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.