Am I mad to take two young DC (and buggy) on long train journey in rush hour?

[BrightonMama]

Quick straw poll needed! Kids are DS1 (4) and DS2 (2) - normally fairly well behaved, but both obviously still have their moments when tired and 2 year old not all that keen on sitting still for lengthy periods.

My mum is quite poorly and I need to go to see her (she's not a death's door, but is feeling very under the weather and awaiting the results of some tests which she's worried about).

She lives at other end of the country so when we go my DH normally drives. He's away this weekend so can't do it this time. I do drive but have only just passed my test, have never driven on a motorway and just don't feel confident enough to do it with just me and the kids. I feel sick just thinking about it.

Just looked up trains and they would take 4.5 hours (about an hour less than the drive), but we would need to go Friday after eldest has finished school, so would involve some rush hour London action as well as three changes.

Am I mad to think of taking one 2 year old in a buggy and one four year old on the train for four hours in rush hour through London with three changes?

Just thinking back to when I was a commuterwondering why the hell someone would bring kids with them on a train in rush hour - that's my bad karma, obviously.

Not mad no....just brace yourself! I find it good to sit in the bit between carriages...there's a pull down seat and t's often free.

i also thin if you can get someone to come with you to the station and get you all on board then that would be MUCH easier. Can you put the 2 year old on reigns instead of buggy?

My honest response

Three changes in london would be hard for me (and I have older kids who are very train savvy)
I would go during the daytime.

I think its more important for a 4yo to spend time with her ailing granma and miss one day of school. Others will disagree.........!

Can you avoid the changes by using a taxi? Assuming the changes are across London.

Thanks for the advice.

And not take the buggy at all you reckon? Hmmm - didn't think of that! Would definitely eliminate lots of worries about folding it!

I wouldn't do it with one child unless it was in a sling - maybe you are made of sterner stuff than me

I would say it depends what your 4 year old is like after school in terms of tiredness/grumpiness and whether they listen to what you say...

I would do it with my 3.5yo & 4mo but I would have the youngest in a sling and the eldest in the buggy so both are 'contained' iyswim. Could you carry your youngest in sling/back carrier? Then the 4yo could go in the buggy even if they don't normally so if they're tired you don't have to drag/carry them through stations...

Though agree with pp - if he's only just started reception I'm sure a half day/day off wouldn't harm.

I'd be tempted to taxi it too, then you won't need the buggy, and hopefully manage to avoid the underground (?).

Yes, I think you're mad. London rush hour on the tube is hell and Fridays are worst.

Just tell the school there's a family emergency and take him out at lunchtime.

Definitely had thought about the 4yo missing school - would make like a whole lot easier, as we'd then miss rush hour altogether.

Is this the kind of thing you can be honest about with the school, or would I have to pretend he's poorly that day?

I would take child out of school early too to avoid the rsh. Remember rush hour starts at about 3.30 - 4 on a Friday

I've managed rush-hour tube with three pre-schoolers. And a buggy. And I lost the tip of my crocs into the bargain (in my defence, it was many years ago, when crocs were innovative). It's possible. Even for a provincial London-hater Like me.

And surprising people help you. The man in handmade shoes and expensive suit who carried the buggy down the escalator for me. The scary-looking psycho type who made sure we were all comfortable on the crowded tube, and then helped us off (all without removing his headphones or talking to us). It will renew your faith in human goodness.

Good luck.

Thanks so much for all the advice, really much appreciated!

OK, will go with family emergency and leave earlier. I definitely don't mind about him missing school, but his primary is very strict on attendance.

I too would take your DS out early on the Friday. At my kids' school they do sweet FA on a Friday afternoon anyway.

Be honest with the school - your mum is ill. It won't be a problem. If it is they are being unreasonable and you are the parent so just take her anyway. Kids leave early for dental appts and this is more important than that.

*him sorry not her

I missed that your mum is ill - just be honest and tell them you need to be there with her. Hope she gets better soon x

Thanks valiumredhead and everyone for the great advice. x

Leave earlier Friday lunchtime children turn into crazies between 5-7pm dont do it to yourself.

jeee usually rush hour brings out the worst in people (speaking as a Londoner). I think you may have been lucky. Commuters on a packed tube generally don't take kindly to buggies and small children especially on a Friday

I used to regularly cross London with a double side by side buggy and two little ones 2 years apart. Also with luggage for overnight stay.
If you can avoid the tube try and do so . Some stops are quite close together and don't take any longer to walk than to get the tube.
Also there was a bus that runs between London stations which was wheelchair/ push chair friendly. Hopefully it still runs
I would also go earlier and take child out of school and pretend he is sick.

I would take the 4 year old out of school, if only because he will be exhausted after a whole day at school, and a 4 and half hour train journey at the end of that would probably not be fun for anyone!

I'd leave earlier and get a taxi across london as well.

I would also add that even though a buggy is cumbersome, it has it's advantages. You can hang bags of food/ snacks/ toys on it etc and the lifts are usually quieter than the escalator ( if the station has them). You may get the added bonus of the younger dc falling asleep in it

That's true about the buggy, imsosorryalan. Also, thought that at least one of us would get a seat in the bit between carriages if all the seats were taken.

Defo take the day off school...that is a good idea! Tell the school why too...they'll be fine! She is 4 and her Gran is not well.