People of Facebook : send the kids outside

@shaggin (72023)
United States
July 2, 2019 9:07pm CST
My kids and I have been busy all of June doing fun things. Most things were free so it only cost me the gas to get there. On Facebook last week a girl wrote that she’s like the only one that doesn’t have a different activity for their kids to do everyday. She said to send the kids outside. It is good for them to play alone and spend time outdoors. My son goes outside and rides his bike often and almost daily walks to the school and plays basketball and on the playground. But we still do go out a lot and do fun things. I wait all year for weather like this and the free time to spend with them. I don’t think a parent should bash other parents for taking their kids out and doing lots of fun stuff. I also don’t think a parent should bash other parents who DONT take their kids out all the time and do fun stuff. If you have kids what did you do with them today? My niece and nephew didn’t want to go to story hour with me today so we had no plans for the day. After my appointment with the orthopedic surgeon my little niece came over to play for a few hours and my son and I took her to the park to play. My daughter went to her friends house for a few hours who she has only seen a few times since school got out for the summer.
16 people like this
15 responses
@simone10 (54187)
• Louisville, Kentucky
3 Jul 19
My kids always wanted to play outside. They would only come in to eat, drink or go to the bathroom. They are grown now.
1 person likes this
@shaggin (72023)
• United States
5 Jul 19
@simone10 that is how I was when I was young. I loved being outside and I still do. If I wasn't so exhausted today from not sleeping well last night I would but out doing something today like hiking.
1 person likes this
@shaggin (72023)
• United States
6 Jul 19
@simone10 not me
1 person likes this
@simone10 (54187)
• Louisville, Kentucky
6 Jul 19
@shaggin I was the same way when I was young. We used to have so much fun. We knew the rules our parents set for us and we obeyed them.
1 person likes this
• United States
14 Jul 19
Earlier this week, I spent two days with my niece/nephew - we went to Legoland for 1 hr and half. The first time we went on a couple rides. The second time we visited the aquarium. (Only because their yearly pass expires soon in a week or so). My sister always has plans for them daily. It's good for kids to go out and play, sight see, etc. whenever time permits!
1 person likes this
@shaggin (72023)
• United States
14 Jul 19
@infatuatedbby it's good for them to go outside and play on their own but it's okay too if mom's have a lot of fun plans for them. I just feel to each their own you know. Legoland sounds so fun. I have never been there or an aquarium. My daughter went to an aquarium when she was young in Maryland with her aunt and uncle.
1 person likes this
• United States
14 Jul 19
@shaggin Yes, good for the kids to play outside, on their own and when mom / parents' have plans for them. Kids should be kids of course, less screen time as possible.
1 person likes this
• United States
14 Jul 19
@shaggin Sounds like it's working out for you there. :) Gaming consoles are pricey! Ohh yes, means of transportation and washing machine is more important.
1 person likes this
@LadyDuck (471002)
• Switzerland
3 Jul 19
I cannot understand why people should be so rude and interfere with other people decision. I think that parents must be left free to decide what is best for their kids.
1 person likes this
@shaggin (72023)
• United States
5 Jul 19
@LadyDuck I cannot understand it either. If she doesn't want to take her kids out all the time thats okay but if I want to take my kids out all the time that is okay as well. She's apparently just very judgemental.
1 person likes this
@shaggin (72023)
• United States
6 Jul 19
@LadyDuck exactly how I feel
1 person likes this
@LadyDuck (471002)
• Switzerland
6 Jul 19
@shaggin She is judgmental, she is free to do what she likes, but she has no right to criticize what the others do.
1 person likes this
• United States
3 Jul 19
mine're grown'n gone. the grands 're too far off, the eldest pleadin' boredom 'nless lots 'f funds 're tossed their way (aka: they seem to abhor any free thingies to do...).
1 person likes this
@shaggin (72023)
• United States
5 Jul 19
@crazyhorseladycx It seems so much is so much more expensive as the kids get older. It's been nice finding some free things to do for fun and then actually enjoying it. I wish my can was in better shape so we could go on some neat roadtrips.
1 person likes this
@shaggin (72023)
• United States
6 Jul 19
@crazyhorseladycx sounds like you have more where you are then we do in our small town. The gang members being in the park is sad and scary for the little ones and their families.
1 person likes this
• United States
5 Jul 19
@shaggin yes ma'am, they wish fer more. 'round these parts there aint much fer young'uns. we've a dilapidated zoo, 2 parks filled 't times with gang members more oft than not. a bowlin' alley, go-cart thingy with a putt-putt course 'n a skatin' rink. i dunno how many families can 'fford such? $20 each to bowl 2 games?? ridiculous.
1 person likes this
@DianneN (247186)
• United States
24 Jul 19
Well, my kids are grown and one has kid of his own. Those kids are out of Manhattan and in camp now where they can breathe fresh air. In the city, they are out and about every day. They went to an Ariana Grande concert, Broadway shows, museums, book stores, pottery making, ride their bikes, go to sleepovers, etc. That's besides their hockey and figure skating, tennis, and playing with their friends. I think all kids need to have fun.
1 person likes this
@shaggin (72023)
• United States
26 Jul 19
@DianneN sounds like your grandkids are having an amazing summer! I wish your son and daughter and law were my parents
1 person likes this
@DianneN (247186)
• United States
28 Jul 19
@shaggin . I wish they were mine!
