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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

3 and a half year old in a pushchair?

153 replies

SecondtimeMama29 · 07/06/2023 20:04

Is this acceptable? Especially on holiday? At what age do kids not have a pushchair. My son hates walking and always wants to be carried 😩

OP posts:
Paperlate · 07/06/2023 20:04

Absolutely fine.

purpleme12 · 07/06/2023 20:04

Yes why wouldn't it be acceptable?
Mine was in here till she was 4

HamHand · 07/06/2023 20:05

Do what you like. As someone who didn’t drive when I had my youngest dc, they were still in buggies at 3.5 as we walked miles every day. No one else’s business

CreationNat1on · 07/06/2023 20:05

Totally acceptable

Moroccanqueen · 07/06/2023 20:06

I would expect them to be walking at 3 unless you’re going on an exceptionally long walk. Or get them a scooter? When my first was 3 I kept the buggy as a backup but encouraged him to walk.

but realistically, do what makes your life less stressful ☺️

mynameiscalypso · 07/06/2023 20:07

My son will be 4 in the summer. We still use his buggy for the nursery run. It's a 25 min walk (at adult speed) and we don't have time for him to faff around walking it every day twice a day. Most of his class are also in buggies too (or on a buggy board if they have a sibling)

Peppermint81 · 07/06/2023 20:07

Absolutely fine

FlounderingFruitcake · 07/06/2023 20:07

Fine for holidays, theme parks, long days out etc. For short trips and more every day stuff I’d encourage walking though.

Dolphinnoises · 07/06/2023 20:07

I had a slipped disc and had the pram for ages as carrying DD was not an option. There’s always a judgey fucker somewhere but just do what works for you…

Whyohwhyohwhy123 · 07/06/2023 20:08

It’s fine. They’ve a comfortable seat where they can eat, sleep, be safe, shopping etc can go in the basket. Much easier all round

SeeingSpots · 07/06/2023 20:08

Absolutely fine. The only people who say otherwise funnily enough seem to drive their children everywhere.

GoodChat · 07/06/2023 20:08

On holiday if you're doing lots of walking/long journeys it's fine. Generally I think they should walk.

89redballoons · 07/06/2023 20:12

I also have a 3.5 year old and I took him to an activity in a buggy this week. The buggy is designed for children up to 20kg and he is way off that (he is on the smaller side).

He normally goes in the car to this activity as it's about a 30min walk away at a brisk adult pace. The buggy is better than that as he does have the option of getting out for a bit if he likes, plus at least it's fresh air for him and exercise for me.

Original poster
SecondtimeMama29 · 07/06/2023 20:16

Great thank you. It was Mrs Hinches post that me wonder! As I never thought it was a problem before or people were judging!

OP posts:
VivaVivaa · 07/06/2023 20:17

Totally fine. Some kids love walking, some are a lot more resistant. A holiday is supposed to be fun and relaxing. If your DC is in the latter group take the buggy and don’t worry about it. Encourage walking over shorter distances at home. Don’t wreck your holiday!

CastleTower · 07/06/2023 20:18

Of course, especially on holiday when they'll be more tired than usual.

We still regularly use the buggy for our 3 year old - we walk lots and have to walk home up a hill that most adults would struggle with if they weren't used to it. We walk down, walk around all day, and use the buggy (or bus!) to get back up.

Agree that the people who don't use buggies at this age probably use cars more. Or live somewhere very flat!

volcanoroll · 07/06/2023 20:19

I'm so glad to read this I'd got in my head that I was failing my child but the nursery run is such a pain if I don't use the buggy

BelindaBears · 07/06/2023 20:20

SeeingSpots · 07/06/2023 20:08

Absolutely fine. The only people who say otherwise funnily enough seem to drive their children everywhere.

Yep, exactly my experience!

I miss the buggy, it was so useful for carting all our stuff about too.

Saschka · 07/06/2023 20:21

DS is 6 and still sometimes gets a piggy back (he is quite light, or I wouldn’t manage it). He was getting them regularly in Reception.

No issue with a 3 yr old in a buggy 🤷‍♀️

But you might want to invest in a scooter (with a lead to pull them along) - lighter and easier to carry when they want to walk.

Scottishdreams1991 · 07/06/2023 20:21

I used to judge as my two dc were perfectly behaved outside. But then dc3 wiped that smug smile off my face 🤣🤣 He's almost 4 and i still need to put him in a buggy at times !!! Karma

HousePlantNeglect · 07/06/2023 20:22

Mine rides his bike but it’s just not practical to do that on all occasions. Fine for a trip to the park but defo wouldn’t work for me to do the school and childcare run (45 mins walking total) so he’s in the pram. Much preferable to the other option which would be the car.

phoenixrosehere · 07/06/2023 20:24

YANBU

I hired one when we went on holiday and regretted not getting two. My oldest 8 who is autistic was in it more than his 4 yo brother. The youngest didn’t mind walking but he did get tired and wanted to be carried and add it being ridiculously hot where we were, I didn’t want to be carrying him in hot weather while walking around for hours and it meant we could put things on it instead of on our backs.

Deadringer · 07/06/2023 20:29

If it's a choice between having to carry them or use a pushchair, use a pushchair. It's no-one else's business.

purpleme12 · 07/06/2023 20:29

BelindaBears · 07/06/2023 20:20

Yep, exactly my experience!

I miss the buggy, it was so useful for carting all our stuff about too.

Show quote history

I don't drive either.
Walk miles.
I miss the pushchair for the exercise all that pushing gave me 🤣
I still walk miles but it gave me even more of a walkout pushing that never mind up a hill! 🤣

Poolnoodlepoodle · 07/06/2023 20:30

My dd has a health condition which means she can only walk short distances she's 5 and still in a pushchair. When she out grows it I guess we'll have to get a wheelchair. If I'm in a bad mood anyone who makes a "jokey"/ judgemental comment about it gets a long explanation of her condition from me. I hope it makes them always think twice before they judge again. It's no one's business but yours how you get your child from A to B.