Conference moira::parenting_v3

    We used a Snugli early and then a collapsible stroller.  Never had a
    "real" stroller.  I can imagine that the kind with a sun shade would be
    useful, but we used a hat.  I also believe in having kids walk when
    they can, so by about age 2 they walked or rode on Daddy's shoulders.
    We haven't used our stroller for the almost 4 year old in at least a
    year and 1/2.
    
    I can't stand to see 3/4 year olds being pushed in a stroller at a mall
    with their knees tucked under their chin because they are so big!!!

    I have a 7 month old and really like the "cumbersome" Graco stroller
    we have. I like to be able to stuff blankets, toys or whatever at the 
    covered "feet" area or cubby holes at the head area. Also, now that my 
    baby thinks it is neat to sit-up (not recline), and hold onto 
    the front of the of the stroller, I'd hate to see her tipping over, head 
    first, in the umbrella stroller - sturdiness has it's rewards.There
    have also been several occassions that I was out and about during her
    nap time, so the reclining feature is nice.  
    
    Another note: I found that using a SNUGGLIE was good till my baby was
    around 3 months. Then it caused too many aches in my already bad back.
    In addition, she had grown curious as to what was behind her, and would
    constanstly try to turn around, causing the SNUGGLIE to be unstable.
    
    
    I really thought I'd need to buy an umbrella stroller as time went on,
    however, after 7 months - looks like old "hefty" will be around for a 
    few more!
    
    Julia
    
    P.s. I have a friend that swears by her umbrella stroller; thinks I'm
         crazy for not having one. Different strokes for different folks...
                                                        

Please, if you use a big stroller in crowded areas, please be careful. 
Those things are HEAVY.  I have a scar on my ankle from where I got 
rammed by one of those expensive European "tank" style strollers while 
I was Christmas shopping in 1987.  If I had been an elderly person 
with fragile bones, I think it might well have broken a toe.
The person pushing the stroller wasn't being that careless with it,
either.

--bonnie 

You can get umbrella-type strollers that recline to about 170 degrees.
The McLaren stroller is one of these (costs about $200), and Chico makes
one that's a knockoff of the MacLaren for about $120.

Advantages:	Little babies can sleep in them (even on their tummies - the
			last 10 degrees of verticality don't seem to bother them
		Older babies can still take naps.
		The fold up just like the other umbrella strollers, very compact
		Weigh about 12-15 lbs. (with the stupid sunhood off.  see below)
		They are much more stable and sturdy than the cheaper
			umbrella strollers and more maneuverable than the big
		carriage-type strollers.  We got ours because we live in a 
		city with few curb cuts and lots of brick/cobblestone pavements.
		It's still in perfectly good condition after 20 months.
		They have 5-point harness/seat belt and padded front bar.

Disadvantages:	The handles don't reverse from 'carriage' to 'stroller' position
		The sun hood is pretty useless.  This is only a serious problem
			when the baby is lying flat on back - otherwise hats
			work fine.  Also, I don't know if sun hoods on 'land
			yacht' strollers work any better.
		There's no bottom basket to store things in.  But you can hang
		a net bag over the handles.

    We too thought we'd eventually end up buying an umbrella stroller for
    malling, etc.  But we've used our big ol' Graco and been extremely
    happy with it.  It will hold lots and lots of stuff other than Michael
    (coats, packages, etc.), and still has room enough for him to squirm
    around quite a bit.  He's a year old now, and we've decided we won't
    ever need an umbrella stroller for him.
    
    Steve
    
    BTW, I don't know if they're all lightweight, but Pat lifts the Graco
    in and out of the trunk whenever she needs to with no problem at all.

    We had an umbrella stroller, a big 'Pram' (English HUGE
    stroller-thing), and the typical Graco-type larger style stroller.  All
    my money goes to the Graco-type.
    
