Advice on a Double Stroller

I will tell you that I am so glad that I got my double strollers as hand me downs from relatives, because we did not use them enough to make the money worth it. I did use it it....but not as much as I thought. My daughter preferred to walk and then I was left pushing this large stroller for no reason. It is difficult to keep track of a toddler and push a stroller. The best thing I did was get a harness for my toddler. She was happy because she could walk and I was happy because she did not get lost. If I had to do it again, I would probably get one of those sit and stand ones......not as bulky and gives a good option if little legs get tired.

I definitely second and THIRD the Graco DuoGlider. My kids are twelve months and five days apart so ours got some wonderful use. Nice, too, that it holds a few different kinds of carseats. It's worth every cent to buy one new because it's very easy to beat it up. The storage underneath alone was worth everything to me. Also, it folds fairly flat so it's easy to tow if you don't have a minivan (also, it's the lightest tandem out there). Whatever you do, don't get the Jeep tandem stroller (the cute one with the steering wheel). It was SO heavy and hard to steer!!! I got one of those as a gift and I passed it on to a friend who really needed it. She passed it on because of the same thing. Who knows, that might work for you (it WAS really nice and sturdy looking) but for a mom with two young kids who fumbles with things as is, it was waaaay too hard for me! The Graco was easy to use one handed and easy to throw in the car. :)
Good luck and try Craig's List, there is usually a good selection on there.

I also have children who are 12 mo aprart and could not have lived without the Graco Duogluide stroller. It is heavy but necessary if you have two small ones. We used it for the mall, walks to the park/pool and all summer activities.
When my oldest was 3 we had our 3rd child and then I swithced to the Sit & Stand and love this one too. This is great for a 2+ child who likes to get out often but needs to ride when you are moving. I also found that I could fit all 3 of our children on this stroller if needed- especially if manuvering around crowds.
Good luck!

Dear J.,
I also have 2 children ( 4 and 6 months) and wanted a great stroller that would last and that the infant car seat would fit into. We are IN LOVE w/ our double stroller. It does weigh a little bit more than the average one but it's great. We now sometimes put the baby in it w/out the car seat and we know that it will last forever. I will attach a link for you to see it. Good luck, hope this helps!

http://www.gracobaby.com/catalog/product.aspx?modelNumber...

Kids will probably like sitting side by side, but you probably would be happier with a stroller that the children are one behind the other so that the carseat might attach to the closer area so you can attend to a young babies needs while the older has some independence and a good view. Some like the BugABoo brands that have incredible flexibility, others prefer the McClarens or the lower costing GRACO ones, CHICCO or Britax. The key I think is the Carseat attachment ability and dimensions to work
in the stroller so figure out which CarSeat will be used and can you hand carry the baby carrier that fits into the CarSeat. But before even that! Make sure the Car or Van being drive will fit the CarSeat properly so it seems the Car will control most everything!
Some Car fits some Carseats but probably not all. So of those Carseats that can fit the car unless a new car happens will be chosen by the Car. Then the Stroller and Baby Carrier each have to work together making sure the Double Stroller would work! Each choice in a sense controls to some extent the other choices! So take it a step at a time each new item making sure it will have an adequate solution on BOTH ends. Example the Stroller can fit the baby carrier in it and the baby carrier can fit into the Car Seat which fits into the CAR all work actually together.
The Side by side ones can be more challenging to get through doorways and passages at times.
I agree buckling in a child at a wide open busy place like a Zoo is important. though some zoos rent out double long zoo character strollers also! And some of the strollers allow a platform behind them that another child could stand on! Considering there ages are not very far apart there are still may years to use it! Tandems ones are not made usually as jogging ones though. Make sure whatever is chosen it is easy to close even one handed if possible and can be lifted into the Car or VAN trunk. Strollers have specific uses and best abilities. If you find one that can do everything well let me know! As the previous advice given by a Mom with two kids manuverable front wheels would be great. Here is probably the Best link besides each manufacturers links: http://multiples.about.com/od/stroller1/tp/twintandem.htm Good Luck!

My girls are 25 months apart and I purchased a Graco Duoglider and used it like three times but it was great when I used the Snug Ride. Their birthdays are in the Fall so not a lot of use. I then purchased a Sit N Stand and once I bought that and my youngest was out of the car seat I used it all the time. I'd get something but it's a hard choice on what to get.

I have twins and have the Graco Duo Glide. Most mom's in my Mother's of Mutliples also have it. Works fine. Car seat does go inside. As for worth the cost and being unsure, I have seen MANY for sale on Craig's List. Some barely used. Stroller is front to back. I can't imagine trying to get around the mall or elsewhere with a side by side. Fits fine in back of my Pacifica. Did NOT fit well inside a 2005 Jeep Liberty (which we no longer own).

My personal opinion...Save your money on a double stroller that your carseat will fit in (the front to back double stroller). If you are planning trips to the zoo, etc, get a side by side double jogging stroller. I own both, and since I've gotten the jogging stroller, I haven't used my front to back stroller even once. They are soooo much easier to push, and my 4 year old still loves to ride in it. They also have a 5pt harness, and the seats can recline, so you could safely put a newborn in it too. Make sure you get one with a front swivel wheel! They drive like a dream! When I first bought the jogging stroller, my husband complained that we didn't need another stroller...until he tried to push it...now, he doesn't like to take anything but our new stroller! He even admitted that it was a good investment!

S.

I have a 2 year old and a 1 year old and absolutely could not live with out my double stroller. It's a Graco DuoGlide, which is a tandem stroller. I already had a Graco car seat so I knew that stroller would work with it. I am saving up to get a new stroller, though. The Kolcraft Contours Tandem. I played with it at Baby Depot and I really liked it. There are, I think, 7 different seating variations and it comes with an attachment for an infant car seat. http://www.kolcraft.com/product.aspx?id=149

I have two kids - 20 months apart. I have the Phil & Ted Double stroller and absolutely love it. The drawback for you is that it doesn't work as a double if you use the car seat conversion. However, I took that into consideration and figured that the few months that I would be in the carseat would only be a small period in the life of the stroller. I had my second in October so we were not out as much as you might be in June. I love the flexibility of the single versus double and it is not like driving a truck. I get comments and questions all the time from other moms.