What age is a child too old to be in a stroller?

[Cool-Beans]

I think at age 60 you should get out of the stroller and into a motorized scooter.

 

[Lil_Tink]

I honestly think it is the parents choice. I know when I was 6/7 I could walk alot in WDW and did but my brother was in a stroller so when I got tired I would hop in for a bit, then continue to walk. Many adults get tired from walking at disney, for younger kids, that can be really tough. I think it is the parents choice and they know their kids well enough to know wither they need a stroller or not.

 

[kaseyC]

For the first time in 4 years we will be going to WDW without our double stroller in Oct. We will be bringing a single for our 3 yr DD, but if my 5 yr old DD gets tired while in the parks we will rent one for her.

I will not be spending my vacation judging who should or shouldn't be in a stroller. I could care less what others do.

 

[DISNEYLOVER70]

I agree it is up to the parents. Some people care too much what others think, and some people spend way too much time judging others.

Do what is best for you and your child and if people give you a look, give them one back

I am respectful to others and do what I please.

 

[Lisa loves Pooh]

Funny you ask. We just let my 6yo ride in a stroller in DC on the 4th of July. This way she'd have a seat when she needed one...and we weren't lugging a dead weight for the trek back to the metro after the fireworks. We like to call that proper planning for the circumstances.

Though that was our last time. She didn't use a stroller at King's Dominion and was fine. Though when it was time to go to the car--I think we put her in the stroller and carried the 3yo.

My girls aren't even close to obese, so I'm not worried about it. We do have them walk some. I certainly am not about to carry them when I can push them much easier.

 

[azgal81]

Why do people start threads like this about something they saw on another board it's kinda like they are trying to pick fights or cause debate. There has been tons of these lately.

Personally I do not think letting your child ride around in a stroller at the age of 8 at WDW will make them fat later on in life. Apparently too much fast food does that. Disney is a big place lots of walking very tired kids I get worn out walking around disney and wish I could fit in a stroller. I really wouldn't compare disney or any other theme park really to what happens in everyday life.

 

[Iott Family]

Doesnt anyone ever read a thread before they reply?

Im not talking about renting a stroller in disney for an older child. Im thinking beyond disney. This is the community boards, right?
And no, allowing a child on vacation to do things they wouldnt normally do in every day life wont end up making them unhealthy or obese.On vacation most bets are off in our family as long as they mind the basic golden rules, we stay up late, sleep in later, eat dessert, drink pop, brush our teeth as an after thought, etc!!!
But seriously, its the thought process of allowing an 8-9-10-11-12+ yr old to cruise around in a stroller all day being pushed by parents that I was commenting on. So think beyond a longggggggg day at disney then sound off your horns.
Its the mentality of allowing our children to ride when they can walk, to shuffle when theres room to run, to sit in front of TV when the sun is shining bright......dont you think that might be one of the many reasons why todays children are becoming obese.

BTW, I wasnt attempting to be a trouble maker. The original thread about allowing older children to stroller got me thinking 1) how old is to old? 2) arent we encouraging our children to be less active by allowing for certain behaviors? 3) do you think we are creating an obese country of children?

 

[MosMom]

Of course I read your OP. I don't see how the responses here don't apply to your OP? The issue of kids being in strollers at Disney always comes up because most don't use strollers anywhere else (other than other tourist type places).

I don't see 8 year olds in strollers at the mall.

 

[momof3disneyholics]

The only place I've seen children that old in a stroller was at the theme parks. Even my hyper 9 year old will sometimes sit in his sister's stroller and then hold her on his lap so that he can get a little break. He must be really tired to be that close to his sister!

 

[Laurajean1014]

As long as the child is healthy with no health issues, 5 is old enough to walk around. There are plenty of benches and places to rest (for the parents).

 

[Iott Family]

Why do people start threads like this about something they saw on another board it's kinda like they are trying to pick fights or cause debate. There has been tons of these lately.

Maybe "people" start threads like this about something they saw elsewhere because it got them thinking beyond that single thread. Why is it ok to post threads on eating a box of donuts and how miserable you feel but its flame city and totally taken out of context to start a thread with some thought or other behind it?

Im done. I was just honestly trying to get parents to sound off but this is stuck in the to rent a stroller at disney or not. And that wasnt even in the OP!
Have a great day "people"!

 

[PaulaSue]

OP, I think the larger amusement parks are different than walking at the mall or other usual things in life. I rather the girls be happy and rested and enjoy our vacation.

I think families should do what works for them to get the best vacation.

 

[Bob Slydell]

Doesnt anyone ever read a thread before they reply?

Im not talking about renting a stroller in disney for an older child. Im thinking beyond disney. This is the community boards, right?

I did read your OP, a couple of times now in fact. You specifically mention Disney in your post and now you're saying everyone didn't read your post because we're answering about Disney touring?

I'm a pretty good reader, but I'm a horrible mind-reader. If you were talking about other situations than Disney, you should have stated that originally.

