How old is too old for a stroller?
By katsmeow1213
@katsmeow1213 (28716)
United States
June 7, 2009 7:25am CST
Are you the type of parent who lets your 4 or 5 year old ride around in a stroller?
Or are you like me and think it's ridiculous that a child of that age is sitting in a stroller they're obviously too big for?
At what age would you stop putting your kid in a stroller?
My family loves to walk. We can spend an entire day non-stop walking, and my kids don't care, they're used to walking.
Right now we do use a double stroller. My 16 month old doesn't do too much walking (he's still going off in his own direction). My 3 year old (turning 3 in a couple weeks) does like to walk, and can walk a mile or so, even at our pace, but that's about his limit right now, so when we go for really long walks, or plan on being on our feet all day, we make sure he's got his spot in the stroller!
I do have a single stroller that I'd like to start using soon because my double stroller is on it's last legs (due to how much it's used!). I'm just waiting until the end of summer. I know we'll be doing a lot of things this summer, especially the fair in August, that requires us to be on our feet all day and my 3 year old might not be ready for that.
When did you stop using a stroller?
3 people like this
20 responses
@lilybug (21107)
• United States
7 Jun 09
I rarely used a stroller with either of my kids. We were at the mall yesterday for 3 hours and my daughter walked the whole time. If we are going to the zoo then I might still bring her stroller. Once when she was there she was in a stroller and once she was not. I think about 3 is a good age for people who do use them though.
1 person likes this
@katsmeow1213 (28716)
• United States
7 Jun 09
I remember I had the leashes for the twins, because they would run off like crazy. Aydan's good, he'll stand there and hold my hand, no problem at all. He actually gets panicky if he's not holding someone's hand. But I'm seriously thinking of getting Mathieu a leash, he's impossible if he's not in his stroller.
1 person likes this
@ravinskye (8237)
• United States
7 Jun 09
I think they were around 2 or 3 when they stopped because then the next sibling came along and we needed it for them. We had two single ones for awhile so we used them both if we went on all day things so if the older one got tired they could ride for awhile. We don't do a lot of all day walking so I think we'll probably invest in a wagon or something for them to rest in.
1 person likes this
@mommyboo (13174)
• United States
8 Jun 09
See, it works fine to have the kids walk if you don't mind walking SLOW. Two and three year olds are small and don't move very fast (unless you are trying to keep them in one area, then they are lightning fast). I used to keep a stroller in the trunk just to have something to use to pick up the pace when it slowed down to a crawl because every few steps my daughter wanted to look at something or TOUCH it... argh.
She wasn't bad to carry when she was two because she's still relatively light, but now I hardly ever carry her, she won't let me.
1 person likes this
@katsmeow1213 (28716)
• United States
7 Jun 09
I had a wagon for the twins, actually I still have it but now it's more of a yard toy, lol. I certainly wasn't crazy about it. Pulling it along was a chore, and it's so big and bulky I couldn't fit much else in the back of the van aside from the wagon. At least the double stroller folds down smaller and I can put things on top of it and around it.
Although we prefered just getting the kids used to the walking, since we do so much of it.
1 person likes this
@Sillychick (3275)
• United States
7 Jun 09
My son is 2 1/2 and the only time I use a stroller is when we are going to be doing a lot of walking, like going to the zoo. Other than that, it rarely comes out. I don't think it is necessary for kids older than 3 or 4 to be in a stroller except in rare occasions when you are at a zoo or amusement park and they would be worn out. In that case, I'd bring the stroller, but let him walk when he wants, and when he's tired let him ride.
1 person likes this
@katsmeow1213 (28716)
• United States
7 Jun 09
I agree, that's what we do with my almost 3 year old. Unless we're walking around the city where there are streets, in those cases we make him stay in the stroller because it's easier to keep him safe (because then I have to keep my eyes on my 6 year old twins). But if we're at the park or zoo or someplace I will let him walk as much as he can.
