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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

AIBU to keep the buggie for 4year old DS?

175 replies

floppyfanjo · 07/03/2014 09:20

Off to the tip this weekend and was wondering if The pushchair should now go in the "going" pile ?

I've kept it up until now for emergency use eg if Ds is poorly and I need to get him to the Doc's etc.

Anyway we are off to Turkey in July (DS will be 4.6) and I'm thinking it may be useful in an evening or if we've got a long walk back from the beach etc.

DP thinks it should go and we wont end up using it anyway.

Would you keep it until after the holiday ?

OP posts:
backinthebox · 07/03/2014 09:25

Really? A potentially school age child in a buggy? Biscuit

Our youngest is 3. I can't remember when we got rid of the buggy, it was over a year ago.

colafrosties · 07/03/2014 09:26

This reply has been deleted

Message withdrawn at poster's request.

BrianTheMole · 07/03/2014 09:27

I'd keep it til after the holiday.

RhinestoneCowgirl · 07/03/2014 09:28

You'll get some people getting all Shock about a 4yr old in a buggy, but I think if it's on holiday and you think it'll make your life easier, then use it!

I don't have a car so hung on to the buggy for a long time (think it's still in the loft actually, youngest is 5). I did end up using to take DS to the docs when he was past 5. He was too poorly to walk, even tho its only 10 mins.

Jacksterbear · 07/03/2014 09:29

I would ignore the judgers Hmm and do whatever works for your family and makes your life easier.

Nataleejah · 07/03/2014 09:29

I'd keep it.
When my DS1 was 4, we went to Vancouver for weekend. It was very tiring for him, so the buggy proved useful.

hootloop · 07/03/2014 09:30

We took ours on a holiday after DD had stopped using it day to day, she refused to get in it because she is not a baby but it was ver useful for carting beach toys and towels about.
She was 3 and a half but had stopped wanting to use it a good six to nine months (maybe longer) before that.

DamionLiu · 07/03/2014 09:30

This reply has been deleted

Message deleted by MNHQ. Here's a link to our Talk Guidelines.

Ihatepeas · 07/03/2014 09:30

Keep it until after the holiday.
Can you not sell it or pass it on rather than take it to the tip?

EwanHoozami · 07/03/2014 09:31

I'd rather carry a tired child part of the way home from the beach than lug a buggy to Turkey.

PS don't take it to the tip, if it's in good condition stick it on Freecycle or post a message on the MN Local board. Someone might really need one.

TheOrchardKeeper · 07/03/2014 09:31

Depends if you drive or not.

DS is an amazing walker at 3 but he's not super human and we live half an hour from town on foot so I still usually take it in case because he's too heavy to carry that far!

IamInvisible · 07/03/2014 09:32

We didn't take a buggy on holiday when DS2 was 3.4, he walked. If he was tired he went on DH's shoulders. The buggy would have been long gone here.

KinderBoris · 07/03/2014 09:33

Perhaps keep it for the holiday in case you kick yourself? As for general everyday use then If you have a car I wouldn't really bother. My 2 1/2 year old is just coming out of our buggy now but I will keep it for slightly longer journeys as we are still at the stage where I end up carrying him a lot! I think by the summer it will be gone completely.

HoneyDragon · 07/03/2014 09:34

Omg omg a potentially school age child occasionally using a buggy......aaaarhh he'll be delayed years developmentally, get type two diabetes and grow up to be an entitled hooligan.... Burn it, burn it now, no time for the tip.

Or like others have said, keep it till the holiday. If only for air port delays and the like. If he doesn't use it fab, your dh can say "I told you so" Grin, if it is needed you'll all be glad you kept it.

hiccupgirl · 07/03/2014 09:37

I got rid of my DS's just after his 4th birthday after he managed a who,e day walking round the zoo without it. Before that he had been welded to the damn thing so it was time for tough love.

Personally I wouldn't lug a buggy on a plane to Turkey for a 4 1/2 yr old just in case but the world won't end if you did.

behindthetimes · 07/03/2014 09:41

I'd keep it for a bit longer if you think you might need it. I get lots of comments about my 3 year old still using a buggy from my dad, but can't see what the problem is it if avoids an overtired child moaning and wanting to be carried!

funnyossity · 07/03/2014 09:42

Very useful on holiday and like you say if child is unwell.

My children hike about non-stop now.

KatherinaMinola · 07/03/2014 09:43

I am really [shocked] that you would take a usable buggy to the tip!! There are so many people who struggle to afford these things. See if a local Sure Start can pass it on to a family in need once you no longer want it (or Freecycle it, as a PP said).

But I don't have an issue with 4 year olds in buggies. All children are different - some don't start walking until two.

elfycat · 07/03/2014 09:44

DD1 had climbed into her sister's buggy three times in the last few weeks and fallen asleep. She's just had her 5th birthday. Once was more for my convenience (raining really hard at school run after a sunny day - wrong coat - had the raincover for the Graco so got both kids in to stay dry) but I could see I had a tired child fight on my hands and I just wanted to get warm and dry. Another time was at the end of a very long zoo visit.

I'll be keeping the buggy until DD2 is at least 4 as we have a moderate walk to school (over a mile) and 4 miles a day on top of her other physical activities is too much.

We won't/can't carry the children too far. I have a crap upper back from dislocating all kinds of things as a nurse over 20 years ago. DH has a very slipped disc causing muscle wasting in his left leg. If we want to be able to run and play with our DDs we need to take a bit of care and the buggy is a tool to achieve that.

GwendolineMaryLacey · 07/03/2014 09:47

I'd take it, it's not that much hassle to take it and you might be glad of it. Bollocks to the judgers.

gamerchick · 07/03/2014 09:47

I stopped using the buggy at 6 for good. 4 would have been a dream. Some people treat it like a right of passage or a race.. its weird Hmm

Personally I wouldn't take it on holiday but then it might really come in handy if there's a load of faff at the airports.

DazR · 07/03/2014 09:47

Turkey in July will be very hot and tiring - I personally would rather push a tired youngster in a buggy than carry them in that heat. As someone previously said you could always use it for carrying beachstuff or shopping supplies. Would be useful on the beach in the shade too or if they are tired when you are out late at night.......

Monstermuncher · 07/03/2014 09:50

My son is 3 and big for his age. I get judgy looks when he is in the buggy on the way to and from nursery as people think he is older but its much more convenient as he takes an age to walk and sometimes we are in a rush. Balls to what other people think though. When we are through with the buggy it will be freecycled or donated to the local women's shelter. I say take it, if nothing else you can load all of your beach towels/buckets and spades etc onto it as you go out for the day. Enjoy your hols you lucky thing.

Floggingmolly · 07/03/2014 09:50

We've used a buggy for a four year old on holiday. They can sleep in it; so you don't have to cut short the evening when they get tired. No issue at all.

Wantsunshine · 07/03/2014 09:51

Would he even go in the buggy at that age or refuse? It will be more of a hassle to take it on the plane rather than carry him if he gets tired.
I know I shouldn't judge but I have as it does seem old if no medical reason. Take it to a charity shop rather than tip it if you have one near by

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