HI Buddies,

I came across this article / list on Families on the Go Website and thought it was really useful; so thought it would be great to share with you. Some of the suggestions are for younger children but still it might help and we always like to share

By the Editors at FamiliesGo!

There’s no such thing as traveling light when you travel with kids. So we value anything that allows us to carry less, carry smaller, carry lighter or that keeps the kids comfortable longer. Here are 10 products (and 1 service) that get get high marks for cleverness in our book. Let us know what you think.

1. Bubble Bum’s inflatable booster seat is as portable as a booster seat can possibly be—and comes in two colors.

2. The first time we saw a Trunki suitcase from Melissa & Doug at the airport we knew we had to have it. Kids can pull it by themselves or ride on top. Pack clothes for a weekend trip or enough activities for a long flight or car trip.

3. The FlyeBaby infant hammock for airplanes is one of those baby items you use for only a short time, but while you need it, it’s a lifesaver. In addition to providing a place to eat, sleep or play on a play, it attaches it to a chair for an improvised high chair.

4. It was a sad day when Tiny Traveler outgrew her CARES harness. A simple strap that’s small enough to toss in your purse, it turns an airplane belt into a 5-point harness, eliminating the need to lug a car seat onboard for your toddler.

5. The Lay-n-Go toy tote comes in two sizes: the small one is ideal for bringing lose pieces like Legos or Doll accessories on a plane or to restaurants. The big one is ideal for the beach, Grandma’s or a vacation house. Throw a bunch of toys into it and open it up to create a clean play space.

6. The nylon BobaAir might not be quite as padded and cushy as other soft carriers but it’s easy to clean, weighs less than a pound and folds up into a tiny storage bag. For traveling with a small child it’s pretty darn handy.

7. If you like a carrier with a frame, the KoKoPax carrier has some handy features for travel. It folds up flat enough to fit in a carry on or even the right tote bag. And a kickstand makes it easy to put on even when you are traveling as a solo parent.

8. As city moms, we’ve always admired Quinny strollers for their clever compact designs. The Yezz takes clever a step further by collapsing into a bundle compact enough to carry over your shoulder. (And, we’re giving one away!)

9. We have yet to find the ideal portable high chair but this booster seat from A Parent Company comes close. It attaches to almost any chair, wipes clean and folds down to fit in its own carry case.

10. We love versatility. Natural mat is meant to be a clean, organic mat you can lay on top of whatever strange crib or playard you wind up using while traveling. But it can also be a comfy place to nap on the go, or a clean place to plop a baby down on the grass or floor.

Bonus tip: AAA membership: It might not be actual gear, but I highly recommend it for family travel, even if you don’t own a car. Membership gets you a free car seat and other discounts from Hertz, as well as discounts on hotels rooms, activities and attractions. Then there are the handy maps and trip planning services (oh yeah, and roadside assistance).

We’ve hit that crazy time of the year known as “the end of the school year”!

The calendar is filled with tests and papers that are due, spring sports, musical concerts at school, end of the year parties and more.  It feels like there are not enough hours in the day.  To save mom’s sanity, BubbleBum has come up with a few tips to ease the stress so the whole family can enjoy a smooth transition into summer.

End of School Year Tips

Don’t let it stress you out. Things will get done if you take the time to be organized and on top of schedules. Your child will take their cue from you. If you are stressed out, they will be too. If you remain calm and in control, they will as well.

Keep a white board or schedule with your child’s exam and final project due dates visible. This way things won’t sneak up on them and add stress. Although seeing it all laid out in front of them may cause initial stress, once they recognize that it is all do-able, the stress will subside.

Do not try to accomplish everything in one day. Spread the work out. Take breaks and enjoy the sunshine. Start early. Do not wait until the end of the school year to figure out what needs to be done.

Enjoy the parties. Remember that the end of the school year is a momentous occasion, whether it is 4^th grade of 12^th grade, it is an accomplishment that should be celebrated. Go to the graduation parties, grab ice cream after school – do whatever you need to do to commemorate their accomplishment.

Lower your expectations of yourself. You are not wonder woman. Create carpools, call on grandma and expect your husband to help with some of the driving as well. It is okay to ask for help.

Allow yourself to miss some of the activities. You don’t need to be at every soccer game or class party. Your kids are still going to love you if you miss something. Plan to hit the “one time” events (band concerts, graduation ceremonies) and be prepared to say “no” to those things you’ve done already this year (classroom parties, packing up library books or chaperoning a field trip.)