    The Umbrella stroller got VERY uncomfortable for the baby after a
    while, and since they're stuck in a sitting position, there's no way to
    make it much nicer for them.  Also, it wore out pretty quick (less than
    a year).  The wheels were a ROYAL PAIN IN THE BUTT!  They ALWAYS wanted
    to go the opposite way, and it took tremendous force (if you were
    pushing) to convince them to go otherwise.  Not having anyplace to put
    a coat or mittens or secure a toy was a major disadvantage.
    
    The Pram was slightly better, but was quite large, didn't fold up well
    at all, and the wheels didn't turn, so again we were fighting with the
    thing the whole time.  It made a great portable 'crib' in the house
    where we could move the baby from room to room without waking.
    
    The Graco-type.  There is a God!!  We actually got a tandem stroller (1
    seat in front, 1 in back), but the basic design is the same.  There are
    8 WIDE soft wheels so turning was a breeze.  It is VERY well balanced,
    and very comfortable.  The front seat had several levels of recline
    from straight down to 90-degree angle.  We could always make the baby
    comfy.  There's a basket on the bottom for some things, the good old
    'foot rest' for others, and if not using the back seat, that can handle
    up to 25 pounds without affecting stability.  Also, the additional
    weight didn't make manuevering any more difficult.  It folds up by
    pressing one lever with your foot, and the whole thing weighs ~15
    pounds.  
    Dislikes:  If weight is added to the handle area, it becomes very
    unstable and wants to tip backward.  When the front seat is reclined,
    the back of the seat rests in the seat of the back seat (ie you can't
    recline the front and use the back).  The stupid sunhood is a waste of
    time and a MAJOR source of aggravation.  The whole thing fell apart in
    about a year - I think that this was just because of the particular
    model/design, and is probably not a problem with most.  We bought this
    at Sears, and they still carry the same manufacturer (so beware) - it's
    their only Tandem.  
    
    Go for the clumsier one - you'll like it MUCH better!!!  Finally, on
    the umbrella stroller, there is no bar, but just a seatbelt, and the
    older babies love to grab on that bar when they can sit up.
    
    GOOD LUCK!
    Patty

    I found that unless it was high noon, the usefulness of the sun hood
    was directly proportional to my compass heading.  Since we were mostly
    in motion when using the stroller (ours was a "Maxi Taxi" - not sure if
    they're still around) as opposed to parked & communing with nature, the
    sun issue was addressed by sun hats.
    
    The Maxi T. was not terribly heavy, and the thing I *loved* about it
    was that you could fold it up *or* unfold it using only one hand.  It
    had a shallow, but solid (not wire rack) compartment underneath, which
    reminds me to caution people *not* to use the sun hood as a luggage
    rack (I've seen so many people leaving stores with boxes stacked on the
    hood--you wonder what goes through their minds!!!  What's the important
    cargo here?).
    
    I finally got an umbrella stroller (the $15 kind - I just cannot
    believe people are paying $200 for an UMBRELLA stroller) for a plane
    trip/vacation.  We loved it--for that use--but I wouldn't have used it
    for an infant: no back support (just a canvas sling, basically).  Also,
    our umbrella stroller would have been useless on terrain any rougher
    than the average paved sidewalk.
    
    Leslie

    
    I really don't think that the full-size stollers are that 
    cumbersome.   They fold up/down quite readily and compactly.   
    There are times, for us, when an umbrella stoller just won't 
    do.....namely, as Patty pointed out, if you are going for a 
    long day out, the umbrella stroller is just too uncomfortable 
    for the kiddo AND if we are going "off-road"(say to Brimfield 
    antique market) the umbrella stoller just doesn't take uneven 
    terrain too well.
    
    Don't get me wrong, the umbrella stoller has its place (we
    have both).   It's great for travel (especially airport travel)
    and when the car is already filled to the gills for vacation or
    whatever.
    
    Carol

    re: .7   notes collision....brilliant minds think alike :-)!
    

    I offer this suggestion for the umbrella stroller question...
    
    We use ours more now, (Robby is 4.5), than when he was an infant.  We
    take it when we are out for the day, and it keeps him from running out
    of steam during a day long mall marathon, or other day trips.
    
    sue

    We have an Aprica "big" model and a cheapo umbrella stoller.
    
