What's all this fundraising for, anyway?

Some of this will echo what Tiffany said, but I want to share here my thoughts as well.

We are so glad you asked! It takes a fair bit of money to run a group this size and to keep our meetings free and open to the public. Every month our membership grows, the number of people we are serving grows, our reach extends and our hearts swell with love for this community we have formed.  

Lending library membership fees do help support our mission, in addition to being put towards growing the lending library, but in order to keep those membership fees low, we fundraise a few times throughout the year.  We don't want to raise membership fees and in the last 4 1/2 years we have not had to because our members have supported our fundraising efforts and always made them a success.  From T-shirts to garage sales, to decals and donation drives, we have raised money and had fun doing it.  We have bought huge numbers of carriers for the lending library this way.  We have given carriers to families in need through the generosity of our community.  We have been able to serve our community at events other than our own.  And we owe it all to the support of our members.  

Part of our current big fundraising push is also to help pay for continuing education for our instructors. We feel that it is a major benefit to our group and our community for our instructors to keep abreast of current research and teaching techniques. The majority of the time our instructors pay for all of their training out of their own pockets. When Ashley and I went to Houston, Texas in 2013 to take classes to become Certified Babywearing Educators, we felt your support and know you understand the importance of good education.  We collected donations and held multiple weekends of garage sales and covered about half of the cost of the classes.  But it is our love for what we are able to share with our community that had us covering the travel and the rest of the class fees out of pocket.  Whatever we don't raise now, we will end up paying for ourselves. We feel strongly that this education is an important benefit to our group. Everything that out instructors learn will be brought back to BWAT to the benefit of our members. Much of our current meeting structure came from things we learned in classes or ideas we had because of classes.  We want to continue to be the best for you!  Training and continuing education is important in every field and no less so in Babywearing, a field where the research is moving at lightening speeds right now.  

We are so close to meeting our fundraising goal for this spring. If you can donate, even just a couple of dollars, it is very very much appreciated.  http://goo.gl/forms/ygxaLF2pnY  

(Donations can be made anytime but donations qualifying for entries into our prize drawing must be made before 8pm central time on Wednesday April 20th)

Happy Babywearing!

<3 

Somer Johnson is a Babywearing enthusiast and Momma to Bitsy and Squeaker, two bundles of energy. She is a Babywearing Institute Certified Babywearing Educator.  She is also addicted to cloth diapers and makes and sells wool dryer balls as SomerKnits. Occasionally she also carves out some time to knit, spin or weave - her main pre-baby passions.

Squish Wearing

Let's be honest here, this is just a photo dump of cuteness. You remember that post about how I was anticipating wearing my squishy little boy while I was still pregnant?  Well here he is in all his tiny cute squishy glory.

Paz Wickandish Sunset

Very first wearing picture. We were still in the hospital and I used this Paz to announce gender. Squeaker is a boy!

Girasol Double Rainbow Azul Ring Sling

Out first grocery store trip was made snuggly and less stressful by this Girasol Ring Sling. A good ring sling is perfect for squish wearing. If you can only get one newborn carrier, I often recommend a ring sling.

Calypso

Sleepy boy needs some cuddles while big sis needs attention?  I got this. A soft wrap is the perfect way to snuggle one and play with the other.

Clementine Sunshine and Rainbows Turquoise Weft

Squeaker's first trip to the library. He found it to be a very peaceful place.

KHR Memories From Under the Bridge

A luscious fiber festival!  When he wast being doted on by all of mommy's fiber friends, he was snuggles up nice and tight.

Rainbow Frog Wet Paint

Snuggle snuggle snuggle, I just can't help it!  Look at him working on holding his head up!

In addition to their cuteness, I hope that these photos help to demonstrate how babywearing fits in to every day life and how you can keep your newborn close while still taking care of your other kids or your life.  In the majority of the wrapping pictures I am using Front Wrap Cross Carry because it is my favorite newborn carry.  It is a nice secure hold and I feel confident moving around in it.  I know that Squeaker's back and neck are well supported.  As he grows and can spread his legs naturally, instead of taking the cross passes over his legs (which is what is hiding his feet here), I will take them under so he is, in essence, sitting on an X, which will provide additional support when he reaches the wiggly stage.  For now I will take the peaceful, cuddly stage every second that I can get it.  I love to wear my little Squeaker.  (It has also renewed Bitsy's (Big Sis) interest in being worn so maybe there will be a tandem post sometime in the future!)

Somer Johnson is a Babywearing enthusiast and Momma to Bitsy and Squeaker, two bundles of energy. She is a Babywearing Institute Certified Babywearing Educator.  She is also addicted to cloth diapers and makes and sells wool dryer balls as SomerKnits. Occasionally she also carves out some time to knit, spin or weave - her main pre-baby passions.

How Babywearing Helps Me; A Deaf Mother's Experience

A deaf mother shares her experience with how babywearing affects how she is able to care for her child. 

