when would you get a double stroller? « Back to Group Discussions

[cyclamen]

So, I walk a lot for transportation, and also ride the bus.  DD will be 4 in June.  She can go on short walks with me, but for long walks, esp. when we have someplace to go, I usually just put her in our stroller to save us both the aggravation.  It's one of the big collapsable Graco strollers a friend gave me, and I like it.  Anyhow, it's beat up, grimy, nasty, and it's getting cracks in it, so I think it's time to get a new stroller.  DP says he's embarrassed to be seen pushing it.  LOL!

I also have an ergo and a wrap, and I expect to carry the baby on some walks, so DD could still ride in the stroller.  But eventually.....  I'm gonna need to replace the stroller.  Should I get a double one?  Are they hard to collapse?  Am I going to really need a double stroller with a 4yo and an infant?  or, more importantly, with a 5yo and 1yo?  I'm looking mainly on craigslist, too, and I'm wanting to spend less than $50.

What do you all think?  Do any of you have a double stroller?  How do you like it, and how far apart in age are your kids?  Are you going to get a double stroller?

[firespiritmelody]

All of my kiddos are 4 - 4.5 years apart and we've never bothered with a double stroller. If you're planning on keeping it for a while, will you really want a double in 2+ years when you're oldest is 6+? IMO you might be better off getting a more versatile single stroller but getting on of the little skateboard like attachments that your older one can stand on. That being said, we don't do long walks often and don't use public transportation on any regular basis. Maybe someone with a more similar situation can give you a better recommendation?

[brooklyn_warbler]

We live in NYC and walk *a lot* but have made do without a double stroller.  My older daughter has been relying on a scooter or bike reliably since she was around 3.5/4 (she is 5 now).  Since DS will be 4 when this new little one is a year old (about the age he was when I stopped being able to push DD in the stroller and simultaneously wear him for long walks) I think we'll try to replicate what we did with DD (i.e. get him out of the stroller and using a balance bike, bike, or scooter).   We do have a really nice stroller (a City Mini) that in a huge pinch/if someone has a meltdown on a really far walk can hold two kids.  But with our spacing a double scooter just hasn't seemed that necessary.  I also don't love the "one kid sitting on top of the other" stroller for my own weird reasons and a double wide seems inconveniently wide.  Plus, we do a lot of public transportation and I just can't imagine doing that with a heavy stroller (the CityMini is already heavy enough for me in those cases!). But if you don't have those hangups there's no reason to not get one, I guess?
 

[bmcneal]

I have had one, when DS was ~1, and DD was about 4, until they were about 3 and 6. I had one that was super long, but not on top of each other, and could fold down so one/both of them could lay down and nap (a tight squeeze, but doable). I'm actually looking at getting another one for DD and DS to ride in for long(er) walks, but they get tired walking even shorter walks sometimes, and it's hard to make sure all of us make it home in one piece if there's meltdown. DF found some... latches or connectors of some sort, that will connect two umbrella strollers for ~$15, but from the reviews, it doesn't look worth it. I thought about a sit 'n stand, but I'm starting to think that wouldn't work. I'm not sure, but I'm thinking we'll probably need something. (DD is 7, and DS is 4, for reference.)

[1babysmom]

I LOVE having a double.  I have a Phil & Ted's Explorer (though I've gone through many...the old e3, the Vibe, the Britax B-Ready, etc and stuck with this one) and I rarely use it without the double seat.  It's funny, I know most people on message boards think it's a horrible set up but my kids (and it seems like a lot of those of others who own them) prefer the bottom seat.  Must be because it's fun and different or something?  I don't know.  We have a MacLaren side-by-side for travel (like Disney World) but never use it at home.  I love the P&T though.  It'pushes like a dream and we're on a farm so having real tires (which we fill with those solid foam "puncturless" tubes so they never have to be pumped full) is a necessity.  It folds easily IMO (just compared to some) but isn't SUPER light (but it's got a frame that is unbeatable so it's worth it IMO), though it's never bothered me.  I don't use it all that frequently but whenever we go to the mall or shopping in a department store or something, I do, and I am SO glad we have it.  I generally wear the tiniest one but it's so great for the older ones...even at 7 sometimes my eldest just likes to sit for a bit and the little ones like to take a turn walking, etc.  The thing is, it's such a sturdy, good quality stroller that it will last forever (the frame, definitely) and the resale value on P&T's is always really good.  And I can always have a single stroller even if we end up never needing the double seat again.

eta- not trying to convince you to get a P&T, it's not cheap (though I did get a fantastic deal on my first one, used), but just that I, personally, love having one, even for the older children.  But I figured it was an investment that would last us until we're done with kids and that's what it became. (I've bought/sold several, as already mentioned, but never spent more than I started with)

[cyclamen]

Holy moly, I went to look at hte P&T stroller and that's like, the freaking holy grail of stollers!  LOL.  I like that it can be a one or two seater.  Maybe I'll get lucky on craigslist... 

[1babysmom]

Originally Posted by cyclamen 

Holy moly, I went to look at hte P&T stroller and that's like, the freaking holy grail of stollers!  LOL.  I like that it can be a one or two seater.  Maybe I'll get lucky on craigslist... 

I certainly did! I got my first one on CL with the double seat and accessories galore (which I didnt need and was able to sell) and paid $200 shipped (it was only $35 for her to ship from IA to OR!). Considering I watched or months and there was nothing local, it was a steal!! But I have seen them across the country for even under $100 a lot.