3 and a half year old in a pushchair?

There will be people telling you theirs never went in a push chair past 2 and others who kept them in one until 7 so you just need to ignore everyone else.
I would say it borders on uncommon for a 3.5 year old to be in one all the time.
Most that age at our nursery are walking or using a scooter for the 1km walk but that’s not to say they don’t use a buggy on longer days out.

I think it's fine until they start school!

(And even then sometimes if we're running late or it's raining I still make DS go under the rain cover in the double buggy to school. He's inherently lazy like me, and quite happy about it. Couldn't give two figs about the looks he gets from his school mates!)

If I didn't use a buggy for the younger one, plus all the associated crap which needs to be carted about, we'd be in the car.

Exactly! What’s the difference?

If the child is in a car then they’re not walking are they? You can frame it however you like eg cars are a necessary piece of equipment. But the child still ain’t walking if they’re in a car so it’s pot kettle black really isn’t it?

And a pram is also a necessary piece of equipment for some people! People with cars just don’t get it… because they have a car to get their child from A to B. And then they have the cheek to judge someone using a pram.

Can you tell this issue annoys me? As someone with a 4 year old who struggles to walk I am exhausted and although I don’t have a pram for her, I would be fully justified in getting her one if I wanted to! And the judgey fuckers happily driving their 4 year olds to school can F off.

My dd has a health condition which means she can only walk short distances she's 5 and still in a pushchair. When she out grows it I guess we'll have to get a wheelchair. If I'm in a bad mood anyone who makes a "jokey"/ judgemental comment about it gets a long explanation of her condition from me. I hope it makes them always think twice before they judge again. It's no one's business but yours how you get your child from A to B.

I don't drive either.
Walk miles.
I miss the pushchair for the exercise all that pushing gave me 🤣
I still walk miles but it gave me even more of a walkout pushing that never mind up a hill! 🤣

If it's a choice between having to carry them or use a pushchair, use a pushchair. It's no-one else's business.

YANBU

I hired one when we went on holiday and regretted not getting two. My oldest 8 who is autistic was in it more than his 4 yo brother. The youngest didn’t mind walking but he did get tired and wanted to be carried and add it being ridiculously hot where we were, I didn’t want to be carrying him in hot weather while walking around for hours and it meant we could put things on it instead of on our backs.

Mine rides his bike but it’s just not practical to do that on all occasions. Fine for a trip to the park but defo wouldn’t work for me to do the school and childcare run (45 mins walking total) so he’s in the pram. Much preferable to the other option which would be the car.

I used to judge as my two dc were perfectly behaved outside. But then dc3 wiped that smug smile off my face 🤣🤣 He's almost 4 and i still need to put him in a buggy at times !!! Karma

DS is 6 and still sometimes gets a piggy back (he is quite light, or I wouldn’t manage it). He was getting them regularly in Reception.

No issue with a 3 yr old in a buggy 🤷‍♀️

But you might want to invest in a scooter (with a lead to pull them along) - lighter and easier to carry when they want to walk.

Yep, exactly my experience!

I miss the buggy, it was so useful for carting all our stuff about too.

I'm so glad to read this I'd got in my head that I was failing my child but the nursery run is such a pain if I don't use the buggy

Of course, especially on holiday when they'll be more tired than usual.

We still regularly use the buggy for our 3 year old - we walk lots and have to walk home up a hill that most adults would struggle with if they weren't used to it. We walk down, walk around all day, and use the buggy (or bus!) to get back up.

Agree that the people who don't use buggies at this age probably use cars more. Or live somewhere very flat!

Totally fine. Some kids love walking, some are a lot more resistant. A holiday is supposed to be fun and relaxing. If your DC is in the latter group take the buggy and don’t worry about it. Encourage walking over shorter distances at home. Don’t wreck your holiday!

I also have a 3.5 year old and I took him to an activity in a buggy this week. The buggy is designed for children up to 20kg and he is way off that (he is on the smaller side).

He normally goes in the car to this activity as it's about a 30min walk away at a brisk adult pace. The buggy is better than that as he does have the option of getting out for a bit if he likes, plus at least it's fresh air for him and exercise for me.

On holiday if you're doing lots of walking/long journeys it's fine. Generally I think they should walk.

Absolutely fine. The only people who say otherwise funnily enough seem to drive their children everywhere.

It’s fine. They’ve a comfortable seat where they can eat, sleep, be safe, shopping etc can go in the basket. Much easier all round

I had a slipped disc and had the pram for ages as carrying DD was not an option. There’s always a judgey fucker somewhere but just do what works for you…

Fine for holidays, theme parks, long days out etc. For short trips and more every day stuff I’d encourage walking though.

Absolutely fine

My son will be 4 in the summer. We still use his buggy for the nursery run. It's a 25 min walk (at adult speed) and we don't have time for him to faff around walking it every day twice a day. Most of his class are also in buggies too (or on a buggy board if they have a sibling)

I would expect them to be walking at 3 unless you’re going on an exceptionally long walk. Or get them a scooter? When my first was 3 I kept the buggy as a backup but encouraged him to walk.

but realistically, do what makes your life less stressful ☺️

Totally acceptable