, but whatever

You've got yourself wedged into a corner. Mate, I am not trying to convince you, you were vaguely amusing, you are getting boring trying to start a little fight. You know what Mark Twain said about arguing don't you.

Bearbookagainandagain · 29/01/2025 19:01

People on this thread are ridiculous.
Anytime I go out in the rain with my pre-schoolers there is NO ONE at the playground, at the park or in town with children. And there is no chance in hell I would go out back in the afternoon if I have a choice. Neither would anyone around me. And of course we drive or take the bus in bad weather if we can.

That's what most parents do and it's not unreasonable for anyone to not enjoy walking in the rain getting soaked twice a day with a toddler in tow.

@RainRainRain123 you and the family are a bad fit, and I do think they should have told you about all the requirements before you started if they were particularly strict about it.

Wemaybebetterstrangers · 29/01/2025 19:03

🤷‍♀️ I used to take mine out in the rain all togged up, they loved it. Splashing in the puddles etc.

Bearbookagainandagain · 29/01/2025 19:07

Wemaybebetterstrangers · 29/01/2025 19:03

🤷‍♀️ I used to take mine out in the rain all togged up, they loved it. Splashing in the puddles etc.

Of course, me too. And we would take them for long walks in the wood if the rain isn't too bad.

But not everyday, twice a day.
And I would happily take them jumping in puddles near my houses, but not to a play group or library where I then have to spend an hour in my wet clothes... That's completely different.

Wemaybebetterstrangers · 29/01/2025 19:08

Bearbookagainandagain · 29/01/2025 19:07

Of course, me too. And we would take them for long walks in the wood if the rain isn't too bad.

But not everyday, twice a day.
And I would happily take them jumping in puddles near my houses, but not to a play group or library where I then have to spend an hour in my wet clothes... That's completely different.

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Agreed

DonnyBurrito · 29/01/2025 19:16

Goldbar · 29/01/2025 10:18

I disagree. Personally I think it's much better for children to be out in the buggy or on the bus looking at and interacting with the world around them than strapped in a car. And then hopefully they build up to walking some of the way.

And if someone's looking after your children and you're paying them, actually you do get to tell them what you'd like them to do within reason. You get to insist that the day is arranged for your child's benefit, not their caregiver's convenience.

I've already said that in the OP's particular situation, it sounds like the mum is being unreasonable since the walk is not particularly safe or pleasant. Where we live, walking is fine and what everyone does so I'd be unimpressed by a nanny suggesting driving the 20 minutes or so to the library unless there was another reason for it (doing school pick-up afterwards/going on to another activity). Because actually I do think the walk (even if partly in the buggy) is beneficial for my child rather than being strapped in a car seat.

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Nobody mentioned the bus, that's different as they aren't cocooned behind a raincover and strapped down on their own. The only reason I'd strap my toddler into the buggy for over an hour whilst it was raining was to get him to sleep! Because the raincover would be down, there's very little for them to interact with in there, no exercise for the entire time they're in there... Much better to spend 5 minutes in the car and get them on their feet, interacting and exploring quicker!

You seriously think a 1.5 year old being strapped down under a rain cover on their own for hours a day is beneficial?

Goldbar · 29/01/2025 19:26

DonnyBurrito · 29/01/2025 19:16

Nobody mentioned the bus, that's different as they aren't cocooned behind a raincover and strapped down on their own. The only reason I'd strap my toddler into the buggy for over an hour whilst it was raining was to get him to sleep! Because the raincover would be down, there's very little for them to interact with in there, no exercise for the entire time they're in there... Much better to spend 5 minutes in the car and get them on their feet, interacting and exploring quicker!

You seriously think a 1.5 year old being strapped down under a rain cover on their own for hours a day is beneficial?

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I always unzip the middle of the raincover so my DC can see out.

Hmm1234 · 29/01/2025 19:34

You sound like a lazyyyy nanny.

DonnyBurrito · 29/01/2025 19:41

Goldbar · 29/01/2025 19:26

I always unzip the middle of the raincover so my DC can see out.

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Sounds like it's more an exercise opportunity for you than anything to do with your childs enjoyment!

Fizbosshoes · 29/01/2025 19:43

LuckySantangelo35 · 28/01/2025 11:15

@RainRainRain123

if it’s really chucking it down YANBU to want to drive or stay in.

lots of mumsnetters are weird about the weather - they love to pretend that they and their kids love nothing more than wearing lots of ugly rain clothes and walking about in the pissing rain and wind for hours on end “cos there is no such thing as bad weather if you’ve got the right clothes!!”

yeah, no

Edited

I don't mind walking and took my kids out in wet weather, when they were little, but I'm not sure I'd do it twice a day, if I'd already got soaked . And half an hour each way - particularly if toddler wanted to do some walking as well, isn't exactly a short walk

Goldbar · 29/01/2025 19:52

DonnyBurrito · 29/01/2025 19:41

Sounds like it's more an exercise opportunity for you than anything to do with your childs enjoyment!

