"Why Do We NEVER Go Outside?!"

[Play Care]

I have a very active group and when possible we are outside. In nicer weather we spend hours outdoors. Since this winter has been kicking our bottoms, it's been less, but we still make an effort to get out ever day - even if it's only for 15 minutes. I also have several indoor large motor toys for when we can't get out.

My one just turned 5 yo dcb begs to go outside all.day.long. He whines and still throws a fit when we can't just go out. He continually asks, even after I've told him when we are getting out (after diaper changes, after snack, etc.) He's always been like this - he wants what he wants when he wants it. Today, for instance, we will not be outside as we are on the tail end of a storm and will be getting wind gusts of 50+ miles per hour - I'm on a hill and it's windy here usually anyway, it will be unsafe today. I guarantee he will be looking out the window and screaming "BUT MRS K! LOOK! THE SUN IS SHINING! WHY DO WE NEVER GO OUT?!" etc. etc. That's what he does when it's 15 below 0 with a 40 below wind chill...
His parents just send him out to play, obviously I can't to that.
But the constant nagging, begging, whining, tantrums, etc. over something *I* really have little control over (I mean, I obviously have some control, but if it's below 0 or pouring rain, etc.) is frustrating. I don't know if I'm handling it in the most effective way.


He is also off to K in the Fall and I see some *major* issues. Not my problem as I've talked to the parents about my concerns before. I know they are in for it though.

[Cradle2crayons]

I have a very active group and when possible we are outside. In nicer weather we spend hours outdoors. Since this winter has been kicking our bottoms, it's been less, but we still make an effort to get out ever day - even if it's only for 15 minutes. I also have several indoor large motor toys for when we can't get out.

My one just turned 5 yo dcb begs to go outside all.day.long. He whines and still throws a fit when we can't just go out. He continually asks, even after I've told him when we are getting out (after diaper changes, after snack, etc.) He's always been like this - he wants what he wants when he wants it. Today, for instance, we will not be outside as we are on the tail end of a storm and will be getting wind gusts of 50+ miles per hour - I'm on a hill and it's windy here usually anyway, it will be unsafe today. I guarantee he will be looking out the window and screaming "BUT MRS K! LOOK! THE SUN IS SHINING! WHY DO WE NEVER GO OUT?!" etc. etc. That's what he does when it's 15 below 0 with a 40 below wind chill...
His parents just send him out to play, obviously I can't to that.
But the constant nagging, begging, whining, tantrums, etc. over something *I* really have little control over (I mean, I obviously have some control, but if it's below 0 or pouring rain, etc.) is frustrating. I don't know if I'm handling it in the most effective way.


He is also off to K in the Fall and I see some *major* issues. Not my problem as I've talked to the parents about my concerns before. I know they are in for it though.

We've had a very rough winter this year also and it does sometimes limit our outdoor time and it is sometimes frustrating for me and the kiddos.

Unfortunately, at that age, they are simply lacking patience and ere isn't a whole lot you can do about it.

:hug:

[taylorw1210]

I feel for you - AND the kid. This winter has been horrible and we have not been outside nearly as much as I would like. I'm a big baby when it comes to cold weather.

Does he get distracted by other activities easily?

[coolconfidentme]

I treat that kind the same way I treat the repetitive, "WHY?" kid. I look at him with my hands on hips & this you know better look on my face. I say nothing, just look at him. After awhile he stops. At least mine do, .

[daycarediva]

My kids are the OPPOSITE. I am convincing them and dragging them out the door.... pitb.

I have a temperature chart, red is burning hot, purple is freezing cold. I put numbers on the side of it. I have the kids move the arrow to the temperature I tell them it is outside during morning circle. If it's too cold/rainy/whatever for AM recess we discuss an alternative plan for that time then. (Legos, dance, play doh, yoga, etc). After nap we check the temperature again and move the arrow. If it goes above 20 (with wind chill factor included) out we go. Just sprinking? out.

I hear your frustration though. I have MAJOR cabin fever and KNOW my kids do, too. Most of the behaviors I am seeing are from lack of physical movement and I have been allowing more active play indoors to compensate (in certain areas, with limits)

I might mention it to parents, that at school he will get a 20 minute (or whatever) recess period ONLY. Although it sounds like it will go in one ear and out the other.

[Play Care]

I feel for you - AND the kid. This winter has been horrible and we have not been outside nearly as much as I would like. I'm a big baby when it comes to cold weather.

