Get Out Of The Stroller!

By: Stuart Knight (Founder and CEO) | April 22, 2025

Mother pushing a stroller

Let’s go deeper with a question and have a self connection shall we?  Here it is. 

Have you truly left your stroller? Let me explain.

One thing that has always baffled me is how long so many parents keep their children in a stroller before they finally graduate them to becoming someone who is expected to get from point A to point B without riding in a chariot.  Now, I gotta be honest and say that I’m reluctant to do a video that criticizes the way another person chooses to parent, mainly because I’ve learned that even the slightest amount of feedback can be taken as a personal attack. To the point where a person can’t hear what you’re saying, but instead only hears the interpretation of what they assume you’re saying about them.

I’ve gone through this a million times with the whole thing around kids and sugar.  To me the science on the harmful effects of sugar are conclusive, which is why my children get very limited amounts.  Call me crazy, but I don’t think a donut after a little league soccer game is what their body wants.  And because of this, there have been countless times where a parent has offered my child sugar, and I’ve politely declined, to which their body language then says, “Oh, so you’re saying I don’t love my kids”. And of course, I don’t think that.  I just don’t think they love their kids as much as I love mine.  

Obviously I’m kidding.  Look, I totally get it.  It’s easy for any parent to fall into a trap of sacrificing long-term pain for short term gain.  Yes, you can watch Youtube.  Fine, we’ll skip your shower tonight before bed.  Here, just eat this candy so that I don’t have to hear you whine for five minutes.  And whatever it is, it always leads to more long term pain.  And knowing this, we decided to make our kids walk as early as possible, much to their chagrin.   Because everywhere we looked, we saw kids, who were no longer babies, being pushed around in strollers, thinking that’s not going to end well.  I still see it every day.  Three year olds, four year olds, five year olds flopping outside of their stroller, feet practically touching the ground being carted around like a king or queen.  I swear they must pull up alongside those dogs that also find themselves in strollers, and look at each other thinking, I don’t know how we pulled this off, but don’t say anything.

And yes I know that the argument is that it’s just easier sometimes, especially when you’re in a hurry, or have a lot to carry. I totally get it.  Look, we got rid of our kids' strollers shortly after the age of two, and there were times where I found myself wanting to say to a stranger, “I’ll give you ten thousand dollars for that stroller right now!”  But you get through it, and before you know it, you eventually start noticing that your kids seem to have this higher level of resilience.  And that they seem to be less bothered by little things, and more open to the idea of working hard for what they want.  And this is when you begin to realize that short term pain can lead to long term gain.  It does pay off.  

So, what’s my point?  Well, let me bring it back to you.  Are you a short term gain, or a short term pain type of person?   Not as a parent, but for yourself. For example, are you open to the short term pain of a breakup today, or could you go through the feeling of loneliness after moving somewhere new, or could you handle that scared feeling of being without work for a little while, or could you embrace the uncertainty of not having a close group of friends for the next year or so?  Are you able to accept these kinds of things, and more, all for the sacrifice of some greater long term gain in the future?  Or are you letting yourself stay in that stroller because it’s just easier to get around town. 

Look, we’ve all done it at some point in our lives for our own reasons, but eventually we have to decide whether we want to experience the joy of getting through those tough transitions and feel what it’s like to stand on our own two feet.

Much love,

Stuart

PS. P.S. When you’re ready to have more meaningful conversations in your life, I encourage you to become a member of The Human Connection Group.  The only investment required is your time (only once a month).  Sign up for free HERE.

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