keeping a 1 year old in the stroller

mommymegan831

any tips or toy suggestions?  We went to Crayola today and he did ok, lots of snacks, but he still wanted to get out a lot.  Next week we're going to Sesame, I plan on taking him on some rides and in the pool, but any ideas how to keep him active and content in the stroller?

mommymegan831

LalaMama81:

The stroller is meant to be a transportation device in those situations, not a cage. It is normal for a one year old to want to get in and out at those places, how else will they see things and explore? I think you have the wrong expectation. If there's a time they must be contained, strap them in or wear them. I would not assume I'd have a one year old in a stroller at sesame place except for walking to another attraction.

I see that you have two kids so I would assume you'd understand.  We do things like Crayola and Sesame mainly for DD (3), there are some things DS (14 months) will enjoy, but the majority of it he is too young for and when you need to be with two kids, it's a safety issue to have one in the stroller.  DH doesn't have a ton of patience for chasing after DS and DD wants to do things with mommy 99% of the time.  He will not be in the stroller the entire day, but when we're in an area that he's just too small for, I'm looking for ideas on keeping him entertained.  DS is 27 lbs, I don't know of a baby carrier for a child that large, and he hates to be carried around so I'm assuming he wouldn't be into it anyway.  I can't think of a more awkward way of getting around then holding him on a leash and pushing an empty stroller. 

kcisthebombdotcom

mommymegan831 said:

LalaMama81:

The stroller is meant to be a transportation device in those situations, not a cage. It is normal for a one year old to want to get in and out at those places, how else will they see things and explore? I think you have the wrong expectation. If there's a time they must be contained, strap them in or wear them. I would not assume I'd have a one year old in a stroller at sesame place except for walking to another attraction.

I see that you have two kids so I would assume you'd understand.  We do things like Crayola and Sesame mainly for DD (3), there are some things DS (14 months) will enjoy, but the majority of it he is too young for and when you need to be with two kids, it's a safety issue to have one in the stroller.  DH doesn't have a ton of patience for chasing after DS and DD wants to do things with mommy 99% of the time.  He will not be in the stroller the entire day, but when we're in an area that he's just too small for, I'm looking for ideas on keeping him entertained.  DS is 27 lbs, I don't know of a baby carrier for a child that large, and he hates to be carried around so I'm assuming he wouldn't be into it anyway.  I can't think of a more awkward way of getting around then holding him on a leash and pushing an empty stroller. 

Who cares what other people think? I think it might be slightly more awkward to push around a kid in a stroller kicking and screaming all day than it is to use a leash. Fwiw, I gave up the stroller when my oldest was two/youngest was 1 and manage to keep them both safe. Practicing the rules of walking and giving the consequence of losing the privilege of walking teaches kids how to behave. When I see kids five years old still running off I assume people used the stroller as a crutch too much to keep a kid contained and they never pushed the rules. It also doesn't matter what your dh enjoys. He's a parent. He doesn't get to pick and choose what parts he likes and only handles those responsibilities.

skibunny59

We rarely ever use the stroller anymore for this reason.  DD is 16 months and we don't even bring it places anymore because we know she won't sit in it.  She is SUPER good about holding our hands so we just let her walk.  If she gets tired I wear her in the Ergo.  It works out really well for us.

You could just have the stroller with you for when LO gets tired but this didn't work out too well for us because DD insisted on pushing the stroller herself.  We just don't even bother with the stroller right now.

skibunny59

mommymegan831 said:

LalaMama81:

The stroller is meant to be a transportation device in those situations, not a cage. It is normal for a one year old to want to get in and out at those places, how else will they see things and explore? I think you have the wrong expectation. If there's a time they must be contained, strap them in or wear them. I would not assume I'd have a one year old in a stroller at sesame place except for walking to another attraction.

I see that you have two kids so I would assume you'd understand.  We do things like Crayola and Sesame mainly for DD (3), there are some things DS (14 months) will enjoy, but the majority of it he is too young for and when you need to be with two kids, it's a safety issue to have one in the stroller.  DH doesn't have a ton of patience for chasing after DS and DD wants to do things with mommy 99% of the time.  He will not be in the stroller the entire day, but when we're in an area that he's just too small for, I'm looking for ideas on keeping him entertained.  DS is 27 lbs, I don't know of a baby carrier for a child that large, and he hates to be carried around so I'm assuming he wouldn't be into it anyway.  I can't think of a more awkward way of getting around then holding him on a leash and pushing an empty stroller. 

