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Original poster

Pushchair for just turned 4 year old for summer hols ?

44 replies

Mojomummy · 22/01/2007 12:58

We are off to Majorca in the summer. Dd1 will just turn 4 & although she is pretty good at walking, I think we might struggle if we don't have one on hols.

I'm thinking evening strolls/days out.

Will have DD2 who will almost be 1, so will have something for her & therefore somewhere to store all our junk !

Am I being namby pamby ? (Just recall my friend saying they didn't go anywhere in the evenings other than the hotel entertainment because their almost 5 year old didn't want to walk anywhere)

OP posts:
Orinoco · 22/01/2007 13:02

Message withdrawn

CODNoMore · 22/01/2007 13:02

no

Belo · 22/01/2007 13:04

We've got the same problem as you Mojo. If we go anywhere with just a pushchair for our dd2 our dd2 (4 1/4) moans that she can't walk and her legs are tired. We've tried using a scooter, but she's not very good on that. We've been recommended a Mcclaren Volo by a friend. Apparently they're the leightest, most basic buggy you can get, and come with a shoulder strap so that you can carry it when not in use.

brimfull · 22/01/2007 13:04

We didn't take one for ds who was 3 last year ,but he is a good walker.We just piggy backed him if he was tired.

LIZS · 22/01/2007 13:20

Don't - dd hasn't used a buggy since our Majorcan holiday when she had just turned 3 and on one very hot Legoland trip without dh ! As long as someone can offer shoulders if needs be you'll be fine. If you do go out a lot of places in Majorca would n't be buggy friendly anyway. Try to use the next few months to motivate her to walk further.

Marina · 22/01/2007 13:24

We ummed and erred about taking an old ATP for dd last year when she was nearly 3 and never used it once in the end.
Unless there is an underlying health issue I would expect anyone from 3 and up to walk everywhere, tbh.
But I can see that having a younger sibling riding comfortably alongside is going to be a point of conflict...
Buggyboard perhaps? Those things are so uncomfortable you can be sure dd1 will only be on it if genuinely tired...

misdee · 22/01/2007 13:25

i wouldnt bother unless there was a health reason for it.

and i love buggies lol!

MerlinsBeard · 22/01/2007 13:27

if she is going to be so tired she needs to be in a buggy then surely u can just turf your younger one out for a walk/carry for a little while?

I wouldn't bother with my nearly 4yo. He hasn't been in a buggy since his brother wasborn

Marina · 22/01/2007 13:28

Well, if misdee says skip the buggy...

colditz · 22/01/2007 13:32

NO

Pushchair for 1 year old

4 year olds who have no physical problems other than laziness should walkl.

nappyaddict · 22/01/2007 13:33

why don't you get one of those toddler carriers?

serenity · 22/01/2007 13:40

Have to agree with the majority I'm afraid. We didn't take a pushchair last year and Dd was only 2.10, I would definitly expect a 4 year old to walk. It is easier for us in some respects though as DD is the youngest. When DS1 was a similar age and DS2 in a pushchair we did use a buggy board for a while, but I think he stopped when he was just over 3. I agree with LIZS, maybe you should start getting her to walk more now, so that it's not an issue when you go on holiday?

moondog · 22/01/2007 13:43

Good Lord!
If you're not careful she'll end up a right heifer.

PrincessPeaHead · 22/01/2007 13:43

FOUR???

let her walk. if she is too tired, then either carry her or put her in bed where she belongs.

madness

slug · 22/01/2007 14:08

Mojomummy, if you live in London you can have dd's old cheapo mothercare one she's grown our of.

Eulalia · 22/01/2007 14:16

Take a stroller type pushchair which can be folded and use for dd2 and also take a sling. If dd1 is very tired then you can pop her in there and carry dd2 in the sling.

Original poster
Mojomummy · 22/01/2007 15:10

OOohh, she's not a heifer or lazy ! We walk a mile to our toddler group & she spent 4 hours (excluding lunchtime ) racing around the shops, yesterday.

I was thinking of the evenings....I guess I've been shamed out of a pushchair then !

DH will be pleased

Slug, thanks for the offer.

OP posts:
Orinoco · 22/01/2007 19:28

Message withdrawn

giraffeski · 22/01/2007 19:30

Message withdrawn

Sheraz · 22/01/2007 20:19

I took a tatty old buggy last year for 3.5 yr old didn't use it much but did come in handy for longer walks ( nothing worse than whinging). I also took it for longer days at the beach - he had a few afternoon naps in it. If you are in Newport/ Cwmbran area you can have my old maclaren free of charge. Do what suits you.

Bekks · 22/01/2007 20:26

It's all very well saying that a four year old should walk, but if they won't, it's pretty miserable trying to get anywhere - especially if they're tired (I have one of these too - although she'll happily run around a park for ages!). Having said that you've got a few months to get her more used to walking - I think two pushchairs will be a real hassle to travel with - but then I think one pushchair is a hassle to travel with - especially if you don't use it once you're there (sometimes difficult abroad because of hills / steps / cobbles etc.) - and as someone has suggested dd2 could be carried if dd1 absolutely had to use the pushchair. Otherwise chocolate as a bribe sometimes works for us ! Also, my dd (3.9) still goes on my shoulders - is that a possibility? - but in a month or two I think she's going to be too heavy.

Hulababy · 22/01/2007 20:33

Only holiday we have continued to take the buggy on (this summer, aged 4y3m) was Disney world Florida, as it involves huge amounts of walking and standing (queues). For all othe rholidays we don't bother. Won't be using buggy again for any holiday now though as at nearly 5 she is too heavy to push about!

Hulababy · 22/01/2007 20:35

We hadn't used a buggy at home for many many months, well over a year and more. But on holiday in Florida it was essential at times - very very long, hot days. There were children much older than DD being pushed around in pushchairs, including the ones you can hire.

fibernie · 23/01/2007 11:01

Hi there...

Mumsnet newbie here. Read your thread and wondered if you've tried one of the hippychick hip seats. I love mine and I think they can be used for quite a few years. Makes carrying a heavy toddler much less strain on the back.

Fiona

Jbck · 23/01/2007 14:49

DD hadn't been in her buggy for almost a year when we went on holiday year before last, just before her 4th birthday. Took one just in case & I was glad. The prom was almost 7 miles long from one end of the town to the other & almost completely pedetrianised so we did at least 3 miles of it most nights. No way could DD have walked the whole thing & back (6 miles after a long day's swimming & playing) She loves walking & is pretty hard to tire out but it made sense. Mind you it was completely flat so no hassle. I also would struggle to carry her much distance & she's v light but I'm v weak. If you really think it'll make things easier you do it.