To go for a walk with no buggy??

[JoandMax]

I have just been for a walk with DS1, 3.3 yrs, and DS2, 19 months and received a mouthful from two sets of people about the fact I have no buggy and am just holding their hands.

DS1 is very sensible on pavements and by roads (thanks to pre-school and their road awareness week!) and DS2 is happy to toddle holding my hand, he stops to look at leaves/Walls etc but isn't a bolter so our walks are fairly calm.

We go along one main road (for approx 80m) and cross at the pedestrian crossing (I pick DS2 up to cross) and the rest quiet residential streets and parks.

I have been told I am 'irresponsible', 'an accident waiting to happen' and 'selfish'.........

So, let me know what you think, honest answers!

YANBU.

Of course YANBU! I do this all the time with my two (aged 5yrs and 18months) he doesn't get any exercise sitting in the buggy! I have just got ds2 a pair of reins though as he doesn't always want to hold my hand/go where I want to go!

Where do you live? Judgyville?
Hope you told them bog off.

YANBU

You know these people or are they just random strangers? Either way, they're eejits. Walking never hurt anyone. T'is good for them. Much better than being strapped in a buggy, getting no exercise.

These are probably the people who would put their child in a buggy and push them, then sit them in a supermarket trolley and push them, and drive them everywhere until their child is 13...

I can only envision people commenting if your trampling them along side a dangerous traffic laiden road - in which case I'd consider finding an alternate route. Barring that I would think it quite cheeky for anyone to comment comment that kids shouldn't be allowed to walk with parental supervision (gasp! horror!). I suppose only you know what you mean by "main road" though.

Thank you! No, random strangers who thought it was unsafe as it's impossible to be in charge of two children at once.....

Surely being out in the fresh air and being active is good?? At home they spend most of the time shrieking, jumping and trying to headbutt eachother so it gives me some peace!

bloody hell! You were called all those names on one walk? Just ignore the twats it's none of their business anyway. What a strange thing to say to a mum out walking with her two DC.

I am though of your 19 month old not being a bolter though. Wish my DD was the same she doesn't know what walking nicely is!

YANBU you were in control of both your DC are they were in no danger so you should have told "concerned" passers-by to bog off!

Yanbu

They should mind their own beeswax AND in any case there's nothing wrong with walking, is there?

YANBU
Ignore them. Of course it's better for children to walk. I work in a nursery and we often take the children out for walks- 6 two year olds and 3 adults. Some of them, I'm sure, never walk anywhere

It's a main road into the village, a 40mph limit but is pretty quiet - half the time we're waiting by an empty road for the green man! We have to cross it as our estate is one side, everything else the other side otherwise I would go another route

Unfortunately yes, two concerned people - one was outside the pub so may have a bit more loose lipped and the other at the crossing on the main road

Where the fuckety fuck are all these random strangers that say things like this?

A mother walking down the road, minding her own business, holding her children's hands gets a 'mouthful' from two different sets of people and called an 'accident waiting to happen'

This is the full story right?

If so, the mind boggles

I can't believe total strangers would do this. What an odd thing to comment about. It's much better for the children to be getting exercise.

YANBU but I don't know how you managed it without toppling forward! I'm only just learning to walk straight again. Just in time to start pushing a pram again... :)

YANBU, but then i was told that i am mean and hard on my 3.5mth old ds4 as i make him walk/scooter the half hour walk to school each day, so two hours a day in total there and back, apparently its too far for someone so little...only he isnt little he is wearing 4-5 clothes and is a big boy who can run around and scoot for hours if he feels like it!

You make your children walk??

Goodness me! Sounds like an example of cruel and unusual punishment. It's the Social Services for you madam.

Shocked I am...shocked, I tell you.

I bet you force feed them with fresh veg as well. Poor little mites.

It surprised me too, I frequently walk and have never had any negative comments before, just the odd friendly 'you've got your hands full' types.

If they'd been running wild I could understand but no

YANBU - teaching your kids to walk "nicely" at a young age is a great thing. Unless weather is miserable, mindees have walked the school run since they were 14-16 months (varied with each childs ability) - its a 10 min walk each way along a very busy road. They now hold my hand automatically and I have never ever had a problem.

yes i get the 'hands full' comments, esp when out with all 4 boys and baby dd i just smile politely and continue on my way.

and cuttingpic i do feed my children vegetable AND fruit as well, quite shocking

How very strange! YADNBU....there are some very odd folk walking around your neck of the woods if you ask me..!

Worralliberty - full story I'm afraid, it's depressing!!