To get the double buggy back out for my 7 and 3 yr olds

[Kuio]

No size issue, they are usually petite, and not bothered by the buggy. They probably miss it if anything

My main fitness was walking, long distance and speedy rather than pottering around. It’s so hard with kids, they aren’t bad walkers for their age but can’t really stride fast enough or cover distance in a way that will make a proper dent on my fitness levels.

I’ve still got my double, I live in a hilly area. My husband works long hours and I just don’t have time otherwise. I’m thinking of each afternoon popping them in the buggy for a really brisk hilly 3-4 mile walk. With the double it’s not easy. I do other things, like cycle, but this is a super easy no prep way of actually sticking to something for fitness tat works.

I’m getting flabby, odd? If you saw me regularly would you think it was odd...? We do walk together, but as I said it’s just not going to keep me fit staying at their pace

Absolutely

If they still fit then why not? Both will be getting some fresh air and you're getting some exercise. No harm done!

Why on Earth is it miserable for a 7yo to be freezing in a buggy but it'd be fine for the 3yo to be pushed during the day when OP miraculously becomes a SAHM and realises she could actually do it then?
My 5yo regularly comes for a 30min dog walk with me after her bath, before bed. She's appropriately dressed for the weather, as is the buggy using DC if he comes too (which he doesn't usually in case he falls asleep too early, I'd watch out for that with the 3yo if I were you OP, could they be in a jogged pram in the dark without napping and then messing up bedtime?) and loves it. Obviously she's able to do the walk, she just wears fleecy pyjamas, a onesie and thick wellie socks. If she were in the pram like the baby I'd add a blanket like I do for him and there we go! Or a hat with the onesie hood up. If you're too out of breath to do a lot of chatting on the hilly bits ask her to tell a story, or to tell her sibling about her day. Presumably if it was raining/ snowing OP wouldn't go that day?!
As an aside, check the weight limits on it and take into account whether it's the Mini or Mini GT, my mum was a childminder and one of her older mindees once twisted an ankle so went in the pram to get home and the wheel buckled and fell off! So she had me, a child who could walk but not too far and needed hand holding, a child with a twisted ankle in the middle of a massive park and dad was at work so couldn't just run over and pick us up! I was only young but I still remember it!

I wouldn't put a 7 years old in a pushchair, I wouldn't do it even to a 5 years old. Suppose he/she will meet another child from school and dies from embarrassment.
I would get a bike to bike alongside me while I run even if I need push up the hill or a very local teenage/retired person babysitter.

Sounds like a good plan to me.

OP check out the story of Cynthia Arnold- American runner who ran a marathon with a triple buggy with her 6, 4 and 1 year olds in it. 185lbs push whilst marathon running is no laughing matter.

@Phoebesgift a Mum looking after her physical and mental health isn't selfish. The child isn't in a buggy apart from this. Plenty of kids sit in cars for what amounts to hours a week. In fact, if I drive to my nearest child friendly gym it's 25 minutes away. 50 minute round trip. I know kids who are in the car for almost an hour on the way to school, so almost two hours a day.

Who gives a monkey's what people think! Do it, OP. Do it for you. Your kids will be fine. Mine sit on a tricycle (bench for two on the back of the trike I'm peddling). They're 9 and 5 now. All-weather conditions. No problem! I do no other fitness other than walk the dog and cycling to and from school (30 minutes). It's fantastic. In the winter, they wear very warm gear, I cover them in a fleece blanket and they use little hotties hand warmers on icy days.

Pop them in the buggy. I knew a mum who did this with her kids at that age. She was fit as a fiddle! And the kids, now teens, are perfectly well-adjusted, super-bright, and undamaged by being seen in the buggy on the school run.

So much better than sitting in a car, tbh. All that fresh air for them and fitness for you can't possibly be a bad thing. Just make sure you waer hi-vis gear and put lights on the buggy on dark winter evenings.

@Kuio haven’t read the full thread yet still going through...I think you should do it!

I wouldn’t judge if I saw a 7 year old in a buggy what’s it got to do with others?
You sound quite down and I think the exercise will help you. Just get out there and do it!

Also people will judge whatever you do, so I wouldn’t give it a second thought, I’ve only just learned to that if I want to do something and it isn’t harming anyone I just get on with it.

Stuffed under a rain cover! Gosh that’s one of the most ridiculous things I’ve read on here.

My dc were never stuffed under rain covers just sat in their cosy blanket with a rain cover over then to prevent them getting wet, like most children are.

Thing is, the 3 year old is a it too big to be in a pushchair IMO, never mind a 7 year old. 7 year olds are too big to be in pushchairs or put under pushchair covers.

A quick update, we’ve been a few days now. It’s been pretty chilled, no funny looks (though the Forest is v quiet). She fits, is happy. We picked a few mushrooms today, drew them and did a Forest painting later on which we wouldn’t have otherwise done on a Sunday. I’m feeling a lot cheerier too.

