Stroller for 8 yr. old? Which one?

[Granny square]

Lol, have a nice day. Maybe you can find some other person dying for your inspirational input!

 

[TinkNH]

This exactly. If the poster had said her child was special needs and needed a stroller no one would bat an eye and this conversation wouldn't be happening. However that's not the case. She wants a stroller for an older, bigger child who is healthy and might whine. Huge difference! And again I stand by my stance that if I see a kid shoved into a too small stroller, hunched over and miserable I'm gonna chuckle. I do a lot of people-watching when I go to Disney. Best entertainment anywhere.

She did not indicate if her child had any disability or other issues and frankly she shouldn't HAVE TO. Her question was about what stroller could she rent for a child of certain size. Not everyone who has children with certain issues wants or needs to broadcast them all over the internet.

 

[mad madam mim78]

I miss George Carlin. He didn't give a crap. He told it like it is. And for the most part he was right.
It's on YouTube if anyone would like to hear it. George carlin talks about children.

 

[sheilanne]

This just hurts my heart. My daughter will be almost 6 when we take to WDW for the first time in a few months. We'll take the stroller and if she needs it, we'll use it. You wouldn't be able to tell by looking at her that she has a neuromuscular disorder and some sensory issues. She's not a complainer at all and she has learned that she just can't keep up and that's who she is, so it wouldn't bother her to have to use a stroller when she got tired. It would upset her if someone said something hateful or laughed at her when she didn't understand why...and really there is no understanding why someone would do that to a child.

I guess what bothers me the most about the above statements is that you say you have no problem for a disabled/special needs child to use a stroller...yet the first statement you and your son would laugh and snicker at seeing a bigger child in a stroller.
So it really doesn't matter who you laugh at...a normal child or a special needs child? Because if you can't tell by looking at a child that their brain doesn't allow their muscles to work normally...then how do you decide who to laugh at and who not.

I agree with you completely, what criteria justifies laughing at any child? We have created a sad Society when adults will laugh at children!!!

 

[Nayan]

She did not indicate if her child had any disability or other issues and frankly she shouldn't HAVE TO. Her question was about what stroller could she rent for a child of certain size. Not everyone who has children with certain issues wants or needs to broadcast them all over the internet.

She said her child whines and complains if she is uncomfortable or tired. *I* whine and complain if I'm tired or uncomfortable! She also said it's her only option to carry a stroller on and off buses because her child whines and complains. So when her daughter is in her teen years and whines and complains is she going to get her way every time? Seems to be working so far .

 

[Nayan]

I miss George Carlin. He didn't give a crap. He told it like it is. And for the most part he was right.
It's on YouTube if anyone would like to hear it. George Carlin talks about children.

I loved him and I agree with him 100%!

 

[TinkNH]

She said her child whines and complains if she is uncomfortable or tired. *I* whine and complain if I'm tired or uncomfortable! She also said it's her only option to carry a stroller on and off buses because her child whines and complains. So when her daughter is in her teen years and whines and complains is she going to get her way every time? Seems to be working so far .

Which may very well be true, but did you speak to her? There may be other issues at play that you have NO idea about. and we are talking about someone who was quite new to the DIS, so to be treated the way she was in this thread...frankly it disgusts me.

I have a daughter who has some sensory issues, something many people do not understand and that can cause her to have meltdowns and behave in ways that other kids her age would not. You have no idea what sort of issues someone has unless you can take their place for a day, so you have no right to judge. period
If renting a stroller to avoid a meltdown or behavior that would potentially ruin a family vacation helps someone whos kid has some issues, whos business is it what age the child is who needs it???

Its also one thing for ME to tease my own kid when she sat in the stroller a total different issue if a stranger DARES to comment. Its no one elses business.

and I would much rather raise a whiny teenager than one who thinks its ok to laugh and mock other people. Better a whiner than a bully.

 

[Schmeck]

Its also one thing for ME to tease my own kid when she sat in the stroller a total different issue if a stranger DARES to comment. Its no one elses business.

and I would much rather raise a whiny teenager than one who thinks its ok to laugh and mock other people. Better a whiner than a bully.

