strollers: luxury items for the rich? - Page 3

[jkpmomtoboys]

We have an old stroller that is necessary because we walk to school each day for dh1's Kindergarten. Requiring my 2yo to walk over a mile each day is sort of uncool and at 30+ pounds, he is much to big for me to carry that far...

Go to craigslist--if you have one--you can pick up an inexpensive one there...

[hookahgirl]

There are cheap (25 bucks) Jeep brand umbrella strollers that have trays and cup holders and and a canopy, just google them.
I dont know if you shop at wl-mart, but if you cant afford the 25 dollar one(or your DH doesnt want to spend that), they do have ones at wal-mart w/ a canopy for 13 dollars.
My DD is tiny so I can still wear her, but when it is very warm she loves to be in her stroller!!

[fuller2]

I live in the city, don't have a car and use my stroller almost every day, often two or more trips a day. I didn't really use it until ds was just too big for me to carry long distances--almost never used it when he was a baby, just used sling, Bjorn, & backpack.

I find the stroller far more intimate than a car seat, for sure! so I think strollers are 'more' AP than driving, for what that's worth. My son is 3 now and he can walk a long time in that extremely meandering toddler style, but when I have a long way to go in a hurry or a lot of shopping to do I need to use the stroller. I can touch him, we chat, he gets out and walks and then gets back in, he eats lunch, I show him flowers & dogs, etc. He takes naps in it when we're out too, which has saved us many times. He also likes to get out and push it himself!

I do think that if you are going to use it a lot, like more than once a week, it is worth it to buy a nicer stroller. I have a Maclaren and it is far lighter and much easier to use than the big plastic Graco etc. ones. For some reason many stroller handles are set very low--most people, I think, have to bend over a little to use them. (I'm 5'6") The MacLaren handles, on the other hand, are at a comfortable height. When I've used borrowed strollers I've found them to be quite awkward and difficult to use--low & clunky, or else really flimsy-feeling. I would go for the higher end, even used, over a new version that was like that if you are going to use it more than very occasionally. (When friends who were used to the other ones have tried mine, they immediately said how much easier it is to use--people have been quite astonished at the difference.) I have also beaten the crap out of my stroller--dragging it up hills, walking in rainstorms, on the subway, on the bus, snowstorms, etc. etc., and t's still just fine (though a little rusty in places b/c of all the water it's been through!). The brakes have been broken for a long time, but it's never been an issue for me. (Brakes do seem to be an issue with MacLaren.) A bad stroller will prevent your use of it, just like bad tools in general.

Otherwise, just get that $20 Kolcraft stroller from Toys R Us or wherever they carry it--my mom has one for when we visit and it works just fine. (Grandparents often have a hard time carrying the little ones...)

[Sharlla]

I got a stroller with my used travel system and actually I took the stroller to another baby store and sold it for what I bought the whole set up for, haha. I guess if DS were to get to 30 lbs before age 5 or I had another baby then I would probably get a simple unbrella one, but I can't imagine spending more than $20 on one.

[boongirl]

I think women need to pay attention to how they pass judgement on other women, particularly mothers. It is wonderful that some of you are strong enough to carry your children wherever you go. There are many benefits to that lifestyle for the baby. But, putting down strollers is in essence putting down a whole segment of the population that may be using strollers out of necessity as well as convenience. It is all fine and dandy to look wistfully at the way women are raising their children in third world countries and think that we Americans are overdoing the conveniences. But, that does not mean it is best for all to revert to age-old traditions nor does it mean that age-old traditions are the best answer. Strollers are not a problem. Letting your child spend too much time in them and not giving them some wiggle time, that is the problem. You can deny your child wiggle time while they are in a pack just like you can when they are in a stroller. It is about being a good, attached parent, not which gadgets, or lack or gadgets, is best.

[trini]

Originally Posted by boongirl

I think women need to pay attention to how they pass judgement on other women, particularly mothers. It is wonderful that some of you are strong enough to carry your children wherever you go. There are many benefits to that lifestyle for the baby. But, putting down strollers is in essence putting down a whole segment of the population that may be using strollers out of necessity as well as convenience. It is all fine and dandy to look wistfully at the way women are raising their children in third world countries and think that we Americans are overdoing the conveniences. But, that does not mean it is best for all to revert to age-old traditions nor does it mean that age-old traditions are the best answer. Strollers are not a problem. Letting your child spend too much time in them and not giving them some wiggle time, that is the problem. You can deny your child wiggle time while they are in a pack just like you can when they are in a stroller. It is about being a good, attached parent, not which gadgets, or lack or gadgets, is best.

I must have missed the posts that were passing judgements. I felt that everyone was sharing their experiences in response to my original question, "Do you find a stroller worth having?" I think perhaps the cultural piece was brought in because dh is from another country and he honestly does not share the American perspective. That article helped me to see where he is coming from. I figured I'd get responses from mamas who use strollers daily, some that don't own one, and many in between.

