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#1
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Double stroller half-life and logistics
Ok, so I already have a double stroller. Truth be told, I have 2. I really
don't like either of them, and am trying to decide if it's worth it to go for a nice new one with the bells and whistles or just to stop being such a damn princess and stick with the two I've got. Brief summary is that I had one I really wanted pre birth of second baby, ended up getting another one as a gift from MIL and 2 SIL's. It's really awful. Huge, very heavy, so hard to maneuver it's not even funny. The back doesn't go back far enough for a young baby to recline comfortably. The canopies aren't big enough, Jess pulls hers out all the time, I can't complain about it enough. Every time I use it I find myself uttering obscenities. This brings my good friend into the picture, who knew how frustrated I was with the damn thing, and picked up an old one for me cheaply at a yard sale. The plan was I'd give it back to her when I'm done with it for any future use she may have for it (she currently has only one baby). This stroller is much easier to turn and maneuver and does recline safely for a young baby. However, it's almost too short for him already, is very difficult to fold down and is very difficult to get into the back of my car. It's also hard to get stuff into the basket and doesn't have the aforementioned bells and whistles like cup holders for either baby or even just snack trays. Of course none for mom either. Not a huge deal, but nice plusses. The one I really wanted, a Graco, is on sale for $129, a decent price. It turns on a dime, has all the bells and whistles and decent storage. Folds easier. The only thing I don't know is how well it will fit into my car, but since my other Graco and my newer double stroller fit fine, I'm going to assume it won't be an issue. I've been to the mall 3 times this week (not a normal thing, have been trying to get the kids pictures done and have had a couple of bdays to shop for) and every time I walk by it, I want to buy it so badly. I've got the devil on one shoulder/angel on the other thing going on, telling myself I'm being silly and frivolous to spend the money, but wanting it sooooo badly and thinking how much nicer and more convenient it would be. I would use it for walks, trips to the mall and occasional other uses. Fairly often, in other words. Jess has a short stroller tolerance, but does use and like it. Just not for long periods of time. So what I'm getting at is, basically, is it worth it at this point to get the one I really want? I notice on the mkb thread about many people using strollers until their kids are 4 and older (at times). If that's the case, it's definitely worth it to me. Opinions? laurie mommy to Jessica, 29 months and Christopher, 4 months *This email address is now valid* |
#2
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Double stroller half-life and logistics
Nina wrote in message ... "Laurie" The one I really wanted, a Graco, is on sale for $129, a decent price. It turns on a dime, has all the bells and whistles and decent storage. Folds easier. The only thing I don't know is how well it will fit into my car, but since my other Graco and my newer double stroller fit fine, I'm going to assume it won't be an issue. I've been to the mall 3 times this week (not a normal thing, have been trying to get the kids pictures done and have had a couple of bdays to shop for) and every time I walk by it, I want to buy it so badly. I've got the devil on one shoulder/angel on the other thing going on, telling myself I'm being silly and frivolous to spend the money, but wanting it sooooo badly and thinking how much nicer and more convenient it would be. I used my double stroller for a long long time, it was worth every cent! Thanks Nina, good to know! laurie mommy to Jessica, 29 months and Christopher, 4 months *This email address is now valid* |
#3
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Double stroller half-life and logistics
"Laurie" wrote in message et... Nina wrote in message ... "Laurie" The one I really wanted, a Graco, is on sale for $129, a decent price. It turns on a dime, has all the bells and whistles and decent storage. Folds easier. The only thing I don't know is how well it will fit into my car, but since my other Graco and my newer double stroller fit fine, I'm going to assume it won't be an issue. I've been to the mall 3 times this week (not a normal thing, have been trying to get the kids pictures done and have had a couple of bdays to shop for) and every time I walk by it, I want to buy it so badly. I've got the devil on one shoulder/angel on the other thing going on, telling myself I'm being silly and frivolous to spend the money, but wanting it sooooo badly and thinking how much nicer and more convenient it would be. I used my double stroller for a long long time, it was worth every cent! Thanks Nina, good to know! To elaborate. I used it a LOT!!! It kept the kids in place in stores, it was big enough to use instead of a cart when shopping. After I used it for about 3 years I gave it to my brother. SOmething like a stroller, especially one for 2 kids, is really a worthwhile investment. I would have died without my stroller, I am serious about that. I used to go to the book store, lean the kids back for a nap and read for an hour or so. THey would just snooze and all would be well with the world. I like my graco stroller and in fact, for my new baby ordered an older model via Ebay just because I wanted what I wanted! |
