Reluctant 8 Year Old

[maxiesmom]

I agree with this. If I see a child older than 6ish in a stroller I just assume they have special needs, hidden or not, and I try to remember to be thankful for my healthy children and move on with my day.

One trip I went with my sis and her family. She had one daughter that was 5 and one that was 10. They were the same size! And the 10 year old did end up in the stroller a time or two. She had been to the doctor shortly before the trip because she was in pain all of the time, and it was diagnosed that she was having horrible growing pains. So no, you don't know what is going on with the other family, and really, it shouldn't matter one whit!

Oh, and this was a girl who was already in basketball and soccer, so she wasn't lazy, which seems to be the next thing people assume.

 

[Rwsm2011]

One trip I went with my sis and her family. She had one daughter that was 5 and one that was 10. They were the same size! And the 10 year old did end up in the stroller a time or two. She had been to the doctor shortly before the trip because she was in pain all of the time, and it was diagnosed that she was having horrible growing pains. So no, you don't know what is going on with the other family, and really, it shouldn't matter one whit!

Oh, and this was a girl who was already in basketball and soccer, so she wasn't lazy, which seems to be the next thing people assume.

My son is 8 and was just diagnosed with sleep apnea. It makes him exhausted. He's very active in sports, as he participates in swim team, baseball, basketball, and soccer. However, he tires very easily by the end of the day. I don't think we'll have his apnea all figured out by the time of our next trip, as it takes months to get his next sleep study done with the CPAP. I am planning on renting a single stroller for my 5 year old and him to share. I have a feeling my 8 year old will be in the stroller more, but I'd rather he be in the stroller than complaining the whole time. Last time we went the boys were 6 & 3. The 6 year old was asleep in the stroller after the fireworks. No way would he have walked out.

 

[MagicallyMom]

My son is 8 and was just diagnosed with sleep apnea. It makes him exhausted. He's very active in sports, as he participates in swim team, baseball, basketball, and soccer. However, he tires very easily by the end of the day. I don't think we'll have his apnea all figured out by the time of our next trip, as it takes months to get his next sleep study done with the CPAP. I am planning on renting a single stroller for my 5 year old and him to share. I have a feeling my 8 year old will be in the stroller more, but I'd rather he be in the stroller than complaining the whole time. Last time we went the boys were 6 & 3. The 6 year old was asleep in the stroller after the fireworks. No way would he have walked out.

Aww man. That's the youngest sleep apnea diagnosed person I've heard of. I hope he gets to feeling right soon!

 

[Klayfish]

I would have no trouble with a stroller for an 8 year old. We did it for our twins when they were 8, same for my oldest, who is now 13...we let him use a stroller until he was 8 (he even sat in the stroller once or twice when the twins were 8 and he was 11). My kids are all year round athletes and have no disabilities. Our personal opinion, having been to WDW so many times, is that the place is huge. Over a long trip, they'll tire out if they walked every day. We'd rather them sit in a stroller and not get cranky, especially in the summer heat than force them to walk and deal with them later.

Trust me, they weren't the only kids that age we see in strollers...LOTS of kids that age and older in them, especially the WDW rental ones because they're so big.

Ask me if I care what others think of it and you can probably guess my answer. My kids, my family, my choice.

 

[VillainFavs]

I honestly feel the problem isn't older kids needing strollers. It's parents who must push kids beyond their endurance. Open to close for days on end is just too much. It's a sure way to make everyone miserable! Most of the arguments I see for using strollers for older kids have to do with, "they slow us down, they want to stop, they're dragging their feet, it's day 5 of all day and they're done, I still have more I want to see, they fall asleep too early, etc. etc. etc." So parents would rather stick the kid in a stroller and push on through. I've never understood this.

My kids were 5 and 7 on our first trip. Had never heard about strollers for older kids and never even considered them. They did fine. If they started getting tired, we took a break. If they were tired at the end of a night, we made it an early one and headed back to the hotel for down time, swimming, etc. And it was the BEST trip! Nothing beats walking hand-in-hand with a child through the park. Chatting while you walk along together. Seeing the look on their faces every time they see something new. Taking a break to just enjoy the atmosphere and have a snack. You don't get any of that with a stroller where all you see is the top of their head and can't hear them unless you're yelling at one another! You're rushing from one thing to the next because, oh, the horror if you miss something!

