My son 2years 8 months old. He is a very tall boy, he was 36 inches tall when we checked his height couple months ago. We were using the stroller from his travel system all these years. Infact since he turned two , we hardly take the stroller anywhere as he loves to walk. But now we will be travelling a lot with him , so would need a stroller to stop him from running around too much. Especially when we are checking in at the hotel, airport etc and he has a habit of wandering on his own out of our sight.We will be visiting lot of places , crowded too. A kiddie cart might not be available everywhere.
We looked at light weight strollers, they are quite expensive and I wonder if it's worth spending that much now. Since he won't really need it later on. The umbrella strollers are not very comfortable - he might be in it for long time during airport transits, might sleep in it too since some of our flights are at odd hours. Also, his legs almost touch the floor in both umbrella strollers and the light weight strollers.
I am considering using our old stroller but it's too heavy and we will already have too much luggage. It's a family trip that I could not get out of since we didn't make it last 2 years. I will be alone when I get back, so looking for a small easy to use stroller that I can handle with an active toddler and the luggage,
What would you suggest? Do I spend the money and buy the light weight stroller? It's light but still bulky. It holds kids upto 40 lbs but I am worried about height. Or go for a cheaper umbrella stroller ? I am worried about the part where I travel alone with him. He is a runner , so not having a stroller with M. would be a nightmare. Baby leash doesn't work with him.
Thanks in advance!!
Keep in mind he will be three soon, and that most kids tend to grow up a lot between two and three years. When my boys were three there would be no way they would sit in a stroller, they had long since given up napping and they were also past the stage of running off. I would suggest just using the umbrella stroller, or try to find a better stroller second hand. As three year olds they were helping to push the luggage cart.
Check at secondhand stores in your area. That way you can try out different ones, find something that will work and not spend much since you won't need it much longer.
I remember trying a leash with my son one year. We were walking through the airport and he discovered how much fun it was to lean forward and have the leash hold him up. He spent the rest of the time doing that and it was impossible to keep using it. So I understand when you say they don't work for you.
I was in a similar situation and I say that you must go with your gut in this case. Buy the more comfortable stroller, knowing your son will be safe and secure in it, so that YOU can have some peace of mind while traveling, especially those times when you are alone. When you return from your travels, you can list the stroller on Craigslist and try to resell it.
Another vote for you to splurge on a nicer stroller. I have the Maclaren Volo ($99), and it has lasted M. through three kids and several trips. I didn't have a problem with the side stitching coming undone, but I don't use it everyday. It comes with a shoulder strap, and is easy to fold and unfold with one hand. There is a little sling for a footrest, so your son's feet won't drag on the ground.
My older son is 4-1/2. He is about 40" tall and 35 lbs. He still likes to climb into the Volo stroller when my younger son is walking around. He fits into the stroller just fine, and it is still easy to push the stroller with him in it.
Maclaren also makes another more expensive lightweight stroller (Triumph?) that reclines, so it is easier for your wee one to nap in it. It is a pound or two heavier than the Volo. You can try them out at Buy Buy Baby and buy it using a 20% off coupon.
These types of strollers have a pretty good resale value, so you should be able to recoup some of your costs when you want to sell it. You can also see if you can buy a used one on craigslist or ask your friends if you can borrow one of theirs if you're only going to use it for this one trip. Good luck, and safe travels!
How about a Maclaren? They go to 55 lbs. (some of them) and fit my 6-year-old just fine. They are amazing. Just look for a model that does go to 55 lbs. I thought some newer ones even go to 60 or 65 from Maclaren?
They are very, very lightweight, too. Durable!!
Just don't get the Globetrotter (new one). I had it and returned it. Total junk. The Volo is OK, too. But the more expensive ones, even better.
Our kids are tall, too. The 3-year-old is 40 something inches but still rear-facing in his carseat (Diono brand). I didn't stress over strollers. :) But carseats, yes! Anything to keep him safe.
Well, I bought the Maclarean Triumph because my 2 year old is a very tall and heavy boy. It is wonderful! It is expensive new but we found ours barely used on craigslist.
When I travel with my 6 and 2 year old, I like knowing that if my 6 year old is exhausted - he can go in it! Not comfortable for a nap but it worked for doing an airport transit in the middle of the night. I would suggest getting a good stroller with a 5 point harness system!
Also, the person who said your child will outgrow napping soon - probably right but maybe not. My 6 year old still naps on weekends and days off school. He just needs the sleep:)
C.
At almost three, go with the better stroller. (I'll warn you against the McLaren Volo, though, it's notorious for having the side stitching at the seat begin to come out...we were disappointed) We bought one for us to use when Kiddo was nearly four-- this is because we are a one-car family and I was walking 4-5 miles round trip to run errands and making him walk that length in the hot summer was too much.
Go with the better stroller and then sell it on craigslist. :)
Take a stroller!
Look, little legs get tired. I can't imagine trying to carry or drag a 2-1/2 year old through airports, etc.
When my kids were little, I took strollers to the fair, etc. While they were happy walking around, I could keep sweaters, snacks, juice, etc, in them instead of carrying them. And, inevitably, they would get tired and want to ride. At our fair, for instance, it's a LONG walk just to the parking area. With no stroller, it would have been a nightmare. I'm little and I couldn't pack my son for very long when he was that age.
Maybe try a consignment shop. You might be able to get something that's been "gently" used that will fit your needs and you don't have to pay a fortune for. Your son may be tall, but he's still young. Even if you only use it for this trip, it will be worth it.
Best wishes.
This stroller might work well for you, although I don't know about the height. It holds up to 50 lbs, and is $60 http://www.onestepahead.com/catalog/product.jsp?productId...
or this which is $110 and carries 55 lbs http://www.onestepahead.com/catalog/product.jsp?productId...
My daughter was 7 and still sat in the stroller when we went to Disney World. I don't remember the brand but it was light weight, easy to fold up and cost about $100 6 years ago. We got it at Babies R Us.
A leash works great when you attach it where he can't reach it.
I use to put our son in overalls and attach the leash to the back of the overalls.
There used to be a brand called Whoa Baby! that had a handle built right into the back (could pick him up by it) and the leash worked perfectly.
It was a wonderful product but they went bankrupt a few years ago.
As far as the stroller goes, we didn't use it after age 2.
If we were at a fair all day, we'd bring a wagon for him to ride in when he got tired.
He could lie down and take a nap.
But you can't do that while traveling.
Up until he was almost 3.5 we could have him ride up on our shoulders for awhile.
When he got too big and too heavy we could give him short piggy back rides.
This is a light weight stroller that's recommended for tall kids up to 45 lbs and it folds up and can be carried like a back pack.
It's called a QuickSmart Backpack Stroller.
http://www.amazon.com/QuickSmart-I10267USA-Backpack-Strol...
How big is he? We took a Babies R Us inexpensive stroller with us to the UK when DD was about 3. It goes to 35lbs and saved us when we all had to walk somewhere. You might also look at a thrift store. There were a bunch of strollers at the store we went to yesterday, from joggers to umbrellas. You might find the type you need for the price you want.