    For quick trips in and out of the mall, we use the umbrella stoller. 
    We also take that on vacation, since the car is too packed for the
    Aprica.
    
    But we use the Aprica 85% of the time.  The basket is essential at the
    Mall to store all the baby junk, and the stuff we buy.  And when we go
    for a walk in the neighborhood, the Aprica is nice cause it rolls well
    on different terrain and has a higher handle so we don't have to bend
    over and hurt our backs.
    
    I generally keep the umbrella stroller in my car, for unplanned stops. 
    That way, I have a stroller to put Gina in.
    
    judy

    Thanks for all the replies. It sounds like the "big" stroller isn't all
    that cumbersome to get in and out of the car. I hope to take a lot of
    walks with my baby (driving to a quieter neighborhood first) to get
    back in shape and enjoy the spring weather. What's a good make of
    stroller for miles and miles of road/sidewalk walking? (Knowing me, it
    will probably never see the inside of a mall!) This is my first baby,
    so I want to get something that will last.
    
    Thanks,
    Andrea

    I've mentioned this before somewhere in this file, but for walking
    outside we use a Baby Jogger.  Yes, it's wonderful for jogging with the
    baby, but it's also great for walks.  It's built like a tank,
    comfortable for the bambino, far lighter in weight than any
    conventional stroller, and handles like a sportscar (as opposed to the
    normal stroller which handles like a Mack truck).  It does not fold, so
    you have to have another stroller for keeping in the trunk of the car,
    but that's absolutely the only disadvantage I can think of.
    
    Steve

    We had both a regular stroller that folded to a "reasonable" size, and
    a friend gave us a umbroller.  We used the umbroller more than the full
    size overall.  The compactness of the umbroller was a godsend, since
    when we had AJ we owned a small car (Fiero) and I swear the trunk 
    wouldn't hold 3 grocery bags!  We used the big stroller for afternoon
    around the neighborhood walks, and occations when he'd be in it for a
    long period (Canobie Lake days and The Big E in Springfield come to
    mind) but the umbroller came to be known as the "mall stroller" just
    because it was smaller, easier to manuver, and lighter weight.  My
    mother inlaw had a fishnet shopping bag that slipped nicely over the
    handles which was great for the things we picked up, plus bottles and
    diapers.
    
    I guess if I put an average on it we used the umbroller twice as much
    as the full size (Graco I think it was), even as recently as last fall
    when he was 3.5.  We took it to the Eastern States Expo and he took a
    short nap in it during the afternoon, and also kept us from having to
    carry him when he was tired.
    
    AJ *hated* the snugli, he screamed constantly everytime I tried to use
    it, I finally stopped bringing it.
    
    Lyn

I recommend umbralla strollers with the BIGGEST wheels possible.
They tend not to get stuck in gravel or snow. We have one with 5"
diameter wheels since a lot of the parks in Colorado has sand as
part of the walkways.

I see thet a Yuppie class stroller with 12" bicycle tires selling
for around $150 from BEST Products catalogue stores. This is not
the one I mean, however.

calvin

    I like the Graco Stoll-a-bed.  Not too big, lightweight, folds flat,
    open and close while holding kid in arms.  I had what I thought was
    a great umbroller for my other two kids -- they were never comfortable,
    they liked to sleep on their stomachs.  The Graco cost around $59.

    I am interested in purchasing a stroller for my 1st baby.  I have been
    looking at 2 strollers: the Graco Premier & the Carlson (can't remember
    exact model- similar to Graco in features).  Both have dbl wheels on
    front & back, adjustable-switchable handle, sunroof, boot, large basket
    under seat & additional pocket behind seat (in skirting).
    
    The major differences are color & make.
    Graco is light green (leatherette) w/ bauge & green heart interior.
    Carlson is ivory (leatherette) w/ navy blue interior.
    
    The Carlson also has additional lock for the handle going from front to
    back.
    
    Help.... any comments or suggestions here will help - including
    interior/exterior fabric suggestions.
    
