When does the ‘need exercising like a dog’ phase end?

[WecanlaughHaHa]

I have a nearly 2 year old and a nearly 5 year old. We started the morning at 6am (as per usual) and by 7am it was clear both had lots of energy to burn (as per usual). So we went out not long after 8am to our local city with big park and museum. We took a picnic and came home for 3pm ish. I’ve walked over 8km and my 4 year old will have exceeded that with all of his running back and forth/climbing steps/playing in the park etc. He has now settled to some LEGO he got with Xmas money, but I know he’ll need to go on his trampoline again after tea to burn more energy. My 1 year old has also walked multiple KM today. He lasted about half an hour after waking from his nap before he was crying at the door with his shoes in his hands to go outside again. The idea of parents being able to stay in all day with their DC is mind blowing!

They are fab boys but absolutely exhausting (especially as eldest never stops talking and youngest seems to be heading the same way) Does the ‘need exercising like dogs’ phase end? Or are some kids like this forever? 😂

My boyfriend is like this aged 50!

Hmmm 9 and we are still here... I'll let you know

About 12 when they discover gaming?

Mine are 10 and 7 and it they definitely still need expensive every day, but it isn't as bad as it used to be. They stay up later now though 😩, but not such early starts

It doesn't end but gets easier once you can sit on a bench and drink coffee while they run round the playground, or send them out into the garden unaccompanied. Mine are 8&5 and it's got noticeably easier over the last year.

15 years and counting

Exercise*

My autocorrect is unhinged 🙄

My grandson was the original duracell bunny until hormones kicked in and now at 16 he's a bed hogger.

13 and counting but now it's more lifts to gymnastics clubs and paying the bills!

9 year old here and still going. He gets the zoomies most evenings. I am hoping that I have managed to wear him out today with a hill walk and up and down the high street.

Actually scratch that he has just leapt up off the sofa and is skipping around the living room.

16 years and counting here 😂

The good thing is from a certain age they can thankfully exercise themselves!

Thanks everyone. I had a horrible feeling this might be us for a fair few more years to come.

To be fair I really struggle doing nothing and I’m usually on the go (although preferably on more sleep!) My DH is so chilled and calm and can quite happily sit on the sofa staring at a wall for an hour 🤣 if only they got more of his genes!

18yrs old and trains 15-20hrs week competes nationally in her sport. Some kids just have more energy and need more stimulation. It gets easier post 8/9yrs old when you can leave them in activities. Sport is brilliant for kids like this my DD did several different ones a week but once she got to 13yr specialised to compete at a higher level. She has learnt so much about working in team, being resilient as she’s not medalled more than winning. It’s her other family gives a sense of belonging to her tribe.

Mine all are runners so still run between 5 to10k a day in late teens!

Maybe you need a calmer routine. If you are an on-the-go type as you say then you might have instilled this in them. 8 is very early to leave the house (in my opinion) and makes the day longer. When mine were toddlers we went out around 9-10 and came home at 1-2. They had naps in the afternoon until age 3-4 and a rest after naps were over until 3pm. We hardly ever wenr anywhere later in the afternoon. Of course, everyone is different but I do think there's a culture of 'keeping kids busy' these days which isn't always necessary (in my opinion). Do you have a garden? Mine spent afternoons in the garden a lot when they were little or doing crafts.

I do see what you are saying @bettydavieseyes . But I think it’s largely just personality driven. My eldest stopped napping bang on 2 and has only really recently got the idea of quiet play (he did really well with his Lego today after being tired out). We had no success with implementing quiet time after he dropped the nap as he just wouldn’t stop. You can’t physically make a toddler sit and be still and quiet…at least, I don’t think you can!

And to be fair I’m hardly keeping them busy. They are perfectly good at doing that themselves. They’d just far rather be doing it outside and with movement than still and indoors. It sounds like the amount of exercise my kids get would burn yours out - as you say, everyone is different.

Never, they just get old enough to do it on their own!

Varies massively. I have 3 DC; DC 1 was super chilled and never seemed to need to burn off energy. Happy quietly pottering , reading, watching TV etc. Very sedentary child. DC 2 (twin 1) is like a dog , take her out for plenty exercise and she'll sleep well. Twin 2 /DC 3 is A LUNATIC WHO IS NEVER TIRED. No amount of exercise is enough, even at 8yo. Sorry!

It would have burnt one out although my youngest was extremely active, so much so I wondered if she had adhd. She was later diagnosed with autism age 5. I would agree on the personality aspect but do think some of it is also us. She didnt like naps either, so did nap less than my other one. I put the telly on. Some might not agree with that of course and again, some kids won't watch TV.

Yes same.

Although mine is almost 5 and he’s getting easier as he can do more things whilst I watch now. Ie he will happily play in park with other kids as I mainly sit with other parents and watch, just helping occasionally ie zip line.

Our routine is roughly, 8-12 kindergarten ( until he’s 6 here). 12-2 lunch, indoor play. 2-4pm outside ie garden, park, bike, woods. 4-5.30pm sport activity if on. 6-7pm dinner and play. 7-8pm outside for walk again before bed or garden play once it’s lighter and warmer ( in winter play indoors) .8pm bedtime. 9-9.30pm he finally falls asleep as still not tired. Wakes about 6-6.30am