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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:
NotAnotherPackedLunch · 03/04/2012 16:33

A micro scooter makes our 15min walk disappear - and I get a free workout chasing him all the way to school. Failing that, a buggy board might be easy to pop your son onto once you are away from the school gate.

valiumredhead · 03/04/2012 16:33

Sometimes kids need to let off steam after being cooped up in a classroom all day - 15 mins is a perfect walk, not too long, not too short, just long enough to run and screech Grin

OriginalJamie · 03/04/2012 16:34

Coffee - you're right, it does seem a bit unfair, given the fact that some people drive, but I think if he's a good walker, and you feed him, he'll be fine.

Sorry to say this, but IME the vast vast majority of children walk, and those that are taken in home in buggies don't go un-noticed ...

AFuckingKnackeredWoman · 03/04/2012 16:35

scooter or a bike

15 is not a long walk by any measure

theDevilHasTheBestMNNames · 03/04/2012 16:36

Or a sling/carrier for younger one - then if eldest really tired - and it can happen at end of week - put oldest in and carry youngest for short distance- or depending on pushchair type balance one on bars?

everlong · 03/04/2012 16:37

This reply has been deleted

Message withdrawn at poster's request.

Mrbojangles1 · 03/04/2012 16:37

CoffeeMum really 15 minutes is not far

With your encorangemnt even when tired, And when the weathers foul buy a decent hat and warm coat and gloves he will be fine they fund around the playground for neigh on a hour and manage with out a buggy

theDevilHasTheBestMNNames · 03/04/2012 16:39

People will notice and comment Hmm.

I've had comments with my 2 year old in a buggy in icy weather after she'd been walking a few times. I did buggy as had two slightly older one to watch and I'm unsteady on my feet - so one less to watch plus something to balance me. Apparently that was wrong Hmm.

Mrbojangles1 · 03/04/2012 16:39

Yes I was about to say this is also likey to become a source of bullying for him he really would be in the minority of children and it won't go unnoticed by the staff either.

janedoedoejanejanedoe · 03/04/2012 16:39

sorry, Id keep double buggy just in case, we walk to and from Pg and DS will be in reception in september, but I am keeping mine just in case, and tbh, the double is easier to push and better quality than my beautiful but useless buggy, I also use it to pack everything into so i dont have to carry it.

DinahMoHum · 03/04/2012 16:40

buggy board or scooter

theDevilHasTheBestMNNames · 03/04/2012 16:41

I find scooters and bikes a pain as I have to carry them back - and often I'm going on else where with youngest so its just not possible. Seems to work for some though.

Fayrazzled · 03/04/2012 16:42

My son is the youngest in his class and he easily managed a 15 minute walk to /from school when he was in reception- our walk was a good 25 minutes. TBH, it's nice to walk and chat about the day, have a snack etc. As long as you have good coats, hats and gloves for the cold weather you will be fine.

pubquizhurtmybrain · 03/04/2012 16:43

Buggy board is good idea. Fair enough 15 mins isn't too long at all, but add that to a full day of school, which he will only just be getting used to and it can be tiring for them.

Mrbojangles1 · 03/04/2012 16:43

School should have a bike rack, then all you need is a good strong bike lock

theDevilHasTheBestMNNames · 03/04/2012 16:43

that is in the morning - afternoons I suppose you could put in under the buggy when you head out.

porcamiseria · 03/04/2012 16:43
Blush we have a double buggy and DS1 (now 4) likes to have a sit in it sometimes

he always leaps out near school though

do what you want TBH, they are good anyway to carrys bags/shopping etc

Indith · 03/04/2012 16:44

15 mins, so around a mile?

Our school is a little over a mile away and ds walks it fine, he was walking there and back (also village where shops etc are) long before school age! My 3 year old also walks there and back for nursery though she needs the pushchair for some of the way in the afternoon when we collect ds, doing it twice is a bit much at 3!

He does get tired, yes but we get home anyway and those times that he compains are few and far between these days and normally confined to the ends of term.

PuppyMonkey · 03/04/2012 16:44

Oh yes a drink and a biscuit for the walk really works wonders.

theDevilHasTheBestMNNames · 03/04/2012 16:44

Mrbojangles1 not allowed to bring bikes till year four at our school. No idea why.

usualsuspect · 03/04/2012 16:46

Yep , just do what makes your life easier . So many people drive their kids to school now I don't think a 4 year old sitting in a buggy sometimes is a problem tbh.

Mrbojangles1 · 03/04/2012 16:47

You should ask. Not very fair I think

TheCunningStunt · 03/04/2012 16:47

Scooter all the way. If I turned up with DS to school in a buggy I'd get some odd looks. He was walked since two so has dd. if you get a scooter you can sling it on top of the single buggy for walking home. Yes they get tired for the first few weeks but I soon found DS now has more energy than before he went! Walking is good, and fifteen mins is really not far.

UnChartered · 03/04/2012 16:51

agreeing with usual and porca Wink

if your DS is going to struggle, do what suits you - it'll only be for a short time, and really not worth the hassle

Original poster
CoffeeMum · 03/04/2012 16:52

Wow, many, many replies, thank you!

Okay, buggies seem to be a total no no - a couple of you have said it's cool - but I wanted a general consensus, and if there is any hint of him being singled out/laughed at in a buggy, i'm not going there! Grin

I would like to emphasise that DS is a great walker, and you are all right - 15 minutes is no distance for a 4 year old. He does it all the time. I've just been warned that Reception exhausts children, and was only worried on this front.

He has a scooter, is great on it, and we fully expect to use it alot on the school run. Buggy board isn't an option as DD and DS are now too heavy unless they're in the double.

Anyway, that's it, I wanted to know, and now I do, so thank you, ladies of Mumset. Double buggy's days are numbered Wink

OP posts: