When are Kids too Big for a Stroller?

Jane - posted on 05/11/2011

Your kid is too big for a stroller when their feet drag on the ground.

Ya know, kids go get tired and want to be carried, but as older parents neither my husband or I had good enough backs to carry anyone, So we keot the strollers active as long at the kids fit in them. We hauled other stuff in the stroller until the kid was tired enough to sit in the stroller and hold the stuff.

Caitlin - posted on 05/11/2011

My older daughter started walking with me at 18 months, but recently she thinks everything is a game of chase. We always have the double stroller because of her little sister (15 months ish - not walking yet) so when she pulls that "chase me" game, she gets strapped into the stroller kicking and screaming. She HATES that thing, tired or not, and going out with her now is hell because of it. IF we are walking to the park, she 100% needs to be in the stroller because we have no sidewalks around here and drivers are preety inconsiderate. She is 2 1/2 though, but looks closer to 4 most of the time (I get looks when she's talking because most is still excited toddler babble and people think she's got issues, but she's much younger than most think).

I wish she'd walk with me and hold my hand.. That uaully lasts all of 5 minutees of a walk, then she gets all excited and tries to run off. I'm going to be digging out my kid-leash soon and look like a horrible parent yet again until her bolting stage is over, cause i'm pregnant and can't ditch the baby (the 15 month old) in the stroller while chasing an incredibly hard-headed toddler..

Who knows what i'll do when the third is born, cause they'll still be all under 3.. I'm thinking a baby sling for a while for the little one, because there is no force int he universe that could get me to buy one fo those 3 kid strollers.

Noreen - posted on 05/11/2011

That first picture of the kid in that awful carrier was pretty funny and looked so uncomfortable for both mom and kid, especially kid.

My boys where about 2.5 when they started walking and we stopped the stroller. However, I did have my then 4th old and 6-9mo old in a double jogger while I worked out with stroller strides last year. But that is way different.

For the most part, I carry my 19mo in an Ergo Performance carrier and let her walk as much as possible.

Rosie - posted on 05/11/2011

i still use a stroller for my almost 4 year old when we go to amusement parks, or for really long walks. i also use one when we go to the mall. he get's tired easily and i am not about to carry him anywhere.
i guess i've never seen a problem with kids using strollers. my kids know how to walk, and they all do quite often. if it makes my life a teensy bit easier, i'm all for it. i'm pretty sure my other 2 were out of the stroller by age 4 as well.

Bonnie - posted on 05/11/2011

That first picture is just too funny. I think I would break my back if I tried to do that with one of my boys. Either that, or they would be stuck in the carrier and I wouldn't be able to get them out.

Bonnie - posted on 05/11/2011

I think around 2.5 to 3 years old is okay to have a child in a stroller. Both my boys by 18-20 months were done with it. We couldn't get them to sit in it for more than 5 minutes most times so we said forget it. It worked well though. How can you even fit 5 and 6 year old in a stroller and why would you even need to?

Jakki - posted on 05/11/2011

PS And why do women keep on carrying babies in a front pack when they must weigh a ton?

Are they in denial? Get a back pack for Chrissakes!

Jenni - posted on 05/11/2011

My son is almost 3 and he just stopped using his push chair. I still bring it for long walks but he prefers to walk now. We went on a big hike yesterday, so we brought the stroller for my 11 month old and we were going to bring the push chair for my son and SD (she's almost 4), but SO forgot it. It was a good hour and a half hike. My 11 month old hates the stroller so half way through my SO and I took turns carrying her. I was going to have my SD and son take turns in the stroller to give them a rest. Guess who ended up in the stroller for half the hike? My SD (almost 4 yo). When it came time for my son to take his turn, I put him in and he lasted 2 mins before he said he wanted to walk. So my SD got it for the rest of the walk, my son walked the entire hike!

Jakki - posted on 05/11/2011

I was going to say big kids in strollers (and huge babies hanging off their mum's fronts) were my pet peeve, but now that you guys have so convincingly explained all the reasons why it happens, I feel like the wind has gone out of my sails.

Anyway, the other day I saw a poor dad pushing a double stroller with twin boys that looked like they were about 4, and a school girl who must have been 5/6 sitting on top... he was also walking a big dog on a leash and going up hill. The kids looked all smug and comfy and having fun while this poor guy looked completely exhausted at 8,30 am. I'm sorry but I looked at the big girl and said to her "Jeez what about poor old dad?!"

