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

I personally would concentrate on exercising in the house and let the walk just be a chance to get out and get a change of scenery but you need to work out for yourself what works best for you.

Nobody else can tell you what will work best for you because they can't know every detail of your life so can only guess based on what would work best in their own circumstances.

I’ve not disappeared or flounced, I’ll post again after bedtime-I’m currently being shit at helping with homework with posting

I have have a 3yr old and 8yr old. My 8yr old has issues with her hip so often takes turns in the buggy. She too is tiny, probably more like a five-year-old physically. I’m not aware of inviting any funny looks at all, although perhaps I haven’t noticed it! You go for it - at least your children are getting fresh air and you are setting a good active example to them.

I have not been rude to helpful people, including those that haven’t agreed. Just a few ones I have found persistently rude in their tone, presumptions or patronising comments.

I'm honestly not sure what I've said to offend you so much but if I have offended you I'll apologise and that's the end of it. I was merely trying to offer solutions and suggest that your partner enables you to find time to get out of the house as it appears you are feeling pretty trapped and down.

Despite helpful suggestions from others it appears that the only solution you think may be doable is putting them in the buggy so as I said several pages back just do that.

I would still recommend talking to your partner about having some you time though maybe at the weekend or when he is home from work. A loving partner is great but having no time to yourself is never going to be good for anyone's mental health.

I'm sorry I haven't read the whole thread so apologies if someone has made this suggestion already. Would you consider selling the double buggy and buying a bike trailer/buggy? They are a buggy type trailer which you can attach to the back of your bike. The only concern I would have is the combined weight. It would be hard on your back and your joints.

Okay, have you tried Junior Parkrun? Sign the kids up online (it’s free). All ages 4+ can take part and loads of people have toddlers in buggies or toddling with them (they just don’t get a time). Then take kids and buggy out on ‘training runs’. When your dd is tired she can have a rest, when she’s not she can have a bit of a jog with you. We got our dyspraxic dc taking part and it’s a good confidence booster. Not competitive - there’s no winner. Always a tail walker so you’re never last. They get a time each week so they can try to improve on their personal best. Once she gets going you can do extra laps of the park with smallest dc in a buggy.

If you and the kids are happy with it then go for it, it sounds like it'll be a really good solution for you.

If I saw someone walking past fast with an older child in a buggy I'd just assume they wanted to walk too fast or far for the child to keep up

I think you should do it. Especially if you are unlikely to meet her school friends. Home workouts are fine but sounds like you don't have space and if your kids are anything like mine they'll be asking you questions/needing things/trying to join you everytime you do it 😂

Would your 7 year old still safely fit in the buggy? If so do it. If people want to judge, let them. It sounds as though you desperately need to do something for yourself.

One thing I've found really helpful for exercise is a weighted fitness hula hoop. You can really get your heart rate going, and as I progressed I started using smaller, lighter hoops as they're harder to use so work your core even more. I often take it into the garden if I need some fresh air but can't get out for a walk. And if I don't have much time I'll do 5 mins here and there while doing other stuff like cooking dinner. I appreciate it's not the same as getting out for a brisk walk, but i found it a good compromise and actually quite enjoy it

@Myshinynewname we used to, tried it here only once but some proper competitive mums were a bit much (my dds swim team/ run faster etc. Told my nine yr old at length of their greatness ) Maybe I should try again, and point out her surprisingly wide beam 😉 (that’s a joke),.

If you had spare money for a bike and double child's trailer, I don't think it would be seen as so odd. I can't really think why.

If your dd wouldn't give a shit, I think you need it.

Can you not go out before 7yo finishes school?

A lot of people on here need to be introduced to the concept of the working mother. There seems to be an assumption that the OP is at home while the 7 year old is at school. I strongly suspect if she were this would not be an issue.

I get it OP. I'm in a similar situation. I was a gym bunny before I had a child. Now I don't do anything other than the same 20 mins of yoga a day that you also manage. But I'd still be very reluctant to put a 7 year old in a buggy.

Aw Kuio I really feel for you. Absolutely do it. And don't feel bad. Its the best you can do and its important.

If I even noticed, I would't think anything bad of it - especially if you were going up and down hills. I might think you were being eco friendly and avoiding using the car. Or that your child had a disability. Or that there are no buses. Its not like you are dragging your kids to a dodgy pub for an afternoon's drinking.

