The Great Stroller Debate

by Michele Cheplic | More from this Blogger

02 Apr 2006 05:58 PM

My 2-year-old daughter is a great runner. But, like all kids there's a point when running gets old and she quickly starts looking around for her ride. That said whenever I travel with her, whether it's a day trip or a 10-day vacation, I inevitably become engaged in the "great stroller debate." The one that has me wrestling with whether or not it is worth bringing the stroller with us, and if so, which one.

It happened to me again today. My daughter and I took advantage of a beautiful spring day by visiting our local zoo. This particular zoo is no massive multi-hundred acre monstrosity like those found in San Diego or the Bronx. It is merely a modest home to a few dozen animals. Medium-sized. Exactly the size that begs the question: "Stroller or no stroller?" Do I take the stroller and risk having my tot ride in it for about seven minutes, squirm, beg to get out and refuse to get back in for the duration of our visit? Thus leaving me to tote around 26 pounds of toddler in one arm while pushing a stroller with the other. The alternative is to skip the stroller and when my little whirlwind decides she's done running (when I don't have the stroller, that usually happens within five minutes) then balance her, the diaper bag, a sippy cup and a bag of pretzels with various body parts.

I should point out that my daughter's favorite stroller lives in the trunk of my car. The "monster," is part of a "Travel System" I bought before my daughter was born. You've seen them before. They include an infant carrier that doubles as a car seat, which also attaches to the stroller. As the child grows, you can abandon the infant carrier and use the stroller exclusively. It was a great investment. As an infant, she loved riding in it and it comes with an extra-large storage basket, perfect for toting a diaper bag, toys, jackets, etc. It also has multiple cup holders, a place for my keys, and a tray just right for Cheerios and crackers. The only problem is that unleashing the "monster" means that if my daughter refuses to ride in it, I'm stuck pushing the beast for what could amount to miles.

I know what you're thinking: Get a smaller stroller. Check. I also have the universal umbrella stroller that works in a pinch. Of course, my child considers it the coach version of her first class wheels and really would like nothing to do with it. Yet, on occasion I have convinced her that it works just as well as the "monster."

Despite the versatility of the umbrella stroller, it does lack the bells and whistles of the "monster." I also have to be very careful about where I use it because depending on my daughter's mood, I could be left pushing it with my right elbow while balancing her and the diaper bag with my remaining arm.

I have also employed the medium sized stroller: Large enough to accommodate bag, snacks, drinks, and more; yet far lighter than the "monster" (which weighs 22 pounds). The problem with this version is that it doesn't fold as compactly as the umbrella stroller. In fact, on a recent trip to Hawaii it suffered structural damage mainly due to the fact that it folds with the seat facing up. It has since been placed on injured reserve and is used primarily for trips around the neighborhood.

So, where does this leave us? When traveling a stroller is undoubtedly a great asset as long as your child will ride in it. But, if he or she shares the same qualities as my child, it's likely the "great stroller debate" will rage on.

Learn more about Michele Cheplic

Michele Cheplic was born and raised in Hilo, Hawaii, but now lives in Wisconsin. Michele graduated from the University of Wisconsin-Madison with a degree in Journalism.

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kidslovevacations (100) 13 Aug 2006 12:16 AM

Hope these links help : www.essentialbaby.com.au - Prams and Strollers â€" a buying guide, www.consumer.gov.au - Prams and Strollers, www.kidshealth.org - Choosing Safe Baby Products: Strollers

Michele Cheplic (37349) 13 Aug 2006 06:30 PM

Thanks for the links!

Valorie Delp (49340) 13 Aug 2006 06:45 PM

I am totally laughing. I am currently in my own inner-raging war. How to get 5 children--under the age of 7, including two toddling twins--safely through the streets and subways of Manhattan twice a week to the kid's classes. Do I a) lug stroller (which of course is tandem for twins) up the two flights of stairs while balancing other toddler, sippy cups, and bags of pretzels b) skip bags of pretzels and sippy cups and buy snack down town for lack of hands c) get tethers for twins that double as wraps so I can carry if need be, and lug an umbrella stroller for anyone who may be falling asleep?! Ahhhh--decisions, decisions.

Michele Cheplic (37349) 14 Aug 2006 03:43 AM

Thanks Valorie--all moms should be required to take a seminar in pack mule 101. Your situation is a bit more complicated--I say strap them all to your back and make like a sherpa. Seriously, though, I did see a stroller featured on the Today show that folds up like a beach chair--and becomes so compact that you can carry it on your shoulder--might help with one kid.

Valorie Delp (49340) 14 Aug 2006 05:40 AM

I saw that! I thought it looked great! And then I realized that a) it would bug the heck out of the other people I'm crammed onto the subway with as I'm bonking them with the back of my stroller, b) then I'd be carrying 1 diaper bag--filled with stuff for two, two sippy cups, probably at least one baby (because if there are 3 that are technically stroller age, surely one won't want to walk or ride) No I think the sherpa thing is what I'll be doing. In fact, I think I should teach my oldest child to sherpa as well--it is HER classes we're going to. But at least when people pass me in utter astonishment that one woman would birth so many children in today's age AND actually venture outside of the house with them, and say something like, "Boy you have your hands full." It will literally, and actually be true! Giggle giggle!