    Thanks in advance.
    Sonia 
    
                   
    

    I have the Graco Brougham.  It has double wheels on both front and
    back.  I looked at the Carlson and I'm very sorry that I bought
    the Graco.  The maneuverability is very poor and I usually get very
    frustrated whenever I'm walking through the mall.
    
    Lori B.

    I have the Carlson.  It had some safety features around the hinges to
    protect curious little fingers that the GRACO did not have.
    
    I was somewhat dissappointed in how the stroller "drove" when the baby
    is facing you.  I kept tripping over the wheels.  We test drove all the
    strollers we looked at with the baby facing forward, so I don't know if
    this is a problem with any other models.  So - do your test-drives
    with the stoller facing in both directions.
    
    Other than the awkward wheel positions when the baby faces you, I have
    been very happy with our Carlson.

    Thank you for the replies.  I'm still not 100% but I'm not due till the
    begining of August - so I have some time.  I am leaning towards the
    Carlson though.  I've heard about some wheel problems w/ the Graco (the
    double wheels not wanting to go straigh) - however Graco will refund
    you if this should happen.  I guess my main concern is the Ivory color
    leatherette exterior fabric getting dirty all the time on the Carlson.
    
    Thanks again,
    Sonia

�    Carlson though.  I've heard about some wheel problems w/ the Graco (the
�    double wheels not wanting to go straigh) - however Graco will refund
�    you if this should happen.  I guess my main concern is the Ivory color
 
    
    How do I go about getting refunded?  This is the biggest problem
    I have with the GRACO stroller and the reason why I don't like it.
    
    Lori B.

    Try this with the Graco wheel problem.  We noticed that when the
    wheels weren't cooperating, if we moved the lock (the little red
    button on the front of the wheels), the wheels would whip around
    and work wonderfully.
    
    Donna
    

    I'll check back w/ the person that I heard this from.  I thought that
    she said her sister just wrote to Graco w/ her problem and a copy of
    her receipt.  I'll check again.  Give me a couple days.
    
    Thanks,
    Sonia

    Well, I called my girlfriend.  She said that she couldn't remember the
    whole story - but here are the pieces:  her sister bought the Graco
    stroller and had problems w/ the wheels from the begining.  The return
    time had run out on the receipt (30 days or whatever) not to mention
    the fact that the stroller was used - so she wrote to Graco.  She must
    have made a copy of her receipt because they refunded her fully for the
    stroller.  Now she's trying to decide on whether or not to purchase a
    Carlson.
    
    Sonia
    
    Good Luck - sounds pretty good to me.
    

    This may be a tangent, but seems like a good spot to post this:
    
    Just read in a recent issue of "Parents" or "Parenting" of two stroller
    recalls. I'm writing this from what's left of my memory, but I'll try
    to post the actual article next week.
    	
    	1) Graco has issued a recall notice on many of their stroller
    	models purchased before July 1989, due to a defect in the mechanism
    	that allows the handle to be moved from front to back (something
    	about the risk of catching a baby's hand...) They are sending some
    	sort of modified part to replace or cover the defect.
    
    	2) Fisher Price is recalling some/all (?) of their strollers due to 
    	some sort of major defect with the locking mechanism that holds the 
    	unit in an open position, allowing the stroller to collapse. 
    	Apparently, there have been some major injuries (i.e. broken limbs) 
    	attributed to this problem. F/P is asking that anyone having such a 
    	stroller to remove one of the wheels (as proof of ownership?) and 
    	return the wheel to them. They will then ship a new stroller as a 
    	replacement.
    
    There were 800-numbers listed for each recall...If I remember, I'll 
    bring them in and post on Monday.

    -1  Yea, bring that article in!  I've been meaning to do it for
        weeks now.  The one time I remembered, I brought the wrong
        issue in.
    
    	I have the Grace Stroll-a-bed and that is one that has the
        area where little fingers can get hurt.  I called and in
        about 2 weeks received some plastic guards to put over the
        area.  By the way, this was for models purchased before
        May 1989. 
    
