When you’re gearing up for your first little one, nothing quite delivers a jolt like discovering the jaw-dropping prices of those trendy strollers everyone seems to covet. It’s even more shocking to realize just how many parents are willing to fork over the cash for these pricey wheels.
One mom took to Facebook to share her disbelief when she first encountered the staggering costs of “prams” or strollers. Blogger Jessie Lane humorously pointed out that in the end, the money spent is almost irrelevant because, once your child starts walking, they’ll likely refuse to sit in it anyway. “During my pregnancy, I didn’t care about the type of pram we bought—just one that rolled was good enough for me,” Lane confessed. Her husband promised to do the bulk of the pushing, but she soon discovered that “stroller envy” was a real phenomenon, as he became more excited about the selection process.
Many of us can relate to falling for the “I absolutely need that stroller” trap—it’s a classic rookie mistake. Lane joined her husband on a stroller shopping expedition and quickly realized two things: first, seeing the price tags on baby gear made her excitement plummet, and second, “everyone else must either be loaded or it’s just standard for a stroller to cost more than our last car.” Okay, maybe that comparison is a bit extreme, but seriously, some of these strollers are outrageous. The UPPA Baby, which often tops favorite lists, is priced at a whopping $840. Most of the strollers featured on those lists are around $500. Yikes! A friend of mine had a so-called “stroller system” that was over a thousand dollars. I’d be lying if I said I didn’t feel a twinge of envy. But let’s be real: your baby will only use it for a couple of years at best.
Lane adds, “No one warns you that when you’re spending your (or someone else’s) hard-earned cash, you could buy the flashiest, most extravagant pram on the market, but once your kid can walk, will they even want to sit in it?” Spoiler alert: they won’t.
The takeaway? Don’t stress over fancy strollers. There are plenty of affordable options out there. Ideally, you might find a friend who’s ready to part with theirs.
“I’ve looked at the specs on these things, and for a pram that costs nearly a thousand bucks—it won’t change a diaper, drive itself, or even be worth anything as an heirloom,” Lane quips.
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In summary, the rising costs of strollers can be shocking, but don’t let that lead you to make unnecessary splurges. Focus on practicality rather than popularity—your wallet (and your baby) will thank you!