The Baby Guy Jamie Grayson
Bump Club and Beyond—where were you when I was a brand new mom?
Best of Bump Club and Beyond
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- 10 a.m.-3 p.m., Saturday, May 30
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- Some tickets allow for early admission at 9 a.m.
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- Swissotel
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- 323 E. Wacker Drive, Chicago
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- Get tickets here: http://bumpclubandbeyond.com/bestof/registration
Although What to Expect When You are Expecting was my constant companion, I didn’t know which car seat was best, which high chair would stand the test of time, which stroller would be the easiest to navigate to our second-floor apartment.
So I did what a lot of moms have done: I hit the big box stores and bought everything that appealed to me. I looked for pretty rather than practical. (Then I found out I was having a boy!)
Three times, I bought a car seat and three times had to return the seats to the store after discovering they were not the right fit for an infant—nor would they fit in my little red sports car. We filled our little apartment with so much baby gear, there were barely any open spots left to do tummy time.
Making matters worse, most of the gear went unused, along with all those darling newborn jeans and Baby B’gosh infant shoes.
As soon as we could, we gave most of the stuff away or threw away the pieces that just didn’t cut it. Another wrong move. Four years later, another baby, another round of buying baby stuff. You’d have thought we were newbie parents all over again because we bought all of the wrong things all over again.
By the third baby, we were definitely smarter about what our baby needed and about being parents.
I can only imagine the money I’d save, not to mention the hassle and stress I’d avoid, had I found an organization like Bump Club and Beyond.
Next week, founder Lindsay Pinchuk is throwing a giant bash, Best of Bump Club and Beyond and its great Gearapalooza, for expectant and newbie parents that will not only put all of the best gear right in front of them, but will also provide them with expert advice from The Baby Guy himself as well other experts who will tackle issues that give all parents a real run for their money—sleep, breastfeeding, relationship stress and the work of toddlerhood.
Tickets are going quickly. All-Access passes are still available for $75, which include admission, breakfast with The Baby Guy, Gearapalooza, access to all sessions and a gift bag worth more than $100. General Admission tickets, with and without the gift bag, also are available for $60 and $35 repectively.
The price of the event is worth not having to make multiple trips to the store, standing in line when you feel like a swollen whale to make a return and getting lost in a mountain of gear. If I did it all over again, I’d be buying my ticket right now.
Good luck on your baby journey. Bump Club and Beyond will really make it easier.
