Um, my 9yo was ready to hit the sledding hill at 8am...me? I need my coffee first, haha!

We go outside every morning for 45-mins to an hour. My kids are 4 yo and 20 months. I make them go outside, and they usually like it.

You have to buy good gear - just do it. They'll be happier outside if they're in the right clothes.

I do it because I believe that it's not healthy to stay inside all day. Even when it's gray and cold outside, I can still feel the sun - it just feels good on your eyes. The fresh air is good for all of us.

Anonymous wrote:Not me. I am happy today to be inside baking bread and catching up with friends by phone. But my teen has spent 2.5 hours sledding. And I went for a super long hike yesterday so I got my vitamin D for the weekend.

Can't wait for DC to be old enough to be out on their own. I really hate cold weather but will muster up enough enthusiasm to head out tomorrow with them

This is op. We have an only and he is outside every day at a school with an outdoor philosophy. He’s not lacking outdoor time. Also I’m from Pittsburgh and we go there several times a year so snow isn’t a novelty for him. We did end up going. It was ok.

Not a question for me: my kids go outside twice a day rain or shine. For us, it is super helpful in terms of creating structure and resetting dynamics inside. If really dreadful, we may just take a walk around the block with an umbrella for 20 mins or play on the porch.

Not me. I am happy today to be inside baking bread and catching up with friends by phone. But my teen has spent 2.5 hours sledding. And I went for a super long hike yesterday so I got my vitamin D for the weekend.

Anonymous wrote:Omg how old are your kids? Mine were soooo excited to see snow when they woke up! We were outside from 11am-2pm. Now we are inside having hot chocolate and playing dolls. I only let them watch tv in the mornings and then later at night on the weekends. They need to play and do stuff outdoors! They are 4 and 6.

It's not about age. OP has mushed them with endless hours of video games and being lazy herself.

Omg how old are your kids? Mine were soooo excited to see snow when they woke up! We were outside from 11am-2pm. Now we are inside having hot chocolate and playing dolls. I only let them watch tv in the mornings and then later at night on the weekends. They need to play and do stuff outdoors! They are 4 and 6.

Anonymous wrote:My kids would always say no. It's inertia. You have to muster them and make it happen.

This. Especially if screens are an alternative for them. Screens will always win.

My kids were so excited for snow I didn’t have to take away screens to get them outside but if needed I say outside play before screens allowed.

I had my husband take them out. He likes the cold and I hate it. I went out for a few minutes to take some photos and play in the yard a bit, but then went inside.

Zero guilt. I didn’t like playing in snow as a kid either. Especially not without proper gear, which I never had.

I wasn’t going to go out. I was enjoying my cozy day inside and figured that was good enough. Ended up dragging myself out for a snowy run then met up with my kids at the sledding hill. I’m so glad I did. The snow in the woods was gorgeous and the kids were loving it. They’ve been outside the majority of the day (but are older, so don’t depend on a parent to take them out). Drag your kid out OP. You’ll be glad you did and so will he. There are so few snowstorms in DC, and we’re in the midst of an endless monotonous winter with no where to go and nothing to do. Nature has provided a much needed break. Go enjoy it!

Anonymous wrote:My kids were outside for 4 hours today. Are you lazy as well OP? It's rare that we get enough snow to go sledding and make a snowman in the DC area. They can't wait to go outside.

Of course we also make sure to give them a winter vacation every year.

Lazy? Really low pp. You going outside does not make you virtuous and "busy" you can stay inside and do things productive. In fact, you could be called the lazy one. Since when is making a snowman considered work?

Op Just let your kid be. There are plenty of well adjusted people who grow up without experiencing snow.

My kids were outside for 4 hours today. Are you lazy as well OP? It's rare that we get enough snow to go sledding and make a snowman in the DC area. They can't wait to go outside.

Of course we also make sure to give them a winter vacation every year.

I absolutely make them put down screens and go outside. They hate it while getting dressed and for the first ten minutes outside.

Then they love it and engage in creative, active play that is so, so good for them, body and soul.