Buying a double stroller for others?

celiabwatson

So, we are not the type of family that needs or wants a double stroller. We barely use our single. I wear the baby and our toddler walks. Every once in a while I'll bring the single for the baby if I want to be more active with the toddler. Last night I brought the single to my husband's softball game so I could play catch with the toddler. 

Anyway, I am a SAHM that our budget doesn't allow for and I'm starting to pick up some tutoring jobs to make up the difference. I have a few mom friends who are willing to trade childcare with me. It's great to not have to pay for childcare and I love having a playmate for my son when I have their kids.

Our friends who do this for us have one son and one on the way. So far we only do it at each other's houses, but we also are members of a playgroup and personally I would feel fine taking her kid out somewhere, or dropping my kids off with her (she doesn't have a big enough car to transport them). I'm wondering if it might be worth investing in a double stroller so that one parent can manage all three (soon to be 4) kids more easily when at the park/mall etc. Would a sit n stand make sense because the two toddlers could take turns and are both pretty active or a true double stroller for when there are two babies? Or should we just keep the childcare sharing to our houses?

just kita

I'm mostly a SAHM, but babysit a couple of days a week for a 19 month old and a 4 year old. I bought a cheap maclaren double stroller on craigslist for my LO and the toddler, and that works great for us. The stroller is key for keeping the littler ones safe in parking lots. 

Now that I'm expecting another LO, I'm not sure I will be able to handle outings with all 4 (3 under 3).  

jf198400

I can't imagine taking a big outing with that many children by yourself, but I could see going to the playground with them, in which case you would definitely need a double stroller to put the 2 babies in while the toddlers played.  I wouldn't bother with a sit and stand since you wouldn't be able to put both babies in it. 

celiabwatson

I'm not thinking big outing. We frequently meet a few other moms at the mall in the evenings. We visit the train table at B&N and then go to the food court and the play area. We all keep an eye on all the kids so I think she could handle it in theory but a double stroller might make the travel phase easier. There's also a playground between my house and the home of the kids I'm tutoring, so I could drop the kids there, and it might be nice for her to have a place to put the babies, but a picnic blanket on the ground has always worked well in the past.

MammaBear81

From a mom with 5 of her own, I LIVE AND DIE by my double stroller.  I wouldn't dare take them all out myself without one.  I wouldn't do a sit and stand because as PP said you will probably put the two little ones in it, but I think that it would be very helpful for you have have a double, even if you wear your LO and have an extra seat open just in case one of the older ones starts to throw a fit.  Honestly I would get cabin fever if I was stuck in the house with all of the kids.  I don't have to go out everyday, but when I want to go, I want to go!

bellelamb

I just wanted to add I got a double at a thrift store for $16, so keep your eyes open for a second hand one that way you have one if you need but didn't spend a lot if you don't use it a lot.