#4
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Double stroller half-life and logistics
"Nina" wrote in message
et... "Laurie" The one I really wanted, a Graco, is on sale for $129, a decent price. It turns on a dime, has all the bells and whistles and decent storage. Folds easier. The only thing I don't know is how well it will fit into my car, but since my other Graco and my newer double stroller fit fine, I'm going to assume it won't be an issue. I've been to the mall 3 times this week (not a normal thing, have been trying to get the kids pictures done and have had a couple of bdays to shop for) and every time I walk by it, I want to buy it so badly. I've got the devil on one shoulder/angel on the other thing going on, telling myself I'm being silly and frivolous to spend the money, but wanting it sooooo badly and thinking how much nicer and more convenient it would be. I used my double stroller for a long long time, it was worth every cent! And as you know, I never used mine. If you are really, really, really going to use it, buy it. I had much better luck using an umbrella stroller and a Baby Bjorn when I would take out Charlotte and Patrick, then Patrick and Lewis. I have NO intentions of buying a double stroller for Lewis and #4. -- Sophie - TTC #4 |
#5
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Double stroller half-life and logistics
Sophie wrote in message ... "Nina" wrote in message . net... "Laurie" The one I really wanted, a Graco, is on sale for $129, a decent price. It turns on a dime, has all the bells and whistles and decent storage. Folds easier. The only thing I don't know is how well it will fit into my car, but since my other Graco and my newer double stroller fit fine, I'm going to assume it won't be an issue. I've been to the mall 3 times this week (not a normal thing, have been trying to get the kids pictures done and have had a couple of bdays to shop for) and every time I walk by it, I want to buy it so badly. I've got the devil on one shoulder/angel on the other thing going on, telling myself I'm being silly and frivolous to spend the money, but wanting it sooooo badly and thinking how much nicer and more convenient it would be. I used my double stroller for a long long time, it was worth every cent! And as you know, I never used mine. If you are really, really, really going to use it, buy it. I had much better luck using an umbrella stroller and a Baby Bjorn when I would take out Charlotte and Patrick, then Patrick and Lewis. I have NO intentions of buying a double stroller for Lewis and #4. -- Sophie - TTC #4 That's what I end up doing most of the time, either using the single stroller and the bjorn or the single stroller and the sling. I just get too aggravated every time I use the double strollers. There have been several incidences when i've thought it would be really nice to have one I liked, though. Thanks Sophie. As of now, it already hurts to wear CHristopher in the bjorn too long (he's about 17 lbs, that's when it started hurting with Jess, too) and he's only happy in the sling for so long. laurie mommy to Jessica, 29 months and Christopher, 4 months *This email address is now valid* |
#6
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Double stroller half-life and logistics
"Laurie" wrote in message . net...
Ok, so I already have a double stroller. Truth be told, I have 2. I really don't like either of them, and am trying to decide if it's worth it to go for a nice new one with the bells and whistles or just to stop being such a damn princess and stick with the two I've got. Well, I'm afraid I have no answers for you, just more questions! I'm curious about one thing - I was reading in Toddler Bargains just recently that they (the authors) thought that tandem (front/back) strollers were horribly unweildy, and they much preferred the side-by-side. But, that's not what I'm hearing from people on the ng's. What's the scoop? FWIW, when #2 shows up, ds will be about 2.75 years. Right now, I only rarely use the stroller, because he gets restless very quickly, but I know I won't be able to carry both him and a newborn at the same time very easily! (Or for any sort of distance). Muddying the issue, Irene mom to Thomas 7/01 #2 EDD 4/10/04 |
#7
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Double stroller half-life and logistics
Laurie wrote:
