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View Full Version : walking guilt!



samkeddy
03-01-2012, 09:32 AM
Hi and happy new year everyone!

1st day back at work and im doubting myself allready!!

Im probably in for an ear bashing but if its what i deserve then im ready. I can drive and have a 7 seater car, but my main school is a 10 minute walk away and its a nice walk (along a large grassed space) I have to use my car 3 days a week for after school pick ups as do 2 schools on those days but the rest of the time i prefere to walk, i like the fresh air, i believe the exercise is good for the children, we often bump into friends which allows for them to socialise before school etc etc.
One mindee always moans about walking and for this reason i like to be consistent meaning we walk to school every day (hope that doesnt sound cruel, i dont walk to annoy her i just dont like giving mixed signals and false hope iyswim)

But today i am feeling guilty, its wet and windy and the walk was far from enjoyable, i feel bad i should have took them in the car.

Half of me is saying if i didnt drive we'd have had to have walked so whats the problem but the other halve is saying i could have took the car and didnt so thats just nasty!!!!

opinions please, dont worry i can take it??
Thanks x

miss mopple
03-01-2012, 09:37 AM
Dont feel guilty, I am the same. We moved house recently and now have a 25min walk to school. I make them all walk it whatever the weather.I refuse to up my fuel bill for the car, its great exercise and there is so much learning to be had on a school walk, even if the weather is bad.

I have one that hates it, but I won't give in :laughing:

Happy Bunny
03-01-2012, 09:38 AM
I don't have a car so my lot have to walk, our school is 10 minutes down the road too.
Even if I did have a car I still would walk as it's healthier, friendlier to the environment plus the fact it would be more hassle to get them in and out of the car at each end.

I would just tell the mindee sorry but your walking.

breezy
03-01-2012, 09:40 AM
I live 2 miles from the school and hate driving the school run, but I park 5 - 10 minutes away from school and we walk in from there. One child moaned all the time but now loves the walk as he gets to walk with friends.

QualityCare
03-01-2012, 09:52 AM
I have a car but if school was close enough we would walk every day whatever the weather. Don't feel guilty or pressurised into using your car by children or parents.

samkeddy
03-01-2012, 09:58 AM
Thanks so much for these replies i feel much better now!!

mama2three
03-01-2012, 10:01 AM
Sam that made me laugh - walking quilt I had visions of you all wrapped up with just your feet sticking out and waddling around , my 5 year old does this if its cold when he gets out of bed!

As for the school run - we walk , 10-15 mins , whatever the weather. If its pouring down I get wetter trying to get them all in and out of the car!

louise
03-01-2012, 10:10 AM
Its only rain. Just think of you had driven unless you had left early to park near the school you would of all got wet any way. I don't drive and mindee did moan but we we're soon at school. I did point out some people were haivng to park down the street and then didnt get shelter before the doors open so they got just as wet.

nikki thomson
03-01-2012, 10:10 AM
My children's school is in the next village so we have to drive but if it was a few mins away we'd walk, having said that I don't do rain so would probably of taken the easy option of the car but that's because I don't like it not the children. X

caz3007
03-01-2012, 10:21 AM
I dont drive and our school is 10 minutes away, so we walk come rain or shine. Even those that drive, cant park on the school premises and would have to walk from where ever they manage to park, so would get wet anyway.

The Juggler
03-01-2012, 10:23 AM
i drive but can't fit all the mindees and mine in car. we walk in all weathers and it's a good 20 minute walk there and back with little legs.

don't feel guilty. the mindee that was moaning - they are the ones that should be walking - it's because they get driven everywhere.

Tealady
03-01-2012, 11:05 AM
I'd love to walk to school. I hate getting the car out two or three times a day.

Our school is over four miles away so we have to drive. However, we can't park that near the school due to sheer volume of cars (At least a third of the school are from outside the village and its a big school - over 300 pupils) so have to walk a bit and getting them in and out the car we always get drenched. However we always have the treat of warm milk or hot chocolate in front of the gas fire on our return if we've got really wet or when it's freezing cold. So if they make a fuss I remind them if the weather wasn't so bad we wouldn't be doing that.

You do have to be consistant, so I wouldn't worry too much. Being out in the rain won't do them any harm... It's not as if they'll shrink when wet! When they get to the point of not moaning (and they will) you can use car then.

desiderata
03-01-2012, 11:13 AM
The school I go to is a 5 minute walk if I do it just with the older kids but obviously a bit longer if I walk with littlies. I always walk. I have bought overtrousers and macs for the children as they dont always come suitably dressed ( particularly one whos mom always comments about how I could use the car!) so this makes me not even more. The kids themselves except 1 n(ot the child of the mom) dont seem to mind. I have just bought all new cosy toes and raincover for the pushchair too so we are well prepared.

singingcactus
03-01-2012, 01:50 PM
You live in England, we have bad weather, they need to get used to it, you are doing them a favour (I really believe that, I am not being catty). It's 10 minutes out of their life, really is it that bad.

samkeddy
03-01-2012, 02:04 PM
Im so glad youve not all said 'youre horrible, why make those poor children get all wet, and stuggle in that horrible rain when you could just pop them in the car, your mean and tight and blah blah blah' lol:panic:

Thankyou soo much, Ill warn them all, hats and gloves again in morn lol:laughing: