S/O. Are your toddlers and babies outside three hours a day?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:FTM here- why is it important for toddlers to be outside 3 hours a day?

Yes, why is 3 the benchmark?

~1000 hours per year

Can anyone point me to robust, peer reviewed research that supports this recommendation?

I think it’s just a suggestion to make our kids healthier.

How so?

Sunlight and fresh air. Free play in nature and physical activity in climbing in playgrounds. Even free play in snow is healthful.

Ask your pediatrician or do a quick google search. Outdoor time lessens mood disorders too.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:FTM here- why is it important for toddlers to be outside 3 hours a day?

Yes, why is 3 the benchmark?

~1000 hours per year

Can anyone point me to robust, peer reviewed research that supports this recommendation?

https://www.pediatricnursing.org/article/S0882-5963(17)30185-9/fulltext

https://www.mdpi.com/1660-4601/12/6/6475

The 1000 hours a year is just a catchy thing to encourage it, I think it stems from a book? I can’t remember. Look I agree this thread is feeling over the top. Counting the minutes isn’t the point. But there is plenty to stay that outdoor time is great for kids, I’m not sure that is really in question.

I don’t think this thread is over the top at all! The parents responding that they do it seem sane and it’s just part of their routine. No one is counting minutes.

[Anonymous]

Much more in the summer but yeah, generally we average about three hours a day.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:This conversation is ridiculous. We have friends in Scandinavian countries where it would be impossible to take kids outside for 3+ hours a day all year round, because of how short and cold the days get in the winter time. And these are very outdoorsy people who take their kids to school in the dark on skis and will arrange work schedules around being able to go hiking or to the park during the brief daylight hours. But they also accept that at certain times of the year, they will spend most of their time inside. They cook, play music, sauna, and do other cozy indoor activities. It's fine and their kids are happy and healthy.

It is extremely silly to have an argument about this when it's going to be heavily dictated by weather and where you live.

I’m Scandinavian and grew up being outside at least three hours a day even in the darkest days of winter. Your friends clearly aren’t natives or acting like natives.

[Anonymous]

I try to. I know it’s good for both of them and for me! It’s just tough with a toddler and squirmy seven month old. But yes, we definitely try.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:FTM here- why is it important for toddlers to be outside 3 hours a day?

Yes, why is 3 the benchmark?

~1000 hours per year

Can anyone point me to robust, peer reviewed research that supports this recommendation?

Randoms on social media.

[Anonymous]

In the winter, no. Probably 1-2 hours a day bc I’m a wimp and hate the cold. But we make up for it the rest of the year and spend lots of time outside every day. I get soooooo bored inside our house with my toddler (SAHM) so we do walks, playground, backyard play dates, parks, etc. to fill up our mornings before naptime and then generally in the non winter months another hour or so outside after nap before we come in to do dinner, etc. But I don’t really track it and some weeks are better than others but yeah we get outside for me just as much as for my son. We spend all day at the pool or in the backyard with water activities in the summer so I don’t mind the hot & humid DC summer weather.

[Anonymous]

The people on this thread are either lying or they are literally the only people in the DMV who take their kids out. I live in TOV and even on nice days I see very few kids out and about or on the playground. I don’t get it. Where are all the kids??

[Anonymous]

lol didn't our parents just let us go outside to play so we wouldn't bug them?

now are we expected to be right by their sides while they do this?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:lol didn't our parents just let us go outside to play so we wouldn't bug them?

now are we expected to be right by their sides while they do this?

Right. Intensive parenting strikes again.

I’m all about getting kids out into the yard but there’s housework to be done. I do that when my kids are awake.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:This conversation is ridiculous. We have friends in Scandinavian countries where it would be impossible to take kids outside for 3+ hours a day all year round, because of how short and cold the days get in the winter time. And these are very outdoorsy people who take their kids to school in the dark on skis and will arrange work schedules around being able to go hiking or to the park during the brief daylight hours. But they also accept that at certain times of the year, they will spend most of their time inside. They cook, play music, sauna, and do other cozy indoor activities. It's fine and their kids are happy and healthy.

It is extremely silly to have an argument about this when it's going to be heavily dictated by weather and where you live.

I’m Scandinavian and grew up being outside at least three hours a day even in the darkest days of winter. Your friends clearly aren’t natives or acting like natives.

Not Scandinavian myself but when we were in Iceland people had their babies out in all weather, and left them outdoors when they went into shops (which, when you think about it, is likely much healthier than being in a closed shop with winter colds..) their kids were definitely getting 3+

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:The people on this thread are either lying or they are literally the only people in the DMV who take their kids out. I live in TOV and even on nice days I see very few kids out and about or on the playground. I don’t get it. Where are all the kids??

Clemenjontri every weekend day.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:lol didn't our parents just let us go outside to play so we wouldn't bug them?

now are we expected to be right by their sides while they do this?

Right. Intensive parenting strikes again.

I’m all about getting kids out into the yard but there’s housework to be done. I do that when my kids are awake.

I know outdoor play is great and I also like being outdoors, but it’s frustrating that you can’t get anything done when you’re watching your kids outside. Inside, I can supervise them playing while I do dishes, laundry, make dinner. It makes me wish I had a fenced in backyard off the kitchen - I think that would make it a lot easier.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:lol didn't our parents just let us go outside to play so we wouldn't bug them?

now are we expected to be right by their sides while they do this?

Well this is the infant, toddler and preschooler board, so yes I would expect parents to be by kids side when they're outside.

[Anonymous]

I try and do outdoor play as much as possible. But I notice a lot of the people saying how easy it is and how they do it for hours a day only have one child. It gets harder when it’s snowing and you have a baby and toddler. Taking toddler out in the snow is east (except for getting in their snow gear…). Taking toddler and baby outside in the snow, or even cold… you have to be motivated. Even taking a baby and toddler on a walk on a nice day or to the playground can be a hassle. You sit down to nurse the baby or change a diaper and the toddler runs off.