Mom Blog and Baby Blog | Baby Bunching

just the right jogging stroller a must for baby bunchers on the run

In seven years of parenting, I am loathe to admit that although I've used the heck out of my assorted jogging strollers, I've only actually used them to jog once or twice.  This is due to a host of excuses reasons (I'm tall so the stroller interferes with my stride, I cheaped out and went with BabyTrend joggers which are great for walking but not so great for running, the stroller always veers slightly to the left  - probably because I cheaped out, and most importantly - I could barely ever propel my running self forward more less two additional smaller selves).  

Having hit my "life" stride in recent months, I've also gotten back into my workout groove and have a nice running routine in place.  Not coincidentally, the biggest two of my Bunch are onto scooter phase (less babies=more personal time, are you serious - who knew?!?!).  Now that I'm downsized back into the single jogger AND in better shape, I decided to strap the Caboose into the jogger this morning and venture out to my favorite running spot. He proceeded to cling to the sides of the stroller in fear howling, "It's rolling too fast!  It's rolling too fast!"  It was amateur hour on the running trail this morning, let me tell you.

This morning's exercise left me wondering - if I'd known then what I know now when I bought my very first BabyTrend jogger (because it was the most affordable one available), would I have invested a little more in a higher quality stroller to assist with ease of workouts?  I see lots and lots of moms on the trail with double joggers (mostly of the BOB variety, although I know Linda adored her Mountain Buggy), so I know that there are some of you out there that can both stick to a workout routine with two babies AND integrate them into said routine.  My hat is off to you in a MAJOR way.  

Y'all know one of our favorite topics here at Baby Bunching is strollers, so do tell - what's your favorite jogging/workout stroller and why?  And is it worth the splurge to get a stroller that works WITH you instead of against you in your workout?

baby bunching Q/A: exhausting your toddler

This question arrived just in time for our weekly Q&A.

Q: I have an 18 month old & 2 month old. My question is how do exercise your older child when you're alone with both? Before my daughter was born I'd take my son to the playground & he did a class at The Little Gym. Now he isn't getting the physical activity he once got & it seems to be affecting his ability to sleep. All feedback is greatly appreciated!

A: Oh, we never want anything to interfere with anyone's sleep so let's get on this question. First off, unless you're going to get a sitter, skip places like Little Gym with your toddler for a long while (until you can get both kids into the same class). I have a very vivid memory of a Little Gym class with my 18-month old son and my daughter who was about the same age as yours in the Baby Bjorn screaming her head off. I never went back.

You have a few options here of places to visit with toddler and baby to exhaust your older one:

1) Playgrounds. Remember that not all playgrounds are created equal so find a very toddler-friendly one and do what you can in the great outdoors with baby in the stroller, sling or carrier. They may be shorter trips than you're used to, but meet up with some friends so you have some helps spotting your toddler. He'll be tired when he's done.

2) The pool. It's summer now and while your wee one may not be ready for fun in the sun your toddler would probably love the play in the baby pool. Get some fun toys for the pool, have the baby again in a carrier or stroller and go until someone gets fussy.

3) Nature centers, farms or gardens. Bring the stroller along and let your toddler just go hog wild by running. You may have to run to keep up with him, but he'll be exhausted.

4) Backyard playdate. Even if you don't have a backyard, you probably have a friend who does. I always found yards, with friends of course, to be the best exercise for me. That meant baby could hang out, be changed and fed in privacy without too much sprinting and we might even be able to enjoy a cup of coffee while they played.

 If you can't get out to exercise, have him help you fill the laundry basket with several trips back and forth or have your own at-home dance party. Remember that this phase is short and your toddler will exhaust from normal everyday stimulation. Before you know it you'll be chasing after him down the street as he takes off on his scooter with little one right behind. Then you'll be getting the exercise.

 

the juggle: mommy guilt is back

My kids are a year apart in school. There are some definite pros and cons to back-to-back teachers. However one of the cons is that both kids are able to easily track and remember what I attended, volunteered for or organized last year for child #1. Child #2 probably wouldn't care except child #1 always likes to remind her.

