I just got back from a walk with the world's worst stroller. I'd like to tell you exactly what kind of stroller it is so that you may steer clear of it (corny pun intended), but it has no brand name or markings. There is a tag on the back that says it was manufactured for Wal-Mart in March 2005 and its model # is 002653457/BP-1519. It looks suspiciously similar to the Graco LiteRider Stroller. In fact, the more I look at it, the more it looks like the exact same design. Beware.

It belongs to the little boy I babysit. His parents brought it over so we could go for walks. Some friends of theirs found it at a thrift store and thought they might want a back-up stroller. While I appreciate the thought, the stroller itself just isn't functional for how I use it. I don't think I'm abnormally tall, at 5'6", but the handle bar sits uncomfortably low and is not at all adjustable. The wheels don't have a great turning radius, although I suspect that has more to do with the fact that it was not very well taken care of and there is probably dirt and grime in the joints where the wheels should swivel freely. I sprayed the joints with the last of my WD40, which did help some, but not enough to make the wheels move like they should.

AND, as I stroll along with my shoulders hunched over (hoping not to encounter any sharp corners along the way), I have to make a conscious effort not to smack my toe into the thin metal back axl with every stride. Actually, this only seems to be a problem if I break out into more than a snail's pace. Part of the reason I like taking walks with the little man is so I can get some much-needed exercise. It's difficult to walk briskly when I have to pay attention to the length of my stride. I know I sound like a Negative Nelly, but seriously, whoever designed this stroller was 5'1" with stumpy legs and assumed that only people of the same stature would be purchasing it.

I know with my track record of buying baby items way too early, one would think I'd have stored up a stroller of my own, but I haven't. I'd like to invest in a better stroller for the boy and I to use when he comes over, but I really don't have the extra money. I'd also like to buy him some blocks, finger paints, a small ride-on toy of sorts, and a high chair. I suppose I could justify it if I bought them with the idea that my own child will use them some day, but I'd like my baby to have things of his/her own. I'm certainly not opposed to hand-me-downs, but I can imagine that I'd be overly protective of the highchair and toys if I knew they were going to be used by my own son or daughter some day. "Hey, you little booger, stop rubbing your grubby sticky hands all over Mystery Baby's stuff!!!" Hhhmm.....guess I'll just make do with what we have right now. We do have a laundry basket full of toys for him that his parents brought over, but I think he's getting bored with them.

Labels: baby gear, babysitting, product reviews