Walk or take the car - which would your child choose?

[emkana]

Since dd1 was born nearly four years ago hardly a day has gone by when we haven't been outside for a walk. She has been out of the pushchair for 18 months, since dd2 was born. Yet we have recently started having arguments over whether to walk or take the car to preschool and other places. I really would have thought that I brought her up to be used to walking, if not even enjoying it... but no! Must be her father's couch potato genes! Do you think it will change as she gets older?

[nm]

I am a complete couch potato but DD always wants to walk - I think it's because for about 3 years she was driven to nursery every day. Luckily we can now walk to school

[Kayleigh]

My kids are 6.5 and 3.5 and are obstinate little whatsits. If we are going to school (3 minute walk) they moan 'cos they want to go in the car. But when we are going a few miles they decide they want to walk. You can't win

[Gwenick]

My DS1 (4yrs old) would probably say car.

BUT I think that's more to do with the fact that it's a 'novelty' rather than the fact he's lazy to walk. I don't drive - so have always walked everywhere with him (or taken ths bus) so usually the only time he gets into the car is at the weekends - and at the moment it's very infrequently. Which makes car more exciting than walking.

[TwoIfBySea]

Both dst (age 3) have enjoying walking from about 15 months (when they were steady enough to get somewhere without falling on their bum every two minutes!) Since then they refused to go into their buggy and apart from train journeys, prefer to walk if possible.

I don't know if at some point they will change, I hope not. As their pre-school is 7 miles away they have no choice but to go in the car but there is a little loch nearby so when the weather gets warmer I will park there and they can feed the swans before going home.

Sorry em, absolutely no use here. But you mention genes, I loved to walk everywhere when I was younger!

[roisin]

Mine are quite happy to walk, and do walk everywhere, and quite long distances now (they are 5 and 7): like Gwenick I don't drive, so we don't have arguments about it! BUT given the choice I think they would nearly always choose 'car' ... but we don't give them the choice, simple as that! Dh (who does drive!) takes them to school 3x a week, and they always walk, and never complain.

Hmm... I think my boys just love routine, and boundaries. If dh occasionally took them in the car to school (c. 0.6 mile), I'm sure they would start nagging. But he never does, so they don't!

[essbee]

Message withdrawn

[NameChangingMancMidlander]

DS1 & DS2 both prefer to use the car, DS2 being more flexible than stubborn (and slightly lazy) DS1. DD is 2.5 and will walk forever, but i take her in the car to nursery etc