Choosing the Right Kid-Carting Tools For Family Outings
The first time I took my oldest two children, Jacob and Isaac, out on a trip by myself, I was totally intimidated and overwhelmed. How on earth would I hold a baby and keep my then-two-year-old from bolting into traffic? What if I had to go to the bathroom? What if we had a poop blowout or other emergency? And how would I get them both around in a crowd?
Obviously, we lived to adventure another day. In fact, we did more than survive, since I’m now pretty unafraid to hit crowds with my larger-than-average family–even on those occasions that my husband’s not with me. It’s funny to me that I feel so much more comfortable now hitting the zoo or park or shopping center with five kids than I did years ago when I just had two, but experience has taught me that even a thoroughly outnumbered mom can keep things under control if she has the right tools. Here’s a look at a few different methods of getting around with your kids:
Strollers
My favorite single stroller for easy maneuvering through busy crowds–even one-handed–is our MacLaren Volo. I had serious reservations about spending that much on an umbrella stroller, but we’ve gotten so much use out of it and it makes our outings so much easier that it’s been totally worth it.
If you have small kids close in age, double strollers can be appealing, but choose carefully: get one that’s too long and you’ll never make it around corners; one that’s too wide and you’ll hog up the whole sidewalk and won’t be able to make it through narrow doorways. Some doubles that have caught my eye recently include the Graco Quattro Duo (still pretty heavy, but shorter than a traditional tandem double and it can be steered with one hand), the Phil & Ted double jogger (pricy, I know, but just look at how sleek and compact that thing is—swoon!) and the Joovy Ultralight Caboose, which offers older kids an easy up-and-down perch to ride on when they get tired, but weighs in at just 21 lbs and isn’t much larger than a regular single stroller. And Joovy even makes a Caboose stroller with room for three.
Slings, front packs and backpacks
I’m a big fan of babywearing. Putting almost-six-month-old Clara in a sling or pack keeps my hands free to hang on tight to Owen and William (three and five) in traffic-heavy or crowded areas.
We love our Ergo carrier—it’s so comfortable I almost don’t feel like I’m carrying a baby at all. Other great options include the Mod Mum (simple pouch sling for older babies who want to be up and down a lot), the Maya Wrap ring sling—comfy, customizable fit, great for longer wearing and smaller babies; and the Moby Wrap, which is basically a long piece of fabric you can wear a bunch of different (and very comfy) ways. For long hikes, especially in non-stroller-friendly terrain, a frame backpack can be a lifesaver. We’ve had our REI frame carrier for ten years and it’s still going strong.
Mix it up
When you’re on a long outing it can be really helpful to give yourself several options for carting kids around. Sometimes we bring a sling and umbrella stroller and let Owen ride when he’s tired. When he’s walking and I want a break, I can pop Clara into the stroller.
No matter how great the stroller or sling, shoulders and arms get tired, babies get bored of seeing the world from the same vantage point, and mixing it up keeps everyone in better spirits. Be creative. Our stroller is often used to cart snacks or a diaper bag while the kids are walking or being carried.
What are your favorite tools for getting your family around when you’re out and about? Share in the comments below!
September 10, 2009, 10:45 am
With my Clara we were all about the stroller, and when I was pregnant with my second I shopped around for a double. I’m really glad I held off though, because she turned out to be an all sling all the time kind of kid. In fact, she turned two this summer and I still keep the sling in the car for those ‘just in case she’s too tire to walk’ moments. The stroller is in there too, but we hardly ever pull it out… really only when we’re going to the mall and I need something to pile bags on!
September 10, 2009, 11:02 am
We have used a variety of strollers and carriers in the last 10 years we have been parents!
With our oldest, we were gifted a travel system from my parents complete with huge bulky stroller. We had one umbrella stroller as well. We only used the hiking backpack in the metal frame to carry her, too! She was not a sling baby at all, hated the feeling!
With our second oldest, I had my husband wear her in a sling for a while each day starting the day she was born, because I knew I would need her to get used to it! I used a Maya Wrap ring sling and a graco duo gilder stroller and an umbrella stroller at various times with her.
With our third, I had my husband wear her in a sling for a while each day starting the day she was born also. I used a mei tai carrier, a maya wrap ring sling, a side by side double stroller, and an umbrella stroller with her.
With our fourth, I used a maya wrap ring sling, an ergo, the graco duo glider double stroller, and an umbrella stroller.
I occasionally use the ergo with my 3 year old and I occasionally use the mei tai with my 1 year old. I most often use one umbrella stroller and a carrier when we go places.
I think its important to take into consideration what carriers your child likes, the age and development of your child and what sorts of carriers are appropriate for each stage, and also, what you will be doing when you go out. I dont find the ring sling useful until the stage where my child can ride on my hip, but I have been known to nurse a young baby in a ring sling. My son is not as fond of the ergo as my 3 yr old was/is, and prefers the mei tai. If we are only going to be gone a short while, I will probably only need one umbrella stroller, but if we are going to be doing a lot of walking, my 3 yr old will get tired and I will need a double stroller or need to carry her or the 1 year old.
It’s not an easy question to answer!