Tomorrow is the big kindergarten field trip to the zoo. I had missed the fall field trip to the pumpkin farm last year and managed to rally my work schedule to be gone the whole day in the spring for the National Zoo. To make it even, I did the same this year. No pumpkin patch in the fall, but the zoo in the spring. Only this year, work is way too busy for me to miss a whole day.

Now let me back up and remind you that I work from home with a kindergartner who attends only half day. That translates to 3 hours each day that I frantically work as much as I can so I can be available to both kids when they hop of the bus. Our spring break put me behind at work with a looming deadline and to be able to work for 5 hours without paying a babysitter just seemed to make sense.

I tossed it around in my head for days and finally came to the conclusion that it just didn't make sense to go on the field trip. Would she be disappointed? Would she even notice my absence once she was there? I have to keep reminding myself that all working parents--full time or part time--have to make choices. As I'm quickly learning, the older the kids get the more obligations we have. The more things they have to attend. The more things I have to attend. Three years ago when the only event I had be at was the Christmas program at preschool. Now the committments come at me at lightening speed for both kids. How equal do I make it? Is it a lesson for them that mom just can't do it all, all the time?

The decision has been made and I will be at home tomorrow working while child #2 is walking through the zoo with another devoted parent. I still can't help feeling guilty.

(For those that wanted to know, she was not initially disappointed, but I did manage to get a few tears this morning.)

boostApak: ready for it here in the US

This past week we hauled our Bunch off to grandma and grandpa's house for spring break. We discovered something amazing! Traveling with our kids has become not just manageable, but almost (dare I say it) fun. Yes, I admit that my kids are older: 7 and almost 6. However, in the past two years things have become easier and one reason is needing a lot less gear and that this year everyone was finally able to kind of go with the vacation flow.

Right before we left, I did a quick scan of travel with kid websites and ran across this amazing piece of travel gear that I have not yet been able to track down in the US--the BoostApak by Trunki But since we have so many readers from the UK and Australia, where I think this is sold, I'm hoping some of you can chime in on what you think about it. Because we think this is a must-have item for those of us with an older Bunch.

Love this idea because it's a car booster seat and back pack in one. This would have made our trip through the airport easier. But now I'm thinking this would even make carpools after school even easier. Kids bring their carseats with them to school as a back pack. Now that kids have to be in booster seats until they are in college, practically, this might make being in one a little more cool. Maybe.

 

hold-on handles can help get your bunch out to enjoy the spring

We scored a great Baby Bunching discount from Greater Than One Kids, the manufacturer of Hold-On Handles. They've offered a 20-percent discount to our readers (see code below) for their Hold-On Handles. If you aren't familiar with this stroller accessory, we recommend you check it out, especially those of you in transition between stroller riders and completely independent walkers. These simple and colorful handles are the first stroller accessory and walking rope for up to 3 children. We first previewed this last year for our Baby Bunching readers. Perhaps some of you remember when we asked for testers for their awesome product. Since then, they have taken your feedback and launched internationally. (Also, if you were one of the original testers, let us know what you thought!)

Why we love the concept of Hold-On Handles:

• Keeps one to three kids within arm's reach, but doesn't look like those embarrassing harnesses, which we have considered using many times.
• Easily snaps onto strollers (or better yet shopping carts!) or can be worn comfortably on mom’s wrist. Children can be safely active.
• Comfortable parent wrist strap that adjust. Everything for Baby Bunchers should always adjust.
• Kids love feeling independent and not strapped in.
• An added bonus, it's all safe and lead free and non toxic which means your baby can chew on it too. We can't promise that they're clean from your toddler's hands though.

To purchase Hold-On Handles and redeem your discount, visit www.greaterthanonekids.com and enter BUNCH20 at check out.  Valid thru May 15, 2011.  Maybe this will help you get out and about and enjoy some fabulous spring weather.

Hold-On Handles are also available at Independent Retailers Nationwide, Buy Buy Baby (all stores and website), Amazon.com, and Diapers.com

(Baby Bunching only reviews items that we deem appropriate and targeted for our readers. We were not compensated nor given free product by the company. We just think this product is a really awesome idea.)

traveling with your bunch: the epic journey, part 2

By Rachel Ostlie

[Editor's note: If you missed Part 1 of this amazing journey, go back and check it out as we think it's worth the read.]

