Sorry, that's pretty anticlimactic.
But, you see, the things is....I DESPISE strollers*. I just cannot stand them. I think they are one of the ugliest types of buggy, and the whole thing just gives me the creeps. I have always thought people who spend ages picking a pram/travel system and then buy a stroller a few months down the line are a bit bonkers. I think they all look cheap (even though some cost well in excess of £100), the wheels look awful and have no give, so poor children get shaken to the core if traveling over anything except smooth tarmac, and they face away from the parent which is something I just cannot abide. I have never had any desire to own one - in fact quite the opposite, I've always been sure I never would.
So, what insanity came over me to send me off to Mothercare to buy one, since I hate them so much?
I'm still not quite sure, to be honest. We have a pram which is fabulous. It really is great, and I love it. But it isn't perfect - what pram is? (You can read my previous pram ranting, and all about my first pram here) One of the issues with it is that it's a two part fold and, because it is a 3 wheeler travel system, when it folds down it's pretty bulky. We actually both have big cars, so it fits fine, but it is a bit of a pain to take somewhere like a shopping center. While it's sturdiness and awesome wheels are great for it's everyday use (walking the dogs), in crowded places it is BIG.
Now, to be honest, I don't use the pram a lot at all. Mostly, I use a sling for Isabelle - either a ring sling for quick trips, or my mei tai on my back for longer trips. As I mentioned recently, however, she is getting to the stage where she wants to be down exploring, and constantly getting her in and out of the mei tai is a pain, and sometimes we are still going too far for just the ring sling!
I've thought a few times lately while we've been out that if we had a smaller buggy, it might help solve a few of our issues. So, despite every part of my brain telling me I'm an idiot and that those aren't really valid reasons....yesterday we went to Mothercare and purchased a stroller.
This is the first 'big' purchase for Isabelle that I have made without researching like crazy. We decided we would get one, walked into Mothercare looking for one I didn't hate the look of, wasn't insanely expensive, and we walked out with this:
Hardly earth shattering - but it's a big deal for me. I still hate the concept of strollers and, apart from the rather pretty design on it, this one is no exception. I hate having her face away from me, passively watching the world go by instead of interacting. I could count on my fingers the number of times she has forward faced in a pram in her 16.5 months (and all in other people's prams with no other option) and it just isn't something I like. I hate the ridiculously small and plastic wheels...I just don't like strollers!
But, for £50 we thought we would get it and give it a whirl if we do go somewhere busy that may not be as suitable for our all terrain beast. We tried it out as soon as we bought it and it all went just fine. She seemed happy enough and we used the shopping basket to full effect (not something we have the pleasure of on our other pram).
I think we definitely will get use out of it, but it just doesn't sit comfortably with me. I feel like a total traitor to myself! And yes, I know....it's a buggy, no biggy. But owning one of these contraptions is just not something I ever thought I would do, and it is definitely requiring an adjustment period.
Have you gone against your 'beliefs' and bought any baby products? How have you found them?
*Please do not take offense if you own a stroller!!
