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Teenagers

Parenting teenagers has its ups and downs. Get advice from Mumsnetters here.

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Original poster

How much time do your teenagers spend out of doors?

26 replies

violethill · 23/01/2009 20:29

We were quite an 'outdoorsy' family when the kids were younger - lots of country walks, playing in the garden etc but I'm aware that apart from the walk to school (about 25 mins each way) mine aren't outside a huge amount.

Also, if you feel the same as me, have you tried, with any success, to get them outside more? Mine aren't sporty types, so suggesting joining a football team would be the kiss of death.

OP posts:

Squirdle · 23/01/2009 20:40

DS1 (15) goes Kayaking twice a week, on Tuesday evenings and Sunday mornings and thoroughly enjoys it! We got in touch with our local canoe club last year thinking he may enjoy it (SIL and BIL are keen canooeists) and he has taken to it...well like a duck to water . We gave him a kayak for Christmas.

He also does Aikido, Drama and loves music and does the lighting for his friends gigs.

I think it is so important for teenagers to have hobbies. My parents bnever encouraged hobbies, but DH's parents did. DH has quite a few hobbies too, whereas I don't really have any...except reading!

DS1 isn't a footbally type, but kayaking is different...maybe suggest they give it a go.

SgianDubh · 23/01/2009 20:43

it was so much easier when they were younger, go to the playground, walk the dog, ride the bikes.
now. well there is every excuse not to frankly.. from ds point of view.. though currently doing rugby twice a week

mysterymoniker · 23/01/2009 20:44

my 18yo rides for about 4 hours a week and has been known to walk the dog now and then

my 16yo doesn't really go out very often

janeite · 23/01/2009 20:45

Not enough. We insist on their going at least a short walk with us at least once per weekend unless it is howling down. Unfortunately we usually end up bribing them with chocolate or a stop in a coffee shop to do so.

SgianDubh · 23/01/2009 20:45

would any join a running group or something?

christywhisty · 23/01/2009 20:51

We have a mariners base nearby so ds 13 now goes down there on a saturday morning and does climbing/caving/ bell boating or canoeing. he loves sailing and usually uses the base in the holidays.
Also goes scouts on friday which is often outside on school field.
Rides bike to the station and back most days.
He also does lifesaving and just started shaolin.
We are within walking distants of a huge national park and last weekend we went over there taking photos for ds's homework.

atowncalledalice · 23/01/2009 20:52

DS1 runs cross-country and goes for a run three or four times a week as well as training at school. He does a lot of drama as well, which is at least out of the house if not outdoors! He's 17.

Original poster

violethill · 24/01/2009 09:28

janeite - how old are yours, and how do you 'insist' on them coming along?
I think walks with the promise of a coffee shop are the way to go with my lot, but how do actually get them out of the door?

OP posts:

cory · 24/01/2009 09:32

am so at all of you, expect I could do the discipline thing, but dd has chronic health problems and if I dragged her out onto any moors that would muck up her whole week

even getting soaked in a shower makes her ill

and I thought I'd be one of those jolly brisk parents who'd rear tough outdoorsy children

can I borrow some of yours instead?

ZZZen · 24/01/2009 09:44

Think I would have liked kayaking as a teenager come to think of it, though perhaps less in winter

Squirdle · 24/01/2009 10:00

ZZZ, Ds and DH went on a Tuesday evening a couple of weeks ago, when it was minus something They say with all the gear on and being inside a kayak, it is nice and warm. Can't say I'd be doing it though

DS really does love it. There are children of his age there and they mess around on the water. He has been to competitions etc and they often go off at weekends to faster water. And the best bit is that the fee is just £50 a year for a family membership!!

Lins75 · 24/01/2009 11:19

My daughter spends little time outdoors, I mostly take her shopping or so with me...

However the stepkids spend a lot of time outside. DSD horseback rides, does chearleeding, all sorts of things...
DSS is also the sporty type.

When we have time we go somwehere on the snow for the weekend or in the country but it doesn't happen that often as my husband works a lot.

themoon66 · 24/01/2009 11:22

Mine never moves from his room hardly. In fact, I could probably start a thread titled 'does your teenager EVER see daylight?'

desertmum · 25/01/2009 12:49

Mine (12 and 14) don't go out much. DS used to ride his bike and skateboard, but that is very rare nowadays. They are on MSN a lot, doing homework (or so they say!) and generally just lounging around. They do 'hang out' round the comound at the weekend, but you couldn't class it as exercise!

frannikin · 25/01/2009 13:03

I turned into a complete recluse when I was about 13 and emerged when I was 17 or so. I just wasn't an outdoorsy person - I preferred doing embroidery, reading, music practice and homework. Bane of my parents' life!

Occasionally I was dragged out on a family walk (with a book), sailing (with a book), riding (with no book and daydreaming the whole way) or on a bike ride (with a book because I always took the back seat on the tandem and just pedalled and read!).

mrsmaidamess · 25/01/2009 13:06

My dd is horizontal for 80% of any given Saturday and Sunday. She refuses to leave the house unless there is a Hot Chocolate in it for her at some point during the trip.

mumblechum · 27/01/2009 13:14

DS does rowing training 8 hours a week on a freezing river. Also does karate and drums in a band, but of course they're indoors.

We used to drag him with us on long country walks but he really didn't enjoy them so we've left him at home since he was about 12.

Is out and about all weekend with his mates or they'll all pile into his room to play ps3.

AMumInScotlandsAMumForAThat · 27/01/2009 13:21

Very little - I think he reckons "out of doors" is some strange alien landscape best looked at from behind glass!

mumblechum · 27/01/2009 13:31

All you parents of teens who stay in at weekends - are they happy to do that? DS whinges that his weekend sucked if he hasn't had a social whirlwind.

Linda35 · 12/04/2009 21:37

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flashpan · 14/04/2009 17:16

How much should parents get involved in trying to get teens outdoors? My ds1 (15) wouldn't leave the house unless i made him and is a constant battle. Would it be better if i just left him to fester in front of TV/computer? We have tried getting him to do stuff but with so little in return you have to think why bother?

noddyholder · 15/04/2009 08:53

I can't get mine to stay in during the day!he skateboards about 7 hours a day in teh holidays and weekends After school in summer about 2 hrs a day and is subsequently exhausted at night and doesn't do much!He is 14 will be 15 in May

Linda35 · 15/04/2009 20:57

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Ewe · 15/04/2009 20:59

My DSis and her friends (16 yo) all spend plenty of time outside... Smoking and drinking in parks

brimfull · 15/04/2009 21:00

dd went for a run today

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