Bunch Family

By Carla Mundwiler

Like most Torontonians I am not, apparently, here to make friends.

As the media circus swirls over limiting strollers on the already-limited TTC, and the trolls crawl out of every crevice to admonish women who dare to leave the house with their babies, my face settles into a knowing scowl.

It’s no surprise that some folks feel others have no right to take up space; it’s an old and tired song. It seems like everyone has a strong opinion about which people are entitled to what services, and the thing that seems to unite them is their utter selfishness.

Last month it brought me some satisfaction knowing that at least some parents took the time to stand up for themselves and their kids who ride on that godforsaken bus.  Read more...

What the cool parents are reading today:

1. Momedy, or comedy for moms, is hard to define. But STFU Parents knows it when she sees it.

2. All parents of young kids should ask themselves, “Is my child more shy or anxious than other kids their age?” and “Is my kid more worried than other kids?”

3. First-time parents spend a whole lotta dollars on that first baby. “First-time parents believe that the more they buy, the easier it will be,” says one pediatrician-author.

4. Apparently it’s trendy to reveal the sex of your unborn baby via cake. It’s now big in Britain. Kind of a cute idea, but, you know, gender norms and colours.

5. Want to know what you can do with Lego and stop-motion animation? This homage to the Game of Thrones opening, for one.

 Read more...

What we’re reading today:

1. Does your son or daughter celebrate when a practice is canceled? You kid might be too busy. Here’s how to check.

2. Moms are too judgey with other moms. Let’s ease up a little.

3. Know any adoptive parents? Here’s what not to say to them.

4. Some kids are going hungry. We need to get them more breakfasts, lunches and dinners.

5. Does this not look like the kind of device that turns on you once it becomes self aware?

Photo by bmitd67 via Flickr

What we’re reading today:

1. Some parents are planning their kids around when the $ 1,500 adaptable stroller will be available: “Hey, I’m thinking of having my second, so when do you think you’re going to have the stroller?”

2. With gay marriage now legal and happening in New York state, the New York Times interviewed three same-sex couples who already had kids and got married this weekend. What does marriage mean for people who’ve already started a family together?

3. Decemberists lead singer Colin Meloy has written a young adult novel. If it’s anything as imaginative as his songs, we’re pretty sure we”ll like it.

4. A British MP says that there aren’t enough girl characters on kids’ TV shows and the ones that do exist are too pink and princess-y.

5. Flying anywhere sometime soon? Make sure you know all the safety protocol stuff:  Read more...

What we’re reading today:

1. How big is too big for a stroller? Salon talks to the Laura Miller about her Too Big for Stroller blog. Miller says, “When the kid’s knees are bent up, when their feet are dragging on the ground,” they’re probably too big.

2. Speaking of judging other people’s parenting skills, why do we like calling Amy Chua terrifying, or glaring at the mom whose child is out of reach at the playground?

3. Is good daycare cost prohibitive? Some moms have launched a task force to deal with this issue.

4. Remember hearing about that San Francisco mom who wanted to give her daughter a head start on her inevitable rise to stardom by giving her botox? Bellasugar says it’s all a hoax. Jezebel adds the story about a mom tattooing her daughter’s eyebrows. So yeah, Jezebel says we don’t need to be worrying about botoxing etc for grades twos.  Read more...

Megan Pettit shares stories from a new mom

We were very lucky to have friends and family generously donate baby items. So lucky in fact, that we received two strollers from two different family members. Both were in excellent condition and were greatly appreciated. My husband and I didn’t know a thing about strollers, so it was nice to not have to research one baby item out of the thousands that are out there.

One of the strollers was very functional looking. It had a large storage area under and cup holders above. The fabric was a safe white and blue pattern. It was a Greco.

The other stroller was space-aged. It was tall and sleek, with hydraulics and air tires. The fabric was a kitschy lime green and turquoise. It was a Quinny.  Read more...