Bloody hell!

Ange - posted on 05/11/2011

I agree with Cathy.... this is a bit touchy as I do know kids should walk as soon as possible but if you go for a long walk a 2 year old will get tired out from constent walking and will bug to be held which can be uncomfy for the parent now we had a stroller for my stepdaught until she was 4 1/2 years old when she was able to walk the long walk you can not make a 2 year old walk the long walk that is just plain abusive... but my daughter she was in and out of the stroller the whole time we were walking..... those children in the pictures looked to be older except for the one there where she looked to be 4 which she should have been in a stroller not the carrier that was rediculous I think......

Stifler's - posted on 05/11/2011

Haha my 1 year old looks like some people's 2 year olds or 3 year olds it's hilarious.

Toni - posted on 05/11/2011

My nephew is big for his age, I'm sure many people thought he was too old for a buggy when he wasn't - my SIL stopped using it just before his third birthday and only used it until then because his walk to nursery school was a good half hour each way - adult pace.

I don't judge when I see what appears to be an older child in a buggy because 1 - they could just be big like my nephew and 2 - like Cathy's son they could have a disabilty not all disabilities are easily seen. I don't know that families particular circumstances so I'm not going ot judge them!

Cathy - posted on 05/11/2011

This is one subject that always makes me touchy. I used the stroller with my eldest till he was 4.



My son was very big for his age so people would automatically assume he was older. At 18 months his feet reached the wheels. At 3yo his feet would drag on the ground.



I don't drive so for long days out I couldn't cope with carrying a tired child that was twice the size of his age. He would walk most of the time but I needed a back up.



Finally he also has a disability that you can't see. Most of the time he'd be fine to walk. If however he'd had a bad day at preschool/school (they start school at 4-5yo here and he was one of the youngest in his year group) then I needed to have back up.



You cannot carry a large 4yo in autistic meltdown 2 miles!

Stifler's - posted on 05/11/2011

Also, some of the pictures are clearly like the child climbed in there to be funny or silly.

Stifler's - posted on 05/11/2011

I laugh so hard at that site. I'm in the process of making my kid learn good public behaviour aka not running off, holding hands to walk with me, not touching stuff. Baby is due next week so um... this might go out the window. I can see using a stroller at amusement parks and on long walks though until maybe 3 or whatever.

Nikkole - posted on 05/11/2011

My daughter is 10 months so she is of course still in her stroller and my son is 3, i will put him in her stroller if he get real tired (from a long day) but we use a wagon also we are actually getting a new one soon that has seat belts so my little one can ride in it to without falling out! I LOVE the wagon :)! But if i saw a kid get out of his/her stroller fold it up and put it in the car yea i would say that parent is lazy for not taking the stroller away but i do not say ANYTHING unless i know that the kid dosent have a medical reason to be in one, now im talking about kids 6+.

Cassie - posted on 05/11/2011

Loureen, here's a link to a picture of a wagon. :) http://www.all-kids-stuff.com/radio-flye...



Keira and Emma love using the wagon but If we're walking to the park, I take the double stroller. Emma (10 months) rides in the stroller while Kiera walks beside it but it is there for Kiera to hop in for a few minutes if she gets tired. Kiera is 2 1/2.



I think parents know when it is appropriate to ditch the stroller for their child. A wagon is a great alternative when at places like fairs and amusement parks. It's what we use.

Charlie - posted on 05/11/2011

What is a wagon ??

Erin - posted on 05/11/2011

My daughter hasn't been in a stroller since about 18 months. She never really liked that thing.



The only real issue I have with seeing older children (3+) in strollers is that it limits their ability to learn appropriate behaviour in public. If a kid has been strapped in every time they go out, how are they supposed to learn how to walk with Mummy, hold the trolley, and not climb the shelves? It just seems to be prolonging the inevitable.



Other than that, it's just like most other parenting decisions - I don't really care what other people choose to do. Everyone's circumstances are different. Maybe the child (or parent) has some kind of disability. Maybe there are 3 kids under 3. Not a big deal IMO.

Krista - posted on 05/10/2011

Last summer my son was about 19 months and we switched to a wagon for long walks, and he liked it a lot better. Now that I've got a new baby, I bought a double stroller, which is handy when we're out for walks, in case he gets tired. It's got handles on the sides so he usually just walks beside me and hangs on. I'd hate to be a 45 minute walk (at adult's speed!) away from home with a cranky toddler and a single stroller and have to try to get home! I'm sure this will be the only summer I'll be able to get away with putting him in a stroller though...he's 2.5 and already looks pretty big in there.