In my last post, I described the epic journey my family (husband, daughter age 3, son age 21 months) took through four cities and three countries of South America.

Here are some more lessons and tips I learned through the four weeks we gallivanted around the globe. Don't miss the first 6 from tips.

7) Come prepared – The Boy Scouts had it right, it pays to be prepared. While of course you will want to be prepared with shirts, pants, underwear, socks, bathing suits, toiletries and perhaps voltage adapters, there are other things you may want to consider when traveling abroad. The first I would suggest is a first-aid kit. I don't know about your family, but my kids are disaster magnets when we are in some unknown city with no clear directions to the closest hospital. The kit should contain basics like disinfectant, triple antibiotic cream/spray, bandaids, and baby tylenol, as well as a dose of any medications your family uses regularly. Other items (that we did not bring or ran out of on the trip) that were almost impossible to find included Baby Orajel teething gel, flouride-free training toothpaste, and swim diapers. Bring these along- it will pay off!

8) Go small – While it is important to come prepared for all eventualities, it is also important to go small. Less stuff you bring means less stuff you drag around. Though our destinations had varied climates, we managed with two small suitcases, two umbrella strollers, two cloth Beco baby carriers, two toddler backpacks stuffed with toys and books, one laptop bag, and one large backpack stuffed with books, a spare change of clothes, food, and the first aid kit. Many items you can plan on buying at your destination; disposable diapers are at the top of that list. Souvenirs do not have to be bulky either. Take lots of pictures and videos, and buy things that are memorable and useful.

9) Bring bribes – If you are a no screen time and no junk food type of mom, an epic journey might be just the time to bend some rules. When sitting in one space for hours on end in the airplane, a movie or an electronic game can make a kid's day. Fruit snacks, lollypops, or gum for older kids could mean the difference between happiness and insanity for all parents involved. Other ideas include stickers (they take up no space at all!), coloring books, chenille sticks, and little toys to distract antsy hands and minds.

10) Take risks – Putting your family in danger is not a good game plan. Doing something that might usually make you uncomfortable, or trying a new food, or attempting to speak a language when you sound ridiculous are all excellent risks to take. Let the kids climb a little on those tall rocks. Laugh with people when they laugh at your pronunciation. Drink (or is it eat?) the mote con huesillo beverage that appears to be taken from a biology lab jar. Above all, try something new! If you wanted to stick to safe and secure, then it is better to not step outside your front door.

11) Pay for your water – The United States is fairly unique in the world for its ability to provide water at nearly ever faucet you encounter. If you are visiting another country, especially for a short time frame, make sure to buy all the water you drink to prevent lots of not-fun diseases. Don't be shy about buying water either... A week into our trip and my husband and I realized how desperately we missed water. We were accustomed to drinking it at every meal, and ordering it as our only beverage at restaurants to save a few bucks. It seemed silly to pay for water when we could pay just as much for a fruit juice or carbonated beverage, but we learned we enjoyed water more. Our bunch also learned to be a little more patient with the lack of water at their every beck and call, so we all gained in the process.

12) Pay in dollars – When traveling outside the USA, it is difficult to know how much currency to exchange, and when to pay with a credit card. Though every charge on your card will result in foreign transaction fees, you might be able to protect yourself against an exchange rate that hurts you by paying in dollars. Before you pay, just ask if the restaurant, hotel, or store will put the transaction through using dollars instead of the local currency. Sometimes they will even give significant discounts for having a strong dollar come straight into their coffers.

13) Stay in sometimes – After you spent a ton of money on airfare, and researched all the best options for fun, it is tempting to drag your bunch around non-stop. This is, after all, the epic journey of a lifetime. However, it is advisable to just stay in sometimes (especially if your bunch is still on the younger side!). Let the kids play with their toys quietly, or watch a movie, or play a game together as a family. Sometimes the best memories are made from times like these, when you are truly separated from the world. And everyone will be fresher and happier for it.

14) Believe – Believe in your capacity to be the supermom that you are, weathering every unforeseeable difficulty. Believe in your kids' flexibility as they meet new people and places. Believe in your husband's choices when he lets your little one careen down a hill or pet a dog or climb on a fence. And believe in your family, that not only will you survive this epic journey, you will conquer it and enjoy it!

