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AIBU?

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Original poster

to be surprised at the idea of seven year olds in pushchairs?

86 replies

QualiaQuale · 20/05/2011 13:07

I was posting on another forum (not parenting related) and a query was posted about whether a certain airline allowed pushchairs/prams for free. OP was told yes, but in a follow up post said the child was 6. I said that since the clause about free pushchairs was on a page regarding carriage of infants, they might want to check with the airline.

There were then several posts about how wrong I was, how pushchairs are essential mobility equipment (I said that equating them with wheelchairs was quite insulting), and how even seven year olds have pushchairs on holidays since they can't walk with adults in the evening if tired.

I wasn't judgemental, I was just surprised. Is this commonplace? I have a seven year old, its about 4 years since he last sat in a pushchair, I can't imagine him even fitting in one!

OP posts:
stickytoffeepud · 20/05/2011 14:37

there are loads on the disney forum who use pushchairs for the 10 and 11 year olds, no disabilities

no word of a lie

saffy85 · 20/05/2011 15:25

SN aside, I do think 7 is waaaay too old for a buggy.

Worked in a buggy shop a few years ago and was very taken aback to be asked to help a lady choose a buggy for her family to take on holiday. For her 7 year old. He may have had SN (she didn't mention any) but tbh I don't think he did, and my god was he angry at his mum for making him try the buggies out! Felt quite sorry for him in the end. I'd have died of embarressment if my mum had taken me buggy shopping at that age.

Most of the buggies wouldn't budge with him in them as he was just too heavy, and the one the mum eventually did buy she tried to bring back after the holiday because the chassis had buckled (presumably under her DS weight) and so in her words "wasn't fit for purpose". She didn't get her money back as her son exceeded the upper weight limit. By quite alot.

TheBride · 20/05/2011 15:32

there are loads on the disney forum who use pushchairs for the 10 and 11 year olds, no disabilities

I don't know what disturbs me more- the thought of an 11 yr old in a push chair, or the idea of a dedicated Disney Forum. What are these people on?

stickytoffeepud · 20/05/2011 15:34

you have to read it to believe some of it

and they have gasp tickers and flashing sigs!!!

and they do huns and hugs Shock

PeppaPigHonk · 20/05/2011 15:36

Ye gads, no wonder there is so much child obesity and unfit kids.

My 8 year old climbed Ben Nevis recently.

TheBride · 20/05/2011 15:44

My 8 year old climbed Ben Nevis recently

Well exactly. I was going to mention that loads of 4/5/6 yr olds do a week's skiing with no problem, yet some 7 yr olds cant do a weekend's Mickey bothering without wheels.

spidookly · 20/05/2011 15:55

PMSL @ Jacky

And TheBride - Mickey bothering indeed :o

Pagwatch · 20/05/2011 15:58

Bloody hell.

It took me years to get ds2 bake to walk outside the home. Bloody years.
And people chose to put perfectly healthy 7 year olds - and older - in a pushchair.

Pagwatch · 20/05/2011 15:59

able to walk outside the home.

I can just picture dds face if I offered her a pushchair Shock

dexter73 · 20/05/2011 16:00

Wow I'm amazed at 7 year olds being in a pushchair let alone 10/11 year olds! It is actually quite sad that they have parents pushing them around at that age.

messylittlemonkey · 20/05/2011 16:01

An able-bodied, non SN seven year old should NOT need a pushchair - utterly unbelievable!

DialsMavis · 20/05/2011 16:03

I will offer to to get a double buggy so DS can rest his legs- he will be mortified. We took the volo on holiday when DS was nearly 4 but it was only for him to sleep in in the evenings.

cumbria81 · 20/05/2011 16:04

There's a Disney Forum Shock

Words fail me.

Jojay · 20/05/2011 16:05

Ridiculous! I've just ebayed my buggy 'cos it hadn't been used for months, and Ds2 is 2.6.

7 is barmy. I bet those parents are the ones who moan their kids are hyper and won't sleep at night.... Grin

pleasekeepcalmandcarryon · 20/05/2011 16:05

Where is this forum? I could do with a bit of a laugh!

My DS is 7 and would probably rip a buggy apart with his bare hands if I suggested he get in it.

takethisonehereforastart · 20/05/2011 16:05

I know someone whose older child uses a pushchair.

She does have a disability that sometimes affects her more than others. When she is not coping they have to use a wheelchair but when she is coping well they can take a pushchair more easily and she only uses it if she gets tired.

You can't always tell by looking at her that she has a disability so they do get some odd looks and even some comments and they don't feel they have to explain to people anyway.

I don't think you were wrong to be surprised though and they may thank you for your advice if the airline does have conditions about the age of the child who requires the pushchair. It wouldn't surprise me if they do because they are keen to add charges on for pretty much anything they can.

dexter73 · 20/05/2011 16:06

I just had a look at it cumbria81 - some people are so obsessed with disney, it just beggars belief!

MrsRhettButler · 20/05/2011 16:06

So is anyone going to link to this Disney forum or am I gonna have to go and look for it myself?

lubberlich · 20/05/2011 16:07

I dunno. I might take a stroller so that when I am knackered my 4 year old can push me.

Pagwatch · 20/05/2011 16:08

Everyone on the thread has been clear that they are not talking about children with disabilities. Of any kind.

MrsRhettButler · 20/05/2011 16:09

Grin lubber

QuintessentialOldMoo · 20/05/2011 16:13

I remember being 7, and in a pushchair, after a knee operation. My mum had so many errands in town, and decided to squeeze me into my old pushchair, rather than let me hobble slowly around on crutches. I was mortified.

The worst part was the comments and looks from others. I cannot imagine being 7 and above, and willingly get into a pushchair, if walking is actually possible.

BoattoBolivia · 20/05/2011 16:13

We did take a pushchair to a festival when dd was 6 but she was absolutely not allowed to sit in it until about 10pm when she wanted to sleep and we wanted to listen to more music. She was quite happy falling asleep in it under a blanket, rather than on a rug on the floor, where she could get tripped over. Mind you, it was really hard work to push back to the tent later!!
I think I used it for a day out with the family at Kew that year as well, not for any children to sit in, but for all the coats, picnic food and rugs!

lljkk · 20/05/2011 16:13

Link please to Disney forum, Bride? I have to read that for myself.

I left DC use pushchair for many routine journeys until nearly 5yo, and even I agree that 7 is silly in most cases. Still, myob if unless your kid...

BunnyWunny · 20/05/2011 16:16

I think it's terrible for a 7 year old to be a buggy (special needs excepted)

I was aghast when my friend took her 4.5 year old to our local summer fair in a buggy because she would be too tired to walk round it!