Bringing toddler out in the rain

[RainRainRain123]

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.

I’d hate this. I think being out in the rain is miserable. And I personally would drive anywhere more than a 10 walk. I’m looking for a nanny and we’ve got oodles within a 10 min walk of our house and happy for you to drive to things further away but I suspect you’re in a different area to me.

I think you do need rainwear but I wouldn’t be walking around all day on the rain .
If your walking half and hour somewhere and same back I think that’s enough for a day.

If that's what you were told was part of the job, then, yes, you are being unreasonable.

You seem to get very upset that not everyone is lazy? Have you got a chip on your shoulder for being such a snowflake?

Yes, breaking news, people run in the rain, walk, go shopping, go to work, kids go to school. Thank you so much for posting photos showing people outside, despite the "torrential rain" and proving my point😂

He's not even 2 yet, sure getting out for a stomp in some puddles is good for him but she is mental if she thinks the walk is for him not her!

But yeah, get a good raincoat and boots and get out there anyway. Also some gloves. Nothing worse than forgetting the gloves and getting ice-cold hands in the pouring rain!

I think a lot of people have ignored the fact a 20 month old would be doing the walking too. At that age I’d end up having to carry mine back, especially if it was their second walk of the day. It would not be fun for either of us.

Plus not all kids want to stomp in puddles. My niece who is 2 hates being wet and cold and will say so!

@strawberrycrumbles
Ah bless. You can't back down can you. No one is running out of choice in that rain and you know it. They are commuting.

Still laughing at the idea you would be out for a merry jog in that.

Only a lunatic would feel out in that out of choice

Going all desperate and calling people you don't know names doesn't help your cause. It just makes you look silly

You're a nanny and you won't take a child out if it's raining?! In the uk?!

@strawberrycrumbles
😂🤣

you don't want to walk 20 minutes to a playgroup?

You need to get a different job

I think op if you have concerns over safety in terms of the pavements/ traffic then I would raise that and suggest an alternative such as driving to a local park and walking there where surfaces are smoother and away from heavy traffic.

My wonder would be if the parent is anxious about driving in the car in case of an accident?

If you need waterproof trousers or boots then ask them to provide that as your employer if this is something they want done in all weather.

In my job i have to be outside in all conditions. My workplace have provided me with what I need for that but tbh I have bought my own additional items so I can wear what I feel most comfortable in.

yes dear.

Every race, every sport event is always cancelled when it rains. Schools close down, the world stops. You are absolutely right.

s

HTH

But that's your choice and the choice of those nannies who don't drive. It has nothing to do with the actual enrichment for the child, the child is getting very little out of being pushed about in a buggy all day. This nanny would rather drive to activities, and that is her choice. The child in question is just over 18 months, that amount of walking would result in him in the buggy for the majority of the time. What's he getting out of that? Looking at a 'cat in a window' is great... But I wouldn't say it's worth being in a buggy for 2 hours a day for 😂

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.

I think twice a day in really bad weather is unreasonable. I always used to get mine out at least once but freezing rain etc isn't very nice.

To be honest I don't relish going out if it is lashing it down but when I am commuting to work, I have to get on the bike and cycle to the station no matter what the weather. I would question why you don't have fundamental clothing for the UK's climate. A waterproof jacket and overtrousers work very well in the cooler months of the year. In any case, it doesn't rain all the time, you can often time outings around the rain (use the Met Office or Netweather rain radar) unless it is doing the 24 hour rainathon, and the UK has recently had a fortnight of very dry weather.

We took my grandaughter to the park yesterday she ran around the park in her wellies wrapped up warm.. fed the ducks she loves it .. rosy red cheeks when back home.
You might find you enjoy it once out & about it does you the world of good to be out in the fresh air .
Just wrap up .

As Billy says....

I find it is miserable until I actually get out in it, then it is fine. It always looks worse through the window. It helps enormously to have appropriate clothing for the weather conditions. I used to cycle a 19 mile round trip to work including through the stormiest winter on record (2013/14), so I quickly worked out what to wear to be most comfortable in the rain.

No such thing as bad weather, just poor clothing choices. Get some waterproofs from Sports Direct/eBay/vinted/charity shop and get out there.

Billy is oversimplifying IMO:

I'd like to know what clothing he thinks is appropriate for this.

It is your job, buy a rain gear? Request a rain gear?

Otherwise, change family…with no hill…

Oh I know people like her op. She feels better about herself if her child is occupied 24/7. It's ridiculous to expect a child to be out and about in gushing rain if it's not necessary. What exactly does she think you will do at the park if everything is wet? Toddler groups are different but being out in the rain to feel better about herself is just that.
I've had a nanny for 6years and never insisted on this. Why make everyone miserable for no reason.

@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.
🙄