What would you think of a 5yr old in a stroller - Page 2

[Hey Mama!]

I wouldn't think anything, but I've thought/wished I still had a stroller for my dd who is almost 5. She's always been somewhat low tone and gets tired easily walking around a lot. She rides in carts all the time still. I get weird looks and got flack from a friend when I mentioned I'd probably rent a stroller for her if we went to an amusement park.

[wookie]

My neuro-/behaviour-typical 4.5yo likes to ride a stroller. Eh, He walks some distance, rides some. In malls etc he likes to be able to just sit and watch rather than rifle thru racks. Whatever. I don't care. (nor have I had a need to, honestly).

If you DO care, how about getting a wagon for her? It allows them to ride but still look not-babyish? Just a suggestion...

[Tanibani]

I would think nothing of it. I'm not a judgmental person. That's just not me. If you are wearing an outfit that others think is over the top (sexy shoes at school or something) I wouldn't bat an eye either. I would not whisper to friends and roll my eyes. (I think that reaction is more rude that the first "offense".) Again, just me.

And people who do judge - who cares? That is their problem.

That being said, my almost 6-year-old daughter loves the stroller. No health issues, but she likes to ride in it sometimes because she says she gets tired.

I have a friend who would tell me (when our girls were 3-4) "isn't she too old to be riding in the stroller all the time?" Um, no. Her daughter was walking everywhere and never complaining. COOL! My daughter wasn't like that. Chill, girlfriend.

My DH is complaining to me that "Isn't she too old for this?" and my answer is no. I love my reclining Maclaren! So does DD.

[KristyDi]

If the kid was bigger than your average stroller rider I might have a passing curious thought wondering why, but I'd assume there was a reason or maybe that the kid isn't as old as they seem.

Honestly I probably wouldn't even notice. One of the main things being a parent has taught me is that parenting is hard and I'm in no place to be judgmental based on passing observations of others.

I'm sorry your LO is sick and hope relief and/or healing comes quickly her.

[MJB]

If I saw a 5yo in a stroller I would assume they had special needs.

[Alyantavid]

I'd wonder if she wasn't as healthy as she appeared or if there was some reason why she was in the stroller.

I'm just basing this on kids I know, but none of them would happily ride in a stroller at that age, so I'd assume there was a reason for it.

[starling&diesel]

I'm immediately judgemental and then remind myself that the child could need to be in a stroller for any number of reasons, and it works.

The only time I struggled with this is when there was no space on the bus to get another mama with a newborn in a stroller on, because a man with a school-aged child in an enormous stroller was taking up a lot of space and got on first. I had to tell myself that it was no different than if that child was in a wheelchair, but I have to admit, I thought he should get off to let the new mama on first.

[staceychev]

My DD will turn 5 next month and sometimes she rides in a stroller. She's perfectly healthy, but I like to walk a lot and I walk fast, and sometimes she'd rather ride. Yes, I carried her for a long time (Mei Tai and ring sling), but I'm wearing her sister now. Plus, it's 90 degrees here. It's no one else's business.

I'm so sorry your daughter is sick so often! It must be really hard on her and on your family.

[CrazyCatLady]

I have a special needs five year old who looks normal (I think). I usually carry her on my hip everywhere, but she does still ride in strollers. So I think nothing of it when I see other five year olds in strollers.

I have had people tell me to "make that kids walk" or "she's too old to be in that stroller". My response is usually to tell them "thanks for the tip" or "I'll think about that". If it's a bad day and they're super rude, they may just get a middle finger.

Don't worry about other people OP. They will always find something to gripe about. It's not worth the stress of worrying about it.

[sapphire_chan]

Depends:
Generally, I'd figure you've been doing more walking than I know about or she's got some medical reason to need a stroller.

