When do you stop renting a stroller?

It seems parents questioning whether to use a stroller for 6-7-8 year olds want confirmation that it’s acceptable. To some it is and to some it isn’t.

Think it’s just easier for some to get one for the older child for the ease of getting through the day. Others just have kids walk and tour at their pace.

Not implying this to any poster but kids today just don’t seem to be as active. Sadly schools cut physical education and recess. Kids don’t get activity at school. Then some just go home and veg playing video games or on computer. Sadly electronics and phones are the norm when you see families out at the store (kids in cart watching videos on cell phone), families out eating each on cell phone.

It’s only a decision you can make for your family whether you get a stroller or not. If your 6-7-8 year old wants to ride in one great - mine wouldn’t have been seen in one but that’s the way we were. Never thought of getting one. Also this was in early 2000s when parks weren’t nearly as packed and it was slow in September.
 
It seems parents questioning whether to use a stroller for 6-7-8 year olds want confirmation that it’s acceptable. To some it is and to some it isn’t.

Think it’s just easier for some to get one for the older child for the ease of getting through the day. Others just have kids walk and tour at their pace.

Not implying this to any poster but kids today just don’t seem to be as active. Sadly schools cut physical education and recess. Kids don’t get activity at school. Then some just go home and veg playing video games or on computer. Sadly electronics and phones are the norm when you see families out at the store (kids in cart watching videos on cell phone), families out eating each on cell phone.

It’s only a decision you can make for your family whether you get a stroller or not. If your 6-7-8 year old wants to ride in one great - mine wouldn’t have been seen in one but that’s the way we were. Never thought of getting one. Also this was in early 2000s when parks weren’t nearly as packed and it was slow in September.
Not all schools, gym in mandatory in my state, several times a week in elementary, every day in middle and high school, even if you play a school sport and have practices and games 6 days a week (my kids played all 3 seasons in HS and a waiver would’ve been nice, maybe even for a study hall).
 
You mentioned it wasn't a marathon, I simply responded with a Child keeping pace with an average adult is akin to running. It's an example to highlight the potential issues, it wasn't an assumption that this is what you do nor what you suggest is appropriate. If a Childs 'comfort and happiness was first in your minds' then why would you suggest that having a stroller is simply for the adults benefit? Yet in the same breath you highlight the benefits of taking breaks, sitting down, having a drink etc... All things that can be done in a stroller lol

You are also projecting your own opinion onto others as 'fact'... 'putting an older child in a stroller has nothing to do with the child' .... sweeping generalization at best that is made looking through your own lens.

I'm not necessarily disagreeing with you, kids can handle bouts in the parks for sure, as per my original post, its important to understand that there is very common misconception that children can handle the same stresses as adults, they simply cannot in most cases, ergo the 'commando, carry my 55lb backpack from the second trimester' brigade has an element of context. Don't take it personal.

You forget to factor in the most 8 year old children are much too big for a stroller. They don't fit properly and will be in a awkward position. That is not good for your child either. You are also under the assumption that and 8 year would be willing to sit in a stroller. Most kids that age are very much aware that they are too old. They also notice that some people will stare and comment on them being in the stroller. But if your kid has no problem with going back to school and showing the class a picture of them sitting in the stroller, then go ahead and use one.
 
It’s a vacation, and it’s a time to do whatever works best for your family to have the most enjoyable time possible, regardless of what anyone in the cluck-clucking self-appointed stroller-age inspectors brigade might think of your choice.

Then why come on the boards and ask for anyone's opinion on it? Because most people realize that it is not normal to push a child that age around in a stroller. You can't really expect that everyone is going to say, "yeah, go ahead and push your kids around till they graduate from high school. Everyone is doing it." If you know that you are doing the right thing, then it does not matter what anyone else says. To get so defensive about someone else's opposing belief, that you asked for, is ridiculous.
 
As the mother to a 9 year old that also “looks fit and healthy” and is not we have received more than one dirty look and nasty comment. Another reminder keep it to yourself. You have no idea just by looking if a child is or is not healthy and capable of walking around the parks all day. And for those of you that choose to say something, bring it. This mama bear has no issue putting you in your place.
 


You forget to factor in the most 8 year old children are much too big for a stroller. They don't fit properly and will be in a awkward position. That is not good for your child either. You are also under the assumption that and 8 year would be willing to sit in a stroller. Most kids that age are very much aware that they are too old. They also notice that some people will stare and comment on them being in the stroller. But if your kid has no problem with going back to school and showing the class a picture of them sitting in the stroller, then go ahead and use one.

lol I hear you, but don't try and change the parameters to fit your argument then use 'social acceptance' (or lack thereof) as a barometer of your decision making. The question wasn't regarding every single 8 year old on earth, it was a general question looking for some feedback with some specific height dimensions to give context for their deliberation. And no, my kids would have no issue with going back to school showing photo's of them in a stroller... My kids understand that your self worth comes from within, not through the eyes of others ;o)

But I am happy to acknowledge and appreciate that not everyone feels that way.
 