Tah - posted on 05/10/2011

ive actually seen kids get up, fold their strollers and put them in the trunk..i would say they could have probably walked through the mall...lolbut if i had twins they may have been in the stroller until college..lol..

Teresa - posted on 05/10/2011

You know Tah... I couldn't do that (put the stroller in the trunk) for about 6 months after the girls were born. THAT would be one of the reasons we never went anywhere. I needed a stroller. lol

Jayce - posted on 05/10/2011

I just traded in my 3 yr old's stroller for a wagon. He was getting too big and heavy for the stroller. I don't drive so if we go anywhere during the day, we walk and his little legs just can't walk that far (and I'd rather not take the entire day just to walk a couple of blocks). He'll walk for a bit and then he rides for a bit.

My friend's son is really tall for his age. At the age of 1 he was almost too long for his stroller. I remember people making all sorts of nasty comments but he hadn't even learned to walk yet.

Tah - posted on 05/10/2011

yep..ive seen everyone of those kids in the mall at least once...lol

Katherine - posted on 05/10/2011

I HAVE to have a stroller on hand with my LO or she'll want me to carry her: nuh uh.

Tah - posted on 05/10/2011

when your kids are able to get up, fold their stroller and put it in the trunk...im thinking they can walk...the only time i used the stroller past 2 or 3 is if we went to an amusement park..i see kids pushing the stroller, helping mom with baby..etc and then they get their tall behinds in the stroller, its almost a shock...lol

Chatty - posted on 05/10/2011

My daughter hasn't used a stroller since about 18 months.

Katherine - posted on 05/10/2011

What about a wagon? I think my 5yo is waaay too big for a stroller. My 2yo not so much.



***Edit to add: Those pictures are sick.

Schyla - posted on 05/10/2011

when the parent of the child feels like they are. I'm sorry but I fail to see why the way a parent chooses to transport their child is such an issue? You have no idea what else has been going on. You don't like it when people tell you how to parent your child remember what you learned in kindergarten treat others the way you want to be treated there is enough cruelty in the world without putting down each other over parenting choices

Amanda - posted on 05/10/2011

I dont drive, my children all ditched their strollers between the ages of 2 and 2 1/2 on their own. Though when shopping I bring a stroller and if they get tired they can hop into it, but its mainly used to carry the bags LOL

Charlie - posted on 05/10/2011

My child walks everywhere ( my two year old ) but when we have had a huge day and he is tired I get my baby ( 10 months ) put him in the sling and let Cooper sleep in the pram until he is rested .

Kelly - posted on 05/10/2011

I rarely used J's stroller once he was walking pretty well, but I kept that bugger for airports, and, if I remember correctly, he was about 4 years old the last time our first flight was delayed, and I raced full speed across an airport to make a connecting flight pushing him, asleep, in a stroller and pulling 2 cases through a crowd that I swear was thick enough to stop a stampede of elephants cold.....and we still missed that d*** flight.

Teresa - posted on 05/10/2011

Oh... another friend I know (that didn't use a stroller at this age, but it's a good example anyway) had a 2 year old that was as big as a 5 year old.... People use to stare at her and make rude comments about his immature behavior.... Until she would say to them 'um... he's TWO!'

Teresa - posted on 05/10/2011

I have no objection to anyone that feels the need to stick a kid in the stroller. I don't know them or their situation, so it's not my place to say. I do know a family w/ twin 6 year olds that uses a stroller for one of the boys on occasion. His legs don't work the way most people's do (I forget what the exact issue is). He CAN walk.... w/ leg braces and uses a cane w/ it, but if they have a significant distance to travel.... the stroller is the only logical option.

For me, personally, I gave away our stroller about 6 months ago (after being stored for a LONG time). The last time I had used it was Novemeber 2009 (so my son wasn't quite 2) when I had to go and renew my license and needed him contained.

Mary - posted on 05/10/2011

Wanna know the sad thing? I'm a little jealous. My daughter has not been in her stroller since she was maybe 18 months. She really hated being confined, and was pretty damned unpleasant an insistent about walking herself. Now, I can still get away with the ergo if she gets tired, and we are in a very crowded place or need to get a longer distance in a short amount of time.

