Sahmoms - Do You Take Out Your 3 Year Old Everyday?

Absolutely, I toss my kids outside in the morning and afternoon, and then we go out in the evenings too. I live in Minnesota so yeah, it gets cold but you know, it really doesn't matter. Bundle them up, toss them outside for some fresh air. Its good for him and good for you.

We go outSIDE, not necessarily out on an errand every day. You don't need to leave the house/property to get out, just bundle him and up go out for a walk, or get a few outdoor toys and let him play.

I take mine out for a short walk to pick up big brother at preschool 4 days a week but now that it's almost snow time it's gymnastics time!

They really need exercise at that age!

not 'out' as in get in the car and go somewhere, but 'out' as in outside, going for walks or playing ball or rolling in the leaves or building snowmen or digging in the dirt or climbing trees?
yeah, pretty much every day.
khairete
S.

Get outside! I try to walk every day with my daughter in the stroller and then at some point during the day we go out to collect leaves and pinecones, blow bubbles, visit the neighbor's dog, and just run around. You get Vitamin D which helps your body absorb calcium, and everyone gets exercise! I would only stay in if it's raining, and shorten the time if it's below freezing. I plan to go to children's museums and gyms when it gets really cold. We go to the library for socializing, singalongs and just to hang out. There are usually tons of toddlers and moms/babysitters there.

When I started reading your question, my first thought was, "she needs more children!" LOL I don't know your circumstances, but multiple children really do help in this situation. They entertain each other. But, in the meantime, a little walk outdoors is nice. Mine like book reading, puzzles, coloring, little crafts. People in general, not just little people, like to have other people to do stuff with. A whole room full of stuff isn't quite the same thing as engaging other people in an activity. Can you incorporate him in whatever it is you are doing? If you are cooking, bring him in the kitchen with you and let him "help." Have him clean baseboards while you dust or tidy a room. Just give him a damp rag and let him go for it. He can help fold clothes. No, they might not be perfect, but he can do towels, socks, underwear, his own t-shirts, etc. Teach him how to put them away. Keep him busy with good things. And, enjoy these fleeting days! They are precious!

When I was a young mom, I made a point of getting my daughter outside every day for an hour or longer, with as much of that time unstructured as possible. Now I do the same when I'm spending the day with my grandson. Cabin fever is real for kids; they absolutely need contact with earth and sky, greenery and sand and mud and wind, space to move around physically. Exposure to a couple of hours of natural daylight helps set the day/night pattern in the brain and relaxes the child for better sleep. Physical activity, ditto.

Google "why children need nature" for a range of studies and articles, including this: Free and unstructured play in the outdoors boosts problem-solving skills, focus and self-discipline. Socially, it improves cooperation, flexibility, and self-awareness. Emotional benefits include reduced aggression and increased happiness. "Children will be smarter, better able to get along with others, healthier and happier when they have regular opportunities for free and unstructured play in the out-of-doors," concluded one authoritative study published by the American Medical Association in 2005." (http://www.guardian.co.uk/lifeandstyle/2010/aug/16/childr...)

I took and continue to take my kids out twice a day. A little bit in the morning and a bit in the evening. Even if it's for a simple walk around the block. They need exposure to life outside. A breath of fresh air does good not just for the child, but for ourselves too. Take a walk to the library if you're close or just walk wherever, even if it's looking at houses together. Stay well.

Yes - when my son was 3 we made sure to get out every morning! Now I do the same w my 1 yr old daughter. It helps us to not get cabin fever and then they nap better! I LOVE to get out every day. I love bundling up and going out in the winter.We have a little sled to pull a toddler in and I can't wait to use it this winter. We also go on playdates, to the library, to a toddler music class, a coffee shop to meet a friend and even the grocery store counts as an outing!

My son just made 4 recently... but yes, I take him out everyday. At some point.
He is very independent and totally can play on his own... but, he and I.. need time outside. But sure, sometimes we are home all day, because I have things to do. And he is fine with that.
While my daughter is at school... my son is an 'only child' and its just him and me.

