NO!

I think every parent has gone through times when the kids just don't want to do what we want/need them to do.  Melt downs happen and kids can be amazingly dedicated to their decisions.  When our kids decide they don't want to go somewhere it's pretty hard to convince them otherwise.  I try not to degrade to bribes but I'm human and yes, it happens.  Not that it works :)  The parenting help books, blogs,  etc. are full of methods to deal with kids saying no but I'm not wanting to talk about that part of things here.  What we've been experiencing lately is a refusal to get strapped in and go somewhere.  I don't know if it's about not wanting to get in the trailer or on the trail-a-bike because of said method of conveyance or just simply not wanting to transition from what they are doing.  My guess is it's the latter rather than the former.  I blame it on needing more sleep (the kids, not me).  Whatever the reason is it doesn't really matter.  It's a lot harder to get your reluctant 4 year old to ride that trail-a-bike home when they dig their heels in and decide they're done.  It's even harder to get your 2 year old to ride in the trailer when he just wants to be close.  At least in the car you can reach back and hold their hand.  At least in the car you can roll the windows up so no one can hear them screaming all the way home.  The bike is a bit more public and requires a bit more finesse as a parent.  If they just don't want to ride home there's not much you can do but wait and/or talk them through it.  I don't want to make the bike seem like a less desirable way to get around compared to the car.  It's different on the bike and what I really think is the key is what kind of bike we're talking about.  There are six ways to Sunday to transport kids, yourself, and your stuff on a bike(s).  Some work better than others.  Some are more affordable than others.  Enter the Bakfiets.