        Donna
    

    re: .24
    
    What happens when you bought the stroller in Sept. of 90 and no
    longer have the receipt?
    
    Lori B.

    Taken from 'PARENTS' magazine's March 'Almanac' page...

(Reprinted without permission)

    STROLLER RECALL ALERT 
    --------------------- 
    In response to reports of injuries caused by strollers, two
    manufacturers, Fisher-Price & Graco, intend to replace or repair their
    products free of charge.

    Twenty-three injuries, ranging from bruises to a broken arm, have been
    reported after Fisher-Price carriage strollers collapsed while
    children were in them. Owners of the defective model, #9121, can call
    the company's toll-free number, 1-800-527-1034, weekdays from 8:00
    a.m. to 5:00 p.m. EST to receive a prepaid mailing package that
    contains instructions for returning  one wheel of the stroller. Upon
    receiving the wheel, F-P will provide a new, modified stroller.

    Children have suffered lacerations, fractures, and even amputations
    when they poked their fingers into the exposed recline brackets on
    Graco strollers sold prior to June, 1989. Consequently Graco is
    offering a recline-bracket cover kit to all owners of the defective
    models sold as Travel-Mate, Stroll-a-Bed, Elite, Brougham, Regency,
    Regency Ltd., Premier and Premier Ltd. To receive the kit, which will
    work only on Graco strollers, call 1-800-344-8000.

    

<          <<< Note 676.28 by DEMON::DEMON::CHALMERS "Ski or die..." >>>
<    Children have suffered lacerations, fractures, and even amputations
<    when they poked their fingers into the exposed recline brackets on
<    Graco strollers sold prior to June, 1989. Consequently Graco is

How interesting.  We had heard rumours that some children had lost fingers
in strollers, but whenever we asked about it at children's stores, no one
working there knew what we were talking about.

      Carol

    If there isn't one already, it would be a very good idea to have a
    topic for recalls, titling each note with the product name and brand. 
    Mods?

    Re:-.1
    
    yes, I agree that a recall note would be a great idea. I looked for one
    before posting my note (I thought one had already been started, but
    that must've been in V2...) and, not finding one, entered the information 
    as a reply to this topic. (Assuming most folks use NEXT UNSEEN, I figured 
    it would get good visibility nonetheless.) Once the move is made to 
    NOTED::, I'll go back in and begin a Recall note with the stroller info.

    I was just shopping at Bergstrom's in California (Irvine).  I was
    asking about strollers while in there.  I had noticed so many Apricas
    while out there that I thought that was all they sold in CA - so I
    asked or if they carried such names as Graco.  They had just assembled
    their new Graco (listing at $149.00) I believe it was a Regency Classic
    or something like that.  It was mostly mint w/ a southwestern theme,
    cloth material (very nice looking).  It had the nice large basket
    underneath, full boot, sunroof, dbl wheels all around and the extra
    pouch behind the stroller for bottles, etc.  He had said that Graco had
    fixed the problem w/ the wheels!  He never did comment on the use of
    the Apricas - but they are a lot more $$$ & I'm sure the quality is
    much better.
    
    He also mentioned that Graco was taking care of the customers w/
    problems - just how - I don't know.
    
    Sonia

This note comes from a new mom (6 month old bambina) who
is now on her 3rd stroller. (Seems I can't find one that 
is easy to live with.

I do have an umbrella stroller that I keep in the car for those
quickies into shops or even brief walks on unbumpy ground.
I LOVE IT...as one noter mentioned - it certainly has its
place. Quick, easy, light.....
I too have a mesh bag attached to the back for "stuff"!

For long neighborhood walks, all day shopping or brousing
jaunts I wanted a stroller where Mackenzie could nap comfortably 
if she wanted to or sit up and take in the world around
her. I am on my 3rd stroller of this type and am still not
completely happy with it BUT have resigned myself to live
with the one I have.

