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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:
elfycat · 07/03/2014 12:48

The child in the buggy has the option of getting out and walking. In the car no-one walks. I find that even though I have the buggy with me it's only in use 10% of the time. Of course I probably don't get judged that 90% of the time but that snapshot moment of my 5YO getting into the buggy (as she'd rubbed a blister on her heel and was tired at the end of hours of walking) can be the one people take home with them I did see a few people look askance

But as with most things some people thing A, some people think B. A few people are 100% A or B and most are somewhere in the middle.

MiaowTheCat · 07/03/2014 12:48

This reply has been deleted

Message withdrawn at poster's request.

ChasbutnotDave · 07/03/2014 12:51

I think I'd judge an adult without a simple grasp of the English language (should of, could of etc) rather than a child in a buggy at age 5.

Take the buggy if you feel it will make you life easier. :-)

ChasbutnotDave · 07/03/2014 12:52
  • your
OpalQuartz · 07/03/2014 12:54

My dd still went on the buggy board sometimes at age 4. It's not really any different. I've seen people use them on the school run for a school aged sibling who was ill, which seems sensible. Better than carrying them or expecting a sick child to walk.

NigellasDealer · 07/03/2014 12:54

Chas, it is really not important if people type 'should of' instead of 'should have' in the greater scheme of things, it is a chat forum not an English exam.
Besides they might be way better at other things than you are, like getting on with people for example, or sums, whatever.

arethereanyleftatall · 07/03/2014 12:57

Do whatever you like which will make your life easier.

pre -kids I used to judge of I saw a 4 year old in a buggy. Now I know how very wrong I was! My 4 year old still had a buggy in town - because we'd already walked 2 miles to get there, and she's resting before the walk home. Whereas the 1 year old walking next to smug mummy?- probably parked round the corner!!

ChasbutnotDave · 07/03/2014 13:03

It's not important, no but if an adult can judge a child and her mother in their day to day life it's perfectly reasonable to judge an adult on their education.

Oh and no maths isn't my strong point!

Funnyfoot · 07/03/2014 13:04

Who judged a child?

jopickles · 07/03/2014 13:15

its hardly 'lugging' it all the way to turkey, it will be folded up in the hold of the plane and then in the coach on the transfer and if you have it in the airport before getting it on the plane it can be a godsend to stop your child running around like a mad thing or getting lost in a busy unusual environment or if there is a lack of seating which can very often happen. If you don't use it on the holiday you could always leave it there and not even bring it back, the cleaners are often very poor in these resorts and would probably bite your hand off to have a pram to use for their little ones (maybe generalising but I have been to turkey before and been kissed and hugged for leaving behind various items of clothing and toiletries and food items for them to take and use)

isitme1 · 07/03/2014 13:21

I would keep it for a bit longer

we bought a double before we had a car then realised the single would do as baby would be in it and eldest wouldn't have that far to walk where ever we go so we we put double om ebay. It didn't sell so I put it in spare room after I found I was pg again.

Came in useful thw other day when eldest (nearly 4) was really ill and couldn't walk. Gp sent us walk in centre which I couldn't get a lift for so double came in handy

elfycat · 07/03/2014 13:21

jopickles has a good idea. Take it and if it's not useful that week then it probably won't be needed again.

And you can use the extra weight allowance to bring back booze anything you buy.

purplebaubles · 07/03/2014 13:22

I'm only reading this thread, as I'm interested to know whether I need to invest in a double buggy or not!

Got a 16month old who has just started toddling about. Newborn will be due when she's 18months old.

I'm getting the impression I should be able to manage without!!!

2tiredtocare · 07/03/2014 13:28

My DD was in the buggy until 4ish as I couldn't drive and school was miles away, needs must

MinesAPintOfTea · 07/03/2014 13:32

purple only if you drive everywhere. DS (22 months) has been toddling outdoors for short distances for over 6 months but we only got to the library and back today because I could bundle him in the buggy.

Strikeuptheband · 07/03/2014 13:36

DD is 4. She needs the buggy not because she is lazy but because she has ASD and when she becomes anxious, she rolls around on the floor, suddenly runs into the road, etc. Most of the time she doesn't need it, but since I don't drive I would be really stuck if she became uncooperative in the middle of nowhere. So all those judgypants ppl would be judging us without even knowing us Hmm.

To answer the OP, yes I would keep it if it is suitable for holidays.

To ans

funnyossity · 07/03/2014 13:38

purple do you drive regularly? How long are your buggy journeys going to be?
Driving habits have been the biggest differentiator ime between those who stop the buggy early and those who don't. I often used a buggy to carry stuff and child was in and out but it was available. I also like to go long distances.

miaowmix · 07/03/2014 13:40

I don't think most able bodied children should be in a buggy at that age, no. And more to the point, most wouldn't want to.

I think we got rid of our buggy well before dd was 3. THere is no way on earth she would have sat in it at school age, her biggest nightmare was being babyish.
I don't give a toss if this makes me judgemental btw. I am.

On holiday in the evenings when dd was c 3 she would stay up til a reasonable time, say 10pm, and sleep later or have a siesta in the daytime.

purplebaubles · 07/03/2014 13:42

Hmm. Drive maybe to shopping centres etc, but on a day to day basis, no - am out walking to local shops.

I was thinking newborn in a sling til 6months..by which point DD will be 2 ish. Can go on a buggyboard by then?

WaitMonkey · 07/03/2014 13:47

I'm really get worked up with all these people saying they haven't used a buggy since a young age. Brilliant, I'm so happy for you all. But I bet most of you drive. I don't. So I used a buggy for my youngest Io because my older children's school was an hour round trip away, would take much longer with ds walking. All the other activities and the school runs ment we used a buggy. So judge away. But don't talk to me about an obesity epidemic. I'm so fed up with judging car drivers, who talk about obesity epidemics and drive everywhere. Hmm I guarantee my dc walk way more than yours.

MinesAPintOfTea · 07/03/2014 13:51

Have you started getting tantrums yet? Because what I really need it for now is when DS decides its time to lie on the floor and scream and the most I can do to get us moving is plonk him in the buggy. I can just about manage without the buggy but I either have to sit and wait it out (after which he'll still be overtired but can possibly be bribed to walk) or carry him which doesn't work if I have to carry/push something else.

funnyossity · 07/03/2014 13:51

WaitMonkey take no notice of silly people! We know we are right!Wink

2tiredtocare · 07/03/2014 13:54

She may have changed her mind faced with a few miles walk before school GreyGardens I could conversely judge you for letting a 3 year old dictate to you but I wouldn't because I'm not a knob. Don't worry about it WaitMonkey

miaowmix · 07/03/2014 13:54

I don't drive, although we do have a car. Before school of course DD would walk with me; she had no choice, and as I said wouldn't have dreamt of sitting in a buggy.
I don't do the school run either, but it's only a 15 min walk each way which is perfectly doable for a 4 year old.

miaowmix · 07/03/2014 13:55

Trust me 2tired she does not dictate. I am totally the boss. But I didn't want her in a buggy either so that's what I call win-win.