I love my kids.
I love my BOB jogging stroller.
I don’t however, love running with my kids IN my BOB jogging stroller!
Here is how it plays out in my world:
- I have to nurse the baby, get him changed, wrapped, and ready to get in the stroller. Meanwhile, boy #3 is running wild and tearing up the house. When I tell him to get his shoes on, he gets all excited about going outside.
- I fill up snack bags, water bottles, and grab various toys.
- I open the door and boy #3 RUNS outside.
- I wrestle his screaming unhappy body into the stroller with bribes of candy and cookies. (don’t judge!)
- At this point, boy #4 needs a new diaper so I run back inside to change him again.
- I load him up in the stroller and all is good. (I’m usually a sweaty mess at this point, but that is ok)
I give boy #3 his bag of cookies and we are off.
Everyone is happy!
Music is playing!
I am running!
Awesome!
and then….the cookies have run out….and I am faced with this:
He wants no part of this stroller and starts bucking and screaming to get out. This usually wakes up the baby, who also starts screaming, and then it’s time to go home. 
I have NO IDEA how moms like Dorothy or Laurie can run for significant distances with their kids in a stroller since none of my boys have put up with the stroller past age one. Forget 10 miles, I can barely get down the block! (boy #3 is a fast eater, those cookies go down like tic tacs!)
So as much as I love running outside, I’m afraid those days are coming to an end until boy #3 is in some kind of preschool.
How about you? Do you run with your kids in the stroller?
How do you get them to (happily) stay there?
{ 37 comments }
Oh hugs!! I totally know how you feel! My 3yo is also a very fast eater! He devours his fruit snack (don’t judge!
) before we even get off our street (think less than 100meters).
For me what has worked is consistency. They almost EXPECT that we are heading out for a morning walk each morning after breakfast (now after we take C to the bus stop). A bigger incentive is when we get past traffic P (my 3yo) can be my personal trainer and tells me when to run “wheely wheely fast!” <3
Although, honestly, usually after 1 mile (when I want to get in a good fast 5K or more) I end up breaking up kicking, hitting, screaming, sometimes (gasp) biting, fights. Which totally ruin any positive mood lifting endorphins that keep this crazy mom to (only) three boys going the rest of the day.
I do run with the boys… but honestly, I do MORE walking than running now.
Tips: Do you have a park (or a cool reward/snack place) you can run TO midway to encourage "we are almost there!"
Hugs!!
@Rachel @RunningRachel: I giggled a little at the biting part. I’ve so been there!
we do have a park I could run to but usually by then the baby is up or I can never catch R to get him back in the stroller! Ahh…the joys of a running mommy! 
When my older son (who is now in college) was little, we only had one car, so most days I didn’t have a car, so we walked everywhere. He was really used to being in the stroller, including when I ran with him. I did try to time our outings around nap time and after plenty of play/get energy out time…
The toddler hasn’t been in the stroller as much and about 10 months ago, I thought his stroller days were gone. But then I tried again, and it worked most days. The key with him is to make sure he got most of his neverending energy out…
I also don’t plan on walks/jogs to work out anymore. I used to get really upset inside when my planned stroller outings wouldn’t work out….
Since I have only had one little one at a time, I can’t even imagine what to do with two at once… Hang in there! It’s only a stage, and it will pass…
@Andrea@WellnessNotes: Yes, I so understand the getting annoyed part! These days I have to remind myself to be thankful for even 10 minutes, when in reality I would really love an hour! (or more….)
I hope things smooth out and you can get some running in; I only have one child, who takes strolls and car rides in small doses. Everyone lOoks at me like I have three heads when I tell them she doesn’t like to be strapped in; ‘she doesn’t fall asleep?’ Nope, never has, and she is only 9 months!
I am a new reader enjoying your blog; it is inspiring to hear from a busy fit mommy of 4 when I am only an aspiring fit working mom of one!
@Angela Sherman: thanks Angela! and my kids are the same way! They don’t sleep in the car either, which makes long car rides so much fun!
The only way I have been able to maneuver exercise in is during the kids’ afternoon naptime. Both my boys (3 & almost 2…they’re 17 months apart, just in case you wondered) go down for their naps between 12.30 & 1pm, then I try to exercise around 1:30pm, and use a workout video to do so.
never did never did never did.
did you ever use a belly bandit to squeeze you back into shape?