My first 2 strollers were Gracos - first was a gift, second
one I got after I took the first back (I recently moved
to the Seattle area where I am amazed at the stores' return
policies - I had no trouble returing either stroller (both
were used for about a month)
	1. Initial Graco was bottom of the line stroller
	   bed type - handles did not adjust to a higher
	   level plus there were double wheels only in
	   one direction.

	   I would highly recommend adjustable handle and
	   double wheels on all 4 wheels for manuverability.

	2. Second Graco had the above features - I thought
	    I was set..until I went for a long walk with
	   the baby facing me. I could not walk at a decent 
	   stride without my toes hitting part of the rear
	   wheels - also...as mentioned before, even though
	   the stroller had double wheels all around, it
	   never 'felt right' steering.

I now have a Baby Trend stroller. I love it (almost)!
I thought I had this stroller shopping stuff down pat, knew
all of the features I wanted(and was willing to pay for).
I made a big mistake - I never lifted it up!! the thing is a tank!!
I can fit only my stroller into the trunk (I have a Honda
Prelude) and it is so much heavier than the Gracos.
I have decided to live with it as it is used mostly for
neighborhood walks or on trips where both my spouse and I 
are spending a whole day out with the babe. 


I wish I read this note prior to shopping for my stroller.
If I had to do it all over again I would INVEST in an APRICA.
I have yet to find anyone complain about them (other than price)
They have all of the features I want, great manuverability and they are
so lightweight. I just got too tired of returning things
and needed to get on with my life :)

So..think about how you will use your stroller and invest
accordingly. If it is a first baby and you see yourself
using alot (now and in the future) maybe you should invest
in the best. At least you know it will last from child to
child.

Also, with all the rain we had here this winter , I never
used my boot so maybe that wasn't as important a feature
as I thought :).

Dena

    Any comments on the Perego?  I'm leaning towards the Perego model,
    although they don't have the best looking strollers.  How is the
    quality compared to Aprica or Carlson?
    
    

We have a Perego and love it.  One thing that we noticed was that it
had a somewhat better front support design than the Aprica.  If you
have to go up and down curbs alot, the Perego will not have problems
with the struts bending that were reported by the store we bought
ours at.  The sales person said that they only carried Aprica because
alot of customers insisted but that they always recommended against
them because of the high repair rate of serious problems.

Dick

    We have a hand-me-down Perego Peg.  It's survived in good shape, except
    I have trouble raising the back all the way up to seating position.  My
    husband has figured it out; I'll have to ask him to teach me the trick. 
    It seemed faulty to me.  It has very good road-handling abilities!
    
    L

We have the Peg Perego (for about 3 months now) and love it.  It has a 
very smooth ride, very comfortable, and very sturdy.  It also has the 
play tray (detachable) which I attach when shopping (she doesn't need it
for walks outside) and Michelle likes that too.  I can't compare it with
other brands but it is definitely nicer than the umbrella type.  She has
never used it as a carriage but I bet a newborn would; wish I had had it
at that time.  I also like the switchable handles; I specifically looked
for one with that feature.  That way I can keep the sun or wind out of 
her face.  The canopy doesn't seem to do the job in that area.

Kyra

    I have had a many strollers in the two years since my son's been born. 
    I found the perfect stroller, it's by chicco called baby fly.  It is
    VERY sturdy like a full size stroller and reclines fully and is pretty
    wide, it has a full hood and comes with a plastic cover made especially
    for this stroller for rain.  It resemble more of an umbrella stroller
    by the handles and it not nearly as wide as a covertible.  It has a
    pretty sturdy seat and the fully reclining features is great for
    infants!  Check it out, before you waste your money like I did.

    Please forgive me if this is discussed elsewhere, but I was unable to
    find an appropriate note.  I have posted this in the RUNNING_CLUB 
    notesfile as well.
    
    Has anyone out there had experience with the Baby Jogger, or with the
    Huffy version of a runner's stroller?
    
    If so, for what type of terrain do you use it?  I would be using it to
    run on the roads in Northboro, which can get kind of narrow and windy,
    so I'm a bit concerned about the width of the stroller.  I'm also
    concerned about my ability to maneuver quickly out of the path of a
    lunatic, which is always easy to do without the stroller.
    
