To use a pram for DS (3.5)?

[ziggiestardust]

We just moved to London, and DS is struggling on days out such as the Royal Parks and Castles, where the tube stations are often a good half mile or more away from where you want to be in the park, and a lot of the 'wandering around' element really takes it out of him. He was a late walker anyway, and we often end up carrying him towards the end of the day, which is fine but it's exhausting!

Yesterday we went to Hampton Court Palace, and by the time we'd walked to the station in town, walked to Hampton Court, been around the maze etc, he was exhausted poor thing! And there was so much more I wanted to show him. I'm wondering if this wouldn't be solved with a small foldaway buggy that we can use at either end of the journey for a more enjoyable day for him. We honestly do cover quite a bit of ground, and his little legs just aren't quite up to it. We're not thrashing it either; anyone who has visited London will realise how much ground you actually cover doing seemingly very little.

He does walk 20 mins through the park to nursery and back, is outside all day (it's a forest school) and he swims twice a week and plays football once a week; so he's pretty fit and healthy.

AIBU to get a pram or should I just make him walk and tough it out a bit?

I would use a stroller / buggy if I were you, for some of those days out with lots of walking.

I still push DD to Nursery in the buggy and she is nearly 4. It takes 20 mins and is uphill - she can walk it but we can go quicker with the buggy and it saves her energy for doing fun things at school. I have found that people who drive use buggies less - but I don't, so still see the benefits for an older child.

Do you not still have a buggy from when he was younger?
I agree, walking around London is hard going on little legs.

YANBU! Sounds like you are really taking advantage of living in London (I am very jealous) - you are right to make life a little easier in getting around. If he was to be in the buggy all the time then of course you would be unreasonable, but for short periods when he is all walked out - nope, you are being sensible!

Yanbu

If he still needs it he still needs it. Why wear yourself out carrying him everywhere.

It's easy to forget just how far things are when you are used to walking everywhere yourself. Kids get tired.

Thanks everyone

We actually just got rid of the bugaboo cam because it would have been too big out and about anyway. I want something I can collapse on the train, as he's fine on my knee so a mum and baby can have the pram bit.

In this heat as well, he's just getting so dehydrated and exhausted, he's bearing up manfully but he shouldn't have to. He probably won't need it next year, but there's a big difference between 3.5 and 4.5 isn't there, physically?

If we go somewhere with lots of walking involved then I take the mei tai for ds, who's nearly 4. It's more convenient than dragging a buggy around, especially when getting on and off public transport, exploring castles and gardens or walking around shops.

YANBU. Perhaps get a cheapish stroller that's light and he can pop in and out of when he fancies. If you weren't in London, you might be driving anyway, so it sounds like he's walking lots. Go for it!

just buy one of these - why would you not??
www.argos.co.uk/static/Product/partNumber/9104213.htm

I like the idea of the mei tai, but I did my back in last year and whilst it's okay atm, I don't really want to risk it! But thank you anyway if I have another one I'd definitely buy one.

cest yes, exactly something cheap and cheerful like that would be perfect!

Yes maybe best not to with an older child if you have had back problems.

I only discovered it quite late on myself, as ds was a bit of a bolter at around 18 months and I found he could squeeze through gaps in the crowd that I couldn't follow easily with a pram so I'd have to abandon it to chase him.

I have a 3.5 year old as well so know exactly how you feel. His legs get really tired as well after walking all day especially when its warm.

Only thing I would say is you might be better getting cheap second hand Maclaren or a used Zapp rather than a simple cheap one like that-they are incredibly hard to push even with babies in so I would think with a 3.5 year old would be very hard work indeed.

We used a cheap umbrella buggy for dgs on days out until he turned 4. On long days or late nights he will still rest in it and he is 5 now.

Naaaah.

Stick him in.

Bless him. I walk loads with mine (2yo). As In absolutely miles. When he's tired he doesn't enjoy himself. In the pram he goes. Voila. Happy little man.

We still have the double for days out like this with ds3 3.3. He walks loads as I don't drive but a day out involving all that walking when the weather is hot would be too much for him.

Calm down and stop schlepping him round all of the tourist stuff.He's not even 4 so how can he appreciate Hampton Court ? Wait till he's older.

maras

Hahahaha

You're joking right?

maras2, exactly what I was thinking. Hampton Court's not going anywhere anytime soon.

I think just get a cheap lightweight folding buggy that you can take out and about on days when you'll be doing lots of walking. We did this with our DS until he was about 4.5 as he has hyper mobile joints and too much walking would cause him achy legs. (For example if we went to a theme park for a day trip)

Yeah, this is AIBU so you're always going to get someone criticising. I wasn't actually asking anyone's opinion on where I should be taking my son, I was asking about prams. Thanks.

I agree with newshoes. I used to be quite smug about neither of mine using buggies after 3 until someone pointed out to me that I drive to nursery and also used to carry Dd everywhere when we did go out. She is nearly 4 now and I'm noticing a big difference in the amount she can walk

I live in London and was thinking only today of replacing my v old and battered Maclaren Techno, even though DD is 3.4. Makes getting around so much less whingey/more enjoyable and it's a great storage for all the bags and coats to hang on. If you're doing a regular nursery run, even more so.

Hats off to you getting round all the tourist attractions - we manage our local parks quite regularly but def haven't tried any castles / other places.

Maras - I took my DD to Hampton court at 6 months old!!

It was more for me... Not everyone wants to spend everyday at soft play and yes, she enjoyed it.

Definitely get him a buggy, I'm going to Florida for my daughters 4th birthday and I'm taking a buggy!! Long walks are hard on little legs!

ziggie

No no you must listen to the elders.

Your child is too young for seeing things.

Wait. At least til they're 42. Good lass.

DD loved Hampton Court last summer when she was just 3.Actors talking to her in fancy dress, touching the replica dresses made out of paper, the huge kitchens with real food and pretend food. Huge flower beds filled with colourful flowers and massive oak trees to play hide and seek in and around. Getting 'lost' in the maze and racing around it trying to find granny. One of our best days out.