To be precious with my stroller

[emerald30]

My mil is coming to mind my baby and ds7 for a night so we can attend a wedding.
Whilst we appreciate mil helping us so we can attend I'm wondering if I would be unreasonable to buy a small stroller for her to use whilst we're away. I have a good stroller which was expensive (bugaboo) and it's only a year old but she allows my older dc who's 7 sit in it and stand on the wheels of it. I've told ds he is too old for the stroller and he is not to stand on the wheels of it but he told me mil told him he had to the last time they were out. I don't want my stroller damaged as I have a few years left with it and also I don't think it's safe ds standing on the wheels whilst mil pushes. Ds is a good walker will walk beside her as he does with me. She also allowed him sit in my babies car seat a few months ago as he was playing. I told her I didn't want him sitting in a car seat designed for a babies weight and I didn't want the seat not to be safe in the event of a car accident. She wasn't happy about me saying this to her hence why I'm reluctant to go into the whole thing again with the buggy. Should I just buy a cheap stroller for her use? DH thinks it's a waste of money, he understands why I don't want my stroller damaged but when it comes to talking to his mum he forgets. AIBU to be precious about this (I love my stroller but I know if it was damaged we don't have the money to replace) or should I let it go.

[Chocolateisfab]

Buy a cheap buggy. Accidentally leave the good one in your boot. You know she will def abuse it imo.

[LL83]

It wouldn't bother me really.

If it is a one off the stroller will probably survive. If MIL is likely to use stroller regularly get a cheap one. How are you going to explain why she shouldn't use good one though?

[SDTGisAnEvilWolefGenius]

Do you know someone who could lend you a stroller? Maybe ask on your local FB.

[GemmeFatale]

Pay a sitter. It will probably cost about the same.

[Amongstthetallgrass]

By a cheap stroller. It will come in handy if you need to go on a plane or fit in a small carboot.

We bought one because our PILs used to give the kids food eg.. ice cream, chocolate, watsits as they were pushing them around and they got filthy

[Thesnobbymiddleclassone]

Get a cheap one second hand. Of Facebook or similar. That way when she breaks it, it's not the end of the world.

I'd also have a word with your DS. At 7 he is capable of saying in those examples situations that "Mummy has said not to do that as it can break it"

[emerald30]

It's not a one off as such she is good at taking ds maybe once/twice a month. She's only started taking our toddler in the last few months. She gets the train/bus a lot so maybe saying the stroller is easier for her for transport? If I'm honest I don't think she really understands how expensive these things are as back when she had children they all shared and swapped whatever stuff they had with each other.

[YemenRoadYemen]

Buy a cheap one, but not sure how you'd explain that the B rate one is just for her use.

[Roxybaby12]

Hi,
I didn’t want to read and run.. firstly-happy mother’s day!
Umm would it be worth buying a cheap one that’s super easy to use? Make her feel like you were thinking of her and how to make her life easier! She might feel special (perhaps even let her keep it in her car-if she has one)!! My DH never says a word to his mum-it’s so annoying!! I’m always the bad guy.. 😩
Good luck. X

[Expressedways]

Is your 7YO really not capable of understanding that they aren’t to climb in the pram or the infant carrier even if grandma is looking after them? But if not then just leave her without any stroller (accidentally take it with you in the car) and tell her to keep the kids in the house. It’s just for one night, they don’t need to go out. An extra buggy you’re not going to use again seems ridiculous given the circumstances.

[kaytee87]

Yes buy a cheap one and give it to MIL. She might like having her own.

[justrestinginmybankaccount]

Yea you’re being bonkers unreasonable. I’ve a bugaboo too and five years and two children down it is unbreakable. They are made to endure! They are expensive for a reason let her use it. They glide. Make her life easier while she’s babysitting. I think a cheap stroller is indeed a waste of money.

[Chocolateisfab]

Without dm there to back up ds he will be persuaded by dgm that's its fine to stand on - gives big smiley face - she wants him on for an easier trip out. Ds wants an easy life with dgm not a scowly face dgm.
Not fair to blame him imo.

[emerald30]

@Expressedways in fairness he has told mil a few times he's not allowed do something and she overrides us and says he has to.

[emerald30]

@justrestinginmybankaccount they are amazing Pram's aren't they. We didn't buy one when we had ds and I regret it as I ended up with one I hated but saved a few hundred. I'm glad to hear yours has lasted 5 years that's good to know 😊

[MitziK]

Cheap stroller that can be folded one handed. Put the Bugaboo into your car boot, so it isn't around. 'I thought it would be a good idea to get one that's easier to handle/lighter for getting on and off buses and trains'. Smile sweetly and say nothing. If she doesn't drive, put the car seat into your boot as well.

[Expressedways]

Your MIL makes your son climb on the wheels of the pram and get in the infant carrier even when he doesn’t want to and you’ve said not to?! That’s insane, I think you have bigger problems with her than whether or not to buy a cheap stroller to be honest! But if it’s just for the one night, I’d not bother and tell her to stay in. If she has them regularly get a cheap buggy in the name of it being lighter and easier for her.

[MitziK]

The cheapest Graco stroller would be perfect for public transport. Had one zillions of years ago and it was brilliant.

Worth every penny, as fifty quid is a lot less than it would cost if she manages to break a Bugaboo.

[onthenaughtystepagain]

I'm with the person who said Pay for a baby sitter! If someone's doing you a massive, money-saving favour you take the rough with the smooth, unless life and death are involved. From some of the responses I'm surprised no-one's suggested that the dreadful MIL buys one.

[FartersDay]

Do you know someone who could lend you a stroller? Maybe ask on your local FB.

Borrowing a stroller to get ruined because yours is too nice is Very Unreasonable. Buy a secondhand cheapy op for her to use.

[FartersDay]

It's only a massive money saving favour if the op doesn't have to fork out hundreds for a new buggy.

[SoyDora]

How does she make your 7 year old get in a baby car seat and a pushchair? Can you tell him to say ‘no, I’m too big and I’ll break it’?

[KitKat1985]

I'd always advise having a back-up cheap stroller anyway as they are so useful. Ours has been really helpful for plane journeys and trips through mud etc, and because we only paid £20 for it second hand, I'm happy for it to be a bit grubby / roughly treated without having to be precious about it. And the straps are a lot less fiddly than our bloody silver cross buggy

[emerald30]

@SoyDora the car seat he was playing in when I got home and she didn't think anything of it. I corrected him and explained to her why he couldn't play in it (that hasn't been repeated) the buggy was when I was out with him he tried to do it with me a few weeks back and I said no and he goes nana lets me do it so I told him in future he has to say no I'm not allowed I'm too big. Last week he came back and told me I told nana I was too big but she said I had to.
I really don't understand why he has to surely that would hinder her more by allowing him to do that. He's not the type of child that runs off either.

[Littlemissdaredevil]

I would get a cheap buggy and accidentally leave the nice one locked in the garage or the boot. If DM asks it’s your lightweight buggy for travel