Chin up love, I know life can be so shit at times, and how it feels to have unusual circs and how some can unfairly make judgements or want to problem solve without all the details and it just goes round and round to no end. But you must do this for yourself and to hell with what other people think. Just enjoy the marching feeling (un-mumsnetty hug)

If it works for you, the kids are happy and it gets you out of the house @Kuio then I'd go for it. Too many people are far too judgemental and over invested in other people's lives. I used to have to take my 3.5 year old to preschool in the buggy because we used to live 4 miles from the school and there was no way she could have walked that twice in a day! I did dump the buggy at my friend's house on the way past and walk the last bit with her because there were sooo many judgemental mums!

I would totally do it. One thing I've learnt I've learnt in life is people have an opinion on everything, absolutely everything and I actually don't care. What I care about is my family's health & happiness (and include myself in that), I care about other people too but not about their opinions on situations such as this. Fwiw my almost 7 year old dd who has no physical issues would absolutely love this. I really wouldn't give a toss if, heaven forbid, school mums saw me, what are they going to do about it, judge? They're already judging someone about something. You get one life, I'm not spending it worrying about what other people who don't walk in my shoes think, hell no! Get that buggy out and do it , I honestly wouldn't even notice or care other than to think you're doing what you need to.

Lots of people have tried to help you but you have been rude to them. Seemingly because you only want to hear that it’s a great idea to put a seven year old in a pram ( in winter) so that you can exercise.

There’s plenty of exercise routines you could do in the house. Kettlebells , shred, weights, elliptical.

The only barrier is your poor attitude. Most people have obstacles in life, it’s how you deal with them.

Honestly don't see an issue with this........I bet most the ones saying they wouldn't drive their kid everywhere. 🙄

I kept a pushchair for my DD until she was 5 or so. Getting her to school involved a 3 mile walk, a lot of it up hill. (( She's Autistic and that was the school most suited to her needs)) So she'd walk or hop in the buggy when her little legs were getting tired...... This would be in all weather's, we were very poor at the time and buses weren't even an option, let alone taxis. I gave it up mainly because of the judgy mum's at the school gate who drove their precious darlings from door to door. So no, I don't see an issue with a mum running with her kids in a pushchair for an hour, in the grand scheme of things it's nothing really. And has no affect on them whatsoever.

OP you are being very strange and passive aggressive in this thread. You have clearly already made your mind up that you are going to do it and shot down countless other suggestions so what was the actual point of the thread?

Maybe the precious mums who drove their children were busy and had a job to get to @RubbingHimSourly

Hi OP

In your situation (and I have rtft and understand your difficult situation) I'd either do the 30 day shred in place of yoga a few times a week or be ready in my running kit and be out the door for a 30 min run the minute DH steps through the door at 8. I know it's hard at the end of the day especially at this time of year when all you want to do is flop on the sofa but honestly - you never regret doing exercise and the first step across your front door is always the hardest.

I absolutely get your frustration. I am the same.
I have been known to jog up and down my street over and over again because my smallest is in bed asleep and I can't go any further.
But you're right, it will get better. But right now it's hard and totally shit.

I bet most the ones saying they wouldn't drive their kid everywhere. 🙄

You are comparing 2 different things here.

I drive my children around, yes. OP isn't talking about using a buggy as opposed to driving though, she wants to use a buggy so she can walk. It's not the same. I wouldn't put a 7 year old in a buggy so I could go for a walk. I would however put them in the car if we were going somewhere that necessitated it.

not rtft... will go back see if Ive missed anything.

But just wanted to say to OP - Do it!
Ive got two very small ones & the both jumped on the phil & teds at 6 & 4. (i bloody loved that pram!) Would probably have been longer, but I had a little more flexability with time than you seem to have,

Im a fast walker, its my main form of excersise too. I totally get your frustation at the slow pace.

My two still trail behind me walking (9 & 12) but they both (small, clumsy) EVENTUALLY, like, took two years each to learn how to ride a bike. Stoping out & about together got MUCH easier then.

Could you get a buggy board for the seven year old to stand on and use a single buggy? In theory I don’t see the problem with it especially if your DD doesn’t mind but I’d be a bit concerned about comments from other parents/kids to your DD. If parents made comments at park run I can imagine what they’d be saying seeing the eldest in a buggy. That said if she is ok with that then go for it. It is important to do something you know you can stick to. Are you very rural? Could your eldest jog alongside till you are far enough away from anywhere she is likely to be seen?