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Original poster

Feeling guilty about not going out enough

19 replies

dooley1 · 19/12/2007 08:24

It's freezing cold here, I don't drive and the buses are a nightmare at the moment with a pushchair because of all the Xmas shopers. The local park is all boggy because of all the rain we've had. I have dd and ds on my own Mon, Tues and Wed and we got Toddlers on Tues but often I find myself staying in on Mon and Wed. They seem fine, play toys , dd has a long afternoon nap and they are both ill with colds so snuggling up on the sofa at this time of year feels right... but I feel guilty.

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moondog · 19/12/2007 08:33

If they are happy then you should be too.
Having said thaT, EVEN A BRISK WALK AROUND THE BLOCK DOES EVERYONE GOOD.

fishie · 19/12/2007 08:37

agree with md but its going to rain everywhere later in week so better go out quick while you can.

ocomeALLYebabies · 19/12/2007 08:38

i agree with moondaog, we stay in on mondays and thursday usually, we always go for a walk at about 4ish to see everyone turn their christmas lights on. very handy for your own sanity to gt out just once a day!

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Original poster

dooley1 · 19/12/2007 08:41

yes I try to go out for a wee walk even if it's just to the corner shop or the recycling bins nearby (ds likes to put the glass in)
It is reasuring to know that I'm not alone though.
I worry a bit that 3 year old ds has started to say he wants to stay in rather than go out. Is that normal for a 3 year old? I guess staying in playing with his toys is more appealing than a freezing cold walk...

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fishie · 19/12/2007 08:51

ds is 2½ and clamours to go out for a walk ont the common, only to bleat to be carried because it is too cold. library visit is a good one if close enough.

adventkerzylin · 19/12/2007 09:50

Just wait 'til they get older. My 9 year old ds is such a stick in the mus, I have to beg or drag him to go out with me. When they were little we went for 2 walks every day what ever the weather even if it was just round the block. Maybe I traumatized him and he's getting his own back now!

Original poster

dooley1 · 19/12/2007 09:57

lol
yes I'm am a bit cncerned that come September and he has to walk to school everyday we are going to have major meltdowns!!

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adventkerzylin · 19/12/2007 10:08

Oops, meant stick in the mud! His father doesn't help either he has the habit of setting off for a walk with us and then shouting for a taxi half way (middle of Berlin).

MellowChristmasEveryone · 19/12/2007 10:13

We are much the same here. I walk DS1 to school in the morning and go to the local shops, take the dog for a run in the park then DS2 and I hibernate until I collect DS1 at 3ish.

Its much too cold for long walks and DS2 is just getting used to walking, without having his pushchair, so there is much running after him and stress with roads etc atm.

Safer to stay in.

EricScrooge · 19/12/2007 10:17

Everyone changes their habits over the winter. Even with the older kids, instead of being out all night until bedtime they can often be found camped indoors instead through choice.

choosyfloosy · 19/12/2007 10:18

I really really sympathise and it's good that you do get out a bit every day, but - wellies? then the boggy park might be an option too. I only say this as i start to go extremely strange in the head if I am inside too much. if you are happy they will be happy.

i have to say we resorted to soft play yesterday, and it was fantastic, ds ran himself ragged for 2 solid hours. Expensive but worth it for once in a while. do you have any local friends who could help out with a lift? might mean buying car seats as well though which is a huge investment so maybe not!

EricScrooge · 19/12/2007 10:25

Yeah - softplay areas are always a good bet. They are normally only about £3 and let them play until they are all sweaty and knackered.

MellowChristmasEveryone · 19/12/2007 10:34

After seeing choosyfloosys post, me and dh were driving through Edinburgh on Saturday [The Meadows - big green area].

There were at least 5 adult people rolling around in the mud!! With their clothes on!

happyathome · 19/12/2007 12:22

merry Christmas everyone.I too worry that DD isn't getting enough 'fresh air' and exercise,but then worry that she might come down with more colds if outdoors a lot in this weather(i know you can't get colds from the cold,but if your'e incubating one,it lowers the resistance to fighting them).It's very hard with one child as far as playing out goes,because she just won't go and play in garden by herself and always wants to go out when i don't(at moment got pmt and one symptom is extreme coldness-anyone else suffer this?!-just can't feel my extremities-ooh sounded rude,i mean fingers and feet.
you worry though that theyr'e not going to be healthy with all that stale air either though don't you(often open windows whilst in house).
honestly though,i suppose i should leave her be if she doesn't want to-the fight to get her out,just for it's own sake is too stressful!.
know what you mean about going mad,being cooped up in house.should just make her go out if i'm desperate to go,and then happy mummy=happy DD hopefully?!.
we're going to have our own xmas disco at home(got one of those disco light balls and rope light) to counteract lack of exercise-may do it everytime i get stressed.also taped top 50 xmas hits off tv and going to dance/sing along to those with her.
will do library in hols too probably and maybe soft play.

Anna8888 · 19/12/2007 12:27

Don't feel guilty about this. You are doing the right thing.

Feel guilty when you stay inside on a lovely sunny day and feel guilty when you drag your LOs around town in a buggy on a grotty day, more especially when they have colds.

Roca · 19/12/2007 13:09

I am in the same situation as you Dooley1 in that I just want to stay inside in this weather - especially with the dark nights. DS1 is also 3years and all he wants to do when he gets in from pre-school is put his PJ's on and chill out! He even turned down the chance to go to the park the other day - he said it was too cold! There are too many things to feel guilty about I say so to save your sanity you just have to decide not to feel guilty! Having children is really hard - DD is now 22 months and am just 5 wks pg with DC3!! Does anyone else find themselves saying "mummy just has to put washing on/ hoover/ change a nappy/tidy round....then I'll be with you"!?

Anna8888 · 19/12/2007 13:17

LOL Roca. I'm always saying that, and a little voice says "Can I help?"...

happyathome · 19/12/2007 13:55

congrats Roca.
i've only one,but i end up doing a lot of chores,and playing with DD gets put off...the biggest guilt trip in my book,but your'e right,we need to decide to not feel guilty!.

Roca · 19/12/2007 13:59

I won't even mention TV or DVD guilt - sometimes needed just to get the veggies chopped in peace!

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