1 person likes this
@se7enthbird (8307)
• Philippines
7 Jun 09
i have a three year old son and he still uses the stroller. we still bring it even sometimes he prefers walking with us. we bring that in case he feels sleepy or when he is asleep. it is not easy to carry him on my shoulders for he is really heavy. i will still bring the stroller until maybe when he is five to six years old. i want him to sleep nicely even out doors. some says he is big for that already but i still bring it in case. if he wont use it then my wife can put the things we bought so we wont have hard time carrying it.
@katsmeow1213 (28716)
• United States
7 Jun 09
I think 5 or 6 is certainly too old. Most strollers aren't made to support that much weight! But I do enjoy having mine for carrying bags and other things so my arms are empty. I will miss having it once my kids are too old.
1 person likes this
@chickiepie (42)
• United States
8 Jun 09
I think that it's okay for a child up to 3 years old to be in a stroller. A child 4 and up whom can walk good distances and handle it shouldn't be in one.
1 person likes this
@thinkingoutloud (6127)
• Canada
7 Jun 09
I think both of my girls were around 3, 3 1/2, when they stopped using the stroller regularly. I have to admit too that, by that age, a lot of the time the stroller was for MY convenience. If I had to walk to the store, for example, sometimes I simply didn't have enough time for the slower pace, "stop and look at this, stop and look at that" of walking with a little one. Both of my girls loved to walk and we'd take strolls around the neighborhood often and really take our time. But, if I had to get something for dinner or ran out of milk, I'd often pop them in the stroller and really move, you know?
I actually had a harder time getting my MOM to stop putting them in a stroller. She wanted to use it all the time - I think it was because she felt more in control of them if she could sit them down on the way to the park or wherever. I didn't begrudge her that at all (because she was the best babysitter I ever could have asked for!) -- but I eventually had to take back the stroller so they would get more exercise and become good walkers. Grandma did have a teensy bit of a problem letting them grow up... she really dug the baby years ;)
@thinkingoutloud (6127)
• Canada
9 Jun 09
Thank you very much! :)))) I know what you mean about walking with a friend, too... when I had just my first daughter, a friend and I would walk together a few times a week for exercise and also for some actual adult conversation LOL There was a fair distance between our houses, though, so by the time one of us would walk to meet up with the other, one of the kids was already getting tired of walking. So we learned that didn't work so well :\ We always used the strollers. Both her son and my daughter were about 2 1/2 at that time. She used to laugh at me, though, because if it was my turn to get home first, I'd put my daughter down out of the stroller and I'd instantly be yelling "WE GOT A RUNNER!" lol She never ran away from me anywhere else but, once she was home, she was always anxious to get out and "do something" lol
@katsmeow1213 (28716)
• United States
8 Jun 09
Grandma's can be like that. I understand what you mean though. There are times I let my 3 year old just walk, and sometimes I'd rather he be in the stroller for my own convenience. Sometimes it's just because we're near busy streets, etc. Sometimes I go for a walk with a friend and she and I spend that time just chatting and not paying attention to anything other than the conversation, so I'd rather he be in the stroller so I can just visit with my friend and not have to keep checking on where he is.
1 person likes this
@dreamr802 (985)
• United States
7 Jun 09
I don't know how old my kids will be allowed to stay in the stroller. I bet like when they are 4 or 5 I will still use a stroller but when we are out and about all day where they might get tired like say at a zoo or amusement park.
1 person likes this
@4ofmyown (1119)
• United States
8 Jun 09
I think all my kids were right around 3 or 3 1/2 when they stopped riding in the stroller. Like you said, if we were going somewhere that we would be doing alot of walking, like all day, then even my 4 year old was in the stroller. But, just for an outing, they would walk. Quick story....4 years ago this fall is when Hurricane Wilma hit where we live. My 4 kids were ages 7, 6, 6, 5. I had 2 double strollers that I had from when they were all really little and had just never gotten rid of them. Because we had no access to gas, when the grocery store finally got some power we had to walk to save what gas we did have. So, we put all the kids int he 2 strollers and walked there. They had a blast and my husband and I almost had heart attacks pushing the kids because they were so big.
@katsmeow1213 (28716)
• United States
8 Jun 09
My older 3 are so used to walking, that I don't think there's any distance they couldn't handle. Some weeks we'll go to this park where there is a 4 mile long trail and we'll just walk it. Last weekend we went hiking, and it took us 3 hours, we spent all that time on our feet just walking and climbing. Even the 3 year old because we couldn't bring the stroller on the trail.
