Letting go of My
Security Stroller
by Julia M.L. Whitehead
Dec. 2015
I’m the girl
pushing the empty stroller. The first time it happened. I was on my way in to
the elementary school to volunteer. My two-year-old wanted desperately to
activate the handicap door, so I unbuckled him. He reached up and pressed it
with much satisfaction, then continued through the entryway on his own two
feet. I, of course, followed him through the hallways, empty stroller in tow.
I’ve
since found myself “empty strollered” at the children’s’ museum, the library,
and multiple times at the neighborhood park. Why do I continue to cart my
stroller around when my pre-school age son prefers to walk? Obviously the
ability to contain a child at a moment’s notice proves very helpful in many
circumstances. Additionally, their little legs don’t always carry them the
speed or the distance Mom needs to go. Ultimately, however, I’m afraid the real
reason I keep bring the stroller along is that I personally don’t want to let
it go! It is my security stroller.
Before
having children, I taught at a school where the stroller Moms would linger in
the lobby chatting long after the ringing of the morning bell. Although it was
somewhat of a distraction/ barricade for us teachers, I was attracted to the
idea of someday taking a similar social stroll each morning. Especially during
the brisk autumn weather, I gazed through my confining classroom windows to
those stroller moms who seemed refreshingly free.
When
I did finally join that coveted club, I reveled in the liberating midmorning
walks. In my youth I hadn’t realized that the price of that perceived freedom
would include sleepless nights, and a myriad of other physical discomforts. But
I tried to take those hang-ups all in stride. I was a stroller Mom. During one
of my morning walks, my exuberance even inspired the following ditty:
STROLLER SONG
No snow
Let’s go
Been trapped all winter long!
The time of year
To get in gear
And sing our stroller song.
Burn fat
Chit chat
We simply can’t go wrong.
Walking
Singing
Our little stroller song!
When
not striding solo, I developed dear relationships with neighbors as we pushed
our luxury handcarts up and down local pathways. Over sippy cup drinks and
pretzels we vocally sorted out the issues in our heads, and did our bodies an
energizing favor. On days I was alone, I sometimes even broke out the roller
blades! Multiple parks lie within reasonable distance, which provided the
perfect backdrop for making outdoor mothering memories.
Although
a stroller can prove bulky in elevators or crowded stores, the perks can’t be
overlooked. Gentlemen hold the door for you. Grandmas comment on your adorable
bundle. You have the ability to stow all the baby gear while smoothly
navigating new surroundings. Given these and other experiences, “Stroller Mom”
has seeped into my identity in a very integral way.
Five kids and many
flat tires later, my husband asked me if we could possibly get rid of one of the
FIVE strollers taking up space in the garage. I quickly explained to him that the
single jogger is necessary for trekking across grassy soccer fields. The fully
reclining stroller does the trick for daylong trips when on-the-go naps are
needed. The bike trailer is perfect for bad weather because it includes a rain
flap. And we all know the umbrella must stay in the car AT ALL TIMES for
everyday outings. To appease my hoard
cautious husband, I did finally find a trusted owner for the double jogger, and
bid it a fond farewell.
I
have come to terms with the fact that my childbearing years are through. It is
okay that diaper changes and breastfeeding are soon to be only memories. The
crib has been taken down. But for some reason, I think the hardest thing to let
go will be the stroller.
I
was ecstatic recently at the chance to attend a festive craft show without my
youngest son. But when I arrived at the
non-kid-friendly event, I automatically popped open my umbrella stroller. I
told my Mom and sister that the stroller would be helpful in carrying coats and
bags, and it was! But we all know
something inside me just needed to push it around. Baby or not, it is my
security stroller.
Question: What baby possession was/ will be the hardest for
you to part with?
Challenge: Stroller or not, this week- take a walk!
