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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

To put DS3 in a pushchair?

86 replies

blancoss · 23/03/2022 09:38

DS is 3, 4 in October. He walks everywhere now, we haven't used the pushchair in probably over a year. He sometimes goes in one when at childminder's.

Today I want to catch the train with him (usually drive) and then spend the day walking around a large shopping centre. He has a tendency to run off/complain of being tired and cry to be carried sometimes. I know that taking the pushchair would make life so much easier for me and DS.

I can also use it for shopping bags.

My friend thinks it's ridiculous having him in a pushchair at this age. AIBU?

OP posts:
JudgeRindersMinder · 23/03/2022 10:14

YANBU at all, and even if he manages the day walking, you’ll have something to carry the shopping in!

incognitoforthisone · 23/03/2022 10:16

If he'll be happy in a pushchair (which I assume he will, as you mention he sometimes goes in one with his childminder) then it seems like a no-brainer to take one. He's only three and it's not like it's going to be a normal day for him. It just seems like a practical option for what you've got planned.

Halllyup17 · 23/03/2022 10:18

I've been know to push my 10 year old around in a pushchair (granted, the 2 year old refused to sit in it at the time. I don't actually have a pushchair specifically for my 10 year old) but who cares what people think? Do whatever works for you.

caoraich · 23/03/2022 10:20

It's fine. Mine is the exact same age, also barely been in it for a year. But I'm so glad we took it on holiday with us last week- it was so useful for carting bags around and meant we could do some nice long walks. Plus on the train having the pushchair means at least you have somewhere to sit them if it's busy and you can't get a seat - It can be grim having to hold their hand and all your bags and all stay upright otherwise!

BernadetteRostankowskiWolowitz · 23/03/2022 10:21

Yes, take it. But is the plan only to walk around a shopping centre all day? I'd imagine a 3yo would find that really boring. Does it have a play area for half way? Or space for him to get his wiggles out?

DonnyBurrito · 23/03/2022 10:21

I did some training for a job caring for young people with disabilities a few years ago, where the trainer talked about how children and young people's bodies DO need more rest and time to sit down than adults. The whole 'young legs' can take (or need) as much walking and exercise as adults thing is incorrect, way up until they're late teenagers and their growing has almost finished. Take the buggy! He's not going to be asking you to push him to high school in it.

lljkk · 23/03/2022 10:22

Is your friend offering to come shopping with you every time & chivvy & case the little lad when he gets bored & tired?

If not, then why does her opinion matter? She won't be there! She isn't part of solution to your problem.

CassandrasCastle · 23/03/2022 10:25

@Thefaceofboe

I wouldn't. He's too old for a pushchair

There’s always one.

ALWAYS one. So bizarre - what is the cut off in this person's head for a buggy, 3rd birthday and it gets binned? Such an odd thought process...
Plumbear2 · 23/03/2022 10:27

Take it. My son was in a pushchair at 4, that's because I didn't drive we walked everywhere and I couldn't expect him to do the same. I've found people who say they are to old drive everywhere.

Ilovechocolatetoomuch · 23/03/2022 10:31

My Ds is 3 almost 4. He was a late walker and up until a few weeks ago he went in the buggy on the school run.
You'll always get people judging. It's not going to affect their life long development is it so I'd crack on and use the buggy.

burnthur5t · 23/03/2022 10:34

I take DD3 in the pushchair to a park which is fifteen minutes walk away.

Hugasauras · 23/03/2022 10:40

Def take it if he'll go in it. DD3 won't go in a pushchair now as she says it's for babies 🙄 but it would make life easier sometimes!

I do think you're brave doing a whole day out at a shopping centre though! I'm not sure DD would get tired so much as bored after the first couple of shops!

Changechangychange · 23/03/2022 10:42

The only reason not to is if you don’t want to lug the buggy around all day. I still used the sling until DS was about 4 - I just shoved it in my bag until needed, but it was great at the end of a long day out when DS was tired.

Caspianberg · 23/03/2022 12:11

Frankly, if I could get away with being pushed around as an adult so I could have a little snooze and chill, that would be fantastic!

KeyWorker · 23/03/2022 12:34

I used the pram for DD until just after she turned 4. Often she would walk and rarely use it for the whole trip/journey but it was always useful to have and somewhere to put coats ect.

britneyisfree · 23/03/2022 12:45

I think your friend is ridiculous for not keeping her thoughts to herself.

EatSleepReplete · 23/03/2022 12:49

Your friend isn't the one who will be coping with an overtired, grumpy child who's too heavy to conveniently carry. So her opinion is irrelevant.

SecondhandTable · 23/03/2022 12:55

Your 'friend' is ridiculous and rude, not much of a friend. Perfectly fine for a 3 year old to be in a pushchair. My eldest will be 4 in the summer and used to go in one very regularly til baby was born 5 months ago. I don't drive so I do a lot of walking with her to places so not feasible for her to always walk. She's physically small as well which I imagine makes some difference to her ability too. She hasn't been in one since baby was a few weeks old but that's just because we don't have a double. When I do longer walks with the two of them she goes on the buggy board whilst baby is in the pram. I imagine this will probably be the case until she goes to school next year tbh.

LindaEllen · 23/03/2022 13:06

@Nobodycarestakeitelsewhere

I wouldn't. He's too old for a pushchair.
No he isn't.
TurquoiseDress · 23/03/2022 13:12

YANBU!

DC2 is the same age as yours & I tend to take the pushchair because they often get too tired to walk or we're going somewhere in a hurry

Also it's v convenient for sticking the shopping in the basket underneath

Who gives a shit what other people think! Since having kids I've certainly come round to that point of view Grin

Xmassprout · 23/03/2022 13:15

Ignore them and use the pushchair.

On days out I often take a trike that has a parent handle. Then if my eldest goes in there and peddles, I put the bags on the back and then I don't have to carry anything for a while or push anything Grin

scandihouse · 23/03/2022 13:16

I often have my dd in a pushchair. I walk everywhere and like to walk quickly and she just couldn't walk as fast or as far. She's 4 next week so I see the cut off as being when she starts school!

MuggleMadness · 23/03/2022 13:20

@scandihouse

I often have my dd in a pushchair. I walk everywhere and like to walk quickly and she just couldn't walk as fast or as far. She's 4 next week so I see the cut off as being when she starts school!
Even then, if it means someone can walk instead of taking the car, using a pushchair usnt a big deal. It's a long day for little ones, the walk home might just be that step too much!
PatSpringleaf · 23/03/2022 13:22

My son is 4 in October and still goes in his buggy regularly. Days out, shopping trips etc. sometimes he will on the walk home from preschool cause he's tired and I'm not strong enough to carry him all that way. I couldn't care less what people think and you shouldn't either.

ATeddybearshortofaPicnic · 23/03/2022 13:25

Nope. Take it. Shove all the shopping into it and only swap and put your child in there when things start to go wrong - like he sits on the floor and won’t move, or he falls asleep on the train on the way home. It’s not about your child not walking, it’s about you avoiding carrying all the shopping plus a three year old home.

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