Nolene: I've traveled recently with a jogging stroller and they really don't handle well. I'm sure they'd work great on the rough cobblestones, etc., but a jogging stroller would be such a hassle in a museum, any kind of a line, the Metro, etc. I think you'd be better off taking a high-quality umbrella stroller, such as the McLaren or Peg Peregro.

Monica. Thanks for your response. Luckily I also have a Peg Perego stroller so that is what I will take with me. Looking forward to wearing the soles out of my shoes.

I know it's not politically correct, but I try to avoid places likely to be populated by children (they might be the best, most perfect creatures when they are your own, but otherwise they are basically a social nuisance with their screams and bulky strollers). So I am quite sensitive to that issue, albeit in the opposite way as most posters ! To get to my point, as a Frenchman living in London, I must admit I very much appreciate the English approach of not imposing their offspring on any social/public occasion. Actually, to be honest, I wonder where Londoners hide their kids ! Streets, trains, seem to be devoid of them (not that I am complaining... ). On the other hand, when I come back to France, I am shocked by this post-Petainist attitute of ours, meaning that families are good (as a matter of fact, a political bias reflected in our tax and welfare systems) leading to kids being aggressively paraded around by their parents as if they were war medals ! Therefore screaming brats are on the loose, especially on restaurants, trains,etc. <BR><BR>OK, now I am waiting to be crucified by the family brigade...

My question is only this, how does a child learn how to behave in those envirionments if they are never exposed to it ? One should be more accepting of parents essentially trying to teach their children. I would much rather deal w/traveled children than those who have been kept locked in their houses w/no social interaction. I am guessing you are childless ? Try it & let me know your opinion then. Otherwise this is merely a post of ignorance which does no one any good. Certainly I agree that there are places that are ill-equipped to handle children & that is fine. But, for the most part, where I go so does my child.

We live in a culture that finds it acceptable to drag their kids around everywhere. Not bashing working women but not too many years ago, when not most women worked, kids stayed home and were kids. They played and used their imaginations all day long. Nowadays, kids are treated to vacations, and not a few days at the beach. Not sure why a kid needs a vacation, but??? They watch way too much tv, get no physical activity and are pampered at every whim. Much of this has to do with our society and so much more disposable income. Nothing wrong with taking your kids out and about, but kids should be taught how to behave. Rarely is it ever about the kid, but the parent. Kids should be in bed at a normal time and should go to places that are apporpriate for kids. I have found kids in Europe much better behaved, because its expected of them.