Double Stroller vs. Local Mall Stores - Film at ElevenMar 22 '01 Write an essay on this topic.
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The Bottom Line Because I like to visit small unique stores, I would recommend a front to back or front to front stroller.
Having two children in their toddler years or younger requires the use of a double or twin stroller. OK, requires may be too strong a word, but having a double stroller, definitely eases the life of a parent. Knowing this fact, manufacturers have inundated the double stroller market with tons of varieties of double strollers. The Graco Duo-Glider has at least three different models alone. So how do you know which double stroller is right for you and your family? Side by Side, Front to Back, Front to Front The process of elimination begins quickly. Your first decision is deciding how you want your children to sit. Do you want your little ones right next to each other? Do you want them facing each other? Or do you prefer the traditional one in front of the other stroller? All three have their benefits. Side by side strollers are the widest of the double stroller varieties. They place your little ones right next to each other. Often I have seen parents of twins using these strollers. Children can talk with each other, pass toys from one to another and occupy each other, lessening the burden on the parents. The major drawback is the width. Maneuvering these strollers takes a little work and muscle and room. Small specialty stores, crowded Christmas time shopping and walkways pocked with displays will frustrate the owner of a side by side. Front to back strollers eliminate the width frustration of side by strollers by placing one child behind the other. This allows better mobility and more paths for you to follow. It will also elongate the length of your stroller and give you a longer turning base. Children are separate from one another making interaction difficult; great if your kids are bickering, but not great for sharing toys, snacks, etc. Front to front strollers are basically front to back strollers that have the front seat facing toward the back seat. I have seen few varieties. One allows for the front seat to pivot and be forward or rear facing and another the front seat was only rear facing. This seems like the best of both worlds; but price, ease of use and durability can provide drawbacks. Watch Out For The..... Even with single strollers one of the main selling points is how the stroller moves. This becomes twice as important when purchasing a double stroller. No matter which style of double stroller you choose, the maneuverability will vary with each model. Turning radius, wheel size and handling matter a great deal. Strollers with the wheels closer together will provide a shorter turning base and allow for use in crowded or narrow aisles. Large tires will constantly be running into low shelving or legs from display racks. A stroller that can be pushed with one hand effectively will become your best friend. Take your children or borrow a couple and try out a wide variety of strollers through the department store. The information you gain will be invaluable. Points of Contention As with single strollers, double strollers offer something for everyone. Once you figure out side by side or front to back and find models with great maneuverability, you will want to focus on the detailed aspects of the stroller. What is the weight limit of the stroller? Do both seats fold down completely? Can you take off and wash every cloth piece on the stroller? How big is the cargo basket and can you access it easily? Does the back seat in a front to back have ample legroom? Can an infant carrier fit in both the back and front seats? Is there sun protection for both seats or just one? Will my child be able to see from the back? Which model folds down easily and compactly? Do they have a model with everything I want that is lightweight? Vicki's Notes No matter which model you choose, it will not be perfect. I chose the Graco Duo-Glider. This front to back model has great turning in tight spots. Fairly lightweight, with a higher back seat than front, it was the best choice for our family. Here are some tricks and failures I have found. Placing your younger child in the back seat provides an easier exit and entrance for your older child in the front seat. When your little one gets older however, he will quickly learn to pull the hair of his older brother and must be placed in the front seat. Getting bored quickly with the toys you brought, your youngest will soon turn his attention to any store item within his grasp. Finding an open spot in a store where everything is out of arms reach is ideal. Burying your purse at the bottom of the cargo basket underneath all previous packages results in longer waiting time for cranky children. Hanging purses and packages on the handle gives strollers an added cargo space. Watch out however when your oldest gets out of the front seat. I knew I should have paid more attention in physics.  |
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