Conference moira::parenting_v3

    Well, I'll respond here.  Yes, of course there are double strollers
    that handle a 3 year old, and a newborn.  That's what they were
    designed for in the main.  Tandem strollers are front/back strollers,
    and perfecly suited for an older child (front) and an infant (rear). 
    One thing to check into when considering purchasing one, is how much
    wieght will it hold?  Ask the sales clerk in checking them out, as if
    you put too much weight in one that wasn't designed to hold that much,
    the axles might break.  They run between $100 to $150 I would guess.
    
    However,  how old exactly is your three year old?  How old will he be
    when the new baby arrives?  If he is closer to 4 when the new baby
    comes, I would urge you to wait.  I bought a tandem a few months before
    my fourth baby was born in August of '89.  Jacob, my youngest at the
    time, was about 3 and 3 months when Joshua was born.  I thought he
    would not be able to come with me unless I had a spot for him in the
    carriage too, because he tired out so quickly and loved riding in the
    carriage, so I bought the tandem.  We used it about 6 times and he
    declared he didn't want to ride anymore, and Joshua could have the
    WHOLE carriage.
    
    You could try taking a front pack for the baby, and the carriage when
    going out with both at first.  Put the baby in the carriage initially,
    and have your three year old walk.  If he gets tired, put the baby in
    the pack and let your three year old ride.  Try it a few times and see
    how it works.
    
    By the way, there are many nice tandems out there now.  Perego makes a
    good one, though expensive.  Mine is a Jolly Jumper and is good too.
    

    My two munchins are 20 months apart.  I only used the double stroller
    for about 9 months.  By then I either went out with only one, or the
    older one walked.  One of the reasons I stopped using it is that is was
    very hard to maneuver.

    I bought a 2nd hand stroller that was back to front.  The family I
    bought it from recommended keeping the older child in the back seat so
    that the majority of the weight was over the rear (more stable) wheels. 
    This was a VERY old stroller, so maybe more modern designs are easier
    to distribute the weight in.

    That reminds me... Last week I was driving home from a class at PKO.  I
    saw a woman pushing a FOUR SEATER!  Only two of the seats were
    occupied.  I wonder if she picked up hitchhikers!  It actually looked
    pretty neat... and also scary!  I was thinking about it terms of having
    four babies at once... quadruplets!  Wow!

    My two girls are 2 yrs. 8 mos. apart.  I opted to pass on the tandem
    stroller, largely because I felt the big one wouldn't be interested in
    riding in it.  She's pretty much a walking type.  
    
    So far, I haven't had a problem with the arrangement (and have saved
    the expense of a tandem).  
    
    LZP
    

    
    I've got a tandem stroller (Graco Duo or Duet) that I really liked for
    about the first 4 months or so, but now my children are 2 yrs. and 6 mos 
    old (25lbs and 15lbs) and it is getting increasingly more difficult to 
    push the stroller around. Maybe I should do what someone suggested and 
    put the heavier guy in the back because having him in front weighs it 
    down and makes it difficult to steer and maneuver around curves (sounds 
    like a car commercial :-).  
    
    Anyway, they cost from $120-$150.  In retrospect, I should have looked
    for a used one because they are definitely useful, but their usefulness
    is short lived, especially with a child that is close to 3 years old.
    My 2 year old is already trying to crawl out of it and gets tired of
    riding after a short time.
    
    -Dorothy  
            

I received a Graco front to back stroller when my second baby was born
in May.  Stephen was 26months at the time.   We used it EVERY day!  It
was also the time of year where you are out all the time, and Stephen
has always liked riding in the stroller.  I liked the fact the back went
down so the baby could sleep in it while I was at the playground etc.

The only drawback is it is heavy to load in and out of the car.  When Allison
turned 4months we started using the backpack and I like that much better
than the stroller for convenience.  So for me, the first 4 months we lived
in the stroller and it was definitely worth it(especially since it was a
gift.)  Maybe you can find a second hand one.

Good luck. 
Karin

    Thanks, parents. I think you confirmed what I already knew. Berk will
    be 3 a month after the baby is born. When he rides in his stroller,
    just an umbrella stroller these days, he likes to see what is going on.
    I think he'd be real upset sitting "in the back" of a double stroller.
    He usually does have a limited timespan in the stroller and then he is
    "out of there". I have a feeling it would be a waste of money for the
    few times we'd use it. We'll give the baby "the Ferrari" and Berk can
    hold a hand.
    
    I like the idea of the snuggli sack for the early days with the baby -
    free hands and only an umbrella stroller to lug around. Or both kids
    stay home and Mom gets to have a real shopping spree!!
    
    Again, thanks for your comments.                      
    Andrea

    
    I haven't confirmed this, but I was told that there are clips that
    allow you to attach 2 umbrella strollers.  With one due any day now and
    a 20-month old, I am very interested in the cheapest options!  Can
    anyone confirm this method?
    
