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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

Taking a buggy on holiday

27 replies

EmmaEmma93 · 04/11/2022 13:27

Would you still take a buggy on holiday for a 4yo? She can get very cranky in the evenings when she's had a long day and I think it will be handy to have one especially if me and DH want to stay out past her bedtime. Aibu?

OP posts:
44PumpLane · 04/11/2022 13:29

For a 4 year old, u less you're covering some serious mileage I probably wouldn't.

But if she will sleep in it and you want some late nights then maybe better to have it with you and not need it, rather than need it and not have it.

PuttingDownRoots · 04/11/2022 13:36

If you are going somewhere really hot... definitely. Why spoil a holiday with an over cranky child?

LeevMarie · 04/11/2022 13:36

We took our 4YO away in the summer and wondered about this, but figured that it would encourage him to be lazy (he is extremely lazy at home and hates walking anywhere!).

We took one of these instead and it worked well for us because he could sit in it when he was getting tired.

Taking a buggy on holiday
kmbegs · 04/11/2022 13:39

If it's not a hassle I would, even just for the airports. We took one when we went away with our three year old and I don't think she actually used it on holiday apart from one day where we did a lot of walking but even without that day it was good to know it was there and it wasn't a hassle to bring.

phoenixrosehere · 04/11/2022 13:42

YANBU

It’s better to have it and not need it than to need it and not have it. I rented one where we were holidaying and didn’t regret it. Think it was 30 euros for a week (5 euro deposit). By the middle of it, felt I should have rented two instead for both children.

hallowedweens · 04/11/2022 13:52

Three yes but four no

We debated it but decided against and didnt miss it. At four, they're probably too big to sleep in a buggy and it's one more annoying thing to carry.

It was fine without.

justasking111 · 04/11/2022 13:54

Absolutely even if it's used mainly for beach clobber. The wagon looks a great idea

Reachedmylimit · 04/11/2022 14:25

Lots of hotels rent or lend out buggies so good to check if they will do that rather than take one with

Jupiter15 · 04/11/2022 14:28

Why not, it’s a holiday so anything to make your life easier.

pinkbag · 04/11/2022 14:33

I’m just back from holiday with a 4 year old who hasn’t been in a buggy for a long time.

we took the buggy and it was a godsend

muchprefersummer · 04/11/2022 14:36

We took ours when we went away with our DS4. He hadn't used it in ages but we took it for the late nights sat outside. It was great, we managed to get him to sleep in the buggy every night meaning we could stay out longer. Obvs had to keep to the quieter areas but we got so much more freedom to do stuff. Definitely take it would be my advice.

Caspianberg · 04/11/2022 14:42

I would. Early starts or late nights for flights, potential long waits in ques at airports, not knowing area for public transport or taxi if tired. Naps they might not usually take.

You can take and leave at accommodation when you don’t need it.

BeanieTeen · 04/11/2022 14:43

I personally wouldn’t at four. We took when DS was nearly 3 and didn’t use a buggy anymore at home. I’ll grant it was useful at the airport on the way back - DS did have a little nap in it while we waited in the security queue (and then we had to get him out of it and fold it down…) We took it because we thought he might sleep in it in the evenings - nope, that never happened, he was wide awake and ready to party 😂 I don’t know who all these 3 and 4 year olds that sleep in the evenings in buggies belong to because I never spot them on holiday! Toddlers and little kids are running about, playing, dancing until 11 o’clock at night.

Kaffiene · 04/11/2022 14:48

Do it! DS was 4.5 went we went away in June. I nearly didn’t take it but so glad I did. Somewhere to sit for the queues in the airport. It was a heat wave as sooo hot. DS was hot tired and out of his routine. Having a buggy meant we could have a wander and not deal with a hot grumpy 4 year old. Also he likes to chill out in it in the evening hidden under the big hood when we went out late. We have a City Jogger Mini GT

Yoyooo · 04/11/2022 14:49

I had one for my 5 year old in Disney Land. Was helpful for bags and snacks if nothing else

Highfivemum · 04/11/2022 14:51

I would. If you have a small umbrella one that would be best. I have one DC who is 4 and we walk a lot. I quite often have his DS in a carrier and he jumps in buggy. Just handy.

Donttalkimcounting · 04/11/2022 15:01

You can usually rent them in most tourist places. So if you wanted to try and see how you got on without one - you could rent one if it wasn't working out.

Your hotel probably have a price list they can email over.

Alternatively if you want the buggy more for the day, I've seen a few tricycle type ones at nursery drop off. Where a child can sit on it, but the parent can also push it.

Argos have them for about £50. They are called SmarTrike.

Mouk · 04/11/2022 15:12

At 4, unless the child has are additional needs, I wouldn't.

Treeeeeeee · 04/11/2022 15:18

I wouldn't - we got rid of our push chair at 2 and couldn't imagine taking one for my 4 year old. I would also have 0 chance of getting her in it!

isitginoclock · 04/11/2022 20:44

We took a buggy on hol until DS was nearly 6 Blush great for airports, schlepping luggage etc

Vivi0 · 04/11/2022 21:01

I consider a buggy such a holiday essential that I bought a double buggy purely for holidays with my now 5 and 2 year old.

Perfect for walking in the heat, naps in the heat and late nights.

Mumoftwoinprimary · 04/11/2022 21:12

I miss buggies when I am attempting to carry 7 buckets, 9 spades and 4 towels!

popcorncandy · 04/11/2022 21:21

At that age, I brought my sons scooter. If he got tired of walking I could drag him and it wasn't as bulky and hassle as a pushchair and he enjoyed using it on holiday.

moonypadfootprongs · 04/11/2022 21:23

Those wagons are a godsend. We started taking them with our friends children on holiday. And I can only think of one occasion when any of them rode in it. But it was the best for loading with picnics, buckets and spades - all the stuff you need for the day. It was fab and there was no moaning about carrying anything or loosing stuff. They even helped pull it.
We still take it now and the youngest is 8!

usernotfound0000 · 04/11/2022 21:28

I wouldn't, no. We went to Disneyland last year and took a buggy for 3 years old DD but went on a beach holiday later in the year and didn't, she was absolutely fine. Long daytime nap meant she was happy staying up late.