Ironically, after creating a Hot Holiday Packing List for Families, we were in the taxi on the way to the airport for our trip to Puerto Vallarta and I blurt out, oh shit we forgot the stroller! Jamie says, “Yep… I thought about it last night but figure we don’t need it anymore”. So off we were on the first trip without a stroller in seven years.
- Kids will nap just about anywhere, if they need to. Sofia fell asleep at one restaurant for supper on my lap. Almost immediately the waitress came over and brought another softer chair to move her into until we were done our meal. When kids are tired they will sleep anywhere.
- Sometimes you are going to have to carry your kids. After the supper nap, Jamie had the daddy duty of carrying her for a 15 minute walk in the sand to get back to our hotel… so no need for him to go to the gym the following day. More shoulder and piggyback rides on long walk too!
- You might have to adjust your plans. Sofia fell asleep while watching a movie in the hotel room one night while we were getting ready to go out to see some entertainment. She was so tired we just didn’t have the heart to wake her; so we adjusted our plans and sat on the balcony instead with some drinks and listened to music. I have had worse evenings :)
- Pack extra band-aids and give more kisses. On a few long walks the kids had more blisters than usual from the wet flip-flops. A few more tumbles, bruises, scrapes and tears which required some extra band-aids and kisses.
- We were able to walk and go where ever we wanted! What a concept, no more looking for ramps or stroller access. No searching for where the best way to get to something is with an oversize stroller that barely fit through some walkways.
This was probably the best way for me to go the first time without a stroller, just deal with it and not too much planning for it. It was incredible nice to have less stuff with us. We also help prepare our daughter with the situation on the plane, by talking about how she is such a big girl and doesn’t need a stroller. So when the whining came out about the sore legs we just focused on her being a big girl instead.
So what is the verdict? Will BOB the stroller be retired from our future family travels?
Most likely the stroller will be staying home, but I think for the next couple of trips we will really think about what are plans are and if we need to bring it. Let’s just say if Disney is in the near future for us BOB is coming along (or we will rent one there)! Overall, I really enjoyed the freedom of not having a stroller and the pros outweighed the extra work it took not having it (Jamie might have a difference of opinion after his workout carrying Sofia many times). Our family is ready for some slower travel with the smaller steps from the kids. But, I do miss my drink holder :)
Thanks BOB for helping us all these years!
We are heading to Phoenix and have discovered there is no need for our brother and sister in-laws with their new babies to pack strollers, car seats or playpens. They can rent all of this when they get there! Has fab is that!
Awesome – If there is anyway to rent stuff when you get there you can save the cost on extra luggage and effort in hauling it! We may consider the option of renting if we ever head to Disney… we have heard it is a must! Have fun in Phoenix!
Oh man we LOVED our BOB… I tell new Moms all the time that it was the single best baby purchase we made when I was pregnant with our first! We probably pulled the plug on the stroller a little too early, but just got sick of lugging it around over the years.
BOB was one of our biggest purchases with our kids and one of the best! We love it and so helpful for so many years, but it is a big stroller to lug around. So many times in cabs it never fit and having to take the wheels off and cram it into vehicles. BOB served such a great purpose but I am happy to say farewell!
We’ve never done a trip without a stroller, because even now that the big kid is a big kid…there’s a little one using the stroller. I think it’s great to move past it :) can’t wait to too.
I hear exactly what you are saying and hence the apprehension on this last trip, but it worked out okay. Probably the best plan was for my hubby not to remind me and we just had to deal with it, there was no turing back! So great to have one less thing to take!
Great article! We learned early on that strollers were generally a less than ideal option for travel. Great in cities, not so much anywhere else :)
I was pleasantly surprised on how much easier it was to get around without, a novelty that we have not had for seven years so I really enjoyed it and looking forward to the freedom of being stroller-less.
Our first holiday without a stroller happened when we left it on the airport carousel after arriving in Sri Lanka. We only realised it was missing when we arrived at our hotel (we found it again at the end of our holiday when we arrived back at the airport for our flight home!). One of the things I like most about travelling with strollers is having extra storage! Somewhere to hang a bag, put shopping – and place your drink!
Oh, what an unfortunate time to not have your stroller!! The extra storage is a huge miss for us too, but mostly my drink holder too!
We’ve been traveling for 2 years without ours, mine are 5,4,4 now off to Disney this month and borrowing one to take!
We have never been to Disney, but everyone keeps telling me to hold onto BOB just for Disney.
Yes, yes Strollers a must for big Disney days. We took a double and a single for our 5, 2.5 and 8 mth old – and so grateful for it every time
I was so happy to give up the stroller. Being a local Disney gal… it will be nice to have for your littles so you can see and do more, but they are cumbersome to navigate through the crowds.
Good point.. the crowds and strollers generally don’t mix. Thanks for the reminder :)
Wow what a brave move, but I guess like ripping off a bandaid, you didn’t have time to think about it and just get on with it (I’d be fretting for hours believe me!) sounds like it went well though.
We are still a couple of years off I feel but glad to know I’m not the only one with a slightly unnatural attachment to my strollers!!! It’s not even so much the longer time to walk, or the convenient naps, it’s the carrying everything. Having somewhere to put sweaters, drink bottles, snacks, meal time toys etc etc… We have the slight disadvantage of 3 too, when they simultaneously fall asleep we literally run out of spare arms!
Yes, I suppose you do run out of extra set of shoulders and arms when you have three kids! I did end up carrying around a lot less since I didn’t have the stroller to carry my stuff and it felt really good, but a backpack was necessary for carrying things and having free hands.
We did the baby carrier only to Vietnam kind of because we had to. Not many footpaths and our daughter was only 16 months so no biggie, but heading to Europe for a month soon we are a bit torn on weather to take one for our 3.5 year old who may get tired on the big walks, while her sis is in the carrier. Decisions!
Tough decision. Are you staying in a few central spots that maybe you could rent one if you felt like you really missed it or needed it? I haven’t done this yet myself, but I have heard from a few families that have just rented a stroller (or car seats, etc) when they got to their destination. Just a thought if you are still undecided. Good luck and have fun!