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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

Mothers with enormous toddlers in slings...

725 replies

CheapSausagesAndSpam · 06/12/2017 00:15

AIBU to wonder how the feck they manage?

My neighbour has just walked past my window with her son dangling in front of her like a bloody giant in a harness!

He's almost 4! No SEN and very sturdy/capable.

We live in a tiny town/village and she can drive etc....she's probably just going to the shop down the road.

Why??

OP posts:
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15
Aeroflotgirl · 07/12/2017 07:35

I agree, unless there is special needs or disability, or illness, than a healthy 4 year old plus does not need to be carried in a sling. They can walk, and if they are tired, they sit down for a rest. It does infantilise the child's . Someone in here even carried their 6 year old child, why!

Fuckit2017 · 07/12/2017 08:15

This reply has been deleted

Message withdrawn at poster's request.

PastLegoNow · 07/12/2017 08:18

Thank goodness it really doesn't matter what you naysayers say about carrying an older toddler in a sling, it has literally zero significance. Not one parent who wants to use a back sling will think ohhhhhh, there are a few mums netter who said this looks ridiculous I'd better not use my sling Smile

PastLegoNow · 07/12/2017 08:18

What a very strange topic to get hang up about if you are not actually carrying a toddler, why do you care so much? lol

PastLegoNow · 07/12/2017 08:20

as said my four year old spent time in a back sling, scooting, could swim and cycle without stabilisers, the thought that a child who is occasionally carried in a sling is infantalised or hindered in her development is very funny Grin.

PastLegoNow · 07/12/2017 08:23

""Even in a well designed backpack or sling, a twist or a stumble can have a bad effect if you are carrying someone who weighs a few stone. You are more likely to have a more serious fall if you do stumble because your centre of gravity is different while carrying a heavy child.""

Mhm i'd be much more worried about 3 year olds zooming on scooters on narrow pavements next to busy roads.

CheeriosEverywhere · 07/12/2017 08:29

I agree, unless there is special needs or disability, or illness, than a healthy 4 year old plus does not need to be carried in a sling

Neither do they need a scooter or a bike or a hug or a tv or a million other things. But its not up to you what other parents do is it?

Lets be honest here. its judgement about the type of people you think are doing this, and their lifestyle. Why not just say so?

Aeroflotgirl · 07/12/2017 08:32

Cheerios everybody has an opinion on aspects of parenting, your entitled to yours, I am entitled to mine.

Original poster
CheapSausagesAndSpam · 07/12/2017 08:33

CHeerios I have no idea of their lifestyle and don't care!

OP posts:
CheeriosEverywhere · 07/12/2017 08:40

No, we don't all have an opinion on innocuous things other parents do actually. Why would I have an opinion on whether a woman should carry her 3 year old or not? How could that possibly be of interest to me?
I have a life.

Original poster
CheapSausagesAndSpam · 07/12/2017 08:42

I have one too Cheerios...and I can have opinions on whatever I like thanks. You might think it silly or whatever but I don't really care. I wanted a discussion.

OP posts:
LoveYouTimMinchin · 07/12/2017 09:07

Ha yes I agree! I stopped carrying my kids around once they reached about 6 months. I don't judge people who do it - judge is the wrong word - but I do notice and have an invisible little eye roll to myself. Saw a tiny woman in Sainsburys the other night with a child who was probably half her bodyweight strapped to her front.

Frusso · 07/12/2017 09:07

The boy looks a bit silly to be frank....he's massive...tall and strong looking...speaks well...slings are for babies.
Slings aren't just for babies. I carried dd in a sling until 5/6, also looked tall and strong, but looks can be deceiving.
a decent well made sling distributes weight an awful lot better than sitting a child on your hip. And you can carry heavier weighs in a sling than without.

I also found it so much more convenient than a buggy. I carried when in a hurry or to get somewhere, and she walked when she got there. and importantly I wasn't left pushing an empty buggy so it gave us a lot more freedom.

Only1scoop · 07/12/2017 09:10

I can't even imagine trying to convince dd to get in a sling she would think I'd lost the plot.

mathanxiety · 07/12/2017 09:12

Is there a lifestyle that goes along with this?

brasty · 07/12/2017 09:12

You carried a 6 year old in a sling!

CheeriosEverywhere · 07/12/2017 09:15

I wanted a discussion

On whether your neighbour should carry her own kid or not? Hmm

Maybe we should have a discussion on whether you should be less judgemental?

ElphabaTheGreen · 07/12/2017 09:18

You carried a 6 year old in a sling!

When she was in a hurry to get somewhere, FFS. PP clearly stated child walked when they got there. I can guarantee that you have carried your child in arms when in a hurry. A sling makes that a damn-sight easier and better for your back.

Why do you all assume that using a sling with an older child = no walking?? Confused

brasty · 07/12/2017 09:19

No I have not carried a 6 year old when in a hurry.

Frusso · 07/12/2017 09:19

Me brassy? Yeah, obviously not all the time. She walked when it was safe for her to do so.

It was a good way to keep her safe. Dd (sn) would either drop or run. Refused point blank to move if using reins, and would be out of a pushchair in seconds. Car seats were a nightmare even a sn one with extra straps.

mathanxiety · 07/12/2017 09:19

My DCs could easily outrun me when they were 6.

Only1scoop · 07/12/2017 09:21

'I can guarantee that you have carried your child in arms when in a hurry'

Actually no

Not past about 2 and a half

Frusso · 07/12/2017 09:23

People are just as judgemental if you have a larger child in a pushchair so I couldn't win either way.

ElphabaTheGreen · 07/12/2017 09:25

When DS1 was five, I had to visit my mother in hospital to take her clean clothes for the day which was walking distance from my house. I had to do it quickly as we had to get somewhere by a certain time afterwards. DS1 hates hospitals and visiting there terrified him. I had no time to negotiate with him and insistence on walking resulted in a meltdown because he really didn't want to go. I was home alone with him so couldn't just leave him with someone. The only way he would agree to go was in the sling. Once again, what were my alternatives? No one seems to want to answer my queries, probably because you'd prefer to think of sling users as hippies forcing their children into perpetual lazy babyhood.

Original poster
CheapSausagesAndSpam · 07/12/2017 09:26

Cheerio well...considering how much you're posting, it must be a worth conversation no?

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