When are Kids too Big for a Stroller?

Ania - posted on 03/16/2012

And if I'm going to the grocery store in the city again what am I suppose to do with my two year old? Carry bags and let him loose? All the pictures this woman took were showing kids usually resting in amusement parks or zoos, or on the busy city streets...where you really need a stroller. She probably has no kids at all, so she is in no place to judge these moms

Ania - posted on 03/16/2012

Well...in New York city all you do is walking through crowded streets, so I won't let my 2 year old wander around on the sidewalk without the stroller. Suburbs is a different story, people drive everywhere, so how is that beneficial for kids? changing stroller for a car mhm....

MeMe - Raises Her Hand (-_-) (Mommy Of A Toddler And Teen) - posted on 03/16/2012

My son does not like his stroller very much. We went on a pretty big walk the other day and he wanted out. He held my hand and we took 3 times as long to do our thing but I was plesantly content with that.



We also have a wagon, which he doesn't mind too much. Although when he wants out it is much harder to keep him in, he wiggles and wiggles until the lap belt comes loose. The wagon is so much lower to the ground that he can climb right out..... LOL



With my daughter she would've been 18 months when I ditched the stroller. Her feet were close to dragging by then. She was always over the 100th percentile for length. She has always been very tall. She also walked very early, so she was a pro by 18 months.



They recommend an hour of exercise every single day for children. I say if they can walk, they should be. If it is a very crowded place, safety first, of course. Either hold Moms/Dads hand, ride Dad's shoulder's or get in the stroller/cart.



I wouldn't use the stroller for my benefit. I would for my kid's safety though. Otherwise, walk it... for us.

Jessica - posted on 03/16/2012

The kids she pictures? Yeah. Too big. Mostly. A couple of them looked like they might have medical problems though.



As for how big is too big? Well it sorta depends on the size of the stroller, the length of the walk, and how much you want to deal with the kid slowing you down or stopping to look at every other thing you pass.

Tanya - posted on 08/23/2011

No, Toni, that's not how I meant it at all. :) He'll be the preschooler in a carrier instead lol.

And trust me, I use carriers because of the convenience almost as much as for the closeness and ease of nursing! Every time I use a stroller, I'm reminded of why I hate them so much, and I'm so thankful for my carriers! Even just not having to find a rickety old elevator at the mall and being able to go up the escalators instead is a huge plus!

Toni - posted on 08/23/2011

Tanya I took he'll never be one of those pre schoolers in a stroller as you suggesting that strollers were worse than a baby carrier, I apologise if that wasn't the case.

Not everyone uses a carrier for their child's benefit, some people do use them because they make their lives easier.

Anna - posted on 08/23/2011

My son just turned 3 and still uses the stroller plenty, but believe you me he walks plenty too. We live at the top of a 100ft hill, and I walk the kids and our double stroller to the shops at the bottom at least 1-2x a week. My daughter, 16 months, rides for most of it, my son mostly walks but when he gets tired he gets in to ride. I don't blame him. Heck, I'm panting by the time we're halfway back myself. My son likes to walk. He looks for pennies, snails and sometimes finds blackberries. When he asks to get in it's because he is legitimately tired.

Seeing a toddler in a stroller for 60 seconds of his life in no way implies that he is there ALL THE TIME. Sheesh people.

And Sherri, I am totally with you about the wagon. We have one, but with all the hills around here, it's really impractical. We use it a few times a year for the zoo.

Sherri - posted on 08/22/2011

OMG(osh) and the wagon is soooo hard to navigate and bulky doesn't fold up for the car. Ya NO thank you I will stick with a stroller.



Plus what some are not considering is what I am finding is it also can be cultural how long people opt to use a stroller. Here it is very normal to have kids use strollers quite commonly till 4 or 5yrs old.



Baby wearing tends to be a little more uncommon especially since breastfeeding here tends to be pretty uncommon past the 6th month. Only 22% of woman breastfeed past 6mo's.

