[GuildJenn]

It's spring here, yay. My inclination is go out a LOT to parks and the lake, tire my son out well, and come home for good naps & sleep. But is that too ungentle? So far he seems happy, but /definitely/ more tired than usual at bedtime.

 

[nabigus]

Well, my take on it: exercise is good, and so is being outside. We make sure to take (and offer) plenty of snacks and water, and ds lets me know if he needs a snuggle and a rest. Unless you're force marching him with a cattle prod or ignoring his "I'm tired and want to go home now" cues--which I seriously doubt! <img alt="" class="inlineimg" src="http://www.mothering.com/discussions/images/smilies/lol.gif" style="border:0px solid;" title="lol"> --I don't think it's ungentle at all. Quite the opposite, actually.

 

[spughy]

The only way I can get my DD to come anywhere close to sleeping through the night is to thoroughly tire her out. She loves it... we go to the park in the morning and feed the ducks and squirrels, then on a shopping outing WITHOUT the stroller in the afternoon, then she has another walk with her dad in the evening... and bam! easy to bed, good night sleep.<br><br>
Unfortunately I am a WOHM so I can only do this on the weekends, and admittedly I'm not able to do it EVERY weekend. But it's nice when it happens. I don't see how this is ungentle. My DD adores being outside and running around. Exercise and fresh air are good for you and, when you're a toddler and have no "baggage" about forced exercise, exercise and fresh air is unconditionally fun.

 

[FiddleMama]

Outside time and then a good nap is so healthy. Nothing could be better than sunshine, fresh air, and sleep.<br><br>
Nothing tires my kid out like swimming. After 45 minutes in the water, a 3 hour nap is a guarantee.

 

[Cujobunny]

ITA. Get out there and enjoy the weather!

 

[Monie]

I've been doing the same thing - we play outside all afternoon, and walk the dog before bathtime. Evie is sleeping better, and when she does wake up and come into our bed she sleeps instead of tossing and turning and poking and kicking and singing and talking and tossing and turning...

 

[LynnS6]

If he's happy outside, go for it! Just time it right.<br><br>
Go out in the morning and afternoon, but stay home from about 5 pm on - that sets his body clock to sleep at the right times.

 

[ThreeBeans]

In the winter, when we can't get outdoors, I tie him to the treadmill with a rope and leave it running for an hour. Same effect.

 

[Qestia]

<div style="margin:20px;margin-top:5px;">
<div class="smallfont" style="margin-bottom:2px;">Quote:</div>
<table border="0" cellpadding="6" cellspacing="0" width="99%"><tr><td class="alt2" style="border:1px inset;">
<div>Originally Posted by <strong>ThreeBeans</strong> <a href="/community/forum/post/7939659"><img alt="View Post" class="inlineimg" src="/community/img/forum/go_quote.gif" style="border:0px solid;"></a></div>
<div style="font-style:italic;">In the winter, when we can't get outdoors, I tie him to the treadmill with a rope and leave it running for an hour. Same effect.</div>
</td>
</tr></table></div>
<img alt="" class="inlineimg" src="http://www.mothering.com/discussions/images/smilies/lol.gif" style="border:0px solid;" title="lol">

 

[Mihelinka]

Get your dc outdoors! I am so happy the weather has gotten better, & no more snow. It REALLY helps w/ ds napping and gets me a nap too<img alt="" class="inlineimg" src="http://www.mothering.com/discussions/images/smilies/lol.gif" style="border:0px solid;" title="lol"> .

 

[maryeb]

<div style="margin:20px;margin-top:5px;">
<div class="smallfont" style="margin-bottom:2px;">Quote:</div>
<table border="0" cellpadding="6" cellspacing="0" width="99%"><tr><td class="alt2" style="border:1px inset;">
<div>Originally Posted by <strong>ThreeBeans</strong> <a href="/community/forum/post/7939659"><img alt="View Post" class="inlineimg" src="/community/img/forum/go_quote.gif" style="border:0px solid;"></a></div>
<div style="font-style:italic;">In the winter, when we can't get outdoors, I tie him to the treadmill with a rope and leave it running for an hour. Same effect.</div>
</td>
</tr></table></div>
<br><br><img alt="" class="inlineimg" src="http://www.mothering.com/discussions/images/smilies/ROTFLMAO.gif" style="border:0px solid;" title="rotflmao">

 

[p.s]

<div style="margin:20px;margin-top:5px;">
<div class="smallfont" style="margin-bottom:2px;">Quote:</div>
<table border="0" cellpadding="6" cellspacing="0" width="99%"><tr><td class="alt2" style="border:1px inset;">
<div>Originally Posted by <strong>ThreeBeans</strong> <a href="/community/forum/post/7939659"><img alt="View Post" class="inlineimg" src="/community/img/forum/go_quote.gif" style="border:0px solid;"></a></div>
<div style="font-style:italic;">In the winter, when we can't get outdoors, I tie him to the treadmill with a rope and leave it running for an hour. Same effect.</div>
</td>
</tr></table></div>
<img alt="" class="inlineimg" src="http://www.mothering.com/discussions/images/smilies/lol.gif" style="border:0px solid;" title="lol">

 

[GuildJenn]

(came in from outside <img alt="" class="inlineimg" src="http://www.mothering.com/discussions/images/smilies/smile.gif" style="border:0px solid;" title="smile">) Thanks mamas! And hillarious too. I think I'd better stock the fridge with great picnic fixings!

 

[utopia760]

oh no your not doing anything wrong its better to be outside puls it keeps them from being bored imagine how boring it is to stay in all day everydasy- if they go out and then come it they will play better in both places plus play harder and be tired! i do it o so dont feel bad!