To ask my 2yo to walk 4-5 miles a day?

[fannyanddick]

She's 3 end of November. School run 1mile times 4 plus extra bits during the day. Eg another 0.2 to her nursery x2. Shopping etc. Not to mention running around at home, park, soft play etc. She does it fine but is slowing down on some legs and is definitely more tired for it. Should I use buggy for one leg or is she too old?

I used to use a buggy for one leg at this age mainly for morning speed. But my distanced were further. We have a basic school run of about 6 miles a day, can go up to as much as about 15 miles when her big sister has lots of clubs etc. Ditched the buggy just after she turned 3 and I honestly couldn't manage without her micro scooter (well we could but it would all take a very long time). She cycles a lot too!

In a buggy at 4 and a half? No 2 son climbed Brecon Beacon at that age...

Both my sons could manage around 3 miles at that age. Eldest was walking early and at 14 months he was out of the pushchair permanently. Younger son was in pushchair but walking some of the journey at around 2.
The boys are now 16 and nearly 18 and still walk a lot including the walk to school which is around 4 miles a day. They enjoy it and could take a bus but prefer to walk.

Too far imo. I would also find it stressful re Road/pavement safety and would want to be doing it with reins or a buggy.

Take a carrier in your bag, if she gets tired put her up and it's good cardio for you ( not that you probably need it with all that walking :) )

My rule of thumb with my children was that they should be able to walk their age so in this instance it would work. Depends on the child and would be more challenging in poor weather. Try it but monitor it and be flexible. I am envious that you have the time!

Show off

If your dd is used to the distance and doesn't appear too tired it's not an issue, every family is different in their physical activity. I don't drive and both my dd's were out of their buggy by 2.5. We built up the amount they can work over time, my youngest dd walked about 4/5 miles a day when she was 3 and people would say it was abuse. Walking is a great physical activity and I think it's great your dd is out enjoying the fresh air with her mum.

JAS x

We had quite a walk to school when my daughter was young so we used the buggy and she got out and walked when she felt like it, which was often as she wanted to be a 'big girl'!

So there has been a development. She has just started nursery mornings this week. She had dropped her nap, as she wasn't going down at night. Plus school run just started again, so lots going on in her life.

So she was with her nanny today. Went in the buggy in the morning at least some of the time. Then nursery, lunch, playtime etc. Then apparently whilst walking to the afternoon school pick up she was falling asleep whilst walking . Like closing eyes and steps going wobbly. So i think I have my answer.

Whilst she is capable of waking the distance without problems of pain or anything, it is just wearing her out clearly. Thing is she wasn't even complaining or asking to being carried poor little mite. Just sleepily walking along. So clearly I need to reduce the walking and up the naps a bit. Thanks for all the replies.

Who is a show off plug?

If they are used to it, it's not a problem

In a buggy at 4 and a half?
my triplets climbed Snowdon at 14 months...

My ds2 will be 4 next Jan and is still very much reliant on his buggy for the school run (prob only about 0.3 miles each way, but uphill on way there). I really wanted to ditch the buggy, but on days when I force him to walk the 5 mins he cries his eyes out and begs to be carried. He does forest school 9.15 - 2.45 some days and is just shattered, so I cut him some slack.

I've just accepted he was late to potty train and now late to give up his beloved buggy Oh, and another plus point to mention with the buggy, along with bag storage, road safety and speed, is that he stays dry. He got soaked walking up the other morning and I had to change him before he could go to pre-school.

OP sounds like you'll have to use your intuition and let her use the buggy some times. She's still little.

It's quite common when they give up naps that ever 2nd/3rd/4th day they do then need one - perhaps buggy on the way back from pre-school will be the solution every other day or something.

It sounds like great exercise for her, how lovely, plus much nicer than seeing kids age 3+ in a buggy! Maybe take a sling for if she does get knackered? A decent one that can fold up into your handbag.

Mine was in a buggy then. As I've whinged before, it is very hilly and she wouldn't make it. And I had just been diagnosed with MS and, frankly, the support of the buggy helped. Sorry to hear anyone was judging me.

Doctor opinion- doesn't harm them physically as long as decent shoes/foot care. Scooters probably worse as would make them lopsided? Does sound like you've found your answer though.

That is a lot but my little boy was the same at that age and wanted to walk every where, he's 3.5 years old and I haven't used his buggy for a good 18 months now as he loves walking.
Let the little one walk the mornings and maybe use the buggy in the afternoons to make life a bit easier all round for now until you're sure little one is really up to it!

shhhfastasleep I feel judged too People say to me cheerily on the school run "shouldn't he be walking by now?!". Reading this thread has made my contrary side kick in and I'll now relax and let my ds decide when he's ready to give it up (I seldom have any choice with these sorts of things with him anyway !)

I would with healthcare professional bc it may be quite a stress on the young bones? We had a double sit/stand buggy until age 5/6 mostly bc if younger sibling.

It would take too much time for me.
Children walk slowly, a 2 yo walking 4-5 miles a day must take hours.
I don't have that time to spare.

I would also be concerned about weather. Nice in summer.
Deeply unpleasant in a cold wet windy day.

She wasn't asking for buggy which is great!some have the opposite trouble and its hell lol.keep trying keeping going the distance I would.her nap schooling have changed so shel quiet in time.if she likes to walk maybe u and her could go on a sponsored one or girly walk in woods or fields to keep it interesting and fun,so not all associative of school run.

Sounds like a lot for such a wee one. But not the expert maybe theres some research on that type of stuff though?

"It sounds like great exercise for her, how lovely, plus much nicer than seeing kids age 3+ in a buggy! Maybe take a sling for if she does get knackered? A decent one that can fold up into your handbag."

Why is it not OK for kids 3+ to crash into a buggy if they are tired, but OK for them to crash into a sling if they are tired? Most people with older kids who use buggies are not using them for long periods of time.