Do your children play outside in winter?

Person_one

Ok, this approach isn't for everybody but I'd knock on her door and say you want to clear the air. Tell her if she's got any concerns about your children you'd like to put her mind at ease, and that she can always come to you in the future if she's worried.

Basically, kill her with kindness and make sure that if anybody's going to feel awkward from now on, up won't be you.

mrcow

GobbledyGook wrote: »

Where do yours play in the winter?

That's a genuine question btw. There's no way they could play in the garden as the rain has just left the grass like a swamp.

They don't really play outside in winter. We're out and about most days, but they don't play outside if we're at home unless it's in the garden.

I have three children and they play non stop (unless they are eating or doing homework). Mainly in the bedrooms or living room. Mostly some sort of creative play. Sometimes doing stuff in the kitchen. Our house is quite large so there are options.

mrcow

GobbledyGook wrote: »

She didn't realise I could hear her, but realised that I had heard her when she seen me. She didn't say anything, just blushed bright red and walked out. I didn't say anything, just got my shopping, smiled politely when the shopkeeper (who lives near us) praised my children and told me to ignore her and then left. I've got about 50 clever, witty or intelligent responses now, but had none at the time!

You don't need any.

You handled it perfectly as it was. saying nothing and leting her stew in the fact that she's been outed as a disingenuous gossip is enough.

Just hold your head up, hold your tongue and keep your dignity.

Ruby_woo

I'm all for children playing outside. My son always did in all weathers and it did him the world of good. With the right clothing on then why not? I always liked to make sure the bath water was dirty at the end of each day and you don't get that by sitting in front of the tv all day!

When he was small I always sat outside and watched him and as he got older he had to stay in the close and there were also other children out playing and other parents keeping an eye out too.

The only thing that I have an issue with is children being out unsupervised. Little April jones disappeared whilst out in the dark in October whilst playing on her bike. IMO she shouldn't have been out at that time of night on a wet, dark winter evening with the illness she had but that's just my thoughts.

Your neighbour is just being nasty so take no notice.

X

DigForVictory

This is the utter down side to being a parent. We're all beginners. So we're all hideously vulnerable to criticism, even from people whose judgement & opinions we wouldn't heed, as we're afraid we're doing it wrong. Or that others will think we're doing it wrong.

So, some people develop spectacular deafness & others utter paranoia, as the worst insult is to be a Bad Parent. But they sound happy, healthy, glad to be outside (& properly supervised) children, so grin & mentally dropkick this *comment* off your planet.

thorsoak

Mine played outside if they wanted to in all sorts of weathers ...providing they were dressed for the weather why not?

My DGDs have just been in 7th Heaven ...playing outside in goodness knows what degrees of cold in Connecticut, making snowmen ...whilst those who actually LIVE in Connecticut h(DGS & DGD1) have stayed inside - snow is sooo boring ...yawwwn!!

Ignore silly neighbours - what do they know about your family!

snowcat75

Luckily I don't have neighbors and if I did I wouldn't give a stuff about there thoughts, I was bought up on a farm, as are my kids , Going out all weathers, getting dirty, Eating dirt, Doing things that are slightly dangerous (gasp) are part of everyday life, My kids bounced around in the truck and came to do certain jobs before they could walk.

After all this neglect they are believe or not some of the healthiest bigest kids in there age group. My eldest found an old fox scull the other day around an old pond when were looking for pheasents, he bagged it up and went into school with it for show and tell, I wonder how many parents were horrified by that, The other kids loved it and thought it was cool.

Wilma33

What time do you "kick them out"? Parents with young children are often operating on a different time zone to childless career women. And being woken up to screeching kids playing in the street can be annoying.

MumOf2Beasties

Hello OP, I must say I had a giggle to myself reading your first post, what a silly thing for her to be gossiping about!

Of course your children should be out playing, enjoying fresh air and each others company.

I realised a short while ago that my children didn't like going out in the rain because I moaned about it (didn't want to mess up my hair LOL)....I now have a raincoat and wellies and we all go out for walks whatever the weather

Anyway, do whatever makes you and YOUR children happy, ignore pointless criticism and enjoy your time with them and please do not 'admire' people for career etc, people who use kind words, are caring to others and are good friends/neighbours deserve your admiration much more than a woman who will sell you out for a bit of gossip in the corner shop.

All the best

P.s I will be pinching treat box idea :P

jackomdj

My children play outside. They play in our close on their bikes, scooters, flickers, and now their new skates. They love being outside. They are 9 and 6. The 6 year old can only go out if someone is with her, that could be us, her sister or a neighbours child who she plays with. Like you, I watch out the window constantly if we are not there.

I too like your sweet box idea :-)