Ok, so let me preface this with an admission of my development of Acquired Stroller Laziness.
I have gotten so used to using a stroller on outings with my almost 4 year old, that I am now spoiled by all the stroller-conveniences... I love not having to carry anything!!! I place my purse in the basket, have cup holders for myself and a place for my phone/keys, my son has a tray for all his junk, and any purchases go in the basket or hang from the hooks on the handles. C'mon moms, you know what I'm talking about... Surely there are some other moms out there willing to admit to Acquired Stroller Laziness!
Anyhow, being the stroller junkie that I am, we have had several over the last 4 years, starting with the travel system, to a couple inexpensive lightweight strollers, to the one we have now, the Contours Lite. Well, my son is way over the weight limit (although the stroller still functions and pushes extremely easily and smoothly), but he is really busting at the seams of all the lightweight strollers we have. He will still occasionally cat nap in the stroller, and his head is almost off the top of the seat. To put his feet on the foot rest, his knees are up to the child tray. You get the picture.
I know there will be those moms out there that will say that he is way too old and way too big to be in a stroller, but I will preemptively respectively disagree, and assert my opinion that it is a very personal decision. My son is getting to the age where he is realizing the luxury of riding vs. walking, and therefore, is willing to ride much more than in the past when he was exerting his independence and walking most of the time. So it works for him, and it works for me, so we want to keep strolling! (And YES, he gets PLENTY of exercise otherwise, so NO, I am not depriving him of needed exercise by having him ride in a stroller...)
My dilemma is that I am looking for yet another stroller to get us through at least another year, maybe two... My son is kind of on the larger side, approx. 42 lbs., and 42" tall. We have certain "needs" in a stroller. A reasonably-sized basket, parent tray (at least a cup holder), a child tray with cup holder (not just the bar), and it must accommodate a higher weight range, and preferably have a higher seat back for a larger child. Oh, and preferably lighter-weight. A tall order, I know.
SOOOO, I was just wondering if any of you experienced moms out there have any recommendations for a great stroller for a larger, older child. I am interested in any ideas, or alternatives to strollers that would provide the same benefit. I am trying to be creative here, but I just can't come up with much. I have looked extensively online, and found a few strollers that accommodate children up to 55 lbs, but I am still looking for JUST THE RIGHT ONE...
Thanks for any experiences or ideas!!!
Well, after agonizing over hours of internet and phone research, we have chosen a stroller. We decided on the Combi Flex LX. I used to look at Combi's in the store and think, "Who'd buy that? It's so small!" But after some research, I was pleased to learn that all Combi's have a 55 lb weight limit, and now they make several models with wider seats and taller seat backs (comparable to full sized strollers). They are also making models with a child cup/snack tray, they have the basket underneath (although they're kinda small, but it'll do), and they are extremely lightweight. And no less importantly, in my price range. :)
So the Combi Flex LX it is. I'll let you know how we like it once we give it a try.
Thanks for all the responses... Happy New Year!
Some all metal garden carts can hold up to 200 lbs and are cheaper (prices have gone up a bit since I last looked) than a lot of red wagons out there. Line it with some towels and you can use a bath caddy to hold drinks. Search on:
Grizzly H0771 Folding Side Garden Wagon
L.,
No stroller rec's but, just think, in 12 years he'll be DRIVING you around! LOL
Denise
You gave me a good laugh this morning!
When my kids were little, and we took the stroller all the way up to the gate at airports, I used to wonder what I would do when they got too big for strollers...and we would have to walk all our stuff to the gates! I was so used to that convenience!
Well, by the time they were out of strollers, they could help carry things (and wanted to carry their own things, in back packs), and we didn't have to bring a lot of that extra baby/toddler stuff, like 2 car seats for every flight, a lot of extra food and toys, etc.
But, I used to worry and thought I would want them to be in strollers forever at airports!
Good luck with your search!
OMG, you are sooo funny!!! More power to you by sticking with your own principals!!!! Try a wagon! I had one with a compartment under one of the seats, a removeable roof with a compartment to put keys and things and cup holders! It was step 2 I believe. You can pad the bottom and he can lay flat & sleep!
