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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

To collect Reception age DS from school in a buggy?

313 replies

CoffeeMum · 03/04/2012 16:23

Theoretical question for now, as DS won't start Reception until September, but i'm just wondering...

I also have a DD, two years younger than DS, so she'll be in a buggy on the school run. I'd planned to pop her in the single buggy, with DS on foot [school is 15 minutes away from home]. We do also have a double buggy, which I was on the verge of getting rid of, but now I'm wondering if it would be a good idea to take the double buggy on the school run in the autumn. Sometimes it'll be raining, and we'll want to get home asap, rather than at child-pace Hmm, but mostly, because I think alot of the time during the first term, he's going to be shattered from starting school. On those days, i'd just pop him in the buggy.

However, would it be completely laughable to even think about putting a school age child in a buggy, no matter what [SN aside, obviously]? Do any of you put a Reception age child in a buggy, or know people who do? Is it very rare to do so?

Thanks for you thoughts all Smile

OP posts:
Bangtastic · 03/04/2012 16:25

I wouldn't. At that age they should be able to walk for 15 minutes without much difficulty, it'd just make your life easier having him in a buggy.

TeWihara · 03/04/2012 16:26

Don't decide until closer to the time.

But personally if it is only 15mins walk, I would just get decent waterproofs for you all and make him walk. The more practice he gets the faster he will (eventually!) go.

SparkyMcSparrow · 03/04/2012 16:27

No!

My ds starts school in Sep too. School is 12mins away. He currently walks a 35min walks to nursery in whatever weather 3 times a week, does a full day and walks home 2/3. He is fine because he is used to it!

Put him in a buggy and he will expect it and get laughed at. Let him walk, he will learn quickly that when its cold/wet/windy etc that he will have to walk quickly.

They have to grow up some time and learn to walk. 15mins is not really that far!

redrubyshoes · 03/04/2012 16:27

No - get him walking, it will pay off for him later on in life as well to build up his bones and muscles.

tinierclanger · 03/04/2012 16:28

Can't you get a buggy board?

betterwhenthesunshines · 03/04/2012 16:28

I would hang on to your double buggy for a while. I'm sure I kept my (single) buggy once my DD started reception as there were a couple of very occasional times I still needed it for her eg if she was unwell and off school and I needed to get out.

What about a scooter? There will be plenty of those.

CakeMixture · 03/04/2012 16:28

Yes completely laughable not a good idea

It's only 15 minutes.

When it rains they will get wet as will you - but you will dry soon enough, plus puddle jumping is fun :)

whatsallthefuss · 03/04/2012 16:29

when my DD was 4 she did the 8 mile charity walk. in my opinion, the main reason why people keep buggies for so long is so that they dont have to carry much stuff themselves or they have other children

I wouldnt use a buggy for a school age child

Mrbojangles1 · 03/04/2012 16:29

To be honest Unless he is sn I fully expect a 4 or 5 year old to walk 15 minutes

If he can't walk 15 minutes with out a buggy what are you planning to do when he gose on school trips

Sirzy · 03/04/2012 16:29

Buggy board or scooter sound much better ideas.

greenbananas · 03/04/2012 16:30

Would letting him ride a scooter be a good compromise?

valiumredhead · 03/04/2012 16:30

It's 15 mins, I would only consider using a buggy board if the walk was 45 mins plus tbh.

molly3478 · 03/04/2012 16:31

I personally wouldnt and I doubt a child would be that tired they cant walk 15 minutes at that age unless they had SN

usualsuspect · 03/04/2012 16:31

Buggy boards are a pita imo .

Just take the double buggy , and see how it goes, I would.

Original poster
CoffeeMum · 03/04/2012 16:31

We are all waterproofed up because we are out and about alot - I don't drive, so DS is VERY used to walking.

I'm just worried about those times when he is knackered - and from what I gather, it is pretty common for children to be worn out from that first term. Plus, it's when the weather starts to get rotten too. Is it really that bad, considering that some DC will just be whisked home in cars?

I am perfectly willing to grit my teeth and make him walk though Wink

OP posts:
MousyMouse · 03/04/2012 16:32

I wouldn't for 15 min walk, but I expect to walk my dc at reasonable pace at that age as well.
had you said 30 min walk up a steep hill I would have said maybe yanbu.
scooter or bike might also help with the speed.

theDevilHasTheBestMNNames · 03/04/2012 16:32

Isn't this why buggy boards were invented?

They seem very common on school runs.

It's harder when it the last DC and they are big and difficult to carry but some times you would prefer them to be faster or it a fine judgment call whether they'll make the distance and they is no buggy to borrow for a while or to attach seat or boards to. It's where we currently are with our almost 3 year old.

OriginalJamie · 03/04/2012 16:32

I was going to say buggy board as well. Or better still, a scooter or walking bike

He will be tired after school (and hungry - always always bring something to eat), but I do think you need to encourage him to make his own way under his own steam

SparkyMcSparrow · 03/04/2012 16:32

Don't get a buggy board either. If he wants anything get him a scooter or something like that!

CharlotteBronteSaurus · 03/04/2012 16:32

you all need wellies and decent macs.
we walk a mile, which is 20mins in the morning, nearer 30 when dd1's knackered in the afternoon, but it doesn't take long to dry off near the fire.

usualsuspect · 03/04/2012 16:32

Mine all walked 100 miles a day at 4 though Wink

Mrbojangles1 · 03/04/2012 16:33

whatsallthefuss agreed we would often have parents that would swear their child couldn't cope with out getting in the parm to go home ( bareing in mind we knew were they lived )

These same children went to the tower of London and walked yes walked for the whole day and not one buggy in sight

Their was no place to sit down and it was full steam ahead I think this trend of keeping your child in a pram until they are basically married is more about yeh parent than the child

UnChartered · 03/04/2012 16:33

will your DS start school f/t or p/t? i would hold onto the double buggy if it was f/t to start, you don't have to use it but imagine the regrets you'll feel if you need one for a couple of weeks?

Geranium3 · 03/04/2012 16:33

No don't do it! Totally agree with what sparky says.

PuppyMonkey · 03/04/2012 16:33

DD started school last September and I remember thinking in the months leading up to her starting she'd never manage the 20 min walk - but she has really surprised us, she walks it really quickly. Sometimes runs it! Yours will be fine.