Stroller Mom

Curious to know others answers. I’m the exact same way, my son just turned 2 and I still use his stroller 🤷🏽‍♀️ for all the same reasons you mentioned. Smaller stores I’ll sometimes let him walk around but it takes forever and I hate it lmao so usually throw him in the cart

I rarely ever used a stroller but my son is almost 3 and I do let him walk a lot but I also still carry him a lot because -like you said- it takes forever to get somewhere if I let him walk lol

Honestly, they learn so much being able to walk on their own especially about following directions! My daughters been an almost exclusive walker since before 1, we haven’t used a stroller at all since then

I use a stroller still. It’s easier and I have such anxiety that someone will take him. He got away from me once in a store and it was the most terrifying moment. I won’t let him walk unless I have my husband with me to help keep him in line

I’m the same. I worry that I’m making him fall behind in independent walking lol. But I live in big city and it’s just not practical to let him roam when there’s people speeding around every corner. I can’t wait until it’s nicer out so I can take him to a field. Malls are also good places to practice walking somewhat side by side. Stores without clothes on shelves they can rip down 😅

I still used the stroller for certain things well past 2. I think that’s pretty normal!

If I’m going to be walking around a lot I will have the stroller with us, but let my son walk independently, we started off with a baby backpack that has a “leash” attached for me to hold onto, strap onto my wrist with a distance of about 1/3 of a meter for them to walk on their own but if they go too far or too fast I can’t always pull him back gently/ stop him in danger/ run with him. This is what really helped us establish risks of walking on the pavement and in public places aswell as him understanding STOP! LOOK! and be careful of others walking in your direction. If you don’t establish this your child will always be in danger, however I am in the UK and the threat of kidnapping / danger is less than in the US so I completely understand your concerns but they will eventually need to learn (my son is 3 & walks independently and like his stroller very much too it’s a balance)

It took us a few months to establish the above but now he can walk safely (for a toddler lol) for up to 45 minutes at a time, with breaks and lots and lots of encouragement, take your time mumma and figure out what works best for you, practice in your garden, at the park, short grocery trips etc. whatever works for you as a mum will work for your child but please don’t leave it too late !

2 thoughts! 1) putting your child in a pram so you can get somewhere is absolutely OK. My 4 year old can't manage the 3 mile walk to town and back at my pace, so she often jumps on the buggy board for the ride home. My 2 year old is in the pram the whole way there and back. 2) There are times where it's OK to be slower and letting them walk is absolutely good for them. For example, my daughters school is only round the corner. I leave a bit early so that my 2 year old can walk at his pace. It drives me mad as he walks so slowly and gets distracted but it's essential for him to get stronger at walking!

I kind of use it still for my 3 year old. I also have the same anxiety as u .. Kidnapper .. She walks slow sometimes and i am scared she might fall behind me especially in stores like the mall . I also have a 1 year old too so that is also why i get scared

My son almost 23m and is in a stroller or held because he walks around very much like a “oooh piece of candy” kind of kid. He doesn’t put most things in his mouth but he does want to touch everything. He usually only walks around the rv park we live in and regular parks. That’s about it. But I am terrified that someone will take him. He’s so damn heavy. He’s not fat, he’s like a lot of the boy babies in my family, normal size but just heavy and strong. Tries to lift everything. He can easily push his father on a regular chair and he’s 140lbs.

My sons 3 and he started walking late But I basically use the stroller if I’m in a rush to get somewhere. I started off doing walks to the closest park and teaching him to hold my hand on these walks and then atleast once or twice a week we walk to nursery and just make sure we leave early to get there cause it’s 15min away but turns into 30min with him walking 😂 But I’d say like if you’re doing a long walk take the stroller and let your LO do short walks with you eg park to the shop to nursery if it’s close and teaching them to hold your hand and stop and go signs 9/10 as soon as we step outside the house my son is holding his hand out to hold mine and if I let go he stops walking or hovers waiting for my hand again whilst we walk lol But walking is important cus some kids get use to being in stroller and start refusing to walk/go anywhere without it. Like my niece 😂 she would sit on the floor and refuse to get up in the middle of a walk to school she was 3/4yrs at the time

@Rachel and your answer is great 'following directions' is a skill I want my son to sharpen.

@Korissa ok. I will try going to the mall with him... I think he will like it.

@Megan aww. Lol. My son is heavy too. He got that solid weight.

@Raven yeah we recently went to Macy’s and there was a super empty area of all hanging clothes. He was running around all over lol.