I am feeling under huge pressure to provide my 17 mo with the opportunity to exercise outdoors for 73 hours per day.....

[Thankyouandgoodnight]

We are city dwellers, I'm 32 weeks PG and DD is 17 months old. We go out twice a day but it may just be for a short walk / to the park / to the library / to the shops and I'm feeling guilty that I'm not going to the park more. The rest of the time is just spent at home while she plays with toys or we read books etc. I am worried that she's bored and not getting enough fresh air but I am exhaustipated.
How much outdoor time do your little ones get?

I think that sounds fine

What does she think about it?

If she's bouncing off the walls, steadily destroying the house I'd diagnose 'more walkies needed'. Else, it's fine.

I had the same guilt trip when I was pregnant with ds2. Ds1 was 3 so I thought I was contractually obliged to let him run around for hours! He was fine, I was doing my best and it was enough. Please don't give yourself a hard time, it's only for a few weeks.

i think 2 trips per day is loads for a 17 month old...

surely hwr routine is...

wake up
breakfast
outing
lunch
sleep
outing
tea
bed?

that sounds pretty good to me

I know the feeling. I take my DS (21 months) out every day. But he is constantly demanding walks and sometimes I just want to chill out inside especially in the mornings!! I agree you should judge by her behaviour if she is bored or not. Also it might not have to be "outside" it could be in a soft play area or just someone else's house with fresh toys.

p.s. I'm 37 wks pregnant - and am staying in all day much more than normal. Three flights of stairs and a non walking toddler have broken my spirit! I'm sure I'll bounce back when I've had the baby, and the sunshine comes.

Thanks everyone - she's not climbing the walls but she does love to have a clamber about and I do think it's good for kids to get plenty of fresh air - it's just that it requires lots of standing / walking or lifting back and forth on my part!

She's bored with her toys and books and she's not quite old enough for playdough or other crafty things to hold her attention for very long. I'm lucky if we get 10 minutes out of it. She loves being with other children but all the groups around here are over lunch time which is when she sleeps for 2 hours. She is at nursery 3 days a week, so she gets lots of stuff there.

I have the same problem with my DS i.e. the play groups in town are while he naps. Its hard. Do you have a garden or outside space? A sand and water table is great entertainment!

I have to say, it is very reassuring to know that I'm not the only one.