From Hug Your Kid Day to Parents’ Day, July is one of those months packed full of days set aside to celebrate some of our favorite people, you and your families!   Tots on-the-Go  would like to thank you for all you do for your little ones!

Reasons We Love Parenting!

Parenting is, by far, one of the most rewarding choices that we make.  Here are just a few of the reasons why parenting is so wonderful. 

 A Love that Knows No Boundaries - One of the greatest gifts that is bestowed upon a child is the ability to love unconditionally, without the boundaries that are set by our society.  A child does restrain when they feel the need to hug or kiss, regardless of their surroundings.  When the desire hits, they follow through.  How much better of a world would it be if we all gave in to our need for personal touch with our friends and loved ones?

A Learning Experience - Raising children is a constant learning experience.  Just when you think you have it down pat, the game suddenly changes due to a growth or change in the child.  Therefore, parenting becomes a way to keep your mind charged and ready for the next move.  As parents, we find ourselves constantly growing and developing to fit the needs of our families and children.  There is no time to get “bored” with the job of parenting, it is constantly a new experience!

 A Way to Stay Young - Although many parents will happily joke about the expanding sections of gray hair, parenting is also a way to stay young and young at heart.  From being more active to remembering our own childhood, our children provide us with outlets that keep our minds and bodies young.  Parents of toddlers quickly find renewed energy, while parents of school-aged children are able to relive some of the lost enjoyments of their own childhood.  Whether it is sharing a bike ride around the neighborhood, chasing an energetic toddler, or rereading your favorite childhood book, children give us a way to keep young and young at heart!

A Silliness Outlet - You know those times when you just want to sing and dance in the car, as though no one is watching?  (Come on…we can’t be the only ones!)  Parenting offers an excuse for all of our silly desires.  Children love watching their parents act “silly” and give in to our childlike ways.  Although people might notice you bouncing and singing as you drive down the road, their doubts about your sanity quickly disappear when they notice the toddler in the backseat doing the exact same thing! 

What are some of the reasons you love parenting?

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July is host to National Make a Difference to Children Month!  This month is dedicated to children who have serious illnesses, injuries, or handicaps.  This month represents an important time for all families to become aware and involved in local and national charities to help children.

There is no better time than the present to find the local organizations in your town or community and get involved!  Children benefit from not only participating in volunteer projects and campaigns, but also seeing their parents and other family members interested in volunteering their time.  Giving back to those in need is a great way to spend some quality family time with your children, all while teaching them about service and love for others.

Family Friendly Ways to Help

“Happy Mail” – Hugs and Hope, a foundation created in honor of supporting children who daily fight for their lives, asks for “Happy Mail.”  You can visit their site for names and addresses of children that your family can spend time writing to.

Please let us know how your family helps out!  Share some of your ideas on here!

***Remeber that 1% of all Tots on-the-Go profits for the month of July will be going to Ask!***

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Tots on the Go is showing Dads you can still be styling after you have kids with a Roddler, the industries first truly customizable stroller at a now truly great price for the summer, exclusively at Tots on the Go. Part hot rod, part stroller, Kid Kustoms’ Roddler is an amazing ride for the little cool kid in your life. (more…)

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Is it safe or not to wear your baby?  This topic is in hot debate on the heels of yet another baby wearing recall.  This time, the recall is hitting home with even more parents, as it is not the sling style, but rather the touted front load carrier by CYBEX.  This recall, along with the many previous ones, leaves parents questioning whether the benefits of wearing a baby outweigh the hazards that seem to be associated with baby carriers recently.

Wearing your baby is not just a recent fad, it has been utilized for centuries and is still used all over the world.  There are definite positives to wearing a baby.  For premature babies, the closeness and skin-to-skin contact has proven to benefit babies in their development and bonding.  The comfort of baby wearing for healthy infants can mean better bonding, feeling of safety, and even better breastfeeding.  As children become older, not only is baby wearing still beneficial for bonding purposes, but it allows the mother to have freedom, as well as keeping the child calm and less fussy.  Regardless of your particular baby wearing tastes, there is no arguing with the fact that baby wearing of any type has its benefits.

 So, with all of these recent recalls, is it safe to wear your baby?  And, if so, what are the best ways?  Consumer Reports, as well as a few baby carrier/baby wrap companies are trying to fight the growing scares by giving parents baby wearing guidelines to help keep babies and parents safe.  The practicality and benefits from baby wearing are numerous, and at Tots on-the-Go, we want to continue to encourage safe baby wearing. 

