How can I help my four year old son

Question

Next week I am planning a trip to the zoo. Me and my boyfriend and my two boys be going. When I go to the zoo I usually take the stroller with me for my four year old son. He gets in and out at times at the zoo. And I like to carry the stuff in the back. Right now I am thinking about not taking the stroller with me. I planning to put a cooler in a locker. I don't know how well he would react to not having the stroller. I know when I don't bring it he would want to be carried. We be taking breaks since I am pregnant and would need the rest. I hoping that would only have to pay once for a locker ( don't know how big they are). I be bringing lunch and bottle of water to drink. I might be carrying a book bag with pull ups and wipes and snack with money and camera. How can I prepare him to walk alot. Because next year he won't have a stroller it would be for the baby only. And it time for him to give it up.

Answer 1

how about taking mommy and son walks and tell him its what big people do and if hes like my son if i say its what big people do he'll want to do it to.HOPE THIS HELPED

Answer 2

I would suggest you talk to your son about how "Big Boys" walk like his older brother and that babies and little boys get tired faster so they need the stroller. Def. carry the backpack and you might even want to stash the stroller in the trunk in case he really gets pooped. Four year olds have a lot of energy so don't worry. Plus by the time the baby has to use it your son won't feel like your ripping it out from under his behind to pass on to the new child. Chances are he will have enough to adjust to.  

Answer 3

personally i would bring a stroller or rent one there because it will help with him and you can load evrything else in it like you suggested i understand wanting to get him out of the habit before the baby is due because then the baby goes in the stroller but 2 things you can either look for a free double stroller on www.freecycle.org or when the babies born hes going to want to be a big boy anyway(well eventally he will doesnt matter how much you prepare him now when the baby comes hes going to regress a little bit) but anyway for the most part he will except the stoller is for the baby you can even get him a toy stoller and a baby to push around in it but ok im straying from the subject i think you should take it to make it eaiser on evryone it can carry stuff for you your son can nap in it or go in it if he gets cranky because a day at the zoo can be a long day and in my opinion not bringing the stroller to the zoo one day isnt going to prepare him for not using one when the baby arives hes four so im sure walking in general isnt a problem its just walking for long periods of time so i would just bring it because if you dont all its going to do is add extra stress and headaches for you and your boyfriend having to deal with a cranky kid whos tired and dont want to walk LOL sorry i know that sounds rotten im just speaking from experiance i have a four year old son and almost two year old daughter i have been there done that LOL good luck though and i hope you enjoy the day :)

Answer 4

Use stroller for your sake, or find out if they rent golf carts for customers' use.

Answer 5

I would take it this time and deal with next year, next year. We did this once and regretted not having the stroller big time. She was tired and was falling asleep and we had to rotate people carrying her. One more year will make a big difference in him. And carrying the bag and camera etc. is a pain as well. It made the last half of our zoo trip miserable.

Answer 6

Try a wagon instead of a stroller but it will be heavy to pull.  

Answer 7

I suggest finding another time to break him of the stroller. You are gonna need it. Even my daughter who is 6 gets wiped out and I am sure you are in no condition to be carrying him around. They do make two seater strollers too so just in case you are unable to break him of it I wouldn't worry.

I think it is a lot to ask for a little one to be walking all that way and let him have this last trip with the stroller before the baby comes. He will have enough things he will have to give up then. Just my opinion.  

Answer 8

I know that in zoo's you can rent a bike that fits the whole family and also cool looking strollers. But if you do not want to spend more $ you need to plan your day to make sure he is super busy.. And of course do expect some carrying; 4 yr olds are like that. I would make the trip short..and do not expect that much from him

Answer 9

Just don't take it...He will be okay when he is able to rest with you on the breaks...it will take some getting used to but he's too big to be carried around

Answer 10

Our zoo (Melbourne) hands out maps at the entrance perhaps give him the "big job for 4 year old's"  of being in charge of the map.  If there is no stroller he probably will forget about it.  Also, what better place to do it first.  There's plenty to keep him going, its a family friendly environment and as you said he can rest legs on seats along the way.

Answer 11

It will be tough at first, but he will get used to it.  My daughter is 3 years old and I just had to explain to her that I can't carry her around as much because I'm pregnant and getting bigger and its hard. You just have to keep telling him that it's good for him to walk around, that's what I told my daughter and while she asked quite a bit to get up, I just kept on my saying that she was a big enough girl to walk and I'd love it if she held my hand and showed me where she wanted to go.. that was at an aquarium.. she loved leading me.  He should adapt fine.  He is older than she is so he'll probably understand more. Especially if he's excited about the baby like mine is.  She always "shares her snacks" "with the baby".  Talk to him about it.  I'm sure he'll understand, if not at first, with some perseverence.  You're doing the right thing by getting him used to it now so he doesn't resent the new baby!!  Good luck with everything!!

Answer 12

try taking a wagon!! trust me it came very handy when we just went to dorney park last month. Its great!!  My husband made me stop using a stroller for my son when he turned 2 he said he was a big boy now but he is 4 now.  

Answer 13

well he's young so he's not going 2 be able 2 walk for a long time so you should try walking places with him so he will fell he doesn't need it....  n when he getts tired maybe your boyfriend can hold him for alil while..... he may also fall asleep from the long day..... but he'll learn not to need it..