I wholeheartedly agree with your last statement. This was a question about a gadget, though.

Thank you to everyone who has responded. I've got a lot to think about!

[rootzdawta]

Originally Posted by boatbaby

We never used a stroller for our DS.

We went from sling to Ergo. And because we live on a boat I often have DS on my front or back while carrying a load of groceries/ laundry/ water/ whatever out to our docks and back.

Good exercise.

I think they are cumbersome and clumsy. But If others like to use them then c'est la vie.

Read this article! http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn...2004May17.html

It's says a lot!

I carry my 23 lb. in this way . . . it is very convenient if I'm just going to the library or up the block to the grocery store to pick up stuff or while doing housework. However, on long trips, I can't carry ds this way--he is far too heavy and I am not that much of a martyr to be carrying him for carrying sake. I use the stroller--even though on the subway and commuter train, it can be a pain. In Nigeria, it's true, only the wealthy have access to strollers but so what . . . you can't really use them on unpaved roads. Most people carry babies on their backs and most people walk everywhere. Life is, however, completley different and lends more to doing that.

In re the OP . . . in my neighborhood, there are plenty of low-income folks. I am the only one around that I've ever seen wearing an Ergo (that was short-lived) or a sling (short lived also) or a wrap. They simply don't know that these options don't exist (and I didn't either for the longest time until I found MDC). I don't expect everyone to have internet access and be able to have the $$ to try out ones that work or even have a credit or debit card, checks or even a bank account to buy the sling online. Most folks I know drop $150 on a stroller/car seat combo and ride that thing till the wheels fall off. So I most certainly don't think strollers are a luxury item. If anything, all these fantastic baby carriers (at upwards of $80 and such) are luxuries because they are just not easily accessible to everyone (except for the Nojo which so many folks around me have tried and hated/couldn't figure out).

Oh and there's always plenty of judgment flying around about using strollers on MDC . . . you have to do what works for you and what is best for your babe. A mama with a bent out of shape back from trying so hard to always carry baby . . . that's not the best situation, IMO.

[SHK]

We have a stroller, but rarely use it. I tend to carry my daughter in the Ergo....shopping, walking the dog, working on the boat, sailing, etc. But, she is 30lbs, so if I know we are going to be walking a LOT, then I take a stroller as well. Mostly she ends up on my back these days. I have become very good at putting her on my back in all locations!
We do also have a jogging stroller...but we actually run with it, and it would be hard to run with her in the Ergo! But, then I feel it is good for her to appreciate that exercise is important...and if I don't exercise how would she know...so if she comes running with me, then she gets a good message.

[la mamita]

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[Kincaid]

When we have been in developing nations, we saw quite a few women with their large toddlers in goat-carts and rick-shaws. My partner and I were the only moms with our babies in slings - fancy, materialistic, holier-than-thou Ergo carriers, LOL!

We stood out as the gadget mommas while other large toddlers were riding in produce carts, bicycle baskets, push-carts, goat carts, etc. I never saw a mom with a child as "old" as ours (walking age) in a carrier.

It's all relative I guess.

[PumpkinSeeds]

I do own a very expensive stroller. But guess what? All the strollers in Europe are expensive. My stroller doubles as a shopping cart every single day, it's very easy to clunk it up or down the stairs, I can get on and off the bus, or train without help very easily and it's my toddler's favorite place to sleep. He'd rather nap in it than anywhere else, especially when I have the winter sleeping sac on it.

I slung my first until he was three, but my second hated the sling with a passion.

[Starflower]

Originally Posted by Kincaid

When we have been in developing nations, we saw quite a few women with their large toddlers in goat-carts and rick-shaws. My partner and I were the only moms with our babies in slings - fancy, materialistic, holier-than-thou Ergo carriers, LOL!

We stood out as the gadget mommas while other large toddlers were riding in produce carts, bicycle baskets, push-carts, goat carts, etc. I never saw a mom with a child as "old" as ours (walking age) in a carrier.

It's all relative I guess.

Thanks for another perspective.

I have tried several carriers, back packs and 3 different strollers. Some were new as gifts, some were from the thrift shops & garage sales and I actually paid $50.00 for a hip carrier I got from the breast feeding store which I can't even use because it hurts my back now. I had a fabulous Kelty back pack with all the accessories that was given to me for free and I ended up re-gifting it to a friend because DD wasn't crazy about it and it also hurt my back.

So FWIW, I would love to be able to carry DD on me but I've decided she's just too big and heavy for me. I'm not petite, but I have spent so much money at the chiropractor's office it's insane. (I should note that I don't think the carriers themselves started my initial back problems but rather an old car accident and then being slightly twisted during labor due to some complications.)

