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Original poster

What age did you stop carrying DC?

67 replies

RosieLemonade · 12/02/2021 18:14

Just that really. I still carry DD round the house at some point most days and often carry her on the stairs.

OP posts:
BunnyandBee · 12/02/2021 18:35

My 4 year old still requests a carry up and down the stairs morning and night and tantrums ensue if I refuse. It's brutal on my knees. I will carry her down in the morning as it's a nice extra cuddle but I have zero energy for the evening carry. She won't be reasoned with so she just has to be grumpy for 5 minutes, then drag herself up the stairs to bed.

My 6 year old doesn't ask now, she is much more independent generally and can't remember it being an issue.

How old is your dc?

DipSwimSwoosh · 12/02/2021 19:31

Depends how strong you are. I rarely carry my 2 year old as I have a weak back. But my dh still carries my 5 year old sometimes.

mrsed1987 · 12/02/2021 19:36

My son is 2 and I carry him up and down the stairs most of the time, but he is more than happy to walk if my husband is taking him, refuses if I try to get him to walk!

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Hardbackwriter · 12/02/2021 19:40

I stopped carrying DS (now 2.5) up and down the stairs a few months ago, when my pregnancy bump got too big for me to do it safely. He also knows that I just can't carry him if we go out for a walk and accepts that - whereas if DS is there he claims to be tired and to need to go on daddy's shoulders as soon as we're out the door! I still pick him up for cuddles, lift him on and off the loo etc, but I guess I'm probably done carrying him around the house as a regular thing - which is a bit of a sad thought!

Xerochrysum · 12/02/2021 19:40

My dc was very early walker and didn't like to be carried. So way before 2.

megletthesecond · 12/02/2021 19:41

I was still carrying my 6yo to school as she would have meltdowns.
I can still carry her now and she's 12. I get a bit competitive about it Blush. Can lift my 14yo but not walk around very well.

GooseMooseBurger · 12/02/2021 19:42

I stopped carrying them when I no longer could. Which was age 6 for both. Both have SN so I may have needed carrying for longer than a NT child.

GooseMooseBurger · 12/02/2021 19:43

Neither child can do piggy backs though. If they could I will probably still be carrying them now!

MinesAPintOfTea · 12/02/2021 19:44

Under lockdown I’ve been carrying my 8yo. He’s been more clingy with the disruption to routine.

MrsHusky · 12/02/2021 19:45

When they got too heavy to do it safely, for them, and for my degenerating spine and chronic pain condition.

DS14 is disabled and nearly my height, i CAN still lift/restrain him if i need to, but its really not good for me!

Passthecake30 · 12/02/2021 19:46

They used to walk upstairs fine but I’d still carry them on occasion if they fell asleep in the car/hurt themselves etc. Then all of a sudden they got too heavy, which was around the 3.5stone mark. I think that was around 7-8.

fahlala · 12/02/2021 19:46

My daughter used to insist on being carried when she was at preschool permanently attached to my hip too big for it gave me back ache probably still gave in till she was 4. Son wanted to be running as soon as he could I would say its fine till they are 3

Aroundtheworldin80moves · 12/02/2021 19:48

I canno longer pick up my 9yo, but that's mainly because she's past my shoulder.

Nearly 8yo.. I can carry her. But not far! I swing her around while dancing. I wouldn't attempt stairs though, in case of us falling. (I had carry her up the stairs at the car park until she was 6 though, they were steep and scary)

Hardbackwriter · 12/02/2021 19:49

In awe of the strength of some of you! Even if I weren't stupidly pregnant I think I'd struggle to carry DS far - can't imagine doing it with a 6 or even 8 year old!

Shipwrecked2019 · 12/02/2021 19:49

My boy is 2 and I carry him constantly. He always wants picking up, can't imagine not having him on my hip. Obviously he can walk but just wants to be carried 24/7

toolazytothinkofausername · 12/02/2021 19:51

When they were too heavy Sad I wish I was 7ft and had the strength to always carry them.

Aroundtheworldin80moves · 12/02/2021 19:51

@Hardbackwriter it's easier to carry an older child, they cling on and adjust their centre of a mass. Toddlers/preschoolers just hang there.

MinesAPintOfTea · 12/02/2021 19:51

@Hardbackwriter

In awe of the strength of some of you! Even if I weren't stupidly pregnant I think I'd struggle to carry DS far - can't imagine doing it with a 6 or even 8 year old!
Since he was about 5/6 he has held his own weight up such that I can let go and he’ll stay there, it’s just the pressure on my joints. I can’t easily lift him if he doesn’t jump either.
scrivette · 12/02/2021 19:52

I sometimes carry my 5 year old down the stairs for an extra cuddle. He is really really heavy even though he doesn't look big.

My three year old is sometimes carried for a bit when I am walking to school as it's a long walk for her and sometimes she gets tired if it's been a busy day.

GooseMooseBurger · 12/02/2021 19:53

[quote Aroundtheworldin80moves]@Hardbackwriter it's easier to carry an older child, they cling on and adjust their centre of a mass. Toddlers/preschoolers just hang there.[/quote]
Some children with SN still just hang there when they're older. Neither of mine can do piggy backs because they don't hold on.

DinosApple · 12/02/2021 19:56

I sometimes carry my 11yo up the stairs, piggy back is easiest these days!

BillyAndTheSillies · 12/02/2021 20:21

I used to pick up my almost five year old until recently. DH will still carry him upstairs to bed some nights but he's so heavy there's no way I'd trust myself on the stairs with him.

DS2 is 18 months and wants to be like his big brother. I can carry him down the stairs first thing in the morning, but anything else he will scramble out of and walk.

InvincibleInvisibility · 12/02/2021 20:27

I still carry my nearly 7 year old in the flat. DH still picks up our 9 year old for a hug but I can't as he's too tall and heavy. He does enjoy curling up on my lap for hug though Grin

We ditched the pushchair for both DSes when they were 18 months cos they're such good walkers so the carrying is just for our pleasure.

Original poster
RosieLemonade · 12/02/2021 20:54

DD is only four so plenty of time yet I see. I just love the feeling when she is on my hip.

OP posts:
Vanillaradio · 12/02/2021 21:04

I can still carry my 7 year old but not very far. He has a cabin bed so its easier picking him up out of that than off the floor .

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