Reflective Fionn and Shopoholic Mommy: Stroller Wars

Fionn and I would like to talk for a bit about a subject that has become very near and dear to us in the last few weeks: strollers.

Now, you may ask why would I be bothered with this whole stroller business when we are looking at ten months on the outside next week. Fionn will explain, as briefly as possible.

"My mommy likes to buy things. She has three diaper bags, and until recently, 4+ strollers."

I'm going to have to stop him there. Fionn is going to be giving you all the wrong impression. While it's true that I have three diaper bags, might I ask any of you girls out there if you only have ONE handbag? My point exactly. It would be like Rory having one coat. But I digress.

Strollers need to fill so many functions. Fionn would like to point out that he does pretty much everything in his stroller. Sleeping, eating, shopping, going on errands or to the dog park, and sometimes even getting changed all happen in the stroller. It has SO MANY JOBS. It is like the hardest working candy in town, mon.

It's odd that some stroller companies haven't caught on to this yet. But they LOVE people like me- first time moms who don't have as much time to research as they do to browse and have something shiny catch their eye. Or just go with another mom's shining reference.

Ladies I tell you, your stroller must fit your lifestyle. For example, I had a Phil and Teds. Yeah, that's right; I thought I was going to go jogging all the time. Fionn- you've been quiet for a while- how many times did we go jogging?

"Just the once, mom. The time when you sweated real bad out of your face.(hilarious laughter)."

Fionn would like to point out that while the stroller was extremely comfortable and got us through a wicked Canadian winter when he was a newborn, but it had served it's purpose. We sold the old girl last week on Craigslist and she has gone on to greener pastures. Now Fionny enjoys the ten month old life rockin it in his new Frog.

We're not going to tell you all the reasons why we eventually caved, and why I still haven't gotten rid of the other 2 strollers (totally next week), but we will say that try to think about not only your lifestyle, but also what you will use it for (everything but actually raising my kid) and where you will use it (transit, the mall, subterrain exploration etc). Then surf that web. Check Ebay for goodness sake- if you don't mind "gently used", you can usually get it for a third of the price or at least half. And remember, people like me are sometimes just getting rid of their "starter stroller".

Strollers- Three major brands and covetable buys. By Fionn
(mommy disclaimer- I can't be responsible for Fionn's rating system. He has basically equated how good the stroller is with things he loves or thinks are cool. You'll see.)

* Silver Cross http://www.silvercross.co.uk/ : Sleek, Classic and GORGEOUSLY done. I always do a double take when I see another baby in one of these babies. Especially the prams, cause they're SO very unneccesary (with all the combo strollers and travel systems available) and so very, well, luxe. I give them a high five.
* Bugaboo http://www.bugaboo.com/ : Take a walk through Yorkville, the Beach, Sherway Gardens or Holts- you'll see nearly all Bugaboos. Why? Cause they are like the time Mommy gave me a popsicle; as soon as I tasted it, I grabbed it and tried to shove it all in my mouth. Once you see what one of these things does (and how many strollers it takes to replace all of it's functions), you'll want it. Now. I give it a watermelon.
* Phil and Teds http://www.philandteds.com/ : Perfect for joggers and those planning to have Irish twins. It does a whole whack of things. I thought the basinett (or the cocoon, as the P&T people call it) was the best when I was a wee baby. I used to sleep in it in the pub, and when mommy carried me around in it, people thought it was just a duffle bag. Ah, misty memories of all those months ago. I give it a nostalgic "La" (the first sound I used to indicate I liked something. Mommy thought maybe I was saying "love". She's a sap.).