I have a three-year-old son, and an infant daughter. When It was just my son and myself, I had a regular, one-child stroller. It met all of our needs: my son faced ahead, and could see the view in front of himself. There was a storage compartment below, where I could carry along a blanket, snacks and other necessities. There was a place by the handle where I could hang my diaper bag, and even a cup holder for my beloved coffee drinks!
Then, along came my daughter. I knew this stroller had to go in favor of one that both of my children could travel in. There were many choices to make, and it was a hard decision. I wanted both of my children’s needs to be met, and I needed convenience for myself. The two most common double strollers I had to choose from were the side-by-side front-facing stroller, and the one child behind the other tandem style. Below are some of the pros and cons I considered when making my decision.
Side-by-Side Facing Front Stroller
The first problem I noticed with this type of stroller was that it was quite wide. I tried it in the store and read reviews from Best Double Jogging Stroller of 2017 – Top Stroller Reviews, and it barely fit through the front door. Also, I would definitely need someone to help hold it open in order for me to get through. However, both children would be able to see in front of them, and see each other as well. It also seemed easier to fold and taking it for runs or walks on grass were no problem due to having air filled tires as opposed to plastic or rubber ones.
Tandem Stroller
The tandem stroller was definitely easier to get through doors, and around corners. There was even one where the front seat turned around so that the children could look at each other. This was a plus for me. However, the child in the rear would be able to bother the one in front if both were facing forward. Another plus was that my oldest could sit in front, and the baby could lay back and nap, because with a push of a lever, the back seat lay back and made a flat, bigger area to lie in.
There were several pros and cons with each type of stroller. I wanted to be certain I was making the right choice before buying one, as strollers aren’t cheap, and we would be using it for quite some time.
In the end, I went with the tandem stroller with the swivel front seat. I love it, and the children are quite comfortable in it. When they are bored, they can look at each other, when one is tired, a nap is a click away. there is plenty of storage beneath for all their needs and mine. My tandem stroller fits through any door, and around all corners.
As you can see, it can be difficult to choose the perfect stroller, but if you consider the needs of you and your children, and the amenities of each style, you can easily make the right choice for your family!
