posted on June 20, 2005 04:41:10 PM
HELP!!
My wife and I are gonna be parents for the first time, me 39, she 37. How do infants enjoy ramming through neighborhood garage sales?? Will I suddenly take second glances at the dreaded "baby clothes" garage sales?? Will I recognize a good deal on a baby seat when I see one?? Can we save bundles of money by looking for this stuff at garage sales?? I never thaught I would be asking these questions. HELP!!!!
posted on June 20, 2005 04:47:55 PM
First of all, congratulations --and condolences. Your life is about to change forever. (They never grow up)
Stop in at a baby boutique and check prices. You'll quickly understand why baby clothes and all the other accessories are so popular at garage sales.
If you tell them Benjamin Franklin said it first, they'll believe you
posted on June 20, 2005 04:56:08 PM
Hi...
Well, some kids will enjoy, some will tolerate, some will retrain you. You'll know your fate soon enough.
As for the car seat... and I hope you were kidding... buy it new. Do not take a chance on that vital piece of equipment. And, of course you already know not to leave a child unattended... those tykes learn young how to make a car move, lock you out of the car, find the horn.
Of course... congratulations!
Jim
posted on June 20, 2005 05:00:29 PM
Well congratulations mimic your life soon will be over taken and at first it will be tough but it will soon pass into how did we get along without this little one.
Yes you can purchase some high ticket items at garage sales. When my daughter had hers she needed two cars seats because they had two cars and since we baby sit we also needed one. Those seats are expensive because they have to be in compliance but we didn't need a new one so that is where we purchased ours and subsequently the other two that were needed. You will look at clothes because there is a bunch out there, some with tags. Have fun...
posted on June 20, 2005 05:36:23 PM
Congratulations!
I can't comment on having the baby in the car because he's my grandson and I usually only have him during the week. He's six months old and usually falls asleep when we're moving for any distance. The stop and start wouldn't work for him.
I can comment on looking at sales for baby clothes. They grow so quickly that if you find nice, gently used things, snatch them up! I have purchased many things on eBay as well because it's so much cheaper than in the stores, especially for things he's out of in 6 weeks.
I, too, would be careful about the car seat. Some of the other items tho, playpen or the Graco Pak N Play, crib/pen combo would be great. Those are like $75 new and you can find them for a third of that most times.
Good luck and you will be so pleased when that little gives you the first smile! At least I am smitten beyond belief.
posted on June 20, 2005 06:06:29 PM
Let me add my congratulations also. I just wanted to repeat what some of the others have brought up. Be extremely careful about buying a car seat. A surprisingly high percentage of the car seats that have been marketed over the years have been recalled because they are not effective, and in some instances, are worse than no seat at all. Stop by your nearest Highwayy Patrol office and pick up a list of the approved makes and models. Many Police agencies provide this service, but don't advertise it. Carry the list with you whenever you go to a yard sale, flea market or thrift shop.
A $75.00 solid state device will always blow first to protect a 25 cent fuse ~ Murphy's Law
posted on June 20, 2005 06:24:08 PM
Thanks everyone!!
The car seat reference was just an example. I am sure that will be purchased new like many other items. I appreciate all of your input, it's great to have at a time like this!!
posted on June 20, 2005 06:32:08 PM
micmic-Sparkz is correct-the New York State Police will install them for you.We had a female trooper at our barracks that did this on a daily basis-but call them first.As sparkz said you might want to ask them if they recommend any seat.Also you have to make an appointment as the trooper that does this might have the day off if you just drop by.
Here's why we recommend a new car seat. That's not to say a "safe" non-recalled car seat can't be bought at a yard sale.
I forgot to say congratulations! If it's a girl - are you going to name her Meg?
Get lots of sleep ahead of time. For the next several years you'll be severly sleep deprived.
Save all the toys and hope you'll know which will be THE ONE to sell on Ebay
Save all the drawings - just because
Sign him/her up for all the sports/dance/band you can. That's one of the things I missed the most after my daughter graduated. Those were the days!
Think about private school. I was just talking about this a couple of days ago with a close friend of mine and her grandson. If I had a child right now, I would not enroll them in public school unless I lived in a VERY SMALL town.
Take lots of pictures. Start a memory book. I can remember sitting in the unfinished nursery in the middle of the night talking to my stomach and all the hopes and fears I had. I wish I'd written them all down to share with her. (I only had one - a girl. I always say I got it right the first time!)
Children these days come in "cable ready". They'll never know what it's like not to have a cell phone, computer or microwave.
