Do you get your children out in the fresh air every day?

[Daimari]

I do try but it’s raining pretty relentlessly here (12 months so not able to walk confidently yet.)

Probably a daft thread but I always think it seems to impact sleep!

No, I used to when she was younger but now she's at school and after-school clubs every day so at the weekend she wants to veg out understandably. Preschool, I got out 6 / 7 for my own sanity.

Yes I try to. I don't see the point in dragging them out in the rain though just for the sake of it, unless we've actually got somewhere we're going.

Yes, but I know that I have to go outside every day and notice the difference in myself if I don’t. DH can easily do 3-4 days of not leaving the house so some days is taking kids swimming as he enjoys that more than a wet walk/bike ride!

I try to. My DD was always in a better mood if she'd been outside, and by the time she was 3 it as really noticeable how differently she behaved in the evenings of she hadn't had a decent walk. We'd potter into the village, borrow a book from the library and sit on a bench to read it if it was dry. Then park for half an hour. Bliss. Snack and naptime when she got home.
Alas, my DTwins seem determined to be late walkers - 14 months and not even close. They nap in the pram and they have waterproofs for going in the swings, but it means we can't combine fresh air and exercise yet. Roll on outdoor walking so we can potter to the playground! Crawling in the wet is grotty.

I was just thinking the same thing! I am an out everyday with toddler person but have only been out twice this week as it was so cold! We were supposed to be going out today but it’s non stop raining so I think I might give it a miss. Not sure if I’m being unreasonable, I’m sure toddler would still love it but I wouldn’t!

Yes. They get a bit wet but it's not the end of the world. Kids and clothes can be washed and dried. Days in don't tend to end well for us! The DCs get hyper and argumentative with eachother, and then by the end of the day they struggle to settle to sleep.

I have a toddler. We don't go out every day. It doesn't seem to make a massive difference to him and he doesn't like having the rain cover on the pram or walking in the rain so it seems a lot of hassle for no real benefit. We've been doing puzzles and colouring and making a giant train track this morning. This afternoon we'll do some baking and I'll probably make an assault course in the sitting room and/or put some music on and have a 'disco'. He goes to nursery during the week so I think it's nice for him to have some downtime and play with me/his toys.

If the weather is bad like today we will just go on a short walk maybe to visit nan or auntie just to get them out our house and change of scenery for a half hour.

Yes, since DC could crawl. For crawling babies, you need a rainsuit and something to cover their hands and feet. I used large dog paw covers which meant DC couldn't pick up cigarette butts and twigs and put them in their mouth.

Then you just put them down on the grass and let them go.

I do with my 7 year old. I’ve always regretted it by 3 pm or so on the odd day I haven’t. It seems to really impact his mood!

No, at 10 and 14, one will ask if he wants to go somewhere and the other goes out with his friends.

I think even a push in the pram with the rain cover on is better than nothing, they get to see other things than just being stuck indoors at home and its mental stimulation if nothing else...

Yep. Without fail. DS is autistic and physical exercise is a massive help in enabling him to manage sensory overload. If it's raining we just wellie-up. In the summer holidays he's pretty much out from the crack of Dawn until bedtime on the trampoline - he's 8 and almost has a 6-pack from the bouncing

Usually yes, but today it has not stopped raining - not drizzling, proper drain blocking rain - since we woke up. Preschooler would probably appreciate a walk but the 5mo screams like a banshee if you put the raincover on the buggy so we’re staying in. Sadly there’s a lot of screen time and colouring going on today.

Not every day, no. We're a busy family so if we've got the chance to relax at home one day, we usually take it!

Nope, but I’m mn you will be told you are a terrible parent if you don’t 😂

When they were little, we went out most days. Now they are older, it's a struggle as they really aren't keen but I make sure I get out most days.

Always when mine were younger. I'd have gone mad!! Waterproofs, wellies and warm clothes.

Im should be on* !

Yes, every single bloody day. They’re vile to each other without some fresh air and exercise in the morning. This morning we walked in the rain to and from the pool for their swimming lessons and then went to the local library, looked at books and stopped in the library cafe for a biscuit and coffee.

I do try to get them out of the house every day (so this might mean to another indoor area) and into fresh air on most days. When it's really miserable weather (as in painfully miserable) or we are just too busy I might not but usually feel quite bad about it.

How are people having these nice walks with their kids? Mine fight just as much when walking. Moan their legs are tired. One inevitably falls off a scooter and cries. I've never understood this wrap up and have a walk every day thing

@Steelesauce

How are people having these nice walks with their kids? Mine fight just as much when walking. Moan their legs are tired. One inevitably falls off a scooter and cries. I've never understood this wrap up and have a walk every day thing

Bribery. We're taking the leftover Christmas chocolate on walks with us and having 'chocolate stops'. No chocolate for moaners... it's just munched in front of them.

Generally, yes. If it was absolutely pouring all day I probably wouldn't though. But you can usually find at least a brief period of dry/light rain to get out in.

Re. the rain cover, if it's not too heavy and you have hood up and footmuff on you can get away without the cover so the child also benefits from a but of fresh air. Or look for a rain cover that has the little window in it!

@3mealsaday I love the savageness of scoffing the choc in front of the whingebag I've tried walking to a cafe with the promise of cake etc. But someone usually trips/falls/needs a wee/refuses to walk. Its always chaos and I prefer to set them all free in a park n watch them from a bench