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Parenting

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Original poster

How long do you use a buggy for?

14 replies

claireh11 · 25/07/2006 21:47

Have 3.6 yr old ds and he still insists on going in the buggy when we are out. He will walk for a bit but then insists on going in his buggy. If I go out without it he is an absolute nightmare and will either throw a strop at every turn whining for me to carry him or he will do his best to annoy me by dragging behind and wandering off so he scares me.

Because we live quite a way from friends and his nursery he will opften fall asleep in car on way home after a busy day, thus meaning if I need to pop to shops he will be asleep in his buggy. I am trying to stop this afternoon sleep but also feel very conscious that people are looking at me for having a 3yr old in a buggy.

What's your views on this please and any good advice as to how to get rid of buggy and encourage him to walk?

TIA

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JackieNo · 25/07/2006 21:50

I wouldn't worry - he'll be ready eventually, and then (shock horror) you'll have to carry all the bags and the shopping you used to hang on the buggy. Well that was my experience with DD - still using it for DS (2.7).

notasheep · 25/07/2006 21:51

sell the buggy

apronstrings · 25/07/2006 21:55

I think it seems quite old because we are used to subsequent children meaning that three yr olds are often on buggy boards or displaced through necessity - not always a good thing.
I'll tell you now one thing I cannot bear is seeing little children being dragged along and expected to keep up with adults.
I also sometimes had to use a pushchair for mine after they started school because they couldn't maske the long walk home - and I know I'm not the only one

oops a bit of a rant - sorry

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Tommy · 25/07/2006 22:11

there are certainly children at DS1's pre school who get pushed there in the buggy (aged 4)
I was a bit shocked by that but realise now that there's no way DS2 will walk there in September when he starts so now I understand! DS1 was on the buggy board of course.

Original poster

claireh11 · 26/07/2006 07:48

Thanks everyone it makes me feel a lot better about still using one. I know what you mean apronstrinjgs, I think it's really cruel to expect a little child that age to be able to keep up with their parents, if you went for a nice family walk you would go slowly so all could enjoy it and stick together, not expect your child to be running next to you the whole time as you were walking far too fast for them.

About the school run thing - I didn't even think of that but yes Ive seen lots of kids being pushed home from school if it's quite a distance. Especially when they're tired after a hard day at school.

I think I feel paranoid compared to friends but I am the only one who drives so their children are used to walking everywhere and getting on busses etc.

Thanks everyone

OP posts:

kitbit · 26/07/2006 08:13

why not get him a buggy board so that he can ride "like a big boy" and this might make the transition easier?

NannyL · 26/07/2006 09:06

personally i would rather push a happy child in a buggy than drag around an u cooperative child who doesnt want to walk...

i think aslong as in thr summer holidays before they start school the buggy goes then there should not be a problem...

most of my charges have had May / June birthdays so that takes them to around there 4th birthday.... i dont have a problem with that...

obvioulsy as they get older they walk sometimes... and buggys only come out the car where there is lots of walking

but when going rouns shops its soo much easier if they are starpped in and you power walk around!

theres my 2 pence worth anyway!

Bozza · 26/07/2006 09:14

I started phasing the buggy out for DS at about 2.8. DD was born when he was 3.3 and I never had a buggy board. I did have a sling so DS could go in a bit when we were on holiday and he was 3.4.

aaronsmummy · 26/07/2006 09:17

My neighbour is just phasing out her ds buggy and he starts school in September - he is 4.8

Original poster

claireh11 · 26/07/2006 11:20

Tried a buggy board, cost me a fortune and was more hassle than it was worth. You need to have another child sat in the buggy to weigh it down at front to stop the damn thing tipping up lol.

Think I will just let him get on with it. He does like to walk sometimes, we went to a farm and left it in car and he was fine but think will still use it for shopping. I try and do my town shopping etc whilst he is at nursery now so he's not bored and I dont get harrassed by him wanting everything in sight!

OP posts:

0andx · 26/07/2006 11:26

I wouldn't mind at all, makes life MUCH easier. My dd is 3 & i have all sorts of trouble getting her in... i wish she was like your ds!

curtaintwitcher · 26/07/2006 11:39

think it completely depends on the child and your situation. DS is 2.9yrs and walks everywhere..although occasionally will jump on back of buggy but walks due to dd being in the buggy. I did get a double but he was not interested in going in it. Also am due no.3 when dd will just turn one so ds will be 3.3yrs and there wont be any room for him in a pram so am glad he will walk most of the time.

psychomum5 · 26/07/2006 11:47

My son is four, and he still goes into the buggy if we are out and he is sleepy, or asleep.

And when he starts school in september (well, IF he does...), and I want to walk, well then he'll still need the buggy as it is a long walk.

DS1 spent over a year crying and whining about lack of buggy and 'wobbly legs' when I finally gave up the double as I was so knackered from the heaviness. The only time I got respite was when we went as a family cos then DH did one, me the other.

I wouldn't worry.....he'll jump out suddenly and you'll be the one pining cos your head, neck and shoulders will be killing you from having to carry everything again. I mean, I had NO IDEA how heavy it was just with a handbag until having to go pushchair-free on our recent holiday!

paddingtonbear1 · 26/07/2006 12:49

My dd is 3 and we still use the buggy. I don't make her sit in it unless she wants to or we've got to get somewhere quick! I still find it useful for carrying shopping in especially if we're on our own (I don't use the car to get to our local shops). Will probably get rid of it when she goes to school or it falls apart (the latter might be first at this rate )

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