Get an Ergo baby carrier.  They are Fantastic and super comfy.  DD weighs 24 lbs. and I wear her all the time with no problems.  I think the weight limit is 45 lbs.

StacyJYay

My son is 20 months old and because we live in a city and don't own a car, he's often in the stroller.   To keep him entertained in it:
- I talk to him frequently and point out interesting things. 
- I offer him snacks/water.
- I bought a stroller fan (from Diono; it's on Amazon).  It doesn't offer much cooling effect, but boy does he love to hold/look at it! 
- I take him out once in a while and let him walk next to me. 
- I do "funny" things when pushing the stroller (e.g., go fast for half a block, go over a bump (gently), etc.
- I let him take a favorite toy (e.g., his harmonica, a board book, etc.) 

Hope this helps!  I couldn't imagine carrying him or letting him walk the entire time either, but I'm glad that those options work for others.     

freezorburn

DS isn't walking yet, but now with the warm weather he doesn't like being in an Ergo for very long. We go for daily walks in the stroller since we have a dog who doesn't take a day off. DS gets bored if we sit still for very long. Sometimes he falls asleep, but mostly he just wants to take in the view. And I know he would rather be crawling around and exploring. Right now he has a stroller book with colors and animals, that usually keeps him interested for a few minutes until we can at least get rolling again.

Maybe look for kid carrier packs designed for hiking? We just got a Deuter Kid Comfort III. DS is not right up against the body of whichever parent is wearing it, so he stays cooler. And he sits higher up so he can see better than when he is in the Ergo. Weight limit is about 48 pounds.

But I also agree with PPs that if you have 2 kids of different ages that maybe you and your DH each need to take one kid so that they can each do activities that are appropriate for them. Agree on a time to meet up for meals or whatever activities you know you can do as a family, but make sure each kid gets their own playtime.

EMOmamma

I agree with the poster that suggested a structured hiking carrier (over an Ergo) much better for an older kid and you can probably get a used one in good shape. 

Does Sesame have wagons you can rent?  I would try that out if you can.  We're probably going to get a wagon for our kids now that DD is over 1.  

It also sounds like your H needs to adjust expectations.  But I know this can be a hard conversation and other than just saying "suck it up buddy" I'm not sure how you can explain it to him.  

EMOmamma

LalaMama81 said:

I would never pull my kids in a wagon at a theme park or the zoo, etc. It sounds awful to me, but maybe I'm the only one. I don't thing some places even allow them.

lol

You know what sounds awful to me - your screaming kid in the stroller.

Where wouldn't allow a wagon that would allow a stroller?  You know wagons have seats, seat belts, cup holder, canopies, etc now right?  

FWIW - when we go places (like the zoo) with my nephew my DS LOVES riding in his wagon.

ChelsiAnn13

My advice: good luck.

Lol just kidding... Kinda. I haven't figured it out. I have pretty much dedicated my time to getting her to walk with us well instead. She is usually okay in her stroller when we first arrive somewhere so I try to keep her happy in her stroller as long as possible then just accept that she will want to walk a good portion.

We are using out wagon more now anyways. She stays in that just as long if not longer the. Her stroller, it has better shade, and I can carry more. Lol

ChelsiAnn13

Nicb13 said:

EMO-mamma said:

LalaMama81 said:

I would never pull my kids in a wagon at a theme park or the zoo, etc. It sounds awful to me, but maybe I'm the only one. I don't thing some places even allow them.

lol

You know what sounds awful to me - your screaming kid in the stroller.

Where wouldn't allow a wagon that would allow a stroller?  You know wagons have seats, seat belts, cup holder, canopies, etc now right?  

FWIW - when we go places (like the zoo) with my nephew my DS LOVES riding in his wagon.

She wears her kids or lets them walk on their own. They would probably never be in an awful stroller or awful wagon.

Wagons are pretty bad ass these days. DS loves riding in one.

-----
Lol. My wagon is luxury. It has a canopy, padded seats, cup holders, and the second seat can fold up into a table so she can draw or eat. Also both seats fall down so I can change her diaper or put the seat pads down so she can nap if she really wanted to. Love that thing!

skibunny59

I have an idea.  How about getting something like this?  

https://www.amazon.com/Step2-Smile-Ride-Buggy-Red/dp/B007HHQ5P8/ref=sr_1_1?s=toys-and-games&ie=UTF8&qid=1374857113&sr=1-1&keywords=ride+on+buggy

(sorry. don't know how to make it clicky)

I saw a toddler at the zoo in one of these and he looked like he was having a blast.