What is it with....

[WaltD4Me]

I will never understand why anyone cares or takes the time to comment on a total stranger having their child in a stroller. It's just amazing to me.

Sure I've seen some pretty big kids in strollers...so what? Maybe there is a good reason....maybe not. Again, so what? Not my kid...so really none of my business. I go to Disney for a vacation, not to judge other people's parenting decisions.

 

[Disney1fan2002]

Can anyone top this???

I actually saw a man pushing his WIFE in a rented stroller in AK. There were no children.

The wife was a small asian woman. The man was caucasion. I was envious! I told my DH if I ever get small emough, he needs to rent a stroller for me.

My friend was disgusted. She felt the man was was treating her like a child. I don't know. She may be right and it was demoralizing. Or, maybe she had a medical problem, where she could not be on her feet a long time. A stroller is cheaper to rent than an ECV or wheelchair.

It really was strange to see an adult being pushed around in a stroller.

 

[MosMom]

Can anyone top this???

I actually saw a man pushing his WIFE in a rented stroller in AK. There were no children.

The wife was a small asian woman. The man was caucasion. I was envious! I told my DH if I ever get small emough, he needs to rent a stroller for me.

My friend was disgusted. She felt the man was was treating her like a child. I don't know. She may be right and it was demoralizing. Or, maybe she had a medical problem, where she could not be on her feet a long time. A stroller is cheaper to rent than an ECV or wheelchair.

It really was strange to see an adult being pushed around in a stroller.

Was he wearing lederhosen and carrying a beer stein?

 

[Embel]

With all there is to see and do in Disney World, you're peering into strollers to determine the age & size of it's occupants?

Huh- to each his own, I guess.

 

[DisneyAddict_M]

Was he wearing lederhosen and carrying a beer stein?

 

[SamIAm21]

For me, it's a matter of peace of mind. My daugther is an average size age 7, but at least when I'm pushing her in a stroller, I know where she is. We won't get separated by the crowd and it's usually just me and her. She will have her whole life to be on her feet and walk the parks, if she wants a stroller in WDW, she can have one! Now ask me that question again when she's 10. But I figure by then, she'd be mortified to be seen in a stroller.

 

[Jenn Lynn]

Just to clarify, I am not talking about the AGE of the child, but their SIZE. I feel sorry for the kids who get cramped into a stroller that is obviously not designed for someone as tall, and in some cases, wide, as them. its more of a rant of pity on the child's part.

Now, on with the bashing!!!!

If the child is that uncomfortable they will get out and walk.

 

[bamajill]

You really want parents to go back to the hotel everytime a child gets tired?

That would REALLY not work for us, but I'm sorry if my six year old in a stroller mussed with your vacation. My 8 & 11 year old boys have a 'go-go-go' kind of pace. My six year old girl, not so much. If not for the stroller we would have all been miserable.

...and well, since we wanted to have a good time at Disney, we did what worked for us.

The things people complain about.......

 

[lindakmonty]

If the child is that uncomfortable they will get out and walk.

so true!

 

[CathrynRose]

I'm not sure why it bothers you so much. I could care less what age/size of some stranger's kid in a stroller as long as I don't have to push it. I'm sure you'll get a dozen reasons why some people do it shortly here.

2nd this. As long as I dont get ankle plowed by ANY stroller....10 y/o or 2 y/o - Im a happy camper!

If you wanna push around a 12 y/o in a stroller - I dont care! Have fun! I sure as heck wouldnt wanna do it.

 

[KPeveler]

If your child has walking conditions, maybe rent a wheelchair. It only costs $10, and you get the chair for the whole day. Then maybe your 10 year old wont be sprawling out of a stroller designed for a 3 year old. Plus they can push themselves around, freeing you parents to look after your other party members who really need the attention, like your partners or your other children.

I know that wheelchairs take up as much room as strollers, but seriously, who is going to bother someone in a wheelchair? Lots of people HAVE to use wheelchairs, not every 10 year old needs a stroller.


Mr. Smith

Ok, here are a couple problems: a child with "walking conditions" cannot push themselves in a rental chair for an adult. in fact, most ADULTS cannot push themselves in those chairs. they weigh 50-60 pounds, and the kids could not even reach the wheels. obviously you have never had to push yuorself in any chair, much less a rental. plus they are too large for the children. if a chair does not fit right, it can often cause more problems than it solves. that is why i cannot use a rental chair, even though i am an adult - it is just too big! not an attack, just letting you know this idea is not possible for several reasons.

second, people DO bother people in wheelchairs. people bother me all the time about using one, cause i look "young and healthy"

just food for thought.

 

[CraftyMouse]

Just to clarify, I am not talking about the AGE of the child, but their SIZE. I feel sorry for the kids who get cramped into a stroller that is obviously not designed for someone as tall, and in some cases, wide, as them. its more of a rant of pity on the child's part.

Now, on with the bashing!!!!

I don't think anybody here is bashing you. If anything I think your original post came off a bit that way...at the very least it was pretty judgemental.

I know from reading a post of yours on the Cruise board that you are a newlywed. I am assuming that you don't have kids yet. I learned early on not to criticize others' parenting decisions, at least until I had been through it myself. Perspectives change drastically once you have kids of your own, even if you don't think they will.

Our kids both used strollers at WDW until they were 7 (maybe even 8 on EPCOT days). Think of how tired adults get with all of the walking and then factor in kids' much shorter legs. It can be exhausting. If renting a stroller means my kids can spend a few more non-cranky hours in the park then I'm going to get a stroller!