Tanya - posted on 08/22/2011

I never said strollers weren't okay after a certain age! :) If I DID use strollers, I doubt I would use them as long as a carrier, though, because the main reason I use carriers is that my baby/toddler is close to me, and can nurse while we shop. Can't say the same about a stroller!


With my oldest, I often used the carrier if he was sleeping or was going to fall asleep. If I wasn't a babywearer, I suppose I would have used a stroller then, though....it's either that, or plan my whole life around naps, which isn't really my style...

Toni - posted on 08/22/2011

Yeah I was thinking the same Rebecca, stroller, wagon, baby carrier all do the same thing help the parents and stop the kid walking. If one is ok all of them are ok.

Rebecca - posted on 08/21/2011

Um, not to repeat the last series of posts, but how is a wagon any different than a stroller? It is just a stroller without the harness. I don't see how this is teaching your kid how to walk better than a stroller.

Not to mention, it is way more hard for a parent to pull a wagon than to push a stroller.

Don't get the no stroller, but wagons are great stance.

Nicole - posted on 08/21/2011

if you can walk use your dang legs....lol

now my daughter is 17 months and i dont plan on tossing the stroller just yet. like if i were to walk some where. i live in a bustling city and i really dont want her walking the distance cause young children do tucker out fast. not to mention her VI issues. so untill we can work with getting around better sight wise i may hang on to the stroller till she is 2.5yrs 3 ish.



but i know what you mean the big kids in strollers looks way too goofy.



every one in my family including my self had to walk. as soon as we knew how bye bye stroller hello wagon. we had radio flyers wagons that my mom and dad would pull us around in at like amusement parks as little girls and around the fair. it would also hold our extra clothes bag and picnic basket. that ended when we were 6. at 6 you were fully capable to walk around cedar point all day long. now we would frequent benches to give our little legs a rest but for the most part if we could keep a going we did and by 8 nope no break we walked. ill tell you though its gotten me used to going to universal studios and walk like 5 days straight around the parks from open to close. by the time im ready to come home i enjoy the ride back=P lol. its taught us to use our legs as they are the most reliable transportation we have =) i used to walk every where i went before i could drive and some times still do. 1 hour to the mall, 1 hour back and how ever long i was there. grant it it gets a bit tiring but thats when you pull out your handy bike.=) it will keep you healthy too. there is an old man that i see walk the streets every where he goes. has to be old as dirt but i swear its the walking that has him still alive and kicking well. cause the man can truly book it.



edited to add there is nothing wrong wiht the back pack harness..that i saw in these pics...wtf yeah the kid is a bit old there but after a few bad incidents my sister had being a disney world employee helping to find lost parents of children ..( disney policy children are never lost...their parents are the lost ones. it keeps the child calmer and not in panic mode easier to help a calm child then a freaked out crying one) they keep you from wander from them if somethign had caught their attention and it keeps them from going to something that has their attetion they are also for parents to not hunch to one side or the toddler getting mad from their arm being in the air to walk with you. i broke down and bought one my self when i swore i never would>

Toni - posted on 08/21/2011

Tanya, how is using a carrier for pre school children any different than using a stroller for them? Both make jobs easier for mom by stopping the child walking.

Tanya - posted on 08/21/2011

I hate strollers, and stopped using one with my oldest as soon as I got a mei tai. I still carried him sometimes until he was 3, though. He was 45 lbs. and 46" tall, so he was just too big for the carriers anymore.


My second is a runner lol. I'm super glad he still loves to be worn at 15.5 months! I do let him out to walk, but when I need to get my shopping done, it's so much easier to wear him. He'll often nurse and/or nap while we shop, too!

I very rarely put him in a stroller....since birth he has only been in it a handful of times, so he'll never be one of those preschoolers in a stroller!

