Keeping kids outside question

Question

i dont know if anyone will read this but. Lord have mercy. some of you act like i am a neglectful mother. my child is almost 4 i have many windows and doors to our fenced safe yard. i also have the doors and windows open for easy viewing and listening.. i in no way neglect my children. i wanted to know how to keep him outside to play and be some what independent (even though i am right here)

Answer 1

are you inside while they are outside? your 3 year old may just want to be with you maybe. You should play super fun games just for a 3 year old and have your other 3 kids help. he may be feeling left out since the others are older and probably dont play with him that much.

Answer 2

Well your kids are too old for your 3 year old to play with.  I don't think there's anything wrong with the 3 year old coming back inside say after 15 minutes or so, and he can play inside.

Answer 3

It is very possible that he doesn't know how to play outside.  You might need to go out and play with him.  Show him the toys and give him ideas of some pretend play.  Some kids don't have the imagination to think it up themselves.  I have a 6 year old with an incredible imagination.  I can make a sword out of just about anything (sticks, pieces to toys), but I have a 15 year old honors student who has never had any imagination.  I used to have to literally give her pretend ideas, even with her barbies.

Answer 4

He is three and lots of kids experience seperation anxiety if they can't see thier parents with their own eyes at all times. He will probably outgrow that soon, until then he will be standing at the door where he can see you.

I don't know the cure but he will sooner or later give in to playing and having fun with the othr kids.. until then you are the best person to judge if it is OK to make him stay out or if it is too upsetting for him or for both of you.

If you look close you can read his face, and that can help you decide.

Answer 5

I think you may have answered your own question. He just wants to be with you. The three older kids are more then likely off doing there own thing and the 3 year old is bored by himself. I know my 2 1/2 daughter rather play with someone then to be by herself. If you are busy indoors then let him in there with you if that's what he wants,otherwise i would go outside.I defenitly wouldn't make him stay out if it's just making him upset.  

Answer 6

There is nothing wrong with the kids playing outside in a safe area for an hour without mom having to be right there with them.  Give me a break.  

Maybe he's bored out there.  Make it fun.

Turn on the sprinkler. Give him some sidewalk chalk.  Tell your older ones that they have to include him and play with him.  Buy some Frisbees or some other cool outside toy.

It is important that children learn to entertain themselves.  If parents are always playing with them, they never learn to play alone.

Answer 7

Well he might be bored because the other area ll closer in age and he doesn't really have anyone at his level. Maybe have a friend or cousin over that is his age? This means adding an extra kid to the mix, but hey, you've got 4, whats one more??

:)

did you make all the kids play outside when they were 3? If not, maybe you can take him in for some of the day and play with him or have him watch a movie or color or something, and explain to the other 3 that he is the baby so he doesn't get to play outside as much.

I don't know what to say if these won't work.. maybe offer more toys that take time to play with, like blocks, sand, water guns, coloring, painting.

Answer 8

Is it separation anxiety?  Are the older kids being mean?  Maybe he just doesn't want to play outside.  Maybe he needs more alone time with you since there are so many kids around.  Maybe that hour you could spend part of it just doing sometime, like a craft project, with just that one child while the others play.  Are you outside, too?  I love to play outside with my daughter, so maybe he just wants you to come out, too?  And maybe I don't truly understand the situation, but I gave it a shot. (lots of maybe's in this answer!)

Answer 9

I agree with the majority of the comments - he hasn't learned yet how to play outside by himself, he wants to play with Mommy, and he needs a bit more supervision and interaction.  

I don't mean this rudely, it's the truth: I have had foster kids who were removed for less.  Putting a 3yo outside for an hour without proper supervision is legally neglect and CPS could take him away.  

How would you know what happened if he was bitten by a snake or fell and became unconscious or was stung by a bee?  If you're relying on his siblings to know, well, they're not babysitters and they're probably playing without him anyways.  They're kids.  They are not ready for adult responsibilities; they're not watching what he's doing like a parent should be.  It's your responsibility to supervise him appropriately.  He wants to be with you, so let him be.  If you absolutely need to get things done when he's not napping, tell him Mommy needs to do something for a little bit and can't play, but that he can play with a toy in the same room where you are.  Or hire someone responsible to play with him outside for a little while.  

Answer 10

he probably feels left out from the other kids, and has nobody to play with or nothing so he wants to be with you all day.

maybe you can get whatever he likes to do best, and take it outside.

Answer 11

Yes send him out but its also time for the older kids to play with him.  He wants you because his sibs are ignoring him.  Send him out and make them play with him for an hour then bring him in for a nap so the older kids can do stuff that he can't.  Make sure to reward the older kids and don't ask for them to play with the little one for more than the hour.  You don't want them resenting him.

Its good in good weather to send the kids out.  They will learn how to amuse themselves and not depend on the computer and games so much.

Answer 12

Art supplis, Squirt bottles, bubbles, bring his favorite activiy outside!  

Answer 13

When my youngest was a toddler, he not only didn't want to play in our backyard, he didn't want me to put him down! It's a miracle he learned to walk at all..ha. Today, at 24, he's a policeman. Outside time seems like a punishment today to some kids. I mean, it's not like they understand the fresh air, Vit. D concept. One reader mentioned bubbles and squirt guns...perfect. Or even a shallow water tray filled with water and toys...cups, animals, toy boats. Even if he stays outside for 15 minutes happily, let that be good enough probably. Three year olds are still babies and they hate leaving mommy's side. Believe me it won't last. My baby at 24 is too independent . I even gave him a throw pillow that says, " Call your mother, she worries". Ha.

Answer 14

Its so hot out this august. i cant believe it. It may not be as hot at your place...but goodness I wouldnt Force my kid to stay outside. Inside is okay too. Just keep them busy. Its like your pushng them away ffrom you. And outside EVERYDAY? I hope you put sunblock on them. Cancer is a big thing in little kids now. And sun poisoning...

I hope it's cool there- and you keep them hydrated.

Answer 15

An hour may be too long for your 3 year old.  Their attention span just isn't that long at that age, and you should probably spend SOME time outside with them too.  Show him some things to do and how to do it.  He probably cannot play at the same level as your older children and feels left out.

Answer 16

Why don't you go play with him??  

Answer 17

Three years old is a little young to be playing outside by himself.  Yes, I know his siblings are out there, too, but they're older, and at different stages of development.  He's just learning self play.  If you can't go out to play with him, I think you should let him in to be with you!

Answer 18

Why is he at the door?

Solve that problem and he might want to stay outside.

Answer 19

that is a good question i would just try if you have a lot to do i would stand outside with him for a little untill he gets playing with other kids then try to sneak away and get what you need to get done and then go back out with him....maby its  like you never left to him.....  GOOD LUCK

Answer 20

Go out there & play with him!  

Answer 21

Are the other kids playing with him? Are they teasing him. I am the youngest of 4 kids and I used to get picked on HORRIBLY. Make sure they are playing nice and including him in their games. Maybe buy an outdoor game for them that is kid friendly for all ages. You could also try going outside and playing with them once in a while too. My son loves it when we go out and kick the soccor ball around, and it is great exercise for mom too.

Answer 22

I understand you have things to do but they are most likely things that can wait. Your child obviously wants YOU so the best thing you can do here is go out with them and play, let whatever you are doing inside wait until later. Try having a regular outside schedule and that way you can do your inside stuff around that schedule to make sure you will be available to go out with the kids.

Also make sure you have enough stuff for them to do outside. Kids that age  love sand and water tables or sand boxes. Ask your oldest to help out by playing ball with the 3 yr old.

good luck