One or Two?

Chris and I just had The Big Talk: do we want one or two?

He seemed hesitant to decide. I came to the discussion with an idea of what I wanted, but sensing what he wanted I decided I might change my mind. Each option has its pluses. One is easier to negotiate and is less expensive. Two is more fun, but makes us less streamlined.

We should have had the talk at home, but no. We were in public, around other people, with strangers. We were happy for the input. One dad offered some useful thoughts, but seemed a bit embarrassed to be pushing his views on us unasked.

This is a big decision we are making, something we'll have to live with for years to come. I mean, how often is it that you are forced to make a choice of this magnitude: one or two?

Well, in our case, the decision really isn't so big. Because today we were at REI, looking at bike trailers. We'd talked about whether to get a single or double trailer before, but apparently we both left the conversation thinking something different. I was thinking we'd get a two-seater, so that we could bring another child along and so that we would not have to get a new one if we do eventually answer "two" to that other big question. Plus, I would like to take the trailer to the grocery store and farmers' market. Doubles have more storage space than singles. Chris likes the narrower width of the one-child version. It is a little cheaper too, but this is not a huge factor. Chris figures that if we have a second child we can sell our old one and buy a double. I think he questions whether we'll really be shlepping a second child before then anyway, and I admit this probably won't be a common occurrence. And really, we might not have a second child. Or we might end up with twins next time. (At least, that's my fear.)

So no decision was made, despite a pleasant 40 minutes at REI talking to the bike expert and a dad who uses a single with his kid. There is no REAL rush. Despite my hope that I will use this all the time with Ada, our few attempts to put her in a trailer have not lasted long. After a minute she gets annoyed that she's strapped in and wearing a helmet while we smile at her and poke at the straps. She loves to play with her helmet, and despite my efforts to make her like wearing the thing by putting mine on before plopping hers on, she's not entirely convinced.

Do any of you have a bike trailer? If so, how old was your youngest child when you first started using it with her or him? How does your child like it, and of course, do you have a single or a double? Why?