3 1/2 year old in pushchair

[Tonis2297]

Well as the title suggests we have 3 1/2 year old ds who has asd , clubfoot and now being looked at for athritis we also have a dd who's 9 months , I've just put a deposit down on a new double as he's outgrew the current one , his dad thinks I'm being ridiculous (we don't live together and aren't together and there's nothing wrong with our son apparently ) question is who's right is it ridiculous for ds to still be in a pushchair ? He does complain when walking about pains in his legs/feet and his knees swell I just don't know anymore ...

[Melawati]

I think you have to do what works for you and your DS - there's no right or wrong. My only thought is that you might struggle to find a double pushchair that will last much longer as the seats tend to be smaller than on single pushchairs. Would something like a sit n stand or the kind of buggy board that your DC can sit down on also help, with your DD in the main seat/buggy?

[Ineedmorepatience]

Have you ordered an all terrain type of pushchair?

They seem to have bigger seats and should last a bit longer! Dd3 has Asd and hypermobility syndrome, she used our 3 wheeler until she was at least 4.5.

Do what you need to do to get through the day!

[Tonis2297]

The one I have ordered is alot bigger and think it should do till he's out of a pushchair all together and I have both dcs all the time as curren partner works we have a buggy board but he refuses point blank to get on it so pointless , I don't understand him frusso his twins that are a year old (whom he lives with) one has spina bifida and hydrocephalus you'd have thought he would be more supportive (apparently not) he even tried to argue with the paed about our son having asd I think he's maybe in denial ..

[Tonis2297]

He is an idiot at the best of times gone for the bjcm double only a deposit so can switch if I have change my mind but it looks a good size compared to our tiny oyster max

[Tonis2297]

I was thinking that he loves to hide under the pushchair hood just now just can't get out the house atm because we have no double ! Nightmare !

[imip]

I have a dd who was initially diagnosed with JIA (later re diagnosed with hyper mobility), symptoms obviously simmilar to jia. Only recently we've stopped putting her in a buggy on really long days out (zoo, holidays etc) towards the end of the day when she can walk no more because of the pain. She is 9! I'm going to miss the buggy as we are now unable to do big days out. Buggy was for dd4 who's just turned 4. You're not bring unreasonable at all. I planned to do Kew Gardens with the DCs, but not sure we actually can (I also have a dc with ASD, so need to always be on my toes when out and about.

[Tonis2297]

He just thinks we're being ridiculous as he's over 3 should be walking everywhere , fully toilet trained etc , current partner doesn't mind one bit (DDs dad) he's the one footing the bill for it by working all the hours under the sun .. But that's another thread .. Yes I agree poltergoose he is an Arse I just try and believe he's nicer for ds sake

[deeedeee]

www.buggypod.com/wordpress/

this might help

[yakkiyakkiyogi]

For DS (4), I still use the buggy most of the time because its not possible any more to carry him around after he's having a meltdown (mostly every time we got out) or because he dozes off at odd times in the bus. He doesn't have any pain or any other serious issues with walking but due to his development delay is a very slow walker. Plus he weighs like 20 kg now. He has these meltdowns on the way to and back from school or the supermarket or the town centre when he thinks or wants to go somewhere where we cant go at that moment such as the train station and Ive had days when he sat in front of the station having a meltdown for half hour wanting to go somewhere on the train when we simply couldn't go due to other stuff to do. On our 4th buggy now since he was born - OutnAbout...the front bit is quite long so he can put his feet on it instead of dragging on the ground

People are always judgemental. Tutting, staring, elbowing each other, pointing, whispering to each other etc, I've seen them do all that just because he "looks" too old to be in a buggy. A few times people have said it to me too. Initially I used to explain but now I just say "No" or "Never Mind" and look away so they get the message. To top it he still uses his bottle. Now I shake my head at them when they start shaking their heads at him.

I'm now learning to drive and hopefully soon will be able to get away from at least some of this negativity.

Just do what makes your and your child's life easier. At the end of the day, you and him have to bear the difficulties that arise from not using the buggy. I can bet your ex cant survive a day even in your shoes!!!!

[Msqueen33]

My dd has just turned three and has suspected asd and she's in a buggy as I cannot have her running off whilst trying to walk with my seven yr old and six yr old who has asd

[Archedbrowse]

I put my 3yr DD1 old (not SN) in a pushchair still, in a double with her baby sister. There are several reasons; the pavements are v.v. narrow on the walk in to village, she'd have to walk either behind or in front of me and pram, so I'd have no control over her.
I'm worried what would happen if she ran off, I'd have to abandon pram to chase her.
Although she is capable of walking to village and back she invariably wants to be carried at some point, which I couldn't manage to do, with or without pram, whether I wanted to or not, so I'd end up dragging a tantrumming child home.

She does look large in the pram, and I'm aware people must think she's too big, but I have my reasons, which I think are valid so [shrugs shoulders]

[Tonis2297]

Thank you everyone I feel so much better about this situation I know we will be judged as he is really big ! 100cm and 16.5kg but I've got a thick skin , having the buggy means I can get out on my own with both dc and do days out as a family without him having major meltdowns being sore tired etc so thank you !x