SAHMs, why don't you leave the house?

[Anonymous]

I'm a SAHM to a 3 and 2 year old. I am NOT an outdoorsy person at all. But we spend most of our day outside! If not, my house gets messy and my boys are bored, and it is just not fun. If we go outside we are alert, healthier, more tired.

It baffles me how many people do not leave the house. Or, won't leave the house unless it is over 50*.

So, what do you do?

[Anonymous]

What do I do? Mind my own business. Perhaps you'd like to try.

[Anonymous]

When my kids were little everyone was outside all the time. Playgrounds were packed. In really bad weather we got together at someone's house instead.

[Anonymous]

My kids dont love going outside more than an hour or so. So we do that, we so crafts (omg so many crafts), they play independently in our basement or their bedrooms, we pick up older kids from school, we often volunteer at their schools during the day, things like that. On MWF they go to the gym daycare for 75 minutes. I do invoicing and payroll for a family business so on the 14th and 30/1st if every month we do downtown and turn that in and check on that office. We also clean a lot. My kids are good helpers. My little kids have gymnastics and they also attend older kids sports and activities. I dont know, the day evaporates.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:When my kids were little everyone was outside all the time. Playgrounds were packed. In really bad weather we got together at someone's house instead.

Perhaps it is generational? We wear wool clothes and hats and mittens and go outside. We had plans this morning to go on a walk and everyone cancelled because of the cold.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:What do I do? Mind my own business. Perhaps you'd like to try.

See how easily you get triggered when you never leave your house.

[Anonymous]

I leave the house everyday. I am one of those people who don’t like to play outside if it isn’t over 50 degrees. We go to play areas, nature centers, friends’ houses, museums, etc.

Are you venting about homebodies or people who don’t like to play outside in the cold?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I leave the house everyday. I am one of those people who don’t like to play outside if it isn’t over 50 degrees. We go to play areas, nature centers, friends’ houses, museums, etc.

Are you venting about homebodies or people who don’t like to play outside in the cold?

Both? It was nice on Friday and I noticed 99% more moms and strollers outside (during the day) in my neighborhood. Like, where have you been for 5 months?!?

[Anonymous]

Huh? In my neighborhood, as long as it's above 30 degrees (unless it's just after a snowstorm) there are kids out playing.

Where do you live?

[Anonymous]

I live where it gets very cold (Canada) so we don’t get out every day. Sometimes, its just not safe to take even a well dressed toddler out for more than a few minutes.

We have the last few days, when it’s been around 20-30F out.

We have a full play structure set up for DD in the house, and a large area where she can play on ride-ones, play soccer, etc. We invite people over. We play alone. Sometimes, we go to lending libraries and play groups.

That being said, OP, consider this a lesson in People Do Things Differently Than You Do.

[Anonymous]

When my kids were little, we stayed home a lot because I had a baby/toddler with weak lungs and I prioritized naptime above playing outside.

Now that they are a bit older (3 & 5), we have to get out or they do tear the house apart. Although, there are some days where they get into a groove and play/craft/dress up/whatever beautifully together all day and really don’t want to leave. On those days, we stay home and have a dance party/clean-up at the end of the day.

[Anonymous]

I’ve somewhat noticed this too. Maybe not to the extent OP has noticed it. But I will regularly take my kid to the playground when it’s around 40 or so, as long as it’s not super windy/raining. And we’re always the only ones there or there’s maybe one nanny with the kids she watches. But on Monday when it was much nicer, the playground was packed. Where do all these people go when it’s not 60 and sunny? I guess they just play at home or brave getting the flu/norovirus at the indoor play areas?

[Anonymous]

I have Lupus and being outside in the sun triggers me, unfortunately. Even if I cover up. I feel badly for my kids, but I’m uncomfortable if I’m outside all day.

[Anonymous]

Because my house is lovely and my children play nicely without making too much mess

Actually, we do go outside but we avoid you because you're mean.

[Anonymous]

We go to the park only when we see that the annoying moms aren’t there.