Official Stroller Give-Away Post
Okay . . . here’s how we’ll do it. (Give away a Chicco stroller, that is.)
Leave a comment here and tell me why you need/deserve to win this $280 brand-new stroller. I will pick the top five most compelling stories and then do a random drawing out of those five. The deadline will be September 15. Feel free to tell your friends and blog-readers to come on over and enter. (If you posted your comment on the other stroller entry, that’s okay, too. I’ll consider all the comments under both these posts.)
Good luck!
Oh the stroller issue. We have the worst luck with strollers. With two kids we’ve owned about six strollers in the past five years and for one reason or another we’ve always picked the worst possible choice no matter how much research I did. I finally thought we were done having children and gave everything away. And then a wonderful surprise was thrown in our direction. I am due in Nov. with a little boy.
I bought a great Combi stroller that had an infant seat that you could get to go with it. Unfortunately I didn’t buy it at that moment and when I went back to get it, they discontinued the seats and NOTHING else fits in that particular stroller. So now I have a $100 stroller and no infant seat.
Now I am back to having to buy yet ANOTHER stroller AND infant seat (we live in the frigid northern mid-west and I really need a combo for the long cold winter ahead), yet we don’t really have the money for this venture. So that is why I am throwing my name in your hat! At least half of my issue would be covered, right?!
For Your Consideration…
Three kids in three years. Not compelling enough? Well imagine the puke/poop/pee and other bodily fluids (yes, blood) that have leaked onto my stroller. Then let me tell you that my sister borrowed my stroller for HER kids b/c it’s a jogger and she was training for a marathon. After it had been in the rain (she left it outside) it now has the faint smell of mildew to it. Gross.
And even though my OlDEST child is 3, I have never put my 4 month old into a stroller. Never, not one time. I carry her around in a Baby Bjorn. Now that she’s nearly 15 lbs, my back is screaming at me for carrying all three of them around so much. (One on each hip, and baby in the Bjorn.)
When my husband, who travels every week, is gone my girls and I walk around the block. Baby in the carrier while the 3 and 2-year-old walk. It’s tough on my back, but I MUST get them out of the house in the evening.
Monday evenings my oldest girl takes ballet and my middle child must be left home because she cries (actually screams and throws herself on the floor flailing about) because she is not allowed in the class. But I will still have the baby who exclusively breastfeeds, and it would be so very awesome if I had a stroller to plop her into while I watch my oldest attempt to be graceful. This is a feat that is not likely to occur anytime soon, so how great would it be if I could watch the progression?
Anyway, as a mom of 3 girls ages 4 mos to 3, having ANYTHING new would be pretty sweet.
I’m not sure how compelling my entry will be, but I’m willing to give it a go!
We have never ever had the stroller that we (I) always wanted. We’ve bought cheap strollers because we never had the money to buy a nicer one. When it came time to move to Australia to be near my husband’s family, I was determined to buy a nice stroller. I had one that I liked, picked out for about $100, it was like a full stroller with a basket that actually folded up compactly like an umbrella stroller. That was exactly what I wanted for our flight, in case the airline would not let me gate check it. Wellll, the budget folded for that purchase, so we ended up with a jeep umbrella stroller, it was $30. It worked well, while it lasted, but now it is on it’s last legs. We don’t have a car of our own and we walk almost everywhere. We live with my in-laws and we can use their car, but most places are walking distance anyways, so 90% of the time we will walk. (it’s also better for the environment) This is not very easy with our dying umbrella stroller. We even do our grocery shopping on foot. Our girls are 6 and 3, and the 6 year old can keep up with all of our walking, but our 3 year old just isn’t up to it yet. She has to have a stroller. Our kids are very small for their age, so they actually stay in strollers for a LOOONNNGGG time. Our 6 year old still fits nicely in an umbrella stroller. (she weighs 39 lbs) We are also making a trip to Sri Lanka in December for my brother-in-laws wedding, and we had considered buying a new stroller for that trip, but once again, the budget is just saying no. 
Hi! a very nice person commented on my blog post from yesterday. All they left was this link. For that I thank them.