 Here are a few tips to remember when wearing your baby:

• First and foremost, research your baby carrier prior to purchase.  If you are interested in one, read reviews and try it out.  (We have our showroom in Richmond and would be happy to set up an appointment for you to come take a look at some of the most popular baby carriers on the market.)
• Read all of the instructions prior to attempting to wear your baby.  All carriers are different, and the instructions are usually very clear as to proper wearing techniques.
• Just like you would a car seat or stroller, check the carrier for any damage or worn parts prior to each use.
• Remember that baby carriers are not a replacement for a stroller!  They are intended for simple baby wearing usage while walking, not jogging or other sporting activities.
• It is important to remember the body differences if more than one adult is utilizing the same carrier.  Although the ideal would be one carrier per adult, a single carrier can be used with multiple adults as long as careful adjustments are made with each use.
• As Moby states, remember that your baby should be “Visible and Kissable” with any type of carrier.  Even if you choose to wear your baby sling style, you should be able to see the baby’s head due to the high position on your body, the supported head, neck, and spine (at least two fingers between the chin and chest), and the semi-reclined position.

 The bottom line is that there are many different baby carriers out there, and they all have their benefits.  Baby wearing is a proven technique throughout the ages, but as parents, we have to be smart in the choices we make when choosing carriers and when using them.  Research to find one that works right for you and your baby, one that fits your lifestyle and your needs.  If you want to try one on for size, please set up an appointment to visit our Richmond showroom!   We carry all  types of carriers, including  Mei Tais, ring slings, wraps, soft backpack carriers, soft front-load and framed backpack carriers. We carry the best baby carriers for safety, functionality and comfort from brands such as ERGO, Moby, Lillebaby, Zolowear, Kozy Carrier, Kelty, Deuter, and OnBoard Baby’s SportsBaby Carrier. We would be happy to help you find the perfect baby carrier for you!

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June is the month to celebrate the National Safety Council’s National Safety Month.   This organization, which was founded in 1913, has the stated misson to “educate and influence people to prevent accidental injury and death” and to “making our world safer.”  In support of this valid nonprofit organization and their 14th year of National Safety Month, Tots on-the-Go would like to help your family celebrate Summer Safety Week!

Sun Safety Sale!

Collapsable Sun Tent offers a lightweight carry to the beach, a quick and easy set up, as well as superior sun protection.  The reinforced tarp bottom also provides your little ones with protection from the heat of the sand.  Whether you utilize it with towels for a shady resting spot, or you partner it with a small blow up pool for a child’s personal shaded beach area, this tent will be sure to be your new favorite piece of beach equipment.

Baby Banz breathable, yet UPF 50+, wide brimmed hat and award-winning wrap-around sunglasses are the perfect combination to protect little ones from the sun’s harmful rays. 

Summer Safety Ideas

 Playground Saftey - Although we would like to trust that our city and state maintained playground areas are completely safe, there are still a few steps to help ensure that your family does not become one of the more than 200,000 emergency room visits from playground injuries each year. A quick inspection of the property for any loose equipment, sharp edges, or rough surfaces, partnered with active supervision and play with children will result in a wonderful and fun playground experience for all. 

 Bicycle Safety - It is important to stress bicycle safety to kids of all ages.  Starting off teaching the importance of wearing a helmet and pads, as well as having proper bicycle safety equipment (reflectors, horn/bell, mirror, light) to even the littlest beginner bicyclist is extremely important.  The need for wearing safety items will become a habit, instead of a battle.  As the child grows, make sure they know all of the rules of conduct for safety in traffic, regardless of the amount of traffic on the roads on which they will be riding.

 Fireworks Safety - Children, especially those between the ages of 10 and 14, are at the highest risk for fireworks injuries.  To help prevent some of these injuries, there are a few safety measures that can be put in place.  An adult should always be present and closely and actively monitoring any fireworks usage.  A bucket of water should be nearby to quickly discard any malfunctioning fireworks or put out fires.  There should be clear guidelines set, as well as different areas for play, for watching the show, and for lighting the fireworks.

Rash Guards are USA made and are the perfect addition to your beach trip or day at the pool.  A great way to protect little ones’ delicate skin without overheating them.

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Star Kids Snack & Play Travel Tray

Before you hit the road take stock of what’s on the market now to make your life easier for your road trip. Whether taking a baby, toddler, or tike, there are some great products to appeal to every age group kid. (more…)

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In our ever advancing world of new technologies and improvements of virtually everything our hands touch, there is constant change.  Are all of the changes and “improvements” truly helpful, or are we slowly beginning to pay the price for the demand for more, better, faster?