My 3 year old DD is the same way - she's in preschool twice a week (2.5 hours each day), gymnastics once a week (45 minutes) and a swim class once a week (30 minutes). That sounds like a lot, but all the classes are short and none are on the same day. There is also an indoor playland not far from our house where she can run and climb all over and I can sit with a cup of coffee. We don't make it out every day but it helps. Also, don't let a little cold air be a deal-breaker. As long as it is not severe and they are dressed properly, they'll be fine. Use common sense of course, but it's better for them in the long run. When we were kids we used to play outside in the snow for hours - we were plenty bundled up and learned to not let a little cold weather get us down. My stepsons were not expected to play outside when they were younger (because of their mom) and they reached a point where the least little bit of cold or hot or rain sent them indoors and became their excuse for not playing outside when they were at our house. Now I am more bothered by the cold than my DD - doesn't faze her a bit! She still wants to take the dogs for a walk and play outside!

I have to take my 3 y/o daughter somewhere everyday. I hate to be at home for a long time. We love chick fil a and chuck e cheeses in the winter. She is getting a trampoline for her birthday so hopefully that will keep her occupied when it is pretty outside.

Definitely. I had girls, but we got out everyday - I called people Sunday evening and made playdates for each day. My friend with boys took them on 2, 1hour walks each day. It is normal. Just bundle him up - get good gloves, hat, scarf, boots, snow pants, jacket - for yourself and him - and get out there. You will both be happier! Don't endure the winter, embrace and enjoy it. Central Park has so much great climbing space. Let him climb up on those rocks - don't say, "Be careful, honey!" Teach him how to hold on, scramble, etc.

I took care of my grandkids as a SAHG at that age. Their mother worked. They live in an apartment building and I had the kids run back and forth in the hall when they were hyper and I didn't want to go out. They also have a small trampoline (made for adults exercising indoors) that they liked to jump on and it wore them out. It's probably 36-40" across and a couple of inches off the floor. Playing active games helped. Such as ring around the rosie, racing in place (make up a story as you run in place).

I don't think you have to take kids out everyday. Sometimes the "mom" guilt meter goes off and you question yourself, if you are doing enough, etc. I used to ask myself the same question; I still ask that, my kids are only 4 and 6, and I always try to make sure they have at least one thing going on (karate once a week, piano, etc). I try to have just enough, not too much.

I think it's good to have kids in activities (preschool, sports, music classes, etc) and I also think good ol' playing outdoors is very important too, simple walks or playing at a local park. I wouldn't feel bad about wanting a day to just stay home. Try to have an activity planned (something you don't normally do) or go in your front and backyard and do something you wouldn't normally do on the day you want to stay home. Make it an event and your son will look at it like a class that he goes to weekly.
I would go through phases where I felt like I wasn't doing enough (what I call the "mom guilt meter"),then I would sign my kids up for a bunch of stuff, be busy everyday and fill in between times with playdates, etc. I got burnt out and so did my kids. A nice moderation is best.
Your son is still young, soon enough he will be in elementary school and be gone all day; then you will be begging for the days when was at home with you and full of energy...
Not sure if I helped but I wish you the best of luck.

When mine were 3 I put them in a part day preschool, were they went for 3 hours 3 days a week. It was great, they got time with peers, and I used the time to go to the gym and have me time.

My kids are all in elementary now so obviously they get out every day. When they were little, they went out EVERY day, even if it was to run errands, go to a bookstore, go on a playdate, a gym class or a music class. Don't YOU go stir crazy if you stay inside all day with no change of scenery?

My daughter is 3 and we have to take my son to school (1st grade) and pick him up everyday, so we are always out for that. But there are days that school is the only place we go. However, both of my kids are very energetic and homebodies at the same time. Of coarse, i let them run around the house like mad people too, hahaha :) I did put my daughter in nursery school for 2.5 hours once a week, that has it's ups and downs for her. We run lots of errands, so we are out MOST days, but we entertain oursleves at home too. Her favorite home game right now is playing teacher, she teaches me and in turn, is learning at the same time. Good luck finding what keeps him happy in the cold days to come!