But like I said, we're used to it because these are the sorts of things we do for fun, especially when we're broke!
@kmaram (2533)
• Philippines
7 Jun 09
I have 19 months old daughter and she was not using stroller anymore. She stop using it just recently, she likes to walk than to sit on a stroller for many hours. I think 3 years old and beyond should stop using stroller because they are too old for that ...
1 person likes this
@katsmeow1213 (28716)
• United States
8 Jun 09
I think that's too young... what if you're going for a 4 mile walk? That's probably close to 10 kilometers.. would you let a 2 year old walk that far? My 3 year old can't do that yet, and we go for lots of long walks.
1 person likes this
@tkwt96r (28)
• United States
7 Jun 09
I stopped using a stroller when I was 3. My parents took it from me and I had to walk everywhere with them. Naturally I would get tired and would be carried if I couldn't walk. That's what my father told me. My parents used to take me on daily walks around our neighborhood. I can still remember some of the daily walking. It was nice it was a time to unwind. My family stopped taking walks when I was 12.
@lingli_78 (12822)
• Australia
8 Jun 09
i don't have a baby yet... but i think if i have one in the future, i will only put him/her on the stroller until maximum 3 years old... after that, i will ask them to walk... i think after 3 years old, a child is already too big to be put on a stroller... take care and have a nice day...
@littleone3 (2063)
•
8 Jun 09
With my four eldest children I stopped using the stroller at about the age of three as they were all happy to walk.
With my youngest who turned 3 last month we stopped using the stroller just after Christmas which was his choice as he just loves to walk and will walk for miles with out a complaint.
I have to agree that I think 4 or 5 is too old for a child to be in a stroller.
@graceandowen (1637)
•
8 Jun 09
My youngest child has just turned 3 and walks almost everywhere, there are some occasions when he will still need his pushchair tho and i do take it along on long journeys for example we took it to the zoo last week, and he ended up getting in it about 2 hours after our arrival as his legs were getting tired from the walking.
In my opinion 3 years old is still young and childrens little legs sometimes cannot cope with long walks etc.
There are obviously some other cases where pushchairs are needed for more medical reasons.
My 4 year old daughter has sleep apnoea, and altho this doesnt affect her ability to walk she sometimes tires during the day through lack of sleep in the night and will often jump into the pushchair if my son is walking. I dont see this as a problem and the people who do need to mind their own business in my eyes. Whats wrong with a child having a little rest from walking now and again
thanks
lucy x
@mommyboo (13174)
• United States
8 Jun 09
FOr the most part I stopped using a stroller when my daughter would no longer stay in it. She was three when she started getting out of it all the time. I DO still put her in the grocery cart seat often, unless I am not on any sort of time crunch or I go in a store for 5 items or less. She is five now and I don't even keep a stroller in the trunk any more.
I think it really depends on the type of kid you have. Some kids are 'stroller' kids, they will sit in one from birth till you toss the thing in the trash. Others don't want anything to do with a stroller as soon as they can walk, and I've seen 8 month olds walking. It didn't do me much good when my daughter turned up her nose at her stroller, that meant my mall walking had to end because she couldn't walk as fast as me lol.
@lelin1123 (15595)
• Puerto Rico
8 Jun 09
My granddaughter is 3 and she has hardly ever been in a stroller. If she is shopping there are times she wants to walk or push the cart. Other times she sits in the cart. She just went to the zoo a week ago and her parents did not take a stroller. She walked the zoo holding her parents hangs and was only picked up by her Father when she couldn't see something. As for my 2 girls growing up I believe I got rid of the stroller before 2 years of age.
@tunafish69 (54)
• United States
8 Jun 09
Well, when my mother stopped putting me in a stroller I was 3. The only time she let me use the stroller was when we went on very long walks just to take breaks, but my Dad never really wanted me to use the stroller after 3.
This is just ear say from my parents though, I only really have memories from age 5 + lol :D
Other than that, ya, I would keep your son off the stroller unless you'll be doing ridiculously long walks.
