ds wants to be outside 24/7

[scoop22]

i know this is silly. and i love to be outside but not all the time. i do need to get some things done. and we do have to go to bed. ds hates to come in from outside. any suggestions on how to get him in without a tantrum... at night we use the bath. but we can't be taking baths everytime we come in from outside. he will skip lunch and dinner if we let him. we have tried eating outside but he just wants to play. any help would be great. summer is on it's way and i don't want to live outside all day long.. thanks

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[gatorruth]

Well, we use a timer here. We tell DS that he will be doing XXX when the timer goes off. I ask him how many more minutes he wants, he tells me (and it's usually a number like forty eleven three-- so cute at nearly 4yrs old!!) and I set the timer for 10 minutes. I give him a 5 min warning, a 2 min warning and a 1 min warning. He usually complies easily when he has a while to get used to the transition. It works when we have to leave somewhere, or take a bath or get dressed in the AM.

We also use a calendar and I color code the boxes so my son knows what to expect- it also teaches him about days, and the vague concept of time... So if we're going to the park, I might color the box green, or if we're going on a trip, draw a plane in the box.

Maybe that will help-- you can determine what days on the calendar you are willing to spend outside... and color them green. on other days, it will be an inside day. Just a thought.

Good luck! Ruth

[infocrazy]

No real suggestions, but I'm with ya! DS is actually about a week or so off from your DS. The only thing that will SOMETIMES work for us is getting the mail! Then he gets to put all the junk mail in the recycle bin which he loves.

I am due with DS2 very soon and am looking forward to summer off with my boys but this is definitely one thing I'm worried about! DS LOVES to be outside but I don't want to be out a lot with little brother in the sun!

We'll see what happens. Right now, my plan is to stay in/run errands before lunch/nap, then go outside after when the sun isn't as hot. That at least cuts out 1 tantrum!

So more sympathy than suggestions but I'll be watching for other responses!

[jenjenfirenjen]

Same thing here. Last summer was harder as he was younger but I would set the alarm on my watch for five minutes and give him a warning that when my watch beeped it was time to go in. He still got upset but it wasn't as bad since he seemed to understand he couldn't argue with the watch. I have to chase him most times but now he comes in without crying most times. Luckily, DS2 loves being outside too so we'll all be pratically living outside this summer. Personally, I count my blessing on this one since they practically entertain themselves while outside and I can sit and read a magazine or what not.

[scoop22]

tonight was better. i asked him if he wanted to wash his hands and he ran right inside. i am going to have a clean boy everynight..
http://b2.lilypie.com/XbITm4.png

[scoop22]

tonight was better. i asked him if he wanted to wash his hands and he ran right inside. i am going to have a clean boy everynight..
http://b2.lilypie.com/XbITm4.png

[sdbc]

I'd say warn him 5 minutes before coming in, and then bring him in, tantrum or not. Eventually he'll stop having tantrums once he accpts the inevitability of having to go inside sometimes.

Sue, mommy to Aurora (Rory) born 5/13/04

[sdbc]

I'd say warn him 5 minutes before coming in, and then bring him in, tantrum or not. Eventually he'll stop having tantrums once he accpts the inevitability of having to go inside sometimes.

Sue, mommy to Aurora (Rory) born 5/13/04

[Wife_and_mommy]

Yep, this. The tantrums(for that anyway :P ) stop if they're not effective.


http://www.gynosaur.com/assets/ribbons/ribbon_gold_12m.gif[/img][/url] http://www.gynosaur.com/assets/ribbons/ribbon_gold_12m.gif[/img][/url]

I love them most when they are sleeping.--Me
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http://b2.lilypie.com/UgAXm5.png

[Wife_and_mommy]

Yep, this. The tantrums(for that anyway :P ) stop if they're not effective.


http://www.gynosaur.com/assets/ribbons/ribbon_gold_12m.gif[/img][/url] http://www.gynosaur.com/assets/ribbons/ribbon_gold_12m.gif[/img][/url]

I love them most when they are sleeping.--Me
http://b4.lilypie.com/HSUwm4.png
http://b2.lilypie.com/UgAXm5.png

[pb&j]

We just bring him inside and let him have his tantrum. After about 30 sec, he gets over the disappointment, and happily plays with his inside toys.

Today he actually left the playground of his own volition. He'd been outside most of the day, and I think he was actually worn out and just wanted to go inside and have his cup of milk. He did stand by the window, wistfully looking outside as he drank it, though.


-Ry,
mom to Max the one year old
and my girl in heaven

http://www.windsorpeak.com/dc/user_files/37124.gif

[pb&j]

We just bring him inside and let him have his tantrum. After about 30 sec, he gets over the disappointment, and happily plays with his inside toys.

Today he actually left the playground of his own volition. He'd been outside most of the day, and I think he was actually worn out and just wanted to go inside and have his cup of milk. He did stand by the window, wistfully looking outside as he drank it, though.


-Ry,
mom to Max the one year old
and my girl in heaven

http://www.windsorpeak.com/dc/user_files/37124.gif

[DrSally]

DS just loves being outside too. He gets sooo upset at having to come in, the hysterics are kind of funny. We play outside every day during the day and also before DH gets home from work. The second he sees DH driving in, he starts to run away/or sit down, b/c he knows it will be time to come in soon. We've had him pick up his tools (rake, shovel) and put them away, which leads him to the garage, so it's less jarring than carrying him in all the way. Also, I go in first and stand in the doorway and he's more likely to want to come in. We let him climb the stairs to the back door and push the garage door button. Basically, he needs to be distracted from his anger response at having to come in. These things only work partially and some of the time though.

[DrSally]

"He did stand by the window, wistfully looking outside as he drank it, though."

Awww, cute.

[redhookmom]

I have not figured hta out yet, and my son is almost 8. He would just rther be outside all of the time. It seems it is not genetic because my daghter just hates being outside. She would rather sit and watch from the sliding glass window.

How about creating an "inside box." Rotate a few exciting toys in the box and make a big deal about going to see what is in the inside box. WOOHOO!