I Just Locked My Kids Outside

Summary

A parent describes their decision to temporarily lock their children outside to play unsupervised in order to establish boundaries and allow themselves time to work without interruptions.

Abstract

The author of the content expresses the challenges of balancing work and childcare during the day, detailing the activities they engaged in with their children before needing to work. After encountering resistance when asking the children to play outside, the parent resorts to locking the door, ensuring the children's safety from a window while giving them the opportunity for unstructured play and themselves the chance to focus on work. The article suggests that setting boundaries is sometimes necessary for both the well-being of the children and the parent's need to complete tasks.

Opinions

The author feels that despite the initial resistance from their children, locking them outside was a necessary step to ensure personal work time.
There is an underlying sentiment that children can benefit from unstructured play and time away from their parents.
The parent believes in the importance of setting boundaries, even if it means using unconventional methods like locking the children outside.
The author implies that maintaining a work-life balance while caring for children at home requires creative and firm parenting strategies.
The article conveys a sense of humor and relatability about the challenges of parenting, acknowledging that raising one's voice is often ineffective.

Only for a few minutes!

Photo by Julien L on Unsplash (My daughter says I should have taken a pic of myself doing this!)

This is how I feel trying to work with my kids at home.

I did it all: helped them with chores, did a long craft at the kitchen table, made a yummy lunch…

Then I said: Clean up the art project and go outside and play. I have to work.

Moms, you know what happened next.

Bickering, looking for outdoor gear, pouting.

I raised my voice (we know this never works), but then, I said calmly…

I’m going to lock the door now.

My kids are safe (I can see them playing from my window). They are not the tots they once were, and they know they are cherished. This isn’t my “go-to” parenting technique, but sometimes setting boundaries is necessary.

They’re having fun with unstructured play, getting vitamin D, and I’m getting in some adult-ing.

I Just Locked My Kids Outside

Only for a few minutes!

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