Kids Don't Want to Play Outside Anymore?

[Leigh]

I'm so jealous! I live on a quiet street and my yard is surrounded by clear boundaries (strip of trees, raspberries, some fenced parts, etc.) and I can only let 7-and-up outside without me. Could be 5 and up if I had a 4-foot fence. I think it's so dumb. If a 5 year old wants to run away, a 4-foot fence isn't going to stop him. Self control will stop him. No self control, I wouldn't let them out without me! I will have 3 homeschoolers with me all day starting this summer, and three 3-4 year olds. I'd love to have the biggers outside while the littles are napping, but one of them is "only" 6; the other 2 are 7. It would be rotten to let two out while he's in alone. I can't fence the yard for various reasons. Very frustrating.

I think that it is nuts that a fence isn't required to let them out that young, but I think that it's OK for the 4 year olds to be out there if they possess the maturity. I can see them when they're out, and can go out on the patio to monitor while the babies sleep 10 feet away inside the door. I love that I can go to the patio and see both inside and outside kids.

[Leigh]

Afternoon update: 3 of 4 kids chose to come inside to nap rather than play outdoors. Whatever-they're quiet and not waking the others, at least. Yesterday was a success-almost no complaining about playing outside. Today is a different story. I hope they come around soon and decide to play again.

[Blackcat31]

Afternoon update: 3 of 4 kids chose to come inside to nap rather than play outdoors. Whatever-they're quiet and not waking the others, at least. Yesterday was a success-almost no complaining about playing outside. Today is a different story. I hope they come around soon and decide to play again.

Oooo, sounds like the ones that choose to play outside need something "special" for making such a wonderful choice!

A little something can be a HUGE motivator

[Leigh]

Oooo, sounds like the ones that choose to play outside need something "special" for making such a wonderful choice!

A little something can be a HUGE motivator

The kids that stayed out got donuts, because they needed some carbs for all that energy they were using!

[Blackcat31]

The kids that stayed out got donuts, because they needed some carbs for all that energy they were using!

::

Oh, I bet the ones that chose to nap instead were bummed. Even if they didn't outright display disappointment, I'm sure it was there.

[daycarediva]

We have reusable popcicle molds. During breaks, and summer between camp breaks, my big kids (Sa, my own and kids transitioning to K) fill them up with whatever they chose and IF they are good at rest time, they get to have theirs. If not, it stays in the fridge. I have minimal issues.

CAMP solved most of my problems though. They only get two weeks off at the beginning of summer and two weeks off at the end of summer that camp isn't in session.