Obsessive Compulsive Stroller Disorder
Sep 21st, 2010
by Alexis Novak
I think my daughter has an unhealthy stroller obsession. My husband thinks I have an unhealthy stroller obsession. I tried to explain to him the function and necessity for each stroller I have owned but I just sounded plain guilty. What he will never understand is that a solid stroller can make your mom life more mobile which equals freer which equals happier.
This is my motherhood journey as told through my vast stroller collection:
1. Graco Quattro Tour Travel System- a.k.a., “the mall stroller”. This is where the journey begins for many of us as the big ticket gift at your baby shower. This mid-range price point car-seat-stroller-combo gets you from the hospital, then to the grocery store and pediatrician while you are still in the New Mom Stupor. A few months later, it becomes too bulky to move in and out of your car and you are ready to exercise with something faster. (Sold mine to a pushy lady from Craigslist who complained there was some dog hair on the wheel though she was getting an insane deal for her prego teenage step-daughter. After that, I never let random Craigslisters over to my house again.)
2. Jeep Liberty Limited All Terrain 3 Wheel Stroller – This was my birthday gift to myself a few years back. It has the little wheel toy to entertain the babe and a pivoting front wheel for good maneuverability. When I was ready to move my body again both walking and doing Baby Boot Camp it was the answer. Great value too.
3. Graco Lite Rider- I considered this lightweight my “umbrella stroller” that I kept in the car. For 50 bucks it served us well and the Graco infant car seat could pop into this one too. It was easy and reliable. Perfect for the Saturday Farmer’s Market. I sold it consignment for 20. I actually miss this one sometimes…
4. Phil n’ Teds Sport with doubles kit- So my second pregnancy happened a little faster than we were prepared for and I mostly blame the beautiful actor Patrick Wilson who I bumped into in Target’s toy aisle the week I conceived (please refer to his butt in the movie “Little Children”).
Needless to say, we were shopping for a double stroller sooner than we expected and at this point in my short parenting career I had learned that the old adage, “you get what you pay for” has never proven more true than with baby gear. My pregnant cousin and I researched extensively before committing to this pricey stroller. We agreed that this lime green hottie looked sleek and ready for the road.
You can imagine how excited I was- I was finally going to own the designer stroller I deserved! I interviewed everyone I saw with this stroller and they told me to buy it immediately. But beginning with the wordless assembly manual, the company’s marketing shtick was irritating and a turn off. They were trying too hard to be funny. Meanwhile, I could hardly figure out how to put it together with the picture instructions. Shouldn’t expensive strollers arrive on your doorstep assembled? When I took it for a spin, the tires wilted right after pumping them and the front wheel locked every use rendering turning problematic. It only worked going in a very straight line, in the middle of a smooth street. The bike shop guy couldn’t even figure out the tire issue. Everything I needed it to do it stubbornly refused. Despite its sporty good looks, this stroller disappointed me every day. This is the stroller that broke my heart.
5. 20 dollar Target umbrella stroller- My dear friend Sofie was visiting from Sweden and took pity on me trying to lug the kids around the outlet mall without a working stroller. We tried to assemble this while shopping and almost maimed my toddler. I love the fall butterfly print on this and use it for quick jaunts when I have one child…rarely.
6. Graco Duo Quattro- This was my two-zee Maclaren substitute that took up my entire SUV trunk. It was an impulse buy on the way out of town so I didn’t test drive it really. It doesn’t collapse easily and the sun shades have to come off to do so. It does get the job done though if you don’t mind heavy lifting. It weighs more than my toddler.
7. Maclaren Twin Triumph- Mom of two youngins’ Rach told me for six months to buy this stroller but as a Stay-at-Home-Goddess I am on one of those non-sexy things called a Budget. Then my husband bought new golf clubs, so I bought this stroller. I waited until it was on sale through diapers.com and got it for $225 with free shipping. I haven’t taken it for too many spins yet but love its strong titanium cage and its quick wheel response. It’s a fun ride. The handles are high if you are tall and though it’s a side-by-side, it fits easily through doorways. I am going to treat this one well because it could come in handy for many years to come. Especially traveling. Especially if we are crazy enough to have a third babushka.
8. BOB Revolution Duallie- Ommmmmm. I finally achieved stroller Nirvana and it comes in the color of the sunset- “Mesa Orange”. Officially, I do not yet possess this gorgeous stroller but my hopes are high for walk/jogging with my neighbor Denise and strolling on over to the park for a swing. I am exchanging the hopeless and dysfunctional Phil and Ted’s for this one. I hope this stroller and I will be sympatico. I pray it doesn’t let me down like many other strollers before it. Because as all experienced moms know- a good stroller is hard to find.
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