Gwyneth Paltrow takes Apple for a ride

I think it depends on where you live. If you are in NYC or another dense urban environment, it may make sense to keep the stroller a little longer. Young kids dart, dash and dawdle - all of which can be very dangerous when trying to make your way down 6th Ave.

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I don't understand why it matters. If it doesn't bother the mother, and it doesn't bother the kids, whose business is it? I'm sure the kid CAN walk, and her development isn't being impeded by a ride in a stroller.

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We have friends like this and I've noticed more often lately when visiting "kid places" that I see children my son's age (4) or older riding around in a stroller (or walking while mom and dad push the stroller). We got rid of the stroller just before he turned 3. He can walk for many miles, hike, hoof it around Chicago or Disney for the day. He can do it because he is in good shape. He is in good shape because he hasn't been pushed around in a chair on wheels for the greater part of his growing years. Wake up, people! They've got far more energy than the average adult on their best days. They can walk. And then they'll sleep!

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Why should we care how Gwyneth Paltrow is raising HER kid?

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Who cares! I have a sit and stand for my 4 year old and my 15 month old boys. My children run at parks and at the playground at school. When I go for a walk with the boys I like the stroller. Usually I am walking by 5 lane roads and prefer the security of the stroller. I also like the cargo space for groceries. There are good reasons for using a stroller. I plan on using mine for another year or two. It is a personal decision. Believe me, I don't have ANY issues at bedtime. My kids get plenty of exercise. If they want to occasionally ride instead of walk, great! It likely means I won't wear them out too early and run the risk of grumpy children before bedtime.

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I have been having my two tots walk at least a mile a day (up & down hills) for "their" health since they were about 1.5 years old. Since then, we've only used the stroller when I really needed to contain them and wouldn't have two free hands. Or, when too hurried to move as slowly as they do.

However, I have mixed feelings about this, because it would be nice if I could sometimes walk for "my" health. Walking at the speed of a tot isn't exactly exhilarating. I have been tempted to use the stroller more often for this reason. However, because my youngest is on the heavy side, she needs the exercise more than I do, so I suck it up.

That's my story, but I agree with those who say it's none of our business what Apple is doing.

Since PD keeps running stories criticizing the parenting choices of celebrities, why do we never hear of particularly impressive celebrity parenting? A celeb whose kid is ahead of the curve due to good parenting? You know it's not because there aren't any.

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Uly,

That is a great point. We do walk a lot more. I hadn't even thought of time in the stroller v time in the car seat.

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Um, Apple is barely 4 1/2 (not almost 5). I know because my son is the same age. Also, city dwellers likely do not use a car when they go to the store or run errands. A stroller can carry additional items OR the child if they decide they want to run off. For all we know, Apple gets plenty of exercise (or none at all). We don't know. If her parents want to push her in a stroller to get to places quicker or more easily or safer, so be it.

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I agree with those commenters above who use a stroller instead of a car in an urban environment. My 3 year old can walk just fine, but not at the brisk pace I need to maintain to get all my errands run on foot since I don't have a car. I'd much rather see an older child in a stroller than see the same child driven everywhere. Now if the child's obviously overweight and doesn't move when given the opportunity that's one thing, but my underweight child runs everywhere he can and climbs everything in sight. I hope our stroller relationship can last a while longer.

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Hmm, lets see.......you're rich and famous, the paparazzi is always chasing you (literally) and you have a five year old in tow who is at high chance for kidnap just because she's your kid. I would choose a stroller too and she shouldn't be put down for it. It's better than those parents who put their kids on a leash like a dog when there's only one or two (I understand if you're the Duggars and have 17 kids), haven't you ever heard of HAND HOLDING?! A five year old even hand holding in a busy place like NYC or Los Angeles, which is probably where she is most of the time is dangerous. The kid could get knocked by someones hip and lose the hand that is held, she could get kidnapped easily and a five years is pretty darn heavy. Shoot, my 14 month old gets heavy after a while. They make strollers for kids to keep them safe, boo to that lady for being the judge and jury and writing Ms. Paltrow a note like that. It was really unecessary. If anything, write to her about her horrible name choice..lol! jk.

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I completely agree with c_rousseau. Her situation is completely unlike us everyday moms. She is chased by paparazzi every time she leaves her front door. If I were in that situation I would keep my child in a stroller so I could get away quickly. It's a matter of safety.

Besides, is this all there is to blog about? I mean, really. Everything I've ever seen written about Gwyneth makes me respect her as a mom. Are we so desperate to criticize her that we have to come up with this lame stuff?

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