We've all seen plenty of meltdowns in the parks. And it's often kids who are way over-tired and parents who don't know when to take a break.

 

[MagicallyMom]

I would have no trouble with a stroller for an 8 year old. We did it for our twins when they were 8, same for my oldest, who is now 13...we let him use a stroller until he was 8 (he even sat in the stroller once or twice when the twins were 8 and he was 11). My kids are all year round athletes and have no disabilities. Our personal opinion, having been to WDW so many times, is that the place is huge. Over a long trip, they'll tire out if they walked every day. We'd rather them sit in a stroller and not get cranky, especially in the summer heat than force them to walk and deal with them later.

Trust me, they weren't the only kids that age we see in strollers...LOTS of kids that age and older in them, especially the WDW rental ones because they're so big.

Ask me if I care what others think of it and you can probably guess my answer. My kids, my family, my choice.

Well you may not care what people think, but I like you for it FWIW! *high five*

 

[MagicallyMom]

I honestly feel the problem isn't older kids needing strollers. It's parents who must push kids beyond their endurance. Open to close for days on end is just too much. It's a sure way to make everyone miserable! Most of the arguments I see for using strollers for older kids have to do with, "they slow us down, they want to stop, they're dragging their feet, it's day 5 of all day and they're done, I still have more I want to see, they fall asleep too early, etc. etc. etc." So parents would rather stick the kid in a stroller and push on through. I've never understood this.

My kids were 5 and 7 on our first trip. Had never heard about strollers for older kids and never even considered them. They did fine. If they started getting tired, we took a break. If they were tired at the end of a night, we made it an early one and headed back to the hotel for down time, swimming, etc. And it was the BEST trip! Nothing beats walking hand-in-hand with a child through the park. Chatting while you walk along together. Seeing the look on their faces every time they see something new. Taking a break to just enjoy the atmosphere and have a snack. You don't get any of that with a stroller where all you see is the top of their head and can't hear them unless you're yelling at one another! You're rushing from one thing to the next because, oh, the horror if you miss something!

We've all seen plenty of meltdowns in the parks. And it's often kids who are way over-tired and parents who don't know when to take a break.

You know what, I think you've hit the nail right on the head. That's probably the real question: what are dead giveaways your kids need a break?

I'm gonna make a new thread right meow!

 

[DisneyChris2016]

Just because she asked for a stroller doesn't necessarily mean she's going to want one when the time comes. Some kids are just creatures of habit... if she had a stroller last time she went to DW, she may think she wants one again so it will be "the same". That's how my kids were.

The first time we went to DW, my kids were 4, 6 and 8. We brought a sit and stand stroller, and they all ended up taking turns in it. The next time we went, they were 6, 8 and 11. We weren't planning to use a stroller, but ended up renting one from Kingdom Strollers and needed it because my 6 year old was recovering from a bad cold and didn't have the energy to keep up with her siblings. A lot of people say just take it at the kids' pace, but when you have multiple kids, that doesn't always make sense. The stroller allowed us to keep going and no one got exhausted (and I didn't find pushing it to be tiring at all, but maybe that's just me). It doesn't sound like your 8 year old has any particular reason for needing a stroller, so of course, it makes sense to encourage her to walk. But at the end of the day (or the night), do what works for you and have a great vacation!

 

[Dakota731]

My four year old twins walked their first trip and we went from early opening to fireworks in the heat of May! We had no issues and no complaints, and it was so nice not to have to maneuver a double stroller. Unless your child has a medical issue I wouldn't see a problem. Remember there are plenty of shows to rest plus we always did a table service meal as well.

 

[hereyago]

I would tell her to get a dog walking job or something to pay someone to come an push her because it wouldn't be me. lol

 

[2disneyboys]

Can I just be honest here & say that there are days I wish I COULD RIDE in the stroller @ WDW? #truth

I love the suggestions about getting them a Fitbit & setting up challenges & "training"... my youngest DS would have gone for this option. My older DS would have gone for the "if I don't spend it on a stroller, you get it for souvie's" as his motivator. My point is find your child's motivator and incentivize it.