If I had a child today - I would raise him/her with these methods: (my daughter did go to Montessori daycare)
posted on June 20, 2005 07:10:31 PM
It's very important to help them develop their motor skills at a very young age. I recommend starting them out by letting them place small unbreakable items that you sell into #4 priority boxes, along with the styrofam peanuts. When they get this mastered, they can start with the bubblewrap on some objects that are breakable and integrate this skill with the peanut & #4 box skills. Before you know it, they'll be able to wrap small things like teacups and saucers in bubblewrap and place them safely in #10 boxes. Then, when they start to learn to read and write, you can get a few packages of Priority Mail Labels from the Post Office...............
A $75.00 solid state device will always blow first to protect a 25 cent fuse ~ Murphy's Law
posted on June 20, 2005 08:18:51 PM
OMG!! Our 3rd one came when we were 37. What a hell of a way to spend your middle age. Oh, by the way this was 13 yrs after our second was born. Whatever you do, DO NOT Leave the bsby in the car seat for any length of time on a hot day. Best Wishes!!
posted on June 20, 2005 08:22:06 PM
"It's very important to help them develop their motor skills at a very young age."
try sky diving and bungee jumping....this will develop their motors skills REAL fast......
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Baseball season has started,but they have it all wrong.3 strikes and you're out,4 balls you walk.I can tell you right now a man with 4 balls could not possibly walk
posted on June 20, 2005 08:34:24 PM
Talk about ironic, I just spotted a public service ad on the EO main page over in the space on the left where they rotate the public service ads. It was about booster seats safety. It leads to www.boosterseat.gov.
Classic, speaking of bunjee cords, when our kids were small, cars seats were not mandatory, so we threw the kids in the back of the pickup and secured them to the toolbox with bunjee cords. When we took the car, we'd just fill the trunk with pillows, blankets or stuffed animals and throw the kids in there. Slam the lid and be on the way. The advantage is that you don't have a lot of yelling and screaming coming from the back seat to distract the driver. It actually promotes safety. The down side is that once in a while you forget they're in there till you go looking for them at dinnertime.
A $75.00 solid state device will always blow first to protect a 25 cent fuse ~ Murphy's Law
posted on June 20, 2005 09:31:23 PM
Sparkz,
My Dad used to haul us all over the place in the pickup bed, not just in town, but 50 - 60 mile trips. How we learn & change! Unthinkable now, and with good reason. Some parts of "the age of innocence" were downright dangerous and dumb.
Glad he never thought of the trunk thing.
And, just for the older to-be parents, one of my class mates had 1st kid at age 52, 2nd followed quickly.
Jim
posted on June 20, 2005 09:57:29 PM
Jim,
Same here. One of the greatest thrills was riding in the back of dad's pickup. Even our scoutmaster would haul us up into the Sierras in the back of his pickup for a weekend camping trip. Try it now, and you'll get arrested for child endangerment. Those were what they refer to as " The good ole days" That's probably the reason I'm attracted to, and sell collectables.
A $75.00 solid state device will always blow first to protect a 25 cent fuse ~ Murphy's Law
posted on June 20, 2005 10:35:46 PM
Ha! I remember riding on my dad's running board and on other people's too -- down the street to the fruit stand, etc. Yes, now when I remember putting our baby in the infant seat loose on the back seat, letting our kids ride loose in the car, I shudder. Times are better now for child safety in many ways.
And do consider used clothing for the baby. Think about this: if you had older children you'd be passing on clothes they'd worn anyway. The younger ones don't know the difference until they're quite a bit older.
posted on June 21, 2005 02:03:32 AM
"The down side is that once in a while you forget they're in there till you go looking for them at dinnertime."
Sparkz-if that were me-the down side would be the kids were still there! LOL!!
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Baseball season has started,but they have it all wrong.3 strikes and you're out,4 balls you walk.I can tell you right now a man with 4 balls could not possibly walk
posted on June 21, 2005 03:15:06 AM
Thanks Classic, I will keep that in mind, I know a few NYS Troopers
Glasgrl, Megan is on the top of the list on the girls side. My wife loves that name and we have already thrown that one around...One question....Why is she (wife) so pissed off at everything?? I opened one bottle of beer last night and she threw a fit! This is gonna be a longgggg 9 months....
posted on June 21, 2005 04:11:38 AM
"I opened one bottle of beer last night and she threw a fit!"
ahhhh it wasnt a Bud light?? RIBBIT
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Baseball season has started,but they have it all wrong.3 strikes and you're out,4 balls you walk.I can tell you right now a man with 4 balls could not possibly walk
posted on June 21, 2005 04:13:54 AM
"Thanks Classic, I will keep that in mind, I know a few NYS Troopers"
hows that? ya got a few tickets on rt 17??<snicker>
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Baseball season has started,but they have it all wrong.3 strikes and you're out,4 balls you walk.I can tell you right now a man with 4 balls could not possibly walk
posted on June 21, 2005 04:14:27 AM
I agree with always buying the car seat new. But with 10 grandchildren, I buy the greatest toys at rummage sales, most like new for my grandchildren.Last week I got a bunch of Disney DVD's for $3 each, new markers, paints, coloring books, Barbie dolls and clothes etc. In the past I have got some great Fisher Price kitchens, play houses etc.
posted on June 21, 2005 07:09:53 AM new
Congratulations, micmic! Another idea is to check out consignment shops. I would put my daughter's clothes up for consignment and when they sold, used the money to buy more clothes from the shop. You can find some great stuff very inexpensive in consignment shops.
