Ella does London without a Pushchair
On Saturday, the Cafe Bebe Family braved ridiculously unseasonable temps (29 degrees in Peterborough while we were waiting for our train) to venture down to London for an over-night excursion. We were going to be attending a blogger event for the Lego-Duplo Experts (of which we are a part) at Westfield Shopping Centre in West London on Sunday. Lego-Duplo was kind enough to put us up for the night in London which we thoroughly enjoyed (thank you Lego-Duplo).
As we would be hoofing it around and about London on Saturday and Sunday, we were trying to keep luggage and accessories to a minimum thanks to my 30 weeks pregnant state and the inferno temperatures. Plus as the London Underground on the weekend can be a nightmare at best, we thought it best to forgo the use of a pushchair for Ella for the first time. In fairness, we don’t use the pushchair very much at all for her anymore. With this independence, Ella has actually become a better listener and generally is more enjoyable whilst out and about. Amazing how that happens! But, I’ve never attempted LONDON sans pushchair. This would be the ultimate test. Train, tube, walking…would it work?
In fact, it worked FAMOUSLY! Ella was OUTSTANDING! Negotiating “hes-ca-lators”, crowds of people, tube platforms and crowded carriages, Ella didn’t miss a beat. And there was virtually no shouting on our behalf! We allowed her a bit of freedom to trot along at her pace without holding hands and she responded by staying close and following directions. I was so very proud of her.
Ella was mostly interested in standing on the tube carriages. She didn’t want to sit next to Mummy, no way! She wanted to stand and hold onto the poles like Daddy. So we let her. And she was fine! Granted, even though it was a weekend, the Tube cars weren’t too crowded so we could afford her this bit of freedom. She was an expert at “minding the gap” by the end of our journey and only needed to be carried (by Daddy mind you) on a handful of occasions. I really was impressed with what Ella was capable of given a bit of freedom and responsibility. Ella was particularly keen to have a “ticket” to go through the barriers on the entrances and exits to the various Tube Stations on the lines. We gave Ella one of the train tickets to use but wouldn’t it be great if there was a “mini-Oyster card” for the littlies?? If any Londoners can tell me if this exists, I WANT ONE!
We have discovered, after a very positive experience in London this weekend that Ella is more than capable of being trusted to be on the Tube and other public transport in and around London. This gives me a lot of confidence for any future ventures (as long as there isn’t a lot of walking on either end of Tube journeys!) and shows me how very much our little miss is growing up! Sniff, I’m one proud Mama, that’s for sure. Now, when can we go back to London?? That might not be until Bebe makes an appearance but we’ll be much more confident about any future excursions, that’s for sure. How about you? Do you let your children negotiate the Tube and other public transport in and around London? Have you experienced any NIGHTMARE situations that have made a big impact on your decisions?
(After all of that independence, within about 10 minutes of sitting on the train for our return journey home on Sunday afternoon, Ella was zonked out on my lap! Independence has its benefits…for parents!)
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Oh bless her! Bean calls ‘hes-calators’ ‘magic stairs’ (that’s my doing naturally!)
I have been toying with the idea of taking Bean for some ‘mummy daughter’ bonding time on a day out in London – maybe taking in the Tate Modern and of course the big toy shops. You’ve given me the courage to go for it after reading this post so a big thanks from me (and a much bigger thank you from Bean!!!)
ps. Duplo rocks! I dread the day they get old enough for Lego – Duplo is much easier on the feet!
Well done for having the confidence to go for it! We stopped using the buggy when our youngest was 2 3/4 yrs. Older than the other 2, because he didn’t have anyone to push him out of it! So the 1st time we ‘did London’ with all of them sans buggy, was when he was 3 1/4yrs. We had a very similar experience to you. He did just fine! Much more exciting to be standing on the tube, or sitting on the train, than being strapped up in a pushchair! I wonder whether sometimes, parents keep using the buggy for their own benefit, but that’s another story!
Alex,
Thanks for sharing your experiences as well. 
Karin
That’s exactly it! I wanted her contained for HER safety & my peace of mind. But a pushchair is such a pain on the Tube and limits what you can do and where you can do. I plan to try slings with Bebe #2 and then have Ella next to me…we’ll see how we go with it!
Annie,
Karin
Ooh, we’re an inspiration! I love it! Do it and report back on your success. I think the key is laying out expectations and just being very vigilant.
PS- Duplo hurts like a mo-fo too…just one piece at a time.
Ahh…memorie, memories. I remember fondly the day my husband put his foot down with our over-indulged daughter who would not walk anywhere, at anytime or for any reason. Not usually cast in the bad cop role, he told her quite calmly “You now have a choice. You can walk or you can run.” She and her independence never looked back.
Well done you on so many levels.
HerMelness Speaks,
I love that! I’m going to clue hubby in on that one! We did really well. I know it’s not always going to go smoothly but I feel quite empowered now. And I think Ella does too!
Karin
That is one cute little girl! I think with kids, the more you treat them like babies the more they act that way. I’m not surprised she did you proud, because you let her have the opportunity to show you what a grown up little person she’s becoming. The problem is when you have a 15 month old who isn’t yet walking and decided she’s independent enough to push the pushchair. My arms are killing me today from carrying her while she pushes the buggy!
Molly,
I think you’re exactly right about the babying. In the early days of “letting Ella out” of her pushchair, she’d be like an uncaged bird. Flitting about, trying this and that, darting here and there. It was horrid & generally made me pull out the pushchair again. But I’ve persevered and we’re doing well. They do need to be strong enough to walk distances however which defniitely takes a while! Good luck to you! 
Thank you! We think she’s rather cute as well!
Karin