Getting Out and About Shouldn't Be So Expensive

The line between necessity and luxury often seems to blur when you have small children. It gets to be hard to distinguish between something that would just make life more meaningful or just simply a little more easy or convenient. For instance, you wouldn't think it would be expensive to be able to take two small children out for a jog or a bike ride, but boy howdy it can be.

Frema and I have been considering a jogging stroller, which can vary greatly in price. A double model would allow me to go for a run during the day or also would able either parent to give the other a break when going for a jog. Moreover, it would make coordinating running schedules for both parents much easier, and not leave Frema to decide between going for a run after work or spending more time with the children before their bedtime. On the other hand, I recently got my bike back, just in time for riding weather, and I'd also love to be able to take the kids for a ride during the day in one of those hitch-on trailers. I could also take the kids to a park without packing them up in the car, as the community we live in has a great system of greenways that connect the town parks.

An option that would be like having two mints in one seems like the way to go in this matter, a product that could be both a jogging stroller and a bike trailer. We actually have a double stroller that had been a lifesaver over the past year, enabling me to run errands and take the kids for walks while Frema was out winning the household bread. Moreover, Nathan went through a phase where a long walk was about the only way he would nap, so I would often take two a day with the kids in the stroller as long as the weather permitted.

Sadly, though only a little more than a year old, the double stroller's life seems to have all but run its course. It has always been awkward and bulky, only usable on relatively flat, smooth surfaces, but it is also showing quite a bit of wear. It is still basically usable though a bit shaky. But it no longer folds up completely, as the clasp that holds it closed is broken. Also, Nathan, being the bruiser he is, tore off the cup holder bar in the back. It was actually coming off anyway, but he is the one that finally put it out of its misery and removed the bar from its hinges.

So it would seem something more rugged would be in order, if we were to replace what we have. But the operative word there is "if." After mentioning the ordeal to a friend, he offered a pretty good deal on a used bike trailer that also could convert into a stroller with an optional part. However, after looking at reviews online, while it was a good trailer, it didn't function well as a jogging stroller for most users. So I decided to look around to see what was out there that could both fit in the budget and serve the purpose we need it to. And I found this product: Charriot Carrier Cougar (specifically the Cougar 2, which is the double model).

I never thought that I would find baby gear to be "cool," but I have to admit I do and have not wanted much else this badly in a long time, except for maybe a new digital camera. Not only would it traverse various terrains much more easily and provide a smoother ride for the children, but it would provide protection from the sun and the elements when needed. Our current double stroller only does the former and not very well at that.

Unfortunately, there is not funding in the budget for the Cougar 2, or even the next model down, the Cheetah 2. The budget is already weighed down by the summer's impending travel plans, which include a relatively inexpensive weekend trip our anniversary and to see Frema's sister in Chicago when she returns for a short visit home from Germany. As such, the good deal we could've got on the used trailer isn't even in the budget.

So as I get more back into running once again and Frema carries on with her distance training, we'll just have to switch off on days who gets out for a run. No matter how useful something might be, if it's not food, water, shelter or something legally required like a car seat, when there's not money for it it's a luxury and not a necessity. And thankfully, there's definitely funds in the budget for all of those things, otherwise we'd have much bigger problems than being able to go for a job whenever we wanted.