Stroller for an 8 1/2 year old?!?

[Hannathy]

I am so glad to see the direction this thread is going about older kids in strollers. I totally agree that it is crazy for an 8 yr. old to be in a stroller. KIds should have more energy than adults. No wonder kids are in such bad shape. If they can run on a soccer field for an hour there is no reason they can't walk at Disney. This was discussed on another thread and I couldn't believe how many people push old kids around. I would be exhausted pushing a stroller around all
day with a kid that big. We went at Easter the year before my son started Kind. went from opening to midnight some nights and he never used a stroller. Kids are on the run from morning to night in the summer I think they can walk at Disney especially since you are usually walking then waiting, not constant walking for 2 hours.

 

[smileyk8]

To be honest, If I was offered a stroller late in the evening for a quick break I'd definitely take it. That doesn't mean i need it though does it!?! If we could get all the kids that genuinely don't need strollers out of them imagine how many less bruised ankles we'd all have I totally agree many parents do go extremely fast, especially at rope drop and on the sprint to the monorail. After injuring my foot a few years ago I had to keep reminding my dad to slow down but it's just eagerness to make the most of each day.

Leave it up to your SIL. If you're there for a while give it a go for a day without and then if they need a stroller go get one from wal-mart or something. They look more comfortable and would work out a lot cheaper.

 

[kaytieeldr]

If I had my way they wouldn't even allow them to be rented for healthy kids of that age.

I'm glad it's not 'your' way. My healthy daughter, at 8, was in a stroller and that made the trip enjoyable for her. One should not presume that a child who looks 'healthy' may not have a very valid reason for needing assistance.

But goofyernmost didn't say healthy-LOOKING kids, he/she said "healthy kids'. BIG difference.

Leave it up to your SIL.

But the OP's SIL isn't using her own judgment. She's letting herself be influenced by multiple persons, while the OP herself is an experienced Disneyphile who's seeking support in the apparent majority opinion.

 

[LindsayDunn228]

I would be embarrassed to push my 8-year old in a stroller. And she would be even more embarrassed to be seen in one at that age. IMHO, unless a child has a medical reason for needing it, no 8 year old should be in a stroller! No wonder American kids are in such sorry shape today.

My sentiments exactly!!!!

 

[ccrosner]

Thanks to all for their responses! I will use the tactful suggestion of trying to do it without a stroller. My niece is full of energy, fit although petite. Her older sister is a trained gymnast who spends four hours training everyday! So no trouble with obesity here and they will love being free!

 

[Sue Sullivan]

I wouldn't mind renting a stroller to carry my stuff in, notmy children. We have a couple of backpacks and jackets and full waterbottles in the cooler, a couple of cameras.

 

[Brian Noble]

You can always suggest to them to try going without it at first and then they can rent one later in the day if they decide that they need it.

This is a great idea.

For reference, we dispensed with amusement park strollers/wagons this past summer season, once my youngest (a ball-of-energy boy) was 4 1/2. It's worked pretty well for us so far, but I can imagine others holding on to the stoller a bit longer---DS is a bit big for his age.

 

[arielsleepingbeauty]

I am planning to bring a stroller to WDW in May for my own sanity. My daughters will be 6 and 4. They go to gymnastics and are full of energy, but let's face it, they can get tired and need a place to rest when we are still on the move. When you are on vacation, it's not like at home, we only have a certain amount of time to get everything in. A WDW vacation can be a bit overwhelming, very hot and long days. We have been every year since they were born. They never use a stroller at home, but when we are in WDW, I want to have a stroller JUST IN CASE!!! I like that they can take a load off if they should need it, plus I find it more convenient to carry backpacks, bags, snacks, drinks, etc. If they will be embarassed to sit in one, they don't have to sit down. I would NEVER make them sit in one. My kids are definately not overweight and they are shorter than the average kids their age so their little legs do get tired. I see no reason why they can't have the option to use one if they need to. If a child gets tired, it's nice to have a place to sit down and rest and you can still be on the move. I see nothing wrong with it. When i was 7 and only the Magic Kingdom was there, my dad carried me around because i did get tired. I have never been lazy and certainly not overweight, but my body did get tired.
Everybody is different. I don't think that it is fair to judge a child based on their age.
Kris

 

[nuttylawprofessor]

Ummmm. could we all be a bit nicer here?

While I agree that the older kids don't need a stroller, some of the comments on here have been really rude and uncalled for. Please be nice, everyone.

 

[musicwoman]

my children will be 8 1/2, 6 1/2 and 4 yrs. and 3 months. I already have a double stroller so if they don't use it then I will store the camera and such in it. However, when we went back in 2004 my children were 6, 4, and not quite 2 yrs., my oldest two couldn't stop taking turns riding in the stroller. I guess it really depends on how the kids normally react to a lot of walking. My children must have some really lazy bones in their bodies!!

Hope this helps! Have a wonderful trip!

 

[MosMom]

My daughter is tiny and is 8 1/2. She is a VERY active kid and spends her summer days outside playing. The girl does push ups for fun!! Even she often gets tired after a long day at the parks. She does have great energy but her legs and feet get sore and I really can't blame her. I don't know many 8 year olds that walk an average of 7 miles a day in some pretty hot temps depending on when you go.

