Between having Connor and Bee, there were nine years. However, I still remember most of the baby gear I used with Connor and I am blown away daily by the advances in the "new" baby gear.
Let's start with the carseat. For Connor, I used a travel system that I got at my baby shower. Did I research it's safety rating? Of course not. It's DESIGNED to be safe. With Bee? All kinds of information (and opinions--from friends, family, other moms, websites, magazines, Google, Amazon, Target and BabiesRUs employees...) were thrown at me. There were brands to consider, colors, if you wanted a seat/stroller combo, or a seat that can fitted into a different model of stroller that you like better (of course that option requires ANOTHER piece of equipment to make them compatible), the weight of the carseat. I was seriously considering the "duct tape option" because I was so overwhelmed. Instead, I went with the most complicated option--a stroller that I really liked and would use for longer with a different brand of carseat that required the device to make it compatible with said stroller.
Then, little Bee came along and we put him into his high-quality, high safety rating, sporty-looking carseat. He hated it. We had to deal with his backseat driving (screaming) for about six weeks, then we bit the bullet and bought ANOTHER carseat. We bought him the same one Connor had only this model has a few extra bells & whistles. Namely, a cow print. Yes, I said it--Bee's carseat fabric looks like it should "moo" at you. But guess what? That cow print made him happier (or so I've convinced my husband who is not a fan)!
Bouncy seats. But after nine years, Connor's little bouncer sucked hard compared to Bee's. One of Bee's looked like a soft, furry papasan with hanging monkeys to stare at while music played and his little butt would vibrate. The other LOOKED like a monkey and had a toy bar--a toy bar! Bee would pull the banana and it would make sounds (again while playing music and vibrating his butt). There were a few sleep deprived moments when I looked at that soft little papasan chair and deliriously wondered if my ass would fit in it, it was so nice. Total sidenote: I finally realized what the vibrating does--it shakes the poops and gas out.
Once Bee got heavy and we were on the hunt for a better way to carry him around. Enter Baby Bjorn. Connor hated his, but since I'd witnessed all the improvements in the other baby gear I figured Bee would have to love it, right (I mean, the model I chose DID have back support)? No--and after some serious reconsideration, what boy wants his balls crunched up to his butt crack while circulation is cut off to his legs? On top of that, there is no place to rest their head (Mom's boobs are too low), and their arms just dangle around. Message to Baby Bjorn--the pics on your boxes are LIES. You photo shopped those smiling kids and parents (especially the boy baby's smile--totally fake).
Now that Bee is good with sitting in the front seat of shopping carts, I bought one of those shopping cart covers. I brought the cover home and for a second I thought I was seeing (and reading) incorrectly. This thing had, wait for it...A PLASTIC, WATERPROOF "SLIP" TO PUT YOUR iPAD, iPHONE OR ANY OTHER GADGET IN. WTF!?!?!? I thought, if a kid can work one of those gadgets at the age that he still is using the cover, you should throw out the gadget and enroll the kid at Harvard. I'm using that plastic slip as a snack sack.
I caved a few weeks ago and bought a new stroller. It takes up less space in my trunk, it's lighter, much easier to maneuver. This new stroller coincidentally is also named the "Bee" (that had NOTHING to do with my decision, I promise). There is a big problem with this stroller though--I don't know how to use it. I've read the instructions, I've practiced many hours (not 10,000 which Malcom Gladwell would recommend--Google that and show your kids when they don't want to practice something), I've tried with and without shoes, I bruised my freaking foot, I've let loose more expletives than any human should ever hear, I've had my husband try, my nanny try...we can only get 50% success if we're lucky. So this afternoon I'm putting it to the final test with my good friend who is also a nanny. If she can't get it, it's going back and I'll suck it up and use the one I already have.
On a final note: I KNOW I am a marketer's dream. I AM their target audience. I am SO gullible. So let me tell you honestly...don't believe all the hype. I do and it bites me in the ass all the time.
No comments:
Post a Comment