Often the bigger kids are in the strollers by choice. I agree that anything upwards of 7 is a bit much, but each family has their own story and their own opinions and they might not go along with yours.

 

[Nancyg56]

Geez, if I could squeeze my butt into one of those umbrella strollers, you can bet I'd be shouting out "FASTER! The line at Space is gettin' HUGE! GO GO GO!!"

 

[Disney Doll]

You squeeze in the stroller and I'll wear my heelies so I can push you real fast!!!!

 

[MaryAnnDVC]

Here are the facts of the case :

1) OP joined the DIS less than a month ago.
2) OP posts "hot topic".
3) OP invites bashing.

Why respond?

Perhaps my 8+ years on the DIS have made me cynical.

 

[Mr. & Mrs. Smith]

I happen to know someone who needs one because she is very overweight and can't walk for any period of time without her legs hurting her. Not exactly a medical reason.

Not a medical reason?

People usually do get bashed when they tell thousands of partents that they are idiots and are abusing their children.

I never said that parents were abusing their children nor did I call anyone an idiot. Where did that come from?

With the older/bigger kids...you just never know if there might be a disability of some kind.

I know that strollers can be used as wheelchairs for some older kids but usually they are marked as such.

With all there is to see and do in Disney World, you're peering into strollers to determine the age & size of it's occupants?

Huh- to each his own, I guess.

It's not like I go out of my way to notice these things. It's pretty obvious when a very embarassed looking 10 year old is stuffed in a stroller with his legs dragging along the ground.

Ok, here are a couple problems: a child with "walking conditions" cannot push themselves in a rental chair for an adult. in fact, most ADULTS cannot push themselves in those chairs.

Well, they could always be pushed around if it was a problem. I'm actually somewhat familiar with this. I had to push my DW around for one of the days of our honeymoon.

I don't think anybody here is bashing you. If anything I think your original post came off a bit that way...at the very least it was pretty judgemental.

Well, I guess I am being judgemental. I don't know though when it became so that people aren't allowed to have opinions about things that don't directly involve them. It's like you aren't supposed to notice things or be bothered by them. If you do, you're judgemental. It's not like I would go up to someone and tell them that they shouldn't be using a stroller for their child. I'm not purposing a law to stop children over a certain age to pushed in a stroller. I'm just giving my opinion, respectfully, to a group of people on a discussion board because we're supposedly here to discuss things.

 

[KPeveler]

Well, they could always be pushed around if it was a problem. I'm actually somewhat familiar with this. I had to push my DW around for one of the days of our honeymoon.

It is MUCH easier to push a stroller than a wheelchair, especially if it is your own stroller from home. renting a wheelchair would cause more problems than it solved, because if it doesn't fit the person, it actually hurts them.
if you rented a chair, then you could not use it anywhere but that park (a park rental cannot even be taken to the parking lot)

also some kids need to have the firm surface to sit on (some autistic kids could not handle the soft bottom of a wheelchair).

again, just some food for thought...

 

[CraftyMouse]

Well, I guess I am being judgemental. I don't know though when it became so that people aren't allowed to have opinions about things that don't directly involve them. It's like you aren't supposed to notice things or be bothered by them. If you do, you're judgemental. It's not like I would go up to someone and tell them that they shouldn't be using a stroller for their child. I'm not purposing a law to stop children over a certain age to pushed in a stroller. I'm just giving my opinion, respectfully, to a group of people on a discussion board because we're supposedly here to discuss things.

I think it comes down to how it was said. You could have posted the same thing, phrased in a different way, and it wouldn't have seemed so harsh.

And you did, indeed, tell parents that what they were doing was wrong. No, you didn't do it in person in the parks, but you did it here, on the DIS. There are many people here who do exactly what you feel is wrong and the tone of your both your original and subsequent posts has made it clear of what you think of them.

Again, until you've walked in those shoes you have no right to comment. I only hope that when you do have kids they come with lots of stamina and minds that are a little bit more open.

 

[Tigger&Belle]

I'm not pushing you.

I'll push him... Except he won't let me in back of him anymore.


I don't especially care who is in the strollers. I'd be more upset about people renting wheelchairs for their children and them then not being available for the adults who need them. And nevermind the uproar from people who think the wheelchairs are being rented so someone can get special treatment.

Let the little things slide off your back--it's a much healthier way of living.

 

[NMAmy]

Well, I guess I am being judgemental. I don't know though when it became so that people aren't allowed to have opinions about things that don't directly involve them. It's like you aren't supposed to notice things or be bothered by them. If you do, you're judgemental. It's not like I would go up to someone and tell them that they shouldn't be using a stroller for their child. I'm not purposing a law to stop children over a certain age to pushed in a stroller. I'm just giving my opinion, respectfully, to a group of people on a discussion board because we're supposedly here to discuss things.

Well, one thing I try to keep in mind is that I don't truly understand until I've put myself in someone else's place (or stroller). Who knows what issues may be underlying?

So, you get to make the decision for your family. Others get to decide for themselves. Perhaps the 10 year old got tired or goofy and climbed on in their siblings' stroller while the sibling was somewhere else. Perhaps the child has medical issues. And perhaps when you have to personally carry a 5 year old who ran out of steam halfway around the park, you might change your mind and rent the stroller to carry that kid back to the front of the park.