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Parenting

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Original poster

4 yr old still wants to use a buggy

19 replies

CremeDeSudo · 05/07/2017 15:44

DS has just turned 4. If we need to go out anywhere on foot that he deems boring or too far, he insists on sitting in the buggy. He's very stubborn and categorically will not walk. If I push it, we simply can't get anywhere due to dawdling/whinging/complaining etc and I end up shouting at him and resorting to carrying him which not doing my back an favours. So we're still using the buggy if we go to town, walking to the shops, walking to the park etc

When we're at the park/soft play/a party etc etc he runs around like a lunatic like all the other children. He's not overweight or anything like that, he's just lazy like his mother.

So I'm wondering: Should I ban the buggy now he's 4? Is it so bad if we carry on using it for now and in theory he'll grow out of it sooner or later? WWYD?

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arbrighton · 05/07/2017 17:18

Just don't take it. He's going to school soon surely?

halcyondays · 05/07/2017 17:27

I would just carry on using it for now. He won't want to use it forever.

nuttyknitter · 05/07/2017 17:29

If it's useful, carry on!

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Joinourclub · 05/07/2017 17:34

Yes ban it. And just give yourself plenty of time to walk. And breathe deeply when he complains. And buy him a scooter.

Original poster

CremeDeSudo · 05/07/2017 19:16

School is Sept but it's a drive away not a walk and he has a scooter! And a bike! He just won't use them!

I'm leaning towards not worrying about it but perhaps I'll phase it out a bit. Wasn't expecting it to be devisive!

OP posts:

Justhadmyhaircut · 05/07/2017 19:17

Maybe the wheel will have a misadventure over the week end. . . .

ImAFurchester · 05/07/2017 19:18

The problem is you are going to get 50% saying ban it now and 50% saying ah what's the harm he won't be in it forever.

So you just do what works best for you.

Sirzy · 05/07/2017 19:20

Does he have any siblings?

If not I would stop using it for things like the park and take a "if you want to go to the park then you have to walk" approach.

nuttyknitter · 05/07/2017 19:22

Why would you ban it? He'll outgrow it/ feel embarrassed soon enough - in the meantime there's really no point making a big deal of it. Save it for something that's worth fighting over.

BubblesBuddy · 05/07/2017 19:24

Someone stole ours when DD was just 3 years 3 months. Never bought another one. He is too old at 4. Just get rid of it. He will get over it. Shame he won't have to walk to school! I would be embarrassed with a 4 year old in a buggy!

Msqueen33 · 05/07/2017 19:26

My dd is in a buggy still. She'll wake sometimes but on the school run opts for the buggy. She has autism and coeliac and gets very tired. I know some people do judge but hell she won't be in it come September so for now I'm not too worried.

Original poster

CremeDeSudo · 05/07/2017 19:53

Yes I'm partially embarrassed but then also think sod it I can't be arsed with that battle right now! No siblings, one on the way though all being well. He definitely won't be using the buggy then! I like the not using it for the park approach. Hopefully he'll use his scooter instead. He's so much like I was as a child!

OP posts:

seasonschooner · 05/07/2017 19:55

I would carry on using it. He will grow out of it soon enough.

Shootingstar2289 · 05/07/2017 19:56

Long walks can be tiring for four year olds. When my son was four I would still occasionally use the buggy for long walks, shopping trips etc. They grow up so fast and now at 6, he he just runs everywhere! Lol!

It won't cause him any harm so I would just carry on. This time next year I'm sure the wanting to go in the pushchair will be well and truly over. They grow up too fast.

seasonschooner · 05/07/2017 19:56

I got mine out of tbe pushair by buying a balance bike. It really is worth a try.

Sierra259 · 05/07/2017 20:00

I would just stop taking it out with you tbh. Hide it in the shed/boot of the car for the next few trips out, and just see how he gets on. He probably only wants to sit in it because it's right there.

Crumbs1 · 05/07/2017 20:00

Get rid of the buggy. He'll walk if there isn't one.

WittgensteinsBunny · 05/07/2017 20:05

Dd1 is like this. I still have a buggy for DD2 (2.3) but we got rid of the big buggy and her beloved buggy board in Feb. There has been a lot of whining and she quite often climbs into the buggy and makes a huge fuss about getting out. I simply refuse to push her. I've told her plainly that she is too heavy and will break it. she's well over the weight limit given by the manufacturer. I've told her that this is the case. It's a sustained battle! We walk to pre-school most mornings (just under a mile) or to the park a few times a week (about a 3 mile round trip). Our local shops are small and if we go to the nearest city (brighton) I keep it short and focused with a couple of treats thrown in (babycino / small toy / magazine / lunch or dinner out). We don't go very often, anyway. I either ignore the whining and just keep saying "not much further", "come on, you're a big girl now with strong legs" or I say, "you can't be tired you must be bored, why don't we count cars / look at how many different types of red flower we can see / what can you hear" or try and distract her by chatting about random things. Or racing, if appropriate or "I bet you can't get to that lamp faster than me". This works brilliantly when it's just me but DH will always give in and carry her. And that's fine, it's his back! If you really don't want him to use it, just make the decision and get rid of it? Then leave more time, try and gather more patience and he'll soon get the message that there's no more buggy! Good luck!

MsPassepartout · 05/07/2017 20:14

If you've got another DC on the way, I'd try and get your DS out of the habit of using the buggy now, rather than risking having a fight over getting him out of the buggy once baby arrives.

I think I'd hide it away. Put it in the loft or shed or somewhere else inaccessible, and tell him it's gone. Hopefully he'll be a bit more cooperative once he realises the buggy isn't an option. Distractions (lets go to that lamppost / who can see a red car first / lets count steps) also worked quite well with my DS1.

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