Am I a mean mommy?

Try to explain to them that if they get too hot, it could make them sick, or if it is raining out, it cold make them sick to get wet with the cold rain. Is there any way that you could find an older kid inthe neighborhood that is responsible enough to watch the older ones outside? That may be a good solution for you also. I only have one child, so I have nevewr been in this situation, but, I would try alot of things before getting too worried about the kids thinking i am a big meanie.

I know that little ones like to play outside the way you have described. Can you not arrange to put up some kind of fabric roof so that they would be protected from the sun? You could also spray water around that place so that it would be cool? I think things like that may help.

how old are your kids? are you taking them out in your backyard? or is it a public place? is there a fence? can someone else watch them? i'd understand if your kids were all toddlers and that you wouldn't have them unsupervised outside in a public place...

This is hard, but I don't think you are being mean. Children have to learn, that they will not always get what they want, and sometimes, life isn't fair. It's a hard lesson to learn, but the earlier they get a hold of it, the better off they will be. It is hard to find a balance, I find myself in the same situation, I have a 9 month old and an almost 3 year old, and many times, the baby just is not comfortable outside (its too hot, cold etc) We have a great sun room, where I can open all the windows, and see the whole yard, many times, I"ll put the baby in the highchair with his snack, and sit in the sunroom and watch my son. I also put a lawnmower, or trailer in front of the gate, so in case I get distracted by the baby, (if he's choking or something) It will be impossible for my son to get out of the yard (well, at least very difficult) (: But even then, I only use that when I have to, and only to extend his outdoor time by a bit, once the baby is done with his snack, and thus done in the highchair, my oldest has to come in. I also try to schedule my older one's outdoor time to be at the same time my youngest is sleeping, that way the house is quiet (for once) for the baby to sleep and the older one can play outdoor for quite a while. Good luck, oh I do have a suggestion, maybe you could open up the garage for them to use? Open the main door, and it will let the cool breeze in, put the baby in the house, and sit on the steps, (if you ahve an attatched garage?) Hope it helps.

Why dont you go and purchase a little plastic swimming pool. You can take the kids outside and they can cool off in it while playing in the water. This might also help the baby feel more comfortable with the heat.

i don't think i have any suggestions as to a solution, only cuz i feel i would have done the same thing. you and i have had discussions on how some parents are raising their kids these days. and i admire you for always wanting to keep an eye on them. as you said, they do not play outside alone. do you have a fenced backyard? maybe you could let them play out there for a few minutes at a time by themselves. keep them in range of your view, but then you know they're not out playing in the streets alone...and they have to understand that when it's so hot like that, they should only play outside for a few minutes at a time. make sure they have lots of sunscreen on, that they stay hydrated, maybe let them play in the sprinklers a bit! and you and the baby could sit right next to the window watching? i don't know! but i feel for you and know where you are coming from. our kids always think we're meanies! BUT we're raising them the best we can...they just don't understand that right at this moment!

I do let the older ones out by them selves. We are lucky to live where we do. It is a great rural neighborhood with a fence in the back. I know its hard. Some times I can't take the little ones out due to similar circumstnces to yours and I feel bad too. You have to do what is best for the kids though. Best wishes.

Just because a child wants something and you have to tell them no for their own good doesn't make you a bad mommy. They will think so but what do they know. You are doing the right thing by not letting them go out side in the heat. try finding something to take their mind off of going out side. if you can ignore the baby crying and you know that there is nothing really wrong with him find something for the older kids to do that they can't do outside. How about an Indoor Picnic? or maybe a tent with the kitchen table. Make them a few snacks and give them some books to look at. here is some more suggestions http://www.associatedcontent.com/article/243160/rainy_day_activities_for_young_children.html

Compromise with them by allowing them to go outside when the weather had cooled a bit. They can find things to do inside where it is cooler. It isn't great for them to be outside and running about when it is scorching hot outside. You are not a meanie by any sense of the word.

I saw the one comment where you put in their ages. It does make a difference on that one. Is there some way that you could maybe be inside with the baby and still see them from the front window for example? That way they can play outside but you can keep the youngest two in where it's cooler? It might be a nice compromise especially if they know that if you call they have to come in right then. If that is not possible how about setting something up inside that they might like to play in, like a make shift fort or tent out of sheets. That way they can pretend to be outside but are still inside.