Babywearing is so very important to me. Why? Because I'm able to know if my baby cries, is breathing, or using her voice. What? Yes, I am deaf. 

I think baby carriers are so beneficial for deaf parents. Sadly, some people think it's dangerous for us to wear our babies because we won't know if they choke or anything like that, which isn't true. 

You know the senses? Smell, touch, hear, sight, taste? Deaf people don't have the hearing sense but have an increase of the other senses, touch and sight. We get to feel all the details. Wearing our babies helps a lot. I don't see how it is dangerous for us to wear them? It is much safer for us to wear them than put them in strollers.. Why? We won't be able to hear them crying or screaming from there. We would have to watch them all the time while pushing the stroller. Keeping them close makes our life easier! AND, it helps them feel safe and comforts them knowing we are not ignoring them on purpose. 

And, a BONUS! --  we get to use BOTH hands to talk! Oh so much easier on us! :) (Picture shown that I got to communicate with both of my hands)

Babywearing is so much a lifesaver for me.. Of course, it is for everyone, but so much for us. #WEARALLTHEBABIES!! 

B/S/T: Buy/Sell/Trade & What You Need to Know

[Babywearing Around Tulsa] 

[B/S/T: Buy/Sell/Trade & What You Need to Know] 

So you purchased your first babywearing carrier but after trying it out for awhile you decide you would like to try something different...now what? 

You have been bitten by the babywearing bug and now you want to try all the carriers! The babywearing world is so vast and you have only just begun! For some it is an easy decision, for others it is a dilemma of trying to decide to sell and buy new or used, or trade for another. The search for a new carrier begins. With a little experience under your belt, you have a better idea of what your needs are and what you are looking for. So what do you do now and how should you decide which avenue to take? 

Buying New: Buying new is probably the easiest route to go. You are not looking to get rid of what you have, you are looking to add to your stash. Can't ever have too many, right? When buying new you have the ability to take your time on a decision, research the different brands, blends, retailers, to find just what you're looking for. Just like any brand new purchase. Pretty easy.  

Selling: You have decided to sell your carrier to purchase something new or used. So where do you go to sell? Luckily, BWAT is growing larger by the day and the local For Sale or Trade album is growing also, so you have the option of keeping it local and not worrying about invoicing, shipping, etc. But, no one is really biting and you have your eye on something else and you would like to make a quick sale. You decide to put it on a B/S/T page with the most popular being the Facebook group, the beast, 'The Babywearing Swap.'  

There are a few things to consider when selling on a large B/S/T group.  

• How much do you want to sell for? 
• How far are you willing to ship? Stateside? Globally? 
• Are you comfortable using PayPal? 

It is a good idea to keep in mind that you're selling a "used" item. It is likely that the carrier has been sucked on, drooled on, vomited on, pooped on, the list could continue... So be honest about what you are listing and price accordingly with fees and shipping included so you can be on your merry way to purchasing your next carrier! Yay!  

But, is it always that easy? I would like to say yes, but we are dealing with humans here and sometimes we get a little messy.   

Sometimes people get buyers remorse and feel guilty about purchasing your carrier, or an unexpected bill comes up, etc, but they are not going to tell you that so they ask for a refund. But, wait! You have already shipped the carrier and purchased your new item! It is only natural to ask why, right? This is where it can get a little hairy. 

People can be dishonest and that really blows.  For instance, they are saying something is wrong with the carrier you sent and it is not in the condition that you described. (I don't know about you but at this point my cheeks are burning and my heart rate is up!) How could they say that? You have worn it, inspected it, even washed and dried and saw no issues!  

Please, please protect yourself. PayPal has your back! Always use the invoice option so you can describe the carrier in detail if need be, that way the "buyer" is completely aware of what they are buying. Stains, pulls, thread shifting, weavers knots, slubs, nubs, wrinkles, discoloration, whatever it is--write it down. You, the seller, can sell on YOUR terms. They do not have to buy your carrier if they do not want to. If they file a claim, 99% of the time, PayPal will back the buyer and most likely you will need to issue a refund and that really sucks. But, it is part of the BST world and you can always choose to stay local!  Most of the time, the transactions go smoothly. 

Trading: You have decided you would rather not deal with buying and selling. So, trade it is! Your carrier has a trade value, just like it has a retail value. Typically, the trade value is close to retail. If it is a popular carrier, your trade value could be market value which is sometimes way more than retail value!  A little confusing, but there are such Facebook groups to help you determine the value! Trading is very similar to buying and selling but there are generally two options when trading,  

• PayPal backed trade 
• Non-PayPal backed trade  
• Local Trade

A PayPal backed trade is where each party sends the same, agreed-upon, amount of money to one another. Basically, you are cancelling it out, but regardless, you have made a PayPal transaction and you are covered if something happens to the carrier in the mail, etc. A PayPal backed trade is the safest way to trade. 

A non-PayPal backed trade happens when both parties are comfortable paying for shipping and sending the carrier. Ideally, both parties agree to ship the same day and pictorially document the receipt from shipping and update with tracking numbers via USPS, FedEx, UPS. 