    Also, at what age (the baby's age, not yours!) did you start using
    the stroller?  And, until what age?  And, during what season?  I'm due
    in early December.  Also, any opinions on the Baby Jogger vs. the Huffy?
    
    Any advice would be appreciated.  If I do decide to get one, I'm going
    to try to get one used.  The prices seem pretty outrageous to me,
    especially the Baby Jogger, which is roughly $300.  The Huffy version
    is about half that.
    
    Thanks for any insight.
    
    Leslie

    
    [Mods - please move this if you need to]
    
    Their is some info about the Baby Jogger in the stroller topic. We
    bought our Baby Jogger 3 years ago.  I remember the brochure saying
    something about maximum weight being around 50 lbs. Its much more 
    manuverable than a regular stroller. {Ferrari vs. Tank?} 
    I run with it in races all the time and have no problems.  You see most
    kids sleeping in them. It does very well off the road - we expecially use 
    it for rough terrain, goes up and down curbs well too.  The wheel base is 
    wider than a regular stroller by a few inches.  
    
    A few words of caution:
    
    -tips very easily -so ALWAYS put a helmet on the passenger
    
    -the tires are very thin - thorns will pierce the innertube - so hubby
     put the plastic liners inbetween the tire and tube.
    
    -lots of $$$ - but I can use it all seasons in CA - 
      
    -it doesn't fold up much - don't plan on putting it in your trunk.

    This input is from someone who knows absolutely ZERO about jogging, but
    I wanted to give some novice observations.  This stroller, from the
    novice point of view seems to manuver well.  Our town has an annual
    "founders day" celebration which includes a road race, and very large
    crowds.  (the main street of town is blocked to all but pedestrian
    traffic for 2 full days)  I have observed several of these strollers in
    the road race, and manuvering in the crowds.  My opinion is they seem
    to manuver well, and run along with the swiftest of runners in a great
    way.  They don't seem to be any more "demanding of space" than any
    other stroller in a crowd, and I have seen anywhere from newborns to
    preschoolers looking pretty comfortable in them.  And yes, most of the
    kids had helmets on.
    
    Lyn
    

We have a Baby Jogger. My wife has used it almost daily (in good weather) 
since Michael was, oh, about 5 months old ---- he's 21 months now.  She's 
used it only on city streets.  If you're worried about maneuverability, to 
get out of the way of a crazy driver, be aware that the Baby Jogger is far,
far more maneuverable than a normal stroller.  I would certainly consider
it safer on a narrow street than our Graco. We've been more than happy with
ours, and plan to use it till Michael reaches its weight limit or decides
he doesn't like it anymore (not too likely). 

Steve

    My daughter, 17 months old, will no longer sit in her full-size Graco
    stroller.  She's a very active walker, and she want OUT!
    
    Here's the question:  If I get an umbrella stroller, will she like that
    any better?  
    
    At this point, I am very limited in my activities with her because she
    can't walk fast, gets tired but still won't ride, and insists on
    wandering all over.  If I try to pull her along by hand, she starts
    crawling and rolling on the floor.  Try that at the mall.  Yuch.
    
    I bought a second-hand "leash" for our wrists, but if she drops to the
    floor and starts rolling around, that's no help at all.  I'm getting
    pretty frustrated.
    
    Spring is coming, and with it the amusement park, the airshow, and
    other activities I don't want to miss.
    
    So - will an umbrella stroller help?
    
    What about fastening toys to the Graco?  I think she'll sneer at that
    tactic, but maybe I am missing a trick here.
    
    HELP!

    Try borrowing an umbrella stroller to find out if it makes a
    difference.  I think it will--for about 90 seconds, til the novelty
    wears off.
    
