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Behaviour/development

Talk to others about child development and behaviour stages here. You can find more information on our development calendar.

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Original poster

Any idea how to win the battle of the pushchair?

18 replies

patagonia09 · 02/06/2013 15:10

16 month old DS fights almost every time I try to get him into pushchair. Doing my back in completely. Physically and emotionally can't go on like this. HOW DO I GET HIM IN?????

Tips, tricks, pro-wrestling techniques etc much appreciated. Bribery with small bits of food works a bit but not always.

OP posts:

Are your children’s vaccines up to date?

Set a reminder

VashtaNerada · 02/06/2013 15:13

Only use it when necessary, so let him walk for short journeys. And other than that it's distraction with toys / food / stories. It's not easy though. Weirdly, they soon go the other way and insist on it due to sheer laziness!

beela · 02/06/2013 18:27

I usually try to make DS laugh if he is being tricky.

Make it a game and see how quickly you can get him strapped in?

Either that or tickle him.

sarahloula · 02/06/2013 18:58

My dd is not happy about being in the pushchair. She is reluctant to get in but I am firm with her. I ask her if she wants to go to the park, shops wherever, she answers with yes, and then I say you need to get in your pushchair then. She always does with the threat of going back in the house. I do let her walk as much as possible and when she gets tired she has snack time in her pushchair or a drink. Buggy books distract her for a while, particularly the lift the flap ones.

alienbanana · 02/06/2013 19:04

Yes, tickling is the only way :)

Never give in. If you decide he needs to be in the pushchair, then he goes in, even if you have to use force :)

Tee2072 · 02/06/2013 19:11

Force worked for me. Be the parent.

valiumredhead · 02/06/2013 20:37

Karate chop at the back of the knees works a treat

I agree with tee, look at how much bigger you are than him, of course you can get him in the buggy!

valiumredhead · 02/06/2013 20:39

No bribing or cajoling, if he doesn't get in when asked, pick him up and use force.

readyforno2 · 02/06/2013 20:40

Agree with the posters above. No choice. In you go.

Misty9 · 02/06/2013 20:41

My 21mo ds is a lazy one so we don't often have this issue - but when we do and he struggles, I just hold him over the pushchair until he goes floppy. He realises it's not going any other way, and I don't have to force him. Alternatively, if its snack time I suggest to ds that he get in his pushchair for snacks and he practically vaults into it himself lazy and likes eating crap

My friend has this problem most times she puts hers in and distraction is usually the only strategy to temporarily work.

Original poster

patagonia09 · 02/06/2013 20:42

look at how much bigger you are than him, of course you can get him in the buggy!

Bigger? Yes. Stronger? Apparently not! That's what freaks me out - he's only 16 months FFS! There have been occasions when I have genuinely been physically incapable of getting him in there and random passers by have had to help me. I've damaged my back now as a consequence so each time it's harder! That's why I'm keen to find a non-physical force solution because I'm just not winning the wrestling match!
Will try the tickling tactic, although I think this may lead to just as much squirminess. Maybe buggy books and toys are the answer...
Thanks all

OP posts:

ArabellaBeaumaris · 02/06/2013 20:42

Pin him down with your knee while you strap him in. Brutal but effective.

valiumredhead · 02/06/2013 20:45

Pick him up from behind so he can't kick out at you with your arm across him, the other arm at the back of his knees and sort of fold him into the buggy and get the straps done up quickly!

alienbanana · 02/06/2013 21:07

You need to find the weak point and fold him in half - make him laugh, or tickle him if that helps - he won't be stronger than you if he's giggling, then you can shove him in, kneel on him and strap him in :)

Raaraathenoisybaby · 02/06/2013 21:12

I need to empathise about the back pain it's feck awful
Can I ask which pushchair?

babySophieRose · 02/06/2013 23:06

My Dd, 19 months leaves the house only in the pushchair, if she resist i just take her shoes off, take her back in and try again in couple of minutes and she usually is happy to get in the pushchair.

Original poster

patagonia09 · 03/06/2013 07:44

Raaraa- it's a bugaboo bee. And don't get me started on how much I hate that piece of shite!

There are some good suggestions here I'm going to try out. Wish me luck!

OP posts:

rrreow · 03/06/2013 15:30

I try to prepare him "I'm going to put you in the buggy in a second." or "We're going to the shops so you'll be going in the buggy." It helps manage expectations and 50% of the time it means he'll be OK going into it.

The other 50% it's just by force! We have a Maclaren and I basically put him in while grabbing the strap that goes between his legs. That means that although he can struggle he can't actually escape.

HeartsTrumpDiamonds · 03/06/2013 15:34

Force. And say out loud "I AM THE PARENT and you are the child and you are going in your pushchair because I SAY SO."

Helps strengthen your resolve and helps your child understand who is the boss!

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