I love strollers. I have written about it a few times on my blog. I love everything about them, from how they keep babies safe while they sleep, to all the different reclining positions and colors available, even so far as to actually feeling a pang of sadness when I see a baby in a “g-r-a-c-o.” I have rescued a stroller from the dump (an EXCELLENT condition Combi), and even called Chicco once when I had a problem with the wheels on my Tuscany (they shipped me a new one as a replacement!) I ended up giving that one away when I came across someone who truly needed it more than I did and kept the old one. I have searched high and low for the perfect stroller. It doesn’t exist, but it hasn’t stopped me from continuing on my search. I wish I could keep my children little so that I can always have a stroller. If I win, this Chicco will have a good home and be treated wonderfully. Thank you.
My oldest daughter is 8, will be 9 in January. I received the stroller we are STILL using today as a shower gift prior to her birth. That means it went through Josie, my now 6 yearold, Katie, my now 4 yearold, and the baby Gabrielle, who is now 13 months old. It is one of those old Graco teddybear pattern in navy blue, although now it is so faded its disgraceful. The hood part is now dangerous because the wire which helps it hold its shape has popped out. In addition to that the front bar came off about two years ago, so now there is no front bar and Gabby likes to leaaannn forward as far as she can until I jump up and get her out of the stroller, so she doesn’t get a concussion and I end up feeling like Britney! I would love to include a picture of the stroller, I think it would hands down put me to the front of the line. Oh , Oh! I forgot to even talk about the basket on the bottom, which is covered with smashed up graham crackers! Ladies it is EMBARASSING to go anywhere with this stroller, and although I am not a label fanatic, and I do try not to care about such things, I would LOVE to head held high proudly push my baby ANYWHERE in that gorgeous stroller you are giving away. It would be such a blessing not to drag the old beast out of the back of the mini-van and try one armedly to get it to pop into open position, without begging my eight yearold to HELP MAMA, HOLD THE BABY, I CANT GET THE STROLLER oPEN BLAwahah, I am begging you, for your consideration, PLEASE LET ME BE ONE OF THE FIVE YOU ARE DRAWING FROM!!
Kelly
Well, I have no compelling reason to get it … other than I bought the most perfect stroller for baby number 3. And dh broke it. And then he attempted to fix it, except now the thing can’t fold up and it’s ready to re-break again.
So I bought something cheap to replace it (because I can’t fit a stroller not folded up into my trunk) and now I hate both of the strollers I own.
Truly though, I do not need it. So don’t even bother putting my name in for the 4! I registered at that site, and if I was meant to win it, I’ll keep my fingers cross I win it directly from them and that someone more deserving will get it from you =)
I must at least add my entry! I love babywearing- you know me!- but a stroller would be nice. We only have an umbrella stroller from Freecycle and HOW NICE it would be to have a decent set of wheels to push my wild & crazy 22 month old around in… like I’m thinking I would be able to take more walks so I can shed these last 10 lbs… that’s all I’m asking… for the sake of looking good in my jeans again! Come on Amazing Shrinking Mom! : )
Steph
I know you have twins so would understand the importance of a stroller to a twins mom. My boys are 2 and one has many developmental delays. He really can’t walk next to me like his brother can and our double stroller has seen better days.(After 2 years of abuse.) I know I am going to have to buy a regular stroller for him soon. I would love, love, love to get this stroller!
Well, I just recently found out I am pregnant with baby number 2. My son is only 16 months old and will be in a stroller for quite some time as he is a petite little thing that won’t be able to keep up for quite some time. I’ve entertained the idea of a double stroller but being a full-time working mother I really don’t have the money to put out on a new stroller when I’ll have 2 babies in diapers and DAYCARE which is scaring the crap out of me because its so expensive and I don’t qualify for assistance and I don’t know how we’re going to work this out. It is so hard to be a working parent these days. I would absolutely love to stay home and raise my babies but it just isn’t in my cards (and I love having a roof over my head) so I have to work to pay the bills and daycare and having a new, even reasonably priced, stroller doesn’t appear to be the best way to spend the money. Please consider me for the stroller as it will go to very good use and it will not be forgotten. I’ll even make sure to give it to someone who is deserving when my children outgrow it. I know Chicco is good quality (from my research with my first child) and will last a long time.
Well, I don’t know if this counts or not but here goes.
