Susanne Remic is a primary school teacher, freelance writer and parenting blogger. She writes at Ghostwritermummy and Maternity Matters and in between all of that she regularly wins mummy of the year awards for running around after her two children, aged six and 19 months. This is her pregnancy blog: an online diary of her third pregnancy as she strives to overcome two difficult births, one angel child and one awkward toddler. Join Susanne as she shares every step of her journey from bump to baby!
Out of my way, double buggy coming through!
By Susanne Remic on 16 Sep 2011
Goodness me, I’m going to need a double buggy! My son will have only just turned two when the baby is born and there is no way I will ever make it up that hill on the school run with a pram and a loose toddler. I’m guessing that the baby in the sling and the toddler in the existing pram will suffice, actually, but not for longer walks. I wonder where my husband hid his wallet?
There aren’t many double buggies that I like, if I’m honest. I’m not a fan of the side by side versions as I’ve seen harassed parents trying their best to manoeuvre them through busy shopping centres and narrow supermarket aisles without much luck. My ankles have also been on the receiving end of one or two clips from those models too. Those things are wide. I also don’t care much for those low down tandem models.
The child at the back always looks so miserable, staring straight ahead at the back of his sibling’s seat. Said sibling at the front looks a lot more comfortable, able to actually see daylight, but the whole set-up looks wrong to me. It seems double buggy shopping is going to be a little tricky!
In Florida, we noticed a whole new style of double buggy that everyone seemed to be sporting. A little ‘clunky’ and plasticky looking perhaps, but overall a much more practical style. At the front of the buggy is the option to fix either a car seat or a pushchair seat, while at the back there is a junior seat and a step.
The idea is that the older child could either sit or stand on the back, while the younger child is securely fastened into the front. Both children have an excellent view and the buggy is quite compact. Perfect. I toyed with the idea of buying one to take home, but we ran out of shopping days.
The UK doesn’t manufacture double buggies in this style but there are a few versions that I can choose from and ship overseas. The only thing that is holding me back is this question: will I really need it for long? My son is already very independent and loves to walk. He much prefers to be let loose than to be pushed around. It takes three times as long to get anything done as a result, but at least he’s happy. On the other hand, there will be times when I will need to get from A to B more quickly and of course, we both still love our ‘power pram walks’. I’m hoping I can carry these on a little longer yet and well after the new baby arrives.
So I know that I will use a double buggy, the question is do I need to spend £250 plus overseas shipping on one? Or should I just bite the bullet and get a lightweight model that takes out ankles as a bonus?
Oh, decisions! And when did buggies and the like become topics worthy of keeping me awake at night? I’ve always had a slightly obsessive personality but this is ridiculous! I want a double buggy and I want one now! Never mind that I only have one child to put in it for the moment. Now, once more- where did my husband hide his wallet?!
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