Should I Talk To My Employers Over This??

[Anonymous]

I am a Nanny to a little boy who turns six in August.

I do full-time in the summer when he is not in any camps.

I do not drive because there are things to walk to by his house.
There are two playgrounds, a library, various community playgroups, a rec center + many kid-friendly restaurants too.
My problem...?

Unfortunately his parents still have me push him in the stroller when we go out!!
At first, I was okay w/everything, but now that it is getting hot...
I find it would really be a great relief if he could walk or ride his scooter like my Nanny friend’s charges the same age and under.
I think my charge is too big to be pushed around in a stroller.
Plus there are a few hills that I have to walk up and my back is not too happy w/all the pushing.

I would like to ask the parents for permission to have their son just walk or use his scooter, but when I asked about six months ago, they told me that it would be fruitless to try since he won’t leave the house w/out sitting in his stroller.

At what age do most children in general stop using a stroller?

Thanks in advance for any & all responses.

[Anonymous]

I agree that he should not be pushed around in a stroller at age 6. But how long are the walks? I have 3 kids and my oldest had to start waking at age 5. Now my kids are 7, 5, and 13 months and my 5 year old stopped using a stroller when he was about ~4

[Anonymous]

OP Here: ->> No longer than a mile long.

Meaning the longest route would be under 1/2 mile.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:OP Here: ->> No longer than a mile long.

Meaning the longest route would be under 1/2 mile.

PP poster here. I say ask your employers that it’s time he walk on his own. If he doesn’t have a scooter you may say you can both go pick one out for him, that way he’ll be excited about walking. But if you say something like this to your employers: “today we’ won’t be using the stroller and trying something new. Is that okay? I think it’s time for him to enjoy walking on his own.” Or is that to much? As a mom, I would not make my nanny push a 6 year old around! Plus walking around would tire out the boy!

[Anonymous]

That is crazy. My kids are 3 and 6 and they walk a half mile each way every day with no issue, and scoot or bike for 2-3 miles regularly. Absolutely talk to his parents--he should be walking or riding a scooter at this age. Is he even still within the weight limits of the stroller? Not to mention that having to store a stroller when you get to your destination is a pain--that was one of the best things about ditching it!

Can you plan an outing with your friend and her charges, and simply say "today we're all riding scooters"?

[Anonymous]

I would bring it up again and ask the parents if it's ok to try having him walk (or use a scooter). Seemed as if the parents don't think DC will. Bet they would be glad if DC did walk. Worth a shot. IMO 6 is way too old.

[Anonymous]

Ok, that is bonkers (speaking as a mom whose DS 5 and au pair walk at least 1.5 miles a day and have for at least two years).

If nothing else, I’m surprised his peers aren’t teasing him.

[Anonymous]

Yes. I would absolutely take to them about it. 6 is WAY too old to be in a stroller!!

[Anonymous]

He parents didn’t say no, just that it will be a struggle. So have him walk and be prepared that this might be a long transition period.

[Anonymous]

My charges are 2 and they can walk that distance. Tell MB that you understand his preference is for the stroller but that walking part way at least is age-appropriate and that you would like to start working on it with him. Then tell charge that you are going to build up to walking. The first week he walks 1/3 of the way there then rides, next week walks 2/3 of the way then rides, next week walks there and rides home, etc. build up his stamina over time until you can be done with the stroller.

[Anonymous]

I refuse to use a stroller once children are capable of walking, unless there are special needs that make a stroller necessary.

[Anonymous]

We live in a city and my rule was that the stroller gets retired when you turn 3. We'll take breaks, I'll give piggyback rides, but no stroller after the 3rd birthday.

[Anonymous]

My 2.5 year old has stopped sitting in a stroller and walke everywhere for several months now. They do to the park and it’s a good mile each way and she walks the whole time.
Why don’t you just take the stroller and offer him to walk and push the stroller himself?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:My 2.5 year old has stopped sitting in a stroller and walke everywhere for several months now. They do to the park and it’s a good mile each way and she walks the whole time.
Why don’t you just take the stroller and offer him to walk and push the stroller himself?

By 6, it’s a habit. He needs to go cold turkey.

[Anonymous]

Mom here.
Take him out with scooter, balance bike, bike with training wheels or walking. He needs to break the stroller habit cold turkey and it won't happen with his parents. You simply tell him you don't push strollers for big boys.

He will get the hang of it soon. and his parents will eventually thank you