Moms Talk: Is The Stroller Ban A Deal Breaker?

Each week the Mentor Patch Moms Council answers a question on parenthood posed to them by readers or another member of council.

This week's question is brought to you by the .

It is: Would you take a small child (or children) to a place that doesn't allow strollers?

Melanie Majikas:

To me, the question isn't so much about whether or not a place allows strollers as it is why an aquarium was built in a facility that wouldn't reasonably accommodate them.

But in any case, I think there can be legitimate reasons to ban strollers from indoor facilities. I don't particularly think a family-oriented attraction should be one of them.

Mary Jo Stack:

If the place is supposed to be geared for families, and they don't allow strollers? I would probably not want to go there.
 
I'm sure the building must be handicapped accessible, so why not accessible for strollers also?

Donna Milnes:

I think if it is something for children and families, strollers should definitely be permitted and the facilities should have planned for stroller traffic.

It is unrealistic to have parents carry babies (and all that goes with them when they go out) and try to interact with toddlers and younger children. This makes for a tiring, negative experience that families won’t be enjoying, and therefore won't return again.

Devone Lansing:

I think it's ridiculous to have a destination billed as "family-oriented" and then refuse to allow people to bring in their strollers.

Maybe that's just because I'm a mother of small children, but the idea of toting around a 30-pound baby (yes, he's a chubby baby - they are cutest! :) for 3+ hours WHILE trying to corral my other three kids doesn't exactly sound like a great time to me.

If they are worried about blocking foot traffic or possible damage to the exhibits, maybe they should offer their own padded strollers or wagons or something like that as "loaner vehicles."

My kids are totally thrilled about the prospect of visiting the aquarium - but I'm not thrilled about dropping $100+ and not being allowed to take my stroller in.

Gloria Kilfoyle:

Grandparents are naturals for taking their grandchildren to places like the new aquarium, but if we can not take our 2 1/2-year-old grandson in a stroller there is no way we would go.

He is too squirmy for us to carry him and can run away too easily if not confined.  That is what this age does -- run, laughing all the way.

They must know that it is difficult for us to catch them. We would not even think of going there without a stroller.

I know the officials say that in a few weeks, the place will open for strollers, so we will wait for that day. Family-orientated places need to have room for strollers.