Would you take a double because of your friend's kid?

[starshine514]

So, we took our double stroller on our trip last August. My friend and her family joined us for one day and my 4-yr-old and her 3-yr-old rode in it that day. At the end of the night, all 4 kids (my 6 and 4 yr olds and her 3 and 4 yr olds) were riding in it.

Our next trip in November, they joined us again, but we only brought our single stroller. Their 3-yr-old fussed most of the day b/c my 4 yr old didn't want to give up her stroller and his mom refused to let me force my 4 yr old to give him turns. That was the last time they joined us. Since then, they'll meet us for a meal, but don't join us at the parks.

So, they've said that they want to join us again for a day during our May trip. I'm trying to decide if I should take our double to make for an easier day. I'm sure my 7-yr-old would use it some during the trip, but we don't bring a stroller for her anymore.

My friend adopted her kids less than a year ago and decided that they were too old for them to need to own a stroller, so they don't own one. The other alternative is to bring a second (umbrella) stroller for them to use that day, but I'm not sure how they would react to that and I'm also not sure how I would manage to get it to the park (unless my 7-yr-old pushes around an empty stroller until they arrive). I just don't want to have another 'bad' day at the parks because they don't believe in strollers...

 

[mrsmoore]

I would think your best bet it don't take yours, they won't have one, then no one will want what the other kid has!! My DD went five days in Disney without a stroller at age 5. We were staying at the Annabella, so had a small walk to and from. Just my thought! Have fun!!

 

[OnTheRoadAgain]

Are you done using the double stroller for good? I couldn't wait to get rid of ours... maybe you could work out a deal with your friend and/or give it to her. Does she live near you or on the way?

 

[skiingfast]

I would think your best bet it don't take yours, they won't have one, then no one will want what the other kid has!!

This sounds like a great idea.

 

[skiingfast]

 

[PigletSeeker]

Another vote for not bringing one at all. No one over 3 gets one in my family. Our first trip to DL was for my middle DD's 4th bday. She did 2 full days with no stroller and no problem.

 

[Jen&Trenton]

*raises hand* Same here, I wouldn't take one at all.

 

[starshine514]

We actually went stroller-less in January. Yup, BTDT... I'm not planning on attempting it again until she's 6. (It's actually one of the only ways I can get her to take that nap she so desperately needs at Disney.)

The stroller problem wasn't just about the actual sitting, but the storage capacity. I had forgotten to attach S-hooks to the single stroller and it has a smaller basket, so their kids were whining all day about having to carry their backpacks (they have their kids to carry around backpacks with their lunch/snacks, water, and jackets). When I had the double with said basket and S-hooks, they didn't have to. So, I don't really want to go stroller-less, even just for that day, because I'd like to have a place for their stuff, too.

We don't use the double anymore (well, not since that August trip) and I'm considering putting it on craigslist soon. My friend is anti-stroller, but does allow her kids to ride in mine...

 

[ArchOwl]

We don't use the double anymore (well, not since that August trip) and I'm considering putting it on craigslist soon. My friend is anti-stroller, but does allow her kids to ride in mine...

Haha, I don't have any kids, but I am bringing nieces to Disneyland in May, so I am reading the "kid threads". And I was just laughing at that line because my sister in law does the same thing. She doesn't believe in being hyper vigilant about germs, but uses tons of my wipes. She doesn't believe in letting her kids have sugar, but other kids should share their cookies with her kid. She doesn't believe in electronics for kids, but borrows my ipad to let her kid play angry birds. Um...okay.

Sorry to be off-topic, but I know how you feel...

 

[specialks]

I'd talk to your friend and ask if she'd appreciate you bringing the double, or if she's like to borrow your umbrella. I wouldn't bring them without discussing it. And I'd be honest about wanting to avoid a repeat situation of e stroller fighting. If she wants her chi,d to be stroller less, then ask that she tell her child that yours will be using one, and she doesn't want any fighting or whining. You shouldn't be in the middle and shouldn't bring extras. She should be able to communicate her expectations to her child without making your trip bad.
Hope it all works out!

 

[tinksdreamwishes]

oh i so feel you- i have an annoying friend like that for 24 years now.... still growing strong.... I do not like to have conversations that lead to arguments etc.... leave the stroller- rent the double at DL if needed....

 

[trainingupmy4princes]

I've just been lurking on the DL side as I haven't been to DL since we moved from OR to MO but now we're planning a trip to Walt's magical place again. WDW is magical but not Walt's magic IMO.

On topic, I am all for parents having their kids ride instead of walk etc. But I do feel badly that these little preschoolers are not only walking all this distance but while lugging a backpack on top of it. I remember how the backpack dwarfed my liitle boy when he was 3 (Granted he was small for his age so that may color my perception) and I wouldn't have him carrying that around all day at DL. I know my shoulders start to get sore (and I'm an adult )and I would think they would tire more easily. Yes a jacket doesn't weigh that much but every little bit of weight added on a little kid plus all that walking probably made them more inclined to want to use the stroller. So I guess I would see if you could at least fit their stuff on your single stroller so they would only have to walk without carrying anything if possible. Good luck and enjoy your trip.