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It's just how we get places. Sometimes we enjoy it, sometimes we don't.

Bowies · 29/01/2025 20:30

I think it would be fine but as you say you don’t have the right clothes (waterproof trousers etc) so then it’s a bit miserable for you. Then again would expect a professional nanny to have the right clothes.

i completely understand her point especially for young DC, same as taking dog for a walk(!), good for them to get out for fresh air and exercise. If it’s a short walk to the library, you are inside then anyway and rain coat should be good enough.

I don’t agree with ferrying kids around in cars either, doesn’t build resilience or healthy habits.

Bowies · 29/01/2025 20:32

Plus unnecessary cars on the road and bad for the environment

JayJayj · 29/01/2025 21:05

My daughter loves the rain. I have videos of her laying down is big puddles.

We literally go out just to jump in puddles when it’s been raining/ is raining.

We live in England. We would never get out otherwise.

DonnyBurrito · 29/01/2025 21:16

Goldbar · 29/01/2025 19:52

It's just how we get places. Sometimes we enjoy it, sometimes we don't.

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Again, that's your choice... I doubt what's actually best for your toddler would stop you from doing this, as it's obviously a lifestyle choice you've made for yourself and your family. But for a nanny, her job isn't an opportunity for her to get her 15k steps in for the day. Her day should be orientated around the child having maximum opportunity to socialise with others and get some exercise, neither of which occurs best when they're strapped in a buggy - especially not under a raincover.

I drive my preschooler 10 minutes to the local soft play when it's raining (impossible walk) and we sing in the car, talk to one another, listen to music, look out the windows at the cows, sheep, horses, etc... Not quite the terribly isolating and awful experience people seem to be making it out to be! And that's all just in 10 minutes before he gets out to stretch his legs and play with other children for as long as he likes.

strawberrycrumbles · 29/01/2025 21:24

Goldbar · 29/01/2025 19:52

It's just how we get places. Sometimes we enjoy it, sometimes we don't.

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thank you!

Better summarised that I did.

Ap42 · 29/01/2025 22:10

Some of my best memories as a child was of putting my wellies on and going for a walk in the rain. It's the UK, it rains, embrace it.

pollymere · 29/01/2025 23:58

The rain has been my kid's favourite for over eighteen years. We were splashing in puddles possibly before Peppa Pig. I used to take kitchen towel to the park or something dry to sit on so we could even sit on the swings in the rain. I have photos of us on the swings in the snow!

I also had the kid that would happily walk a mile or more and back as a toddler. It sounds like you'll end up very fit!

Oneflewovermydogsbed · 30/01/2025 00:05

Sorry but I couldn’t imagine taking my children out when it was pissing down …definitely think it’s a desperate way of trying to enjoy yourself…each to their own 🤷‍♀️

Whatinthedoopla · 30/01/2025 01:39

No such thing as bad weather,, just badly prepared clothing wise

Cazwest6 · 30/01/2025 02:25

I am a retired childminder and looked after 2/3 children under 4
it would of driven me mad to stay in all day even tho the children played happily together
children love the rain, and even tho the groups are a good walk away it will do you good to meet other nanny’s
Mum wants the best for her child , and you should be doing as she’s asking
Give the children a good morning out either at groups or library etc, give them lunch and they will prob sleep for an hour afterwards
it will give you a chance to meet new people and also you will find the day goes quicker
why would you want to be cooped up indoors ? You’ll go stir crazy

Fizbosshoes · 30/01/2025 07:06

I think there's a big difference between refusing to go out in the rain per se and doing up to 2 hrs of walking in the rain in a day.

I know MN toddlers walk for 5 miles and enjoy it in sun rain, or snow but IRL a 30 min walk x 2 is not really "a short walk" (I say this as someone who runs marathons before anyone thinks I'm a couch potato)

When I had toddlers I wanted to take them out every day for my own sanity - and with DS especially he needed to go out or he went stir crazy indoors. So we weren't cooped up in the house all day....but I wouldn't have contemplated a 1 hr walk in the rain in the morning and then go out in the rain again in the afternoon, that just isn't enjoyable, imo.

DonnyBurrito · 30/01/2025 07:09

Oh fgs, she's not saying she wants to stay indoors all day every day! She's saying she doesn't want to walk everywhere when it's raining! The child's mum is insisting she walks everywhere, no matter the weather...

Honestly OP, people on here only love to congratulate themselves on how brilliant they are and if you're not doing things exactly how it was for them, then you're lazy/not right for the job/etc. They find it impossible to fully imagine the situation you are describing, either through a lack of empathy or reading comprehension. Then you've got the people that probably took their kids out in the rain once or twice a week at max (and probably used the car lots too) and are now acting like they're Aquaman. Then you've got the ones who love nothing more than pounding the pavement as a lifestyle choice and think you should do the same...🙄