Rebecca - posted on 08/18/2011

I can totally agree with this...Prams are used for convenience are are a good thing! but sometimes kids should walk and have a run around and have a bit of freedom. I've seen kids about 6 in prams with bottles
stuck in their mouths...that is ridiculous!

Toni - posted on 08/18/2011

Emma, That's why I use a monkey backpack with Ethan, it has a leash attached then he can walk and I can still keep him safe.

Sal - posted on 08/17/2011

my kids were out early...too early for my liking, my idea of how big is too big.....when it is more of a hassle to try and keep them in one rather than the hassle of chasing them

Stifler's - posted on 08/17/2011

I can understand mums in new york keeping their kid in a stroller. I am paranoid about my kids being hit by a car so I don't let Logan walk if we're anywhere near the roadtrains driving through town.

Julie - posted on 08/17/2011

My daughter barely used the stroller when she was small. She is almost 7 now and I would get the I'm not a baby speech now. If I had to walk to go do my shopping, it would probably have been a different story, but when she was small, I just put her in the shopping cart. If we went to the mall, which we don't very often, sometimes I would carry her, sometimes I would use the stroller. Depended on how long we were going to be in there and how much I was buying. We did go shopping with her cousins and my sister-in-law for back to school and I was a little surprised when she loaded up the stroller for her youngest, who is only a year younger than my daughter. My daughter asked why does she need a stroller? Well, it was in case she got tired and she only sat in it a few times and not very long. We mainly used it to carry our bags. We were out shopping for 4 hours so maybe it wasn't the worst idea. I know personaly, you would have a hard time getting my daughter to sit in one, especially in public. I won't judge anyone though, because like everyone else has said, there may be a not so obvious medical reason or if they have no car, that could be the best way to get their haul back home and keep watch on their kid who would be tired from walking so far.

Vicki - posted on 07/07/2011

Depends on the child, the situation, the family etc. My partner takes our two year old to my Mum's on the bus and train without a stroller, but I use a stroller to take him to the shops, it's only two blocks but along a busy highway and I don't want to be struggling with bags and chasing him away from the road. I still use a sling with him, usually on my back but sometimes on my front (if we're out at night, he's tired and will breastfeed to sleep on my front. It's pretty rare now)

I wouldn't judge by particular photos as others have said we don't know if there's a medical reason for it. Also we don't know the context of the photos. Maybe the stroller is for a younger sibling who is being carried and the older child sits down for a rest. Generally with a healthy child I'd say school age is too old for a stroller. Mine's just a lightweight umbrella one I don't think it'd hold the weight of an older child.

Ashley=) - posted on 07/07/2011

3 was perfect for my first daughter.She was above average for age 3 in all aspects of her development.She would hold my hand in public places.She never ran off.She spoke fantastic and had/ still has a great manner/behaviour.I felt 100% happy and comfortable with her out of the buggy.She walked very well and could go for long walks no problem.She was so tall for her buggy at 3, she looked silly.For us 3 was a great age.My 2 year old is in her buggy still and will be for another 2years.I would say.

Lady Heather - posted on 07/06/2011

Maybe it's easier to not use a stroller when you actually have a public transportation system to make use of, but I am a non-driving mum in a town with a bus that comes once an hour (totally empty) and no other transport of any sort. I usually walk. And believe you me, the stroller is WAY easier and it gives me a basket in which to carry my shit. Walking for the 45 minutes it would take to get to the grocery store if I went toddler pace, plus the time in the store, plus the walk home carrying the groceries and holding the kids hand so she doesn't run onto the busy street for another 45. omg. No. Thank. You. Yeah, if I could hop on a subway to get somewhere I think that would probably change things. I know my sister lives in a big city and she rarely takes a stroller out. But I usually have to walk so that's my life. Everyone's is different apparently.

Stifler's - posted on 07/06/2011

I've never seen a big kid in a stroller in real life (maybe never noticed). I couldn't care less to be honest who uses a stroller past the age of what. But I found the tumblr kind of funny.