I know a 17 year old girl. She fell by the wayside for several years. Got in trouble with school and her family. Got in a relationship with a very negative boy. I don’t know a lot of the details and don’t really feel the need to.
Over the last year she has started to pull her life back together. She is rebuilding relationships with her family. She has found an apartment. She has left the negative, abusive relationship. And she has found herself pregnant. She has nothing. I believe her apartment is furnished with a mattress on the floor.
She is not my responsibility and I know almost nothing about her but I am doing what I can to help her. I am going through my dd’s old toys and clothes to find whatever suitable that I can. And I am submitting her story here on her behalf (without her knowledge). I’m sure having something beautiful for her unborn child would go a long way towards rebuilding her belief in herself and the world.
Leigh Anne
I am bummed! It is not a double stoller that is not as heavy as my monster jeep stoller but a little more than my double jeep umbrella stoller which is getting on its last legs! But I hope whoever wins this beautiful stoller will love and adore it. I am sure they will!
Well, I don’t know if there is a compelling reason for me to win this stroller. How do you decide what’s compelling?
I am a 40-year-old mom of two little boys – 3 and 1. My three year old is all about running around now and walking everywhere – which is cool. My 1-year-old was one of those giant size babies – too big for his car carrier when he was 4 months old. So, I’ve been carrying him ever since – front, back. Now that he’s 27 lbs., I’m ready to let him ride some. My old stroller has been used and abused because my 3-year-old practically lived in it for two years. I won’t even donate it anywhere because it is in such rough shape – not unsafe, but unsightly – torn netting, fruit punch stains all over the upholstery, and a totally scrapped up tray from the way it folds. The bottom is so yucky that I usually put a towel in there when I use it just to cover it up.
Tried a couple of little cheapie umbrella strollers, but they just didn’t work. I dream of a wonderful stroller where I can tuck away my little guy to ride in luxury instead of his brother’s hand-me-down.
Boo, Hoo, Hoo. (That’s the sarcastic part…)
Thought came to my mind as I happened upon this site in odd travels. I have a friend who’s wife is currently in jail with baby number 2 on the way. She is being “weened” from methadone because on baby number one she was on Heroine. I think Bert would feel loved by a stroller for his one year old son, Drako. Yes, he claims to be a pagan but we pray together and I know that God has a story to tell though his life. A story of a boy who needs God as a Daddy deeply. Wouldn’t it be cool to love him this way. Just a thought that came across the mind.
Awww, Roger, now how am I supposed to follow that?!
I need the stroller because my wonderful husband packed our other one away in the garage after the boy got too big for it. Sweet, huh? Except that the birds built a nest in the eaves above it and we now have about three years worth of bird poop, pinfeathers, and have even found (sadly) the remains of one of the birdies who didn’t survive it’s first trip out of the nest.
Yech.
I think it should go to either Leigh Anne or Roger. Those are pretty incredible stories, and pretty incredible people for thinking of those who need to be shown God’s love in a tangible way. Leigh Anne and Roger, you should both try to enter the other give-away as well! I was thinking I had a compelling story, but now mine just seems wimpy.
Here goes…after 5 years of trying to conceive, a bunch of fertility drugs and one round of IVF, we were blessed with twins. We were overjoyed. We went from not knowing if we would ever have any children to taking home two beautiful, healthy babies. Six months after the twins were born and life was just starting to get easier, we found out we were pregnant! We were shocked and completely freaked out. How would we ever manage 3 children under the age of 2?
Needless to say it has been tough but we can’t imagine our lives without them all. The twins are now 2 and the baby is 8 months and we just make it work.
In order to manage this craziness, I did not go back to work as planned so it is really, really lean at our house. The baby doesn’t get anything new. We had a double stroller for the twins but we needed a single for the baby. I bought a used stroller from craigslist but it is a little beat up, bulky and weighs a ton. I feel like I am going to blow my back out when I lift it from the trunk. It would be wonderful to have a new stroller for our new little guy.
Oh, the joys of strollering. Taking the little one for a walk in the evening. Burning off some of those unwanted calories while chatting with friends and enjoying the great outdoors. Yes, we mothers need our strollers. And my stroller is a piece of crap!
