Monday, September 8, 2014

Seeking Stroller Advice

Starting at the beginning of October, I'll be watching two of my former co-workers' daughters when they go back to work.  So, I'll be home 5 days a week with 3 children under 2.  Well, I guess technically, at first, it will be 3 children under 1.  Needless to say, I think a sturdy double stroller will be an order if I ever hope to get out of the house this school year.  I've done more stroller research than I care to admit and I'm still unsure what kind to get.  Whether we buy used or new, this will probably be our biggest "for baby" purchase and I'm hoping we can make the "right" purchase the first time.

Sooo, anyone who's reading this blog and can chime in with some stroller recommendations, I'd really appreciate it!  My husband would too...the word stroller is currently outlawed from our dinner time conversations : - )

Here's our situation/preferences:


  1. We're leaning towards a side by side rather than a tandem stroller because both girls will only be 3 months when I start watching them and I need to be able to take them out right away.  Tandems seem to require that at least one child be able to sit completely upright unless you snap the car seat into the stroller.  I'm dealing with 3 different infant car seats and finding a stroller that accommodates different types seems tricky.  Also, from the testing I've done in stores, tandems seem harder for me to maneuver.  Especially when I'll be wearing the third child.   
  2. The seats need to recline a lot. The girls will be tiny.  I don't want them in forced sitting positions with their chins on their chests.  I know most strollers say that you shouldn't use them before 6 months unless you're using a carrier but I'm not taking them out for an all-terrain jog.  I just want them to be comfortable when we're strolling around the neighborhood.  That being said, it would be nice if the seats adjust easily because Alcuin hates being reclined.  
  3. Good sunshade is a must.  We live in Phoenix.  Need I say more?
  4. It doesn't have to be a jogger, but I'd like it to be.  Adam and I are surprised by how much we've been walking/running/hiking since we've moved to AZ.  I walk/run almost everyday and we probably go on a hike twice a month at least.  The trails here are rocky so I'd like wheels that can take that.  
  5. It has to fit in the car.  Obviously, if we're hiking with Alcuin on the weekends.  Or if I ever needed to take all three kids out somewhere (probably never.)  We have a Pontiac Vibe with a hatchback.  
  6. We're not (too) afraid of the price tag.  We understand that even if we buy a used stroller, we'll be shelling out the big bucks.  But I'd rather have a solid stroller that I can hold onto for a while rather than a cheap one that constantly needs parts fixed or that we have to upgrade after 1 or 2 years.  
So, if you have a stroller to recommend, please do!  And if there's something you think that I'm not taking into consideration, I'd be happy to know that too.