Sherri - posted on 07/06/2011

Interesting I think 3 to be fairly young to have to be out of a stroller. My kids were all in a stroller till at least 4. Not everyday errands but most definitely the mall, theme parks, long walks etc.

Melissa - posted on 07/06/2011

Yeah medical conditions are one thing. And I would never ever ever actually say anything to any parent who had their child in a stroller, because you never know their personal situation. For instance, however, I was at the mall with my son to see the Easter Bunny this year, and there were grown children, I'm literally talking 7 and 8 years old, being pushing through the line in a stroller. And I could be wrong, but I doubt there were medical conditions, because they didn't stay seated at all the entire time. They were up, jumping and running around. Again, I could be wrong, but to me, if medical issues are making it necessary that a child have a stroller because they can't handle standing in like for 15 minutes, I don't think they'd be able to be up jumping and running around the entire time. It wasn't until they were done with the Easter Bunny and leaving the mall that they sat and let their parents push them.

Sylvia - posted on 07/06/2011

See, Amanda, that's exactly what I tell myself when I see a stranger pushing a bigger kid in a stroller: there's probably a medical reason. I have no way of knowing if it's true or not, and I would never ever go up to someone and say something (OMG how rude!!), so I make an effort to assume that there's a good reason and the parent is not just paranoid.

However ... I have known people whose kids have no medical or other issues, yet they routinely strap them into the stroller not just for a long long day at the zoo or something but all the time. If the only bigger kids who used strollers were the ones who needed to for medical reasons, I suspect your daughter wouldn't get the mean comments :(

Melissa - posted on 07/06/2011

I've seen women pushing kids as old as 5 and 6 in a stroller through the mall. It makes me sick. If you're going on a long trip and don't have a car, sure. Generally speaking, however, I don't think children should really need a stroller after the age of 3.

Sylvia - posted on 07/06/2011

Well, when I see a kid in a stroller who looks older than about three, I tend to assume that s/he has some kind of physical disability that prevents him/her from walking. This is probably not true very often, but it makes me feel less stabby toward the parents ;)

I'm a non-driving parent (in fact, since DD was about four we haven't owned a car at all, although DH does belong to a car-share so we aren't totally car-free), and I understand how long it can take to run errands with a toddler. Having tried it both ways, though, I found that the PITA factor of the stroller far, FAR outweighed any disadvantages of leaving it at home. If you've ever tried manhandling a stroller up 2-3 flights of stairs to get out of a subway station, getting a stroller on and off a crowded bus while everyone glares at you for taking up enough aisle space for five people, manoeuvring a stroller through the narrow aisles of your local fruit & veg shop, pushing a stroller while carrying a distraught toddler and a bag of shopping, trying not to let your toddler (who is pushing the stroller) push it into anyone or out into traffic, portaging a stroller over a really big snowplow-heap, or getting a kid into a stroller who really, really, REALLY doesn't want to go in there right now, you'll understand what I mean ;)

Based on many years of observations, my conclusion is that parents continue to use strollers long after they're appropriate because a kid who is strapped into a stroller, and has learned to accept that once you're in you don't get out until an adult lets you out, is easier to control and monitor in public spaces than a kid who can move around under his/her own power. That kid is therefore "safer" than the independently mobile kid of the same age. And that's true as far as it goes; unfortunately, it's also true that kids who get no independence learn nothing about how to handle independence, and that doesn't work so well when they're 18 instead of 3 ...

It's also, unfortunately, the case that far fewer people will call you a bad parent for pushing your 5-year-old around in a stroller than will call you a bad parent for losing track of your 5-year-old for 5 minutes in a public place :(

Amanda - posted on 07/06/2011

I agree. I pay no mind (or try not to) when I have my daughter in her stroller and she is 5. But she has medical reasons. Only one person is allowed to judge me and I will accept it and it is GOD...And I know he won't judge me for this.

Ashley=) - posted on 07/06/2011

It depends.

