Why do some parents allow their children to still ride the strollers and the pacifiers well over the age of 4?

Question

They are not babies anymore. why do people still baby their chilren when they are toddlers?

Attitudes need to be checked at the door, just asking a question!

Answer 1

Strollers are fine, they are a means to keep a child in order when you're trying to get stuff done at the mall or whereever, espcially when you have more than one kid to keep an eye on. To me, it's no different from letting a kid ride inside a shopping cart while in the mall.

I have mixed feelings on pacifiers. My 8 month old has been off hers since she was 6 months old but now she sucks her thumb. The pacifier could have been thrown into the garbage any time, but I can't DO that with her thumb, so the doctor says just to wait it out and that she'll most likely outgrow it.

When you're in public though and see an older kid with a soother stuck in their mouth, don't be too quick to judge. I've learned that some autistic children, and kids with other developmental challenges, benefit from the comfort a soother can give when they're in a potentially uncomfortable situation (out at the mall, lots of people around, out of their "comfort" zone at home). HOWEVER, it drives me nuts when I KNOW there is nothing wrong with a kid and their mother lets them travel around with a soother stuck in their mouth, especially when you watch the kid drop it in the dirt then pick it up and pop it back in their mouth. YUCK. They're supposed to be a "soother", used when a child is crying and inconsolable, NOT for a kid to be running around with. They can interfere with speech development as well, from what I've read, if a child has a dependance on one for too long. Think about it, how the heck is a kid supposed to learn to say words if they've got a soother stuck in their mouth?

I think, barring any developmental challenges where a child may NEED to have a soother, they should be got rid of by the time a child is a year old. They are great for infants who need to develop the sucking reflex, but after 6 months or so, there really is no reason for a child to have one.

Answer 2

Well, the age "toddler" starts at 1 year. But people let 4 year old's ride in strollers so they don't go running around the store making a mess. Pacifiers, I don't know, maybe they can't get rid of them without the child causing a huge scene. Why do people care what other people do so much that they post a question about their parenting???

And also, pacifiers don't hurt the growth of teeth, most are "orthodontic" these days so the do not interfere with the teeth.

Answer 3

Well I disagree with the pacifiers after the age of two. As for the strollers... Well, it can be alot easier on the parents if they are walking long distances. Just because they are 4 doesn't mean that they can handle really long walk ya know. Also strollers come in handy if you are in a rush, ( because kids can't keep up.) And if you are in a crowded mall, ( Keeps them close.) I think the answer is pretty straight forward here.

Answer 4

Pacifiers in my opinion are meant for infants and should not be used for toddlers at all. Strollers however are convenient when a child is tired and wants to be carried. At 3 years old my back (and my nerves) can't take the weight of my tired, cranky daughter for very long. When we go on walks, she walks on her own until she is tired only then can she get a ride in the stroller. Just think she probably takes 2-3 steps for every one of mine. She just can't possibly keep up. They are also handy in crowded areas when you need to keep an eye on what you're doing or where you're going. If your kid's in a stroller you always know they are safe.

Answer 5

I would rather be judged for babying my child then to risk him getting hurt. Sometimes when you are out in public in a busy place it is easy for a child to get separated from their parents. So I think it makes perfect sense to put them in a stroller where they can be safe and you have control over them. Children have a natural tendency to wander and all it takes is for you to turn yuor back for a second. My son is three and I still use a stroller. He is no longer taking a pacifier but he still takes a bottle. The reason he still does these things has nothing to do with my desire to baby him. My son is autistic. He doesn't know how to walk without running off. He refuses to hold my hand. So in our case a stroller is a necessary tool to keep him safe at all times. He doesn't realize it is dangerous to run into the middle of the street and we can't exactly explain this to him. We continue to try to teach him these things, but it is difficult and he hasn't quite got the hang of it. As for the reason my son is still on the bottle, He cannot chew or swallow solid food and still relies on milk as his primary source of nutrition. We have tried to give him a sippy cup , but he refuses to take it. I very well can't sit around and let him starve until he finally gets the idea, can I? With all the problems in the world, and the many other things parents can do to compromise their children's welfare( such as leaving them in cars while they run into the store) It seems ridiculous that some one would choose these to label someone a bad parent. Especially when the parent may have perfectly logical reasons as to why they continue to let their children ride in strollers or use a pacifier or a bottle, like myself. I would think that I would be a worse parent for denying my son food rather than let him have his bottle. Try not to be so judgemental.

Answer 6

Binky at 4 is way past due for good oral development, but
stollers can be very useful if you're going to be shopping or out and about and don't feel like, or have the back to, carry a sleeping 4 year old for 3-4 hours. Being out for a few hours and not having a stroller when you have a 4 year old is a guarantee that you're going to have to cut whatever you're doing, very short. The stroller becomes a safe and comfortable place for your child to sleep or to be contained and not run with reckless abandon; nothing's wrong with that.

Answer 7

I don't know about the pacifiers, but keeping a child in a stroller when you're running errands or at the mall, 1) keeps them safer, they can't wander away from you or get snatched by a perv and 2) Do you want to carry around a sleeping 4 year old while you try to accomplish something? It's just practical and makes it a little easier for the parent.

Answer 8

Because they will be giving in to the crying for a very long time. Just drop the pacifier in the trash can. Strollers may be useful even at that age (Disneyland, etc.) They do get heavy.

Answer 9

You, my dear, apparently do not have children.... Pacifiers do not ruin teeth, but thumbs sure do. Pacifiers are more of a convenience to a parent to get their children to sleep. I have four and I refuse to use one with my newest baby. I know how hard it is to get a child off his addiction to a pacifier! It's like any other addiction....

As for the stroller thing, it is just easier to shop when you have your child in one spot.

I have four, so I put two in the double stroller and have the others hold on to the side.

It's a matter of safety. And if I had to choose between pleasing people like you who know nothing about having children and my child getting hit by a car or kidnapped, I choose irritating YOU.

Answer 10

Because do-gooders that have no children think it is barbaric for parents to use a harness on their children. So we use a stroller. I suppose you would bad-mouth a parent using a harness too. Have you ever had a child run out into the street while you were pregnant and almost get hit by a car because you could not get there fast enough? Don't judge!