Take time for yourself. Moms often forget they need time as well. Make sure you still do your workout or have coffee with friends. Don’t book yourself so busy that you don’t have time for the activities that keep you going.

Summer Organization Tips

Summer registration deadlines arrive early, so you should be looking to register for summer activities soon if you haven’t already.

Create a summer calendar that you write all your activities on so you can see where there is overlap and empty spots.

Do something fun with your kids. Don’t just drop kids off or have them make their own fun. Plan activities together and enjoy summer as a family. Have a picnic in the park, go to the pool, go hiking or biking or out for ice cream together. You will enjoy summer more if you allow yourself to.

Make sure you build some “me time” into your day.

And don’t forget to pack your BubbleBum as you’re sure to be doing a bit of driving the kiddos around this summer!

Hi Buddies,

We just came across this review on Go Graham Go:

Portable and Foldable Booster Seat: BubbleBum

Now that Graham is in school our lives feel about 20 times more busy!  We are constantly on the go to either ball games, church, parties, or other events.  Because we work outside of the home we have to rely upon others to help us out sometimes.  That means that we have to lug around and trade booster seats.  Well, life just got a little more simple thanks to a product I was just sent for review called the BubbleBum.

BubbleBum is the first truly portable booster seat that I have ever seen and it is simple to use.  Just take the BubbleBum out of the bag, twist off the air valve, blow up until the seat is fully inflated and place cap back on, position the seat in the back seat, pass the seatbelt through both sides of the seat restraint on the BubbleBum and buckle.  Once you are finished with the BubbleBum just remove the air valve cap and roll until all of the air is expelled.

While I wouldn’t recommend using this as your primary booster seat, it truly has come in handy for those last minute pick ups!  I like to store mine in the trunk just in case I need to hand it over to someone who will be picking Graham up.  Keep in mind that this seat will need to be used with children who are 4 or older and weigh at least 40 pounds.  I could see this also coming in handy in restaurants if your child needed a little extra boost at the dinner table (although this is not what it is intended for).

Source: http://www.gograhamgo.com/portable-and-foldable-booster-seat-bubblebum/

For the full review, where it’s in stock, and how much it costs, please visit http://goo.gl/8Cekg

Hi Buddies,

I just came across this review and thought you might like to see it. You can also check out the website A Momma’s Journey  which is really interesting

Bubble Bum, the Car Booster Seat in a Bag

Booster seats is a must have particularly when traveling with kids in the car. And since car booster seat are required on every kids ages 4 to 11 years old and weighted between  40 to 100 lbs,  no wonder why with BubbleBum makes it easier for parents to travel with their kids anywhere, any time. BubbleBum is a portable, inflatable and foldable car booster seat which perfect for travelling. It’s not only it’s light-weight, compact but it’s also affordable alternative to buying a standard booster car seats.  This is a great car booster as well to use when traveling with kids on the plane.  Also, perfect for taking taxis, school cars and even rental cars. A must have for any family vacation too that you might have in mind anytime you need to take a booster seat because you can take Bubble Bum with your purse or  backpack.

When it comes to safety requirement required by NHTSA, Bubble Bum meets all US Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard so you don’t have to worry about if it’s unsafe. Enhanced with the comfort of the shoulder belt positioning, the Bubble Bum also clips in place of  “arm rests” that would fit in smaller spaces where possible for three kids to fit in across the back seat of any vehicles, which definitely great for play dates or picking kids from school.

And that’s what I love about this Bubble Bum booster seat ($39.99 ARV) because we don’t need to take off my son’s car seat to put on my car. Sometimes, it’s annoying to take the car seat off and then put it back but with this inflated Bubble Bum, I don’t need to and that makes my life so much easier and fast. It’s also easy to deflate for storage which I could carry any time whenever we need a booster car seat. However, this car seat can be used only with a 3 point car seat belt and it comes with stretchy carry bag for convenience of making it transportable in the back of your trunk or in a flight bag.

So, if you need an extra booster car seat consider Bubble Bum because this is the only car booster seat you can find in a bag available in BubbleBum, Target and Babies ‘R Us. It’s also available in select Target stores nationwide.  You can also follow them on Pinterest, Twitter and Facebook.

