Closely-Spaced Siblings

Hi!

I have a two year-old, a 10 month-old, and just found out we're due with # 3 next March.

Does anyone have any good stroller recs for three kids of varying developmental stages? I've read about the Joovy Big Caboose, but is there anything else? I saw one that is an extendable side-by-side double to triple and I like the idea of that, but I think it's European and 12 million dollars.

 

 

 

Signature by Jamie!

haha it's sorta european if australia counts as Europe....It's not 12 million dollars though pretty close!

I think you're referring to the stroller I own for my own set of 3 under 3. (okay, oldest was 3yrs, 3mths when current youngest was born) Let me just say that it is worth EVERY PENNY! The Valco Tri-Mode Twin with attached toddler seat/hood (and attached hitchhiker when baby 4 shows up in Dec) is by far the best stroller I've ever owned and I burned through 3 doubles before buying it and used 2 other brands of girlfriends' trying to find ANYTHING that would hold up to my crew.

My two youngest are always sleepin at the same time so a sidebyside was completely necessary. We just got back from DisneyLand and while we weren't able to use the tram from the parking lot to the park everything else was fantastic because we had the stroller. I got the UV screen which zips into the hoods and blocks something like 80-90 percent which was fantastic when the 17mth old and 3yr old fell asleep. Also fantastic for our hikes through the woods here in town. I also have the rain shield for just the double and the one for when you have the toddler seat/hood attached. Those saved me numerous times this past year picking my daughter up from JK.

I ordered mine from www.CountryMooseKids.com out of Maine. Free shipping, got the UV sheild I think for free and by far the cheapest price for most of the accessories. I bought the cupholders too. I also plan on buying the bassinet for baby 4 even though it doesn't work with the twin. The fabric, construction etc is so fabulous I simply won't buy a cheap meant for inside the house only bassinet. The bassinet comes with the zip in insect/uv shield too. =)

Country Moose Kids has Valco sales all the time. You just have to wait for the right timing. They also should be coming out with the next model soon so you may be able to get last years for cheaper. Go to www.ValcoBaby.com for more info on the stroller/company etc. It truly is the only way to get around with 3 so close together as all other triples are too wide to fit through a standard doorway or can't be pushed to save your life. I've seen the joovy triple and unless you're a weight lifter there's no way you can possibly push that bus with 3 30lb kids in it! The valco pushes/steers with one finger even when fully loaded with my two 35lbs pre-schoolers and 25lb toddler. Even at disney when we had probably 15lbs of stuff loaded into the various baskets/pockets, diaperbag hanging from the handle, towel, food, etc loaded on top of the canopies and it still pushed like a dream! I do take really good care of it though. I maintain the wheel axels with petro jelly every other mth or so. This keeps em rolling smoothly and turning on a dime.

I should probably also add that my daughter outgrew the graco duoglider when she was just 2 yrs old. She wears a size 6 in clothing and still fits comfortably in the back or front of the valco. She's 45 inches tall or something crazy at only 4yrs old. None of the other doubles I had could accomodate her long legs/torso. Even my friend's sit-n-stand is un-comfy for her to ride in/on. Looks un-comfy for her poor younger child too. the seat back in front is so short if he falls asleep his head hangs back so far he's staring straight up at the ceiling and he's not a tall kid!

Good luck with your 3 under 3. It truly is an exhilerating ride that my valco makes SO much easier! =)

Congrats on your pregnancy!!! (and what cuties your boys are!)

I'm sorry I only have two, but I've heard great things about the Valco Lara recommended. If they're too expensive new, perhaps you can search for a used one? We used our stroller A LOT when the kids were younger, so like Lara said- worth every penny we put in to them.

Hopefully others will chime in to give you other suggestions.

I just used the Graco Douo Glider!  It cost me $100 new

I put the baby in the back my 1 year old in the front and if my 2 year old wanted to ride - she either stood on the "foot rest" in the middle - or sat up with me by the handle bars!  If you have one without the cup holder on the top - you can remove the canopy and they can stand on the bars at the bottom (for the underneath storage and sneak up between the baby and your push bar!

Remember it is really only for a short time and odds are one will want to walk!  Don't blow the bank on something you will only use for a couple of years!

I have a new graco that I use for "public' and I have an old one I use for at home on the farm!  My old one has no cup holer (which I much prefer)  and the grab bar at the back to let your little one lay in different positions - my new one is hard to get down and only has a sitting or lay down position - I much prefer my old one!

Hope that helps

Lisa