Kids Ain't Cheap

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Archives for October 2010

Healthy Tips for Feeding Your Family

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slow cooker recipes Today, we are all looking for ways to get our families to eat well. Given that obesity is at an all time high in the U.S. and with Type 2 diabetes on the rise, it is more important than ever to teach our children how to eat healthy. Being obese can put people at risk for other health issues such as; cancer, heart disease, stroke, high blood pressure and much more. If you feel overwhelmed but know that you need to make a change, just keep reading. I will offer some simple changes to get you and your family on the fast track to eating right.

Meal Planning

I can not stress enough, how important it is to plan your meals in advance. If you sit down and construct a weekly menu and stick to it, you will be far less likely to make poor eating decisions. Shopping weekly is best because it ensures that you have a lot of fresh fruits and veggies on hand. Meal planning helps you save money as well. If you add up those panicked trips to the supermarket when you have no idea what you will serve for dinner, or the times you just gave up and decided to eat out, you’ll be amazed at how much money you are spending. A few more quick shopping tips: buy what’s in season, shop the farmer’s market when you can, and don’t load up on junk. One more suggestion I have is to become “best friends” with your slow cooker. It’s like having someone else cook dinner for you and unlike packaged and processed meals, you know exactly what’s in it. A great site for slow cooker recipes is http://slowandsimple.com/

Just Say “No” To White Stuff

A super simple and really healthy change you can make is to stop buying anything white — buy whole grain instead. I’m talking whole grain bread, flour, pasta, buns, etc. Maybe your kids would freak out if they saw their PB&J on deliciously nutty whole grain bread. We don’t want to send the little angels into shock for goodness sake, so just try to find the simplest looking whole grain bread you can. Nothing fancy, just be sure it’s not white. They might scoff at first but they’ll get used to it. The earlier you start, the easier it will be to make these changes.

Nothing But The Flax

Let me give it to you straight; flaxseed is incredibly healthy for you! If you aren’t eating it, you certainly should be. Flaxseed is rich is lignans which have been recognized to have anti-cancer properties. Flaxseed is packed with Omega 3 fatty acids, which help your brain, your skin and your hair. It assists your body in burning fat, keeps you healthy and is a great source of fiber. I buy milled flaxseed and store it in the fridge. However, I’m told buying flaxseed whole, then grinding right before you serve it, is best but I just don’t have that kind of time. It can be sprinkled in or on just about anything. Are you making muffins? Sprinkle some flax in the mix. Having some ice cream? Sprinkle flax on top. Making Chili? Add some flax in it. Your family probably won’t even notice this healthy addition.

One Fruit, One Veggie Rule

In our home, this has been a rule of mine since our boys could eat solid foods. I have always included at least one fruit and one veggie at lunch and dinner. For breakfast there is almost always a fruit and at least one of their snacks is a fruit or vegatable. My boys are really great about eating their fruits and veggies but sometimes one or both, will turn their nose up at something and that’s ok. I offered and that’s what’s important. You can always enforce the “no thank you bite” which means they need to at least try it. Even if your child says they don’t like something, keep offering it. It can take 15-20 times of offering a food before a child will decide they like it. With toddlers it’s even crazier, one day it’s their favorite thing and the next day it is the worst thing ever. Don’t give up, don’t lose hope, they won’t like everything but you’ll find a lot of things you may not have thought they would eat. It also works well if you offer at least one item that you know they will eat. One more tip is to avoid canned fruits and vegetables; always purchase fresh or frozen, there is less sodium, sugar and they retain most if not all of the magnificent vitamins and minerals that our bodies need.

Ask Your Kids For Help

You can teach your kids about eating healthy by including them in the meal planning. Let each child pick a day when they get to plan the dinner menu. Don’t forget to ask them to pick out the fruits and veggies too. It’s great to include them in on the shopping trip. If you can, you’ll find that it’s easier and makes the trip more special, if you can take just one child each week. Be sure to read lables and explain what makes certain items healthy and others not. In the produce aisle, show them all of the beautiful and colorful fresh fruits and vegetables there. Let them pick out something fun like an artichoke, star fruit or mango to try.

