strollers: luxury items for the rich?

[trini]

That's how dh just described strollers when I mentioned to him that I'd like to get a small one to use. DS is 8 1/2 months and 20+ pounds. When he was itty bitty, I used to carry him in the Bjorn. I don't have another carrier/sling/etc. although I do know that would be an option. Although I imagine dh could apply the same argument to them. He is very opposed to buying baby stuff, for lack of a better term.

I think that having a stroller would make outings such as trips to the library so much easier. Today I went to return a bag full of books and check out a few more. I was balancing ds on my hip while putting books in the return, then switching him from arm to arm as I browsed the shelves. He is heavy and keeps slipping! I also think a stroller would come in handy for trips to the park, the mall (not that we go that often), or walks.

Now, I know this is an AP board, and I really don't want to start a debate. Like I said, I'd get an Ergo, but I guess the issue here is nothing is probably necessary. In dh's opinion, ds will be walking soon.

So, I'd just like to know - for those of you that have a stroller: How often do you use it? Do you find one worth having?

[Kathryn]

You can get an $8 umbrella stroller for outings like that if you can't get a sling right now.
We have a jogging stroller we use a lot to go running and on long walks. Dd loves it.

[Brigianna]

I bought my stroller for $15. Not much of a luxury item. It was worth it--I mostly wore them but sometimes they preferred the stroller. I still occasionally use it for my 3 yr old but mostly he walks. Sometimes it's more fun to ride in the stroller and see what's going on than to be tied to mommy.

[Leilalu]

Well, i have two, so have no qualms about having a stroller for dd. I use a sling for ds and put dd in the stroller. Or sometimes she pushes him in the stroller.lol

I don't consider it a luxury for the rich. I also have a jogging stroller which is very nessecary for me to go jogging with. It's a double. And I don't find it against AP standards to excersise if it means using a stroller. Nor do I consider using a stroller when you are carrying tons of books at the library.

I would go ahead and get the ergo and a cheap umbrella stroller

[earthmama369]

I got a lovely jogging stroller (not cheap!) through freecycle and while dd is primarily a sling baby, it's wonderful for exactly the situations you described. In general, I think it's good to keep carrying your baby as he grows because your strength will grow with him, but there are times when you need to carry baby AND heavy things, or want/need to walk a fair distance, and that's exactly what a stroller is for.

This is where I'm of the opinion that if your dh doesn't want to buy something you and your baby need, then he gets to take over -- so in this case, he gets to do all the baby carrying and juggling.

[SiValleySteph]

Interesting comment by your DH!

In my neighborhood, it seems strollers are a necessity for the poor - those who do not have a car to run errands with and must walk. I even see people with no kids also using strollers to carry their laundry, water jugs, etc. Strollers do not have to be expensive. Most of these moms I see using the basic umbrella stroller. I think these run between $10 and $20.

I also use a stroller myself to walk on these errands. I would often end up carrying my son on the way back, but I still needed the stroller to carry the groceries!

[Brigianna]

Oh and I don't doubt he'll be walking soon, but it'll probably be a couple of years before he's walking at adult pace. I wouldn't count on his walking as a means of transportation unless you're content to go really really slowly and still probably carry him halfway.

[lauren]

Is he referring to the cost of fancy ones new? Because you can get them second hand at thrift stores and garage sales for peanuts. Also you could probably get one for free off of freecycle. I guess I don't understand the reasoning. We don't use ours terribly often but in certain situations it comes in handy. It depends on the amt. of stimulation that will be present: if there will be a lot, we want her close in the sling, and if it's outside or pretty mellow we sometimes use the stroller, since she is gettting so heavy. She's our third and that's been the case for all 3. also in something like a chldren's museum they are a backsaver!

[LIZnCHAD]

We use ours a lot, but I'mn not as crunchyas most on here. I agree w/the umbrella stroller-inexpensive and easy to store.

You can mke a cheap sling out of fabric, there are tons of ways to cary a child with just one piece of fabric

[spsmom]

i agree with what the other mamas said, so i won't repeat that. i did want to add one thing though. even though your ds will be walking soon, it is not fair to expect him to walk everywhere you go. their little feet do get tired. and their little arms get tired quick when making them hold it above there head to hold your hand. just a minor point you might mention to you dh.

good luck.

[GranoLLLy-girl]

Wow--that's some comment for him to make.
I don't use a stroller when I go to the store because one kid walks and the other rides in the cart--I wonder if shopping carts would be considered a luxury item as well???
I do have a double jogging stroller--I run marathons and this is a great item to have. Maybe it is a luxury item---but, consider the alternative: I used to be an overweight mom with health problems due to being overweight, who could have died young and woudln't be able to care for her children.
The opposite of exercise: possible heart diesase, heart attack, obesity, anxiety, and reduced longevity--have you noticed that there is an obesity crisis in this country? My children like to see the world as I run, my insurance premiums are reduced and my doctor tells me that I have added years to my life. I am sure I have saved millions in therapy as well.
An ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure. And not only that but my children are learning that mom takes care of herself, and it's good to be healthy and fit--and hopefully my children will see that as they grow and choose a healthy lifestyle instead of ending up starving to fit into that pair of jeans or seeing mom fat and follow suit. I want to be a role model for them in every way....this is just one more way.
So I am thinking that "luxury" item is one of necessity. Especially when you consider the alternatives.

