Stroller Drama
Quick Sick-Kid Update:
Honestly, you guys? THANK YOU. Thank you so much for your kind words regarding The Fever. Your unconditional support is awesome. I feel so validated for my worry after reading your comments. Thank you, thank you, thank you.
The urine test was negative. Everyone’s convinced that this was just a virus. A bizarre virus, but a virus. And Dear Virus? I HATE YOU. She had a good day yesterday with only one dose of Motrin at 8:30am and then some Tylenol before bed. She has slept better the last two nights and this morning woke up bright eyed with her usual rosy cheeks and clear eyes. She’s at school and greeted her teacher with a big hug at drop off. No tears, just a wave and “Buh-bye” when I kissed her. I’m hopeful that we’re near the end and though I eye my phone with the occasional glance-o-worry, I think she’ll be fine today.
Onward.
In the world of Constant Mommy Freak-Out, if you haven’t heard about the enormous Maclaren stroller recall, you either a) don’t have little kids or b) live under a big rock.
I actually consider myself a little bit of a Gear addict. I like my life to be simple and I work hard to make it that way. I have a car seat in every car, a stroller in every trunk, and diapers and wipes on every floor of this house. Yes, we are lucky enough to afford to do this. I’m well aware that people can only afford one stroller, but thankfully for my addiction, we are able to afford two.
One of them is the Big Guy, the Phil & Ted Jogger. I wanted this stroller for a few reasons. One, my husband runs and I thought it would be cool for him to take the baby on occasion. Two, this converts into a double stroller with the simple addition of a jump seat. I knew that by spending the money on this one up front, when we are blessed with a second child, I won’t need to buy another big clunky double stroller. Three, all the cool kids had one.
Some of the downsides to the Phil & Ted? Dude. It’s huge. And it’s heavy. And the freaking tires are never full of air. And it’s tough to fit around clothing racks in Macy’s. And every time I collapse the damn thing, I’m afraid I’m going to lop off a few phalanges.
Speaking of amputated digits…
Our other stroller? The Maclaren Triumph. One of the millions of strollers involved in the recall by Maclaren due to reports of 12 children losing their fingers when the strollers were collapsing. Hmm. The way I see it? There are two ways to look at this.
Way the First: Keep your damn kids away from the thing as it’s folding up. There! Problem solved! However, I know that I don’t yet have a two year old, or a three year old, or a stubborn, willful four year old that will simply do as they please faster than you can scream, “GETYOURFINGERSAWAYFROMTHESTROLLER!” SO! I will reserve judgment. Sort of.
Way the Second: OMFG! I need a new stroller before my kid looses half her arm!
I think I fall somewhere in the middle. I love my Maclaren. Like the Phil & Ted, it has a just a few negatives such as the fact that the diaper bag won’t fit in the basket underneath, I had to buy the little velcro-on attachment in order to get a cupholder, the straps are a little wacky, and it doesn’t recline very far, but I really like the ease of use it provides. It’s easy to drive, it’s light, and it takes up very little space in the car. I actually recommend this stroller to practically every expectant mom I meet.
Gulp.
Lyla and I are scheduled to fly to Florida on Thursday. I planned on taking the Maclaren with me because it will be so much easier to navigate in the airport. Well, I still could. As long as I keep her away from it when we’re folding it up, but… I envision a few hundred people in the airports and on the sidewalks of Miami Beach stopping me to ask me if I’ve heard about the recall. I won’t have time to get the repair kit before we leave. These factors have led me to begin researching new lightweight umbrella strollers and man. I am stumped! It seems like Maclaren has really cornered the market on these types of strollers. I really feel for their PR department.
I called our local Babies ‘R’ Us and USA Baby. They recommended three similar strollers to the Maclaren: The Mia Moda (model type not provided), Peg Perego Aria (this looks huge to me), and the Chicco Trevi (also looks huge to me). Brief googling of them and, meh, I’m not wildly impressed.
Do you have a non-Maclaren lightweight stroller? What do you have? Do you like it? Is it durable? Would you recommend it? (Can I borrow it on Thursday?)
Or are you a Maclaren owner? Are you as sad as I am about this news? Are you going to replace your Maclaren? If so, with what?
Maclaren, how will I ever quit you?
Well. I think this is going to be an issue for every single stroller out there. I’m going to keep on using the Maclaren and just be very aware of Lexi’s appendages until my hinge guards come in the mail. At which time I will not pay any attention at all to her fingers when folding the stroller. LOL
November 10th, 2009 | #
I’ve seen the Aria, and it’s HUGE. HUGE. Hated it, also.
