Do I need a double pushchair?

[Allegrogirl]

I'm finding transporting my DD 3.2 and DD 4 months harder than expected. I decided not to buy a double pushchair partly because we are skint and because they are big and bulky.

I stuck DD2 in a sling for the first couple of months and pushed the older one then got a buggy board. Well I hate the buggy board and find it hard to push with it on and it's broken already. DD1 isn't keen on it either. Weather has been too horrible to carry the baby. DD1 has started running away in public again which I thought she had grown out of.

I'm not going very far with the two of them because it seems like too much hassle. So, do but a second hand buggy for the next few months? Not much choice round here as not a huge city. Need something I can push one handed so I can grab DD1 wen she is walking.

I wish money as no object I could get something decent.

What about reins or the littlelife toddler daysacks - if the problem is running away rather than getting tired?

NeilsBoar she has been under the weather with endless bugs since November but is now recovering and the running away is back with a vengeance. Have a similar bag to the Littlelife but it results in tantrums and throwing herself on the floor. She seems be be doing the terrible twos a year late (was a lovely two year old).

I've just looked on Loot and there is a suitable pushchair on sale which I'm going to look at tonight.

It feels like a huge step backwards and a failure but I'm fed up of struggling.

how about a balance bike for your older child?

mousymouse but how will that stop her escaping? Won't she get very tired then I'll have a tired 3 year old and a balance bike to lug home? Also she loves her peddle bike so would she accept a balance bike? How would I manage in and out of shops with a child on a balance bike? Plus the cost of something that may not work.

God I'm feeling very negative. Maybe I'm just too knackered for this parenting lark.

my ds started to take the balance bike everywhere from about 3 years old (when dd arrived). at first we did "training" in the park. basic things like "stop when I say stop" etc. he is allowed to go a bit further but has to wait at driveways, roads and always stay in shouting distance. when we go to the supermarket we usually leave the bike with the security person at the entrance or he pushes it.
he doesn't get tired with his bike, that is the beauty of it :o we sometimes do quite long walks, 2 or 3 miles without problems.

DS got his mini micro scooter for his 3rd birthday (I have similar age gap). I did have a double for about 6 months - like you I got by in the early months with sling/buggy. I had a no-brand double that I bought from a friend for £30. However, the scooter did mean that I only had to use the double when we were doing long journeys.

Doubles are big and bulky tho, no matter how pricey.

if it will make life easier i would just go for it, why do you have to feel like a failure? its only a buggy and she will be out of it eventually, so it may be a "step backwards" but if its gonna be easier personally i would. you can always sell it again afterwards, if she's not in it that long chances are you will be able to keep it in good condition and nearly make your money back.
we have a p&t and find it pretty good as my toddler (2.5) goes in the back and can climb in and out if he wants to walk or go back in.
mine is gonna be 3.2 when im having my 3rd i really hope he will be okay mainly walking by then, if not i will probably have to go and track down a tripple one, if buggy board and those kind of solutions dont work. i think keeping them in a buggy @ that age is fine if thats what works for you

I'd go for sorting the sling vs cold weather issue for the littly, so you can focus more on the big one.

This is the 2nd winter I've used slings with DD, and we've been fine. This year I did splash out and buy a babywearing coat, but I'm a hardcore babywearer and plan to wear at least 1 more baby.

Can you get a bigger coat that will still go over your LO? Last winter I just got a normal ladies coat a couple of sizes bigger than normal, and that did up over the both of us.

Thanks all for your input. I do walk a lot and it's very hilly here so fair enough for the toddler to have access to a pushchair I guess.

I'm going to do a combination of the above. Buy a second hand double pushchair, going to see an XTS Twister for £30 tonight. I'm struggling with the Moby but I've just bought a baby Patapum ssc which DD2 can go in soon (got a toddler one so know it will suit).

Once I get the buggy board repaired/replaced it will go on ebay and I'll get DD2 a scooter.

I guess this isn't failure, just trial and error.

Which buggy board have you got? My 2 are 2.7yrs and 4mnths and I've been using the lascal maxi board...very solid and durable. If your thinking of replacing yours anyway might be worth looking at these

It's the Lascal Maxi I've got. Hardly used and broken already. I've been very careful with it, not gone up big kerbs etc. I'm not impressed. I also find I can't stride properly with it attached.

Oh sorry. Maybe it works better with some pushchairs than others?