Do you take your kids out every weekend?

[millionaireshortie]

7 year old seems to expect full and interesting days out every Sat / Sun.

We're at home today as I'm not feeling well. It's 1pm and she's now actually crying about what a boring day it is.

It's been a long time since I had a small child at home but when I did, we went out some weekends but by no means all. A lot depends on what you can afford, what interests they (& you) have and the weather.

At seven I'd have thought a child would have friends who come over or they go to their friends. If a weekend comes along and no friends available then you choose whether to stay home or go out and your child can amuse herself.

Out of the house, yes. On a ‘day out’, not necessarily.

Last weekend we had granny visiting. We just played at home, walked to the playground, played in the garden, did fun granny things. No ‘days out’ but we did things.

This weekend eldest did a Rainbows event then we went to a fete. Tomorrow she is going canoeing (with dh, I’m home with toddler), then we’re going to the pool.

We don’t do expensive days out most weekends, often our weekends involve a trip to Tesco, a country walk and going to the playground. Not exactly all that exciting but we don’t stay inside all day unless it’s horrible weather or we’re all poorly.

If you aren’t well though, sometimes you just need to rest.

No. Kids have plenty of toys etc at home to keep them entertained. In summer weather garden and paddling pool as well

Do other people’s DC not go a bit stir crazy if they don’t get some exercise? Mine like a good hour running/cycling/scooting around somewhere!

SoyDora when mine were properly little I had to walk them like puppies, but now they're tweens and teens they exercise themselves, like cats.

Can't be indoors all day though and sometimes yes, a complete location change breaks a bad mood or annoying bickery day.

Haha yes mine are still little (5, 4 and a baby) and I have to exercise the 5 and 4 year olds like puppies for a more harmonious life!

We used to be out every Sunday as Saturday was swimming lessons in tbe morning and then a family movie night with kid-made pizzas for tea. Just thinking about their handmade Margherita pizza with smarties and gherkins makes me retch.

Sunday was going out day, sometimes local and free or cheap stuff, we had Natural Trust, English Hetitage and Royal Historic Palaces.

Sounds expensive, but with four kids it gave us thousands of places to go and visit.

Yes, mine are shitty if they stay in all day.

If nothing else, we walk to the park for half an hour.

When mine were younger we always did something even if just a walk to the park. Then we moved on to sometimes having a play date. Now they sort themselves out.

Nope. We've had a very lazy day today (after a very very busy week for all of us). Kids played, read, did sone drawing, helped me wash the car, etc. It's ok to do that once in a while (we prob only have a day this lazy about once a month), but I think it's important to have proper downtime, and for them to get a bit bored so they find fun things to do with their time. So much of the rest of their lives are so structured, it's nice to have an 'off' day

Omg my dd does this every DAY never mind just weekends. I collect her (latest pick up time is half 3) and she automatically asks where are we going??!! Drives me insane! 😂

We generally aim to have one 'outing' day and one 'pottering' day, but it doesn't always work that way. The pottering day will still involve leaving the house though, to the park/library/forest/canal. I hate staying in all day. So this weekend we've been at a special event at a local National Trust place today then tomorrow will be playing, baking, doing some gardening and going to the garden centre.

We usually visit family so not going out on excursions but we're rarely in the house all weekend and most of the time we are home is spent outside

Yes I try and make weekends interesting and exciting for both children, it’s just something for them to look forward to.

In my ideal world we'd do lots of countryside walks, which are cheap & fill the time & kids use lots of imagination on them doing role play (& I enjoy walking).

In reality, DC have pretty full weeks & some full weekends so often flake on weekends that aren't advance-planned; I need the time to catch up, too.

We did absolutely bugger all yesterday and it was great!

We generally have a bit of balance with it. I work full time and the DC are at school and the childminder all week. So when Saturday morning comes around we love just chilling out at home. Not having to rush off out anywhere. DH also works Saturdays.

Usually we might go out on a Saturday afternoon to visit family, do some shopping or go for a walk. But that's about it. We do try to get out together as a family on Sunday cos it's the only day we're all off together. It's not always something big and expensive. Today will probably be the local nature park for a big walk in the woods.