 

[Disney Dreams]

Ummm...okay, wait. Do I have this right?

• You only NEED a single stroller.
• Your friend doesn't bring a stroller.
• If you have a stroller for your one, HER kids will take it over.

Is that right? If so, that's bunk! It's your stroller. You brought it for your kid. If she wants a stroller for her kids, she needs to bring a stroller.

If I misunderstood --- where did I take a wrong turn in following?

- Dreams

 

[aussietravellers]

Would I take a double stroller because of my friend's kid?

The answer is no!

I would take a stroller for my child (only if I wanted to for my child, I do love having that space for bags etc ). If my friend's child needed a stroller she could either take her own. If she didn't have one (as your friend doesn't), then my friend could either buy a cheap one for the trip. Or rent one at DL. Or if I had a spare then I would offer to give that to her for her to use on the trip, before I leave for my trip, so she can take it with her.

We travel with enough luggage, to take a double stroller for someone elses child would be a pain and particularly for one day, then I'd be stuck with a double stroller for the whole trip that I didn't need.

It is a really sweet thing for you to think of your friend But it really comes down to what works best for you. If you don't really want to take a stroller for your child, then don't take one. If you do want to take one, then do and let your friend know maybe, so that she has time to organise one if she wanted. If you have the luggage space and it isn't a hassle for you then you could take the double if that's what you would like to do. I think you sound like a real sweetie thinking of your friend like this

 

[Pixiafurie]

I think you are basing your trip choices far too heavily on your friend's. If your friend was truly in need of a stroller, she would ask if you were bringing yours or spoken to you about sharing. It sounds as though her avoidance during the 'stroller problems' trip was more of her own stress over the actions of her child than not having a stroller. She might have thought that she was ruining your progress and fun by having her tired child whining for a ride. Either way, do not stress about upsetting your friend with stroller problems. Perhaps you could casually mention that your 7 yr old does not need a stroller anymore and whether they wanted to pack it for themselves. If they really wanted a stroller, they should be the ones dragging it around.

You are really being such a great friend to think of their comfort so much, but it is really their own decision on the stroller. Do what is right for your family and don't worry!

 

[Mama Who]

Send her a note.

"MyGirl will be in her stroller. It was stressful last trip when YourKid was so upset about the stroller situation, so we'd be happy to loan you our second stroller or bring a double and take turns pushing if YourKid is going to want to ride."

I don't see a need to tiptoe around the fact that her parenting choices made the last trip less pleasant. Make her aware of that, offer a solution and frankly, if she says no and then her kid has a fit, I'd part ways for the remainder of the day. I don't go to Disney to listen to other people's kids whine.

 

[starshine514]

Thanks for all the replies. I know what I need to do. I need to bite the bullet and as her about it.

 

[rascooby]

My sister is really bad about bringing things for her kids. We went to the mall once and her daughter was fighting with my daughter and trying to take her comfortable shoes! It was crazy. It happens with everything, stroller, water bottles, mosquito spray, goggles. They always want what my kids have because she's not prepared. I've finally started saying, my kids are going to have x,y and z and we don't want to share, so bring your own. I've actually had to start saying, we're going to be walking, so make sure they have comfortable shoes, etc. It's silly, but it's the only way to have peace (ha, we still don't, but it's better).

I'd definitely tell her you will have one stroller and if her kids are going to want one she should bring her own.

 

[Isatricia]

I am just back from DL and I took a stroller not for my 6 & 8 year old girls, but to carry stuff. The trip would have been miserable without it to carry the stuff - water bottles, autograph books, jackets, etc. My shoulder was sore from carrying my purse, I can't imagine how my girls would have felt if I had forced them to carry backpacks.

I understand your problem, and it is difficult to tell a tired child they can't ride simply because her parents chose not to get a stroller. Good luck.

 

[Mugglemama]

Haha, I don't have any kids, but I am bringing nieces to Disneyland in May, so I am reading the "kid threads". And I was just laughing at that line because my sister in law does the same thing. She doesn't believe in being hyper vigilant about germs, but uses tons of my wipes. She doesn't believe in letting her kids have sugar, but other kids should share their cookies with her kid. She doesn't believe in electronics for kids, but borrows my ipad to let her kid play angry birds. Um...okay.

Sorry to be off-topic, but I know how you feel...

Omigod...I think *my* sister-in-law and *your* sister-in-law might actually be the same person.

To the OP, I know exactly how you feel, too. And honestly, the person in my life who has always pulled those kinds of stunts with me is now simply someone whom I avoid at all costs.

Do you really *want* to go to DL with this person? Or would you be much happier if you simply made up an excuse to get out of it (and secretly rescheduled so that you could visit DL in peace?) Let me tell you from the perspective of someone who spent about 17 years putting myself in these situations with this one particular person because I was trying to A) keep the peace, and B) be a loving family member....if I had it all to do over again - I would SERIOUSLY save myself the headaches and frustration (not to mention the hurt feelings, discomfort, and frustration of my children during those experiences...) and just decline to do anything together. Seriously. 20 years down the road and I can see that I wouldn't have any regrets had I just chose to ditch them early on. Hindsight is always 20/20....

I hope your trip ends up being really enjoyable.