Lacye - posted on 05/10/2011

My daughter is just a few days shy of being 2 years old and she doesn't hardly ever use her stroller. She walks with me, holding my hand, anywhere we go. Now if it was a crowded place or if it was going to be a long day, yeah. I would have her in a stroller. But she's just to hyper active to stay in one.

Mary - posted on 05/10/2011

Wow those pictures were nuts. Kids need to be able to walk not get a free ride. I agree with you Carol H.

Jodi - posted on 05/10/2011

I haven't used a stroller since my daughter was about 3 - she loved to walk everywhere and I usually ended up pushing a stroller for no reason. However, there was a time when she was 4 1/2 where we were at a theme park, and we honestly could have used one that day. In the last hour, my husband and I had to take turns carrying her. We probably should have hired one that day.

Personally I do think school age (5-6) is too old in most instances. But at that age, I am sure there are still children with disabilities who need a stroller, so I am not sure that it is really cool to assume that these mothers are lazy, or that those kids should be walking. I mean, I don't know if there is a reason for it or not. So while I may look and be surprised or shocked that a child that age is still in a stroller, I would take a step back from it and try not to judge the situation. After all, it really isn't any of my business.

Jenn - posted on 05/10/2011

Till their feet drag on the concrete. Ha. My four year old rides when we are in crowded places like a festival. She is safer and we can go longer because she won't whine about getting tired, her feet hurting or whatever other drama she dreams up. We got rid of the giant stroller when she turned two...just umbrella strollers now.

Jenn - posted on 05/10/2011

I'd say around 3 for most kids is a good time to ditch the stroller, and even before that it's use can be cut down. However, there are several factors that could come into play: do you have a car? Does your child have disabilities? Do you go out on long excursions that would just be too much for a young child?

Johnny - posted on 05/10/2011

Firstly, some of those kids look like they are in elementary school. I personally think strollers are out once a kid is in school, unless there is some sort of disability. But some of the kids look like very tall pre-schoolers, so I'm not so shocked. Just because your kid is tall doesn't mean they are any less slow or distracted as toddlers. Which is often why parents are using the stroller.

Like Heather, I walk a lot of places. The amount of time it would take me to walk with my daughter on a route that takes me an hour or two...? Well, I'd still be out there. I would never have gotten back. I generally alot twice the time at least. She has a degree in lollygagging with a minor in dawdling.

I rarely use the stroller to contain her anymore. If I've driven somewhere, I don't usually take a stroller with me. She can walk. The only time I do that is if we are going to be somewhere for quite a long time and I'm hoping she'll catch a nap. I don't want to carry her 35 lbs around the mall so that she may sleep.

I find websites like this amusing but annoying. You (the person running the blog) are taking a snapshot of someone's day and mocking them when you don't know all the information. There is actually something similar for adults in motorized scooters. Yes, sometimes they are used by people too lazy to walk, but when I saw it I just thought that it was a nasty way to make fun of a lot of people who may have had disabilities. How does the person posting these stroller pics know whether or not the parent had just walked 40 blocks to get where they were going? They don't. Perhaps she is a lazy person herself who has never walked that far in her life and couldn't imagine how hard that might be to do with a 4 year old. But I'm just making assumptions about her, which seems to be the cool thing these days.

Lady Heather - posted on 05/10/2011

Well, she will still be in the stroller at 4 for errands! I think it will stop when she goes to kindergarten because then I will do errands when she is at school and she will be better able to sit in a seat on the bus. It takes me a half hour each way to walk to the grocery store at a quick adult pace. It would be even longer at a child's pace and it's just a lot. I don't want her run around outside time to be a boring walk through the ugly part of town. Would rather get that over with and have some real quality play time in the yard or park later.

There were some really militant people on globeandmail who were all "I never let my kid in a stroller after 2 years old". I'm guessing those people didn't hesitate to pop their kid in the car seat to go out shopping though. ha.

Carol - posted on 05/10/2011

Your daughter is still so young, Heather. I'm talking about kids who are 4, 5, 6 + years old!

Lady Heather - posted on 05/10/2011

Yeah, I don't drive so the stroller will be sticking around for quite some time. I really don't want to take four hours to do the grocery shopping. I don't think my daughter needs that much exercise and it would seriously impede our ability to actually have fun. I tend to put her in the stroller to get places and treat it like the car. When we get there, she hops out and we put the bags on the seat of the stroller. She likes to push it around anyways.