Does he get distracted by other activities easily?

He doesn't, which adds to the issue. He also argues constantly so me saying "Sorry buddy, it's too cold out today, we will do some other things instead" is met with "BUT WHHHHHHHYYYYYY?! WE NEEEEEEEEEVER GOOOOOO OUT SIDE!" and my all time favorite "I DON'T LIKE ANYONE HERE!" I mean, obviously there are consequences for that, but I guess I am looking for something to get him to STOP.

[cheerfuldom]

That last summer before school is always SOOO hard on the kids and the providers. I hate to say it but it is going to be a long summer with him. Some districts allow summer school the year before kids enter K so I would suggest mom and dad look into that or a school age summer program/day camp. It sounds like he has outgrown your program perhaps.

[Play Care]

That last summer before school is always SOOO hard on the kids and the providers. I hate to say it but it is going to be a long summer with him. Some districts allow summer school the year before kids enter K so I would suggest mom and dad look into that or a school age summer program/day camp. It sounds like he has outgrown your program perhaps.

In my state as soon as this school year is done, he will be considered school aged. He can then legally be outside without me
If he was behaving this way and there was no end in sight, I'd probably be more inclined to send him on.

[SilverSabre25]

I'm patiently waiting for the weather to stop teasing us.

No, I lied. It's not patiently at all. If I dont' get these kids (and the dog) outside twice a day for at least an hour SOON I will put myself in a rocket and blast to Jupiter on the power of their restlessness.

[taylorw1210]

He doesn't, which adds to the issue. He also argues constantly so me saying "Sorry buddy, it's too cold out today, we will do some other things instead" is met with "BUT WHHHHHHHYYYYYY?! WE NEEEEEEEEEVER GOOOOOO OUT SIDE!" and my all time favorite "I DON'T LIKE ANYONE HERE!" I mean, obviously there are consequences for that, but I guess I am looking for something to get him to STOP.

Sounds like he's just looking for a reaction. He's old enough to know why you are not going outside. I would stop responding to it and do as a previous poster suggested. Just give him a stern, "You know why!" look and go on with whatever I'm doing. If it turns into something more disruptive then consequences follow...

[Luna]

I might try agreeing with him.
"I know, right?" We never get to go out!"
It's no fun arguing with someone who agrees with you. "I wish we could be outside all the time! Why does it have to be so cold? Look at that weather! So cold!"

[taylorw1210]

I might try agreeing with him.
"I know, right?" We never get to go out!"
It's no fun arguing with someone who agrees with you. "I wish we could be outside all the time! Why does it have to be so cold? Look at that weather! So cold!"

[Leigh]

I have found that just saying "I have already answered you, the discussion is over" helps a lot. It takes some time, but they learn how to take no for an answer. No matter how many times the question is asked, I answer once, and I will tell them once that it has been answered. All whiny, begging questions after that about the same thing are completely ignored.

[Unregistered]

Repetition gets answered with 'Asked and answered." I'll respond with asked and answered twice, then ignore.

I would agree with him in the answer though too, because I agree that this winter season has been trying for all involved.

[My3cents]

He doesn't, which adds to the issue. He also argues constantly so me saying "Sorry buddy, it's too cold out today, we will do some other things instead" is met with "BUT WHHHHHHHYYYYYY?! WE NEEEEEEEEEVER GOOOOOO OUT SIDE!" and my all time favorite "I DON'T LIKE ANYONE HERE!" I mean, obviously there are consequences for that, but I guess I am looking for something to get him to STOP.

try the look.... then a stern I said stop, no more. Rinse and repeat. I also will ask this type of child what I said?

Kid-Why can't we go out?

Me- Its too cold today

Kid- but why can't we ever go out??

me- What did I say to you!

usually the kid will say- nothing or oh

me- I am asking you a question. What did I say to you?

kid- its too cold

Me- yes

kid- but why can we never go out?

me- I told you

kid- why is it too cold?

me- I have answered you now you need to go to time out and think about it.

This is probably too long to put up with the "y" kid
but this is how I handle it and it does usually stop........usually
I do a lot of the eye looks-

I don't like anyone here would be a time out with little talk from me. I might say that is not nice, go to time out and think about that, these are your friends. If this kept up I would tell the parents and not be cool with it at all.

When I can't get a behavior to stop I often talk to the parents for ideas. Usually its happening at home too and we can get on board together to put an end to it. Not always but many times this has helped me.