Would you judge a mum with a 3 yo in a buggy?

[itseasybeingcheesy]

My 3.5 yo is flagging massively on the 2 mile circuit of a school/nursery run we have. She can't manage to scoot or bike the journey as she isn't great on either.

I've got a 3 month old baby in the pushchair at the moment but could put him in a sling and put her in buggy but I wonder if people would be judgy about an older child in a buggy? Or alternatively I've got a sling I can back carry her in and keep baby in pushchair. Would that be judged even I more? I'm not sure why I care but I do.

In my experience the ones who are most likely to judge are the ones who drive their kids absolutely everywhere. Yes they’ve been out of the buggy since they were one, but they’ve never walked more than 30 feet.

I wish people would stop regurgitating this nonsense on every similar thread. I don't care what anyone else does, BUT:

I don't drive, we don't have a car, my kids were both out of the buggy by three years old, and both walked 1.5 miles each way to school and back from the start of reception.

It's NOT only drivers who think that only toddlers belong in buggies.

I have a 5mo and a nearly 3yo.

Planned to use sling and have toddler walk (she'd been walking long distances when I was pregnant no problem) but I can't deal with tantrums well with baby in a sling. Got a double buggy.

I often put baby in the double and get toddler to walk but she can climb in when she's tired.

I'd rather people judge me for 3yo in a pram than judge me for standing over a toddler cos I can't lean down to her or having to hand baby to a random stranger while I sort her out!

Buggies are tested for up to 4 but can go beyond that, I don’t see why anyone would judge you for that.

No. But then I used buggies when mine were four sometimes; five on some very long days out. Walking with young children is not a fast thing to do.

I wish people would stop regurgitating this nonsense on every similar thread. I don't care what anyone else does, BUT:

I did say in my experience.

No.

Not at all. That is a long way at that age.

I think it’s fine. My DD loved her buggy at 3 and quite honestly is nearly 6 and would like nothing better than to be tucked up in there instead of walking “miles and miles until my legs are aching”

Not a jot.

(To clarify, I don’t let my nearly-6 year old use a buggy, but she would at the drop of a hat if it were offered)

No I wouldn't

Why would I even care about your choices!
I see someone wrote 'maybe if they were 5' but even then I seriously couldn't give two hoots what you do because I wouldn't know anything about your or your child's life and I would presume you have your reasons why!
I've got enough things in my own life to be worrying about without thinking about anyone else!

You're the parent, do what works for you!

Yes.

Well my husband took our 4 yo to nursery in a buggy until he started school last month. Was just over 1 mile. He could get there but husband needed to get there and back in 40 minutes. It was the only time he ever went in buggy.

I had to get my 16 month old out of the buggy as I needed it for the new baby. I put her on toddler reins so she couldn’t run into the road.
Two miles isn’t very far.
I live in Scotland and often took my toddlers up steep hills and on long walks.
They soon developed sturdy little legs and a good exercise tolerance!
I’m not judging you, OP, but I’d encourage your toddler to use her own legs and build up her stamina with lots of running about, outside games, and going with you on hill walks. She’ll soon find 2 miles on a school run to be peanuts. It’s only a 40 minute stroll, after all.
I should add my two DDs are now adults who go on long runs, climb Munros, wind surf, and do aerial yoga and martial arts between them!

Will she fit? My 3.5 year old hopped in the buggy the other day when I had the baby in the sling and she was far too big. I was worried she might break it and it was hard working pushing her. But she is in aged 5 to 6 clothes. I’m pretty sure people judged me.

My 3yo is often still in a buggy. I dont actually give a hoot if anyone judged me, each child is different and providing they still get plenty of exercise the rest of the day I dont see what harm it could possibly do other than make your life that little bit easier!

Nope. 3 year olds good between a buggy and buggy board is fairly standard.

School aged without any obvious SN then I'd think it was unusual but wouldn't judge because you never know what's going on in the lives of strangers.

Do whatever makes your life easier. I agree though that a buggy board might be better or letting your little one scoot... but ultimately, your choice. I have a 3 year old & he'd probably only last 5 mins in a buggy now so might be more hassle if your lo wants in and out all the time.

No! That’s a long way for little legs. Better she saves her energy for school too.

If someone’s judging you it’s their problem.

Go for it! I doubt anyone will bat an eyelid. I've known 2 yo who wouldn't go in buggies and 5yo who still did, but most are in between ... 3 is totally average.

I had to get my 16 month old out of the buggy as I needed it for the new baby. I put her on toddler reins so she couldn’t run into the road.
Two miles isn’t very far.
I live in Scotland and often took my toddlers up steep hills and on long walks.
They soon developed sturdy little legs and a good exercise tolerance!
I’m not judging you, OP, but I’d encourage your toddler to use her own legs and build up her stamina with lots of running about, outside games, and going with you on hill walks. She’ll soon find 2 miles on a school run to be peanuts. It’s only a 40 minute stroll, after all.
I should add my two DDs are now adults who go on long runs, climb Munros, wind surf, and do aerial yoga and martial arts between them!

There you go, OP, drag the lazy little blighter up a few mountains. She’ll be skipping that two miles in no time.

No I wouldn't.

I'm not a judgeypants.

Definitely wouldn't judge you. It's a fair walk, especially when you have time constraints ie you have to be at school on time. I could never do that kind of distance at a decent pace when mine were small cos they'd stop for every pine cone, stick, road marking...a toddler walk is fun but not when youve actually got somewhere to be. I'd use the buggy and use other times to enjoy walking ie walks through the woods or country parks.
As for anyone judging - those who matter don't mind, and those who mind don't matter.

I used to put them both in the pram sometimes. Up until about 2 and 5.

No