Ergh buggy refusal. But too tired to scoot. What else?

[sellotape12]

2 years 8 months. The great Pushchair Refusal is upon us! Nursery is a 20 min walk home even in the buggy, so I can’t keep doing the 60 mins “walk/ carry” lunacy. He has a Micro scooter but gets bored of it after about two streets. Is there something else I could try? A trike with a handle maybe? A buggy board? I know the micro scooter has a seat and handle but we found it hard to manoeuvre and I cba getting an allen key out every few days.

Or do I wait out the refusal stage and hope he gets back in the buggy sometimes!?

I wouldn't discuss with a child that age.

This.

Surely you're strong enough to put him in the chair without injury? Let him tire himself out once he's in there.

This.

By all means try a trike (not great in the rain though as they don't have proper covers). But I'd just be saying 'I hear that you don't want to get into the buggy. The problem is, it's too far for me to carry you so we need to use the buggy. It's ok to be sad about that. Oh, did you see that robin over there? What else can we see?'

Scooter pull strap is a game changer

Scooter strap then you can tow him along and all he has to do is balance. Or buggy board.

Not sure what you mean by ‘wouldn’t discuss’. Please can you explain?
He’s very strong and can over power me so as much as I can try force him in with distraction, it simply isn’t an option. He can also unclip himself from the buggy. If I put him in without clipping he will climb or slide out on purpose.

No I’m not! See above.

Forced in, absolutely no discussion. Same with a car seat.

I think you used to be able to get covers for the clip to stop them unclipping the straps.

Got rid of the pram at around the age of 2nd birthday for all 3 of mine. They decided they didn’t want it so I couldn’t be arsed lugging it about.

With the eldest it was oddly easier as I was pregnant and put my back out at the slightest bit of strain so there was no question of me picking him up regardless of his opinion on the matter. he got the message when I consistently said no and was a good walker ever since. Did the same with the other two as it worked with the eldest. No need to carry over a 20 minute journey. I would just set off with plenty of time (enough for a tantrum).

I wouldn’t be forcing a child that age into a pram when you’ll be forcing him out soon.

A 2 year old can't be stronger than an adult... they can make it difficult if course, but they can't make it impossible

Yep. Quick Google search shows anti escape clips that you can buy cheaply on Amazon.

A 2 year old can overpower you? You must measure and weigh at least 4 times what he does assuming you are an average sized adult. Unless you are significantly disabled I doubt it.

Don't give him a choice.

I think you've given birth to Superman if he can overpower an adult at just 2 years old.

He can't overpower you!

I wouldn't give a tired 2 year old the choice, just don't bring the scooter and put him in the buggy.
Once he knows you mean business and you're consistent then it will get easier.

Try a balance bike. Isla bikes are great and very light to carry if he decides he wants to walk for a bit (pricey but there is a great second hand market)

My DS is similar age (2 years 7 months) and he loves his trike with handle. We go pretty fast everywhere with ir - around our small town.
We had it from older child and just started using it for short walks into town when he he stared buggy refusing.
Will still use the buggy on days out but generally it's not worth it as it's a nightmare getting him in and keeping him in.
It only had a tiny little boot thing so not like a buggy for grocery shopping.

P.s probably wouldn't use it in really heavy rain as there is no cover but if light I just pop him in a waterproof all in one and off we go!

My toddler did this for a while. Point blank refused the buggy. I left it for a while, let her walk if she wanted to and also got one of those push along bikes with the handle - basically the same except no cover.

Now when we go shopping or whatever I'll say 'right do you want to go in the trolley or the buggy' - make it into a choice for her and she's back loving the buggy again. Kids are weird.

But if you really need to I would just stick him in there and give him something to distract him. Crisps or a book help.

Another plus one. Head down into their lower torso if necessary.

Scooter lead to pull him along

I wouldn't be discussing this either, into the buggy and that's that.

I wouldn't discuss either at this age. But I get it, if you're not particularly strong and fit yourself then some toddlers really are freakishly strong. And stubborn.

So you have to out-stubborn him. Bring the buggy and flat out refuse to carry. So when he tires he can just sit there on the ground and you repeat that nothing is happening until he gets in the buggy. Have a banana or some crackers or something that he's only allowed when sitting in the buggy. Bring a book that he can have in the buggy. Explain that to him in simple terms.

You might have a few days of having to grit your teeth and deal with his sitting on the ground wailing. That sort of thing doesn't bother me, I can wait. They always end up in the buggy eventually.

After that he'll get the message that you are never carrying him so the options are walk, scoot, or buggy.

Any tips for getting a stubborn toddler in a pram when they go either straight as a board and rock solid or turn into a slithery worm? I don't want to hurt them!