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AIBU?

to not understand the obsession so many mums have with pushchairs?

108 replies

SamuelAndOscarsMummy · 07/08/2013 10:30

I probably am as it doesn't actually affect my life at all but I don't get why some mothers feel the need to get 5 or more different pushchairs in the time that their baby needs one or to spend a ridiculous amount that they cannot really afford on a 'designer' pushchair?

It's not really the money side of it, I just genuinely don't understand the appeal of it? it's not like the baby cares? I have had two pushchairs in the time I have had my children, one travel system that converts to a stroller and when I had my second I got a double, as far as I knew the purpose of a pushchair is to transport your baby.

I guess the reason it has wound me up today is seeing them all on those free gifting sites on facebook and seeing people I know who already have a decent pushchair asking for another one when there might be someone who genuinely cannot afford a pushchair or theirs has broken or been stolen or something that needs one, not just because that one is prettier than the one they already have?!

Would be interested to hear what others think about this and whether I am the only one who really doesn't give a fuck what my pushchair looks like or what brand it is as long as my kids are safe and comfortable..

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Awakeagain · 07/08/2013 10:32

i agree, what really gets me is people needing a pushchair suitable for a girl 'willing to swap this black/grey one for a girly pram!!???!!!???' you have a pram, it is black/grey it is fine!

the travel system we have is the one the fitted in my tiny car! so was got for practicality not looks!

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Caitycat · 07/08/2013 10:33

No I don't really get having several. I did pay for an expensive one as I wanted to be sure I was comfortable with it and didn't have to replace it. Perhaps people who end up with several haven't spent as much in the first instance and don't feel they got what they wanted so are trying to find a better one all the time.

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plantsitter · 07/08/2013 10:35

I used to think the same as you, but once you begin on the quest for the perfect pushchair - you know the one that is comfortable, light, safe, folds down easily for public transport yet carries all your shopping and is sturdy enough to last... well, it's difficult to stop searching. You keep thinking it might be round the next corner and if you can only find it it would magically make your life easy.

I'm so relieved my youngest is just about to stop needing a pushchair so I don't have to think about it any more!

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soontobeslendergirl · 07/08/2013 10:40

I bought one, a solid pushchair suitable from birth - it came with a toddler seat - we used it for both our children seperately and together.

I got given a cheap foldaway one that my sister was finished with.

We passed them on when we were finished with them.

I too don't understand Confused

I guess there were times where a lighter one would have been handy but you manage with what you have. I have 2 children 13 months apart. Probably used a buggy until the youngest was about 2 and a half so effectively less than 4 years use in total - If it hadn't lasted I'd have taken it back :o

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SamuelAndOscarsMummy · 07/08/2013 10:43

plantsitter I do see what you mean, I think some of the people I know do it to brag though or make themselves look good rather than for convenience! I just needed one that I could get on the bus lol, I would rather spend the extra money on something my children would get some enjoyment out of like toys or a day out. However saying that my baby doesn't care less as long as someone is cuddling him and my 2 year old's most prized possessions are his teddy bear and a cardboard box...

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ouryve · 07/08/2013 10:46

I don't understand getting that many pushchairs for one baby, but I don't know anyone who has done that, to that extreme, to be fair. You can spend an awful lot of your life pushing a pushchair, though and choosing the wrong one can present with logistical problems or aggravate back problems.

We got a lot of use out of an M&P pliko, way back when DS1 was tiny and it got some use when DS2 was tiny, too - it fully reclined at a time when there weren't many pram options because they were unfashionable. It was a PITA to fold and put in the car, though, so we bought a Graco City, which was lightweight and easy to fold. I could fold it on the bus, one handed, if I needed to, as well. It wasn't robust enough for the village pavements, so lived in the car, most of the time. As DS1 got older, his SN became more apparent and he really wasn't ready for walking long distances - and I was pregnant with DS2 and had placenta previa, so wasn't up to wrestling with him. We invested in a sturdy 3 wheeler, which was half price in a sale. Not the easiest buggy to manoeuvre, but it didn't feel like it was going to fall apart as DS1 fidgeted in it.

All of DS1's buggies got some use with DS2, before they broke or were otherwise ruined (a family of mice moved into the 3 wheeler, in the garage!) We invested in a lovely sturdy 4 wheeled zooper for DS2 - great on the local rough pavements, stable up and down kerbs (we have lots of them!) and possible to push 1 handed when DS1 was in need of steering. DS2 is 7 now and has got through 2 Maclaren Majors and a gifted second hand Quinny Zapp, since then! So that's 7 buggies between 2 boys.

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MrsBungle · 07/08/2013 10:47

I'm always astounded when I hear of people on their 5th or so pushchair!

I've had one - a bugaboo chameleon that has lasted 4 years and 2 children. I don't understand why I'd need another one apart from maybe a v small one to go on holiday.

I'm obviously missing out on a lot of fun!

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AMumInScotland · 07/08/2013 10:48

I reckon there's lots of different reasons -

buying things = showing you care

feeling a need to control one area of your life and get it 'just right'

feeling insecure and doubting your own 'good enough' judgement on anything

feeling sure that 'just around the corner' there is a better option and not daring to stop looking in case you miss out

I wasn't bothered by pushchairs. But for a long time my life revolved around finding the perfect dish drainer Grin

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SamuelAndOscarsMummy · 07/08/2013 10:50

awakeagain I actually saw one asking for a quinny something or other in pink, someone offered the same one in red but no, she needed pink. This was on a free site.

Shock

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EnglishGirlApproximately · 07/08/2013 10:51

Its not something I particularly care about but I don't see the problem if others like to do it. Some people have 100 pairs of shoes and only one pair of feet, some people have 5 bedroom houses with only 2 kids, some people have huge cars when a little runaround would do the same job.

