Stroller for 5-year-old??

[Sarahsal]

I don't want to get in on the debate, but as I read about 10 and 11 year olds riding in strollers, I keep wondering how big these children are. (I didn't read the whole thread, so if I missed this issue please skip to the next post with my apologies.) My 10 year old is 5'3'', and when my older one was 11 she was 5'5". I just can't see from a logistical point of view how I would have ever pushed them in a stroller at these ages. I am not questioning anyone's right to do so, please no flames, I just am having a hard time grasping this concept. And to the OP, we took an umbrella stroller when my dds were 5 for Epcot and in the evenings in the other parks, in case they pooped out. That was the last year, though. I did miss having somewhere to put my stuff!

 

[GC&S]

My mom's attitude with me was this: if you want to get somewhere, you walk, and if you don't want to walk, then I guess you're not going. If you want to drink, drink out of a cup, (soda) bottle, or can, because the baby bottle is gone and we don't do sippy cups. If you want to sleep, there's the big girls bed, and the crib is gone. If kids have no other choice, they do what they need to do, and adjust. That's real life.

wizard:

Wow. I never thought about teaching my dd the reality of life at age 3; especially at WDW (because meeting a giant mouse doesn't set a good example for real life). Your post comes off very cold. I won't force my dd to grow up quickly - so if using a stroller when they are 5 seems babyish or coddling, then so be it. I also hug my child when she cries. I know that doesn't set a great example for real life (no one hugs me at work!!). But I love letting her be a child.

We used a stroller for dd in Sept (she was 4). But we really only used it at the MK and Epcot. It was wonderful at the end of a busy day. We will probably rent one next time. But it was also nice to have at the airport-especially when we had to sprint for our connecting flight. And running with carryon luggage and trying to carry a small child -well that's just a reality of life I wasn't ready to face!!

 

[marconat]

I've read on the Dis that a lot of people get annoyed to see older kids (6-10) in strollers, but my kids 6 and 10 now, will need a stroller for sure... walking all those miles gets to their legs... my daughter (6) gets very sore legs if she does a lot of walking or activities during the day enough so that she will cry at night that her legs hurt... so a stroller is the way to go...

 

[maxiesmom]

I don't want to get in on the debate, but as I read about 10 and 11 year olds riding in strollers, I keep wondering how big these children are. (I didn't read the whole thread, so if I missed this issue please skip to the next post with my apologies.) My 10 year old is 5'3'', and when my older one was 11 she was 5'5". I just can't see from a logistical point of view how I would have ever pushed them in a stroller at these ages. I am not questioning anyone's right to do so, please no flames, I just am having a hard time grasping this concept. And to the OP, we took an umbrella stroller when my dds were 5 for Epcot and in the evenings in the other parks, in case they pooped out. That was the last year, though. I did miss having somewhere to put my stuff!

In our case, my nieces are 11 and 6. And they are the same size! My sis is 5 foot 4, her hubby 6 foot 3. So the younger takes after dad, the older after mom. We rented a double stroller when we were in Epcot, and they both could comfortably fit in it. You know, except for the "she is touch me" thing. It worked well for us. And I really didn't worry about what others thought.

 

[marconat]

Hooray for you stoic sorts who are teaching your kids those "tough lessons" while on a family vacation.

We rented a double stroller for our kids - 9, 7 and 5 - every day of vacation last year. They didn't ride in it all the time, but I was so grateful for it.

It gave us a place to keep jackets, water bottles, souveniers, etc. And it also let those with with waning energy rest while those of us who wanted to see more could. Some make the point that if kids are tired you should go back to your room and rest...or sit on a bench. Why? What good reason could there possibly be for not letting them rest in a stroller so the whole family can enjoy a whole day at the parks.

I guess I couldn't see the harm my husband and I - imperfect parents that we are - did when we wheeled our kids (fat, lazy and stressed-out?) through the parks. Our kids were laughing so much and having so much fun I didn't realize the harm I was doing.

I'll know better next time...they'll walk 20 miles or its a "time-out" on the bench or in the hotel room for them.


ha! ha! good one, I'll fallow also, I'm such a bad mother for letting them ride in a stroler.... bad me!!!!!

 

[cleo]

Good parents, your 10 mile hike begins now. Bad parents, get in line for strollers and 20 lashes.

The OP wanted to know if her 5 year old might need a stroller, not whether or not her family should start learning life lessons or if her child should be stroller free 5 years from now.

So....we're done. But please feel free to continue the debate about the effects of stroller use on college students and young professionals over on the Community Board.