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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

To think that three years old is quite old to be using a buggy?

297 replies

Butternutsquash22 · 25/02/2011 10:41

Relative of DP was talking about how her buggy broke, so was going to have to find money for another one, find one she likes etc etc.

But the child in question is three which I would assume is old enough to walk places rather than buying another buggy?! Fair enough using it if it's there but if the buggy breaks she's probably too big for it...

Would you have bought another buggy at that age? She's an only child, with no immediate plans for any others yet.

OP posts:
nickytwotimes · 25/02/2011 10:42

oh dear

gordyslovesheep · 25/02/2011 10:42

not really any of your beeswax is it?

aPixie · 25/02/2011 10:43

It really depends. On a lot of factors.

Does she drive? Does she walk a lot? Does the child still nap? Does she go out for long day's out?

All this factor into needing another buggy or not.

And tbh, why do you care. You're not the one pushing it around.

TotallyUnheardOf · 25/02/2011 10:44

Depends massively on how far you walk. Most 3-year-olds can walk to the local park, shops, whatever. But if you have a three-mile round trip to drop another child off at school or something (or just like taking long walks, have a dog that needs exercising or whatever) then it's not unreasonable at all for the child to use a buggy.

mrsscoob · 25/02/2011 10:44

Yeah I'm sorry but my first thought too is what has it got to do with you?!! Its entirely her business.

Hullygully · 25/02/2011 10:45

It is ridiculous. Make that child walk, it's quite fat enough already.

fairydusty · 25/02/2011 10:45

No im with you - my dd is 3 and although we do still have her buggy she has been in it a handful of times - only when we are going out for a big day out and she might get tired. I suppose if your relative does big days out or long walks with dc i could understand it but at 3 i wouldnt be buying a new buggy - she could always pick up a second hand one (that wouldnt seem as bad lol)

lesley33 · 25/02/2011 10:45

Depends on child and their lifestyle. If she regularly walks everywhere e.g. 3 miles into town, then yes she will need a buggy. Or if child is a very slow walker then yes she will need a buggy.

When my children were young we had to walk long distances to shops etc, (no car and very little public transport) and it was fat too far to do regularly with a slow 3 year old.

LyraSilvertongue · 25/02/2011 10:45

At that age I would have bought a second hand one to see us through the last few months.
Both of mine still regularly used a buggy at three. If we were out for a long time they'd eventually get tired and if I hadn't had the buggy I would have ended up having to carry them some of the way.

feelingworthless · 25/02/2011 10:45

My dd was using a buggy at 3, although she used to walk she would often get tired as the school run is over an 1hrs walk on a good day. I suppose it depends on how much walking they do imo and whether they plan to have more children as if it was my last one, I may not buy another buggy

viewfromawindow · 25/02/2011 10:46

Wow!! Guys the OP is looking for opinions not abuse!

BaroqueAroundTheClock · 25/02/2011 10:48

ahh well - DS3 is 3, can walk perfectly well (just about mananaged to make it all the way down the Royal Mile, and then to the top of Arthurs Seat and back down last summer.

However, he's just asked if he can go into the buggy to Morrisons and I'm letting him.

bodencustomer · 25/02/2011 10:50

IMHO much of what is talked about on MN is not the direct concern of posters. However, this is probalby the place to talk about it because it's a good place to express your own views and talk about it without offending the person concerned.

babyapplejack · 25/02/2011 10:51

Children are all different.

I put my DS in a buggy when I needed to aged 4.

On the other hand, I got rid of my DD's buggy when she was 2.

Imnotaslimjim · 25/02/2011 10:51

MY DD is 2.10 and is close to giving the buggy up. But if this one breaks I would have to get another as its a half hour walk to the shopping centre and thats still too much for her

nickytwotimes · 25/02/2011 10:51

bunfight yet?
no?
i am impressed!

Glitterknickaz · 25/02/2011 10:52

DS2 was in a buggy til he was 5. Then last year he got his wheelchair. HTH.

Pixieonthemoor · 25/02/2011 10:52

Do you really need me to explain walking with a 3 year old to you?? OK - 100 yards with toddler in buggy = start, arrive. Total time 2 mins. 100 yards with toddler on foot= 'come on, lets go, come on, lets start walking, come on" (for 5 mins) "right, off we go" "no, dont touch that, dont touch it, no dont......put it down!! put it down!! It is someone else's used tissue!! Put it down!!" "Right, off we go, come on (another 5 mins) yes, its a twig. No its not for eating." "Take the twig out of your mouth. Right come on.........." Total amount of walking done - 10 feet, time taken - 15mins. This is not taking into account that the raised blood pressure you are now experiencing is wiping 5 years off your life expectancy. Nuff said.

darleneconnor · 25/02/2011 10:53

More money than sense. The reason these toddlers cant walk far is because they're never given the chance to practice. As a rule a child should be able to walk double their age in miles per day. If they cant they arent as fit as they shiuld be and are on the road to a sedentary lifestyle and obesity.

RitaMorgan · 25/02/2011 10:53

It does depend on things like whether you have a car or not. A three year old might be capable of walking a certain distance, but it might be slow going compared to pushing them in a buggy.

BaroqueAroundTheClock · 25/02/2011 10:53

LOL Pixie Grin (and that is the exact reason that I'm letting DS3 use his buggy today as I'm too knackered to deal with all of that and I only need to take a hand mixer back and buy bread)

Glitter - you're not supposed to throw in other reasons Wink Grin

Original poster
Butternutsquash22 · 25/02/2011 10:54

I know it's none of my business, and I would never say to her 'gosh isn't she big for a buggy' but read about this on facebook and was genuinely surprised. So thought inwould come on here to see what the 'norm' is.

Have I used this foun wrong or have i justified myself enough?

OP posts:
StewieGriffinsMom · 25/02/2011 10:56

This reply has been deleted

Message withdrawn at poster's request.

mmmitsdelicious · 25/02/2011 10:56

It depends on the circumstances.
My DD has just turned 3 and always uses a buggy. We live in the country, no pavements etc so it would be dangerous for her to walk at the moment. We walk everywhere and a 3 year old cannot be expected to walk 4 miles everytime I want to pop to the shop!

My DS used one until he started school, then I made him walk.

ImeldaSnowboots · 25/02/2011 10:57

You obviously wear your MN judgypants with pride OP Wink

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