I’ve had garage sale strollers for quite a while, because they are cheap, and when one breaks, I can just get another garage sale stroller, right? Well, pushing the kid in the crummy stroller is no fun! I need a stroller that will move with me, not have to be pushed along like 50 pounds of dead weight. I’d like to get out and exercise, you know–do a little walking and push the little guy in the stroller, but NO! This old clunky thing just won’t let me.
To further entice you to pick me as one of your stroller finalists, I’ve written a little song. An ode to the stroller, if you will.
Stroller. Lo Lo Lo Lo Stroller!
You carry my precious cargo so I don’t have to.
Your wheels are sticky and your seat is, too,
But my dear stroller, I still need you.
A New stroller would save my back.
I wouldn’t care if it were green or blue or black.
But I’d love one with an under the seat rack!
Because stroller, You keep me on track!
I read about the stroller giveaway the other day, and then I clicked on without thinking about it. I have a double jogging stroller that we affectionately call my car, (because I don’t actually have a car) I take it everywhere, I have patched gigantic holes in the seats with upholstery thread, I have used it to carry home 25 lbs of gravel for potted plants, and soil and groceries. MY children rode in it when we lived in Vancouver and walked everywhere as well. I have happy memories of hauling that thing up steep hills from the beach, convincing them that they needed to get out and walk the hills, and getting the Girl to fall asleep.
It’s a gigantic beast of a thing, I doesn’t fit through many single shop doors and I have to actually slide the side wheel off, hold it up with my shoulder and tilt it to get through the door and then slide the wheel back on, and then repeat when I leave the store, which is irritating, but I’ve been doing it so long that I barely notice and for our immediately close to home needs it
s quite adequate.
So why am I back to leave a comment?
Well, yesterday I took the bus, with my three children, my getting very heavy 8 month old strapped to me and three bags with everything we would need for our day. It got really heavy, really fast. There are many great places that I could take my children to this year that are too far to walk, but a relatively short bus ride away. Places like the beach, and lakes, and rivers and outdoor sanctuaries that are just outside of our concrete walking radius, or even to the library when it rains. Honestly, though, I’m not likely to do it without a stroller because of how it’s beginning to hurt to carry the Baby around and she’s only getting heavier.
I started fantasizing about the beautiful single stroller that I gave away before we left Canada to a single mom and her kids and kind of wishing I still had it, and then I remembered your giveaway, so here I am.
I can’t take the stroller I have on the bus, it’s way to big. The one you are giving away though would fit, and it looks sturdy enough to withstand many adventures.
This homeschooling year is likely to be much more interactive if we could have something cool like that so I am here giving it a shot.
Take Care Mel
Hi, I am a single mother of a little baby boy who is my life. Unfortunatly I am a hairstylist that makes only commission and therefore some months I have decent checks and some they are horrible. Due to that I haven’t been able to purchase a stroller, I have looked at used ones but none of the ones I can afford work properly. That is my financial situation but lets go back to the begining.
I was engaged to be married, about 2 months before the wedding I found out I was pregnant. My then boyfirend decided that it was too much for him all at once and he left. He has never seen, asked about or supported his son. We have been to court several times and he refuses to pay and wants his rights removed, he said he shouldn’t have to pay for a child he didn’t want. So I am 100% my son’s mother/father, supporter, financially and physically.
So with that I would love to have the chance to receive a stroller from your most generous offer. Thank you for your time.
Take care and god bless
Karen
Hello, my name is Angeline and I am a single mother of six. I became single due to the fact that the kids father became a seriously violent and frightening meth addict. Being 4 weeks pregnant with a sixth child, I took my kids and left. We had to hide out in a homeless shelter for 2 months until we were able to move to where we are now. When I left him I took only the children. Nothing else. We have been blessed with all that we have now. I am in college now working towards a degree in Psychology. It is going to take a while but I can do it. Our only source of income is TANF. This barely covers the rent. I was given an old stroller with a broken wheel. I fixed it somewhat but it won’t last long. My baby just turned 1 year old so I will need a stroller for a while. Even if you don’t consider me for the stroller, I think what you are doing is great. Not many people are that giving anymore.
Thank you and Be Blessed!
Angeline