Hi Buddies,

As you know we love to read reviews about BubbleBum; when I saw the name of this site, Peanut Butter and Whine, it brought more than a smile to my face and well you know what, this is just a great site and we really appreciate the feedback:

My regular followers know that I babysit Baby Alice during the week while her
parents work. As with everything in life sometimes I get all 3 grandbabies at
the same time. THIS is when the problems start! I have 2 carseats. I can’t
squeeze a 3rd carseat in the back for nothin’ no how… no way!!
TA DA!!!
BubbleBum!! I couldn’t be more giddy if I tried!! Seriously! This is perfect for
me!  SO many reasons!!

Read the full review here:

Peanut Butter and Whine – BubbleBum!! Car Booster Seat

Thank you thank you thank you for putting a smile on my face!!!!

HI Buddies,

Please see a really great review of BubbleBum below which was on MomFavorites.com and you should check out the website for some great articles:

My Very Own BubbleBum Review + Giveaway

Let’s play a game of “Would you Rather!” Would you rather pick Option A or Option B?

 

I pick Option A.  I’ve sworn I will not own a mini-van.  Nothing against all you mini-van drivers.  I get it.  Really, I do.  I’m sure it makes your life easier.  Especially if you have more than two kids.  I may even end up eating my words one day.  But, for now… I drive an SUV.  A 10-year-old SUV with over 100,000 miles on it.  Cool, it is not.  But, it is the first car I ever purchased it, and I love it.

Except for when we need to put three kids in the back seat.  Then, I hate it.  And, lately, I’ve been hating it a lot more often.  My Highlander does not fit three traditional car seats in the back row. Yep, there are latches for three car seats, but I’ve tried it, and I swear, it can’t be done.  Not with the array of car seats I’ve tried, anyway.  Fortunately, my oldest son is now booster seat ready, and I’ve been introduced to the BubbleBum.  Love the name, and double-love the convenience of the product.

The BubbleBum is a genius product.  It comes in a little carry case that is so light (and small) you could carry it in a purse or travel tote.  To use it, you inflate it by mouth, install it easily in the car where a three point harness seat belt is, and use the seat belt adjuster if necessary.  It’s suitable for ages 4+ that weigh 40 lbs or more.

 

 

We’ve used it several times now.  My nanny can take my son to school with the other kids in tow.  My oldest in the BubbleBum, my youngest in a forward facing car seat and her little guy in the rear facing car seat.  Awesome.  We’ve also used it when we were visiting family.  An older cousin wanted to ride in our car with my boys.  No problem.  We didn’t have to move any bulky car seats, just pulled out the BubbleBum from the trunk, inflated it and Voila…. happy kids.  (And happy parents!)

$39.99 vs. $34,999 You Decide

I was considering getting a new car that would fit three children more easily.  Instead, I’m using my BubbleBum.  Saved me about thirty-four THOUSAND dollars.  I’d say that’s a WIN!  Since we’re looking at it like that, you probably won’t want to wait to go claim your BubbleBum… They’re at Target.  Listed here.

But, you could hold your horses just a wee bit and enter our Rafflecopter app below.  We’ll be giving one lucky Mom Favorites reader a BubbleBum in their choice of color (purple or black).

P.S. I’ve always thought I had a bubble-bum.  Now it’s undeniable.

P.P.S.  I did have safety concerns about the BubbleBum.  In all honesty, I believe it’s probably safer to be in a regular five-point harness car seat.  It’s what we usually use.  But, sometimes, I need a little more flexibility, and I’m sure you do to.  That’s why I decided to share BubbleBum with you.  I think it’s perfect for travelling, fitting in that occasional third kid or picking up an unexpected passenger.  I implore you to do your own research to decide if using the BubbleBum is right for you and your family.  Here’s some information you may appreciate from CarSeat.org.

Hi Buddies,

Check out the recent review of BubbleBum on More 4 Mom’s Buck, a really great website

Making kid travel more convenient with BubbleBum inflatable booster seat – review

I think that it goes without saying that moms are busy. If you looked at our after school activities for two kids you might wonder where how we fit everything in that short period of time. From one practice to another, there can be a lot of quality time spent in a car. As the kids get older, the idea of carpooling with other parents is a welcome relief. The obstacle to this idea scenario, the booster seat.
How many families carry a spare booster seat or two in a car? Personally I don’t have space for extra stuff. Luckily there is a new solution to the booster seat issue, BubbleBum.
BubbleBum is an inflatable, portable booster seat for kids ages 4-11. The whole device folds flat. Stuff it in your purse, backpack or bag and you have a booster seat at the read. Another option is to keep one in the stow and go section of your car. No more excuses why a child can’t be protected.