Sounds like me at times. My daughter loves going out, but sometimes her brother who is only 16 months, can't play for long, he gets cranky and then I have to make her come in as well. I can't leave her outside, she is only 4. Sometimes it's hard for kids to understand. I know my daughter would ask me why I can't leave him in the house or why I can't just let her play by herself, she tells me she wont run off... LOL! Yeah right.. But you have to do what you have to do. The kids will just have to get over it. *EEEK* Was that rude? LOL! You know what I mean though... I would say maybe a playpen, but I don't know your set up. I know I can set my playpen up and put it infront of the front door, and it's not actually outdside, but I can also see my son from the porch. Sometimes he will just lay there and sleep and then I will stand right there on the porch and watch my daughter play, that way I can see them both. But if he was cranky like your little one was, I don't know what else you could do, but come in? How old are all your kids if you don't mind me asking. :)

That really stinks! I see your point- but I see thiers also- How old are the kids? A solution- isn't there anyone in the neighborhood post that you trust and that has kids-- Do they sit outside with their kids? Possibly your kids could go there and play outside- How about let them in the yard where you can keep your eye on them from inside- so they can still go out- it will be a long summer if they can't go out because the baby isn't happy outside- I'd look for someone you trust to keep an eye on them-

Been there, done that, mine thought I was mean too! There's really nothing you can do though and the older ones will get over it. My baby is miserable in this heat too. His needs have to come first though because he's not old enough to be understanding, the older kids are. Two summers ago when my now 2 year old was a really new baby (April 26th) I would just put him to bed really early in the evening, around 6:30 or 7:00 at the latest so I could go outside with the older ones until it got dark. I live near the road and don't have a fence either so that was the only way they got to play outside since the couldn't go out alone and the baby was too little...there's also no shade here which made it harder. There's a big difference between a 1-2 month old and a 6-7 month old so I'm not sure how well that would really work now but it could be worth a try. The bonus is undivided time with the older ones with no mention of "Mommy can't run and hold the baby, Mommy can't catch the ball and hold the baby, don't squirt water at the baby, the baby, the baby, the baby..." Older ones need that kind of time once in awhile...moms do too!

I don't think that you were being mean at all. Do you have a baby monitor that you could sit on the step when he is down for a nap and let other kids play?

i certainly can symothize with you. when my son was a baby and my daughter wanted to go out, i had the same issue. what i did was told my daughter that as soon as her brother went to sleep for his nap, that i would take her outside. So at naptime i would get my baby monitor, take it outside with me so that the baby would not be left alone. i would sit on the porch and watch my daughter play . it became my favorite part of the day because it was my private time. she was busy and he was sleeping. it usually lasted about an hour.

I don't think you're mean because you're just trying to protect all of them. They'll definitely be able to understand that later on. If you couldn't let them out because there's no one to supervise them, maybe you could just think of an indoor activity or a contest for them to keep them preoccupied while you take care of the baby, then reward them later on after the baby has settled down from crying. At least, even if it rains, their activity wouldn't be interrupted because they're indoors.

No way, what you did was right. You cannot just leave your 2 kids outside without you with them. When they have settled down, explain to your two kids the reason why you had to do it. Hope they're old enough to understand. Tell them the heat outside would make them sick, and it is the last thing you want of them. You're a mom, and it's your prerogative to decide what's best for your kids. It would be a different story when they're grown up and have already learned much lessons from life.

Ow,C'on 4cuteboys, dont let those small things bother you that much. Those cute boys usually would think that way but would forget it anyway. Sometimes its good to let them know who is the boss. But if I happen to be your husband do you know what I will do in that situation? I would be playing with our kids outside in the heat.

I think that you are being fair. Maby trying to let the older boys have their time outside maby while the baby is sleeping. Could this possibly work for you? I have a 4 yr old and a 2 yr old. My 4 yr old goes out when the baby is asleep. WOrks great for me!

Completes oneself is most important,how tube did others say.