Last but not least, make it fun and keep it simple!

Do you have any additional healthy eating tips to share?

Holding Your Baby Close

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There is no feeling that compares with having a child, seeing that precious baby for the first time and eagerly anticipating all the time you will be spending together.  When I had my children, it was indescribable.  I wanted them with me all the time, everywhere I went.  But I couldn’t carry them for long periods without help because I had a Cesarean section when I had them.  There were two things that helped me out and which I recommend for any mommy or daddy when carrying your child.

When The Baby is Tiny

baby slingI used a baby sling when my children were newborns until they could sit easily on their own.  This made it so much easier for me to carry them because I didn’t have to use my core to carry the weight. Even a 6lb. baby is heavy when you’ve just had a C-section!  My baby never fussed because he felt like it was just me holding him. He was never aware of the fact that the sling was doing more than half of the carrying work. The sling also helped keep me private when I was breastfeeding.

From a vain perspective, a baby sling was also great in terms of style.  Becuase it looks like a long shawl and it comes in so many different designs, I was able to carry my baby around comfortably with some style.

Daddy’s can use the baby sling as well. It is very easy to use and is adjustable so anyone can use it. It helps give Dad’s who are not as confident yet with carrying their child on their own, that additional support. This gave my husband the opportunity to carry our child around a lot.  He told me that he felt more comfortable carrying our son with a little help from the baby sling. He was able to focus on our baby and not on whether he was carrying him the wrong way.

One really good thing as well was that the baby sling was not very expensive.

As Your Baby Grows Up

backpack baby carrierI chose to use the baby sling until my son was arougnd 8 months old.  You can use it for longer as long as your child still satys withing the recommended weight that the sling can handle.  But I prefered the baby backpack carrier at this time.

By this time I was up and about again and I was trying to get back into shape and lose the baby weight. The backpack carrier just made it really easy for me to take my son on long walks around the park with me. It had durable and adjustable straps, a lot of comfortable cushioning so he wasn’t squeezed in too tight, pinched uncomfortably anywhere, or unsafely belted in. I made sure the backpack carrier I got was ergo-checked as well so I was assured I wasn’t doing damage to me or my baby in using it. It cost more than the baby sling but I was able to set aside something for this by this time.

The question now is, what is the best baby carrier?

And the winner is?

The thing about this question for me is that it is all about the parent’s preference.  I loved the use of the baby sling and the backpack carrier both at different points of my baby’s development. For me, it was about answering my need for myself and my child at different times.  So the best thing to do is this:

1.  Know what you want and need for yourself and for your child when taking care of your precious baby.

2.  Research.  Look at reviews and testimonials from other parents who have used baby carriers. Ask the opinion of  your friends who are parents. Look at manufactures ratings as well. Look at the baby carriers you are eyeing and see what materials they are made of and if these are durable and safe.

3. Remember that there is no hard and fast rule except that you keep yourself and your child comfortable and safe.

So, good luck with the purchase. Have fun with it and enjoy every moment carrying your child!

 How did you carry your baby around? What would you do differently next time?

Teaching Children About Money

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kids and moneyTeaching our children about money may sound easy to do but many times it is not. As our children get older they will begin to understand more so don’t give up and think your children will always think money just appears.

When children are about 5-6 years old they seem to love collecting coins. This is a great time to start the “piggy bank” or “money collection”. As they get a bit older they begin to understand that each coin has a different value. And when theses coins are added up it is enough to buy something that they have been wanting.

So how do we as parents begin to teach them the value of money and how to save? This is not an easy task at times but it is a very important lesson. Teaching our children to save for a certain item not only teaches them self discipline but also allow them to set goals.