As the mother to a 9 year old that also “looks fit and healthy” and is not we have received more than one dirty look and nasty comment. Another reminder keep it to yourself. You have no idea just by looking if a child is or is not healthy and capable of walking around the parks all day. And for those of you that choose to say something, bring it. This mama bear has no issue putting you in your place.

While the attitude is a bit over the top, I agree that no one can know the situation for every child in a stroller. I do admit to laughing at a family that had 3 kids all tangled up trying to fit in a park double, with a million bags hanging/resting on the top. They were getting nowhere - either a bag would fall off, or a kid's foot would come out and hit the pavement, stopping the forward progress. The mom was yelling at the kids, the dad was trying to get the bags to stay on top.

When possible, it's so much easier to travel light and stroller-less. Rest when the kids need it, plan to take in a show in the middle of the day, etc. To the OP - sounds like you've been before, so it's not a do once and never return trip. How about trying the parks without the stroller, and seeing how it goes?
 
Kids that age can walk all day in the parks, complain about how tired they are, and then want to go swimming when you get back to the resort, so they can't really be all that tired, And so what if they get a bit tired, it's called exercise and it means that they will sleep better at night. On most of our trips, daddy was the one whose feet hurt the worst. It's funny how kids complain how tired and sore they are but perk up fast when there is something that they want to do.

You forget to factor in the most 8 year old children are much too big for a stroller. They don't fit properly and will be in a awkward position. That is not good for your child either. You are also under the assumption that and 8 year would be willing to sit in a stroller. Most kids that age are very much aware that they are too old. They also notice that some people will stare and comment on them being in the stroller. But if your kid has no problem with going back to school and showing the class a picture of them sitting in the stroller, then go ahead and use one.

This very much sounds like a personal issue or problem for you. Lots of snark, sarcasm, anger and projecting what I can only guess may be challenges you face with your own kids onto others. You don't like strollers, that's cool, don't use one. If you want to judge, and clearly you do, enjoy. But not all of us seem to have the same values you do.
 
This very much sounds like a personal issue or problem for you. Lots of snark, sarcasm, anger and projecting what I can only guess may be challenges you face with your own kids onto others. You don't like strollers, that's cool, don't use one. If you want to judge, and clearly you do, enjoy. But not all of us seem to have the same values you do.

LOL what is funny is how defensive people are that put their old kids in a stroller, that is usually a sign that they know they are wrong but want to prove themselves right. I have no issues with my kids, they had no problems walking. It was the great experience of having them walk along with us and enjoying our time together that I would hate for others to miss out out, just to get on a few extra rides. You also seem to get heated when you discuss your side. So that is OK for you, but when someone opposes you, then they are snarky and angry? And everyone judges when they see something that is out of the norm, whether you admit it or not. That is just human nature.
 
As the mother to a 9 year old that also “looks fit and healthy” and is not we have received more than one dirty look and nasty comment. Another reminder keep it to yourself. You have no idea just by looking if a child is or is not healthy and capable of walking around the parks all day. And for those of you that choose to say something, bring it. This mama bear has no issue putting you in your place.
I'm not a supporter of children in strollers that are old enough to walk however I would never make a comment to someone else while in the park. I really don't have time to worry about it as I'm to busy enjoying my family.
 
I have no issues with my kids, they had no problems walking. It was the great experience of having them walk along with us and enjoying our time together that I would hate for others to miss out out, just to get on a few extra rides. You also seem to get heated when you discuss your side. So that is OK for you, but when someone opposes you, then they are snarky and angry? And everyone judges when they see something that is out of the norm, whether you admit it or not. That is just human nature.
It’s wonderful that this worked well for your family and that you had a great experience! I wouldn’t waste time worrying about (and especially not “hating”) what you think children in other families may be “missing out on”; just do whatever works for your family, and enjoy!
 
While the attitude is a bit over the top, I agree that no one can know the situation for every child in a stroller. I do admit to laughing at a family that had 3 kids all tangled up trying to fit in a park double, with a million bags hanging/resting on the top. They were getting nowhere - either a bag would fall off, or a kid's foot would come out and hit the pavement, stopping the forward progress. The mom was yelling at the kids, the dad was trying to get the bags to stay on top.
That appears to be one of those cases where the parents were trying to do what they probably had done in the past and not adjusting as time went on especially as kids get bigger and they don't fit as well as they used to or at least there isn't as much room to spare. At that point you almost have to wonder if in their minds they were like "ugh is it worth all this hassle". If it gets downs to yelling and frustration with the mode of transportation being used it's time to try something different lol.