@Phoebesgift isn’t going to be held back trying to dig out a reaction here

Get yourself an exercise bike, they aren't that expensive and maybe a set of dumbbells and do a home work out x

@Kuio

Why don’t you go when the 7 year old is at school or get her a bike?

🤣🤣🤣🤣fucking hell. I think you’ve been polite & reasonable in the face of such frustrating posts!!

I’m glad you’re going to give it a go. Frankly what anyone else thinks is completely irrelevant. If they want to judge, let them.

I’m glad DD is looking forward to it, but frankly all this nonsense about you being selfish and her being bored can be shoved up posters...chimneys. It would not kill a child to be bored for an hour a day and your mental & physical health is important!

As long as the kids are comfortable enough and warm enough, then it’s all good.

I hope it works out for you & that you start to feel better soon!

I hope your general situation improves too, it sounds like you’ve been through a lot, but sounds like DH is a keeper ♥️Despite him obviously being crap & lazy 🙄

@IncrediblySadToo seeing that start to a very long post did make my heart sink a tad! 😂

The post that persuaded me was the poster who pointed out if I exercise at home I’d be in reality putting them on devices or in front of the TV realistically. Getting in and out a bit in fresh air is a better option. She actually walked a fair bit earlier, just getting in for some silly up hill races mainly. She found it funny being an exercise weight and we even played me bench pressing her afterwards which was apparently the funniest thing ever.

I also double checked the weight limits, it’s 45kg combined. Girls are both comfortably under 20kg each. To lay to rest the size thing

I haven't read every post so forgive me if I've missed something key or am just repeating what others have said. (Chronic pain so I can't sleep but don't have the attention span for 11 page threads sorry.) But anyway, I don't see a problem with what you are suggesting. It isn't the norm but it seems a perfectly reasonable and actually quite imaginative solution to your very specific problem. You probably will get some judgemental looks but so what, it is nobody else's business. At least your children will be out in the fresh air and spending time with you, rather than indoors watching tv or something. Spending family time outdoors sounds like a good thing to me.

As an aside, I read earlier that your DD can't manage pedals or a balance bike and I just wondered whether you had used any specific programme to teach her or not? If you wanted to have another go at any point I would strongly recommend British Cycling's Ready Set Ride programme. We use this at the club where I coach and have had great success with it, including with some children around your DD's age who for various reasons have been unsuccessful with previous attempts to learn to ride a bike. All the resources are available to parents - you do need to sign up for an account on the Ready Set Ride website but it is free. It includes activities to do off the bike to strengthen muscles and help with coordination and most ofvthe children I have worked with have found it a lot of fun. Sorry, I know that's not what you asked but as it is a relatively new thing a lot of people aren't aware of it so I thought it was worth a mention.

Op with stuff like this one has to ask.....

Are they active at other times.. I'm sure they are so for this one hour, they are out in fresh air, getting lovely little trip. Mum Keeping fit and healthy and happy so yes yes yes.

We went to Disney Paris and had a 10 year old and 6 in buggy 😂 both very fit, good walkers, but it's vast place and you miss rides if not quick. No harm done they are still fit and slim and noted as good sports at school!

I haven’t RTFT but if your 7 year old can’t walk fast, use a bike, scooter, falls down & so uncoordinated they can’t accompany you on a walk aren’t you concerned something might be wrong with them neurologically ? This isn’t normal. Your kid needs exercise as much as you. This is an opportunity for the both of you to get moving

I would advise a GP visit & getting your kid checked out ASAP

Such a strong reaction to a 7 year old in a buggy, yet lots of 7 year olds are driven almost everywhere.

Better she is sitting happily in a buggy enjoying the outdoors and fresh air rather than in front if TV whilst you run on a home treadmill.

Glad you all enjoyed your trips op.

@Elbowedout I haven’t heard of that..: thanks. I’ll look it up. We have tried the local club (lessons got expensive) and council schemes (too short for progress) and got a second hand very light bike for her.

@prawnsword

You haven’t even bothered to read the OP’s posts , so what on earth makes you so egotistical that you think this hasn’t been discussed in the 12 pages before you decided to impart your wisdom?!

Jesus wept. At least bother your arse to read an OP’s post before making such fanning comments & telling someone to take their child to the GP

Fanning - damning

@Kuio

Great to see your first trip went well!!

Even if the weather is crap & she stays under a cover in the buggy, they’re both getting some fresh air and at the very least, it’s no worse than sitting around at home

Even if the novelty wears off, it’s not going to kill them to sit wrapped up in the buggy for an hour!

As for being bored🤷🏻‍♀️Life’s not a circus, being bored wont kill them either! Just like the millions of other kids going to siblings activities & waiting around for them.

I bet you have THE cutest bench press bar ever! After a few weeks you’ll be balancing one kid on each hand 🤣

My dd is 6 and would love this. Doubt I could push them uphill now, but it would be good exercise if I could

Thanks we tried again. I really ran up a hill and have possibly taken 10 yes off my knees’ lifespan 😬