Allowances and Chores

In many households the parents reward for chores that are completed by giving the child an allowance. By earning the money the child feels good about the accomplishment and then is able to save the money earned to buy something.

If the child wants something of a larger value the child will then have to save for it. This may mean more than a week worth of chores. And be warned, there are those that do not want to wait and will asked to be paid ahead of time. What we tell our children is that when a job or chore has been completed that is when they will receive the allowance. We do not pay for chores that have not been completed yet. By doing this we are teaching the child that things have to be earned. There is something about actually earning what they have bought that makes the child seem much happier with the item when they are finally able to buy it.

Saving Money

The next lesson is teaching about saving money. How much is the right amount to save? This is up to the individual parents. Some teach their children to save more while others just have their children put away a small amount to get the hang of saving up money.

When children get a bit older and have small jobs they are then able to set bigger goals. As they get older the “toys” also become more expensive. What was once a small truck or doll now may become a cell phone or video game. We as parents know just how expensive the “toys” can get.

It takes time to teach our children about money. With time and patience they will be saving money as well as setting goals for items that they want.

Do you have any ideas on teaching our children about money that you have used or are planning to use?

Cloth Diapers Vs. Disposable Diapers

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Although disposable diapers have been popular for a long time, the traditional cloth diaper method is making a come-back by new parents concerned with a reasonable diaper budget or a green lifestyle. Cloth diapers are generally assumed to be the less expensive method and environmentally friendly option, this is debatable. Let’s take a look at the specifics.

Pricing on Diapers

Cloth Diapers

When it comes to the baby budget, it seems that cloth diapers win out. Disposable diapers run in the range of $50 to $80 a month. Disposable diapers are thrown away after use, so they need to be bought again and again. Using cloth diapers runs about $25 to $60 a month, if you choose to launder at home. The initial investment is a little more costly: quality cloth diapers cost around $15 a piece. Babies need a fresh diaper 6 to 10 times a day, so in order to get through two days of diapers you might need to spend $300 initially. After that, you need to consider the cost of the water to run the washing machine, the laundry soap, dryer sheets, etc.

There is another option with cloth diapers: diaper service. A diaper service is a company that collects, washes, and returns your cloth diapers. This is a great tool for busy moms who want to use cloth diapers for other reasons, but don’t have the time or ability to wash cloth diapers at home. There is also a certain “ick” factor about washing your own cloth diapers that some moms want to avoid. The diaper service runs about $50 to $80 a month as well.

Clearly, washing cloth diapers in the home is the least costly option. But it is also worth considering how much your time is worth. As a new parent, you already have a great time of work to do. Is it worth another $25 a month to avoid the extra work that washing your own cloth diapers bring? If you’re answer is yes, then disposable diapers may be the wiser choice after all.

On The Environment

As far as the environment is concerned: at first glance, cloth diapers seem to be the winner. Obviously disposable diapers go to landfills, and don’t decompose easily. Cloth diapers are reusable. The water used washing them goes to waste treatment facilities instead of landfills. Disposable diaper waste sitting in a landfill could get into our ground water, contaminating it.

But the argument has been made that diaper services negate the environmental benefits of a cloth diaper. A diaper service has to pick up the diapers, wash them en masse, and take them back to the user. The chemicals used to clean the diapers, the carbon emissions from the truck, and the contaminated water, some say, make cloth diapers less earth-friendly. But if we want to look that closely at disposable diapers, we would also have to include the factory pollution from where they are made, the carbon emissions from supply trucks all over the country to put the diapers on shelves, and the disposable wipes that are often used hand in hand with disposable diapers.

While there does seem to be a reasonable argument both ways, it seems that cloth diapers are not only a better financial investment, but a better investment for the environment as well. I know that I personally wouldn’t have had the time or patience to really make cloth diapers more affordable. I paid for the convenience of disposable diapers, at the cost of the environment.

Which do you prefer?

