Outside ~ Spring is coming!!

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Originally Posted by playfelt

No outside time here hardly ever. My parents forget on purpose not sure what all the excuses are as I don't even ask anymore to bring proper clothing. No snowpants, sometimes no hats or mitts. I used to make up for the loss now I no longer bother. I have a great set of parents that just do not value outside time. Once the snow and mud is gone it won't matter we can just go but till then not everyone on every day. My daughter works half days nearby and often comes over at lunchtime and will take out anyone with proper clothes. Even telling parents or a child complaining they didn't get to go outside doesn't seem to change the parents' behaviour. Another reason I am looking forward to a change over of kids this summer. Maybe I can train the new set to listen when I say we need snowpants to play in the snow.

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I would go nuts if I didn't get to go outside. I have extra outside clothes that I kept from our girls as a back up - snow suits/hats/boots. An idea maybe go to Value Village or Kijiji to get some second hand back ups? My parents have forgotten and giggle when they see their little boys in pink :laugh:
I'd be training the new ones to bring a suit for sure :)

Most of my families do outside time with the kids but I think part of it is that they don't value just letting them go. They take them for walks on the trails or pull them on their sleds or let them help shovel the driveway but never just take them to a wide open space and just let them go. I used to beg for clothes then decided why. Save myself the hassles of dressing and undressing. When Melissa comes over I only have to dress 2-3 out of 5 at most.

Can't wait for summer either. Next note to parents will be rain boots and splash pants must be provided for outside play - don't need muddy kids in the house for naptime. Not expecting miracles but you never know. The kids are getting a bit older and will be annoyed when their friends are out on the climber and they aren't.

If they don't bring the splash pants, take them outside at the end of the day and let them get nice and muddy for the parents when they come to pick them up. I'll bet you anything they'll show up with all the gear the very next day :laugh:

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Originally Posted by playfelt

Most of my families do outside time with the kids but I think part of it is that they don't value just letting them go. They take them for walks on the trails or pull them on their sleds or let them help shovel the driveway but never just take them to a wide open space and just let them go. I used to beg for clothes then decided why. Save myself the hassles of dressing and undressing. When Melissa comes over I only have to dress 2-3 out of 5 at most.

Can't wait for summer either. Next note to parents will be rain boots and splash pants must be provided for outside play - don't need muddy kids in the house for naptime. Not expecting miracles but you never know. The kids are getting a bit older and will be annoyed when their friends are out on the climber and they aren't.

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Funny - that is our normal outside time in the nice weather because the yard is shaded. In summer the parents meet us in the back yard to pick up their kids even. I have two boys that will be 3 so for sure not holding them back from playing.

I used to have stuff from my own kids and kept extras back when we had to go out to do school runs and such then over time it got worn out and I finally came to the conclusion that it was up to the parents to provide and if they couldn't be bothered sending it then I couldn't be bothered going out. I'm not the world's greatest in the snow either. I much prefer spring and fall. However if they provided we would be out there. Starting over this summer with three new ones so by winter they should be or nearing 18 months so there is hope and as you say another chance to get on their case to bring stuff.

If my parents show up without the proper outside clothing I have told them to turn around and go back home and get the splash pants, snow pants hats etc...after that they don't forget often. I think it is incredibly selfish for parents to do that. The other kids and myself should not suffer for another parent being inconsiderate. I have had parents bring their child in shoes on the wettest and muddiest days and I still allow that child to crawl in mud and go home with shoes that have to be removed before getting in the car and I will say "you should have brought their rain boots". They haven't done it since.

I have splashpants left here all year round and extra snowpants here all winter. I have a drawstring bag for each child that has to be filled with extra hats, sunglasses, mitts, depending on the season to be left here. There is NO WAY I would allow anybody to get away with preventing us from going outside. I'm the one who really wants to get out of here as many mornings as possible. The children are happy with whatever we are doing.

I have sent children home in muddy white shoes or painted white pants or playdo caked, etc. and the parents in my daycare all know that the clothes come in at their own risk!