I am thinking about getting a double-stroller for trips to the zoo and daily walks to the park. I have a 3 yr old (just turned 3 last week) and a newborn on the way end if April.
My 3 yr old is already pretty good at riding her bike and/or scooter for trips to the park. One reason to get the double-stroller is that when we go with friends to the zoo, my daughter likes to feel part of the gang and wants to ride with her friend in the double-stroller (rather than following behind in her single stroller). We would not always accomodate my child's desire to be on the double-stroller (with a companion nearby), but we let her do this on the few small special occassions when this is not a problem. Luckily, my friend does not mind switching one of her kids to push around the zoo.
Anyway, the reason I am sharing this is because at age of 3, my daughter still seems to prefer getting pushed around in a double-stroller with other kids (rather than being in her own single stroller). I don't think she has anything against being in a stroller, but thinks double-strollers are cool. She also seems to want a little sister pretty bad.
However, other times, my 3 yr old wants to assert her independence and tells me she wants to walk. When she decides she wants to walk, she is pretty good. She lasts for a while, but, even at these times, sooner or later, she gets tired and it is back to the stroller.
What have other Moms with a 3 yr old and newborn decided to do? Double-stroller or not? Any other tips (beside renting a wagon at the zoo) which might be helpful to me?
Also, is it still worth investing in a very nice double-stroller or should I just get a simple umbrella stroller?
Yes. ;O)
Trust me... when you take the baby on a stroller ride... she will regress!
(From the mom of a 3 year old an an 15 month old!
J~
My son is 3 1/2 and daughter is 16 months...I am an avid walker and love to get all of us out of the house. I don't know what I would do without my double stroller. Even tho the older ones are at THAT age where they want to be out of the stroller....on a 3 mile walk, he will jump in the front seat and ride. I took the tray off the front seat to make it seem more of an "older kid" seat for him. We're also taking it to Florida with us. I also bought a stand and ride stroller...where the littlest one is in a stroller seat and my 3 year old can sit or stand on the back of the stroller (there is a bench seat). We take this to the mall and on errands.
The other thing is, we plan to have one more little one in the next couple years, so I knew I would get lots of use out of it!
Have a great day!
M.
Hi D.,
It sounds like your daughter might need a stroller from time to time and that's ok. If she wants to sit in one, then get one. I will tell you from experience though, they are like driving a semi truck. Once you put 40 pounds in the thing, it is heavy and sometimes hard to turn. I had the Eddie Bauer double stroller and liked the fact that my kids could face each other if they wanted to, and there was plenty of room for them as they got older. I looked into the Peg Perego but it seemed so small for our older child. I was at Sears in the Southlake Mall a couple of days ago and their Eddie Bauer double was cute and smaller. It looked more like an umbrella type stroller. Good luck!!!
Dear D.,
I wanted to tell you that if you don't want to buy a double stroller, to go to www.freecycle.com or www.freesources.com I couldn't afford a double stroller and my friend told me to go there and see if anyone was giving away a double stroller. these websites are desinged for people to give away things that are still in good condition without haveing to throw it away or sell it. So I went on there and typed in that I wanted a double stroller. Then someone e-mailed me back and told me where and when to pick it up. I love these websites because I am able to give to others things that I have out grown or don't need anymore. If you don't want to register just e-mail me and I will post it and let you know when I get an e-mail. Good Luck.
B.
my son was almost 3 when his little sister arrived. We actually waited to get a stroller until we were sure that he would want to get into one. We finally decied on a "Sit and Stand" stroller from Target that has an attachment for a infant seat (which fits almost any infant seat). It gives your 3 year old a choice to either stand or sit while you walk. My son loves it. There is a strap for when he sits and also a strap that goes a cross behind him when he is stands. This way he can get out and walk with us too if he wants. The size when it folds down is not as big as a true double stroller. I went with the one from Target because it had a bigger storage area in the bottm and also more room for my 3 year old when he sat (with an infant seat the front seat in the stroller has t lean back more and with other strollers like this there wasn't enought room for him to sit comfortably). Here's the link
http://www.target.com/gp/detail.html?_encoding=UTF8&f...
There is nothing wrong with getting a double stroller it would be even better for you when your walking in the zoo you will know where she is at at all times. if she wants to be like her friends then I would do it. sometimes children getting tired of just following behind this way if you take walks to the park or around your house she can have a choice ride her bike or just go in the stroller. I have one child but, if I had to so close in age thats what I would do. hope this helps J.
Another positive plug for the Sit 'n' Stand. We love ours...
Hi D.,
We have a Baby Trend Sit n Stand Plus and it's working out very well. It converts from a double stroller to a sit'n'stand (back seat comes out) when your older child would rather ride this way instead of using a traditional double stroller seat. This might be a good option if you're going to be out all day and your 3 year old still needs to take naps. The only bad thing is that it is pretty heavy, but that's probably true for most double strollers I suppose. Strollerdepot.com carries it and it's currently on sale for $174.95.
You might want to try a sit and stand which your daughter can easily get in and out of but still be part of the conversation when she wants. I have 4 kids and just got a baby trend sit and stand for my infant and 3 year old and so far so good.
Enjoy your girls!
B.
I'll throw my plug in for the Baby Trend Sit 'n Stand too. My two are about the same age difference yours will be. While my son does like to walk quite a bit, and there are lots of times when the stroller never even leaves the trunk of my car, the times when I've wanted it I have been SO glad I had it. A long trip to the zoo or arboretum will end up with the oldest one petering out and there is nothing worse than trying to carry one child while pushing the other in the stroller in summer heat! You may also find that while your 3-year-old is content to ride around on a scooter now, there may be a bit of "regression" after the baby is born.