How to Shop Secondhand

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second hand storeDue in part to the rise of the green movement, secondhand shopping has become easier and more popular than ever. Even celebrities are buying secondhand and vintage stuff and are proud of it! When we buy, sell or swap pre-owned items, we are putting the 3 R’s (Reducing, Reusing and Recycling) to good use, for the benefit of ourselves and our planet. Furthermore, when we buy something that is pre-owned, we are reducing the amount of waste normally associated with buying new items, such as boxes, paper tags, plastic packaging and the like.

Why Buy Secondhand?

We know that when we buy secondhand goods, we are going to save ourselves some money. Another compelling reason to buy secondhand items is that no new resources are required to make them. This includes materials and packaging as well as the resources used in the manufacturing process, such as heat and electricity. Also, there is less transportation involved when we buy from a local resale shop or exchange goods with people in our own communities. When new owners can be found for unwanted items, this also prevents these things from from ending up a landfill.

What Can Be Bought Secondhand?

Although some of the more common things to find in a resale shop are children’s clothes and toys, it is also possible to find pre-owned treasures in just about any category. Goodwill stores, for example, not only sell clothing, but also Halloween costumes, furniture, and home decorating items, some of them new. At my local Goodwill store, I have even found holiday wreaths, kitchen towels and candles-all offered at discount prices.

Looking for pre-owned books? There’s a place for that. Going to a gala event or planning a wedding? There are secondhand stores that specialize in couture gowns and wedding dresses. Building a house or remodeling? Look for a store in your area that carries left-over building materials, factory seconds and donated household items. It is amazing what you can find if you know where to look. A friend of mine even found a kitchen sink for her new home..who knew!

Where Can You Buy Second-Hand?

In addition to your local resale and consignment stores, there are some other options available on the Internet. eBay (www.ebay.com) is a site that allows consumers to buy and sell both new and used items. It is a good place to start if you have a specific item in mind and do not want to waste time going from store to store. It is also a great way to track down a hard-to-find toy that your child has been begging for, but has been discontinued in retail stores. While Blues Clues toys may not be the “it” things anymore, try telling that to a child who still loves the show! Been there, done that. And just in case you were wondering, I was able to locate both Steve and Joe dolls on eBay. Need I say more?

Another option is Craigslist (http://craigslist.org/), a free, online community bulletin board where people can buy and sell pre-owned items. Furniture Findex (www.furniturefindex.com) is a website that allows people to list items online that they wish to buy or sell, in this case furniture, and is organized according to zip code.

There are also several websites that allow you to trade with, or donate to, others within the network. One such website is The Freecycle Network (www.freecycle.org), which lists local groups who are interested in swapping with one another. As with any online consumer service, remember to prioritize your own personal security. Set up a neutral meeting place to make an exchange or else make sure someone is with you when you are buying from or selling to a stranger.

Have other green or secondhand shopping tips? We’d love it if you shared them!

Send Us Stuff!

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One of the areas of this site that we really want to develop is our review section.  We want to be an honest resource for parents and part of that is providing product, site and resource recommendations.  Unfortunately, as we previously wrote about, we are parents with very little money so it makes it difficult for us to go out and buy merchandise just to write a review on it.  That is why we are hoping that companies out their that serve the family market will help us out.

Kids Ain't Cheap

Products Accepted for Review

If you or the company you work for provides any of the following, please keep us in mind:

  • Toy Manufacturer/Retail Store
  • Children’s Books or Magazine Publisher
  • Baby Equipment Manufacturer/Retail Store
  • Web site providing services to Families and Children
  • Manufactuer/Retail of other Children’s Merchandise

We can provide reviews and post press releases to our site if we think the content serves our community.  We can also provide you with a personalized review of your product or service in exchange for a free copy of what you want us to review.  Please bare in mind that our reviews are honest.   If you send us something for free but we don’t think it’s a good product, our review will reflect that opinion.  If you are willing to take the risk, please contact us or send us your sample.

