Four year old wants to play outside non stop! I try to let him out as much as I can, and slather him with sunscreen but he can't be outdoors ALL the time! I try to let him be outside as much as possible, we picnic and also try to do a few learning lessons outside-- count the steps to the slide, swing starts with s-- lets SSSSwoosh on the swings etcetera... But he's not the only child-- I have other kids who want to sit and color, or play indoors with their toys. How can I get him to STOP the constant nagging "I wanna go ouuutsiiiide!!!" all day long!? Any ideas??? He's driving me bananas!
2007-07-03 10:43:36 · 8 answers · asked by mrs.v 4 in Pregnancy & Parenting ➔ Parenting
Kids can't be outdoors ALL day long. Especially when there are 2 other kids who also love to play outdoors-- but enjoy coloring in the a/c every once in awhile! We live in Central Texas the heat index climbs into the 100s! People come on! Thanks for the suggestions. :D
2007-07-03 10:56:41 · update #1
I agree that its great he wants to play out doors, but understand its not feasible for him to be outdoors from 6:00 am to 6 pm. I'm asking-- how to stop the nagging/whining in between outside time. Thanks.
2007-07-03 12:08:08 · update #2
Use the reward system let him know that after quiet time doing something constructive coloring etc you will let him know when its time to go out. Use a egg timer let him stay out 15 minutes go in tell him its nap time, then he gets to go out again use the egg timer 15 minutes. Soon he will get a pattern.Also see if theres a neighbor lady who will take him out with her son or daughter and if she has one who likes the indoors offer a trade. In the summer my boys lived out doors I had to make them come in to eat. of course we live in the country. Good luck.
2007-07-03 11:05:20 · answer #1 · answered by JANET O 3 · 1⤊ 0⤋
Can't you rig up a shaded area where you can all be outside? Sorry if that is impractical - I have a small enclosed backyard and in the Summer I could keep an eye on those outside and have the younger ones at the kitchen table colouring or whatever but now it is raining all of the time so outside is hardly an option - we all have various problems and it's as well to blame the weather or we'd all go mad!
2007-07-03 11:10:28 · answer #2 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
Ah, the outsdoors type. I had two indoor kids and one very outdoor kid. You're right, it's hard to find a balance. We took a clue from the public pool. We would go outside and set a timer. When the timer went off after a set amount of time, that was our signal to go in for a break. We set another timer for an equal amount of time in there and when it went off we were able to go out again. That made it fair for all the kids and they all get physical, artistic and educational activities. You can use the stove timer, an alarm clock or the alarm on your cell phone.
2007-07-03 13:07:39 · answer #3 · answered by Anonymous · 1⤊ 0⤋
Set up a routine where he knows that lets say at 4 he gets to go out for 1 to 2 hours so that's what he looks forward to everyday. that way the other kids get to do what they want to as well ~~ Best of luck!
2007-07-03 10:52:21 · answer #4 · answered by kitty81301 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
i think it's great he wants to be outside. you are putting sunscreen on them and it's healthy to be outside.
congrats on not having a couch tater. can you keep them outside with older kids so you don't have to watch them all the time they are out there.
or see if older nghbrhd kids will watch when he plays out there?
again it's sooo not a bad thing they wanna be outside.
2007-07-03 10:50:16 · answer #5 · answered by nataliexoxo 7 · 1⤊ 0⤋
Let him play outside.
2007-07-03 10:53:36 · answer #6 · answered by Rocky 2 · 1⤊ 0⤋
Yeah because a fat, lazy, pale, non athletic, Pokemon playing couch potato is a far better option.
2007-07-03 12:01:11 · answer #7 · answered by allybill2 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Find him something in the house he likes to do and he will get preoccupied with that, let him out as much as you can.
2007-07-03 10:55:55 · answer #8 · answered by lartor 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