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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

To get DD a new pushchair when she is 3 years old?

167 replies

MumblingRagDoll · 19/05/2011 12:42

Inspired by the lady who wanted to know if buying a 4th pushchair for a 4 month old was silly.

DD turned three in March and still uses the pushchair for school runs...we leave it behind when we go to town sometimes but not aalways as she get tired still..the one we have is dirty and I have tried to clean it but it just won't come up nicely....DH says we should make do with what we have as it still works fine....but I think a rubby pushchir is like a grubby coat and is just not on.

I HAVE really tried to clean it.....but to no avail.

And if am not BU can anyone reccomend a decent lightweight pushchair that's comfy and is not pink.

thank you!

OP posts:
yoshiLunk · 19/05/2011 15:40

I was going to suggest the cart too (Radio Flyer), there are a few appearing in our area as it happens and it would be brilliant for carting all the kit to the beach or the park.

cryhavoc · 19/05/2011 15:40

Does she have practice at walking long distances? My DD is the same age as yours and she's more than capable of a two mile walk, because she's become used to walking. We've got big dogs, and she chases them on walks every day. I can't remember the last time we used a buggy - I think it was about a year ago.

I agree with the poster who suggested the scooter - DD had one for Christmas and it is great for getting to playgroup etc.

stuffthenonsense · 19/05/2011 15:42

I don't know what they're called, but if youy are walking everywhere and not bussing around, why not get one of those trike/pushchair on a handle things. I'm sure I've seen them with trailers that way your DD can exercise much of the time, giving your hands a break, then you can push when she's tired. I'm on my phone or I'd find a link. Maybe someone else knows what I'm talking about and can link to it.

ilovedora27 · 19/05/2011 15:42

My daugther is 3.3 and she walks between 2 and 4 miles most days. I have to work 5 days a week so she is up at 6am and walks to town and then does a 6 hour shift with me at work daily, then we go places afterwards then we walk home.

Personally I wouldnt bother getting one at this age as it might be a waste of money. However if you do get one they do a cheap stroller for 20 quid at argos. Its really lightweight as well.

Insomnia11 · 19/05/2011 15:45

How about a shopping trolley with a buggy board attached? I note a lot of mums are Hmm about having a pushchair at 3, but a lot have another baby by then and a toddler/pre-schooler on the buggy board!

SarkyLady · 19/05/2011 15:46

Get her a balance bike or a scooter for the school run.

Insomnia11 · 19/05/2011 15:48

Impressed at your 3 year old daughter working a 6 hour shift a day, dora...They grow up so fast these days :)

halcyondays · 19/05/2011 15:50

I don't know why people seem to care about when other people's children stop using a buggy, tbh. I don't drive either and dd1 still used a buggy sometimes until she was 4, not so much at the weekends when dh was at home and driving us if we went out for the day, but during the week, we do a lot of walking and we used to go to toddler group about 3 times a week, she would be running about all morning, then we'd walk her to nursery, by the time she came out of nursery at 3.00, she'd often be tired and want to go in the buggy. And she is the sort of child that always seems to have endless energy to burn off.

I still use a buggy for dd2 who's nearly 3 and will continue to use it when it suits us, like when we need to be somewhere on time. She walks a lot of the time, but sometimes wants to go in her buggy, and if she starts messing about and running off, I can put her in it.

I'm sure both of them have done a lot more walking (even when they still used the buggy sometimes) than plenty of children who are always driven everywhere.

I don't know if I'd bother buying a new one just because the old one was a bit grubby, but if it bothers you, then why not? I've been using a cheap one from Argos for a good while now, it's red, came with a rain cover and shopping basket and was only about £25. I actually prefer it to my Maclaren, I find it more comfortable to push.

ilovedora27 · 19/05/2011 15:50

She is with me all the way through my work I meant insomnia

BabyDubsEverywhere · 19/05/2011 16:09

About the suggestions to get a cheapo stroller...they often dont carry older toddles well and are more somewhat a false economy, better to get something decent that will last as long as you want it to, you can always sell it on afterwards to recoup some cost if you need it. I honestly cant see whats wrong with buying a new one ''just because'' you want one OP, its your money.

JenaiMarrHePlaysGuitar · 19/05/2011 16:17

I've remembered now how ds used to ride on my bike. He'd put his feet on the pedals and hold the handlebars - often helping me push the bike my pushing the pedals himself.

Obv. this was a woman's bike so the frame was low enough for his legs to reach over.