You can reach us via our contact page.

Do you have a children’s or parenting product you would like reviewed?

My Boys Have Fun on the Trampoline!

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This video is from earlier this year, from early Summer.  As much as I enjoy Fall activities with my children, I always feel just a little bit sad to say goodbye to Summer.  I was going through my video’s and pics in a vain attempt to finally organize them and came across the video below.  My boys had a blast at my Sister’s house this year playing with my Nephews and Niece.  This is a reminder of one of those fun days.  It features my two boys (the younger of the two) playing with Max, one of my nephews.  Poor Sean couldn’t get on his feet for very long but he loved every minute of it and his hair is going wild from the static!

Do you have a trampoline? How do your kids like it?

What to do When Your Child Outgrows Something

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baby clothesAs parents we all want our children to look good in the outfits we buy them. We spend a lot of time, effort and money choosing just the right ones. And we also spend a vast amount of energy trying to keep the clothes clean and stain free.

But, as we all know too well the new clothing does not fit them for very long. Or it is time to pack away clothing for the season that has passed knowing the items will not fit the following season. What do you do when your child has outgrown something? Do you give it away? Do you have younger children that it is passed down to?

If not, here a few ideas to help get more life out of the clothing rather than just throw it away.

Hand-Me Downs

There is always the chance the child will have a younger sibling. If you would like to hold onto a few of the outfits now is the time to think about storage. Making sure the items are clean and stored in airtight containers in a dry place is essential in making them last to be worn again.

Sell Them

For the parent who wants to make some extra money for the clothing that has been outgrown you could always resell it. There are consignment shops as well as websites and businesses such as Ebay, Remember, you will have to pay a consignment fee on the items you sell and on Ebay and such companies you will also need to pay for shipping.

Donate Them

For those who have enough to handle with the house and children and the job reselling may not be something you are interested in. There are plenty of places that will take clothing your children have outgrown and put them to good use. The Salvation Army will take them and sell them at an inexpensive price. This is extremely helpful for those parents that do not have the extra cash for clothing. Another option is to take them to a homeless shelter if you have one in your area. My children have learned that giving to those who do not have anything is a great way to help out. As a matter of fact the older ones will take care of the clothing better because they know it helps others and they want them to look good in the clothing.

When donating clothing be sure to get a tax receipt. Although it may not be much it will still help on the taxes and every little bit helps in the end.

Find New Uses For Them

Clothes that just cannot be salvaged can be used as rags for cleaning. Reusing outgrown and unsalvageable clothing for spills and cleaning and then tossing them in the laundry helps reduce the use of paper towels and actually saves money in the long run.

What to do when your child outgrows something could even turn into great craft projects! Squares of cut fabric can be used to make scented hot pads or even doll clothes. And for those of us with boys the possibilities never end! Anyone have a dinosaur that needs an outfit?

What have you done with items your children have outgrown?

Easy-Peasy Homemade Halloween Decorations

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Halloween CraftsHalloween is that time of the year when kids can dress up in their spookiest outfits.  This is when I think about how to prepare my house for the visiting little goblins and witches.

Of course, budget is never far from anyone’s mind these days.  This year, I decided to go the route of homemade Halloween decorations.  I decided to make it fun by taking on little “projects” that my son could help me out with.

Outside Spookiness

1.  The classic jack-o’-lantern

Take some Terra-cotta pots (make sure they are clean and dry), and invert them.  Cut out the eyes, nose, and mouth from some yellow-orange craft paper.  Get some all-in-one glue and spread it over the surface of your pot, stick on your jack-o’-lantern’s face, and seal it with another coat of glue. Place an old tree branch in the center for the stem of the pumpkin.  Line the pots on the sides your porch steps or on a flower pot ledge. This is an easy, kid-friendly, and cheap way to decorate the entrance of your home for Halloween.