Better to be neither, actually. Whining is pretty much a subversive version of bullying - if the whiner complains enough, people will do anything to get the whiner to stop. Bullies work the same way.

Also, if you post a question on an internet site, then it becomes someone else's business, pretty much immediately, doesn't it?

 

[Schmeck]

Conversations flow. Is there a rule here that people can only answer the op?

It's much more helpful if you quote the response, especially if multiple fronds are developing.

 

[SaraJayne]

Which may very well be true, but did you speak to her? There may be other issues at play that you have NO idea about. and we are talking about someone who was quite new to the DIS, so to be treated the way she was in this thread...frankly it disgusts me.

I have a daughter who has some sensory issues, something many people do not understand and that can cause her to have meltdowns and behave in ways that other kids her age would not. You have no idea what sort of issues someone has unless you can take their place for a day, so you have no right to judge. period
If renting a stroller to avoid a meltdown or behavior that would potentially ruin a family vacation helps someone whos kid has some issues, whos business is it what age the child is who needs it???

Its also one thing for ME to tease my own kid when she sat in the stroller a total different issue if a stranger DARES to comment. Its no one elses business.

and I would much rather raise a whiny teenager than one who thinks its ok to laugh and mock other people. Better a whiner than a bully.

If you wish to keep it no one else's business, then you don't start a thread about it on a message board.

 

[Maggie'sMom]

Its also one thing for ME to tease my own kid when she sat in the stroller a total different issue if a stranger DARES to comment. Its no one elses business.

and I would much rather raise a whiny teenager than one who thinks its ok to laugh and mock other people. Better a whiner than a bully.

Unfortunately there are many people that feel free to comment at WDW when they know nothing about your child or the situation. My DD has bipolar disorder, ADHD, and sensory problems. Our last night of our last trip, she had a mini-mood episode. Nothing even close to as bad as she could be, and given the situation that preceded the mood episode, she was remarkably well-controlled. But she did let out one loud cry/scream to vent some emotion. While I had her off to the side, working through our calming techniques, one "gentleman" decided to make a rude comment to us. Luckily DD was concentrated on me and didn't pick up on what this guy said. My momma bear instinct started to flare, but I knew I just needed to ignore the comment. But for me, it really tainting the ending to our last night of what was otherwise a really wonderful trip. So be prepared with a thick skin and tune out the rudeness.

In regards to the stroller issues, there are definitely 8 year olds with hidden disabilities that need them. I would never laugh at an older child in a stroller or make a comment about it to the parent or child. But I do believe that a parent shouldn't plan on allowing a healthy 8 yo to ride in a stroller just because they might whine about being tired. Adjust your touring style to accommodate your child. My DD does have low muscle tone, but she was 8 on our last trip and did fine without a stroller. We took more breaks and made sure to make it back to the resort early most nights, and I never heard DD once complain of being tired. I was definitely having more problems than her with all the walking.

 

[Nayan]

Everybody is quick to throw out the 'special needs' card. That's not what we're talking about. We're talking about a normal, healthy 8 year old who might whine and complain. It's sad to me that a parent would rather give in so that little Johnny or Susie can be placated instead of telling them what should be expected of them behavior-wise. If my son was getting worn out, we either quit for the day or we took a nice long break but there was no way he was riding in a stroller. If you're schedule is going to be that commando then maybe you should change it. Yes it's a vacation, yes it's costs tonage of money to go but if you are that worried about your kid whining and complaining then step up as a parent and lay down the law. Again we are talking about healthy kids, not special needs.

 

[AZMermaid]

That goes against everything anyone with a disability has fought for. They don't have the short buses pick up the disabled kids for school anymore for a reason.

They do in my district. The smaller buses have the equipment needed to transport the kids- the big buses don't.

