Can A Stroller Be Worth $1,500?
That brand new Bugaboo Donkey stroller costs $1,500. What could possibly make a stroller worth over a thousand bucks? No amount of funky design, shock absorbers, telescoping handle and removable bassinet could be worth that much money. Is that what you are thinking?
Does the fact that this stroller is for twins make it sound more reasonable? A double stroller that has storage, and can fit into the doorway of any store in town - does that make it worthwhile?
No? There has been a lot of buzz and disparaging comments about the new stroller and the ridiculous lengths new moms will go to to have the latest and most expensive things. And I agree. I am overwhelmed at every baby store that I go in. Every stage and every part of being a new mom and a baby have been hived off and turned into some kind of shopping opportunity.
But strollers are different. Strollers are the most important thing that you buy (or at least was our most important purchase). I was a new mom in the pre-Bugaboo era so these funky coloured and overly-designed strollers are totally amazing to me. My stroller was heavy and clunky and didn't easily move through the aisles of the grocery store, but it was my only vehicle. It did its job and it was expensive, but 3-digit expensive not four. Because of its weight we also had a car stroller, a Snap-n-go and a backpack. And some others that I can't remember that died a slow death in the stroller graveyard known as our garage.
Any new mother will say that your stroller is more than just a way to push your kid around, it becomes an extension of you. Your stroller represents that little bit of freedom to interact in the world while your child sleeps, explores, snacks and screams. (And I say that as a front carrier/sling-wearing mom as well as a stroller-pusher).
I don't know if Bugaboos are worth the money or if their cheaper competitors are just as good. I am not defending Bugaboo and its league of consumerist new moms. I am just saying that if I was facing the prospect of twins and the loss of my ability to navigate a grocery store or a coffee shop then I would understand the attraction. You can't buy your way out of new motherhood, but you can dream.
Do you think the stroller is ridiculous? Would you spend this much on a stroller? Did you love your stroller?
Want more chaos? Last year, I wrote about working moms paying the mom penalty.
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