@tracy: I tried it, but it was too bulky & uncomfortable.
The jogging stroller can be an ordeal. I usually take my son out early so I load him up with toast, milk, cereal, etc. And we can usually get about 4 miles. For longer runs, over 6, I bring out the bribes, don’t judge
. He loves hot wheels so he gets a new one whenever I take him out for more than an hour. It works so I’m stickin’ with it!
@Lauren @ Ultra Lauren: i need to find a good bribe for mine….at this point I’ll get him a new car if he’ll give me an hour!
Hola: I just start few weeks ago! Of course not daily. But every block I rewarded with playground 15 minutes they get excited to go playground to playground I just keep running while they play,chasing them to keep warm!!It is fun but some snack just in case some drama!!! Ruin my plans!!! I took my toddlers and my 11 years old. With him I could finished!!!
@melissa: can i borrow him for awhile?
I couldn’t help but laugh at this, because I’m SO there! I have that very stroller, which I love but yeah, kids are heavy. And chatty. And want to play. We live just a few miles from a great park with a down and back run, so I tell them, “Ok, Mom is going down and back, down and back.” That way they have some idea of how long they’re going to be in there. Sometimes we start out with them running along with me (ages 4 and 2). Sometimes I bring apples with me and give them one at a time. We usually add to the weight by bringing about 50 library books that I trade out every few minutes. We talk (they talk, I grunt) about the squirrels, dogs, trees, we see, etc. It takes a lot longer with them, but I think we’re doing the right thing in making them involved in fitness. Most of the time, it works out well, but some days we just have to cut it short and play on the playground. Good luck!
@Holly: thanks Holly! I laughed at your “chatty’ comment. YES! and sometimes I just want to run in peace!
I like your down and back idea, I’ll have to try that out!
Oh boy, I remember those days! My oldest went through a phase that she hated the jogger and would scream for a good amount of time. I was so determined and desparate, I’d usually just run through it and smile and laugh as people stared!!
I found that running first thing in the morning helped quite a bit, like another commenter said. Sippy cup of milk and a baggie of dry cereal! I’ve always done a reward of “getting out at the end to run with mommy” and that helps too. If they are really antsy, we might take a break halfway.
Maybe getting snacks ready ahead of time, or the day before?
I often keep up a conversation too–look at that plant, can we find a dog, here’s a rock or a flower to hold etc.
Or…can you get up early and run before your hubs leaves? Even if you take the baby with you, it will be much easier! One of the runner moms I follow has written about putting the baby in the jogger at 4 or 5am for a run.
Consistency is key too.
Hang in there!! Maybe try some new things…or go with naptime DVD’s!
@Corrina: 4am? ack! I would love to go early but it’s dark out now and i’m paranoid. You are right about consistency though, I just need to do it more and he’ll get used to it. Either that or I’ll just invest in some earplugs.
I’ve never been much of a runner. I did do *some* running with a stroller when they were little. I always made sure we had a book, toys, and food. Yes, I spent time picking them up. Do they nap at the same time? Maybe you could do it then. Or a kb workout?
@Jenn (GH): I love my Kb workouts (I attempted your 911 workout the other day and only survived 2 rounds. OUCH!). I love getting outside though for exercise…and we only have a month or so left of good weather…..heavy sigh….
Some kids love the stroller, other kids just don’t. It sounds like you’re already running the equivalent of a few miles just getting them ready, lol!
My only advice, if it’s feasible, is to maybe hire a college student (perhaps one majoring in early childhood education) to watch the kids for an hour here and there while you go for a run.
Oh, and I find that the ones who judge the harshest either don’t have kids at all. or simply have mellower kids.
No judgements here!
@Alyssa: thanks Alyssa! my kids are anything but mellow. (i thought that for sure 1 out of 4 would have to be, but no luck!) I am putting on my “to do” list to find a college student. Surely there must be one around, right?! Thanks!
Lollipops and an ipod touch and still I max out about 45 minutes, sometimes less before he starts to try to climb out
@Sarah: glad to know I am not alone! I give mine my iphone to watch a movie and he looks at me as if I’m crazy. Sometimes I catch myself (saying to a 21 month old, lol!)—some kids would LOVE to watch this!?! Yes…I have lost my running mama mind!
Mine have outgrown the stroller and now I’d like to get them to do some running with me, but that is a whole other battle.
Here is what I did, my kids are 17 months apart and prone to messing with each other when in the confined space of said BOB.