    Alex is 7 now, so it's been a while since I've had to deal with this
    flavor of independence... what about carrying around an egg timer to be
    used for stretch-your-legs breaks?  10 minutes in stroller, 3 minutes
    walking (oops, I mean staggering around tripping over dust molecules)? 
    You want to be very sure who's on which end of the "leash" (Alex bossed
    me around til I figured out that I could announce "Oops, Alex is too
    tired to behave, time to go home"--she understood that VERY well).
    
    Leslie

My first knee-jerk reaction is to say I don't think the umbrella stroller will
work.  I found that as he got older, he learned to tuck his feet inside the place
where his feet should rest, and cause a "breaking" effect by dragging his feet.
(This *has* to be classed as first class brat behavior!)

I do remember this stage, and boy do I sympathize with what you're going through.
This particular phase seemed to be the longest, and the one that seemed to annoy
the most.

Good Luck!
Lyn

    My first reaction was to borrow one before you purchase one. As soon as
    David realized he could tuck his feet behind the foot-rest strap, he
    was walking it backwards.  That was the end of it for us. 
    Sarah

We have a 22 month old with the same issue.  She'll stay in the stroller if
you don't STOP.  Hard to shop this way.  If I weren't pregnant, she'd be in
her backpack.....Food in the stroller helps for a few nanoseconds too.


Rochelle

    We used a backpack til Ryan was 2 1/2 and close to 30 lbs. Your back
    muscles get used to it as they gain weight :-)
    

We had the same problem with Michael.  I don't have any magic remedies for 
you; we just dealt with it as best we could.  If it makes you feel any 
better, tho, he did outgrow it.  Once he figured out he wasn't being held 
prisoner in the stroller, he loves it.  We get it out of the trunk inthe 
mall parking lot, and he starts climbing in before we can pick him up.  99% 
of the time when we're in the mall and he asks to get out, we oblige -- 
hence his feeling that he's not being held prisoner.  But most of the time 
he willingly gets in and stays in except for breaks to stretch his legs and 
run a little.

Good luck!

Steve

    Thanks for the suggestions.  Maybe we will continue using our
    big stroller, but let her walk as much as possible, to try to
    communicate that riding in the stroller is voluntary.
    
    About the backpack, even though my daughter is only 20 plus pounds, I
    am also short -  5'1".  So she feels pretty heavy to me.  But what
    really makes it impossible is that she throws all her weight to one
    side. It's very uncomfortable for me to compensate.  Even pushing her
    back to the middle does no good; she's off to one side again.  Add that
    she still wiggles, and it's a formula for one heck of a backache.  My
    husband has back problems, so the backpack is out for him.
    
    Maybe when she realizes that if she doesn't ride, we'll have to depart
    sooner from the amusement park or whatever, she'll have a reason to
    sit in the stroller.  I think next time she and her father will have a
    serious talk about this, fwiw.
    
    This too shall pass. . .
    
    (Now for all you expectant first time parents - did you ever think that
    your child will swiftly grow to loathe that adorable stroller?  (heh
    heh) )
    
    I wonder how people in New York City get their kids to ride.  It's
    routine there.  
    
    -L

    My mom got us the Fisher-Price "thingy" (I can't remember the offical
    name") for the stroller.  It attaches to the handles, and has a fitted
    a plastic piece which  has some busy-box like stuff on one side, and a
    tray on the other side.  It keeps Russell occupied for short periods of
    time, however, if I bring an ample supply of cheese-its /snacks it
    seems to help.  Russell usually decides he wants to stand up IN the
    stroller, and "help" mommy select things off of the rack!
    
    Re: NY  I don't remember what my mom did when we reached that age.  I
    do remember being delegated to watch my youngest sister....not that I
    could stop her from climbing. But since home is usually a long way off
    (for those little feet!) riding was usually prefered.
    
    marianne
    
    

    Stephanie is one of those who cries to get into the stroller as soon as
    she sees it.  It used to be great, she'd be content to just watch the
    people go by.  Now at 17 mos, she too has to stand up and help mommy
    select stuff off of the rack if you stop moving.  Letting her out to
    walk would make a great chase scene for a movie :-)  She just loves to
    touch everything!
    
    Bev