1 person likes this
@sophie09 (34236)
• Indonesia
3 Jul 19
well answer to the questionm if i had kids, i will cook them the very best version of my cooking, then we will go out to have fun with my husband too
1 person likes this
@shaggin (72023)
• United States
10 Jul 19
@sophie09 that sounds quite fun
1 person likes this
@sophie09 (34236)
• Indonesia
11 Jul 19
@shaggin haha i think so
1 person likes this
• United States
3 Jul 19
my nephew never wants to go outside.some days i feel like booting him in the butt. pft..my parents had to drag me back in.
1 person likes this
@shaggin (72023)
• United States
5 Jul 19
@scarlet_woman my kids are not big fans of being outside. My daughter just almost never goes out but my son does go out a few times a day. As a kid I spent all day outside. I was hyper and couldn't stand being cooped up in the house. I still love being outside every possible minute of free time I get.
1 person likes this
@snowy22315 (179928)
• United States
3 Jul 19
Playing outside is always good, weather permitting. In this area most summer days are a bit too hot for that..unless early morning, evening..or swimming of course.
1 person likes this
@shaggin (72023)
• United States
5 Jul 19
@snowy22315 I love being outside. My children's father hated it as an adult. My daughter hates it. My son likes it sometimes but he doesn't like the heat.
1 person likes this
@ShyBear88 (59347)
• Sterling, Virginia
3 Jul 19
Today me and my sister in law took my 3 kids and her son out to a splash pad we had thought of going to this new places but it’s 45 minutes away and my van is acting up and I didn’t want to drive that far and have something happen with my van till it gets fixed and then we had rain storms coming in so we did between 1-2 hours at the splash pad packed a bunch of snacks and water and just hung out. Us two moms stay under the shades and watched the kids
1 person likes this
@shaggin (72023)
• United States
10 Jul 19
I took my kids to a splash pad when they were younger and they enjoyed it. Maybe I will take my niece and nephew soon. I hope you get your van fixed soon. I need a new one as my transmission is going.
1 person likes this
@ShyBear88 (59347)
• Sterling, Virginia
10 Jul 19
@shaggin my kids enjoy splash pads. Right now no van it needs it’s engine fixed.
1 person likes this
• United States
9 Oct 19
I do not have any kids now but when my son was little we went everywhere.
1 person likes this
@shaggin (72023)
• United States
9 Oct 19
@TiarasOceanView I bet they had a lot of fun and have wonderful memories from it.
@RasmaSandra (79475)
• Daytona Beach, Florida
3 Jul 19
It is great when kids can get outside in the summertime. Too many parents don't care and let them sit and play video games all day and watch TV at night. that is not good at all. However, it is not worth it to fight it out with other parents it is just best to do good by your own children. Glad you enjoyed June.
1 person likes this
@shaggin (72023)
• United States
10 Jul 19
@RasmaSandra my son's PlayStation 3 is not working and he is bored with YouTube so he has been outside a lot lately playing.
1 person likes this
@JudyEv (338949)
• Rockingham, Australia
3 Jul 19
I mostly wish people would leave each other alone and not earbash anyone for whatever they do - as long as it's legal of course. Spending time outdoors is always good, with or without parents.
1 person likes this
@shaggin (72023)
• United States
6 Jul 19
@JudyEv besides me only two others commented on her post. I basically wrote it's fine either way what parents do. She never responded to my comment. Another girl wrote the only way they can do that is if there is a fenced in back yard since crime is so bad where they are or something like that. I do what I want with my kids I wouldn't tell her she's wrong for not taking her kids out more so I just think it's rude she's acting like parents are wrong for taking their kids out.
1 person likes this
@JudyEv (338949)
• Rockingham, Australia
7 Jul 19
@shaggin I'm with you. Totally.
1 person likes this
@Courtlynn (67086)
• United States
12 Jul 19
Not everyone can even be out in the sun / heat. Plus not everyone allows their kids outside without them, so makes it harder too. And mot everywhere has free things to do, or people living near parks etc. People need to mind theirs
1 person likes this
@shaggin (72023)
• United States
13 Jul 19
You are exactly right we all need to mind our own business. Thankfully I live near a school so my son goes up on the playground often. I took them to parks daily when they were little since we didn't have outside toys. It's not my business nor this girl's to judge other parents if they go out with their kids often or let them play outside instead.
@andriaperry (116936)
• Anniston, Alabama
3 Jul 19
I only took them fishing and swimming on weekends, during the week was work so they played outside, with the water hose getting wet, or bike riding, other kids. They were not mine but was always at my house.
1 person likes this
@shaggin (72023)
• United States
6 Jul 19
@andriaperry it sounds like they had fun. Whatever works for you is good I think. Me taking my kids out often to do things works for us. Someday they won't want to spend any time with me so I will take any time with them they are willing.
1 person likes this
@GardenGerty (160522)
• United States
3 Jul 19
Not around kids today, but spent four days or so with the grands and my daughter and son-in-law. I think there is a balance. She cannot afford to spend money for activities, and with four kids, getting them places can be a struggle, but they have fun, both at home and other places. They play together and they love for her to read to them. I was going to tell you all we had done, but realized that would be a post in and of itself Each parent needs to do what they feel led or called to do. It is different for each.
1 person likes this
@shaggin (72023)
• United States
5 Jul 19
@GardenGerty I think it's just a personal thing what we do with our kids. If the girl doesn't want to take her kids out often or can't afford to that's fine it isn't right for her to try to make people feel like they are doing wrong by doing differently then she is.