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

Yes do it, if they are not bothered then why not! My five year old often sits in the pram whilst my two year old walks.

I know maybe I shouldn’t worry so much, but it is a grind when you get looks and comments and lot/ and it seems this would attract them.

I know about looks and comments - my daughter is likely on the autistic spectrum, so I am used to them. Can't be bothered explaining myself anymore - I just let them judge away (most of the time - it gets to me sometimes). If I saw an older child in a buggy, I wouldn't judge. Plus, if it were a double buggy, I would assume that it was mainly for the younger child. Your daughter can jump in and out, if she fancies stretching her legs, so I don't see that there are any downsides.

I wouldn't judge you OP. But I do wonder whether it's fair to take the 7yo out for an hour+ in the buggy after a day at school. It'd be different with a baby because they'd probably sleep. Your DD might want to chat about her day, do some drawing, watch tv etc. But she can't because you want to exercise.

I can understand wanting to get out of the house, to run of frustration etc. Maybe walk with buggy to the park and let the DC play while you run around the perimeter?

Ah OP. I wasnt trying to put your idea down, I hope you don't think that I was. If you think getting out and about with the double buggy will work for you and it's really one of your only options, then go for it. I am the sort of person that cares what other people think though, so I know I personally wouldn't be able to do it!
Doesn't help with the fitness, but would your 7yo qualify for a disability buggy given her mobility issues? We were offered one for my 4yo with ASD but turned it down because he hates a buggy, so we just need leave a million hours early to get places!

Sorry, you sound really annoyed- but clearly you have time, the time you and the 3&7ywar old were going to be off Walking in the hills? Am I missing something?

Well work I guess but you have said that you do work despite previous posters asking so 🤷🏻‍♀️

So OP are you inferring that you’re at work whilst the children are at school? I do all my exercise in my lunch break..

You could start skipping at home. That’s a great workout & very small equipment.

Just do it. I don’t imagine anyone would be peering into your buggy making judgement on two small for their age children sitting happily while their mum gets a workout.

I admire your determination to do something. Try and see. If it doesn’t work then you can do something else.

@jaseyraex the problem always was we needed a double, being petite the city mini jogger is big enough easily. There wasn’t a double option. We are (finally) pretty free of buggy, but I’m realising it came a cost. It’s resulted in us going from keen walker to her pace. We don’t really need it now, if we use the car or bus more, it just stops real exercise. She also needs that bit extra supervision, they’ve had this stupid idea near us where they’ve made the pavements extend over side roads. It’s mean to make drivers aware, but in reality they drive the same and she has no kerb to remind her to stop

What are you doing all day if you're stuck in the house?

I take it that you are not a SAHM so can't take time out in the middle of the day when you only have the little one. That being the case I'd suggest that you go for it with the double buggy if you would all enjoy it. Could you work out a system where you do HIIT a couple of times a week as, done properly, it really is the best for weight loss, you do a hilly buggy walk a couple of times a week and negotiate a couple of hours for a longer outdoor session (perhaps walk running) at the weekend?

So do you work in the day or not op? Your posts are very cryptic.

I don’t have the kind of job with lunch breaks you can go off in, some people in similar jobs would understand but I guess others won’t comprehend this.

Getting to and from isn’t an exercise as I’m so tight on timings for pick ups I need to just get from a to b as quick as possible (and still often late if there’s traffic).

We could discuss this for pages, but there is no wiggle room. It’s not the discussion point.

If space at home is an issue I would start by selling the buggy.

If a treadmill doesn't appeal you could also try skipping. That's a very easy way of exercising without dragging the 7 and 3 year old out each evening. I'm sure as the nights get darker and colder they would much prefer to be at home. Then when your partner comes home get into the habit of forcing yourself to go on a walk, you could even take one of the older 2 with you as a nice 1-1 activity.

OP

Now you’ve listed everything, I actually would do it.

I’ve got a 4 year old who is incredibly clumsy, can’t ride a bike, can’t scoot, can’t run without falling over and can just about walk long distances... he still ends up falling over at least once.

And that’s at 4!

At 7, I can see it being so much more difficult.

Do it for your own sanity

Sure why not

So is the discussion point just whether others would think a 7 year old ina. Buggy is odd? Of course they would but if you’ve decided to do it what’s the point asking?

7yo in buggy doesn't sound ideal BUT...

It sounds like you need to do it for your mental health. 45mins- hour down time after school won't harm a 7yo. Maybe not everyday, but 2-3 times a week.

🤦‍♀️ I’m am obviously ‘stuck in the house’ outside work hours. This is nitpicking but what’s the point.

Will I suddenly say yes, well done. I forgot about the free hour I didn’t mention? 5 kids, 3 sites for collection and drop off. Squeezing into lunch break. Can anyone honestly not see that might be just a tiny bit hard. Then home and staying home after a dash to the gates? Then DH working late. Or on mumsnet does everyone have more kids, work more and just manage their time better? Does anyone ever find it a bit hard and a bit shit at times?

I’m being honest that my life and house are money limited, time poor, a tad chaotic at times and I’m really struggling here. Like REALLY struggling to hold shit together. I’m quite seriously desperate for some solution I feel able to do. I’m not at the greatest capacity.

If someone suggests something that actually works, I’m all ears. But it’s just not picking words for a reason I don’t get? I don’t have time. It’s not being taken at face value. That’s it. I have a little full house too.

I used to walk between play areas (or places I thought the DC would like, like areas where there were fallen down trees they could climb on) with the DC on bikes and/or scooters. And then run round the play area multiple times while they were playing. Or have a game of hide and seek where you have to chase them but run the long way round. Or play on the play equipment yourself (some of those climbing frames are really hard to get up ...). I agree it's a hard age to fit exercise in if you don't have anyone to watch them while you go.

Sounds fine to me. I also used to work school hours without a lunch break because if you work less than 6 hours in one go then you don't have to take one.

Op if it works for you then do it. If the kids hate it and are really restless then reconsider.

Outside of that, I'd make a point of going out for a run etc. on a day DP doesn't work so you have an hour to yourself

Sell the buggy, from the shed, to solve a space issue in the house.

I presume it will also create the energy for late night walks.

Really, I don’t think you are leading a similar life are you?

I did couch to 5k in the park, running round the playground whilst my children played on the equipment. When they needed me I walked or jogged round them in circles. Also I made circuit training, using jumpers to mark the circuits, and used to do 1 star jumps, 1 lunges, etc and sometimes they did it with me