double stroller alternatives / outings with an active toddler?

WordsmithMom

I'm about to have 2 kids 17 months apart.  My oldest is a very active little guy, won't sit in strollers/carts/any place for more than 2 seconds.  Usually I carry him or put him on a toddler leash when we go somewhere. I know, I know, but otherwise, he will BOLT. And it's even funnier if he hides. :-P

I am having some stress over outings with a travel system + carried/leashed toddler. I can't sprint with a travel system and I can't leave one child to run after the other.  

Any tips/gear/etc to handle this situation is appreciated.  

kcisthebombdotcom

Wear the baby in a baby carrier (I highly recommend the ergo) and chase the older child. I also have no issues with people using a leash on kids who are old enough to want to walk but too young to reliably listen to the rules.

WordsmithMom

KC_13:

I also have no issues with people using a leash on kids who are old enough to want to walk but too young to reliably listen to the rules.

I was being tongue in cheek.  I do get comments on his harness sometimes when I go out, which is funny to me because it's always the younger/no kids crowd / the had-my-babies-in-the60s crowd (you know, the ones who aren't right now parenting toddlers, who know everything?) being judgy, or the moms of little kids being all, "So what brand is that one?"  LOL! 

 

sosoph

If it's a safety issue, being in the stroller is not a choice for my toddler, it's a must, and she gets over it pretty quickly. Otherwise, wearing the baby is probably a good strategy.

moonfaerie

I get that your toddler likes to walk, but maybe he'd find it fun to be worn in a backpack carrier? My 18 month old thinks it's fun and she's rather independent, too, so that might be an option for certain outings.(obviously not the park and events that focus on him playing.)

celiabwatson

We don't even own a double stroller because our son is active and anti-stroller. We don't use a leash either because he is a little older and knows to hold hands in parking lots etc (though it took a lot of teaching). He's been out of the stroller/carrier since 15-16 months for outings and 20 months or so for walking the dog (yes, my son has enough energy to keep up when we walk the dog). 

We have a single stroller (not travel system) and several carriers. I enjoy wearing babies so I usually wear the baby and then am more free to chase the toddler. I'm not as fast when wearing her so I do have to be more aware and anticipate problems - I hold his hand before opening the door instead of after, I stand near the side of the playground towards the exit/parking lot, etc. 

Now that the baby is bigger I do bring the stroller along for her sometimes, mostly to museums etc when I don't want to wear her the whole time.

I also bring my Ergo along most places and I can wear the toddler on my back and either wear the baby on my front or put her in the stroller. I also sometimes give my son piggy back rides without the carrier, although, again, he's older. And I'm always ready to pick him up if I need to, even when wearing the baby. 

bellelamb

I'm still learning but so far we've found baby in the moby to be great! I can chase ds very well.  But ds loves his stroller some times so my van has a stroller, the moby, and the kid leash in it at all times that way I have options while I'm out.

dixee.deluxe

My older kid won't go in a stroller or carrier either.  I always have to take another adult with us when I plan on taking both kids out.  Needless to say, we don't go out much.  

It seems like a better idea to wear the younger one, but if I do that, I can't physically lift and carry my screaming/squirming toddler in the event of a meltdown.

There's always a meltdown.

I do wear the younger one when she's the only one I'm responsible for. 

celiabwatson

dixee.deluxe:

My older kid won't go in a stroller or carrier either.  I always have to take another adult with us when I plan on taking both kids out.  Needless to say, we don't go out much.  

It seems like a better idea to wear the younger one, but if I do that, I can't physically lift and carry my screaming/squirming toddler in the event of a meltdown.

There's always a meltdown.

I do wear the younger one when she's the only one I'm responsible for. 

Wow, it would be hard for me to have to take another adult. I'd go stir crazy.

One thought, sometimes when my toddler is having a meltdown (and he certainly does) I will grab his hand/arm so he can't get away and then sit down on the ground with him. That way I have more ability to help/comfort/hold etc without worrying about toppling over/baby falling etc. I have also been able to grab both hands and carry him short distances to get him to a safe place where I can sit with him while he calms down. I don't try to carry him far when he's in meltdown mode, but when he's calmer I can carry him while wearing baby, so I calm him down enough and then we go. He still may be upset about leaving but he's not flailing around. I know it depends on the kid but I have had lots of those experiences already so I thought I'd share in hopes of helping you get out of the house more if you want to. 

etude de la vie

I wore the baby and had DD in a toddler leash. If there was a meltdown (and there was) I would pick her up and hold her sideways in one arm  so she couldn't kick her brother. I would face her out so if she kicked or punched it was all towards the air or my butt.  

I also bribed her into going in the stroller. This was the only time she got candy, lollipops, juice.....whatever to keep her content while I shopped.  

kcisthebombdotcom

dixee.deluxe:

My older kid won't go in a stroller or carrier either.  I always have to take another adult with us when I plan on taking both kids out.  Needless to say, we don't go out much.  

It seems like a better idea to wear the younger one, but if I do that, I can't physically lift and carry my screaming/squirming toddler in the event of a meltdown.

There's always a meltdown.

I do wear the younger one when she's the only one I'm responsible for. 

As others have said as well, it's possible to wear the baby in a carrier while lifting/carrying a screaming/squirming toddler.