learning to not use the stroller

My son is four. We don't use the stroller unless we are going to the mall. Obviously I think we need to stop this...but how?

My kid is not the type to just walk contently next to me without holding my hand and keeping his own hands to himself. We are also in a constant power struggle nowadays with him talking over us because he wants to be independent. It is extremely hard to get through to him in public unless we storm out and leave while he is crying. We are going to TCP today for the sale and I need some tips to keep him entertained and behaving whilst there. Help!



That being said, he does not misbehave in every store and every situation, but I really don't want to have to leave.

my son is 3 and i still use a stroller and will for wile my son has melt downs and it just better because he likes to walk i tell him if he can behave hes going in the stroller and getting buckled in most times we dont have to but i take my double just in case as i have a 8 month old.

<blockquote><b>Quoting Click Me Click Me!!!:</b>" my son is 3 and i still use a stroller and will for wile my son has melt downs and it just better because ... [snip!] ... in the stroller and getting buckled in most times we dont have to but i take my double just in case as i have a 8 month old."</blockquote>




We used to do that, but it didn't matter. He would just test us and do what he wanted anyway so that wed have to leave.

Quoting Spoonful of Jayson:" <blockquote><b>Quoting Click Me Click Me!!!:</b>" my son is 3 and i still use a stroller ... [snip!] ... We used to do that, but it didn't matter. He would just test us and do what he wanted anyway so that wed have to leave."

mine knows he will be getting in buckled in but if its something I HAVE to do we are not leaving.

we dont use a stroller logan is three. its hard sometimes but i think doing it all along has helped. try at the park or something where a tantrum wont be so public and have him follow you from place to place. always say where you are going next, make him hold your hand. if he misbehaves or stalls go home. or say you are going home lol.
logan tries to get away sometiems but j just say ok im leaving and he usually yells "wait mommy no!!!!" and runs to my side lol

I personally don't see it as a big issue if you use the stroller. You have to do whatever makes your life easier.

Have you thought about using a harness?

Its not a huge issue as I'm not concerned if I get stares and whatnot, but I do want him to learn.


Also, I'm not a big fan of the harness for our issue.

If a problem comes up, ask a sales associate to hold your items at the counter...take him out of the store, deal with it, give him a minute to compose himself and go back in. If he's standing their patiently, let him know he's doing an awesome job...and just keep stressing that 'this' is how we behave in store, eventually he'll get it.

Also, at 4yo...Lambie rarely held my hand the entire time we were out n about...but she would hang onto the messenger strap of my purse. She was always tugging, twirling, twisting or whipping like horse reigns, so I knew she was there. Maybe get something like this that he can hang onto...and let him choose the fabric/style!

<blockquote><b>Quoting .chele.:</b>" If a problem comes up, ask a sales associate to hold your items at the counter...take him out of the ... [snip!] ... reigns, so I knew she was there. Maybe get something like this that he can hang onto...and let him choose the fabric/style! "</blockquote>



That's a good idea. He hates holding hands, but sometimes I have to make him. He's just alllllllways testing me and when I try to correct him he will talk over me and go "MOMMY IM TALKING TO YOU!!!" Over and over again instead of listening to what I'm saying to him.

Quoting Spoonful of Jayson:" <blockquote><b>Quoting .chele.:</b>" If a problem comes up, ask a sales associate to ... [snip!] ... he will talk over me and go "MOMMY IM TALKING TO YOU!!!" Over and over again instead of listening to what I'm saying to him."

my 3 year old does that  

I am fine with my son riding in the stroller. he is 4.5 right now and will be 5 in may. He weighs too much to carry and the stroller keeps him right with me and he loves it. I know my daughter, who is 8, would still ride in one if i would let her too. I will push him for at least another year. Then I will simply put it away and not bring it anymore and that is how we will just not use it. I won't carry him either b/c he weighs a lot (not chubby though). The first time he will have a hard time but as long as he doesn't see the stroller he will be fine with it. we did this with myd aughter. she had to walk right with us or she would have to get punished as in not getting a toy or something

<blockquote><b>Quoting Spoonful of Jayson:</b>" My son is four. We don't use the stroller unless we are going to the mall. Obviously I think we need ... [snip!] ... Help! That being said, he does not misbehave in every store and every situation, but I really don't want to have to leave."</blockquote>




Hey, long time no talk!
My DD is now 2 and a half and when we go to Neshaminy (her fav mall because of the bookstore having toys and a Lego table), we never use a stroller. The only time we use the stroller is going for a walk in the neighborhood because I use it to carry water, snacks, etc. The mall, she likes walking and holding hands. If she sees the stroller,then she wants to get in, but if its not there she doesn't. Maybe try not bringing it once.. . .? Worse comes to worse you can rent a stroller car there. It's just worth a shot maybe.

Quoting JenniferW [Laina's Mom)]:" <blockquote><b>Quoting Spoonful of Jayson:</b>" My son is four. We don't use the stroller ... [snip!] ... Maybe try not bringing it once.. . .? Worse comes to worse you can rent a stroller car there. It's just worth a shot maybe."

Hey! I know right!

Oh my gosh we can never get out of the bookstore at Neshaminy because a lot of the time I cut through there to get to TCP to avoid the food court because he ALWAYS wants to sit down and eat there.

We tried with no stroller on Sunday. He fell asleep on the way to Oxford Valley, so I let him nap in the car before we went inside. He did pretty well. He was a little handsy and testing his boundaries like how far away he could be from me before I told him to come back, but it was good. Then I let him get chocolate milk when we went to Target because he was such a good boy. His motivation was getting that chocolate milk! lol

I would maybe start out small, like bring it but leave it in the car and try to get through shopping and having him listen (if that day he is not listening) I never used a stroller passed 2 yrs old, unless we went to the zoo on vacay or an amussment park etc....but usually it was a wagon. lol

I always told my girls if they didnt listen etc...they had to hold onto the side of the cart, and were not allowed to let go. (its our public time out) they know it too, if I say cart now, they hold onto it right away and know they were not behaving.

Well my oldest is almost 11 now, but I use this with my 4.5yr old all the time, at walmart the grocery store etc.....and we shop every sat at the big mall here for at least 5-6 hrs, they know the drill. lol I dont use a stroller with my now 13 month old at the mall anymore she just sits in the cart, or I carry her from store to store (she cant walk yet) lol