Do you secretly judge parents by their strollers??

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I will say that most people I know who bought a stroller over $500 are people who spend all of their disposible income or are in debt. They're not contributing to retirement in a significant way, they don't have a big savings cushion, etc.

How do you know how much they make? Are people really this open about income and debt? I have found people think we are broke but really we make more money than they do.

As a side note: I have a Maclarens and a Phil & Ted double. I use them everyday depending on my youngest's (18 months) preference since she is difficult these days. I use them more than my car. I don't care if people think I am wasteful. Or have an issue with my 3 year old riding in it (he actually looks 5! and I get dirty looks all the time). In fact, I welcome the help! You can watch my kids while I go do errands. I will admit both are pretty dirty and you can totally judge me on that! I find them gross too! People really have a lot of time on their hands if they are debating stroller brands.

I'm the PP you quoted. Yes, I'm talking about people whom I know well and have these strollers; I can't comment on those I see at Costco or at the park or whatever. I just happen to know that the 4 people close to me who bought really expensive strollers are not the best with their money. You mention high income--it's not necessarily about income. The folks I'm talking about are definitely "high income". 3/4 don't have consumer debt but pretty much spend everything they make. They maxed the house, they drive pretty expensive cars. One example is DH's cousin and wife. They make good salaries and have a large home. Between childcare costs, mortgage and their other expenses, they're pretty much not saving anything. We've talked about it. The expensive stroller is just one of the many things they just had to have. They love the stroller (to the extent that one can love a stroller).

PP, for your own sake you should spend less time picking apart the spending habits of your friends. Maybe you don't mean it this way, but it really comes off like you envy what they have and thus you focus on ways in which you are smarter, better off in the long run, or generally superior. This type of thinking is dangerous to your self-esteem, because there will always be someone else around to one-up you and it won't always be someone whose flaws and mistakes you can easily point out. Life is not fair and people don't always get what's coming to them. One day your DH's cousin and his wife might get their shit together financially, or win the lottery, and how are you going to make yourself feel better then? Better to focus on what's right for you and your family and try to be happy for the good things in the lives of those you love.

[Anonymous]

I have and love an Uppa -- for the record, I'm not any of the PP's singing their praises -- and think it's fantastic for my particular family's life. (Metro commute, crappy DC sidewalks, grocery shop with stroller rather than car, sun safety fanatic.) While I don't care what anyone else has -- go on with your Bug or Mac or Graco or space-pod Orbit or dumpster salvage -- I understand what that PP meant by feeling a certain kinship with other parents who have one. Doesn't mean we have to be friends or have some culty religion about it, just a consumer good in common. I stopped a mom in my daycare who had the same cheap-ass Target handbag as me last week, and it was the same kind of conversation. If that seems odd or pathetic or unrelatable, then Uppa yours!

[Anonymous]

LOL I like you ^^

Uppa lover here too.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I own a bugaboo and I don't give a damn if you all judge me. We live in Gtown and it's been great on the bumpy streets. Just had #2 and got the bob double so I guess I am guilty in all your thrifty minds. In fact I also wear quilted jackets as do my children and drive a Tahoe. Also highly educated. So really you can judge away I am happy with my decisions and you can be happy with yours. We probably wouldn't be friends if we met at the park and that's fine too.

I love you. Where can I talk to more people like us? I live in mclean, drive bmw and lexus, no quilted jacket but highly educated. A lot of people judgemental against people who have done well in life on this board.

[Anonymous]

according to you judgy mommad when is it OK to have a Bugaboo and drive a Mercedes?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:This is a 13 page study in why y'all need to be out contributing to the GDP, if you aren't already. Too. Much. Free. Time.

Additionally, it could be observed that 150 years of US feminists didn't agitate the social order so that y'all could use your dearly bought educations in order to be uber-catty to each other into your 40s.

Personally, I hated the 7th grade the first time around, and can't think why you are all busy re-creating it in your adulthood.

It's such an idiot thread, one almost suspects that it was started by a troll who was trying to throw chum on the mommy waters, to watch the sharks snap at each other.

And I am here because a friend noticed the thread and sent it to me.

And while men do amazingly stupid things with their time (making the movie "Jackass", watching the movie 'Jackass', etc.), they don't usually focus their attention on casually savaging each other. (unless of course that 'other' is gay, of course). When men have a beef with each other, they call each other assholes and move on. Whereas we archive every catty look from 2nd grade on, and never forget a slight or an unkindness, and put Ireland to shame in the grudge-holding department. Call me.... AdequateSortofStepParent

Hey, speak for yourself, ASSP.
Honestly, I think the sermonizers are worse than the trolls. If you're so above it all, just move on. Y'all.

[Anonymous]

AdequateParent wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

AdequateParent wrote:I can't for the life of me figure out why we have only 17 female senators and 73 women in the U.S. House. Are there any sociologists out there who can explain this to me?

Maybe because men don't give a rat's ass about stroller brands.

And in answer to "why are you on this thread if you don't care," cuz it's an education.

