Refusing to go in the stroller

Every time we go somewhere, they won't go in the stroller. We went to the zoo on Saturday and DD walked the whole 5 hours, while DS accepted to sit for about 30 minutes towards the end (we had the wagon with us).

Why???? It's exhausting to run after two toddlers without having to push a stupid wagon/stroller too! When we had to put them in there to get to the car (traffic), DD screamed for 10 minutes. Meanwhile we kept passing singletons happily sitting in their stroller. And it's not like they listen well either... they kept taking off in random directions and we ended up having a big argument with dh. I'm seriously considering bringing leashes with us next time, if there's even a next time!

It's seriously a real PITA to take them anywhere now... at the festival 3 weeks ago we had the wagon too and they would not sit in it either (same when we have the stroller really), and when they get tired they ask us to pick them up, but if we say it's either walking or going in the stroller they want to walk...

Is it normal?

 

Probably not what you want to hear, but my two started refusing the stroller about 6 months ago. We really haven't used it since.

 

Definitely normal. :good: Our rule has always been that if you want out of the stroller you have to listen and stay by us or you get strapped in :diablo: After a few tries, they listen and don't run away. :lol:

 

Unfortunately it takes two of us to strap her in...

 

Totally do the leashes!!! My dd has started just in the last month or so of hating the stroller. But she's SOOO good on the leash and holding on to the stroller that it doesn't bother me much. Good luck!

 

I can't remember the last time we used the stroller for the boys. In fact, I sold it to Once Upon a Child(double stroller) and got a single stroller just for Annabella. Even with the double stroller, only she was using it. I would say, it's been almost a year since they've used the stroller, at least nine months. And luckily for me-they've done fine with it. If we go to things that require a lot of walking-I bring the wagon for the boys, stroller for her. They enjoy the wagon(as does she), as they can see everything. But if I am going to stores, mall, etc-they walk. We talk about their behavior before we leave the house, on the way to the destination, when I park, as we are getting out of the car, and as we enter said store/mall, etc.

I've had ONE time where I wanted to ring their necks. :laughing:

If it were me, I wouldn't want to deal with that hassle. So-I would go out with maybe you and dh. Short one item trips. Tell them you are there to get ONE thing and you are leaving. Or you can give them a list with one thing each on it. They misbehave-you leave and get in the car. Keep doing it until they know what is expected of them-whether it's them walking on their own or even with the stroller. Good luck!

 

Unfortunately the wagon doesn't work for us either! It's what's driving me nuts lol... seriously never heard of a 2.5 yo who walks for 5 hours at the zoo! And they refuse to go in their carseat half the time too and I have to pin them down to buckle them...

 

Very normal. My one son would pitch a fit when he seen the stroller for months. I would bring special snacks but he did not care. So I just let him pitch a fit. He finally realized that he was not getting his way and he's been fine ever since. The same thing happened with shopping carts and the wagon.

We're going to the zoo on Sunday and will be using the stroller. What has helped a lot is letting them climb in and out by themselves and also using only the waist straps so they don't feel trapped.

 

Sorry to say, but my girls started refusing the stroller at 2.5. They'd reluctantly sit in it, but had so much more fun walking around. By 3, we ditched the stroller except for airplane trips, and sold the stroller last month.

But even more than that... I'm impressed that you were at the zoo for five hours. Wow! Your kids are champs. Mine could probably not handle that, even at 3.5. They'd need a nap or something!

 

We just went out yesterday to the mall for a return and they got into the stroller fine, but melted down in the first store because they didn't want to be in the stroller AT ALL. Everyone in the store knew it too . I purchased the harness leashes, but now DH says "I'm not putting my kids on a leash like a dog" after he told me to purchase them a couple months ago. Of course he has conviently forgotten. This is a bad stage for trying to get out with them.