I had a nice Graco stroller I used for awhile which was nice mostly for it's ability to haul cargo at the bookstore and such. It ended up being too big and cumbersome so I re-gifted it also. I got a smaller version at a garage sale for $20.00 in great condition (would've been $130+ new) and used it for awhile. But now if I use a stroller, it's usually the cheapie umbrella that my MIL got at the thrift shop for my niece about 8 years ago.

I keep it in the car. I don't drag it out much except if DD seems tired or my back has been hurting. The one thing I wish it had was longer handles. I'm only 5'6" but it still is too short for me.

On the plus side, it's light enough to take on the bus. I try to use public transportation if I go into the city and one time I decided against bringing the stroller and then ended up missing my planned event. I ended up walking all over downtown carrying DD. It took me several days and a few chiropractor visits to be able to walk comfortably again. After that, I made sure to have it as a back up.

Now DD will wrap her legs around my waist and put her arms around my neck when I ask her to so carrying her that way is my favorite. Sometimes DD wants to ride in the stroller, sometimes she walks and a lot of times I carry her.

After all this if you've made it to this point in the post, I'd suggest getting an umbrella stroller. Think about what situations you want to use it for - walking, jogging, errands, back-up only, daily use, etc. to see what "grade" would work best for your situation - and check out garage sales and thrift stores and craig's list for a good deal.

[UnschoolnMa]

I was super poor and had two strollers, an umbrella style & a sturdier one that laid back, when my kids were little. I bought the umbrella for around 10 bucks and the other was a little more spendy, but not out of reach. I used them a lot even after my kids could walk (2 years apart) because on longer trips they get tired, take a nap, etc.

[Calidris]

hey trini, didn't read any of the other posts but I just wanted to let you know that your DH's attitude is (or at least was) the prevailing attitude here, where strollers are very expensive, and mostly fairly impractical (useful mainly at the mall, which was mostly frequented by the rich). But even here the attitude is changing of late, with more affordable strollers around, and slightly better sidewalks in some areas. Of course it's easier to have attitudes like that when there is a large extended family around to help out anyway
But I think in your situation a simple homemade pouch type sling would be a great idea (check out the babywearing board).

Oh, and to answer your question (and not derail/hijack for a change ) I hardly ever use my stoller because DD would never tolerate being in it for anylength of time.

[Hera]

I have two strollers, a large and cumbersome 3 wheeled one that FIL got for us when #1 was born...We lived on a dirt road and he figured we'd need it, but it wasn't what I would have chosen. Also, a cheapo umbrella stroller that I got to fold down and take on a trip when #1 was 18 months or so. I found the large one to be a PITA to steer and impossible in crowds, and never use it. THe umbrella sees some use, esp when my mom who isn't strong enough to babywear for long takes dd2 for a walk.

In my experience, strollers are easier to squirm out of than baby carriers, and I know that when my toddler is running amok it is nice to be able to sling her. She's usually cool with that, although I know some kids don't like to have their style cramped. Anyway, to me it isn't an either/ or situation. I think having a couple of different options is important. Even when they are walking, they still get tired before you do.

I think there are strollers that are luxury items for rich people, or at least marketed that way. Those seem to be the huge ones that take up all the trunk space and are hard to manouver in crowds.

[UUMom]

I got my first jogger at a second hand store for about $8. Later, I got a double one so I could excersize with the babies for about $30.

Try freecycle. You could pay a lot, but you sure do not need to. Too many people buy stuff they never use. You might get a great deal from the SUV drivers who never walk, but bought an $$$$ jogger because they thought they might.


Strollers are handy, if you need one. If you don't walk in the city, excersize, and/or carry bags etc., you may not need one. However, if you are at all active in an urban area, they can come in handy. You can always carry the babe and put the stuff in the stroller.

I don't see this as a big moral issue.

[FoxintheSnow]

Ive spent 10x more money on slings and carrier than on strollers. I couldnt find a sling that ds and I both liked long term. I got his jogging stroller at a thrift store for $18. We both love it. He loves it because he can get out and walk whenever he wants without me having to lift him out, plus he can nap in there. He very often falls asleep in the car and then I transport him to the stroller and he stays asleep-making errands so much easier. I tried doing the same thing with various slings and carriers (mei-tai, hotsling, otsbh, etc) and he just cant sleep in the sling. Also I live in a metropolitan part of town so we do tons of walking. My back would be killing me if I were wearing him that whole time.

[DevaMajka]

I have a 21mo ds, and I love our stroller. He loves it too. I hold him if he wants, but he's happy in the stroller. I feel way safer too, because if I'm holding him, he constantly wants down, and we live on a busy street. We walk to stores often, and its really nice having a stroller with a basket to hold groceries- I'd have to drive if I didn't have it, or just get a few light things at a time.
We have this: http://www.gracobaby.com/catalog/pro...Y&CategoryID=2 $60 or so.
Imo, anything bigger would be inconvenient.