I have really happy memories of our nursery runs :)

Wabbit · 19/05/2011 17:47

Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder IS a problem though and not growing up so fast has NOTHING to do with walking on your own two feet... The sedentary lifestyles of modern societies IS linked to ADHD - the over cerebral(ised) focus of entertainment and learning for young children, the demands of what we as adults need young children to do (sit still in car, buggy, high chair ad infinitum) are all sedentary 'activities) and also linked to ADHD... Let them run, play and join in with your tasks for the day... including walking from A to B.

Angry because I care that people get Early Years all confused with dependence. children learn through ACTION - I would never expect a 5 year old to be satisfied with being pushed in a buggy. They also learn to do what we EXPECT them to do BTW.

fatlazymummy · 19/05/2011 17:59

If you want one and can afford it then buy one. My kids all used buggies until they were 4. I bought a nice little one out of Babies'r'us when my daughter was 3, we used it for about a year until it collapsed. It cost about £30, I reckon I easily saved that on taxis etc.

doley · 19/05/2011 18:08

wabbit I don't think posters are suggesting we plonk our children in strollers all day .

They can be used on a busy trip though IMO, without increasing the risk of ADHD ( I have never heard that opinion before however )

5 year olds are not satisfied in a buggy ,they are however ,grateful for a break sometimes ...

One example ,(not a brag Wink) my child (that spent the longest in the buggy) was able to ride a bike without stabilizers at 4 ...there is no set rule .

It is a buggy for goodness sake ,not a stretcher Grin

TragicallyHip · 19/05/2011 18:24

You should get this you'd probably be able to fit your dd in it Grin

JoniRules · 19/05/2011 18:38

Have you tried FARA charity shops they always have good clean pushchairs in there. I dread to think what you'd think of my grubby old Maclaren!

knaveofhearts · 19/05/2011 18:38

"no.....I wouldn't be able to monitor DD on a scooter and carry shopping. I can'y undersand all these people claiming their DC cn walk 2 miles at just turned 3! Suely you're dragging them! Two miles is quite a distance...my 6 year old can manage it fine....but three?"

DD walked 4 miles and climbed her 1st mountain at a month past 3 but her mummy is a bit of a witch sometimes!

All kids develop differently, if DD needs one go with a liner or something cheap and cheerful I reckon, then you won't feel you've wasted your cash.

MumblingRagDoll · 19/05/2011 18:56

Knave...whatever. Hmm

Can't believe some people! My JUST turned three year old is in no way capable of riding a scooter for 2 miles whilst I carry 3 bags of heavy shopping which would make me incapable of guiding her away from traffic on the main road. As I said....I hav scoliosis....and she is not big enought to walk all that way.....in the rain she would be wet...and I would not be able to carry her and the shopping. She's effing tiny still....

She's just turned three ffs! This wasn't about whether it's ok for her to go in a buggy....IT IS OK.....it is fine. No....this was about whether I should buy a new one. Thank you to the people who ppointed me towards liners. And a big old Biscuit to the parents of newborns and toddlers who can supposedly walk 10 miles in one go whilst carrying weighted teddies and sacks of coal.... and hike up fricking mountains.

OP posts:
maypole1 · 19/05/2011 18:57

Your child is 3 I cant believe another buggy is being talked about

maypole1 · 19/05/2011 18:59

Sick of seeing reception aged children in prams yuk they have managed top stand at school all day don't have prams when on school trips I sure they will be dine fir the journey home lazy parents love prams

knaveofhearts · 19/05/2011 19:00

Sorry you took offence, I was trying to point out that all children are different and did say if you feel she needs one then why not? It was you who seemed unable to believe that other 3 year olds can and will walk or scoot. I'll bow out before this gets silly.

MumblingRagDoll · 19/05/2011 19:03

Oh fuck off. I never said they could not do anything Knave....I said that MY 3 year old could not.

And Maypole....my child is 3....not reception age. SHe just turned three. And why can't you believe I want a new buggy? Is it because you dont' do anything extravagent? EVER? Well have a good life....it's a short one you know....

OP posts:
TimeWasting · 19/05/2011 19:03

You wouldn't need to carry 3 bags of shopping if you bought a trolley.

And have a Biscuit as my just turned 3 year old will be walking a mile to playgroup in the morning and a mile back.

Yes, maybe your just turned 3 year old couldn't, but why would not believe others are capable? Confused

JenaiMarrHePlaysGuitar · 19/05/2011 19:04

That was a bit harsh on knave there op.

MumblingRagDoll · 19/05/2011 19:05

I HAVE SCOLIOSIS TIME WASTING!!!! DO you know what that IS?? I sai it clearly.

SO read the posts properly.

I cannot manage a trolley. And I never said OTHERS were not capable!

OP posts: