When is it too cold outside for a 14 month old?

[bobby2step]

The in-laws (childcare bubble) are looking after my 14 month old son today. They have intimated that they will not be going outside with him today because it is too cold (2 degrees C). Today's started off as a beautiful day, and I would have hoped he could go out at some point - he loves birds and trees and all that nature stuff.

Is it too cold?

Mo, not if he’s dressed in enough clothes abs running / toddling around or snuggled up in the buggy. It’s probably more to do with your inlaws don’t want to go out.
My inlaws don’t go out if there is even the slightest chill, rain or wind- they would rather sit in all day

Depends on his clothes- if he’s got wellies and lined trousers (or tights and trousers) and a vest, top, jumper and decent coat plus hat and mittens he’ll be fine. Just need to look out for being cold when he’s sitting in a buggy rather than running around, and add a blanket as necessary.

But I suspect you know this and can’t persuade the in-laws

It's not too cold for a well rugged up baby.

But maybe it's too cold for them? I certainly don't enjoy those temperatures and wouldn't go out for the hell of it.

No it isn’t as long as he has appropriate clothing. However I suspect your in-laws don’t fancy being out in the cold which is fair enough.

Yeah might well be too cold for them if not for him.

I think as long as they have appropriate clothing (mine wear snowsuits with merino wool thermals under if it's really cold) then it's never too cold here really.

It’s never too cold for children. Sadly, as it was often too cold for me 😃

It’s never too old if he’s wrapped up warm. I also find it important to get outside in the fresh air every day. On the other hand, if your in-laws don’t want to, it won’t matter for just a day, or on occasional babysitting days.

I agree it’s probably too cold for them not him. They probably don’t move as fast or as often.

We lived in Chicago when DD was that age and the daycare threshold for when it was considered too cold for a walk was 20 Fahrenheit (about -6 Celsius). If we considered 2 degrees too cold then I don’t think we would have left the house for months! Everyone has very good winter gear there though. It’s definitely not too cold for your son if he’s wrapped up but I suspect your ILs don’t fancy it.

Definitely not too cold for a 14 month old with the right clothing.

But I'd also appreciate that family offering (I presume) free child care don't want to be going out in the cold and I would be happy that my child was having a nice cosy day inside being well looked after and entertained.

It's too cold for them, it will do him no harm to remain inside.

@Littlewhitedove2

Mo, not if he’s dressed in enough clothes abs running / toddling around or snuggled up in the buggy. It’s probably more to do with your inlaws don’t want to go out. My inlaws don’t go out if there is even the slightest chill, rain or wind- they would rather sit in all day

He's definitely appropriately dressed.

They've stated the reason they wouldn't be going out is because 2 degrees would be too cold for him.

But I know that they hate going out if, as you say, there is the slightest chill, rain or wind.

I know my brother-in-law has been quite firm with them to do stuff with his kids when the weather is not "perfect".

How rude of your brother in law!

If they don’t want to go out it’s up to them, they’re not staff.

They've stated the reason they wouldn't be going out is because 2 degrees would be too cold for him.

They mean them. Don't get too hung up on this. They don't want to take your child out in the cold. They are also looking after your child for you.

@Thatsnotmynamename

Definitely not too cold for a 14 month old with the right clothing.

But I'd also appreciate that family offering (I presume) free child care don't want to be going out in the cold and I would be happy that my child was having a nice cosy day inside being well looked after and entertained.

Yes, you're right. I don't mind them choosing how they want to look after him - infact I'm keen not to dictate any part of their guardianship. It just made me feel irresponsible because I would've taken him out today.

It’s not too cold for kids. In my kid’s schools in the USA they play outside till it’s -12! I used to think this was crazy but they coped. (And had appropriate clothing for this). But if it’s too cold for the elderly grandparents then that’s entirely their prerogative. (I wasn’t certainly taking my child to the playground in -12 degree weather...).

When they’re doing you a favour they can take him out or not take him out. Totally their call.

So your in-laws are looking after your child, and at other times your bil's children?
Maybe they're feeling tired and exploited? Who knows?
As a poster said - they're not staff.

@StacySoloman

How rude of your brother in law!

If they don’t want to go out it’s up to them, they’re not staff.

He is very rude, yes. I'm keen not to tell them how to look after my child. I have full confidence in whatever they choose - they brought up my wife, afterall.

It just made me feel irresponsible because I would've taken him out today.

This is a really weird take on the situation.

Never.

Just as the Scandinavians.

Ds (2.5) goes out in all weathers - I pop him in joggers with tights under plus a splash suit and a vest, top and jumper with a coat and gloves on plus wellies.

However, that's with me and dh (though pil do.take him out in cold weather too). But if in laws didn't want to then I would probably be happy that ds is in a different environment with different toys and different people so is getting plenty of stimulation and experiences even without going out.

Never. As others said I suspect the person looking after him doesn't want to go out.

@giletrouge

So your in-laws are looking after your child, and at other times your bil's children? Maybe they're feeling tired and exploited? Who knows? As a poster said - they're not staff.

The bil's children live in a different country - this is their first grandchild that they have access to whenever they want - and taking into account they weren't allowed to see or hold him from March to August (or whenever it was), I'm pretty sure that they are more than overjoyed to look after him 2 days a week... They want to look after him more - I'm confident they don't feel exploited.

They're not staff, no. I don't want my post to be misinterpreted as "should I force my inlaws to do what I want", I just wanted to know... Is 2 degrees too cold?