Metro Misinformed, Part 6: Parenting 101

Last weekend I went to the Zoo. I got off a Cleveland Park and walked (somewhat) downhill to the Zoo. On the way back I walked (really downhill) to the Adams Morgan/Woodley Park station. You know...the one with the long escalator. Let me describe how this played out.

So let's say you and your fellow mom-friend take your kids to the Zoo. You each have a stroller. One of you has a double stroller. And you say, "Hey Sheila, I've got a great idea. Let's take these strollers down the escalator."

And for some reason, Sheila thinks this is a good idea. So you and Sheila walk right by the elevator and drag your strollers backward onto the escalator. THE LONGEST ESCALATOR IN THE ENTIRE METRO SYSTEM. THE LONGEST.

Sheila seems to get the basic rules here, and she drags her stroller onto the right side of the escalator. But you? You plop those kids down on the left side. And you know, Sheila's right in front of you on the right side, so you guys are effectively blocking the whole thing. And your poor babies are leaning backward and screaming like we're at Six Flags. At this point, your disgruntled bystander (me) is kinda just hanging out, trapped, but afraid to breeze on by because well...what if the babies fall? I'm worried about the babies.

Sheila disembarks the escalator with no issue. Her baby is fine. But you? Oh, you get your flip flop stuck at the bottom of the escalator and make me pile on top of your poor babies. Oh, the poor babies. Bystander (me!) runs away. Fast.

Got it, people? The escalator is not for strollers. Take the slow-as-heck elevator like all the other people and their babies.