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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

to think mums who have rear-facing buggies for toddlers are the ultimate in preciousness?

148 replies

Picante · 03/03/2010 20:05

Sorry I have had a glass of wine... (yes it only takes one these days).

I'm all for tiny babies being rear-facing, but older babies/toddlers? Don't you get a bit sick of all that cooing and smiling? Surely at that point they're in a buggy for a reason, either to get somewhere or to get them to sleep.

Stop smiling insanely at them. Turn them round so they can look at the world fgs.

OP posts:
gingerbreadlatte · 03/03/2010 21:32

where's the OP?

Francagoestohollywood · 03/03/2010 21:34

I agree with the OP. Also totally possible to chat to your toddler/baby even when he/she is not facing you.

Undercovamutha · 03/03/2010 21:38

OP YAB a bit judgey.

BUT........

I also think that a toddler who screams in a pushchair because they can't see their mother is a bit of a worry. Is it essential that our children see us ALL the time????

And that research about rear-facing pushchairs really pisses me off. Is there anything else we can find to prove we are shit parents? Are we not allowed a bit of peace now and again, or is it essential that we talk to and entertain our children 24/7.

When I go for a walk with my DCs, sometimes we don't say anything for a few minutes . We just have a quiet walk, take in our surroundings, and enjoy the sounds around us. I don't feel the need to keep a running commentary or to ensure that my DCs are looking in the whites of my eyes constantly! Bizarre!

SpringHeeledJack · 03/03/2010 21:38

I agree with the OP- I think it's nice to be able to see the world

...I used to have a cheap cheap umbrella fold for ds- when we wanted to chat, I just used to tip it backwards

Ivykaty44 · 03/03/2010 21:38

do you sit behind the driver in a car and have a good chat?

chegirlshadabloodynuff · 03/03/2010 21:40

I was thrilled to find a a second hand Chico Belle Epoch pushchair for 20 quid.

It was really easy to change seat positions. You just picked up the seat and switched it round - perfect.

I had 18mth old DS facing me and loved it. He got bored really quickly though . He didnt want to look at me, he wanted to look at strangers and smelly old cats and horrible cars

Its hard to get a rear facing buggy now for a newborn. They are so bloody expensive. When I had DD 18 years ago they all faced the parent. By the time I had DS4 2 years ago I had to make do with a forward facing one as I couldnt use a travel system (car seat wouldnt fit in my car).

gingerbreadlatte · 03/03/2010 21:40

Surely it's not even a discussion point.

Its individual choice. A full time mother pushing their child at the weekend might like to see their baby and chat. A SAHM who sees a lot of their child might like a break....

Who cares?

BrandyAlexander · 03/03/2010 21:41

Quite happy to be judged as "precious" as DD and I enjoy interacting with each other. Is that a crime OP? Shall I phone Social Services now or will you?

Washersaurus · 03/03/2010 21:41

WhoamIreally; I find your last post quite childish. Read it again when sober and you will see.

I was merely pointing out that some babies do enjoy the P&T after your over dramatic statement about sobbing at the thought of it .

I never openly admitted shoving babies into boxes for peace and quiet btw (although maybe an approach I should take with DC3?)

PMSL at your professional opinion on rear/forward facing.

Undercovamutha · 03/03/2010 21:42

If I'm in a taxi - yes!

But seriously, my DCs sit in the back seat. I would imagine that that is probably damaging to them according to some research somewhere.

Undercovamutha · 03/03/2010 21:42

Sorry typing v slow - that was to IvyKaty!

Whoamireally · 03/03/2010 21:43

You're doing it again Washer....I'll put it down to your hormones, shall I

WoTmania · 03/03/2010 21:44

YABU

LadyThompson · 03/03/2010 21:44

How horrid and judgey. Mind your own beeswax about how other people position their kids in a buggy and go and read a book or something.

Francagoestohollywood · 03/03/2010 21:45

"But seriously, my DCs sit in the back seat. I would imagine that that is probably damaging to them according to some research somewhere."

tinierclanger · 03/03/2010 21:45

Really odd thing to judge on. I like to chat to DS and I definitely find it happens a lot less when he is in the lightweight forward facing pushchair. He seems to enjoy it too. And looks at things other than me as well.

This 'seeing the world' thing is really strange. Are most mothers so massive that their children can't see anything other than their huge looming heads? I think not.

confuddledDOTcom · 03/03/2010 21:46

I never used a pushchair, had my children in a sling all the time - the eldest until walking, the youngest is still there. Am I precious that I only use facing in position?

I'm going to go back and read some more. I take it someone has pointed out it's better for them.

Ewe · 03/03/2010 21:47

I love my almost two yr old DD facing me, a trip to waitrose is fairly dull for everyone involved but at least with her facing me we can chat, count things, sing songs etc.

A mother interacting and communicating with a toddler can hardly be considered a negative really. Are you feeling a little insecure about your pushchair choice OP?

Ivykaty44 · 03/03/2010 21:49

undercover - it is far far safer for your passengers to sit in the back seats

the worst seat in the car is the front passenger and my teenage dd knows that I will aways tell her not to sit in that seat and to sit in the back it has become a standing joke but she does know the safest is in the back.

I just find it really hard to have a conversation when I am sat in the back of a car - its just me and I would rather be facing soemone anyone when I talk to them unless on the phone.

do what you like with the pushchair but make sure your dd's are sat in the back of their bf's cars to keep them safe and let the bf get in the back when he has stopped the car for some smouching

Washersaurus · 03/03/2010 21:51

Er, well you carry on sobbing over other peoples pushchair choices...tsk and you call me hormonal...

You have far to much fecking time on your hands if you can be counting how many smiles and grimaces you can pull at your DC in a day if you ask me. I have children to look after.

People choose pushchairs for all sorts of reasons. I have P&T because DC1 and 2 were close in age and I walk everywhere, I have steps to my front door (good air tyres), and it is narrow enough to fit in the house.

Not everyone can afford a rear facing bugaboo or Icandy anyway.

MiniMarmite · 03/03/2010 21:51

Erm, not really sure why it is 'precious', just best of both worlds really - can have a chat and a look around at the same time.

But then I would say that as I have a rear-facing buggy!

Francagoestohollywood · 03/03/2010 21:53

It's the eagerness to entertain and be cheerful parent 24/7 even on a short trip to the post office that's a bit... precious...

IsItMeOr · 03/03/2010 21:54

YABU, obviously. Why on earth do you care?

And I guess to you I am totally precious for sitting in the back seat of the car with my DS when I get the chance. But he loves it and so do I.

bronze · 03/03/2010 21:54

you're all wrong of course
they should be carried and then made to walk
then they keep thin enough to climb chimneys

tinierclanger · 03/03/2010 21:58

Franca, I agree DS doesn't really NEED to face me every trip and I don't have to entertain and be cheerful parent just to go to the post box. But if it's further than that then I would like to and I am not going to switch prams or spin the seat round every time we go out depending on whether it's a 3 minute walk or a 30 minute one. That really would be weird.