Ok to ask for a new stroller?

[Anonymous]

I just started a new sharing position this week. I work with two quirky smart toddlers who I have been encouraged to explore the city with. Only problem is their stroller. This thing could be named old faithful. They got 8 years ago with other first two kids. The stroller has become a thing of pride- has never broken even after being back into by a neighbors car. It is the heaviest, most unwieldy thing I have ever encountered. I have to focus on my breath just to push it down the sidewalk, like I'm doing bench press or something. Is day 2 too soon to ask for a new stroller? Even though the previous nanny used it for two years without complaining? How to ask?

[Anonymous]

I might suggest looking on Craigslist to see if you can find any double-strollers that wouldn't be too prohibitively expensive and suggest them to them. Given that new double strollers can run several hundred dollars, that might make it less painful.

[Anonymous]

That's terrible, omg I wish we could see a picture. I agree with above poster, check Craigslist. I've also read that if you buy stroller connector clips you can connect two umbrella strollers together, that would be lightweight and fairly cheap.

[Anonymous]

PPs gave good advice. Especially if the kids are already toddlers whatever stroller you get will be pretty short-lived.

[Anonymous]

Look on craigslist and be willing to self pay. Tell them your plans and ask then if they'd like to contribute. That's what I did. My employers did contribute to what is technically my stroller.

[Anonymous]

Yeah you can't ask when you're so new, especially since you know the other nanny handled it with no problem. Sounds like you just need to build up the muscles and cardio needed for this.

[Anonymous]

I'm the original Craigslist poster. When my baby moved into a part-time nanny share, the nanny "complained" (I put that in quotes because it was totally valid) that she didn't have a double stroller. I managed to find an insane deal on Craigslist within a week for a Maclaren double stroller in really good shape for $25. Everyone was thrilled.

[Anonymous]

OP here. I really appreciate all the suggestions. I see a couple on CL that could be a great improvement l. I think i will purchase one myself and just let them have it. I am paid well and they are such mind folks I feel it's a small investment.

[Anonymous]

just buy it and keep it. I have my own double that goes w/ me when I change families. It's unwisely on the bus though, but great for walking around the neighborhood. It's a mountain buggy. Try out any stroller before you buy, I find the biggest hurdle is up and own curbs, so if you can't easily get it up or down, don't buy it.

[Anonymous]

definitely keep it if you pay for it... Ive bought things "for" my nanny family before and its been awkward when Ive wanted it back. Leave it in your car if you can

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:just buy it and keep it. I have my own double that goes w/ me when I change families. It's unwisely on the bus though, but great for walking around the neighborhood. It's a mountain buggy. Try out any stroller before you buy, I find the biggest hurdle is up and own curbs, so if you can't easily get it up or down, don't buy it.

Do you like the mountain buggy better than a bob? I've done some serious investigating into that stroller (I'm the above poster who bought my own and the parents chipped in), but ultimately went with the bob necause it is a shared stroller and the bob is durable. I do love the mountain buggy though!

[Anonymous]

I think the mountain buggy and Bob are comparable with quality. I like the mountain buggy because it has two front wheels which makes it easy to pop up and down curbs without and issues whereas the Bob can get off kilter since there's only one front wheel. Also mountain buggy is literally designed to pop up onto to curbs easily w which is great. And they sell all kinds of replacement parts and also you can pop one seat out and replace it with a grocery bag which is nice though not something I use often.

Ultimately I got the mountain buggy because it was $225 and bobs are super popular in my area so it's hard to find one under $300 or more.

[Anonymous]

I also wouldn't be surprised that if you go ahead an purchase the stroller yourself, the families may offer to pay for / subsidize it. Up to you whether you accept.