I would like to add that I had my daughter in a christian private school when I lived in Miami. It was a wonderful school and taught her above and beyond her ABC's. Now that we have moved, she'll be going to a public school that is A-rated. However, the morals and values that she was taught in the christian private school is invaluable.
posted on June 21, 2005 07:40:33 AM new
EstateSaleStuff <----- Catholic school girl ...
we're no angels. LOL ...
----------------------
Come out, Virginia, don't let me wait
You Catholic girls start much too late
Ah but sooner or later it comes down to fate
I might as well be the one
Well, they showed you a statue, told you to pray
They built you a temple and locked you away
Ah but they never told you the price that you pay
For things that you might have done
Only the good die young, that's what I say
Only the good die young, only the good die young
You might have heard I run with a dangerous crowd
We ain't too pretty, we ain't too proud
We might be laughing a bit too loud
Oh, but that never hurt no one
So come on, Virginia, show me a sign
Send up a signal, I'll throw you a line
That stained glass curtain you're hiding behind
Never lets in the sun
Darlin', only the good die young, wo-o-o-oh
I tell you only the good die young, only the good die young
You got a nice white dress and a party on your confirmation
You got a brand new soul and a cross of gold
But, Virginia, they didn't give you quite enough information
You didn't count on me when you were counting on your rosary, oh-oh-oh
And they say there's a heaven for those who will wait
Some say it's better but I say it ain't
I'd rather laugh with the sinners than cry with the saints
The sinners are much more fun
You know that only the good die young, woo-oo-oo baby
I tell you only the good die young, only the good die young
Said your mother told you all that I could give you was a reputation
Oh, she never cared for me but did she ever say a prayer for me, no-oh-oh
Come out come out come out Virginia don't let me wait
You Catholic girls start much too late
But sooner or later it comes down to fate
I might as well be the one
You know that only the good die young, tell you, baby
You know that only the good die young
Only the good die young
Only the good, good, only the good die young
Oo-oo-oo-o-oh o-o-oo-oo-o-oh
Oo-oo-oo-o-o-oh o-o-o-oo-oo-oh!!!!!!
posted on June 21, 2005 02:45:19 PM new
Estates been hanging out over at Jack's
I figured out what to name it if its a Girl.
Elizabeth Baylor.
then you can call her Ebay for short....horrible isn't it?
Let your child make more decisions every day. The funny thing is from the time they're born parents try to 24/7 say "don't do that" and "you can't do that" and "NO!"
Children come with their own built in guidance system - until we try to train them out of it. We do that for 18 years, make all their decisions for them (or try to) and then when they get to be 18 we say "you're on your own". And then the kids don't have a CLUE!
Sure I made some mistakes with my daughter but I just spent the last week with 3 grandchildren at my house, with another one that just left 2 weeks ago. These kids expect everything handed to them. The FIRST thing you want to teach them is that you are NOT THEIR SOURCE.
Maybe I was just lucky that my daughter is passionate about animals because I raised her the way I was raised. She started working at 14 years old at the Vet as Kennel help and at age 16 bought her own car with cash.
When she was 10 or so I turned her child support over to her to put in the bank or whatever. First one she got she just HAD to have $100 Nikes. Outgrew them 2 weeks later and after that it was her decision to shop at places like Kmart for shoes. Now she loves Goodwill and garage sales.
We went to visit my husband's son and grandaughters and my husbands grandson was there - age 13. Bree asked Grandaddy jokingly what did you bring me? and the grandson popped up and said "don't bother...it probably came from a garage sale." His birthday was a couple of months ago and he wanted us to buy him an XBox for his birthday. I cut all that silly stuff out when we got married as his exwife spends HUNDREDS on the children every bday and Christmas. They get a $50.00 bill for bdays and $100.00 for Christmas. But we do buy things for them during the year at yard sales. Except for the grandson. He won't get anything from a yard sale anymore. I told him to get a job
Rocking him in my arms; singing lullabys; knitting his little DrDentons...
Where DOES the time go?
"Cats in the cradle..."
"I'm going to spend a lot of time on Social Security. I enjoy it. I enjoy taking on the issue. I guess, it's the Mother in me."—Guess Who? Washington D.C., April 14, 2005