    Kristen

    As the mother of twins, I have been looking into these clips for a
    while.  We already have a double Perego stroller, meant for twins, but I
    wanted a double umbrella stroller for some vacation trips we have
    coming up.  The double umbrella strollers are very expensive so I
    decided I'd buy two umbrella strollers and clip them together. 
    Unfortunately, the baby stores I've been to have all said that they
    can't find them anymore, and are not sure anyone still makes them.  If
    you do find them, please send me a mail message.
    

    I wouldn't count on them getting clips anytime soon... as a mother of
    almost six year old twins, I was told six years ago that yes clips do
    exist, but they just so happened to be "out of them" at the current
    time and would you like to look at our strollers for twins while your
    here?  Heh heh.
    
    Re -1: Perego strollers are wonderful - sturdy, strong etc., but don't
    collapse very well - I have one built for three.  Currently you can get
    a nice twin umbrella type stroller for about $100.  I used to have one
    for mine that I got at Toys R Us, but I recently sold it for $25. 
    Pretty good return on investment for a $100 stroller, huh?
    

    re clips:
    
    Personally, I'd imagine that you'd encounter some sort of navigational
    problem with two seperate strollers clamped together, but I've never
    tried it myself so I'll reserve judgement.
    
    Instead of looking for clips, you might want to try using a couple of
    small hose clamps, available at any auto parts or hardware store. Cost
    varies depending on size, but shouldn't cost more than a couple of
    bucks total.
    
    For those who might not know, the clamps are narrow bands of metal with
    notches along the entire length. At one end of the band is a housing
    that holds a screw. The other end of the band gets fed thru this
    housing, and the screw acts like a worm gear, drawing the band thru 
    the housing and tightening the clamp. They are available with screws
    that require a screwdriver, or with screws that can be hand tightened.
    
    The edges of the band are exposed, but IMO wouldn't be considered
    sharp. If the edges still concerned you, you could wrap the whole thing
    up with electrical tape (in a complimentary color, of course...;^).
    
    Might not be the most elegant of solutions, but it should work. Attach
    one as close to the wheels as possible, use another up by the handles,
    and maybe one or two (what the heck...they're cheap!) spaced along the 
    remainder.
    
    Let us know if you decide to try it...
    
    Freddie

Does anyone know who makes strollers for twins?  I've seen lots of strollers 
like those mentioned in this note for an older child and a baby, but I'm having
twins, and wanted a stroller that has about equal space for both babies, 
especially so they can both lie down and nap at the same time. And I want a 
front-to-back stroller instead of side-by-side so that I can fit in the aisles
in the stores and the mall, like a previous noter suggested. Any suggestions
on brand names or what I should look for/avoid?

Thanks,
Cathy

    I had a Strolee twin stroller. It held up very well. I think that The
    Baby's Room in Burlington, MA has more than one variety - You might
    want to give them a call.
    
    Good Luck !!!

    Perego makes a "true" twin stoller.  The seats recline fully for each
    child, you can turn the seats to face each other, both face you, both
    face ahead -- even face away from each other (in other words, any
    combination).  They run around $300.  They are supposed to last a long
    time.  However, they are not very portable. The only way to fold them
    up is to remove the seats and fold the frame.
    
    There is also a company called something like Eglisia who makes one of
    these twin strollers.  They are generally more expensive than Perego
    No more features or quality.  Most sales people will recognize the
    name.  (I'm just not good with names!)
    
    The most expensive one I've found is by Emjalina(?). It has an excellent
    reputation. (Ema something -- its got a silent J in it someplace, sorry
    I can't remeber; sales people will probably recognized the name. 
    Supposedly, they are better quality than Perego or Englisia (sp?).
    However, I have only the word of sales people.)  They are much like the
    Perego, but more expensive.
    
    I have twins who are now almost 9 mos.  First I had the Aprica
    Chaperone -- for two children same or different ages.  It was close to
    $300 and did not hold up.  I exchanged it for a Jolly Rider III.  The
    boys are very comfortable in it.  The front seat reclines fully.  So,
    the first few months, I folded back the front seat-back and made one
    big carriage-like stroller.  As newborns and small infants, the boys
    were very comfortable that way.  When they started moving around and
    kicking more, I moved one to the front.  The back child can recline
    fully and the front child has no problem sleeping on an angle instead
    of fully reclined.  
    
    I am very happy with my stroller.  It is easy to "drive," easy to
    store and packup (folds compactly), and is attractive.
    
    Now that the boys are older, I am looking for an umbroller so I can
    back-pack one and stroll one.  This makes for additional mobility.  So
    I am glad I didn't invest in the cadillac of twin strollers.
    
    Hope this helps.
    
    By the way, if you'd like to talk with a mother of twins -- there
    really are some differences being a parent of twins rather than of a
    singleton -- I'd be happy to talk with you.  Give me a call.
    
