What's too cold for the kids?

crene84 · December 2014

I am ALWAYS freezing and DH is always sweating so the whole "dress your kids how you would dress yourself" is hard for us. Probably somewhere in between.

Now that it's so cold, to me, I haven't been going out for daily walks like I was a couple months ago. I think we all need to get out more so I am curious what you all consider to be too cold to take the kids out. I know we are from different parts of the US (and world) so NC weather probably seems warm to some of you. Today it is 45 and I feel like it's soo cold. If I go outside, I think I'd put coats, hats, and even mittens on them. Is that excessive?

hmp1 · December 2014

Our weather is similar to yours (TN). James is usually on the warm side and doesn't want to wear a big coat usually. I'm fine with letting him decide his own comfort level (he is totally the kid without the coat when I have one on). Leo is more like me and his ears get so cold if he doesn't have a hat on so I usually bundle him up more. But in general, unless it is raining or really windy, they go outside and play every day.

BeebopandBuddy · December 2014

I think this is very regional. We are in NJ. I am cold much of the time. I'm from TX, so when it gets less than 60, I put the kids in coats and less than 50 usually involves hats and mittens. DH is from Upstate NY and he thinks I'm insane. He thinks anything less than 50 is coats and less than 40 is hats/mittens. I usually just layer the kids with T's, long sleeved shirts, and outerwear and then check their temperature on their face and body the longer we are outside to gauge their warmth. I would take them out as long as I can bear the cold for a good amount of time. At 45, I could probably do 30 minutes or so.

AKB090609 · December 2014

We play outside every day if it is above freezing, I use the chart they make for schools that tells how much time is safe to play depending on the temperature. At 45 we would play for at least 30 minutes at a time. I'm always cold so we are bundled up, but we all need the fresh air!

kelbel527 · December 2014

Honestly, if it was 45 degrees, we'd all be running to go play outside! So I know I can't provide the right perspective.

That said - here, kids pretty much wear hats and gloves outside this time of year. Even if it was 50* I'd probably put them on them out of habit. I don't think hats, gloves and coats are excessive.

At school, Brody goes outside if "feels like" is above freezing. For Aedan, I think it's 20*.

jenndub · December 2014

It doesn't get cold here, I just wanted to see what you guys had to say.

redneckmomma25 · December 2014

45 is like spring weather. I wouldn't put a time limit at 45 degrees. Coat if she will wear it. Gloves. Maybe a hat. Even 30's is fine for outside play. Maybe not as long as 45 degrees. I don't normally wear a coat until it's in the 30's. I dress G in layers so she can shed one if need be.

smb+jab · December 2014

I agree its completely about where you live and what you think it cold. DH and I are both from PA and he is completely bundled up with hat, gloves and a scarf as soon as it is below 40! He's a bit dramatic

I on the other hand just pulled out my winter coat this morning because it was snowing here, as I had been wearing a Northface fleece. I am a stickler for gloves b/c i get really bad chapped hands here.

As for dressing our child, he usually gets his winter coat if its 50 or below as they go outside at school (a hat and mittens are sent in, although i am not sure he wears them) and his coat has a hood. Above 50 he has a fleece jacket that he wears.

I will say I am originally from Pittsburgh (although I now live outside of Philly) and you will always see some jackass outside shoveling snow in his cargo shorts and sweatshirt. - because 20 degrees is warm! Oh wait I know that guy he married my friend!

Pokedot · December 2014

So when I woke up this morning it was 10* outside. Currently it's 33* and feels like a dream. If we didn't have so much snow B would play outside every day. It's just a PITA to bundle him up in snowpants, boots, jacket, hat/mittens for 20 minutes of play. If it's 45 he'd be out in a coat, hat and I'd bring mittens if his hands felt cold. He'd get at least 30 minutes outside. 45* is what we get in the spring on a nice day and fall on a cooler day.

Newt69 · December 2014

last night it was snowing and I wanted to get DS out to burn off some energy. It was about 30-32degrees out, so I put him in boots, a heavy (lined hoodie, that he wears in the car from house to DC) and his hat, him and the dog ran around like 2 banshis for about 1/2 hours. he was still warm (except hands) when we came back in. (he only fell 2x in the snow)

we dress him like we do (we wear hoodies most of the time) with layers underneath. but if we were to go out side and play in the snow ( build snowmen, sleigh ride etc) I would bundle him in his snow pants and suit so we could stay out longer and not have to worry.

watercolor5 · December 2014

I'm also in the south (GA) and run cold. I think it boils down to what you and your kids are used to. If you're living in alaska or scandinavia or something, your kids can probably go out in sub-zero temps and be just fine.

I've been walking the dog with the kids in the sit n stand and they've been fine. I err on the side of bringing hats and gloves, but they usually don't need them. Better to have them and take them off when the kids warm up and not have them but need them. The only real danger is in piling on the layers in the car, and not checking... we kept sophia way too warm on the way back from thanksgiving (3 hour car ride) and the poor kid sweat so much she was a dehydrated when we got it

Holly_1007 · December 2014

I took the boys and dogs for a 2 mile walk last Sunday. It was 20 degrees but I had to get the dogs out.the boys had hats, mittens and jackets. I put them in the double stroller and wrapped them each in a blanket. They were fine. They have been playing outside all week and the temps have been in the 30s. As a general rule of thumb, once fall hits they are in jackets hats and mittens every day.

melody921 · December 2014

I am also frequently cold. That said, 45 is a lot warmer than it is here right now! I would do coats for the kids and hats and mittens, since they're not going to be moving around like you will. You will likely find you don't want a winter coat for yourself bc you'll get too warm partway through the walk.

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