A local trade is easy! You meet up with the person that has the carrier you want and, Voila! Immediate satisfaction of new to you carrier in hand. And, maybe a new friend!

And, finally...Feedback plays an important role in an online B/S/T  transaction. Feedback is a link with your picture from the huge Babywearing Swap Feedback group. Each person you have done a B/S/T transaction with has commented on the experience they had during the transaction, positive or negative. If it is negative feedback it can't be emotional as the admin may delete. Just a simple or in depth description of the transaction experience.

Once your transaction is complete, which is carrier in hand, you leave honest feedback on the other party's feedback link they provided in their listing. Describe in detail or little about your B/S/T experience.  

So now you have bought, sold, traded, and you are stalking your postman for your epic fluff mail or already using your new carrier!  #BWAT #wearallthebabies

My name is Lauren Hyatt and I'm a SAHM

I have two littles under two.

I enjoy eating and spending time with family and friends~

To learn more about me, friend me on Facebook! 

SUMMER BABY WEARING

I love summer and our family is outdoors often during this season. I love the convenience of wearing my littlest on our adventures, but it's no fun worrying about either of us getting too hot. I have learned a few techniques to help keep us cool.

Stay in the shade if there is any, it really does help. Along that line, be sure to bring a hat for your little one.

Stay hydrated, in fact, stay extra hydrated. Please.

Switch off if you can, if you are with another adult/teen have them take a turn.

Fabric choice makes a difference! Choose a carrier with a breathable panel, one made of linen, or one loosely woven such as a hand woven wrap. Handwovens are more breathable than machine wovens, making them cooler even when they feel thicker.

Use a misting fan or spray bottle, or just stroll through a splash pad...

Buy a cooling towel/chill pad from a sports store. I love ours! I soak it, wring it, and then place it between me and baby in the carrier.
Take breaks indoors, the zoo has several cool buildings; stores and restaurants are cool places to stop in.

Some carriers known for being cooler are Lille-baby, Kinder Packs with mesh panel, ring slings, and short wraps for single pass carries.

Be sure you and your baby stay cool enough, and have some great adventures this summer!

Jade Park is a postpartum doula with Better Birth Now. She loves wearing all the babies!

Growth

WARNING:  Sappy post to follow.

I thought about taking this back to the beginning.  Back to when we had a half dozen people per meeting and a dozen was a really big day.  Back to when we didn't have the giant lending library we have now so each mama who came brought every carrier they owned, whether it was 1 or 10, and dumped them all out on the tables in the room for everyone else to try.  Back when there was room to spread out a blanket on the floor and plop all the kiddos on it.  But that was way too many pictures and I still want the post to be able to load on your computer.  ;-)

My how we have grown.  Even though everything in the intro paragraph may sound wonderful and perfect and ideal to some people -- and it was a wonderful and perfect beginning to Babywearing Around Tulsa -- what we have grown into is AMAZING.  

We have tried new things and made new friends.  We have fund raised and saved dues money and searched hard for good deals.  We have grown an impressive lending library and we shared our message with so, so many parents and caregivers.

We have lived through carrier fads.  ;-) We have worked through different meeting structures and teaching techniques.  We have LOVED getting together every month.

We don't always remember to take a group photo, but when we do they are always an awesome mix of moms, dads, grandparents and babies.  The mix of carriers is always amazing.  

We love that in BWAT wrappers, SSC lovers, Mei Tai enthusiasts and ring sling fanatics can coexist and do so lovingly.  And that its very hard to get a group photo where no one is talking, because everyone loves to talk to each other so much we just can't stop.  

If you want to learn to wear your baby, you are welcome here.  If you have your one beloved wrap and need no other carrier, you are welcome here.  If you want to collect all the pretty SSCs you can get your hands on, you are welcome here.  If you want to learn to carry your newborn, you are welcome here.  If you want to try a preschool size KP for your big kid, you are welcome here (and we have one in the lending library).

Twins, singletons, front carries, back carries, fancy finishes, ring slings, stretchy wraps.....  We work with you to find the perfect carrier for you and your baby.  One of the things that makes BWAT so special is that we know there isn't a one size fits all solution to babywearing and we celebrate our diversity.

The support that this group has provided to so many is invaluable.  I hope I can get to know each and every one of you.  At our current size, I know its virtually impossible, but please know that I value every one of you anyway.   (3000 facebook members, guys!  We have OVER 3000 facebook members.  Can you believe that?  My mind is blown.)

The friendships that have been forged here are strong and deep.  Together we have learned so much and continue to do so.  

Together we grow.

Somer Johnson is a Babywearing enthusiast and Momma to E, a bundle of energy. She is a Babywearing Institue Certified Babywearing Educator.  She is also addicted to cloth diapers and makes and sells wool dryer balls as SomerKnits. Occasionally she also carves out some time to knit, spin or weave - her main pre-baby passions.