 

[Tigger&Belle]

First of all, let me pull up a chair and get my . We may be here for awhile.

Second of all, what others do with their children, as long as it's legal and moral is really none of my business. If it's easier on them and the child, why would I care? There is lots of walking at WDW and it's hard on adults and a lot harder on kids, so whatever works for an individual family is what they should do. I'm the last one to pass judgement on them.

For our first trip to WDW, our youngest child at the time was 4yo. We brought a stroller, but didn't need it. Zach was a great walker and the weather was cool so he didn't get overheated. Our 7yo would have liked to have used it, but we left it in the room since the youngest didn't need it.

When we went back the next time we had a 1yo who used a stroller until he was 5yo. When I brought Jake this last time (he's now 6yo) I did not bring the stroller and he did very well. The weather was very hot and he got overheated, but so did I and we took breaks and it worked out well. It was only the 2 of us and we just went at a pace that worked for the 2 of us.

I can easily see using a stroller for a 6-7yo if there is going to be a lot of walking, especially in hot weather.

What I didn't want to have happen was to push Jake around in a stroller, tiring myself out and then have him end up with excess energy at the end of the day. That's happened in the past.

 

[Tigger&Belle]

Mine was a Disney or other theme park type answer. Or any place where lots of walking would be done. We brought a stroller with us to NYC when Jake was 5yo, knowing that we'd be doing lots of walking and that I'd rather have him contained with the traffic. He walked plenty, but it was very nice having the stroller when we needed to do lots of walking. I think that was the last time that we used it.

As far as walking at the mall, etc, I think Jake was probably 3yo when we used it, but I don't really remember. Some of it would depend on if it was nap time, if I was buying lots of packages, etc.

I was at the grocery store the other day and the store has the big carts with the extra seating for 2 children (plus the cart). A lady was pushing a child who looked to be probably 12yo. That looked a little funny, but I wasn't going to question her. Maybe the girl had a sore ankle, etc. Who am I to say what was going on with her. I don't even let my 6yo in those carts because they are so hard to push that I crash into everything.

 

[summerrluvv]

There is no magic number...it's whatever works for the family. It wouldn't bother me one bit to see an older child in a stroller. Really, why would it bother anyone?

We stopped using a stroller for DS when he was about four. It just became too hard to push him in a regular one, especially at WDW. Their strollers push nicely, but I'm too cheap to rent one. I couldn't believe how much easier things were without the stroller at WDW. We didn't have to go "park" it to get on a ride, and then go find it after we got off. We didn't have to fold it up to get on the bus and worry about if it was hitting someone in the head. It was convenient to carry stuff on, but that's about it!! DS never complained about his feet hurting or being tired. When we go shopping, he still goes in the cart, otherwise he would be 50 feet behind me because I walk fast.

 

[summerrluvv]

I don't even let my 6yo in those carts because they are so hard to push that I crash into everything.

Isn't that the truth!! I can't stand those big things, they are like a bus!

 

[Cool-Beans]

Who am I to say what was going on with her.

Don't you know that when you are at WDW you are not supposed to be minding your own business, having fun?

You are supposed to be looking around to make sure that everyone else in the World is living their lives the way YOU think they should. That means their body size, hair, make-up, clothes, spouse, children (number of, behavior, and discipline!), food selection, amount of money spent, and word choice should all be exactly what YOU think. There ARE no excuses for doing anything differently.

If EVERYONE isn't doing EXACTLY what you think they should, it is your right- no, your duty! - to tattle on them and tell them what you think. At the very least, you should be giving them dirty looks.

If you don't spend your vacation minding everyone else's business, how the heck will you enjoy it?????

 

[Crankyshank]

Can an 8yr old even fit in a regular (non Disney) stroller? I've never seen an older child in one.

I seriously doubt an older child taking a break in a stroller at WDW is contributing to the obesity epidemic. Especially considering they use them when their legs tire out from too much walking.

As long as you know how to drive the thing, I don't care how old the kid is in the stroller. I'm all for making child as happy and as quiet as possibly. That leads to less screeching, crying, tantrums, and headaches for me Plus if I had a child I would use the stroller at WDW for as long as possible- it's much easier to cart around drinks and purchases that way.

 

[MareQ]

.

I do know there is someone here on the DIS who has a dd with Juvenile Arthritis. Her dd is older and many may look at her and think she's too "old" to be in a stroller, but she tires very easily and needs the relief that a stroller provides.

My 8yo DS is a child with hidden disabilities - we rented a stroller for him and will continue to rent him a stroller until he no longer comfortably fits into one. He is very small for his age so right now it's not an issue but - sadly - we got many snarky comments anyway from people that thought they knew better than we did. My poor DS was soo upset because he heard these comments.

Parents need to do whatever they think is best for their children and as long as it isn't affecting anybody else - it's none of anybody's business...