If you were yelling at her though, then I'd probably judge you for using a stroller to strap your kid down and judge society for making you thing that harnesses are "only for dogs"

[sapphire_chan]

Originally Posted by starling&diesel

The only time I struggled with this is when there was no space on the bus to get another mama with a newborn in a stroller on, because a man with a school-aged child in an enormous stroller was taking up a lot of space and got on first. I had to tell myself that it was no different than if that child was in a wheelchair, but I have to admit, I thought he should get off to let the new mama on first.

Oh I HATE huge strollers on buses. I love that our last town made people take their kids out of the stroller (a baby was injured when a stroller went rolling at a sudden stop) and fold it up out of the aisle.

It is different than a wheelchair, with a wheel chair the seat would've folded up to put the wheel chair in there. You would've had 5 more adults standing to ride and the possibility that every one could squish up to make room. Strollers don't squish.

[Limabean1975]

I saw a 5-6ish looking child in a stroller the other day. This is pretty much what went through my head.

First: "Oh my god, that's ridiculous, that child needs exercise and normalcy and a wee bit of independence and and and"
*FLASH*
Second: "Woah. Slow down there Lima. Why the judgement. You have no idea what's going on behind the scenes there. Stop judging."

So yeah, I admit at first glance I would judge, but the better part of my brain does kick in and realize that there may very well be a good reason.

[A&A]

I'm with LimaBean--I'd judge and then tell myself not to.

[GuildJenn]

I don't think I'd think about it much because it's just not me to worry about everyone else. And generally, I think if anyone gives you looks or says anything it is entirely their problem.

But... if it is really, really bothering you and impacting on how you feel about getting out and about, I'd suggest sticking something like this on the back: http://www.cafepress.ca/+bowling_gir...0_pk,380865329 - you might not find this one to your exact taste but there are a lot of options from the community out there. My friend has this sticker on her car: http://www.cafepress.ca/+bumper_sticker,57330188

[mamabearsoblessed]

well, lately I think "oh how I'd love to be pushed in a strolller'
this 3rd trimester is kicking my butt.
Honestly Mama, I'd think nothing of it, my olders rode still at times at that age like pp said when they were tired or needed a break etc. I just purchased a new stroller this week for our trip to disney that the weight limit is 60 lbs because I know the littlest (2 3/4 yo) will need it and even the almost 7 yr old may need a break now and again (though the 9 yo will prob get a lift on daddy's back if desperate)~ also once this babe is here and dd littlest is bigger I'll still use it. Absolutely.
Fret not Mama. Others really don't matter in the whole scheme of things. Not really. It really is all about what works/ is needed for you life, your family.

[Okapi]

Honestly? I would be jealous. I haven't been able to get my DD in a stroller w/o a fight or constant back and forth for over a year, and I really miss being able to run/walk for excercise. Yes, we go for walks, but it doesn't do much for me when we're just ambling, and stopping to look at things every 2 minutes. Not that I mind doing that, but it would be nice if we could do both! So yeah, I definitely wouldn't have negative thoughts, though I am aware that there are those who would.
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[Hoopin' Mama]

I wouldn't bat an eye. Hugs.

[cedoreilly]

I would probably not think too much of it. My DD who is big for her age did ride in the stroller when we took the train into the city for her annual hearing test at that age (and she is totally healthy). I did it because the walk from the train to the hospital is 2-3 miles and I did not think she would make it both ways without pooping out (particularly back!!). I so was not going to carry her.

[gcgirl]

I think you might have prejudiced these answers by specifying in the OP that your child needs one for health reasons.

But I personally wouldn't worry about it. I've seen misuse of strollers and strollers used for the powers of good. It's not up to me to decide when someone else is using a stroller *unnecessarily*.

[Belia]

If I even noticed, I would think that you had a tired kiddo or a little one who didn't want to walk for some reason. Or that maybe YOU didn't want her walking for some reason (dangerous or busy area, lots of things she could get into if she were free-range, etc etc).

I truly don't think I would think anything at all.

I certainly wouldn't judge you or her badly or anything, if that's what you're worried about.