I’m in need of some "tween" transportation. That is in the time between a stroller and a wheelchair. Ok, maybe not THAT dramatic, but perhaps between a stroller and a two-wheel bike, sans traning wheels.
My Bunch is at an awkward phase where they are really too big for the stroller, too big for a bike seat, too big for a bike trailer, but still a bit too young to walk for too long.
We are fortunate, in our new house, to live in a neighborhood that allows us to walk to just about everything we need—grocery, pharmacy, bakery, toy store, ice cream shop and a variety of restaurants. Yes, it’s that close. So today for a treat, we walked to the nearby ice cream store. It was about 10-15 minutes each way. We walk quickly there since everyone is excited and bubbly about ice cream, but then on the way back when I figured everyone’s belly should be full and happy, I hear nothing but whining.
We were about halfway home when my youngest (almost 4) just sat down on the ground and pouted. “I’m too tired to walk home. My feet hurt. I’m tired.” She’s almost FOUR. She’s really too big for a stroller and should be OK to walk 10 minutes after eating a bunch of ice cream. But she pooped out on me.
My kids each weigh somewhere in the 40 pound range—give or take 5 pounds—so the wagon is a bit awkward with 80-90 pounds of child. Plus, who really wants to pull that much weight. It’s so much easier to push it. Why has no one come up with a tween transport system to push larger, louder, whinier kids to your destination? Really, we could go more places on foot if I had a better way to get them there.
Sounds familiar - I have a 3 and 4 year old who are happy to walk 20 minutes and back to the local playpark, and recently came on a 2 hour hike with DH and I (which took longer than usual LOL but they loved it), but if they don't want to walk they will tell me about it!!! We have been trying to walk rather than drive to pre-school which is a 30 minute walk for me, my 4 year old is great with it....but I tried to get the 3 year old to walk there and come back in the stroller, well she figured out that one and now wants to be pushed there AND back even though I know she can do the walk, and she hasn't really used the stroller since she turned 2. While mine do occasionally whine/moan about walking because they are tired out or their feet hurt, mainly it is because they are just bored of walking and the fun bit of the journey is over. (Which is probably why we don't go out for ice cream, instead there is the lure of a popsicle in the garden when they get back!) I remember doing this as a child too - see if it helps making sure your kids feel involved in the walk, choosing the route, recognising landmarks/nature, rather than being rushed home to do x/y/z which always puts my kids off!
Posted by: Natasha | May 15, 2009 at 03:10 AM
I still have my two youngest in the stroller most of the time- my just turned 3 year old and my about to be 1 year old, while the 4 year old walks. Really, the 3 year old should be walking, but he's a runner, so it's hard to keep up with 2 walking kids and the stroller when one of the walkers wants to run as fast and as far away as he can. Not really that big of a deal, since I have the stroller all the time anyway for the baby. Last week, I didn't have my middle son with me when the rest of us went to the bookstore and my 4 year old wanted to ride in the stroller. OMG, trying to push that thing was my workout for the week. There should be a motor on strollers or wagons to make it easier.
Posted by: Shell | May 15, 2009 at 07:51 AM
have you thought about a scooter? My sister in the UK has her two oldest (now 5 and 3) ride their scooters everywhere, and it is how all the cool kids travel in the UK. This kind is really good for the littler kids. San Francisco is too hilly for us to use them, unfortunately.
http://www.amazon.com/Mini-Kick-Scooter-quality-3-wheel/dp/B000Y8DJ9W/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&s=sporting-goods&qid=1242402837&sr=1-1
Posted by: geekymummy | May 15, 2009 at 11:54 AM
well i still use the stroller for mine (4, 2 and 4 months) i guess we're lucky my four yr old is only 25 lbs and 35 inches tall. lol. who knew there would be an upside to being only 1 lb when she was born. its a blessing in disguise i guess. lol
but seriously, how about a tricycle. i know they even have some that have a removeable handle in the back so you can push them if you need to.
Posted by: Renee | May 15, 2009 at 12:19 PM
I have been thinking of this problem lately, too, because mine are 5 and 3 (almost 6 and 4). I can't go out and exercise with them anymore on the trail because they are too big for the stroller, and not big enough for a scooter, bike, whatever. We have virtually cut out all form of walking, hiking, etc. I have not been able to come up with a good alternative.
Posted by: Jen | May 16, 2009 at 10:08 AM
This is when we use daddy's shoulders.
Posted by: Lisa | May 17, 2009 at 06:53 AM
hmmm...a dilemma indeed. luckily my 4 year old LOVES being "free" and so rarely complains about having to walk unassisted.
PS
WHERE do you live?? I'm jealous that you can walk so many places!
Posted by: J. Fergie | May 18, 2009 at 01:39 PM
Yep - we're right there with ya. We can still swing the wagon if one of us is there to pull the big boys and the other can push the baby. The other day I was by myself so I took the two littles in the SitNStand and my oldest rode his scooter. THey love bikes, but they are stunt riders so they can't be trusted to ride to the town square yet. I'm thinking it's looking like scooter will be our 'tween transportation....
Posted by: Cara Fox | May 18, 2009 at 11:13 PM