I don't bring a stroller for my daughter anymore but we rent a double since my son is 3 and that way she can ride when she gets tired. I would much rather spend a few extra dollars a day on a double stroller than listen to "my feet hurt" over and over again because I don't know about your 8 year olds but mine can be pretty relentless.

I find that both my kids spend a good amount of time walking but it is nice to have the stroller there when they need a break. It is always nice to be able to stick all your stuff on it too!

I would tell them to play it by ear and see how the girls do. You said they've never been to Disney before so all that walking may be a shock to their system and they may get tired. If they start to get whiny, they can rent one then.

 

[nicolemarie]

I am not sure I understand why this has anything to do with you. I really don't mean that to sound nasty. But unless I'm missing something, if her 8 yr old would be "mortified" to be in a stroller, I think she could tell her mom before they get one. I personally rented a double for my two children when we were there in November and my daughter had just turned 7. DS is 3. She is not lazy, obese, unhealthy or inactive. You will not change my mind that it was the lazy way out for my 7 yr old. But it is insane to me that so many of you are so judgemental about this subject. Yes, the OP asked for opinions. And yes, her SIL did, too. But just tell the SIL to ask her children what they think would work. The rest of us should let them do it and leave them alone!

 

[Deb & Bill]

... But just tell the SIL to ask her children what they think would work. The rest of us should let them do it and leave them alone!

I know if I asked my 12 yr old if he would like a stroller, he'd jump at the chance. No way I'm getting him one. He's nearly as tall as me. I'd like to be pushed around in a stroller and I'm getting a little long in the tooth. Could we say, Pre-pre- nursing home????

I don't think it's up to the children to make a decision for the parent. However, if the parent feels that the children are having a hard time keeping up, they can do two things: 1 - get a stroller or 2 - take a break. Simple.

 

[KCMiller]

I have to speak up for rational parenting, here. It's one thing pushing a stroller around all day with a baby in it, or a 3 year old - any child who still takes naps, I would think. Even up to kindergarden, if they are a young kindergartener. But to manhandle one of those babies around with a 10 year old (remember, that's a FIFTH grader in most parts of the country) seems a bit extreme. I mean, I love my kids and all, but if my DS or DD, while in FIFTH grade, had whined that his feet hurt at an amusement park, I don't think my first response would have been 'poor baby, let Mommy push you around in a stroller for a while . . .'

When you look at it from what grade they are in, you can see how foolish both the children (hunched over in the stroller with their legs dangling) and the parents (hunched over the handle, straining to push their 60 pound kid around) look. IMHO.


KC

 

[jme829]

We get to leave ours home this year...yay. Last time the youngest 2 were not quite 3 and 4 but they both still walked a lot (we had to force them to sit in the stroller most of the time) We are all day park people i.e. we do not go back to the hotel in the afternoon. This year they are walking (they'll be 5 and 7). If they get tired we will either stop at a longer show (hall of pres, amer adv, univ of energy, etc..) so they can rest a little or we'll rent a stroller for a while or we'll just grab some ice cream and sit and people watch for awhile (which can be a fun attraction in itself...hehe). But honestly IMO listening to the kids complain they are tired is just as bad as having to be the one to push the stroller. I'm sorry, pushing 90 plus pounds of kids in 90 degree heat isn't exactly my idea of the perfect solution either! In each park there is at least one attraction that is fairly long, so we will try to save those as rest time attractions (american adventures is great for rest time-we all dozed in that one...LOL) .

 

[Tissa]

I am so glad to see the direction this thread is going about older kids in strollers. I totally agree that it is crazy for an 8 yr. old to be in a stroller. KIds should have more energy than adults. No wonder kids are in such bad shape. If they can run on a soccer field for an hour there is no reason they can't walk at Disney. This was discussed on another thread and I couldn't believe how many people push old kids around. I would be exhausted pushing a stroller around all
day with a kid that big. We went at Easter the year before my son started Kind. went from opening to midnight some nights and he never used a stroller. Kids are on the run from morning to night in the summer I think they can walk at Disney especially since you are usually walking then waiting, not constant walking for 2 hours.

Well sorry to turn this thread in another direction but I'm renting a double one for my 8 year old on our next trip. I really don't care what other people think about it because it's none of their business. I have my reason for it and it's not because my child is fat and lazy. I say get involved in your own lives people and stop judging others!

 

[bopper]

Depends on the child. If you are going commando mode, it might not be a bad idea. They should keep it in mind if the child gets tired or isn't feeling well.

 

[sb4k]

My kids were 9,8,4,3 on this past trip and no one needed a stroller. Which was great. Just one extra thing we didn't need to worry about.

 

[grumpymakesmehappy]

An eight year old should have way more energy than her parents, and if they can make it, she surely can! I don't know when this fad of pushing big kids around in strollers got going, but my kids were out of their strollers for good before they turned 3. "In my day" strollers were for babies, period.

Flame away, but IMO if an eight year old child can't run around Disneyworld all day, I'd be really worried - she's not getting enough exercise, and that's not a good sign for her future health. It's never going to get easier!

I couldn't agree more with you!

 

[smileyk8]

Ummmm. could we all be a bit nicer here?

While I agree that the older kids don't need a stroller, some of the comments on here have been really rude and uncalled for. Please be nice, everyone.

Just been reading the recent additions to the thread and wanted to highlight this response! Everyone has had different experiences and that's fair enough, but it would be nice if responses left it at that