So you're blaming the snobbery of women on the DCUM forum instead of institutionalized sexism for low female representation in the Senate? You're awesome.

Institutionalized sexism plays an important role. We've got to fight back. When women with an opportunity to do something that actually matters voluntarily opt back into middle school we make it worse. Do you think this helps the world take us seriously? Does anything for our daughters? Has even one microgram of worth? Makes the tiniest crack in institutionalized sexism? It abets and affirms sexism.

Someone accused me of being too PC a week or two ago. Enjoy this one. Back to work I go.

In an earlier post I said for once I agree with you.

[Anonymous]

I hardly used my stroller. Who cares in suburbia what kind of stroller one has? If I was a SAHM using a stroller for multiple children 7 days a week on rough city streets, it would be one thing. Sheesh.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I judge everyone who has a BOB swivel wheel "jogging" stroller as being a runner wanna be. Double, single, it really does not matter. The real BOB jogging strollers have a fixed wheel intended for its original use "jogging." He He

The swivel wheel can be fixed, dumb ass. And I know plenty of runners that use it. Probably got it because it's more versatile than the fixed wheel ones.

But even with it locked there is still a slight wobble especially after running several miles. You don't want "versatility" when running. Strolling along a path, yes. But not when running. In Step is truly a jogging stroller (cheaper too).

[Anonymous]

A lot of people judgemental against people who have done well in life on this board.

Nah, just agaist people who are smug and self-righteous about it.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I will say that most people I know who bought a stroller over $500 are people who spend all of their disposible income or are in debt. They're not contributing to retirement in a significant way, they don't have a big savings cushion, etc.

How do you know how much they make? Are people really this open about income and debt? I have found people think we are broke but really we make more money than they do.


I'm the PP you quoted. Yes, I'm talking about people whom I know well and have these strollers; I can't comment on those I see at Costco or at the park or whatever. I just happen to know that the 4 people close to me who bought really expensive strollers are not the best with their money. You mention high income--it's not necessarily about income. The folks I'm talking about are definitely "high income". 3/4 don't have consumer debt but pretty much spend everything they make. They maxed the house, they drive pretty expensive cars. One example is DH's cousin and wife. They make good salaries and have a large home. Between childcare costs, mortgage and their other expenses, they're pretty much not saving anything. We've talked about it. The expensive stroller is just one of the many things they just had to have. They love the stroller (to the extent that one can love a stroller).

PP, for your own sake you should spend less time picking apart the spending habits of your friends. Maybe you don't mean it this way, but it really comes off like you envy what they have and thus you focus on ways in which you are smarter, better off in the long run, or generally superior. This type of thinking is dangerous to your self-esteem, because there will always be someone else around to one-up you and it won't always be someone whose flaws and mistakes you can easily point out. Life is not fair and people don't always get what's coming to them. One day your DH's cousin and his wife might get their shit together financially, or win the lottery, and how are you going to make yourself feel better then? Better to focus on what's right for you and your family and try to be happy for the good things in the lives of those you love.

Interesting that you read into my comments that I'm envious of their belongings. It doesn't really matter but as it happens, we have a significantly higher HHI, larger home that's worth more, etc. I considered buying a very expensive stroller but I just couldn't see how much more useful it would be than a midrange one. I can't say that I"m pushing a Metrolite because I'm not! But I don't have a Bugaboo, either. To the extent that I feel negatively about how the cousins spend their money, it's that they do things like buy a Rolls Royce stroller and then complain about not having money to repair their roof!

[Anonymous]

I agree. This poster sounds very bitter and envious. She/he needs to get over the envy if friends and family that are better off. So obviously losing sleep over others' good fortune.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I will say that most people I know who bought a stroller over $500 are people who spend all of their disposible income or are in debt. They're not contributing to retirement in a significant way, they don't have a big savings cushion, etc.

How do you know how much they make? Are people really this open about income and debt? I have found people think we are broke but really we make more money than they do.

As a side note: I have a Maclarens and a Phil & Ted double. I use them everyday depending on my youngest's (18 months) preference since she is difficult these days. I use them more than my car. I don't care if people think I am wasteful. Or have an issue with my 3 year old riding in it (he actually looks 5! and I get dirty looks all the time). In fact, I welcome the help! You can watch my kids while I go do errands. I will admit both are pretty dirty and you can totally judge me on that! I find them gross too! People really have a lot of time on their hands if they are debating stroller brands.

I'm the PP you quoted. Yes, I'm talking about people whom I know well and have these strollers; I can't comment on those I see at Costco or at the park or whatever. I just happen to know that the 4 people close to me who bought really expensive strollers are not the best with their money. You mention high income--it's not necessarily about income. The folks I'm talking about are definitely "high income". 3/4 don't have consumer debt but pretty much spend everything they make. They maxed the house, they drive pretty expensive cars. One example is DH's cousin and wife. They make good salaries and have a large home. Between childcare costs, mortgage and their other expenses, they're pretty much not saving anything. We've talked about it. The expensive stroller is just one of the many things they just had to have. They love the stroller (to the extent that one can love a stroller).