    Diana
    CUPTAY::GOLDFARB
    DTN 227-4392
    Home 617-497-7775

    Hi..  I'm writing this for a neighbor of mine who is expecting her
    second child any day now.  Her children will be 17 months apart.
    
    She was considering purchasing a tandem carriage for her two children,
    until she looked at the prices.  It didn't make much sense to purchase
    another carriage when the older one may not even be interested in
    riding in the carriage much longer if at all.
    
    A suggestion that came up was something I'd seen people use, but I've
    never seen in a store is a sort of attachment that you use to hold two
    stroller type carriages together.   She checked with several toy stores
    an such, but was unsuccessful in finding anything.  Has anyone
    heard of these or seen them in store??
    
    Also, if anyone is selling a used tandem carriage or knows of someone
    who is she would be interested in contacting them. (she's located in
    the Concord, NH area)
    
    Thanks,
    
    -Julie

(Mods, please move if necessary...)

My husband and I are expecting twins in October.  I am looking for any
and all information about stroller type and usage from other parents
of twins.  These are our first children, so everything is new!!!

For instance, did you purchase a stroller specifically for
twins or did you use a tandem stroller?  How often did you use your 
stroller?  What did you use for short/quick trips (i.e. shopping).  
If you used a twin stroller, what type did you use and how did it hold up?

Thanks in advance for any and all information!

Jennifer

    What did other mothers of twins use for a stroller?  My husband
    and I have been out all weekend looking at the ones in the stores
    and we found that one position reclines fully and the other is only
    half way.  When you read the literature attached, they say for an
    infant and a toddler, or for two toddlers.  They don't say for two
    infants.  
    
    We looked at both types, the one facing each other and the one were
    they are both facing the same direction and on both of them, we
    couldn't lay both seats totally flat.  
    
    Any advise on this, would be greatly appreciated because we don't
    know what to do for a stroller.  
    
    Regards,
    Cheryl
    

    If you are looking for something for their early days (when they prefer
    to be totally flat) wouldn't a carriage suffice?  What if you
    bought one second hand that had the large carriage bed.  The one I have
    (when my first was born) was a carriage that could convert to a stroller
    by taking out the "bed" and placing a seat in the frame.  You wouldn't
    want to do this kind of swap at the mall, but it was great for taking
    the infant from birth to a year.  Once they get big enough to "bother"
    each other, they would probably be ready for a "slanted seat" stroller.
    I used this stroller for around the house and town - we had a small
    sub-compact and this particular carriage folded to about 2' high and
    would fit in the trunk nicely.  The bed also came off the frame and
    could be used as a bed for travelling to grandma's.
    
    -sandy
    
    (reason I suggested a used one is you wouldn't want to spend to much $$
    on a stroller for each stage of your babies life)
    
    

    When Dirk was small I took him to a sitter who watched another infant
    of the same age.  We both had the same model stroller.  The sitter's
    husband constructed some clampts to attch the two strollers together
    using metal bars, wing nuts and bolts.  They looked like this and we
    used two for stability. 
    
    	(  )
        |  |
    	|  |
       >====] (bolt attached with wing nut through the two metal bars)
        |  |
        |  |
    	(  )
    
    The () part goes around the tubes of the stroller and clamps them when
    the bolt is tightened.
    
    Cheryl

    After much of the same types of questions about a twin stroller,
    my husband and I decided to spend the money and get the emmuljunga
    twin stroller.  With the exception of its weight, I feel that it
    was the best decision for us.  I've seen twins in the stretch twin
    strollers (where one seat lies flat and the other doesn't) and they
    seem soooooo unconfortable; they're just squished!  With the 
    emmuljunga, each seat can recline fully and the seats can be placed
    either way (facing each other, both facing forward, both facing
    backwards) Our twins love facing each other!  
    
    
    Jennifer
    

I've got a Jolly Jumper Stretch that works fine for my twins.  It has the
seats one behind the other with both facing front.  Both seats fold down flat,
so when they were small, I could sort of make a large carriage and get both
of them lying down to sleep.  They both liked to sleep on their stomachs, so
I always put up the foot rest and used that to extend the length.  It always
worked fine like that.

Now that they are bigger, I find that I put Jessica in the back fully reclined
on her tummy when she is tired, and I just recline Brad a little in the front
so he can sleep (he can sleep on a picket fence, so position is no problem).
At this stage, Jessica does find it amusing to kick Brad when she's in the
back, and she likes to pull his hat off and play with his hair which is why
we put her in the front unless it's time for her nap. 

We chose the front-back type over the side-by-side because it fits through
doors easier and our main use for the stroller is for shopping in the mall
and such as opposed to walks outside.  Ours folds up nicely and fits easily
in the back of the car.  I intend to have this stroller for a few years
and not change to a different type, and knew that when I bought it.

    I was lucky in that my sister bought me my side-by-side stroller for
    the twins.  It worked out fine and we never had a problem with getting
    into doorways or even the grocery store checkout aisle.