By admin 
Theme parks, two kids, and one trusty stroller: Why this mom won’t apologize for what works.
What looks like a stroller for ‘big kids’ is actually a lifeline for a solo mom anticipating every meltdown, meal, and mile ahead.
When Massachusetts mom Nicki Marie pushed her 8- and 10-year-olds through Disney World in a double stroller, she wasn’t making a statement—but the internet decided she was. Her viral TikTok clip, captioned “Moms with grown-a** kids in strollers at Disney,” sparked a frenzy of praise, eye-rolls, and debates about “age-appropriate” parenting.
What some saw as controversial, Nicki sees as survival.
“I’m trying to let down my guard so my kids see me having fun. I bring a stroller because I’m anticipating what could go wrong that day,” she told TODAY.com.
After a 2019 divorce, Nicki had to rethink how to do Disney solo with two kids. Her solution? “Kim,” her double stroller and “co-parent” since 2016. “We all know the stroller isn’t a man,” she quipped.
Let’s be clear: the stroller is a strategy. And for any mom who has tried to brave an amusement park (or an airport, or a zoo) while managing meals, meltdowns, and motion sickness, it’s obvious: “Kim” isn’t carrying just kids. She’s carrying the invisible labor of solo parenting.
@nickiunplugged had to 😛
Related: The ‘mental load’ falls squarely on mothers’ shoulders—and it’s making us very tired
Strollers for “big kids” aren’t about laziness—they’re about stamina, strategy, and safety
Marie’s viral video sparked applause from many moms, especially those whose kids live with mobility challenges or neurodivergence. @Raven Wilson shared, “This will be me in August w/my 7yr. that looks older. But, has a rare disorder and the walking will hurt his legs too bad. So we’re renting a stroller to assist him as needed throughout the day!”
Another mom, @Monica Ritz, chimed in: “This helps normalize kiddos that need strollers/mobility devices. My kids do this and this would help them feel more at ease instead of sticking out.”
Parenting expert and family physician Dr. Deborah Gilboa echoed that sentiment: “If parents can get more out of an experience by using a stroller, it’s not going to ruin anyone’s life.”
The emotional load of a day at Disney
Let’s not pretend that planning a theme park trip is just about tickets and snacks. For solo moms, it’s a tactical operation: anticipating sensory overload, long lines, hydration meltdowns, and the whereabouts of small humans in a crowd of 50,000. Marie didn’t just bring a stroller—she brought foresight, peace of mind, and a place to stash the snacks and stuff no one else wants to carry.
Marie says the stroller helps her stay present with her kids—while giving her brain a moment to rest, knowing they’re safe and secure.
“Since when is vacation a competition to see how bada– you can be?” Marie told TODAY.com.
What she’s really saying? This isn’t about impressing anyone—it’s about preserving joy.
What moms actually need: less judgment, more support
The backlash to Marie’s stroller use is a reflection of a larger issue: a culture that says “do it all,” then sneers when you find a way that works for you. Moms are expected to anticipate every need, soothe every meltdown, and still smile for the family photo. But when they make practical, thoughtful choices to lighten the load, they’re met with skepticism—or worse, shame.
Stroller-shaming is about more than strollers—it’s about the unspoken rules of motherhood: Don’t ask for help. Don’t cut corners. Don’t make anyone else uncomfortable, even at your own expense.
But when moms like Marie show up with a double stroller and zero apologies, they’re not just pushing their kids—they’re pushing back against those outdated rules.
Have you ever broken a parenting “rule” that made life easier? What did that choice give back to your family?
Because maybe the real parenting flex isn’t sticking to the rulebook. Maybe it’s knowing when to toss it out and do what works.
Related: Not judging each other as mothers isn’t enough—here’s what else we need to do