I have the Quinny Zapp. It’s pretty good. It breaks down to almost NOTHING, too. Seriously.
November 10th, 2009 | #
I have the Maclaren Quest and I am not at all worried. I mean, I’ll order the part they are giving out, but I don’t think my kid has ever been anywhere near the joints when I’m folding it up. She’s usually secured in her car seat before I fold up the stroller. I guess this could be a major problem for some people, but not me. I’m keeping my Maclaren and won’t hesitate to use it.
donna´s last blog ..Denial
November 10th, 2009 | #
I was about to recommend the Peg Perego Aria before I even got the end of your post. I’ve had it for a few years now and I LOVE IT. We have travelled with it also. It is the lightest stroller you’ll find, only about 7lbs, and I don’t think it’s big unless you’re comparing it to an umbrella stroller. Also, the storage basket is a nice size and holds my diaper bag, no problem. We have 3 strollers (NOT counting the frame stroller and jogging stroller) and the Peg is my favorite one.
November 10th, 2009 | #
I think Combi has a couple of comparable models. But aren’t they offering a repair kit to cover the hinges causing the problems? I’ll admit to only skimming the info because I don’t have a MacLaren (only because someone gave me a stroller for my first shower because the MacLauren was the one I wanted and my husband talked me into a huge freaking SUV stroller for our double).
Michelle Smiles´s last blog ..Sitting on the couch eating bon-bons
November 10th, 2009 | #
We have the Peg Perego Plikko for a single, foldable, quick stroller. We have the monster double jogger for everything else – but I still love the Plikko. Its great and has yet to let me down – and it looks cute.
nora´s last blog ..Dream Job
November 10th, 2009 | #
See now, I have an Aria and while it is very lightweight, I just can’t recommend it. The sunshade is useless (I don’t even have it on the stroller anymore) as it will only block sun if the sun is IMMEDIATELY overhead. The thing doesn’t steer worth a hoot and just about cannot be done one-handed. It only wants to go in circles, never on a straight path. And that’s true whether or not you’re pushing it with both hands. I have taken it on a flight, and because it’s not an umbrella stroller (i.e. doesn’t fold up with the 4 wheels moving towards the centre), I couldn’t check it at the gate and had to send it down with the luggage. The ticket agent was VERY annoyed when I asked for a plastic bag to put it in, but it’s a good thing I did because a couple of pieces broke off and were thankfully contained in the bag.
If the thing would steer & were more sturdy, I’d recommend it for these great features: the big basket underneath, the recline function which allows you to recline at any angle down to almost flat, and the restraint system which allows for lots of movement so my kid stays happier longer. The best thing: the tray. Cheerios can salvage almost any outing, and I can toss a handful on the tray.
I’m heading to Florida in January with my 3 year old & 1 year old. I’ll be buying an umbrella stroller for gate-checking so I’ll watch these comments today to get some recommendations.
November 10th, 2009 | #
I don’t have a Maclaren (I”m a Peg Perego Pliko/P3 gal) but if I did, I would still use it. I would just make sure the snausages are nowhere near the stroller when you’re closing it. Its so hard to find a stroller you like, so I say stick with it!
Glad hand-held-hoov is feeling better!
Have a great time in fla- say hi to mom
November 10th, 2009 | #
I don’t think there’s anything to worry about. Order the part and get it when you get it. You’ve had it this long and nothing has happened. You’re aware of the problem and can pay attention to make sure Bean doesn’t go near that area. I wouldn’t sweat it, but that’s just me. I’ll be ordering the part, but I’m not going to buy a new/different stroller. I love our Maclaren…ever since I used it while I was a nanny 10 years ago…and nothing happened to those kids etiher!!!
lilfootsmommy´s last blog ..NaBloPoMo ~ Day 9 ~ Solitude
November 10th, 2009 | #
I have a BOB (this being my second BOB as I upgraded when Beckett made his unplanned appearance). I love it – it collapses easily, it’s not redonkulously heavy and it’s smoother than butter.
November 11th, 2009 | #
Hi! It’s me, sa_scully from twitter. I can’t twitter anymore. it stresses me out.
Anyway I’m so glad to hear that your little bean got better! When I was reading the post about her fevers, I was so worried! Any other word on what it might have been besides some really weird virus?
Nichole M´s last blog ..fashion fridays: skinny jeans
November 20th, 2009 | #