She sits in the stroller for you?

As we headed out of preschool the other morning in my running clothes, another mom looked at me whimsically and said, "She sits in the stroller for you?" Yes, but with qualification...

At 2 years and 10 months, she has been riding in the jogger for 2 years and 9 1/2 months. Part of the success is that she knows no other, but part of the success is that she is getting something out of this as well.

1. Treats. There are some special "foods" that she only gets in the stroller - and only one a day at that. Things like fruit snacks or lollipops are a pick-one for the stroller ride treat.

2. Destinations. Though some rides are just a run for exercise, we often run to an errand or playground. This breaks up the run into shorter lengths plus it is something to look forward to (hint: save the special treat (see #1) to lure her back into the stroller to go home).

3. Planning & Choices. I almost always offer two equally acceptable choices for where we will run. At this point, she knows all the routes by name (Burke Lake, Stepping Stones, Two parks next to each other, etc.). Furthermore, as we drive around during the week, she will often say, "Let's go running there!" so we can plan that we will run there next time.

We are in this together. But this week she starts riding diaper-free so we'll see how that goes...