1. Snacks are great, choose slow to eat ones like a big bag of cheerios or a whole apple (if you’re confident they won’t choke on it).
2. Have them bring a “friend”, mine loved when they were allowed to bring a stuffed animal or doll along with them.
3. Music. Instead of using headphones (which I felt weren’t safe for street running and besides I couldn’t communicate with the kids) I played the music out loud and kept it G/PG but still up-tempo.
4. Talk/Narrate. I spent a lot of time talking to the kids, keeping them engaged with the surroundings “look a squirrel!”, “do you hear that dog barking?”, “oh cool the garbage truck” whatever.. the point is to show them they can enjoy the ride and the view and not see it as torture. I also encouraged my kids to cheer for me, especially up hills or that last block.
5. Parks/playgrounds. I used to pick places to run that offered both a trail and a playground. We’d go early, snacks, toys, etc in hand and I gave them the incentive of playing after the run. “Mommy needs to get some exercise to stay healthy, when you show me that you can behave nicely we’ll have time to play after.” And also give them a timeline “We will do 3 laps around the big loop then its time to play.” You can do this at home too say by having a fun outdoor activity planned for after the run (chalk, bubbles, race cars in the driveway, etc.)
6. Other incentives. Speaking of bribes, how about a little TV time when you get home? “When you behave nicely in the stroller, we can watch a show when we get home.”
7. Track the mileage. How about a chart that shows how many miles you’ve completed together? A simple sticker chart will do with a spot for each mile. Have a reward after a certain milestone or just let the stickers be the fun part.
Hope some of this helps, I know all kids are different but most will respond to some sort of reward system as long as its consistent. Best wishes to you and your jogging buddies
@Andrea: great tips, thank you! and I giggled at your comment about “messing with each other”. Isn’t that the truth? sometimes the screaming from them just touching each other is enough to make me scream!
Maybe you can find other moms to run with. My kids do MUCH better when we run with “Stroller Warriors”- it’s a running club for military moms. A lot of our husbands are deployed, and who wants to use valuable sitter time for the run?? When they see all the other kids in the strollers they don’t fight it so much and they know that after the run, they get to play with their friends. For my solitary runs, I’ve been known to be desperate enough to bust out the portable dvd player. Of course, then you run the risk of dropping and breaking it, so you may want to ghetto rig some kind of strap. Best of luck!
@Ryanne: I LOVE that term–stroller warriors!! that is awesome! and a great idea too, thank you!
@Ryanne: Where are you located? Im a military wife and LOVE the name!
Oh I had the same horrible experience with our jogger! I ended up preferring to go for my run by myself at 5 a.m. after I finished breast-feeding (bonus: my boobs were nicely deflated) rather than deal with the jogger stroller. Plus I like to swing my arms when I run and it always bugged me that the stroller wouldn’t let me do that.
We love to run with friends! My daughter is much more content to stay in her stroller when there are other kids (in their strollers) around. We also love to run at the park, because my daughter knows -I get to work out then she gets to play. On the days we don’t have friends to run with, I try to pick a snack that takes forever to eat…the smaller the better, i.e. raisins, cheerio’s, etc. , this usually keeps her pretty content. Happy Running!
Wow! Sounds like you have your hands full!! I know it has to be frustrating, but please be encouraged that at least you are getting out the door! I know for me that making that first step is a huge accomplishment in itself….and I currently only have one 11mo. old girl!
I am a new reader, but am already really enjoying your posts! Thanks for sharing!
The bribes always seem to work. I bribe my 2 with longer video game time before bed sometimes and sometimes a new lego set. Always seems to work. They can’t get enough of the video games.
I love the DVD player idea! Gives you something watch during your breaks
I think running with kids in a stroller can work great for some, and not so great for others. Ultimately, your kids have their own patterns, which may or may not coincide with what you want to accomplish on your run. I think the trick is to be flexible and to adapt as necessary based on your kids’ needs. And if they simply aren’t amenable to a good run when you are in need of one, have your spouse or someone else look after them while you go out for your run. Thanks for sharing!
this is exactly why I haven’t invested in a running stroller yet. Hubby is afraid to invest in one and then neither of us can get the baby to want to stay in…
thank you for being honest and sharing this. so sorry you have to go through this though. Maybe hubby will be able to watch kids either early am or later to let you get that run in? *crosses fingers*
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