Stroller in European Cities

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I don't understand the comments from people about regretting having a stroller they didn't wind up using. Just leave it in the hotel then? We traveled a lot when our DC was an infant and usually brought a stroller even though DC was in a carrier about 90% of the time until age 1 -- she was just much happier there. But I was never mad that I had the stroller even if I just used it once or twice. A stroller is one of those items that is so incredibly helpful when you really need it, and travel strollers are so small and light these days, I just don't get what the issue is.

Now that our stroller days are behind us, my DH still complains about missing it ever time we travel because it was such a useful place to through carryon items and other random crap you wind up with in the airport, or to help ferry things from the hotel room down to a cab. I don't get the anti-stroller attitude on this thread because strollers are great, especially for travel?

Because a stroller is an extra thing to carry and deal with at airports, regardless how lightweight. I think folks are “anti stroller” because we’re talking about a 5 year old, not a baby/toddler.

It has wheels. You don't have to carry it. You throw your carry on in it (or, if it's 1am and your flight just got delayed 12 hours, your 5 yo) and push it. Actually super handy.

It's a helpful tool, not some kind of parenting test.

[Anonymous]

I would take an umbrella stroller.

[Anonymous]

Of course bring an umbrella stroller unless you’re ok walking at 5 yo pace & distances. Makes it so much easier and the child can sit in the stroller when tired at the end of the day, or if you’re standing in line for tickets, etc.

[Anonymous]

5-year-old walking is doable, especially if it's an only child/you don't have a baby or younger toddler to also keep track of.

My child has been walking ~2 miles daily since 2.5 and is a typical whiny toddler. Practice makes perfect.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:If your Child can’t handle a European vacation without being in a stroller, you really should stay home.

I’m glad I didn’t have you giving me advice when my kids were little. Thanks to my umbrella stroller we went all over Europe, Asia and Latin America without any issues!

Because Americans believe it is all about them and have no care how they are seen in other countries.

[Anonymous]

I can’t imagine pushing a 5yo over the sidewalks and streets in Europe, sounds miserable. My kids learn to walk around age 1 and by 5 they’ve mastered the skill.

[Anonymous]

You know your kid best. If they need a stroller to accomplish your plan then bring one. No point in getting strangers opinions.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:If your Child can’t handle a European vacation without being in a stroller, you really should stay home.

I’m glad I didn’t have you giving me advice when my kids were little. Thanks to my umbrella stroller we went all over Europe, Asia and Latin America without any issues!

Because Americans believe it is all about them and have no care how they are seen in other countries.

This statement is insane and doesn't even make sense. Worrying about how you "are seen" is actually quite narcissistic, and a weird metric for whether or not to bring a device your child may or may not need on the trip. If it turns out the stroller is useful and saves the day, a sane person would not give two whits about whether some person who sees them thinks to themselves "that child is too old to be in a stroller -- stupid Americans." Frankly, a person going through that thought process has too much time on their hands.

Also, what if it were a child with special needs that were not visible to others? Would you fret about how it looks to Europeans? Hopefully not. So it shouldn't matter either way.

Just do what works for you and don't worry too much about how it looks -- the vast majority of people won't even pay attention, and those that do are likely looking for something to judge.

[Anonymous]

We basically never brought a stroller, even when traveling with a toddler. I used a carrier to put the kid on my back (when needed) up to around age 3, then they walked. Especially in Europe, too many stairs, cobblestones, etc for a stroller to be worth it. We ran all over Istanbul with a 3.5 yo… he mostly walked but went on my back when tired. By 4, the kid could do all the city walking needed (with some breaks).

[Anonymous]

BabyZen Yo-yo. Stroller I see the most in EU cities. Expats abroad and we still use it for our 5yo if doing a ton of walking (eg, major sightseeing in Rome or Paris where we will cover miles per day). It’s FAR easier doing stroller and walking/subway than dealing with cranky kid who stops walking and hauling around a carseat or booster for taxi or Uber.

[Anonymous]

Get the 5 year old out of the habit of using the stroller. Unless your kid has a disability of some sort, I can't understand why he's still in a stroller.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Get the 5 year old out of the habit of using the stroller. Unless your kid has a disability of some sort, I can't understand why he's still in a stroller.

He's not. They are simply considering bringing it because this trip will require long days and a lot of walking. People are being so weird about this. It's okay for a child who has generally outgrown a stroller to use one under special circumstances. I once put my DC in pull ups when she had the stomach flu even though she hadn't used one in years, because it was preferable to the alternative.

Everyone is being very precious about this, like if you let your 5 yr old ride in a stroller during a museum visit and some sightseeing in London, you've failed some secret parenting test. It's fine. Some kids will do great without it, some kids might do better with it.

[Anonymous]

Some cities are wall to wall people and the streets/walkways are cobblestone. It might be a hassle (which is why we never use a stroller in Times Square).

[Anonymous]

I think you should take it. If you use it great, if you don’t it stays on the room. Surely you will use it once or twice and in the airport. See how the days go.

In the meantime, start walking with your children to build endurance for all of you. Even include your back pack and other items you will be carrying each day to see what the breaking point will be.

[Anonymous]

We just did Belgium, Germany, and France with our almost 5yo who is extremely energetic and hasn't been in a stroller since she was 2. I did not bring one, but our Airbnb host in Belgium left an umbrella stroller and said we'd probably want it even though I was adamant we wouldn't. Holy crap it SAVED our trip. We used it every single day and actually bought it from her to continue on to our other destinations. I literally left her a review that said she anticipated my family's needs better than I did