2. Wolf path

Take some sponges and download some templates of wolves paws that fit the size of your sponges.  Use the templates to cut and create your own paw-sponge.  Get some washable glow-in-the-dark paint, dip them in, and place on the ground- maybe in your garden, or leading to the entrance of your house.  Your kids will love doing this! You’ve got a neat, washable, cheap and enticing trick to get the kiddies excited over the treats you have inside.

Inside your Haunted House

1.  Window treatment

Choose two window panels facing the front of the house (or any part where the trick-or-treaters are likely to pass).  Get some black cardboard and cut them out to fit exactly the shape and space of your windows.  Take note- mom’s and dad’s should do this part.  Then measure out pumpkins eyes, nose, and mouth and again cut them out. Make sure these holes can be seen from the outside.  Take orange tissue paper or bright orange cellophane and paste them to the holes.  From the outside, it will look like you have spooky windows.  My son loves this neat trick!

2. Kids corner:

This is one the kids will love to help you out with.  Collect an old hanger, some glue, yarn, neon paint or markers, and fiberfill and you’re set to go!  Download templates of bats and half moons and have your kids color them using neon markers or non-toxic, glow-in-the-dark paint.  When they’re done, cut them out, align the front and the back and glue together making sure to insert yarn in the top center part of the bat.  Take your yarn and tie them to the flat end of the hanger in varying lengths (think of those pretty hanging lights you may have in one of your corners).  Hot-glue the fiberfill to cover the entire hanger and then glue the half moon cut-outs in them.  Hang in your child’s room- let them pick out the corner!

Some Tips to Decorate Your Treat Table

Use some orange and black cloth to cover your table.  You can purchase a bit from your local store, just enough to be a runner. Fill old jars (remove labels and wash) with orange cellophane and candy for treats.  You can use jars of varying sizes, although wider ones would be advisable if you have them. Or you can use old tin cans, cover them with black craft paper, stick cut-out pumpkins eyes, nose, and mouth onto one side, and then fill with treats.

There are so many homemade Halloween decorations you can use to make your home Halloween-ready without too much fuss, money, and time required.  What’s most important is making it fun for your kids and their friends!

So, Happy Halloween! Trick or treat everyone!

How do you decorate your home for Halloween?

Choosing a Baby Stroller That is Right for You and Baby

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It takes 40 weeks before you get to hold that bundle of joy in your arms. 40 weeks before you get to meet the little person who had been growing inside of you all that time. It is a time to marvel at the creation of life but also a time to prepare for your new role as parents. In those amazing 40 weeks there are plenty of decisions to make – breast or bottle, disposable or cloth diapers, crib or family bed, stay at home or return to work. There are plenty of items to buy – breast pump, bottles, pacifiers, nail clippers, diapering system, change table, crib, blankets, bath towels, dresser, car seat, stroller. Through the morning sickness (which actually lasts all day for many), the constant need to go to the bathroom and the extreme fatigue (no one told you you would be this tired already), you need to get ready because this little one is coming out, ready or not!

With the wealth of information available from other parents, in books, in magazines, and online, sometimes it will feel that the decision to have a child was easier to make than what stroller to buy for him or her! I have been there and felt overwhelmed many times myself so here is a simple break down on choosing a baby stroller for your baby.

Handling Multiples and Strollers

Double StrollerTo begin with it is important to know how many babies you will be welcoming into this world. When it comes to strollers, multiples simply means you need more seating. Luckily, with the increase in multiple births over the past decades, it is much easier to find a stroller to suit your needs as the parents of multiples. You must also take into consideration if you will be travelling a lot, for what activities you will most likely be needing the stroller and for those who are deciding which single seat stroller to buy, you need to consider if you plan on having more children who could be using the same stroller.

Safety is always the number one consideration when it comes to purchasing any item for your precious little one. In strollers check their stability and their harness system. Five point harnesses are best for infants and babies. Keep in mind that your infant will not have much head control before four to six months of age so these little ones need the ability to recline. The reclining position is also very good for in-stroller naps and sometimes those are the best ones!