Rachel's bunch (daughter age 3 and son age 22 months) have visited seven countries in their short lives. They will be moving to a new country in the fall, bringing the count up to eight.

common everyday illnesses: some tips to help you look before you leap

(Please remember once again, we are not doctors or at all related to the medical profession or even play one on TV. We just have lots of experience dealing with illness and doctors. Always consult your physician.)

Our family recently recovered from the illness of the month. This time it was strep. But it always seems to be something--stomach issues, fevers, congestion, sore throats.

While the remedies for all that ails us ranges from prescription meds to "wait it out," one thing is for certain--it sucks to see your kids sick and in pain.

Because of this, I think as parents we sometimes tend to leap before we look. And it never fails to surprise me that year after year, the more experienced (one would think) I get with illness, I still leap too soon.

In reflection on this past bout of sickness, I'd like to share some wisdom I've gained over the past few years to save some of you the hassle of leaping before you look, observe and consult. And my hope is that many of you will chime in as well, since this is collective knowledge.

1) Not all fevers are bad. Thanks to a very helpful nurse very early on, I was reassured that fevers are a sign of fighting infection. A high fever (even up to 104 in toddlers) while a sign of sickness doesn't usually warrant the response I usually have. Which is something like "Oh my God. My kid's brain is going to bake." Apparently, that's not true. My latest doctor told me it bakes around 108. Always good knowledge to have.

2) Tylenol and Motrin is a 'fever reducer' not a 'fever go-awayer.' I believed for many years that once you gave a kid meds the fever would disappear. Again if you have a 103 degree fever, chances are medicine isn't going to make it go away, but it will make it go down so your child can feel better. Whew!

3) Not all ear infections need prescription meds. This once shocked me as well. An ENT in Sweden informed me when my daughter had her second ear infection. The first she was four months old and had a ruptured ear drum and he thought that definitely called for antibiotics. However, four months later when she was struck with pain again, he assured me we had too many antibiotics in our community and that most were viral anyway and to wait it out. Floored by this response, I was surprised that four days later she was better. Now come to find out, doctors here in the states are following suit with a similar recommendation.

4) Strep throat is only the cause of  approximately 30% of sore throats.* I learned this little fact from the nice nurse at the CVS Minute Clinic. (By the way, if you don't know these, check them out!)  For any of you who have taken your preschooler to get one of these strep tests, you know that it sucks for them and you. So look before you leap on this one.

An added note on this: After you've had strep in your house a few times, you'll recognize the pungent smell that comes from it. Stick your child in a room for 5 minutes and come back, if it reeks of some awful bad breath smell, chances are it's strep.

5) Croup sounds scarier than it is. We are veterans of croup. But I am happy to say that after four years of annual croup visits, it has been a long time since that cough has resurfaced in our house. I promise you will panic the first time you hear this cough, and you might even make it to the doctor or ER for this one. But keeping your child calm and comfortable seems to be about the best medicine. There are the cases where you should take them if they can't breathe, obviously. We did have one of our trips to the ER that was semi-warranted, but they assured us that we probably could have gotten him calmed down enough to breathe regularly. 'Probably' wasn't good enough so we went. But that was our last trip to the ER for croup even though we had many more visits from the cough.

6) You'll only make one high-fever ER run. Again, like croup, a fever of 104 in the middle of the night will scare the bejeebers out of you. You'll pack up and fly out the door to the hospital only to be welcomed with a slew of blood work and tests that will make everyone upset and exhausted the following day. Yep, we did it and you will too. We guarantee you'll only do it once. Chalk it up as a learning experience and one to pass along to other moms.

And while cold and flu season is over now, we're positive, something will show up in your house in the future. Remember to stay calm and observe before you leap or sprint to the ER. After all, you probably have another child or two to drag along with you.

*This number was quoted from the nurse.

tips to getting the chores done

By Erin Brazofsky

Do you ever wonder how you’re going to get anything (housekeeping, bills, cooking, personal projects, even a shower, right?) done during the day when you have two (or more) super inquisitive and growing little people running, crawling or singing around your knees? Me too.

In my limited experience, I’ve come to some solutions to help me get things done and not rely on PBS Kids to interact with my kids. Hopefully some of what I’ll share will give you some encouragement that you can get “things” done.

