Stroller Addiction

Hi, my name is Diane, and I’m a recovering stroller addict. I am a former stroller-fanatic; I struggle with the constant compulsion to acquire the perfect stroller. It really hasn’t even been the temptation behind having the most beautiful stroller or even feeling the need to push the newest one on the market. I do admit, when I see one of those fancy sharp-turning swivel wheel strollers or the one-handed folding one a friend of mine owns, I can’t help but secretly drool, just a little…

However, I have come to acknowledge my weakness thanks to Russell constantly making fun of our garage because it started looking like a “stroller graveyard”. It got to a point where we were having trouble storing all of my castoff strollers. Somehow with each new stroller I purchased I convinced Russell “This time it will be different…” This stroller is the ONE.” Yet in a month’s time, I fell back into the same destructive pattern of disillusionment which threw me into the need to by yet another stroller.

Before Colson’s arrival, suddenly I found myself once again in the market for every parent’s worse nightmare – a double stroller. Just in case you’re wondering, raising children close in age sounds good in theory, but once the realization sets in that you somehow have to get around town, it's a different story. I think I’m slowly realizing the more kids I have the funnier life becomes.  

After the purchase of the double stroller, I vowed it was finally the ONE and that those days of stroller shopping were behind me. I promised Russell to no longer sample, flip through catalogs, or test spin anymore strollers (that included checking out or talking about any friend’s strollers).

But the reality and disappointment of pushing this monstrosity stroller through a door became complete torture. That moment in my life where I wanted to go back in time and punch myself in the face was the day I had to push the double stroller through the doors of JC Penny. I’m sure I gave a few onlookers a good laugh with my stupidity. 

Again, I found myself fantasizing about other strollers I encountered. In my quest to find the unattainable, I started my search once more. I got a great deal on my latest stroller at our local children’s consignment shop. It’s nothing fancy but practical and simple. (At least I thought so) It has turned out to be pretty reliable despite a few minor problems. But I’ve come to realized over the last few years, finding a perfect stroller is about as futile as finding the perfect mate. (No such thing exists) No single stroller is going to be perfect and be all things at all times.

Kinley had her first day of VBS camp Monday. My friend Sara offered to push Colson while Bailey clung to my hip as we approached the church. A few seconds later, Sara asked me why my stroller wasn’t turning. That was when she reached down and pulled up the breaks. What?!?! I didn’t know this stroller had front breaks. Needless to say I’ve been smiling like an idiot ever since.

If anyone out there is struggling with, or watching helplessly as a loved one suffers from stroller issues, please help them. Sometimes you never fully realize how terrible things are until you have a friend who teaches you how to use it correctly.