[Storm Bride]

Luxury item for the rich???

In 2004, I was lucky enough to have my rent, electricity and phone covered, by living at my mom's house for a year. In return, dh & I bought most of the groceries (not specialty items that mom & stepdad snacked on) and did all the cooking. Our (me & dh) income that year was $9,000.00, less tax. That was for groceries for four adults, one preteen and a baby (7 to 19 months), all activities (school stuff and tae kwon do) for ds1, clothing, enterntainment (not much of that!), etc. We still owned a stroller! In fact, we walked everywhere with dd in the stroller or the Snugli. When she was in the Snugli, we still usually used the stroller - for groceries, library books, a floor lamp, various hardware items, etc., etc., etc. (Some of those purchases were after the timeline I'm talking about, but we still carried them in the stroller. I'm just using 2004, because we had very little money.)

I won't say a stroller is a necessity, because I can see doing without one, if using other carriers (slings, Ergos, Snuglies, backpacks, etc.). But, I do think some kind of carrier is almost a necessity. There are many things that are extremely difficult to do with the babe in arms. And, just because the child learns to walk doesn't make things easier for a while. They don't walk very quickly at first! I can't count how many times I've almost felt my arms pull off while I lugged tons of groceries home, and ds1 toddled along with me at a snail's pace.

[annakiss]

Slings seem to be much more luxury items if you're buying a good one (thought it's easy enough to make one yourself if you can sew), at least here in America. I'm at your DH though. I have had two different strollers and they were pretty handy for DS1. In fact, we used them more after DS could walk because he was much heavier then and it was good for going on walks during naptime, or to the mall, or to festivals, or for going to the park, etc.

I guess your DH better watch out because your DS will need many many more things as he gets older (clothes, food, shoes, etc...) and he will cost a lot more than he does now.

[alegna]

Wow, well let me just say that my dd walks quite well now and that is exactly the reason I need carriers and strollers. I say let him do a full day of outings with her without either and see what he has to say then.

-Angela

[bobica]

i used my stroller TONS. dd was big from the get go & i was (and am) chubby & out of shape & going out for long walks, especially with any level of fitness in mind was not an option carrying/wearing her. now that she's 3, we still use it for long walks, visiting friends, shopping, etc. when she gets tired from a lot of walking, she's quick to hop in & take a rest.

[DoubleOven]

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[4evermom]

Originally Posted by SiValleySteph

In my neighborhood, it seems strollers are a necessity for the poor - those who do not have a car to run errands with and must walk.

When I got lots of "nice stroller" comments about the jogging stroller ($129) that I got last year for my then 3.5 yo, I just replied it was cheaper than a car or busfare. I go on errands that consist of walking several miles and being gone a couple of hours. No way could ds walk home from these trips. I'm thrilled he still enjoys stroller walks over a year later. I can walk at my own pace and ds doesn't have to be told that I can't carry him because I'm carrying groceries. I didn't need a stroller when ds was a baby because he was happy in a sling, but once he was bigger, I found it a neccessity if I didn't want to be homebound.

[NaomiLorelie]

Originally Posted by SiValleySteph

Interesting comment by your DH!

In my neighborhood, it seems strollers are a necessity for the poor - those who do not have a car to run errands with and must walk. I even see people with no kids also using strollers to carry their laundry, water jugs, etc. Strollers do not have to be expensive. Most of these moms I see using the basic umbrella stroller. I think these run between $10 and $20.

I also use a stroller myself to walk on these errands. I would often end up carrying my son on the way back, but I still needed the stroller to carry the groceries!

Yeah that! People without cars will find a stroller even more a neccesity. I can't imagine carrying a baby and groceries while walking down the street. I always thought my Bjorn was a luxury item for the rich. Darn thing cost me $100. It's about to hold it's third baby though so worth the expense. Our stroller wasn't super expensive, about $50, so not cheap either. it's looking a little rough but is still in good shape after having been used for the last 3 years. Also if you are planning on having another child fairly close together I can't emphasize enough the value of a decent stroller. I spent enough time carrying a 2.5 year old and a six month old just when she wouldn't sit in the stroller. It would have been hard to go out alone without it.

[trini]

Wow! Thanks for all the replys so far. Of course, I agree with all of you.

I don't know if dh realizes how inexpensive a stroller can be, or if it is just the idea of accumulating "things," even if they are free. He is from another culture and I know the American attitude of "I have to have this (insert frivilous item here)" gets to him. Of course, I'm not saying a stroller is frivilous, but I think he applies that type of thinking rather broadly sometimes. He grew up with so much less and got along just fine.

And I honestly don't think it bothers him to carry ds around. I just have a very difficult time managing!

Thank you all for sharing your experiences and insight!

[katebleu]

i bought our big stroller before we had a carseat for the unborn dd. (it was a really good deal.) a stroller is a necessity for us as i don't drive but still do most of the daily errand running. dd is 17 mos. and couldn't make it 3 miles round trip to the grocery store, and i couldn't get the two of us and the groceries on the bus. but even if i did drive, we couldn't do the zoo or shopping without the stroller.

Originally Posted by alegna

Wow, well let me just say that my dd walks quite well now and that is exactly the reason I need carriers and strollers. I say let him do a full day of outings with her without either and see what he has to say then.

-Angela

that might teach him!