#1. Get your wee ones involved in what you’re doing. It might mean taking a little more time to accomplish something, but where appropriate, let them actively participate in what you’re doing. Whether it be switching the laundry (let them throw the clothes in the dryer for you; I guarantee if you have a boy, he will get a HUGE thrill out of it), dusting (give them a clean rag and let them go to town), or making cookies, they will love being Momma’s special helper.

#2. Structured playtime on their own can be your best friend. Between my 6-month old and my 23-month old, taking a shower can be an Olympic speed sport these days. If I don’t get up and shower before they rise, I will take advantage of Seth’s morning nap and let Levi play in his room with a few select toys.

#3. A “SHOW!” (as Levi calls it) is not always a bad thing. Despite what I said about PBS Kids above, I think letting your kidlets watch a 30-minute program so you can get something done that you can’t let them help with can be a saving grace.

What do the rest of my fellow Bunchers do to get things done? Please share your thoughts; I would love to have some other tips!

teaching the three Rs: outings

When we first began writing the book (oh, we'll let you know how that's going at some point), we developed a quick and easy framework for planning (and getting through) just about anything. We call it the Baby Bunching Framework for Success or the Three Rs.

1) Review the situation at hand, whether it’s an eating, sleeping, or playtime need. Take a quick assessment of who has the most dire need, available gear and/or supplies, and possible escape plans.  Don’t forget to take into consideration your kids’ temperaments at that moment (who is exhausted and beyond reasoning, who could be pacified the quickest, who is generally more easygoing, etc.)  This is your research/information gathering step, and you will use it to develop your plan of attack.  We’ll cover issues to consider when conducting your assessment in each of these situations and more.

2) Routine. Establish one and refer to it.There is a reason preschools and daycares function on strict schedules (more on how you can use this to your advantage later) – kids of all ages thrive on routine and structure.  We’ll teach you tricks for identifying natural patterns and routines which emerge and also how to tweak them once they’re established. 

3) Reassess. Just when you have it down and life is going great, we promise something will change (growth spurts, potty training, illness, dropping naps, outgrowing the baby carrier, you get the idea).  What worked yesterday may not work tomorrow, so don’t get locked into thinking the way it is today is the way it has to stay.  We’ll teach you how to recognize these changes, respond and adapt accordingly.

Here's how you use it for a sample outing with your Bunch. We thought this would be a great one to start with since we talking about outings yesterday.  

SITUATION: You’re out of diapers and you need a gift for a birthday party tomorrow, and your husband is out of town.  You have no choice – you have got to take your Bunch on the errand. Target seems like the most logical place where you can get diapers, the gift and probably milk.  

Review:  Everyone has been fed, watered, and napped, but you still pack a snack for distraction purposes.  You always keep the double stroller and the sling in you’re trunk.  Load everyone up and you’re off!

Routine: When you go to Target, you usually put the baby in the sling and your toddler in the cart, but baby is getting too big for the sling.  He isn’t quite big enough for the two-seater cart.  On the way, you ended up having to stop for gas, and while you were there, thought you’d get the car washed since it is covered in so much dirt you can barely see out windows.  You’ve arrived at Target, but you’re now behind schedule and running dangerously close to the next scheduled nap.

Reasses:  Since baby is a bit too big for the sling and not big enough for the cart, you’re gonna have to bust out the double stroller for this trip, which sucks because you can’t fit a lot of stuff in the cargo bin.  Doesn’t really matter anyway, because you’re racing against the clock – you used precious “happy time” at the car wash and you’re on borrowed time now.  Load both kids in the double stroller and immediately head for diapers.  Toddler is already complaining as you head there, so slide him a few animal crackers.  Baby starts to fuss (you’re coming up on a feeding), so pick a QUICK toy for the birthday gift – no time to stress over the perfect gift.  Proceed immediately for the checkout and don’t forget a gift receipt in case your quick toy selection sucks.  When you get to the car, load everyone up, slide toddler a few more animal  crackers and nurse baby in the parking lot. No sense listening to baby scream all the way home, and if he is quiet, toddler may sack out in his seat and you can just carry him to his bed when you get home.  Sure, you’ve got “undone” items on your Target list, but you have the critical ones, along with a baby now with a full tummy and possibly a sleeping toddler. 