First child we walked everywhere.So she was walking at 9&half months.Sturdy.

I wasn't going to make her walk all over the place.She was in her buggy up to age 3.I let her out in the market etc.Just mainly the trip to and back.Sometimes i let her out near home to walk the rest.

Second child is now 2 and she walks more as we have a car.So shes just in the stroller if we go for a walk.So not often now.Unfortunately.

Children need there strollers for longer due to medical reasons etc.Some kids are safer in the stroller out as the might run off if let walk.



So what ever you decide as the parent is fine with me.Its your child not mine.I am not a busy body nor would i ever judge/comment or confront anyone with an older child in a stroller.As that would be extremely obnoxious.

Amanda - posted on 07/05/2011

Exactly. As I posted previously, my 5 yr still needs her stroller for medical reasons. But you can't tell just by looking at her. It pisses me off when someone judge the parents and kids when they don't know their background...ugh..

Stifler's - posted on 07/05/2011

Rude. I can't imagine actually having a go at anyone about things like that.

Karen - posted on 07/05/2011

Yes, not all the time, but enough that it leaves a lasting impression. "Why is your seven year old in a stroller?" "get out and walk big girl." (getting in her face!)

Stifler's - posted on 07/05/2011

Do people really come up and make comments?

Amanda - posted on 07/05/2011

Yeh, I think she took down her blog...I found her on facebook, though...oh well..

Karen - posted on 07/05/2011

That site really bothers me. My four year old daughter has autism and she is big for her age. We use the stroller a lot, it makes her feel safe. I'm amazed that people will come up and make obnoxious comments.

Amanda - posted on 07/05/2011

Well on fb...I could not get it through the link, but I searced for it on fb.

Amanda - posted on 07/05/2011

I found it... this is what I sent ....NO ONE SHOULD JUDGE THE PARENTS FOR THEIR CHILD STILL IN A STROLLER. YOU ALL HAVE NO IDEA WHAT PROBLEM THE KIDS HAVE. MY DAUGHTER IS 5 YR OLD AND NEEDS THE STROLER AT TIMES. SHE HAS SICKLE CELLA ANEMIA DISEASE AND CAN'T HELP BUT GET FATIGUED AT TIME. SOMETIMES SHE GETS IN HER PAIN CRISIS IN HER JOINTS AND CAN'T WALK. SHE IS TO HEAVY TO CARRY SO THE ONLY WAY TO GET TRANSPORTED FROM ONE PLACE TO ANOTHER IS BY STROLLER!!! SO BEFORE ALL YOU PEOPLE WHO AGAINST "BIG KIDS" IN STROLLERS UNDERSTAND WHY FIRST. SOME CAN'T HELP IT. DO YOU THINK IT IS FAIR TO JUDGE OTHERS WHEN YOU DON'T KNOW THEIR SITUATION? WHAT HAPPENS IF IF YOU WERE IN THEIR POSITION AND YOU WERE JUDGED??? I LIVE IN THIS SITUATION AND LET ME TELL YOU IT HURTS TO HEAR PEOPLE CRITCIZING ME AND MY FAMILY AND HAVE NO IDEA WHAT IS GOING ON IN MY LIFE!!! BE RESPECTFUL PEOPLE!

Lady Heather - posted on 07/05/2011

I'm wondering if she took it down because of all the negative responses. I did send her a strongly worded email. I can't have been the only one.

Amanda - posted on 07/05/2011

I can't seem to get on the blog so I can see :(

Amanda - posted on 07/05/2011

I agree with you, Becky. I almost got into some chick face one day when I overheard her say "she is to big to be in there". I did not though because I don't like to have any confrontation in front of my child. Therefore, I let it go. Though if someone came to my face and blantly said it then I won't bite my tongue.

Becky - posted on 07/05/2011

See Amanda, situations like yours are why I think her blog is rude. I bet you wouldn't like your daughter's picture up on it with "Walk!" pasted on her when she has a very good medical reason for not walking sometimes!

