Thursday, October 15, 2015

Strollers and so forth

The other morning when I was walking in Liberty Park, I noticed a stroller before I even noticed who was pushing it.  It was one of those old umbrella strollers--the kind that fold up easily and don't do any special tricks.  And before I even looked at who was pushing the stroller I thought unto myself, "The person will be old.  Like me."

And lo it was the truth.  The woman appeared to be someone from my generation, pushing a baby (grandchild?) around the park in an old-fashioned umbrella stroller.

I've been thinking about strollers, actually, because earlier in the week I had lunch with some friends at the Dodo.  In the booth next to us there was a stroller that did tricks.  The young mother demonstrated for us everything it could do.  Swivel.  Expand.  Accommodate skateboards on both sides (I'm not lying).  Do handsprings across a basketball court during halftime like the Jazz Bear (I am lying).

When she was finished, I said to my friend, "How much would a stroller like that cost?  Maybe 700.00?"

She snorted mightily because she has been in the business of buying stuff for grandkids.  "At least."

I, of course, don't see the point of that when hell.  You can push a baby around Liberty Park on a fine fall day for a whole lotta less money.


12 comments:

James said...

I loved the Umbrella strollers we bought ($19.00) for our kids. They seemed comfortable for the kids, they were easy to travel with, and even if they weren't as sturdy as some strollers, they were only $19. My daughter has one, and she was a jogging stroller, which is much nicer and fancier. She uses the umbrella stroller for everyday, and limits the jogging stroller for when she goes jogging.

Louise Plummer said...

Umbrella strollers are easy, light, portable and cheap. Loved them. Hate anything heavy and smarter than I am.

Donna Tagliaferri said...

the only thing current and hip about me is my new ipad. i will be irrelevant as soon as new ones come out

Paige said...

Umbrella strollers were a staple for me. But I'll admit, I'm kind of envious of those fancy ones that can hold a baby in a little sling on the bottom while an active toddler sits up top. I could have used one of those really well for several years. But really I love those prams they use in Europe. Why haven't those ever caught on in America?

Lisa B. said...

I remember when I *envied* the umbrella stroller people because they were new and hip! (this was a long long long long long long time ago.)

Lauren said...

I own four strollers, one is umbrella, none are skateboard compatible.

Lauren said...

I own four strollers, one is umbrella, none are skateboard compatible.

Megan Goates said...

Jeff and I high-fived when we got rid of the last stroller. Good riddance!

shelley said...

This whole stroller thing is so indicative of the whole mothering world right now. I am SO over it. Eloise gets pushed around in an umbrella stroller. With a pocket I sewed into it. And a hole near the bum. It's lasted the other 3, and I just refuse to buy another stroller, even if it IS cheap.

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Sharon Smith said...

Congratulations!!!! I have the Stokke and we LOVE it!! Besides the tons of compliments, it fits in tight places, rides smoothly and my hubby who is rather tall does not have to bend to push this around. Love it - definitely go with the Stokke. Oh and Buy Buy Baby carries the Stokke and will price match from the online site - we saved over $200!!

Unknown said...

Nice post!!! Among these lightweight strollers, I have been using the UPPAbaby 2015 G-Luxe, actually, This stroller satisfies me because its weight is only 13.4 lbs and I can fold it with only one hand. highly recommend it, Why? visit here to see why i choose this stroller for my baby!!Thanks!