To hate three wheeled /over sized buggies with a passion

[Ryoko]

I know I'm going to get flamed over this but I don't care.

I can't stand the things, I think they are stupid, day after day I see them clogging up the shops and buses, they are nothing more then the baby version of a Chelsea tractor.

I hate walking past them in the shops what with them having spikes on the wheels for off road and they take up far too much space on the bus, the things can't even be folded properly not that anyone even tries to fold em even when someone gets on the bus with a wheel chair.

Why do people buy them? they are so stupid, this is London, there is no off road to be had, why do you need a Travel system that costs more then a small second hand car with your carry cot attachment, car seat attachment etc and then spend all day clogging up small shop aisle with it and blocking the gangway on the bus with it?.

Whats wrong with a simple small, light folding buggy that can be bought for less then half the price and in most cases can carry a child up to an older age then the Travel Systems.

[omnishambles]

Bigmouth - its because we walk to school downhill - about 2 miles and I really couldnt carry dd that far in her sling on my hip (shes now 23months!) especially coming back from drop off up the hill again so we get the bus on the way back.

It doesnt happen that often tbh that we cant get on the bus because a huge buggy is in the way but I think thats because people with huge buggies are by and large not the sort of people to use buses. When it does happen it does really aggravate though - in the hoppas near me a 3-wheeler takes up both spaces...

Its live and let live though isnt it - especially in an urban area - we all do things that annoy eachother.

[EldonAve]

OP - YABU wait til you have 2 small children then you may reconsider

[saslou]

I have a baby jogger city mini and it's fantastic - really easy to fold. DD is 2.6 and still has lots of room. Nothing wrong with wanting to buy the most comfy pushchair you can for your DC. And, yes I would fold it up on the bus for someone in a wheelchair to have access. People with big buggies have as much right as anyone else to use public transport and the pavements

[lazylula]

My baby, my choice of pram quite frankly! I have a fairly big pram that is a carrycot that converts to a pushchair, use it most days and I love it. It may not be practicle for you but it is practicle for me and my children. I do not use publiuc transport and if I did I have a Maclaren that I would use for that. So, yes YABU!

[5DollarShake]

"I have found bumping a child up and down steps and travelling over uneven surfaces much easier with large air tyres and v difficult with tiny little solid wheels."

Totally agree.

Also - slings aren't for everyone. DS got too hot in one, plus I found them uncomfortable (tried a few different types). Plus, the minute you have to carry anything extra, likes bags in your hands, you're just too weighed down and can't walk very far.

Throw all your stuff underneath the pushchair (and the bigger the pushchair, the more room there is ) - Bob's yer uncle.

[Firawla]

ruby why do you judge p&t do you think its not fair on the one underneath or what?

[yummumto3girls]

I had my third child in Oct and bought a bugaboo. I absolutely loved that throughout the winter she was snuggled in her carrycot. I too hate to see young babies in cheap, uncomfortable strollers for any length of time. I can afford to buy a decent pram for my children and yes I admit I like to have something that looks nice. I am not ashamed of that. I don't think it is anyone elses business what pram people have. My bugaboo is no bigger than a mclaren and when DD is older I will buy one too.
I think everyone with children should respect everyone else we are all in it together. I would get off a bus if a wheelchair needed the space but in reality how often is that going to happen!

[RubyBuckleberry]

oh i know its terrible of me but i can't help it and am being very honest.

it is the 'feel sorry for the one underneath and the one on top should be walking mentality' but like with anything in parenthood, i will no doubt completely change my mind if and when i have a two year old who takes two years to walk anywhere and a little one who needs a ride! .

[whatthe]

YANBU about the size of them, I hate it when they can't fold down on public transport because they have a car seat, 16 bottles and 10 Sainsbury's bags all in the folds. However, everyone is entitled to their choice and if you walk a lot then they are cool.

But you shouldn't be slayed for putting your 4/5 yr old in a buggy. I used to walk 5 miles to playgroup with DS to get some exercise and fresh air and lost 5 stone in the process...

...was he expected to walk 5 miles?

I also use it on holiday so he can have a doze after dinner and we can sit out and have a drink at a pavement cafe.

I used to have a Bugaboo Frog when they first came out, but switched to a micralite which seemed the best of both worlds. Loved that system!

[HavingAnOffDAy]

I love my 3 massive 3 wheeler...sorry!

I bought a silver cross travel system when DD was born, and was given the 3 wheeler by some friends.

Since the first time I tried it I have been reluctant to use anything else & the silver cross buggy is now consigned to the loft.

