Today we are going to take a quick break from our 5 part series and I want to talk a little bit about homeschooling.  I am by far NOT a homeschooling expert, but having starting “homeschooling” my oldest for preschool I wanted to share some things with all you moms and dads out there that I have learned!

I first became interested homeschooling when I saw one of my friends doing all of these creative things with her daughter. She pointed me to Confessions of a Homeschooler blog..and let me tell you, this blog has changed my life for the better!!! Now regardless of your religious beliefs, the educational content is great.  And what I love about it is your can completely make it your own (taking out religion completely, adding your own activities, pick and choosing her activities…you name it!)!

Now with my oldest (3) I have started using her Letter of the Week program.  I have also found NUMBEROUS “mom blogs” out there completely dedicated to homeschooling.  While some are geared toward school aged children, my favorites are the pre-k ones (duh…having a preschooler).  They all give me sooooo many ideas and FREE worksheets that I can use with my children to make learning a large part of our day.  Here is a Photo of B and his “Chicka Chicka Boom Boom Tree” of letters that he has already learned:

In the past months, learning has become so important to our families routine, that our “play room” has been transformed into a “school room”.  We have a bulletin board set up, calendar, letters…it looks like a classroom in there!  And B is ALWAYS asking, “Can we go to school now?” MELTS.MY.HEART!

NOW, you are probably saying to yourself, “Why is Paige trying to gloat about her life?” and that my friends is the LAST thing I want to do.  My hope is to spark something off in one of you.  Maybe you thought you couldn’t homeschool, or were not capable of it.  Well let me tell you first hand, If I can do this, ANYONE can!!! I will provide some links to sites that I have come to love and maybe you will see something that will work for you and your family!

Happy reading!  Maybe you will just find some great activities to do with the kids inside on a rainy day, or fun education games for this summer!  Or maybe you will be daring and start homeschool your younger kids.  As parents we are our children’s first and greatest teacher.  As always, I love to hear your feedback and am available to answer any questions

Some more favorite blogs (in no order):

2 Teaching Mommies

Homeschool Creations - Preschool Packs

Totally Tots

1+1+1=1

Pinterest – There are lots of moms out there just like you and I who have ‘pinned’ some GREAT ideas! This is also where I have found links to lots of the blogs I like! Check out my preschool board and add me if you’re on there – I’d LOVE to you your boards too. Let me know if you need an invite

~Paige

Strap your harness on and get ready folks, it’s stroller time!!! This is my FAVORITE topic we are going to discuss.  Stroller shopping is like car shopping, you love it or you hate it…and let me tell you, I LOVE IT!  ’Baby gear’ is so much fun, and overwhelming when you don’t have a direction.  This week, Annie, with Wee Plan Baby Planners, has put together some great questions and things to think about when shopping and choosing a stroller for your family.  She gives some great insights and sparks some great questions.  So grab a cup of coffee and read on folks – this is going to be fun!  And after she has hopefully given you some direction to go in, there are some great suggestions at the bottom.  I encourage you to create a list of needs and then find the stroller that fits your list.  And as always, if you have questions/comments/suggestions, please let me/us know!!

~Paige & Annie

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A stroller is one of the most difficult baby gear items for new parents to choose.  Strollers can be a parent’s best friend, but choosing the wrong baby stroller could spell trouble and inconvenience (not to mention lots of money). And, as always, baby’s safety is the biggest concern. With all the stroller options available to parents these days, there is a different stroller type and model for every lifestyle and budget.  The best way to begin your stroller selection is to determine where and how often you plan to use your stroller.

What Do You Plan to Use Your Stroller For?

Before you begin to evaluate different stroller brands and models, it is important for you to determine how, where and when you will use your stroller. Parents who plan to use a stroller primarily when running errands should consider the stroller’s size and weight especially if they will be in and out of the car often, use public transportation or need to go up and down stairs frequently.

If you plan to travel with your stroller often, you might consider an umbrella stroller (lightweight, compact fold stroller that is easy to fold and carry) or a travel system. Travel systems offer convenience for busy new parents. A travel system begins with a standard stroller, but includes an option for an infant car seat to onto the stroller, allowing parents to move the infant from car to stroller easily. Most travel systems come with a car seat base that stays in the car so that parents just snap the infant seat into the base rather than buckling/unbuckling the seat into the car. Once the infant seat is outgrown, travel systems perform the same as standard strollers (if you choose a travel system, keep your car seat choice in mind, as not all systems are compatible with all infant car seats.  Athletic and outdoorsy parents generally find jogging and all-terrain strollers to be the most useful in their daily lives. Convertible strollers tend to be the most versatile (albeit, not the lightest) of all.  They usually recline completely flat or have a bassinet attachment to accommodate a newborn, allow for an infant car seat to click into the frame, and easily convert for use with a larger baby and toddlers.  These convertible strollers usually have all the “bells and whistles”, but tend to be expensive…and really cool.

What is Your Budget?

When it comes to buying a baby stroller, many parents often think that a more expensive stroller is always a better choice than a lower priced model. While price is often directly relative to the quality of a product, higher price tag does not necessarily mean that you’ll get a stroller that is better for your needs.