We usually have an activity every day and/or we go shopping to get out and about. We then play outside and/or take a walk. On the rare days we are around the house all day, weather permitting, we go outside in the morning and afternoon. We rarely just stay in-doors, and as long as it's above 30, we go outside even if only for a short while.

When mine was 3, he went to preschool 2 mornings a week. He had Gymboree another day, storytime at the library another day, one day we'd run errands. In good weather, we'd try to get to the park. I realize you're in the city, I don't know if you have a playground in your neighborhood. For an only child, and indoor weather ahead, preschool or a play group might be a good idea

yes.. I have 2 kids.. 3 and 4... and when I was sahm we went someplace every day. mostly becasue I went crazy if we were home all day.. 24+hours looking at only these walls adn I was grumpy.

now I work 2 or 3 days. and we stay home on 1 or 2 of my non working days so the kids can play with their toys..

can you find a class .. gymboree, kindermusik, libary story time.. playgroup.. to join so you have some scheduled activity.. maybe swim class... there are lots of cheap things to do out there if you look.. I know I couldnt afford an expensive class everyday but library story time is freee.

My son is the same way and also an only child. He goes to nursery school 3 mornings a week and I try to get him outside most days for a little while or to an indoor playground, the mall the library, playdates or a visit to grandma's house. We do stay home some days also. I know it is hard when you don't feel like going out or have housework to do. Also, there are days my son wants to watch too much tv. I guess its just all about balance. Its hard to keep these little ones entertained all day, lol.

I too have a high energy child. I try to get out of the house whenever we can. Even if it is just going for a walk around the block or playing outside.
On days that we end up being in the house all day long, I try to engage him in activities like reading books, flashcards, playing hide and seek around the house, or simply helping me clean the house, or cooking. He LOVES to help be bake cookies. He also loves to paint and do art projects. Then usually he is so messy, it's bath time after- which is fun for him too. I probally shouldn't do it, but we sometimes play WII sports (baseball, tennis) he finds it fun (and it uses up some of that energy) or play rockband as he loves to bang on the drums. We also play in the basement(that we are planning on finishing off this winter into a nice game room) for someplace differnet in the house to play. My kid is also obsessed with hockey, so he likes to play hockey in the basement or garage for hours! What is your son interested in? I have found that at this age, while it is great to introduce various toys and whatnot to your kids, they know what they like and don't like. Find things that he is intereted in and run with it. and don't forget, just because it will be snowing soon- doesn't mean you can't get out and play in the snow!

It depends some times were out all day long errands,stores,appts.I use to go out all the time with all 3 of mine till finances hit & I had to scale back on what I do where I went & how much I spent in a day..They are however HAPPY to be home more they love being outside rather it's cold wet windy snowing or hot summer days their well stimulated not TV on all day long.
Some days do get long & boring they tend to pick on eachother more thecrying throwing a fit becomes unbearable at times so I make plans to go out the next day,going to the park 15-20 min early before preschool begins with my 3 yr old helps she thinks I do it just for her I love that I do & it also gets baby out to move.As for weekends that is pretty much dads day he takes them to the trails they are gone for hrs they love it they pick up treasures to show me what they found..It is great exercise for all of them now if only I get time in for myself rather than doing moms duties..
A simple walk around the block will be great for him just bundle him up a bit throw on a hat head outside he'll love it let him play in the leaves stomp them crunch them letting him explore his world in his own way..

I try to make sure my kids get out every day (except if someone is sick or the weather is really terrible/dangerous). My 4 year old son needs to run around or he trashes the house and fights with his sister. He is very high energy (he has a mini trampoline in his bedroom since he as 2). My daughter is almost 2 and she loves to get out and do things but can stand one day inside without getting really crazy. Even I hate to be inside for more than one day at a time. But a walk around the block or playing outside for a little while is enough sometimes.

You need to join a Mother's Group. It can be listed under parenting groups, sahm groups, etc

Look up yahoogroups and meetup.com

It was a lifesaver for us!!

Dear A., Yes you should try to get out every day as long as you and your child are well. Fresh air is good and helps him to sleep. Grandma Mary