To not have a buggy for my three year old?

[TheBirdintheCave]

My three year old son has always been happy to walk and hasn't used his buggy since we went on holiday last summer so we sold it at Christmas.

We've since had a baby and bought her a YoYo buggy to use as our day-day-pram. Son, who I think is a little jealous, has since been complaining about walking when we go on day trips which is something he's never done before.

I recently joined a YoYo group to ask opinions on getting a buggy board attachment for him as I'm anticipating lots more complaining when we go on holiday in August (we do city breaks with lots of walking).

The replies were surprising! A lot of people were telling me to forget the board and that I should be buying/hiring a buggy for my son as 'he's only three' and 'still so little!' There were also lots of comments from people who said that their four, five and six year olds still use buggies.

I suppose I don't see my son as 'little' any more as he is fairly self sufficient (potty trained, can use cutlery, has a good grasp of language, can entertain himself etc) and feel like he's definitely 'upgraded' from toddler status now.

The only other children we know who are older than our son stopped using their buggies at a similar age so I think I just assumed this was normal?

I think now I'm worrying that I'm assigning his reluctance to walk as just jealousy that will pass when actually he's being genuine when he says he doesn't want to as he's actually too tired?

So, am I being unreasonable in not having a buggy as an option for my son? Should I really be looking at hiring one for our holiday? 🤷🏻‍♀️🧐

We have a 2 yo and a 3 yo. We have one buggy, a buggy board and a toddler/preschool sling 😂so many options!! They both take turns doing all three depending on their mood/energy level that day. But the 3 yo is usually on the buggy board or walking now tbh.

For a city break a buggy board that has a seat on it might work well? So he can sit down whilst you push him about? Lascal sell one that looks good.

My 3 year old rarely uses his buggy however on long days out, I always bring it.

Does he still nap? If so, will you be at the accommodation for all nap times? Also what type of holiday is it? Does it include lots of walking?

My DC got into scooters and balance bikes from around 2.5 at which stage the pushchair barely got used again! I think i hung on to it for a couple of times where we knew they'd need a nap on the go but by age 3 neither really napped any more either.

I can't imagine a 5 or 6 year old wanting to go in a pushchair lol. Mine would NOT be willing to sit still long enough.

You do still see kids in them at 4+ though.

Are you going somewhere where he could scoot?
Sometimes a scooter works wonders for tired legs (and put it in the same box/bag as your pram for the flight, they don't mind as long as it stays under the weight limit)

I think this scooter can even attach to a pram: uk.mountainbuggy.com/products/freerider

(Probably other attachments available, I don't know)

Neither of mine were in a buggy/pushchair for very long once they started walking - especially my youngest, as we live rurally and our walking route to school isn't pushchair friendly.

I bought a buggy board for the eldest who was 2.5 when youngest was born, but she didn't use it that much, just walked next to the pram (she enjoyed 'pushing' it)

If your children are used to walking then I think no pushchair from an earlier age is fine - I wouldn't worry too much about the Facebook comments.

You know your children best, so it's say your instinct to try a buggy board it's probably right.

Our eldest is 2.5 and the buggy board is a great option. You can buy one cheaper on vinted.
We have a double pushchair because the was only 1.5 when our second was born, but if she was born now I don't think I would get one.

For holidays, we prefer using a backpack for him. Its easier in cities I think, you don't have to worry about access, steps etc. and he is seated if tired. The issue with the buggy board is that if it's a long day walking, they might not want to stand on it for long. There are some with seats though but I find them bulky.

He may be a bit jealous of his siblings as sometimes they revert for attention but if you're going on holiday I would definitely get a buggy board and get him used to it before you go
My DS2 used his buggy daily until 3 years 9 months and I saw no reason to hurry him out of it

People who are invested in buggies enough to be on a chat forum about their favourite buggy make are going to be a skewed cross section of parents - if you had stopped using a buggy you’d hardly be on that forum!

I agree with slower walking speed, it can make a big difference. My DC would walk for hours at three as long as it was at their pace - they are teens now and complain MUCH more than they did at 3.

@Cinocino She is nine weeks today so still pretty tiny! Will only be 15 weeks when we go abroad.

@Calypso321 The YoYo board has a seat, I don't think I'd go for a board without one.

@Dinoswearunderpants Nope he doesn't nap anymore. It's an eight day city break to Vienna. We've rented a garden apartment with a pool so can go swimming on some afternoons but otherwise there'll be lots of walking and day trips to other towns for more walking 😅

@User478 I did think about a scooter but we wouldn't be able to get it into the buggy bag (YoYos are teeny tiny and the bag is a snug fit). Plus I'd be afraid of him scooting near traffic and we'd have to take a helmet etc.

@TheBlackCatWithTheWhiteSpot That is true!