Four items I've discovered to be essential for surviving daily life (with my sanity in tact) in Brooklyn with two small children and no car:
(Jill, this post is for you.)
1. A lightweight stroller. The Maclaren Volo is my personal favorite. It's sturdy and reliable (seriously, after having trekked all over New York City with this stroller, I can tell you from experience that it is built to last), has a frame tall enough for my tall frame, and it weighs only 8 lbs. There are no frills on this bottom rung of a high-end stroller line, but it does the job AND I can carry it, with my kids buckled in, up and down the stairs in both my building and the subway.
2. Buggy Board. This stroller platform is my answer to a double stroller, which would have been too bulky and heavy to really even be considered an option in my case. It easily attaches to the frame of your stroller (see here to check compatibility), allowing one kid to stand and ride while the other sits buckled in. Though Garrett is a good walker, I can only reasonably expect him to last so long on foot. The Buggy Board is great for when we go longer distances, are gone for longer stretches of time, or when I have to get somewhere in a hurry.
3. Good infant carrier. Some people like to carry their babies because they're fans of attachment parenting; I carry mine out of necessity. There are certain things (such as grocery shopping and getting to church) that I wouldn't be able to do on my own otherwise. I've tried several carriers, but my favorite by far is the Ergo, which can be adjusted to wear on your front, back, or hip. The weight of the baby is carried in the hips rather than the shoulders, allowing you to carry your baby longer without breaking your back. With the aid of an infant insert, you can use this puppy from birth until, well, for as long as you're up to it, I suppose. I still use mine with Caleb on occasion, even though he weighs over 20 lbs.
4. Backpack. I use my backpack as my diaper bag, my purse, and my shopping bag. It makes traveling both by foot and by public transportation a lot easier because I can distribute the weight of the things I have to carry with more variation. I can sling it over the handles of the stroller, stuff it in the basket underneath, or wear it on my back as necessary.
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2 comments:
This is true friendship! Thanks so much for the info! Helps to settle the nerves a little bit! Yikes! I was on my own all morning with the kids, broke three kitchen cups, knocked over a bunch of furniture, blow outs, food everywhere- but they are both still alive... So I consider it a successful morning!
Thanks for this post! Even though I've been here for... about 5 months (I had to count)I can always use good baby in the city advice. And all of these things are a necessity! I love our Maclaren. I never thought about a double stroller being too bulky, but of course it would be so the buggy board is perfect! Infant carrier is a must! I have a cheapo one, but we use it a lot. And a backpack...oh yes a backpack. I spent forever looking for a cute diaper bag. And I never ever use it. I use the free one the hospital gave me. It's a sling backpack and it is so much handier than a shoulder bag.
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