The ability to sit or stand on the back of this stroller is great for the older kid. I also think that the price makes this one the best bang for the buck if you're not willing to invest a fortune, and I like that it folds flat enough to fit into the trunk of my sedan and still leaves a little room for the groceries.
Hi D.!
It appears you might have enough advice already but I thought I'd let you know my history with a tandem. I have one (Duo glider from Graco) and use it all the time for about 3yrs now. I have a 4yr old, 2 1/2yr & a 7mo old). I do alot with the kids just by myself and it certainly comes in handy. My 4 yr old still uses it...especially if he's sleeping. You know kids...they get lazy or tired of walking quickly. It is great for trips to the museum, zoos & library. Don't forget... it works great for storage, as well. Coats, diaper bags, snacks, lunches, library books, etc.
Good Luck!
C.
I still use my double stroller-- my daughter is 3.5 and son is 1. When my littlest was born my daughter was a bit competetive with him and wanted to still be taken care of--so wanted to ride since her baby brother was riding. Even if your daughter wants to walk the double stroller comes in handy for schlepping coats, bags, etc. Then if she does get tired she can sit too and ride (and fall asleep). I like it too because I can keep an eye on both of them--and they can't run off. I have the graco duo glider--its not a huge investment, and I have used it a lot in the last year... and still plan to use it for many more months even though my daughter turns 4 in July. Hope this helps.
:-)
Yes!! I also bought a double stroller when I had two little ones and it helped so much, especially with going to the mall and the zoo. I think an inexpensive stroller should do just fine. Plus, I used the extra spot for storage when my older child wanted to walk.
If you're near Oak Park the Parenthesis consignment sale this Saturday will definitely have strollers: http://www.parenthesis-info.org/consignment.htm
My son was 3.5 when his little brother was born. We bought a used Peg Perego double-stroller and used it heavily that first spring and summer. By the next warm-weather season we no longer used the double-stroller but bought a nice lightweight stroller with a top shade and small basket (it's like a maclaren volo but a different brand - can't remember the name.) Then we sold the double stroller.
That's the perfect age difference for a sit-n-stand stroller, esp if you daughter sometimes wants to walk and sometimes wants to ride. You should go with your daughter to babiesrus or another store that carries them and see what she thinks about standing on the rearboard (and there's also a little bench seat she could sit on). My daughter will be a little over 2 1/2 when her sibling arrives this summer and we got the Joovy Caboose (sit 'n stand) and are already using it to get her used to riding in the back. She loves it!
I have 4 children all 2 years apart and I hated double strollers. If I need to have no children walking we would either use a wagon (which I found easier when they were both sitting up) or I would put the infant in the front pack and the toddler in the stroller. However for the most part my toddlers love helping me push the stroller and walking. The double stroller are so large and hard to get around-I only wasted my money once then not with the nexts.
I just got a Phil and Ted's e3 with the second seat attachment. I only have one child right now, but I think it's the ideal stroller for two kids. It has four configurations - 1) it has a bassinet feature for one infant 2) attach the second seat and your infant and 3 yr. old can ride together 3) attach the second seat to the back when your infant is older and both kids can still ride at once 4) when your toddler outgrows strollers (or if you want to go for a walk with just your toddler) the stroller by itself seats just one. It is a bit pricey but I think the 4-in-1 capabilities make it worth it.
Also, the rubber tires make it great for walks to the park and zoo. I have a Maclaren umbrella stroller and I'm afraid I've abused it by pushing it through slush, across grass and in wood chips at the park. I've learned the hard way that umbrella strollers are meant for the mall, not for walks around the neighborhood. I would definitely get a lightweight umbrella stroller to keep in the car for trips to the store (maybe get a ride-on board for your 3 yr. old?), but for outside, I wish I had gotten the Phil and Ted's earlier!
I agree with the sit n stand option. It is very nice for the older child and the front seat accomodates all of the infant car seats out there,( I believe..mine does I know)
I am not really sure but I invested in a double stroller and I barely have used it. It is big bulky a pain in the butt so if you can find a easy to use smaller one than I would say yeah but I find they are more annoying than helpful. But I suppose if you need one then you do. Cant carry the 3 yearold around and push an infant. So not sure good luck.
To be practical about it, if you really only think you will use a double stroller at places like the zoo (which is pretty much the only place I have ever used mine and my kids are less than 2 years apart) I would suggest getting a second hand stroller. I have a big chunky stroller that I hate, but it does the job for the dozen or so times we have gone to the zoo in the last year or so. Try garage sales in the spring or Craig's List.
I also agree with the sit and stand. I have a 3 year old and a 6month old. We have the big monster double stroller and have used it a few times, but its not something that I feel we NEED.
We have mostly used the single stroller and my 3 year old either walks or rides his "bike" (big wheel or tricycle).
Good luck and congratulations!
B.
My six year old nephew thinks it is cool to get into a double stroller with his cousin (my son) and I take both with me often. A double stroller is really cool and I am wanting to get one myself. When the kids are in the double stroller they are less likely to get bored walking around because they can play with each other and it also helps teach them to share. Give them one treat container to share between them. If you can afford the extra cost get the double stroller whether you use it for your two little ones or just your oldest and a friend and you can always resell it when you no longer need it when the oldest is too old to get into one. They also have those strollers where you can put two children in the front and have one standing in the back. That is the one I really want to get. I believe they sell those at Target and that is going to be my purchase this summer.
hi D.,
i also have a sit-n-stand elite (the back seat converts from traditional seat to jump seat) from one step ahead and i LOVE it! but, you can also get an attatchment for your single stroller---a buggyboard/kiddyboard (by lascal). they make two different models--depending on how it attatches to yor stroller. i love that also, it goes on/off super easy. i can attatch it to my single or double.
:)hollis