Successful outing - mission accomplished.

baby bunching Q/A: getting out of the house with baby + toddler

Q: Any advice on how to get out of the house successfully with a 14 month old and newborn?

A: Planning. Planning. Planning. Getting out of the house with your kids is a learned skill. Some days you will get it totally right. Some days you will need to give up and go home. But most days will be a combo of the two. Planning your trip will be the best way to get you out and back in one piece without any tears. 

We are reposting some of our tips because we all need to be reminded, especially me on the food issue as I pushed my Bunch (7 and almost 6) too far last week on no food and had to pay the piper in the end with two crying kids. Always come prepared. 

Definition of a Successful Outing: An excursion outside the realm of one’s abode—whether a walk down the street or a trip across town on the subway—where no child is in tears, hurt, hungry, left behind or locked in car; where mom is not in tears, hurt or needing a drink; where at least one of the outing’s goals is “accomplished;” and at least two of members of the family come home smiling. 

This may seem like a tall order to fill. Or you may be thinking that you don’t know what the hell is wrong with our disorganized asses, but all of YOUR outings will be successful.  Either way, we promise that you need the advice we are about to provide.

The three most important skills for planning and executing successful outings are: 

1) Developing your plan. A few questions to consider:
•     Transportation.  Are you walking, driving, or taking public transportation?  This will determine what kind of stroller you should take. With kids this young, you need something to carry everyone in--sling, carrier, stroller. Always.
•     Ease of navigation.  Will it be crowded?  Will there be ramps for your stroller?  Will you have to walk a long distance across a busy parking lot?  Again, all factors that determine what kind of “wheels”, slings, or baby carriers you should bring.
•     Proximity to food.  Can you buy age-appropriate (bonus points for nutritious) food for all parties if someone starts to break down or do you need to bring your own?  And never, EVER assume that you will be able to complete an outing without food.  Always, always, always have a healthy, yummy snack for all children on hand – you never know when you will have to buy time with a handful of animal crackers (yeah, yeah – we all said we never do it – get over it.)  If your outing will encompass a meal time, be sure you have plenty of food on hand, plus one extra snack beyond what you think you will need.  Don’t forget sippy cups/bottles for all! Did we mention lots of snacks?
•     Quality of destination’s baby-proofedness.  Whether you are going over to a childless friend’s house for dinner or to the mall, think realistically about what you will need to keep your little ones not only entertained, but safe.  We recommend always having some way to either strap all parties into a chair/seat of some sort or wear them on your body, in case you get desperate.

2) Having a Backup Plan. Now that you’ve packed your 63-piece luggage set with everything you need to make a “quick” trip to the drugstore, be sure you have a backup plan.  What will you do if you get there and it’s too crowded and your kids wig out or you can’t keep track of them?  Or if somebody woke up too early that morning and are so tired by the middle of the outing that they are acting like hellacious beasts?  You gotta be prepared for all these scenarios because you will encounter one or more of them at some point.  You need to be flexible in case things don’t go according to plan (and they frequently don’t).  This may mean accepting a substitute – product, outing location, whatever.  Or it may mean scoping out the nearest exit.  Which brings us to….

3) Recognizing When to Cut Your Losses. Sometimes it’s just not worth it.  If your kid(s) is so tired/hungry/bored that he is a fussy nightmare and no one is having any fun or getting anything accomplished, do yourself a favor and go home.  Who cares if you drove across town to treat your kids to the children’s museum – if they’re not having any fun, it’s not worth it anyway.  If you’re at Target and you’re only three items into your list, get only the most critical things you need (i.e. the diapers and the laundry detergent) and come back for the rest another time.  Which reminds us – with any outing, always, always do the most important thing that you came for very first, so that if things go awry and you have to bail, you at least got the most important thing accomplished.

 Enjoy your outing as much as you can. Take pleasure knowing that each time you get it right and each time you get it wrong, you get wiser and more experienced. And try, please try, to do all necessary errands if possible on the weekend when you have extra hands or even get the chance to go alone. This way the weekday trips are just trips to venture out into the world with your Bunch, for fun, shall we say.