 

[TinkNH]

Also, if you post a question on an internet site, then it becomes someone else's business, pretty much immediately, doesn't it?

which is why it is wrong to assume you know the whole story.

and yeah I still think i would rather have a teen that whines at me, which I can deal with than one who makes fun of others

If you wish to keep it no one else's business, then you don't start a thread about it on a message board.

the OP just asked a simple question about stroller size, not for commentary on her parenting choices, or people to make assumptions.



I really like the DIS but I am seriously appalled that some people cant seem to comprehend how their negativity, judgmental tone, and in some cases outright rudeness in response to a simple question posted by a relative newcomer to the board is just so wrong.

If you cant respond with something nice, or at least an actual answer to the question, why respond at all?

 

[maxiesmom]

If my son was getting worn out, we either quit for the day or we took a nice long break but there was no way he was riding in a stroller. If you're schedule is going to be that commando then maybe you should change it. Yes it's a vacation, yes it's costs tonage of money to go but if you are that worried about your kid whining and complaining then step up as a parent and lay down the law. Again we are talking about healthy kids, not special needs.

Maybe not every parent wants to "lay down the law" while they are on vacation. Maybe they don't see the big deal in allowing their child to use a stroller, instead of forcing break time on everyone.

It is great that when your son gets worn out that you quit for the day. Not everyone finds that a good choice. Your child your decision. But everyone gets to decide for themselves how to tour the parks and at what pace. Your way is not the only way, the "right" way. Every family gets to decide what is right for themselves.

 

[jujube]

which is why it is wrong to assume you know the whole story.

and yeah I still think i would rather have a teen that whines at me, which I can deal with than one who makes fun of others



the OP just asked a simple question about stroller size, not for commentary on her parenting choices, or people to make assumptions.



I really like the DIS but I am seriously appalled that some people cant seem to comprehend how their negativity, judgmental tone, and in some cases outright rudeness in response to a simple question posted by a relative newcomer to the board is just so wrong.

If you cant respond with something nice, or at least an actual answer to the question, why respond at all?

I think it's pretty rude and judgmental to tell people how and what they should post. We've all been bitten when innocently asking a WDW question. The first time,

. After that, it's like you've been through the initiation process and you deal with it.

 

[SaraJayne]

which is why it is wrong to assume you know the whole story.

and yeah I still think i would rather have a teen that whines at me, which I can deal with than one who makes fun of others

the OP just asked a simple question about stroller size, not for commentary on her parenting choices, or people to make assumptions.

I really like the DIS but I am seriously appalled that some people cant seem to comprehend how their negativity, judgmental tone, and in some cases outright rudeness in response to a simple question posted by a relative newcomer to the board is just so wrong.

If you cant respond with something nice, or at least an actual answer to the question, why respond at all?

Many people did answer the question by saying her 8 year old would not fit in a stroller designed for a toddler.

 

[Mariep26]

I haven't read through the whole thread but it does seem that the options for an 8 year old are limited without finding something geared towards special needs.
Personally I alter my touring plan to accommodate what my kids can handle. We went in March with just my DS3 and DD2 and did a double stroller. For our December trip we are renting two single strollers. Next year we will rent a single stroller to have available if needed and then we won't be renting any unless we have more kids. We don't always have my stepson (8) with us but when he does come, I know that it can be a long day for him so I take that into consideration in my planning. I did see some other good suggestions here around prepping with walking before the trip etc... Good luck!

 

[naomi78155]

I have a baby jogger with a weight limit of 70lbs. I use it for my one year old, but on very long walks, my five year old has sat in it while holding her brother in her lap. They have a combined weight of 65lbs and it pushes fine.

 

[calnmace]

I used a stroller for my 7 year old last month, and I thank God I had it. Last time we did without one and I feel like we didnt get as much done, she was dragging herself around. She got tired and cranky. Every child is different. This isnt a trip to the mall, its Disney. We use a Peg Perego Aria. Works great, lightweight and we liked having the basket to put stuff underneath. My daughter wanted to ride in it and we saw plenty of kids bigger than her in the rental strollers. Have a great trip