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

[Butternutsquash22]

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.

caughtinanet, just as you posted so did I, saying that I did walk my 3 YO on the school run twice a day - just under 3 miles there and just under 3 miles back.

It's not a competition or an indication of being a parent to a some way better three year old than other people but yes has been done and for some it is perfectly possible.

I wonder, just thinking aloud, if medically the ability in the average child is affected by the overall amount of walking they do in earlier years - say, the difference between the child whose parent/s own a car and the child whose parent/s don't and who is obliged to walk more as a result.

As for being judgemental and minding your own fucking business, as has been suggested here, thanks for the laugh, Soloovely.

Depends on circumstances, we have 15 min walk to school so would have bought another, although if money was tight a second hand from ebay or cheapo from argos would suffice.

I think the posters who think they shouldn't be in buggies drive everywhere.

Where I live at the mo (US) ,this wouldn't even be an issue lol !

NOBODY would question or even ask ...

I personally attribute this to the UKs obsession with making our kids grow up SO fast !

3 ? ?????... they are still very small ,and they get tired when out and about :)

When my youngest was 18 months he would walk and walk ....
2/3 miles sometimes ,I still took the buggy though

When my dt's were 3 my neighbour used to say they shouldn't be in a buggy over and over again.

He must have thought I was actually interested in his thoughts on the subject for some peculiar reason

Yes, they could walk just fine. Not necessarily at the same speed or in the same direction as me or even each other. And def not quickly enough to get to school to collect their older sister.

And anyone that wanted to pipe up with an opinion when I had all that to manage was sailing pretty close to a bent nose (in a caring way of course ).

I miss it though - it was great for shopping!

Valhalla - yes, my 3 yo can walk the distance to school and often walks back but my older DCs cycle and would get very impatient if they had to wait for me to catch up every time they need to cross the road

Interestingly amongst the other mums at my DCs school it seems to be normal for younger siblings to use a pushchair until about 4 unless they live very near the school. Except for the ones who drive and that's a whole other thread.

I am destined to be even more of a fat arse unless I occasionally strap DS into his buggy so I can move at faster than toddler pace.

Sure, recreational walking with him is lovely. But as someone else said upthread, it does rather involve investigating every last sodding piece of litter and twig ("What's THAT?" "Another fag packet, darling. Leave it alone, eh?"). When we are racing towards Greggs to get the last sausage roll, there simply isn't time, you know.

Time aside, I would also end up carrying the shopping, the nappy bag and DS, as he inevitably gets tired after a while, poor wee mite. And with my lackadaisical approach to moving children around on wheels while feeding them inappropriate snack food, he's only going to get bigger and heavier.

It depends more on the child IME.

We've never had a car so use public transport or walk.

Ds1 has poor muscle tone and tires easily even now (aged 10). He would struggle to walk 3 miles now, never mind at 3.

Ds2 would have run the entire distance. Whether it would have been safe to do so is another matter.

Dd1 was somewhere in the middle. She was willing and able to walk and it was safe for her to do so.

where do you all get teh energy to get continually worked up abuot stuff?

My 4yo often goes on the school run in the P&T (I have a younger one too). Not because he can't walk perfectly well, but because he's shy and likes to have something he can hide in. I assume people will judge us but who cares, I know we go for long walks at weekends etc etc.

My child, my buggy, my life. Fuck all to do with anyone else.

DS is just 3 and very tall. He's quite scrumpled in his buggy but I have to get him 1.5m to nursery and get to work on time. He will then run around like a loon all day and so I don't expect him to then walk home 1.5m.

So sue me.

I am a nanny for a 3.5 yr old. I use a phil and teds and let her go in occasionally if walked half way of a long journey etc. Last week you would have judged the hell out of me - had her in it the whole way and back of a 20min walk (each way) as she had a flare up of asthma and walking up the stiars made her s wheezey she needed ventolin. We went to the library and had a nice time looking at books and listening to story time. So yes I will use a buggy for 3yr old when I feel its appropriate.

I have nannied for many 3yr olds - some able to walk further than others. All are very active older children now and none fat!

I've had a few people give me looks for getting a double buggy (DS1 is 2.9).

I can easily cover more than 6 miles in a day and DS1 will do some of this but I need the buggy for when he's being an awkward sod tired. I can't wrestle him, push DS2 and carry shopping.

When I'm getting my judgy pants out I do it at my next door neighbours, I've never seen them with a buggy but they do drive even to the local shop (approx 100yds) and school pick up (less than 100yds and parking is a nightmare!).

OP - I guess you're a lucky-ole car owner. Our buggy days are long long gone thank the Goddess, but how do you imagine I managed as a single parent with a toddler, and living miles from the shops to survive without a buggy?

i think you are talking about me!
I was actually thinking about buying a new one because he is too big for it!
DS is 3.4 will not hold hands, and will run, so that's why he's in a buggy. It's a vicious circle because if he doesn't walk, he won't get used to it. But I would rather he was safe for now.

But FWIW, all children are different, don't ya know?!!

ds1 was out of the buggy at 2 and a half, he walked well and it didnt really matter if we were slow, ds2 is 3 and we still use the buggy if we are running late for school and we need to get there in 15mins normal walking pace as opposed to toddler 30mins pace. Most days he walks, but sometimes not. It depends on lots of things. Having said that, I do think he is too old for a buggy and am trying to wean him ( and me) off it! - where will I put the shopping!

I make my 4 month old walk for 8 furlongs per day.

MillyR I commented! I did I did I did!!!!!!

shockers and MrsDeVere When you don't use a buggy any more, you throw away all dignity and buy a shopping trolley. People may laugh but it's bloody fantastic imo.

Ha ds4 is not fat

But he does hate having his hand held (suspect sensory issues with amily history) to teh extent he goes down on the ground, equally any attempt at reins etc (we used them with others).

We're not replacing his buggy even though it's tatty and foot strap broken, he's 2.10, but equally we are hiring one when we go camping in the summer.