Too cold...

[onlyAngil]

What do you see as too cold?

Dose this change as the kids get older?

Also ideas for getting the energy out of the kids!

Personally its like mid to low 30's with the wind of who knows... so we are staying in, ... I guess what I am asking is am I being a "wimp" :-P

I wanted take a sec. and say that I put this here because Waldorf-y Mama are more then likely go out in weather with their kids that other mamas may not.

[RollerCoasterMama]

It's been below zero here lately. No question for me! The daycare lady takes the kids out when it's pushing 30. I think right around 30 is my min comfort zone. I've had wind-burn and near frost-bite too many times to want to inflict it on my little one!

It's funny because to be licensed in our state they're required to take all of the children outside every day. Personally, I would be livid if someone took my infant (or young child) out when unnecessary when it's pushing 0 degrees or really hot. It's dangerous! So, even though they promise to do it, it's apparently discretely agreed upon by the at-home providers to use discretion.

As long as there's an energy outlet indoors!! At home we do lots of dancing, jumping, marching, climbing, etc. Oh, and we've got a zoo membership for the zoo down the road. Did you know that NO ONE goes to the zoo in the winter? That means that your kid can have the whole zoo to himself to run around! Our zoo has lots of indoor and covered paths...perfect for MN!

[berrymama]

My DS is 13 months, and is perfectly content to sit in his sled and watch me shovel or snowblow for nearly an hour when it is in the 20s and up, as long as he is dressed for it. He is toasty warm under his down snowsuit when we go back inside.

When he was a newborn, I would go for walks with him under my coat in a sling at about the same temp.

When I was little, I would play outside for hours at temps colder than that. As long as they are dry, kids stay very warm playing in the snow.

[CarrieMF]

I put this here because Waldorf-y Mama are more then likely go out in weather with their kids that other mamas may not

I disagree. What people consider to be too cold is regional, not philosophy.

not Waldorf, but up in Canada the cut off temp is -13F & kids go outside for the entire recess(15min in morning & afternoon, 30min at lunch). IF the wind is blowing & it isn't colder than -22F then they go out for 10-15minutes. If it is colder than that they have to stay in.

[zansmama]

Originally Posted by CarrieMF

I disagree. What people consider to be too cold is regional, not philosophy.

True, and yet... in a region with lots of rain, we are the only family I know that dresses ds up in rain pants, coat and hat and takes him out for hikes in a downpour. I think there is a certain Waldorf-y philosophy of getting kids outside no matter what. So about the cold, I guess I would say: I would bundle him up, and then take him out. If his hands are cold, he's too cold. Might need another sweater, hat, scarf, or whatever... Let your comfort level decide, too, not the thermometer.

[*theophane*]

hey there,
we go out rain or shine, and until around 10F.
i was born in Switzerland so i'm used to cold.
DS is 22 month old and very warmly bundled up, my criteria is his hands, as long as they're warm i'm ok.
i wear him in the backwrap carry until the lowe 20ies, not because of him, but because i'm cold- should get my wearing poncho from Finland very soon.
for the stroller, we have a warm footmuff and we'll be getting an even more warmer one in sheepskin, so i think i'll dare go out even in lower temp if he's ok.

here in CT not so many people go out when it's freezing. i have been wondering how they survive indoors for so long. when i was pregnant, on a snowy day, a car actualy stopped to ask me if i needed assistance - kind but so weird to me!!

[KJoslyn78]

I live in the finger lakes region of NY all my life, and i avoid going outside if i can. Of course, i am overly seneastive to cold, because of hypothyrodism that my dr says is controlled - but that is a topic for a different thread elsewhere.

That said though - i do walk a lot, even in the winter... though until the nicer months, my winter outtings all have purpose (library, store, post office, church). I do miss just taking a walk though in the evenings in the winter. I wish i could find a way to get my 2 yr old out a bit each day - without me suffering from the cold so much though.

[redfoxmama]

We go outside pretty much no matter what, and I've been considered kind of strange for my area.

I agree with keeping dry, dressing in layers. My dh is from Norway and we've spent quite a bit of time there during the winter and babies actually nap outside on the porch in the very cold weather. They wear layers, including wool & sleep in a covered pram. We follow the "dress code" and my ds is always warm/dry/happy and his cousins are usually cold and wet because they have "typical" winter wear.

[Melaniee]

Hmm...under 30, I guess? I don't really see that too often. LOL. Generally high 40's is as cold as we see, but if there was snow involved we'd bear just about anything to get to play in it, here.

From what I understand Waldorf schools tend to have the children play outside regardless of weather, as long as they're dress properly. I do see some of our torrentially-windy days having the children inside, though. But wind is just miserable, no matter what you're wearing.

[boatbaby]

I am a card carrying weather wimp. When it's above 45F degrees we're outside all day, everyday. But drop below that and FORGET it!

We go to our local indoor pool open swim to get our energy out. That and friends with big houses (since we live on a boat we are particularly cooped up this time of year).

[kananaskismama]

We try to go outside every day regardless of the weather. It has been super cold here -20s celcius and lots of snow. If it is really chilly we stay out for a tiny bit and then come back in. We all get cabin fever if we are indoors too often.

Unfortunately DD hates being outside when it is below 0 and wants to "watch from a window inside". DS is an outdoors boy - he loves any temperature - he wants to experience the elements. He marvels at the snow and the footprints in it. DD would rather curl up in her bed with mommy and a book. They are so different!

What I find exhausting is all of the preparation to go outside in the cold: struggling to get their snow suits, scarves, hats and snow boots on. They will thwart every effort to get dressed when they don't want to go. It sometimes takes a half hour just to get outside. It's worth it once we are outside but there are days when I wish we lived in a warmer climate.