best kids backpack carrier image
Angel
My son is eight and he is with me almost always. I need to exercise walk but he cannot go as far as I need to go or as fast. Is he too big to ride in a exercise stroller part of the way on our walks?
It would hurt my back to carry him. I am a 42 year old woman who is not strong enough to carry him on my back.
Answer
I'd say 8 is too old. My daughter will be two this summer and I have no problem having her and my almost 4 year old son in a double jog stroller when I run more than 2 miles. I just ran a half marathon and so I understand the lack of babysitters and the need for long training runs, however at 8 your son should be getting exercise of his own. My son is 3 and I have him ride his trike along while I run. If he's not used to doing it, it'll be a lot harder at first than if he's always gone with you. But 8 is an age when you can reason with him and say, "Mommy needs to get healthy in order to... I want you to be healthy with me."
Our family are big hikers: We follow the "a mile for every year starting at 2" rule: we believe it's reasonable to expect our kids to join us on hikes and that's part of our fun together. Last summer, my son climbed Sentinal Dome in Yosemite with us (daughter in a backpack carrier) and this summer we hope to do another similar hike. When hiking with kids, just remember to keep the terrain in mind - it shouldn't be someplace they could easily fall or where there's a lot of poison oak. Plan 2/3 of their max distance because kids never hike in a straight line - for example, a 3 mile loop for my son might be too much because of all the deer trails he explores along the way and all the running up to look at something ahead and running back to me it would be more like 4 or 5 miles for him. It does take longer to hike with kids, but you have great bonding time to talk and get to really explore the world around you. Make it about the journey, not the destination, my daughter loves to collect pinecones and my son loves to make tracks with sticks in the dirt. Geocaching also allows for discoveries along the way to make it more fun for them.
I'd say 8 is too old. My daughter will be two this summer and I have no problem having her and my almost 4 year old son in a double jog stroller when I run more than 2 miles. I just ran a half marathon and so I understand the lack of babysitters and the need for long training runs, however at 8 your son should be getting exercise of his own. My son is 3 and I have him ride his trike along while I run. If he's not used to doing it, it'll be a lot harder at first than if he's always gone with you. But 8 is an age when you can reason with him and say, "Mommy needs to get healthy in order to... I want you to be healthy with me."
Our family are big hikers: We follow the "a mile for every year starting at 2" rule: we believe it's reasonable to expect our kids to join us on hikes and that's part of our fun together. Last summer, my son climbed Sentinal Dome in Yosemite with us (daughter in a backpack carrier) and this summer we hope to do another similar hike. When hiking with kids, just remember to keep the terrain in mind - it shouldn't be someplace they could easily fall or where there's a lot of poison oak. Plan 2/3 of their max distance because kids never hike in a straight line - for example, a 3 mile loop for my son might be too much because of all the deer trails he explores along the way and all the running up to look at something ahead and running back to me it would be more like 4 or 5 miles for him. It does take longer to hike with kids, but you have great bonding time to talk and get to really explore the world around you. Make it about the journey, not the destination, my daughter loves to collect pinecones and my son loves to make tracks with sticks in the dirt. Geocaching also allows for discoveries along the way to make it more fun for them.
What is a good baby carrier / backpack to buy?
PF32
Ideally I would like something that will last a year of growth, not just a couple months.
Answer
REI Kids Only Piggyback
I'm normally a cheapskate (not a REI snob), but this pack is worth the extra money and then some.
I've carried my children from infancy through at least 3 to 4 years old in this thing.
I just had a "bonus baby" a couple months ago (my oldest started college last month). Thankfully, I kept the old Piggyback.
Despite the abuse from several previous children, the pack still in great shape and it will get used another 3-4 years (if my poor old body can stand it!).
REI Kids Only Piggyback
I'm normally a cheapskate (not a REI snob), but this pack is worth the extra money and then some.
I've carried my children from infancy through at least 3 to 4 years old in this thing.
I just had a "bonus baby" a couple months ago (my oldest started college last month). Thankfully, I kept the old Piggyback.
Despite the abuse from several previous children, the pack still in great shape and it will get used another 3-4 years (if my poor old body can stand it!).
Powered by Yahoo! Answers