Life would be very dull if we only ever spent money on functional, basic items.

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VinegarDrinker · 07/08/2013 10:52

Some people just like buying "stuff".

We got a cheapy travel system when DS1 (2.5) was born and it is still in use now, mostly for newborn DD.

We have a second hand Maclaren at the GPs.

Cannot envisage buying another buggy, ever.

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lottieandmia · 07/08/2013 10:53

I don't get it either. There are a lot of things I like buying but prams and push chairs bore me....

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SPsTotallyMullerFuckingLicious · 07/08/2013 10:55

My friend has had 14 so far and her child is 15 months. I think I will be holding an intervention for her soon Grin

She just likes prams. She sells her other ones to buy new ones. She isn't doing any harm.

No idea what she will do once her child is out of prams though!

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SaucyJack · 07/08/2013 10:55

I don't understand the obsession so many mums have with inverse snobbery.....

It's nice to have nice things that you like. Simples.

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ForgetfulNameChanger · 07/08/2013 10:58

Its like anything in life, some people enjoy having different or designer pushchairs. You could ask the same question about fancy cars, designer clothes, 5 star holidays, a swimming pool in the back garden, expensive food, expensive trips. Everybody will have something they like to splurge on, yours just isn't pushchairs.

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Whothefuckfarted · 07/08/2013 10:59

I don't get it either, I have a grey (for a girl! Shock horror!) Pliko pramette, was a great pram while she was small and is a great pushchair now she's bigger. Won't be buying or looking for another, it never crossed my mind to do so. Unless I need some flimsy fold away light thing for a holiday that's all I'll have.

Some mum's get obsessed by slings as well, 3 kids and 30-40 slings?? WTF?

I have two carriers, a mei tai and a wrap. 1 kid, don't need any more..

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MrsFlorrick · 07/08/2013 11:03

Hi. My name is MrsFlorrick and I am a pram Hun.

It's my female equivalent of DH and his cars. I couldn't care less about out cars and what brand what it does etc etc but I do have a stroller obsession. As in what brand what it does features colours look extras etc etc.

I have had a stokke xplory with all the trimmings for DD when she was born. I bought a maclaren sport when she was 4 months old (rubbish btw never buy one of those). When DS was born (DD 23 months at the time) I bought a bugaboo Donkey. And last year I sold the Donkey and bought a Micralite fast fold which is a sort of off roady version of a maclaren (brilliant btw I recommend).

Because I sold the bugaboo donkey for £250 less than I bought it for, it essentially only cost me £250 to use for 16 months. And it was worth every penny of the £1200 in the first place.

Ditto with the stokke. I bought it new for £650 and kiddiecare threw the car seat in for free and I sold both for £480. So it cost me less than £200 for 2 years of use and I used the car seat for DS before I sold it. Bargain.

Can't get my money back on the maclaren because they are worthless second hand. And I never ever use it.

The micralite is amazing and will be used till it falls apart and it was £149 for new.

See Grin truly obsessed.

Now if I wasn't so old (40), I would have another baby so I could justify buying another couple of stroller.

And I am now taking cover before you all start chucking stuff at me Wink

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mignonette · 07/08/2013 11:03

I was obsessed (a bit) IN THE 90'S with my super cool Bebe Confort pushchair combination which they do not make any more. There weren't a huge amount of them where I lived unlike in France but they were seriously stylish and got so many requests as to where one could be bought. So I kind of get it although I loved my one so much I just bought the same model for each child with removable covers.

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MrsFlorrick · 07/08/2013 11:04

Oh and it's not about colours really. I had a green stokke for DD. a beige and brown bugaboo donkey. A brown and green maclaren. And a yellow micralite.

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ICanSeeTheSeaFromHere · 07/08/2013 11:09

People are insane Confused. I had a 3 in 1 for DS and DD1... it was navy blue and did both just fine. When I was done we gave it away. When the DC's were 2 I got a folding pushchair for holidays etc. I now have a black quinny buzz 4 for DD2, she is almost 2 and still fit's in it great (she has room to spare and another strap setting to go yet.) I use this all the time and it would easily do another DC and we will give it away when we are done with it. We also have a maclaren XL for when we go on holiday.

I just can't imagine spending almost £1000 on a pushchair and accessories and not getting full use out of it. Nor can I imagine having the cheek to request the designer pram of my choice in the color I want for free!

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FudgeyCookie · 07/08/2013 11:12

I'm on my third - DD is almost 11months. The first one was a big 3 wheeler travel system that was a pain in the ass to get on bus/train, DP loved it but seeig as I was the one always using it we sold it to a lady who wanted it to use on the beach. The second one pulled to one side all the time which annoyed me. The one I have now is definitely the best one I've had, easy to fold, parent facing and world facing, lightweight and Will last for ages.

I will stop buying prams now Grin

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ForgetfulNameChanger · 07/08/2013 11:20

Well I have an old graco that I dug out from a skip. Its missing a wheel but who cares about having all the wheels! I used it for all twenty of my children and its still going strong. OH its neutral grey too so no pink or blue for me! Plenty of life in it yet too.

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MaKettle · 07/08/2013 11:21

I never realised pushchairs were such a big deal, until a woman in a shop looked at my (second-hand pushchair, then containing my second child) and said - 'ooh, is that last season's pushchair?'.

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Whothefuckfarted · 07/08/2013 11:21
Hmm
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VinegarDrinker · 07/08/2013 11:27

It's not true that everyone has "something" that they get obsessed by or splurge on. Some people don't have the money, for starters. And some people just don't give a monkey's about material "stuff".

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