Coco and Ice T recently shared a picture of their 6-year-old, Chanel, in astroller .- A pediatrician said most kids stop being pushed around by age 3 or 4.
When Coco Austin shared pictures of her bored-looking 6-year-old daughter sitting in a stroller, Instagram commenters saw one thing: the ride.
"Isn't she like 6 yrs old! Should she be out of a stroller by now?!" one commenter wrote.
But Gina Posner, a board-certified pediatrician, said there's no harm in pushing a 6-year-old in a stroller, and that it can even be beneficial when it makes the day easier for mom and dad.
"Sanity-wise for parents, kids can get cranky after a long day at an amusement park or somewhere else, so sometimes it is nice to have them in a stroller so they do not get cranky or complain about walking so much," she said.
Some days, the convenience of a stroller can't be beaten
Most kids stop riding in a stroller by the time they're 3 or 4 years old, Posner said. "It is always good for kids who are capable of walking to walk since it is good exercise," she added.
Still, the convenience of a stroller can't be overlooked, especially for long, busy days.
One mom, Stephanie Sylverne, said: "Strollers provide a space to rest and shade and also storage. I used them until my kids couldn't fit in them anymore. I've never understood why people get so judgy about stuff like this."
For city parents, such as Heather Osterman-Davids in New York, a stroller is essential for getting kids and cargo where they need to go. "It's like a car you push," she said. "No one yells at people for putting their kids in a car."
For children with special needs, strollers are essential
Extended stroller use is even more important for families that are navigating disabilities, such as trouble walking and neurodivergence.
Julia Pelly never used a stroller much when her children were young. But she started renting one for her 5-year-old, who has autism, on busy trips to the zoo or other crowded places after reading an essay by an autistic adult who said the mental gymnastics of trying to navigate crowds sucked the joy from many events.
"It helps in a huge way," Pelly said. "He's able to sit back and enjoy the ride, hop out when we're at something he wants to explore, and hop back in and pull the shade when he's overwhelmed."
What it comes down to, Posner said, is that every family needs to make a decision that's right for them, without worrying about how others may react.
"As long as it is not an apparent abusive situation, simply ignore them or just let them know that it is not their business what you do with your child," she said.