PP, for your own sake you should spend less time picking apart the spending habits of your friends. Maybe you don't mean it this way, but it really comes off like you envy what they have and thus you focus on ways in which you are smarter, better off in the long run, or generally superior. This type of thinking is dangerous to your self-esteem, because there will always be someone else around to one-up you and it won't always be someone whose flaws and mistakes you can easily point out. Life is not fair and people don't always get what's coming to them. One day your DH's cousin and his wife might get their shit together financially, or win the lottery, and how are you going to make yourself feel better then? Better to focus on what's right for you and your family and try to be happy for the good things in the lives of those you love.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I will say that most people I know who bought a stroller over $500 are people who spend all of their disposible income or are in debt. They're not contributing to retirement in a significant way, they don't have a big savings cushion, etc.

How do you know how much they make? Are people really this open about income and debt? I have found people think we are broke but really we make more money than they do.


I'm the PP you quoted. Yes, I'm talking about people whom I know well and have these strollers; I can't comment on those I see at Costco or at the park or whatever. I just happen to know that the 4 people close to me who bought really expensive strollers are not the best with their money. You mention high income--it's not necessarily about income. The folks I'm talking about are definitely "high income". 3/4 don't have consumer debt but pretty much spend everything they make. They maxed the house, they drive pretty expensive cars. One example is DH's cousin and wife. They make good salaries and have a large home. Between childcare costs, mortgage and their other expenses, they're pretty much not saving anything. We've talked about it. The expensive stroller is just one of the many things they just had to have. They love the stroller (to the extent that one can love a stroller).

PP, for your own sake you should spend less time picking apart the spending habits of your friends. Maybe you don't mean it this way, but it really comes off like you envy what they have and thus you focus on ways in which you are smarter, better off in the long run, or generally superior. This type of thinking is dangerous to your self-esteem, because there will always be someone else around to one-up you and it won't always be someone whose flaws and mistakes you can easily point out. Life is not fair and people don't always get what's coming to them. One day your DH's cousin and his wife might get their shit together financially, or win the lottery, and how are you going to make yourself feel better then? Better to focus on what's right for you and your family and try to be happy for the good things in the lives of those you love.

Interesting that you read into my comments that I'm envious of their belongings. It doesn't really matter but as it happens, we have a significantly higher HHI, larger home that's worth more, etc. I considered buying a very expensive stroller but I just couldn't see how much more useful it would be than a midrange one. I can't say that I"m pushing a Metrolite because I'm not! But I don't have a Bugaboo, either. To the extent that I feel negatively about how the cousins spend their money, it's that they do things like buy a Rolls Royce stroller and then complain about not having money to repair their roof!

PP here. My advice was actually to STOP focusing on these things, not come up with even more examples of how your life is better even though you don't have a fancy stroller. We all do it to some extent but it sounds like you're spending an inordinate amount of time and mental energy comparing yourself to others, picking apart their spending habits, and coming up with reasons why your life is better. Maybe you're just one of those naturally competitive people, but it may also be that something is missing in your own life. I certainly can't say what that might be but if you stop focusing so much on other people's bank accounts, you might just figure it out.

[Anonymous]

people that drive bugaboo's are those that drive lexus, mercedes, and other cars that scream I want to have money and show the world!!!

Are you F kidding me???



Jealous Bitches and haters!!!!

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Why is a $600+ stroller needed for "urban streets". Are there strollers out there that can't handle sidewalks?

Have you walked in DC lately? Uneven bricks, tree root eruptions, old curb stones with no wheelchair cut: it's bad for just walking! The metro are just as bad; I hate getting stuck in the gap at the platform with one of those little wobbly plastic wheels. Maybe in the better parts of town they have wide, newly-paved sidewalks, and if you never take Metro then you'd be great. But not so in many areas.

I assume from your response that you are living in an expensive area of DC. Given that the majority of the city lives below the poverty line how do you think these people manage to stroll their little ones around the same uneven bricks?

I think they manage the way I did pushing all the other too-short, poorly-constructed, wobbly-wheeled, snapping-plastic-parts strollers: poorly, and in a way that gives them a lot of back pain.

I am not saying that people don't manage with products that are less than ideal for the circumstances, I'm just saying that I don't begrudge people the ability to buy things that are more ideal and make their lives easier. Honestly, I wish all strollers were well-constructed; I was saying to my husband when we were shopping for one, "I really don't know how regular people are going to be able to afford a stroller once they recall all the Gracos and their competitors." Not to even get into how average-income people will be able to afford a crib in the future!

The sad truth is that products made from good quality materials (wood, metal, and durable fabrics) are now priced above the reach of most families. Which means they have to buy cheaper stuff that breaks or is recalled and needs to be replaced, costing more over the long run (in some cases) than if they'd been able to come up the higher amount in a single instance.

You are correct. My children are way beyond stroller years. I remember shopping for solid wood furniture for their rooms. It wasn't hard to find. Major high end stores carried brands almost as a courtesy to customers . Google Moosehead - Stickley quality but simple design. NOT made in China.