Consider how often you plan to use the stroller when you are trying to decide how much to spend. If you will use your stroller on a daily basis buying a higher priced stroller that is more durable may be the best choice for you; however, if you simply want to have a stroller on hand for occasional use then it is not necessary to splurge.  Since many parents end up needing two or three strollers to meet all of their needs, you should consider the stroller’s lifespan when factoring the purchase into your budget.

What is the Best Size for Your Family?

When you are purchasing a stroller, size can be a major factor. Consider how wide the stroller is when open to determine if you will be able to walk down sidewalks and through doorways with it. Consider if the stroller will fit into your vehicle when folded. You should also keep in mind how much space you will have to store the stroller when it is not in use.  Walk your favorite strollers through the store before making a purchase. Check the height of the handles to be sure they are comfortable for you. Taller parents should look for strollers with adjustable handle heights so they don’t have to stoop and choose a stroller that makes corners smoothly, especially if you’ll use it in crowded places. Also try walking with the strollers at a faster pace to be sure your feet don’t hit the wheels. In addition, some stroller sit higher off the ground, which may keep infants farther off the ground (and some pollutants) ensuring that taller parents don’t have to bend over so far to remove them from the stroller.

If you have more than one child, strollers with extra capacity can make outings easier. Consider the children’s ages when choosing a stroller for multiples. Some double strollers have space for a child to stand and ride, but this doesn’t allow for in-stroller naps. Other models have seats for all riders. Choose seats that recline for younger riders.

What is a Stroller’s Safety Rating?

Chose a stroller with a good amount of storage.  Hanging bags and purses off the strollers handles can cause the stroller to tip and endanger your child.  Make sure that your stroller has locking wheels…and use them (even when in use, never leave a child unattended),  A five-point harness is best, especially for infants or babies who are in the stroller a lot. For occasional mall trips, a three-point harness might be OK. Look for pinch points and sharp corners, too. Note:  Sending in the product registration card that comes with your stroller ensures that your warranty is in effect and that you will be informed in the event of a product recall.

How Does this Stroller Maneuver?

Although the maneuverability of a stroller is subjective to each user, a few basic features will make it easier to push and turn any type of stroller. Swivel wheels make it easier to maneuver your stroller in indoor spaces like malls and shops. A comfortable handle height is vital to ensure that pushing the stroller will be effortless for you. Additionally, a stable wheelbase will ensure that the stroller does not tip when turning corners.

The best way to determine a stroller’s maneuverability is to take it for a test drive. Visiting a local store and testing out the stroller of your choice is a great way to find out if it is the right stroller for you and your family.

How Do I Determine Weight & Durability?

When it comes to baby strollers, weight and durability go hand in hand. Metal frame strollers are by far the most stable and durable; however, they do tend to be heavier than plastic frame strollers are. An advantage to having a heavier stroller is that it will last longer than a lightweight stroller, and it will be able to hold heavier (older) children.  If you are petite, the “all the bells and whistles” Convertible Stroller may seem cool…until you need to lift it by yourself and put it into your car’s trunk.

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While the above mentioned factors will be the most important reasons why parents choose a stroller type, some stroller features may also play a large role in the decision making process and sway parents from one model to another such as whether or not a stroller is made with eco-friendly materials (See Orbit Baby Strollers). Some stroller features that should be taken into consideration when shopping include:

• Collapsibility - Some strollers are easy to fold quickly while others may require several steps before the stroller is collapsed. Consider how easy it will be to fold the stroller. Many models now have one-hand folding which is the simplest and quickest.
• Harness/Seat belt - A stroller’s harness should be easy to adjust as your child grows and the buckles should be easy for you to use, but not for your child.
• Reclining Feature - How much a stroller seat reclines can be a major deciding factor for parents when purchasing a stroller. A full recline is necessary for newborns and a slight or partial recline will offer support and increase comfort for an older infant.
• Wheels and Suspension - Larger wheels provide the best performance on curbs and stairs, and air-filled tires provide baby with a smoother, more comfortable ride.  Some of the higher-end strollers come with “full-suspension”.
• Brakes - Rear brakes are an important stroller feature, they enable you to lock the stroller’s wheels when parked to prevent the stroller from rolling. The best brakes are linked so that wheels on both sides stop together. Foot-operated brakes are the easiest type to use since they do not require you to bend down to activate them.
• Footrest - While a footrest will give your child somewhere to rest his feet, it will also reduce the odds of him receiving an injury from his feet touching the ground or being caught in a front wheel.
• Optional Accessories - You shouldn’t allow accessories to be a major deciding factor when choosing your stroller, unless of course you are torn between two models that are comparable in all other ways…although a cup holder is usually a MUST!

Some great strollers:

Single Traditional/Combo Strollers:  Graco Vie4, Baby Jogger City Mini Single, Bumbleride Flyer,

Convertible Strollers: Britax B-Ready, UPPAbaby Vista, Bugaboo Cameleon.

Umbrella Strollers:  Graco Ipo, Micralite Fastfold Superlite, UPPAbaby G-Lite

Travel Systems: Graco Stylus, Chicco Key Fit Caddy , Orbit Baby Infant Stroller System G2

Double Strollers: Graco Quattro Tour Duo, Phil and Ted’s Explorer (there will be another post on this coming up), Baby Jogger City Mini Double, Bumbleride Indie Twin, Bugaboo Donkey