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Stop me before I buy another stroller

Posted Oct 14, 2010 by Courtney Cairns Pastor

Updated Oct 14, 2010 at 03:01 PM

I caught myself the other day thinking how great the City Mini Baby Jogger would be to take the pumpkin patch this weekend. It looks like it can wheel nicely over uneven terrain but is lighter than my smooth-riding-but-bulky BOB Revolution. And then I returned to reality.

I have four strollers already – and while I swear they all have their own purpose, it’s something that I would have thought completely excessive before having kids. OK, it’s still probably excessive, but at least I’m not alone. Alexis Novak, mom to two young daughters, e-mailed me about her own stroller fixation and what is says about her parenting experience.

Novak is a former English teacher in St. Petersburg who now stays home with her daughters. She details the first four in her collection – yes, that’s four of the SEVEN she owns – below. You can read about the other three (and the fourth one she covets) and more at www.hotandhealthymom.com. I, meanwhile, will stop reading the Amazon reviews of the City Mini.

“I think my daughter has an unhealthy stroller obsession.  My husband thinks I have an unhealthy stroller obsession. I tried to explain to him the function and necessity for each stroller I have owned but I just sounded plain guilty. What he will never understand is that a solid stroller can make your mom life more mobile which equals freer which equals happier.

This is my motherhood journey as told through my vast stroller collection:

1.  Graco Quattro Tour Travel System – a.k.a. ‘The Mall Stroller.’ This is where the journey begins for many of us as the big ticket gift at your baby shower. This mid-range price point car-seat-stroller-combo gets you from the hospital, then to the grocery store and pediatrician while you are still in the New Mom Stupor. A few months later, it becomes too bulky to move in and out of your car and you are ready to exercise with something faster.  (Sold mine to a pushy lady from Craigslist who complained there was some dog hair on the wheel though she was getting an insane deal for her preggo teenage stepdaughter. After that, I never let random Craigslisters over to my house again.)

2.  Jeep Liberty Limited All Terrain 3-Wheel Stroller – This was my birthday gift to myself a few years back.  It has the little wheel toy to entertain the babe and a pivoting front wheel for good maneuverability. When I was ready to move my body again both walking and doing Baby Boot Camp it was the answer. Great value too.

3.  Graco LiteRider – I considered this lightweight my ‘umbrella stroller’ that I kept in the car. For $50 it served us well and the Graco infant car seat could pop into this one too. It was easy and reliable. Perfect for the Saturday Farmer’s Market. I sold it consignment for $20. I actually miss this one sometimes.

4.  Phil & Teds Sport with doubles kit – So my second pregnancy happened a little faster than we were prepared for and I mostly blame the beautiful actor Patrick Wilson who I bumped into in Target’s toy aisle the week I conceived (please refer to his butt in the movie ‘Little Children’).”

Thanks, Alexis! I feel less guilty.