I know the 3 wheeler is big & looks unwhieldy but it's soooooooo much easier to manouver, whether off road or in town doing the shopping.

I've tried smaller, lightweight buggies but found them hard to steer - I must be haevy handed cos I always manage to trash the swivel wheels.

I can understand why you don't like them, but each to their own I think.

[RubyBuckleberry]

"I used to walk 5 miles to playgroup with DS to get some exercise and fresh air and lost 5 stone in the process..."

good point - did kids used to walk that far? (not spoiling for a fight - just asking??)

[tvfriend]

Honestly Ruby- my oldest one always wants to go underneath- they seem to like it?
My oldest wasn't walking for a good few months after the younger one was born so it was a godsend. She still walks really slowly and sometimes you just need to get somewhere quickly!

[RubyBuckleberry]

do they? fair enough - it never looks big enough for a older child - i suppose it is nice and cosy like a cave? we used to love making dens when were little?!

[AmazingBouncingFerret]

I cant believe people are actually trying to justify their choice of prams/pushchairs!

You buy what suits you. Whether that be a nice solid three wheeler or a nippy little maclaran.

Those of you that are pissed off about the people that dont move for wheelchair users on buses... You have issue with the person not the pushchair. The type of arsehole that wont move for a disabled child/adult are not going to move for you whether they have a big pram or not!

[Firawla]

my younger one goes underneath but he doesn't seem bothered by it at all, i did feel sorry for him myself at first but they are very convenient and he does seem fine so i just got used to it. my older one doesn't really walk outside of the buggy, cos he has a tendancy to run off, and no common sense @ all, he's under 2 yrs but looks older though.. people probably do think he should be walking but oh well, i rather keep life easier for myself for now and keep them both in there. if there is a bigger age gap then i can see the point of older one should be walking and just have a single but alot of people have under 2 yrs or under 18 months age gap, its just easier all round with p&t

[Ryoko]

Who ever it was who says buses never allow more then 2 prams/buggies on at a time hasn't been out much.

most I've seen on a bus is 5, Bus drivers never say anything to anyone ever not even if they haven't paid, I don't blame them I can count the number of times a bus driver has moaned at someone for not showing there oyster card/paying and it normally ends up with the police being called.

I don't use trains so I wouldn't know about them, but once the two spaces are filled on a bus (3 spaces if the buggies are small) you normally get one or two round the back doors stopping people getting off, I've seen it most on the E3 trying to get home from work.

[Tiredmumno1]

Amazingbouncingferret just hit the nail on the head. she is so right

[Bigmouthstrikesagain]

Quick q for the you don't need a double buggy with 2 under 2 just a sling and a single - brigade. How do you manage at the park with lively 19 mo and a sleeping newborn - cause trying to run after a toddler with a baby strapped on is bloody tricky!

[belgo]

Ryoko - People don't buy buggies to suit your opinion. They buy the buggy/pram that suits their own needs best. Just like people buy the most suitable car for themselves.

Don't worry about four year olds in pushchairs not getting any exercise. The chances are they walk some of the way and spend just a small proportion of the walk in the pushchair. It's the children who only ever sit in a car that you have to worry about.

Prams and pushchairs, however large, are still the better option for the environment then a car.

[AmazingBouncingFerret]

Tiredmumno1 I shall nominate you for quote of the week with that one.

[belgo]

Bigmouth- I walk everywhere, everyday, and sometimes the sling and the small children is the best option; other times the double buggy is the best option. If you have very small children and no car then it is hard just to use a sling. I love using my slings, but they can get tiring and hot in weather like this.

[Bigmouthstrikesagain]

And transfering said sleeping newborn from front of mum to buggy is also mission impossible (without waking her)

[Tiredmumno1]

Why thanks very much amazingbouncingferret, my work here is done

[Kathyjelly]

Ryoko, I'm not in London, I've never taken my three wheeler on a bus and it spends most of its time on farm tracks and rural footpaths. And I like walking six miles.

But you've just reminded me why I hated living in London .

[5DollarShake]

AmazingBouncingFerret - well said!

As for the 3-wheeler P&T's - OK, so one child has to go underneath, but at least they're slimmer. It's either that, or being judged and berated by others for choosing a side-by-side system, which takes up WAY more room and has way more potential for blockage!!

You can't win.

Honestly, no matter what choice you make as a parent there will be someone along to judge and ridicule you, based on nothing more concrete than what they personally do, as opposed to what actually suits you.