Amanda - posted on 07/05/2011

My daughter is 6 and no longer uses the stroller on a daily basis obviously, however, I still keep it because is has Sickle Cell Anemia Disease SS. With that she becomes fatigue, and a lot of times she has pain crisis in her legs and arms to the point where she can't walk at all. So when I take her to her dr or hospital I use the stroller for her because she is to heavy for me to carry. Most time my husband is working so I go alone. In addition, if we know we going somewhere where she has to do massive amount of walking we use the stroller too because she get tired quickly. Though most time we will just stop and let her take a break. Places where she allowed to ride her bike, we will allow her to take that and still stop to let her take breaks. So anotherwards, we only allow her to use it for medical reasons.

Rebecca - posted on 05/12/2011

Okay, one of those pics is a kid in one of those zoo strollers. Zoos and amusement parks are huge. If an older kid wants to rest and can fit in it - who the fuck cares.

I don't have a car. Personally, I'd rather my kid be a bit old for the stroller during a long outing than being stuck in a car seat for a long outing. At least then she'd be outside, breathing the air and enjoying the people/dogs walking by.

Yeah, if a non disabled kid is in a stroller in which their feet drag, its a bit awkward looking. Still, you never know that kid's story.

Karla - posted on 05/12/2011

We still use a stroller for our 3 year old when I want to get a good long walk. I find it very difficult to find time to exercise since he was born and we often go to the park and walk 2-3 miles, then he gets to play on the playground as a reward for his patience.

Stifler's - posted on 05/12/2011

I don't take the stroller to the shops. I use a trolley to put my stuff in and let Logan sit in the basket thing.

Maria - posted on 05/12/2011

Omg did you see that girl who was in the back pack thing!! that is ridiculous! my baby is chukny and once she got to five months she was heavy and it hurt my back!! ( well i wore it in the front) Anyways yea all of those are ridiculous and ther are way to big for strollers. i mean i guess i get it when you are at an amusement park but still they are very capable of walking!!

Jeannette - posted on 05/12/2011

My son is 18 months old and I usually only bring out the stroller when I am pushing him in it, other wise he is a walker. Of course I would bring the stroller to the mall or if we will be doing a ton of walking. Plus he doesn't like to listen yet, so when he decides not to follow me, then it's time for him to be in his stroller. I'm hoping by the time he is 2 1/2 (the same age as my niece was) he won't really need a stroller (except like I said for long walking trips.) I too don't really like seeing old, old kids in strollers, because walking is way better. But it all depends on the situation. If the parents are just being lazy and putting the kids in the strollers, yeah it is bad. If the kid is super tired or they are at the mall then I can understand it. We are waiting until our son is 3 or 3.5 to start trying for baby two, so I am glad we won't have to do the double stroller thing.

Becky - posted on 05/12/2011

Okay, some of those kids looked like they were about 10 years old! Definitely too old for a stroller! My oldest is 3, and he does still ride in the stroller sometimes. He prefers to walk, and I generally do let him walk, but if we're out for a long time, he'll get tired and he can ride in the stroller. I also use it when he's getting out of hand and not listening or staying close to me, or if I'm in a rush.
That said, I'm not crazy about her blog. Unless she knows all the situations of these people and knows for certain that their children do not have physical or developmental disabilities that make it impossible for them to be walking, I think it's rather rude of her to be judging by splashing them all over the internet.

Sherri - posted on 05/11/2011

My kids were all in a stroller till they were 5. However, after the age of 3 1/2. It was only used for huge amusement parks etc. We just got back from a week at Disney World and after the 2nd day of walking 10+ mi a day my 4 3/4 yr old just couldn't do anymore so the 3rd day on we rented a stroller for him. I felt really bad for him. For everyday or even to the mall no we haven't done that for about a year or so. However, all my kids definitely used a stroller until right before they reached 4 yrs old.