My experiences? Other then when I was pregnant, our children's first trip to Disney was in 2003, when DS#1 was 7, DS#2, was 3 and I also had my younger sister (8) and younger brother (7) with me & DH (Lol, we looked liked we had triplets & a baby). We took an umbrella stroller. Sometimes it was empty, sometimes, it had a kid in it. We have been on several other trips with all 4 and just our 2, and didn't have a stroller. We just took it slow and took breaks. Go with what works for your family and don't feel the need to justify or explain it. Have a great trip

 

[MagicallyMom]

Oh, when I did the parks last time I was over 300 pounds and I totally get being wiped out! (I've lost 112 pounds now, so this next go should be easier for me). But yeah, EVERYONE needs a break sometimes. If she wants a turn in the stroller we'll inevitably have for the baby so we can roll her to the next fast pass or show, well. Or we can break with a bottle of water and a nice sitting spot. Whatever. I'm good with easy; it's my vacation, too!

 

[Dinohood]

take is slow most of the time it is rush here rush there no wonder people have melt downs even adults because of rushing and time problems of lunch at this time but right after that the ride that is on the side of park. i'm grown with on problems ok under weight which is bad for my heart but other then that ok don't work out but even then i take breaks you can see things you have not seen with breaks like shows

 

[Always_Dreaming]

We bring our double stroller which is a sit and stand. It allows our 8yo to rest his legs during down time or pull the shade over his eyes if he's feeling hot. Plus we can throw stuff in the storage compartment. Plus our toddler naps in it.

 

[JoyAhead]

Just a mom of two wanting to toss out another idea. Do you ever babywear the toddler? If so, you could let the 8 year old take a rest and ride and stick the baby in your baby carrier for a little while. I personally babywear our toddler with a toddler tula, but there are several carriers that will hold a toddler. If you don't have one, but are interested, most areas have a babywearing international group where you can rent a baby carrier for free for up to a month. Ours is affiliated with our local library. Just FYI. I personally think that if the kiddo needs a rest, and giving her a rest will improve the quality of your trip, then do it if you can.

 

[verleniahall]

Im an adult and at the end of the day want someone to push ME to the bus or the TTC/ferry, whatever - let alone an 8yr old who is taking 2-3 steps for every one of my strides - i would just plan for the double stroller - rememebr that disney is different than the usual walking - 10,000 steps is LOW for a day of walking aroudn teh parks

 

[Deb & Bill]

Will you have another adult with you? Would a pediatric transport chair better suit her size than a stroller?

Only if she is unable to walk because of a disability. Those shouldn't be used for anyone who just doesn't want to walk.

 

[imBryan]

If you're staying on Disney property where parking and driving aren't an issue, I'd suggest maybe getting going back to the hotel at noon to rest or take a nap, if being tired and worn out is a big concern. It might seem like a waste of money to take a rest when you could be maximizing your time in the park, but it's already going to make your trip less efficient to have to push around a stroller and park it every time you want to go on a ride. And I think a lot of times the things that cause kids to meltdown are parents pushing them to go at this frantic pace, and maybe that's what she's anticipating? I have no idea, just some thoughts.

 

[MagicallyMom]

Just a mom of two wanting to toss out another idea. Do you ever babywear the toddler? If so, you could let the 8 year old take a rest and ride and stick the baby in your baby carrier for a little while. I personally babywear our toddler with a toddler tula, but there are several carriers that will hold a toddler. If you don't have one, but are interested, most areas have a babywearing international group where you can rent a baby carrier for free for up to a month. Ours is affiliated with our local library. Just FYI. I personally think that if the kiddo needs a rest, and giving her a rest will improve the quality of your trip, then do it if you can.

Toddler is nothing but worn right now, in the fancy carrier called "my uterus!" LOL.

I wore my first baby in a mambi wrap and then an ergo, and I'm pretty sure I'll still be packing the 14 month old LO in an ergo when we go. I loved that thing!

I like your plan.

 

[VillainFavs]

Wait a minute. So the 14-month-old you're talking about isn't even born yet? So the trip you're asking about is a year and a half from now??? Your 8-year-old asking for the stroller is only what, maybe 6?

She can't see a year and a half into the future! You're basing what you'll need then on her request today??? Ask her again before the trip. Chances are she'll have changed her mind 1000 times by then!

Or am I totally misunderstanding that last post?