The one I really wanted, a Graco, is on sale for $129, a decent price. It turns on a dime, has all the bells and whistles and decent storage. Folds easier. The only thing I don't know is how well it will fit into my car, but since my other Graco and my newer double stroller fit fine, I'm going to assume it won't be an issue. I've been to the mall 3 times this week (not a normal thing, have been trying to get the kids pictures done and have had a couple of bdays to shop for) and every time I walk by it, I want to buy it so badly. I've got the devil on one shoulder/angel on the other thing going on, telling myself I'm being silly and frivolous to spend the money, but wanting it sooooo badly and thinking how much nicer and more convenient it would be. I would use it for walks, trips to the mall and occasional other uses. Fairly often, in other words. Jess has a short stroller tolerance, but does use and like it. Just not for long periods of time. So what I'm getting at is, basically, is it worth it at this point to get the one I really want? I notice on the mkb thread about many people using strollers until their kids are 4 and older (at times). If that's the case, it's definitely worth it to me. Opinions? Honestly, this is one that in my mind boils down to just how price sensitive you are. You don't get any guarantees. Jess could turn over a new leaf tomorrow and refuse to sit in a stroller ever again ;-) Some people do get much longer use out of strollers than others, and surely if you're still using a double stroller two years now you'll kick yourself if you don't get the stroller you want. If the money was a significant hardship, I'd slog on without. If it were of no significant consequence, I'd get it. In between...well, you just have to call it ;-) Maybe it helps if you look at the alternative uses of the $129. Best wishes, Ericka |
#8
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Double stroller half-life and logistics
"Sophie" wrote in message
... Mine is a front/back one (Graco Duo or something). I have no idea how you would get a side by side through doorways, through store racks, etc.. I have a Graco side-by-side and it's not much wider than a standard wheelchair, so I can get anywhere with it that someone in a wheelchair can get (which may not be saying much, I admit). When getting through doorways, it definitely helps if there's someone to hold it open for me or it's one of the ones that self-props, but I can generally get through fine by myself if I open the door, prop it with my foot, and then back through (if you can envision that). I actually tend to do that a lot with a single stroller, too, though. Getting through racks in department stores can *definitely* be tricky with the double, though. Still, I really *liked* my side-by-side double, particularly when Aurora was an infant and Julian was 2. It was nice to be able to seat them without worrying about whether the seat they were in would recline in the event one or the other (or both) fell asleep. I know there are some tandems that recline in both positions, but I didn't see any when I was shopping for my double that didn't cost an absolute mint. I have to admit, though, that I didn't use the double for Aurora and Vernon nearly as much as I expected to. I don't know how I managed, exactly--I guess I just didn't do as many outings with both of them as I did with Julian and Aurora, probably because Aurora was already in preschool when Vernon was born and so there were more opportunities to do errands and the like with only one kid! -- Be well, Barbara (Julian [6], Aurora [4], and Vernon's [18mo] mom) See us at http://photos.yahoo.com/guavaln This week's special at the English Language Butcher Shop: "No parking passed this sign" -- hotel parking lot sign All opinions expressed in this post are well-reasoned and insightful. Needless to say, they are not those of my Internet Service Provider, its other subscribers or lackeys. Anyone who says otherwise is itchin' for a fight. -- with apologies to Michael Feldman |
#9
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Double stroller half-life and logistics
Irene wrote:
"Laurie" wrote in message But, that's not what I'm hearing from people on the ng's. What's the scoop? I've had both and I much prefer my side by side one as it's easier to turn and push. Mine is a twin mountain buggy (jogger buggy?) and it handles most terrain, doesn't do so well on beaches though unless the sand is wet and compacted. Like Barbara said it's no wider than a wheelchair, but that being said you realise how difficult shopping must be for those in wheelchairs. It fits through most doors, but not all, and navigating clothing racks in some stores becomes some sort of maze/bondage challenge. -- Andrea If I can't be a good example, then I'll just have to be a horrible warning. |
#10
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Double stroller half-life and logistics
Laurie says:
So what I'm getting at is, basically, is it worth it at this point to get the one I really want? I know how nice it is to get the stroller you really want. We had an inexpensive model for Eamon, then got a much nicer one as a gift for Quinn. Eamon's is so unwieldy, hard to maneuver, creaks like crazy, etc. (although, it has lasted, and we've put it through all kinds of hell). Quinn's moves as if it were floating on a cloud, and we love it. I guess the answer as to whether to buy this nice stroller is think through what else that $129 could do for you, and how bummed you'd be if Jess suddenly started refusing to ride. We never got a double stroller. We went looking, couldn't make up our minds, then decided to wait and see whether we'd really need it. When we go out, either Quinn's in the stroller and Eamon walks, or Eamon's in the stroller and Quinn's in the sling. -- Alpha alphawave at earthlink dot net |
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