If you find a stroller with the safety features you require like Mixx full feature stroller, it is always a good idea to do a test run in the store. Push the stroller around and make sure the height of the handles is a good height for you. Taller parents may need to search for the strollers that have adjustable handle heights. It is very important to check the mobility of the stroller as well. You will need one that makes corners smoothly if you plan to use it in crowded places. Something else to keep in mind is the size of the wheels. Typically the smaller they are, the less variation in terrain they can handle.

As any parent or caregiver will tell you, where there is a baby, there is a diaper bag. It is never recommended to hang a diaper bag over the handles on the back of the stroller as the weight of the bag can cause the stroller to tip over backwards with baby sitting inside. Most strollers come equipped with storage space in the form of a storage basket underneath. Make sure the stroller you choose will meet your storage requirements. Do not worry too much about the accessories or lack thereof on any particular stroller. Each accessory is sold separately. If you plan to do a lot of travelling, make sure the stroller you choose folds and fits in your trunk easily and that it is light enough for you to lift into your trunk.

The Main Varieties

lightweight stroller typeBaby strollers come in four main varieties that include lightweight strollers, standard strollers, jogging strollers, and travel systems. Lightweight strollers are just fancy versions of umbrella strollers or lightweight standard strollers. They are great for short trips to the mall or around amusement parks.

Standard strollers are very versatile and most fold easily with a one handed folding mechanism. They do take up more space and are heavier to lift into your trunk but they are also roomier for baby, often come with accessories and have larger wheels, more storage space and more ergonomic handles than the lightweight strollers.

If you plan to be outdoors a lot, on rugged terrain or jogging with your baby in the stroller, a jogging stroller is probably the stroller for you. Jogging strollers typically have three large wheels, all-terrain suspension systems and hand-grip brakes. They can replace a standard stroller or be used as a back up to a standard. The disadvantages of a jogging stroller are that they are very heavy, do not fold very compactly and are not recommended for infants under six months of age.

Travelling systems are standard strollers that also come with an infant car seat that snaps securely onto the stroller’s frame. The car seats often come with a base that you leave fastened in your vehicle, allowing you to simply snap the car seat off the base and onto the stroller. Everyone knows you never wake a sleeping baby and travelling systems allow for easy transport of your sleeping angel from stroller to vehicle and vice-versa. Once your baby outgrows the car seat, the stroller functions the same as a standard stroller.

Brand new, many of these strollers are expensive. The good news is that if you have more than one child, the same stroller can be used for all of your children which will definitely save you money. For travelling systems, the infant car seat can even be used for at least one more child. It is recommended not to use a car seat if it is more than five years old. Do not forget to include the stroller of your choice on your baby registry. Often times doting grandparents or groups of friends, co-workers or teammates like to put money together and buy the big ticket items off a registry list. This is how I received the jogging stroller I used for all three of my daughters. My ball hockey team certainly got their money’s worth out of that!

In-store prices can be a lot more expensive than online prices so in order to save money it is recommended to “test drive” the stroller in store and to hold off buying it until you have compared the in-store prices to the online prices. I have heard of people saving as much as 50% online!

Consider a Used Stroller

A stroller can be bought used as long as it meets safety standards and it not currently under recall. It is not recommended to buy an infant car seat used if you cannot verify the seat’s crash history and of course, if it is more than five years, which makes travelling systems much harder to buy used. You can find used strollers in second-hand stores, at yard sales, by asking friends and family if they know of anyone looking to sell baby items and also through online sites such as Kijiji Canada and the eBay Classifieds (USA). There is also the possibility of getting a free baby stroller through a website called Freecycle. Freecycle is used in 85 countries around the world and is a way to recycle rather than throw away perfectly good items. I have freecycled some baby items, including a stroller, myself.

Where did you get your stroller? What type was it?