Too Young To Exercise? Really?

[daycare]

My DCK are very active. Every day we preform several different types of very physical activities.

Yesterday we went on an adventure hike. I set up a treasure map and planned out a treasure hunt for all of the kids. One of my dck is only 17 months old.

We were outside off and on for about 5 hrs yesterday in perfect 70 degree weather.

I used my pedometer to calculate our distance traveled that day, just to show the kids. Total for the day was over 2 miles of walking. Again this was off and on over the entire day.

I posted our day on our website about what we did, pictures and our impressive miles hiked.

This morning DCM rips me a new one telling me that was way too much for a 17 month old and that her child is too young to exercise. This mom never asked me, even though she saw pictures of the wagon, how her child got around throughout the entire day. the child was not crying, did not struggle and actually wanted to walk and run with the big kids 90% of the time we were out.

Is this too much for a 17 month old? Is this child too young for my program?.

[laundrymom]

My DCK are very active. Every day we preform several different types of very physical activities.

Yesterday we went on an adventure hike. I set up a treasure map and planned out a treasure hunt for all of the kids. One of my dck is only 17 months old.

We were outside off and on for about 5 hrs yesterday in perfect 70 degree weather.

I used my pedometer to calculate our distance traveled that day, just to show the kids. Total for the day was over 2 miles of walking. Again this was off and on over the entire day.

I posted our day on our website about what we did, pictures and our impressive miles hiked.

This morning DCM rips me a new one telling me that was way too much for a 17 month old. This mom never asked me, even though she saw pictures of the wagon, how her child got around throughout the entire day. the child was not crying, did not struggle and actually wanted to walk and run with the big kids 90% of the time we were out.

Is this too much for a 17 month old? Is this child too young for my program?.

I think you should use the new one she ripped you to leave her a gift. ;-).

You did great.

My response, after I picked my surprised jaw up, would be,... I'm so sorry you feel that way. Let me get you the termination form to sign so I can start calling through my waiting list, because you will NOT yell at me like this again.

[Heidi]

I remember one mom who arrived in the am with her son (8 mo), we were on our way to walk (65 degrees and slightly breezy, sunny). Spot was waiting in the stroller.

"Oh, my, are you going OUTSIDE? Little N- is just not DRESSED to go outside". ...

"Yes..xx..we go out side every day at this time". argggg!

SHe did not last long, btw. First parent I ever "fired"!

[Heidi]

sorry! I just realized I "hijacked"!!!

You did nothing wrong...she is a whackoooo!::

[daycare]

sorry! I just realized I "hijacked"!!!

You did nothing wrong...she is a whackoooo!::

....hijack away...its nice to hear the experiences that others have had like yours so I know I am not alone in this....

I am not a good place for your child if you are raising a bubble baby or couch potato.....

[Meyou]

My kids walk 2-5 km EVERY DAY. Plus hours of outside play. You aren't doing anything wrong. That mother is totally out of line.

[SilverSabre25]

mom's nuts. I see no problem with that and think it's great!!

Reminds me a bit of a family I interviewed early in the summer--it was just before my baby was born and they were looking for care for their 2 month old. She thought that it would be too hot outside for her baby if it was warmer than 85 degrees. Even dressed in just a diaper (she might catch a chill). And the mom wasn't happy with the idea of the baby laying next time me on a blanket under a shady tree, or reclined in a stroller beside me, or even napping in a pack n play I set up outside in the shade..

Needless to say, she didn't choose my program. Which was fine...I wasn't going to accept her!

[daycare]

mom's nuts. I see no problem with that and think it's great!!

Reminds me a bit of a family I interviewed early in the summer--it was just before my baby was born and they were looking for care for their 2 month old. She thought that it would be too hot outside for her baby if it was warmer than 85 degrees. Even dressed in just a diaper (she might catch a chill). And the mom wasn't happy with the idea of the baby laying next time me on a blanket under a shady tree, or reclined in a stroller beside me, or even napping in a pack n play I set up outside in the shade..

Needless to say, she didn't choose my program. Which was fine...I wasn't going to accept her!

wow...bubble baby....

This is the youngest child in my DC and i normally don't take this young, but my numbers were way down.

He is only here part time and I have been getting calls for full time the last few days, so I think that this child may be hiking out of here... I love him already, hes just so darn cute.....But you know how it goes....The mom in the PITA..........ugh....

I am trying to be understanding, but still keeping a backbone

[AnneCordelia]

We do the school walk twice a day. My 3yos all walk 4 miles a day. My babies come in the stroller but as they're learning to walk I'm letting them do it more. We often detour to the park (adding a mile to our day) and play there for an hour in the mornings too. Not to mention time in my backyard every afternoon.

I have 4 1yos and 2 3yos.

[sharlan]

Question - is the child coming home and crying from leg cramps?

Kids need to be outside running and playing. They need the vit D from the sun. They need the fresh air.

As long as the child isn't crying, isn't getting sunburned (or hypothermia), then I think what you are doing is right.

[mismatchedsocks]

Wow you would think that she would be happy you had the child up and moving and not in a stroller the whole time! Its not like you marched them all in a line for 5 hours and you walked 2 miles straight. geesh

Great job, keep doing as you are doing.

[Unregistered]

It seems kind of far when you actually come right out and say 2 miles, but I bet that little fella would walk that far in a day just playing in the house too. That age never sits unless they have to and then they don't really like it much. I'd say keep up the good work. I wish I had somewhere we could go that was within a 1 mile walking distance.

[daycare]

well as we all say..... We can't please every single one of them...

I am just going to let it ride until the end of the year....But, I am going to stand my ground and not bend for this family Like I have in the past...


thanks for the replies... I actually was starting to doubt myself for a second there. Many of you that know me, know I do this a lot....The parents get to me and I start to feel like I am doing something wrong...

I have to learn to stop doing that.....

[Meyou]

It's really not that far, daycare. It's a good long walk but that's a healthy thing they should have in their lives anyway.

[daycare]

It's really not that far, daycare. It's a good long walk but that's a healthy thing they should have in their lives anyway.

thanks, like someone said,. Its not like I was making them do it all at one time in a line marching like soldiers....


I am a health nut... I can't sit, so I would never ask a child to either...