We have seen an overwhelming number of recalls in the news.  Everything, from vegetables to baby products, has been recalled in the past few years.    Two very famous name-brand products have recently come under fire. 
In April, McNeil issued a recall of all infant and children’s pain relievers and allergy medications.  Parents everywhere were in shock, to say the least.  Tylenol, for both children and infants, was at the top of the list of recalled products.  Johnson & Johnson, a name trusted by moms everywhere, released information that a plant where children’s medications were being manufactured was found to be in horrible condition.  Shortly thereafter, the FDA confirmed that not only was the plant not up to par in the cleanliness department, but violations such as duct tape-covered pipes, were also abundant.   It’s obvious that holes in the ceiling, duct taped pipes, and equipment covered in dust and grime did not happen overnight.  Was demand for this product so great that the need for cleanliness and quality control were put on the back burner? 

More recently, Proctor and Gamble has come under fire with their famous Pampers brand of diapers.  Some moms would suggest that this is a simple case of “Why mess with a good thing?”  For many families, Pampers has been a household name for years.  It stood as a trusted brand of diapers and wipes for those who needed/wanted the ease of disposable diapers.   Dry Max, Pampers answer to implementing the newest technologies available and making disposable diapers a little “greener”, has stirred up quite a bit of controversy in households and across the Internet.  Moms are begging for the return of the tried and true Swaddlers, Cruisers, and Baby Dry minus the Dry Max.  Pictures are being passed around from mom to mom, showing the newest effects these diapers are having on babies.  Proctor and Gamble is standing by their product, as well as having numerous pediatricians and a public health expert back their newest release.  For the time being, it appears that, contrary to popular demand, Dry Max will remain on the shelves.  Regardless of the diaper style you choose, cloth or disposable, doesn’t this beg us to question is newer always better?

So, what’s next?  I am sure the generations before us question our incessant need to worry, but in a world of constant change with new recalls around every turn, who doesn’t?  When will our need for better, faster, newer find a happy medium with safer, greener, healthier?

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Valco Easily Tackles Rough Terrain

 Valco Tri-Mode Twin EX

To say that my love affair with my Valco TriMode Twin EX Stroller began as “ love at first sight” is the truth.  Just imagine a 7 month pregnant woman strolling through a mall with an 18 month child suddenly break out in an outright sprint to catch a couple pushing her dream stroller.  I had looked everywhere for an attractive, double jogging stroller that would accommodate a car seat, and I was not about to let this rarity get out of my sight before I knew the brand!  Since our first encounter, the admiration I have for this piece of equipment has grown.  It is easy to use, fold, and lift.  I have no struggles getting it in and out of our Odyssey, and it even fits behind the last row of seats with room to spare!  We were slightly disappointed when one of our front tires suddenly stopped holding air, but within days we were equipped with an entire new wheel and tire, no questions asked.  My husband was not completely sold on the stroller until our recent hiking trip.  As you can see, nothing stops this stroller!  The baby actually slept throughout the trek through the woods  after we removed her from the attached car seat and put her directly  in the stroller (Yes, she actually fit with plenty of leg room under the car seat!).  This Valco has exceeded our expectations, and with room to grow (with the additional purchase of a third toddler seat), I see this stroller getting much use by our family for many years to come.

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Father’s Day Sale! 

This year marks the 100th anniversary of the first Father’s Day celebration!   At Tots on-the-Go, we want to celebrate this milestone with each of our wonderful dads out there!  We have put some of our favorite daddy gear on sale for this special occasion!  Please be sure and check out our sale page for some great deals for dad!

Ideas for the kids…

In addition to daddy gear, here are a few creative ways for kids to show Dad just how much he means to them!
 
Best Dad Trophy – Children love making crafts, and what better craft to make than a trophy celebrating those things they love about their father!  Kids can paint a foam football or even foam cups, use a box or small candle glass as the base, and make a creative plate to honor their dad.
 
Decorated Tools – What man cannot use an extra hammer?  Purchase one with a wooden handle (any wooden handled tool would work), and let your children personalize it with paint.  Dad will be sure to remember how much he is loved and appreciated each time he uses it!
 
Desk Accessories – Any dad is sure to love a momento to remind them of how much they are loved and appreciated while at work!  Kid’s will love making a painted rock paperweight, a picture frame adorned with some artifacts representing dad’s favorite hobby (i.e. nuts and bolts), or even a customized tin can pencil holder.
 
Smokin’ Apron – For those dads who love to grill, kids can create a gift they will use with pride during each cookout.  Using a little fabric paint, kids can personalize a plain apron, making it a wearable work of art!

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• On the here (blog), simply add a comment following this post. 
• On facebook, simply write “Book Week Giveaway - ” and write your favorite book and why. (ex.  Book Week Giveaway – Good Night Moon – A classic bedtime tale that I adored as a child.)
• On twitter, simply write “Book Week Giveaway @totsonthego - (enter your favorite book title here)”. (ex.  Book Week Giveaway @totsonthego - Good Night Moon)

“Children are made readers on the laps of their parents.” by Emilie Buchwald

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