If it was bags full of souvenirs one thing they could have done is purchase the souvenirs and send them to the package pick up in each park. Obviously not a perfect solution as there are time limits and whatnot but that would help.

If it was park bags they might need to adjust what they were bringing.
 
Last year was the first year we did not use a stroller and DS was age 7 when we went. DS never complained as I had expected and I found it so much easier to not have one. You know your kids best and will know when they don't need one anymore.
 
We stop getting a stroller by 7. Last trip my oldest was 7 and he never complained. This time my middle child will be 7. Last year we did 2 days at an amusement park (just as much daily walking as Disney) and my middle was 6 and had no problems throughout the day. Just have to remember not to push them too hard and plan your day efficiently so you’re not going back and forth across the parks a ton.
 
We are looking into stroller options for our 6 year old (52” today, 5 months till the trip) and I already don’t look forward to the nasty looks but he is on the spectrum and between the likelihood of him taking off to chase a random thought or sight and his physical limitations we include a stroller in our plan to have the best possible vacation. If you need a stroller for your best possible vacation then do it! Those who judge without considering their ignorance are the source of their own unhappiness.
 
Do whatever works best for you. Generally for open- closers who do not revolve their schedule around the child in question I would say def. through age 5 and if easier past that have at it.

With my oldest we took one to Disney through age 4 (went to DLand when he was 5, no stroller); then when he was 6, my dd was 1 and I bought and took a sit n stand just for that trip and it was worth every penny. - My oldest didn't use anything past that.

With my oldest daughter she used a regular stroller through 4 every day. Took the stroller every day at 5 except AK (it's a half day park for us.) Rented a Disney stroller for Epcot and MK ehen she was 6 and then when she was 7 and my youngest was 2 weeks we rented s nice double stroller for them that she used most of the time, nothing after.
My youngest will be a cpl weeks shy of 5 in July and we will be bringing and using our regular stroller most if not every day. - All my kids are fit, active, a little on the skinnier side, but also taller - just to give a perspective. You do whatever is best for you guys.
 
We went when our kids were 27 months and just turned 5 (celebrated birthday on first full day in FL for our trip). We also had a 4.5 and 6.5 year old in our party (my brother's kids). We only used our 2nd single rental stroller the day we arrived to go to the resort market place to get something to eat after the kids being up for 13 plus hours and traveling for 11.5 of those (from leaving our house to arriving at the resort with some time spent getting our carry on stuff organized so one less thing to do when we got our luggage in) and the day we went to Sea World (we had a rental mini van along with a car for all 12 of us so it was easy to just toss it in) which since some people in our party decided we were going to go to every show and the schedule that day worked out that you had a short time to get from one side of the park to the other. My brother ended up renting a double stroller in the park that day for his kids and to be honest we should have rented some wheel chairs for the 3 oldest in our party (2 of them with double knee replacement one which was only 4 months before traveling, and 1 that was a little over a year out from having had a heart attack so they weren't moving too fast. 2 our of the 3 said they wished they had rented chairs for that day or ecvs).
For Disney we would just let our 5 year old ride when our 27 month old wanted to walk for a while as well as letting my brother's 6.5 year old take a short break because his 4.5 year old was pulling the mine on the single rental stroller the day they rented one though after that they did rent a double for our 2nd day at both Epcot and Magic Kingdom having seen how nice a double worked for them at Sea World.
At home we continued to use the stroller from a travel system at our local fair until our younger one was going to be turning 6 that fall where with our older one we stopped using a stroller the summer before kindergarten and that was only because we had a 1.5 mile walk back to our vehicle with only street lights crossing several streets when fireworks were over so we wanted to make sure both kids were contained in umbrella strollers (we borrowed one that my inlaws were given for their use by a friend when our older one was little and they were baby sitting when I would work an occasional shift to help out a former boss when there would be one to many people saying they could not make it in that day. They used the stroller to walk along a secondary primary street about a block to the local park.
one thing we have discovered in the so far 5 years of fair weeks ( of which the kids have exhibitors with the older one having more on the schedule including some days that are over 12 hours ) are youngest does not do well with dealing with crowds and will either try to hide some where like under a set of spectator stands or will just decide to take off and leave. Luckily we do have some wonderful gator drivers who drive the youth in our program and their tired exhausted parents to and from our vehicles or camper trailers for those who get a spot for the week) that are willing to allow some time just to ride around for a while which gives the space needed.
Knowing this about my younger child who has multiple diagnosis including so far that we know of Severe/Profound Global Apraxia, mild hyopotonia (down graded from severe), and Sensory Processing Disorder; our current plan is to go without a stroller but to have the contact information for companies that we can either rent a special needs stroller from such as a special tomato (there are only a couple of brands of these) or another option for the next day. In the park that day we would look at renting one of their chairs for the day if needed to get through the day and give our child a buffer in order to still finish out the day though we would do some major adjusting to our planned schedule.
 

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