Stroller for 8 yr. old? Which one?

[jacksmom]

We did take a umbrella stroller for dd (5) turning 6 (she is very small) Dt we are theme park comandos and were worried she would get tired, but she never needed it, so it was a wasted of time and packing!

 

[Deb & Bill]

...I can see it now: the 'my first date' stroller so parents can push their high schooler and chaperone at the same time. Awesome.

Order it in your child's potential college colors for that senior year visit!!

 

[Happiest mommy]

jeez enough already....

 

[luvmy3]

Order it in your child's potential college colors for that senior year visit!!

jeez enough already....

If you want the thread to end why would you post some comment 2+ hours after the last post? This is the second time you did it, if you don't comment the thread won't be brought back up to the top, and it may just make it to the depths of page 2. Nobody goes there

Ooops, guess I just put it back up top.

 

[disneymarie]

You're going to push your 60 pound 8 year old around WDW in a stroller because she complains about being tired and uncomfortable? Yikes. Have fun with that.

I push my tween in a wheelchair because of stamina and leg issues, she is more then 60. Dgs is 58, we rent the city line light or bring our McClaren. Rather have them rested and not have to insist on leaving early.

How wonderful for the parents who have kids without stamina issues or health problems. I would carry my kids if I had to for their enjoyment, not my tiring to push a stroller or chair.

 

[Nancyg56]

I push my tween in a wheelchair because of stamina and leg issues, she is more then 60. Dgs is 58, we rent the city line light or bring our McClaren. Rather have them rested and not have to insist on leaving early.

How wonderful for the parents who have kids without stamina issues or health problems. I would carry my kids if I had to for their enjoyment, not my tiring to push a stroller or chair.

I have to say that while I do not care if you or any other parent pushes a healthy tween around in a stroller,and I really don't, I do not understand it. My DGD is 11 and honestly, if she was too tired to walk around the parks and needed a stroller I would have to wonder what was wrong. Now I am not talking about a physical issue that requires a wheelchair or stroller. I am saying that if 10 or 11 or 12 year old child who has no health issues does not have the stamina to walk in a theme park then that child needs more exercise.

ETA- I believe that most parents would walk through fire for their children. I also would carry my DGD if there was a reason that she was not able to enjoy a vacation without assistance. I would never indulge her if she just decided that her pretty little legs were to tired to walk. We would take a rest and off we would go. Best way to ensure that kids end up needing help is to let them atrophy.

 

[luvmy3]

I push my tween in a wheelchair because of stamina and leg issues, she is more then 60. Dgs is 58, we rent the city line light or bring our McClaren. Rather have them rested and not have to insist on leaving early.

How wonderful for the parents who have kids without stamina issues or health problems. I would carry my kids if I had to for their enjoyment, not my tiring to push a stroller or chair.

I'd carry my kids if I had to because of a medical or health reason, however I wouldn't carry them or push them in a stroller just because they are too tired and I want them "rested" so they can enjoy the park without insisting on leaving early.

 

[ImAllEars]

I have to say that while I do not care if you or any other parent pushes a healthy tween around in a stroller,and I really don't, I do not understand it. My DGD is 11 and honestly, if she was too tired to walk around the parks and needed a stroller I would have to wonder what was wrong. Now I am not talking about a physical issue that requires a wheelchair or stroller. I am saying that if 10 or 11 or 12 year old child who has no health issues does not have the stamina to walk in a theme park then that child needs more exercise.

ETA- I believe that most parents would walk through fire for their children. I also would carry my DGD if there was a reason that she was not able to enjoy a vacation without assistance. I would never indulge her if she just decided that her pretty little legs were to tired to walk. We would take a rest and off we would go. Best way to ensure that kids end up needing help is to let them atrophy.

Bravo! Well said...

 

[Nancyg56]

I'd carry my kids if I had to because of a medical or health reason, however I wouldn't carry them or push them in a stroller just because they are too tired and I want them "rested" so they can enjoy the park without insisting on leaving early.

Oh. they would rest alright! Years ago we took a family trip to Disney. My DD was overweight and honestly she had a very hard time with all of the walking. She was terribly grouchy and on our next trip my DSIL told me that if I would not go with them he was not going either. But my DD knew that she needed to diet and exercise in order to take on Disney and she had done that. Of course we are talking about adults but I believe that the same thing holds true for these tweens that some parents are talking about.
The only reason a parent would need to rent a chair or stroller for a healthy tween is because there is a stamina problem. If your child cannot walk they it is important to help your child exercise. It is not a good idea to compound the problem by "carrying" your tired 60 pound 12 YO.

Again, I don't care and I really do not pay attention to what other families are doing so if as a parent you are comfortable with how your choices, go for it. I know that after watching my own adult DD struggle that trip I would never do anything that would send my DGD in that direction.

 

[Nancyg56]

Bravo! Well said...

Thank you! In our school system the children have to meet certain standard in gym class. My DGD is one of the youngest in her grade and therefore her standard was lower than many of her classmates. She found that out on the last day of the challenges and when she told DD she laughed! There was no way my DGD would have ever not kept up with her classmates but for her height and weight she really had to push...........she is also the shortest When we are in Disney we are the ones who need to take the break, not her.

 

[ImAllEars]

Thank you! In our school system the children have to meet certain standard in gym class. My DGD is one of the youngest in her grade and therefore her standard was lower than many of her classmates. She found that out on the last day of the challenges and when she told DD she laughed! There was no way my DGD would have ever not kept up with her classmates but for her height and weight she really had to push...........she is also the shortest When we are in Disney we are the ones who need to take the break, not her.

And luckily for your DGD, she has an encouraging, sensible grandmother like you! Walking and fitness is a great, natural thing for healthy kids.

