To collect Reception age DS from school in a buggy?

[CoffeeMum]

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 , 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

Ours is more like half an hour each way. But whatever.

I knew one mum who would push her reception DS in a pushchair 100m down the road to her car.

I dragged my exhausted DS sobbing after a hard day.

I think she had the right idea.

how fast you walk has a bearing on the distance though, quoting time for a walk is no measure of distance

Ok, 1.4 miles each way.

i'm with you Flightty - use whatever means makes your life easiest.

i mean we can all wash clothes by hand, but got a washing machine, haven't we?

I don't think anyone really cares that much Flightty

GeekPie

yes it is emotionally tiring. It's a mixture of things, mostly the strain of trying to be good and listen for the day, cope with loads of new experiences, and a little bit of anxiety, amongst all the nice playing etc. It's hard when you are all looking forward to seeing them and they are vile though ....poor little things

I'm a TA, and a CA who doesn't have children commented on how tantrummy, rude or difficult some of the children are to their parents at the end of the day, and I explained it's because they love their parents enough to be 'orrible with them

Thanks Unchartered.

If people don't care that much why are they being so rude?

I wouldnt class that as long, and I do agree it depends on what you are used to. Its up to you if you want to do it but I think walking is just as important as schooling as you want them to be fit and healthy when they grow up.

Maybe because you won't stop?

because it makes them feel better about themselves

their children's achievements, of course ,is a direct reflection of them, after all

15 mins at your pace or his? 15 mins at 4 year old pace is very, very different from adult pace. We have a 10 min my pace walk to school. It can take 45 mins if DD1 decides to dawdle.

DS sat in the back of our P&T a couple of times on the way home from reception in September/October. There was one day when DD1 was on my shoulders and DD2 and DS were in the buggy. I just wanted to get home. At DS's school they start full time from week 2 and he is a May birthday. I don't give a toss who saw or what they said. He was tired and I'd rather get him home quickly so he can rest and get back to school the next day, than take lots of time off school.

I wouldn't, I'd be morto. And my 4 and 7 year olds walk more than twice that far to school. Even the 2 year old can walk for more than 15 mins.

That said, I wouldn't give a shiny what anyone else does.

In most cases, I think a buggy is a bad idea for the school run. I think other children may think it is babyish and tease your LO. I am sure plenty of DC have dummies, not on the school run though.

My DS started Reception in September and I was looking forward to him being tired out. He was hungrier than usual but that's it.

Loads of kids his age (and miles older) used purpose build buggies in Disneyland Paris. He absolutely would not.

morto? wtaf?

getting a 2yr old to walk for 15 mins around the park is far more hard work than getting them to walk someone on a deadline, though

Won't stop what, Sparky? Replying? I don't understand. I normally reply on threads.

Camdancer, I agree with you.

I'm just sad that the OP has been given such a unanimous verdict on her question. i'm trying to put the other side. If a hundred other people hadn't said 'christ no, mine didn't use one once he was a year old' then perhaps my few posts wouldn't be necessary.

Morto?god I'm old and tbh can't remember how I got my kids to school , all I know is they ain't in their buggies anymore

Not all children get tired in reception, it sounds as the Op is going in with the assumption that her child will be tired .

I would take the double and use it to put bookbag, lunchbox, show and tell, pe kit in (get the drift) If he struggles closer to home let him climb in it. I would not suggest it iyswim but if it's available he can if he wants.

My DS was only 4.03 when he started PT, having been in FT nursery, the CM was 5 minutes walk (adult speed) but she let him use her buggy board if he was tired because the 3yo charge would walk mostly. He fell asleep on it one day. He used it when he asked and it was free - his choice.

I will add that all this is despite the fact he would walk 5 miles at a weekend, scooter for miles to parks etc - school was just a different kind of tired!

Should have added by DS didn't use a buggy from 2 (had a scooter though) but as I said that means nothing.

usual why did you drag them back home ? Our school has bike sheds and we lock them up at school.

15 mins is probably about a mile, he should be able to walk that both ways. Our two have been walking this to/from nursery for over a year now.

Do yous not say morto over on your side? y'know, mortified.

OP -copious healthy snacks as soon as they emerge from school and before you try to get them to walk anywhere can help reduce the tantrums and complaining, or excess emotion. I also don't make my little one carry her own bag home.