I just had to write back, I had to laugh at your post. I too have an almost 4 year old and I also love the convenience of a stroller. We don't use it too much, but we have a Trendsport...now, I'm not recommending it as my son is just about busting out of it. He's 37 lbs, but we still use it. It's just so nice not to have to lug all that stuff around, so I totally agree with your point and I would love to hear some responses from other moms about which stroller might work. Some of the joggers look more substantial but those aren't always easy to maneuver. Anyway best of luck on your search...I'll also be looking for the responses you get. :)
I too have a 4 yo who loves to ride in the stroller, which is surprising since I didn't use a stroller at all for the first two years of her life. Now both kids like it and I have a double stroller. The MacClaren which has a higher weight limit was not good at all, not easy to push and despite the weight limit has a very low seat back which she is already passed and she is not a tall 4 yo, she is in the 50% for height and my just turned 2 yo son is almost passed the seat back on it. both of them are well within the weight limit, but it just is not tall enough. I just bought a joovy Kooper over the summer that I love, there is room to grow on the seat back, it is a compact but sturdy stroller. However it does not have a child tray, just mesh bags on either side of the stroller to hold things, it is also quite wide for a single stroller giving more room side room for the kids, but foot rest is not adjustable so if you have a taller kid who wants to stretch out this is not ideal. Honestly this was the best option I found, I have a macClaren double that was awful and a Baby jogger city mini double that I love, but again you have to purchase the parent and child tray separately for those, but they are available. The baby jogger is easy to push and I know one of the models has a much higher seat back, I think it might be the elite. If you want to go with a regular stroller this is the one I would recommend. If you want a stroller with everything you need, there are special needs strollers for larger kids/smaller adults but they are very pricey, you can email me and I can give you the info. if you want it. Otherwise I would recommend the Baby jogger with higher seat back and just purchase the accessories.
I am at work so I can't do an extensive product search, but...
My first thought was a sit-n-stand stroller. I couldn't find a weight limit on one I just looked at, but your son could stand or sit at least at the back of it, and if the parent tray has 2 cup holders, one for you and one for him! And if he's too big to sit in the younger child seat, you can always put your bags or toys there!
Hi, I can't recommend a stroller for you but I wanted you to know that I went to the mall with a friend of mine. Neither of us had children with us. (she has 3 and I have 2). We seriously considered bring a stroller with us. Where are you supposed to put your drink? You mean I have to carry my bags?! We discussed carts for the mall and decided that maybe we should just use on of our strollers. I hope you find one that works for both you and your son. :) Don't let anyone tell you he's too old, think of all the big kids in carts at the grocery store. :)
I have four kids.. Ages from 10years down to 1years old.. i still use the double stroller.. yes the wagon is a great idea.. But my van has no room for it.. I have a double that sits one in front n one in back. There are times where my 3year old is sound asleep in the car.. So i put her in the back n the little one in the front.. there are times that i will look for the fancy carts at walmart or target n lay who ever is sleeping the the cart while the other one is sitting up in the big seat..
But for walks around town.. I use the stroller. There is no room or cup holders in the wagon.. My oldest stoped using a stroller around age of 4-5.. But they too get tired of walking and want to ride.. Know a child that is 6- n up i think might be puching the whole stroller thing.. unless they are one of those little kids that look so much younger...
If u feel stroller.. Then go stroller.. Nothing wrong with that,...
You could get the sit and stand and put all your "stuff" in the place in front where the smaller child sits and put your older in the back. Or you could put a baby doll in the front seat that is meant for smaller children. Or you could have another baby and prolong stroller use another 5 years.
I had my kids in a wagon when they were 18 months and 3 years old respectively. We still use the wagon on big outings but for the most part they walk or we use shopping carts. (They are 3 and 5.) When I say "carts" I mean two carts - one for each - unless I am at the grocery store where they have really cool "car" carts. If I was going to the mall, I would use the wagon. A wagon is not as convenient as a stroller but it does keep the kids contained and you can use it for many more years. If you only have on, you can use the other seat for all of your stuff. I use a small backpack for a purse do I don't have to worry about carrying around a purse. My wagon has a detachable top that has cup holders. I use bungies to strap bags to the top when I need to.
Just a thought ...
Tee hee! I always wondered before I had kids at all the big kids in Manhattan in strollers. Now, when we go back, I get it. The kids walk too slow to get 30 blocks quickly, so they need to be restrained and hauled sometimes-so I got the MacClaren Volo for when we're there. I know this serves none of your trays and gadgets issues since it's made for folding quickly and carrying onto the subway in cities, BUT, my 4 year old who is tall is not at all too large for it. So maybe they have a more "mobile home" type model with similar specs? My best friend has a different MacClaren that's beefier than mine that her tall 5 year old son still rides in comfortably.
