Another dreaded stroller thread

[wallawallakids]

Hi, I have 6 year old twins who have not been in a stroller for years, however, I am debating renting one for our trip to Disneyland in February. Before everyone jumps on me for being a bad parent for sticking my kids in a stroller, let me explain. My son has recently lost most of his vision due to progressive Coats Disease. He can only see about 20/400 right now and he has no depth perception. He also will be wearing an eye patch over one eye for 7 hours a day while in the park for his amblyopia. I am concerned about him trying to navigate around people. Not only for his safety, which is my main concern, but also because he doesn't often see others and bumps into them when in public. Add that to the fact that neither of my twins is great about keeping up with their older two siblings, the more I feel having a stroller as a back up, might not be a bad idea. Not sure we will use it "all the time", or even need it at all, but it might be a nice thing to have "in case". So that leads me to ask, has anyone put a 6 year old in a City mini? I was looking at renting from City Strollers and I can get either an elite with a board on the back for one kid to stand on or a double city mini. Anyone use either of these before? My twins are not heavy but they are tall. DD weighs about 38 lbs and DS is about 40. Both are around 42 inches. Thoughts? And TIA.

 

[Zbugz]

Hi, I have 6 year old twins who have not been in a stroller for years, however, I am debating renting one for our trip to Disneyland in February. Before everyone jumps on me for being a bad parent for sticking my kids in a stroller, let me explain. My son has recently lost most of his vision due to progressive Coats Disease. He can only see about 20/400 right now and he has no depth perception. He also will be wearing an eye patch over one eye for 7 hours a day while in the park for his amblyopia. I am concerned about him trying to navigate around people. Not only for his safety, which is my main concern, but also because he doesn't often see others and bumps into them when in public. Add that to the fact that neither of my twins is great about keeping up with their older two siblings, the more I feel having a stroller as a back up, might not be a bad idea. Not sure we will use it "all the time", or even need it at all, but it might be a nice thing to have "in case". So that leads me to ask, has anyone put a 6 year old in a City mini? I was looking at renting from City Strollers and I can get either an elite with a board on the back for one kid to stand on or a double city mini. Anyone use either of these before? My twins are not heavy but they are tall. DD weighs about 38 lbs and DS is about 40. Both are around 42 inches. Thoughts? And TIA.

I wouldn't call making accommodations for your children's needs bad parenting. Rent away!

 

[Girimama33]

The only place we use a stroller for DD is at DLR...it is a lifesaver for us. DD has gross motor issues.
I agree with zbugz...rent away! I would probably go with the double vs the sit and stand, but I do not have a typical 5yo, so if you think one will will not need it as much, you may consider the sit and stand.

 

[3Minnies1Mickey]

We had a citimini double and my then 6 yo used it on occasion in wdw without issue.

I would not do the sit and stand with 2 6 yo because of the weight. It'll be a lot harder to maneuver.

 

[mummabear]

I can't remember if DL has stroller rental like WDW does? That may save you having to push it around if you don't end needing them and they seem a good size for the bigger ones.

 

[YukonMommy]

You are NOT a bad parent for wanting and planning ahead for whats best for your child!! I would not suggest the sit and stand, but go with a chariot type (more body space). If you do not think your other child will need a space in the stroller then just go for a single, if you think both will ride go for a double (although I suggest not a side by side one as they are harder to manuveur in the stores and crowds. I hope you have a magical holiday!

 

[Escape2Disney]

I'm with the others on this one. You are making necessary accommodations for your kids. That's GOOD parenting, not bad.

Have a great trip!

 

[disneychrista]

I would NOT put my 6yo in a stroller. I found them to more trouble than they are worth.

HOWEVER, it seems like it may be an issue of safety for your son, so OF COURSE use it.

 

[jitterbug]

We rented from City Strollers and it was convenient and easy. They are very responsive to questions. My DD had just turned 6 when we went and decided better to have it especially at the end of the day after the shows to get her back to the hotel. We chose the City Elite and found it easy to push even with DD in it.

 

[8timesblessed]

We used city strollers twice for our twins and we're so happy to have the stroller. It was perfect.

 

[becd]

I just got back from DLR and have twin boys the same age as yours. I always use a stroller because one has issues that make it hard to keep up with him on a good day but frankly the other one is prone to wander off as well and did get lost at DL even with a stroller, but that is another post

Very smart of you to plan ahead - I did not and foolishly assumed the stroller rentals would be similar to what i was used to at WDW (this was my first DLR trip and I was flying solo w/o my DH). Well much to my dismay I learned I could not have been more wrong - there were NO doubles! All my fault b/c I should have asked in advance. The singles were actually great and we just rotated but a double would have been heaven.

 

[StageTek]

Before everyone jumps on me for being a bad parent for sticking my kids in a stroller, let me explain.

Seriously? People jump on parents because they use strollers for their kids?

 

[nikkislaght]

Hope you and your kiddos have an awesome time , jealous as we wont be there for another couple of months..

 

[Daddy_of_Princesses]

I wouldn't worry about what people on a message board think if you decide to use a stroller. If they don't want one for their kids, so be it. We went in 2010 with a 7 and 4 year old and I got a sit n stand stroller. The 7 year old could walk herself, but it was worth my sanity to have her rested by standing in the stroller for long days in the parks.

 

[jennilouwho]

We brought our double for the baby and our just turned 5 year old. He is very tall for his age and looks 7. As far as I know I never got dirty looks. I was relieved to have it in high crowd areas.

 

[wallawallakids]

Thank you so much for all your help. Sounds like City Strollers has a good reputation and that the City mini or elite would both fit my kiddos. Thank you again for helping me with my decision.

 

[Nox54]

I say rent the stroller.
Have a great trip!

 

[8timesblessed]

I was also going to add my 3 little kids are 7 and the twins are 8. They traded off in the double city mini stroller. It was a super stroller. It's a lot of walking and when I want to go from one end of the park to the other end it's so nice to push them in the stroller and for parades they have a safe place to rest. Who cares what other people think, they aren't living your life!! Enjoy your trip and renting was so easy. The stroller was waiting at our hotel and we left it there for them to pick up.

 

[Peace.love.mickey]

Seriously? People jump on parents because they use strollers for their kids?

This is where I am stuck? Who has time to care what other parents do, I have DL trips to plan! Ha ha ha!!

OP... Rent or bring your own! We won't judge!

 

[larina]

This is where I am stuck? Who has time to care what other parents do, I have DL trips to plan! Ha ha ha!!

OP... Rent or bring your own! We won't judge!

This is what it all comes down to. Who are these people so busy not having fun that they have all this time to judge folks?

OP, do what works for you and your family.