Jogging stroller for 4 year old??

  • Does anyone put their 4 year old (or older child) in a jogging stroller??
    My DD has not been in ANY stroller in over a year.. maybe longer!
    For some reason I am uncomfortable with the idea of putting her in one? I have no idea why, I just worry that she's "too big" now...
    But I REALLY want to start jogging and going on really long walks. I guess I am looking for someone to tell me it's ok! I don't know why I am having an issue with this.
    I am not sure if she will fit into the jogging stroller I have, it's more setup for babies. So, I might have to buy a new one....

    My DH works 7 days a week, two jobs. He is never home to watch her and I don't have a sitter. I don't want to hire a sitter to watch her while I run... She's only ever had a baby sitter once in 4 years!

    My other option is paying $29 a month for LA Fitness and use the treadmill while she is in the kids care center...
    But I'd like to save money..

    Sorry, thinking out loud!
  • There is nothing wrong with putting a 4 year old in a stroller!! Plenty of parents do it. My parents have pictures of me being pushed around Disney World in a stoller at the age of 5, lol. It's definitely more practical for you to use a stroller rather than to spend extra money on a sitter or to go to the gym.
  • I have a 4 year old too and when I want to run with him I use our bike trailer, which converts to a jogging stroller. (I mainly use it in stroller mode.) We have a Burley, a brand which is pretty expensive new, but we got ours used for about $150. I also feel self-conscious about putting my kiddo into a stroller now that he's big; one of the nice things about the Burley is that it's hard for other people to see in, so it's not like they know you're running with a bigger kid Our "stroller" holds kids up to 100lbs, I think.
  • All you have to do is check the weight limit on the stroller. I agree with Hikermc, the Burley is nice because you can use it behind your bike and for jogging. Be sure to put a bike helmet on the kid when behind the bike.

    Do your research and pick one you're comfy with. I spent many years behind a jog stroller while my kids were little. It's an excellent work out and fun mom and me time if you go to a destination for the child (like ice cream or toy store or preschool).

    Btw, check your local churches or YMCA. Many offer preschool or adventure alley babysitting a couple hours a day.