We love our apartment very much, but I have to admit, there are a few things that I wouldn't mind not having. A four-storey climb for instance. I do the climb twice a day at least. With a baby strapped on me. Sometimes with groceries and whatnot.
Which is why, when I'm out, I choose to go as lightweight as possible. Strap the baby on, throw some necessities into my bag, and out we go, hands-free and fuss free. I envy those who have a lift that stops on their floor. If I had that, I would probably put my baby in the stroller everywhere we go. No baby's weight on my shoulders? Pram from door to door? Wow. My shoulders are pea green with envy.
Probably not a real fact but sure feels like one:
Kids feel twice as heavy when they're asleep.
We do have a stroller though. When we bought it, we didn't do any research beforehand, but I knew that it had to be lightweight. We have a Combi something something and it weighs about 7kg. Which isn't much, no. When you're full of energy, or are able to carry it with both hands.
I do pop Calla in the stroller occasionally, depending on our destination. If we can get there entirely by train, or if we're going on foot, I'd much prefer the stroller. And if I choose that option, here's how I do it:
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It's better now because Calla can stand and walk. Before, I would have to carry her out in a baby sling or carrier, and the stroller, then leave the carrier in the letter box, and reverse the whole process when we get back home. I did the same when Poppy was a baby too. Not easy, but doable.
The bus. Hmm. This is what the hooha is about isn't it. Inconsiderate drivers who refuse to let mothers bring their strollers up the bus and insist their babies are taken out and strollers folded?
Yes we've done that. No it wasn't easy. Yes it's doable. No I don't like it.
There are many things that we want. Many things that we feel upset about if we don't get our way. But are we prepared to accept the consequences? Say the bus companies agree to let open strollers up buses, and bus drivers are to help parents with their boarding and alighting. I'm guessing if this happens, then there might be many more people who would jump on the stroller wagon. Are we ok to have our travel times lengthened because the bus driver would be real busy?
Are we prepared to have more crowded buses? What about those without kids, or those with kids without strollers? What if they can't get on the bus because its packed with more wheels? And have you seen the size of some of these guys? Some strollers literally look like tanks! Who's to say what the cut off size is? How many people would use "sorry I'm late today, there were 5 mums who needed the bus driver's help to get their strollers on/off the bus" when they arrive late at th office or school.
And how many open strollers can a bus take anyway? 3? 5? 8? What is the cut off number and what if you are the unfortunate one to be told you're one too many, please take the next bus? And then what? Raise another cry of how unfair the world is?
Whose side am I on anyway? No one's. I'm just saying that before we stick our fingers out and point accusingly at someone, we should remember that when we do so, there are three other fingers (our own, no less!) pointing back at us.
Which is why, when I'm out, I choose to go as lightweight as possible. Strap the baby on, throw some necessities into my bag, and out we go, hands-free and fuss free. I envy those who have a lift that stops on their floor. If I had that, I would probably put my baby in the stroller everywhere we go. No baby's weight on my shoulders? Pram from door to door? Wow. My shoulders are pea green with envy.
Probably not a real fact but sure feels like one:
Kids feel twice as heavy when they're asleep.
We do have a stroller though. When we bought it, we didn't do any research beforehand, but I knew that it had to be lightweight. We have a Combi something something and it weighs about 7kg. Which isn't much, no. When you're full of energy, or are able to carry it with both hands.
I do pop Calla in the stroller occasionally, depending on our destination. If we can get there entirely by train, or if we're going on foot, I'd much prefer the stroller. And if I choose that option, here's how I do it:
 |
| (Maintain this for 4 flights of stairs down) |
It's better now because Calla can stand and walk. Before, I would have to carry her out in a baby sling or carrier, and the stroller, then leave the carrier in the letter box, and reverse the whole process when we get back home. I did the same when Poppy was a baby too. Not easy, but doable.
The bus. Hmm. This is what the hooha is about isn't it. Inconsiderate drivers who refuse to let mothers bring their strollers up the bus and insist their babies are taken out and strollers folded?
Yes we've done that. No it wasn't easy. Yes it's doable. No I don't like it.
There are many things that we want. Many things that we feel upset about if we don't get our way. But are we prepared to accept the consequences? Say the bus companies agree to let open strollers up buses, and bus drivers are to help parents with their boarding and alighting. I'm guessing if this happens, then there might be many more people who would jump on the stroller wagon. Are we ok to have our travel times lengthened because the bus driver would be real busy?
Are we prepared to have more crowded buses? What about those without kids, or those with kids without strollers? What if they can't get on the bus because its packed with more wheels? And have you seen the size of some of these guys? Some strollers literally look like tanks! Who's to say what the cut off size is? How many people would use "sorry I'm late today, there were 5 mums who needed the bus driver's help to get their strollers on/off the bus" when they arrive late at th office or school.
And how many open strollers can a bus take anyway? 3? 5? 8? What is the cut off number and what if you are the unfortunate one to be told you're one too many, please take the next bus? And then what? Raise another cry of how unfair the world is?
Whose side am I on anyway? No one's. I'm just saying that before we stick our fingers out and point accusingly at someone, we should remember that when we do so, there are three other fingers (our own, no less!) pointing back at us.