 

[Nancyg56]

And luckily for your DGD, she has an encouraging, sensible grandmother like you! Walking and fitness is a great, natural thing for healthy kids.

More her mother. Honestly, she likes all of her video things and games but if did not head outside to ride her bike or take a walk DD would kick her sorry little carcass out for her When I cared for her during the Summer months my DD insisted she get outdoors each day so Kady would hop on her bike and off we would go. me trudging along and she riding in circles around me. I would be so grateful for the days when we could go to teh lake because she would swim and I got to sit and watch

 

[ImAllEars]

More her mother. Honestly, she likes all of her video things and games but if did not head outside to ride her bike or take a walk DD would kick her sorry little carcass out for her When I cared for her during the Summer months my DD insisted she get outdoors each day so Kady would hop on her bike and off we would go. me trudging along and she riding in circles around me. I would be so grateful for the days when we could go to teh lake because she would swim and I got to sit and watch

We all need our 'me' time.. I use that strategy with my children from time to time.. 'Yes darlings, i will be fine sitting here minding the bags while you run like mad all over the park'. Lol x

 

[justhat]

I push my tween in a wheelchair because of stamina and leg issues, she is more then 60. Dgs is 58, we rent the city line light or bring our McClaren. Rather have them rested and not have to insist on leaving early.

How wonderful for the parents who have kids without stamina issues or health problems. I would carry my kids if I had to for their enjoyment, not my tiring to push a stroller or chair.

Your tween has health issues? Or stamina issues because she isn't used to walking all day?

I don't get this line of thinking. If tweens are too tired and need to leave early, why not leave early? Why is there a need to stay all day? I have young kids and we most certainly do not stay all day, everyday in WDW. Could they? Yes, and we have done it. But is it enjoyable for everyone to be out to the point of exhaustion everyday? No. My kids are all up early so we get to the parks at opening, then sometimes still till early dinner (4ish), then head back to the room, bathe, get the kids in bed on time. Other days we might leave after lunch, hang out at the resort in the pool or arcade, shower, head back out around dinner time for a couple of hours, then back to the room at a reasonable hour.

I just don't see why if a child is tired you want to keep them out later by pushing them in a stroller.

 

[chloelovesdisney]

Your tween has health issues? Or stamina issues because she isn't used to walking all day?

I don't get this line of thinking. If tweens are too tired and need to leave early, why not leave early? Why is there a need to stay all day? I have young kids and we most certainly do not stay all day, everyday in WDW. Could they? Yes, and we have done it. But is it enjoyable for everyone to be out to the point of exhaustion everyday? No. My kids are all up early so we get to the parks at opening, then sometimes still till early dinner (4ish), then head back to the room, bathe, get the kids in bed on time. Other days we might leave after lunch, hang out at the resort in the pool or arcade, shower, head back out around dinner time for a couple of hours, then back to the room at a reasonable hour.

I just don't see why if a child is tired you want to keep them out later by pushing them in a stroller.

The parents want to stay longer.

 

[Leajess99]

I am so lost on this concept of able bodied kids riding in strollers and chairs. When we went last year we had a group of 13 people and 7 of those were kids ages 5 to 13. None of the kids rode in a stroller and it was the first vist for 5 of the kids and 3 of the adults. The 6 year old was (still is at 7) short for his age but he managed to keep up and walk. The kids were having a blast and no one complained about being too tired to continue. It was also October so not cool either.

My youngest is 9 and not a lightweight. She does play soccer, basketball, is on the Marine Physical Fitness team at school, and is an asthmatic. She has walked every trip and even the trip when her asthma was really bothering her due to an allergic reaction. She would not ride in a stroller if you paid her too. I just don't get this.

 

[justhat]

The parents want to stay longer.

Sadly I think that is it.

 

[RMulieri]

I have to say that while I do not care if you or any other parent pushes a healthy tween around in a stroller,and I really don't, I do not understand it. My DGD is 11 and honestly, if she was too tired to walk around the parks and needed a stroller I would have to wonder what was wrong. Now I am not talking about a physical issue that requires a wheelchair or stroller. I am saying that if 10 or 11 or 12 year old child who has no health issues does not have the stamina to walk in a theme park then that child needs more exercise.

ETA- I believe that most parents would walk through fire for their children. I also would carry my DGD if there was a reason that she was not able to enjoy a vacation without assistance. I would never indulge her if she just decided that her pretty little legs were to tired to walk. We would take a rest and off we would go. Best way to ensure that kids end up needing help is to let them atrophy.

 

[Mickey1Fan]

I volunteer with Dreams Take Flight and once a year we take special kids to Magic Kingdom for one very magical day. We have a group leader, two other adults and eight children. Usually we get one wheel chair in case one of these special kids need to rest for a while. Remember this is one day, there are no options to go back to the hotel and rest. We go commando pretty much from arrival around 10:30 am until leaving just after MSEP or fireworks.

Last year I had a little girl who had a problem with walking and was told by her Mom that she would need a wheel chair because she would not be able to walk all day. This little girl refused to ride in the wheel chair, she wanted to walk like everyone else, she was an inspiration to any able bodied person. We had to almost force to her to sit in the wheel chair late in the day when she was slowing us down. Her sister was also on the trip and talked her into riding. Oh, she was also deaf and mute. An amazing little girl to be sure!

I also had a five year old one year and thought there is no way she is keeping up with us and she did too.

 

[maxiesmom]

Sadly I think that is it.

So what? If the whole family can enjoy more time in the park because they choose to use a stroller, so what? It is their choice.

I guess I think that it is pretty ridiculous to make your family all go back to the resort to rest when the youngest one is tired. Or to make your family split up on their vacation, when so many families get so little time together as a whole in their day to day lives.

Split up if you want. Go back to the resort if you want. Put your 8 yr old into a stroller. Why do people care so much how other choose to parent?