Starting a family
Discussion
First of all: I know. Worst "I've been doing a sex at a girl" thread ever. But I have, and it appears that the swimmers work just fine. So well in fact that it's a double yolker, buy one get one free, pick your own analogy: twins.
Arguably this means that half of them swam the wrong way and still got lucky. Whatever.
Clearly I'm completely unprepared for this, have no idea what im letting myself in for, and apparently saying "I've done my bit" isn't allowed. And I'm definitely only doing this once, so I'd better get it right. So I'm going to need the collective advice and knowledge of the PH, er, collective: some of you powerfully built chaps must have done this already.
So let's start. I need recommendations for buggies that can carry two newborns upwards. Most of the tandem ones don't seem to do this, they're aimed at people who have a baby and a toddler... the iCandy Pear does, but it costs what I could politely term an arm and a leg. (The OH is growing four of each hopefully - maybe we could order some spares?) Any others?
Also we're going to need a practical car. (Aaaargh!) So, a Volvo estate. Except it must fit on the driveway (4200mm). So, not a Volvo estate. Current ideas: Honda FRV, Merc B-Class, Nissan Cashcow, Skoda Fabia estate. £5-10k tops.
Say helpful things, you bumders. I'm a grown-up now. Apparently.
PS: I've already got an MX5, and it's going nowhere.
Arguably this means that half of them swam the wrong way and still got lucky. Whatever.
Clearly I'm completely unprepared for this, have no idea what im letting myself in for, and apparently saying "I've done my bit" isn't allowed. And I'm definitely only doing this once, so I'd better get it right. So I'm going to need the collective advice and knowledge of the PH, er, collective: some of you powerfully built chaps must have done this already.
So let's start. I need recommendations for buggies that can carry two newborns upwards. Most of the tandem ones don't seem to do this, they're aimed at people who have a baby and a toddler... the iCandy Pear does, but it costs what I could politely term an arm and a leg. (The OH is growing four of each hopefully - maybe we could order some spares?) Any others?
Also we're going to need a practical car. (Aaaargh!) So, a Volvo estate. Except it must fit on the driveway (4200mm). So, not a Volvo estate. Current ideas: Honda FRV, Merc B-Class, Nissan Cashcow, Skoda Fabia estate. £5-10k tops.
Say helpful things, you bumders. I'm a grown-up now. Apparently.
PS: I've already got an MX5, and it's going nowhere.
First off, congratulations!
It's a bumpy ride but awesome all the same, you're in for some intense and rewarding times!
However, as I did mine one at a time and have a large driveway, (Currently resident to three seven seaters and a GT.), I can't advise on the particular practicalities of your situation, sorry.
I will say this much though, test drive the prams properly. It's all well and good going for the 'fashionable' one, but if it doesn't suit your lifestyle, or more importantly your OH's pushing abilities then it's a world of pain.
We opted for a cheaper travel system as I bought extra seat bases for both our cars and that was invaluable.
Bon chance!!
ETA :- Do NOT spend a lot of money on your new car. It WILL get trashed!
It's a bumpy ride but awesome all the same, you're in for some intense and rewarding times!
However, as I did mine one at a time and have a large driveway, (Currently resident to three seven seaters and a GT.), I can't advise on the particular practicalities of your situation, sorry.
I will say this much though, test drive the prams properly. It's all well and good going for the 'fashionable' one, but if it doesn't suit your lifestyle, or more importantly your OH's pushing abilities then it's a world of pain.
We opted for a cheaper travel system as I bought extra seat bases for both our cars and that was invaluable.
Bon chance!!
ETA :- Do NOT spend a lot of money on your new car. It WILL get trashed!
Edited by Big Rod on Friday 2nd September 19:01
Big Rod said:
First off, congratulations!
It's a bumpy ride but awesome all the same, you're in for some intense and rewarding times!
However, as I did mine one at a time and have a large driveway, (Currently resident to three seven seaters and a GT.), I can't advise on the particular practicalities of your situation, sorry.
I will say this much though, test drive the prams properly. It's all well and good going for the 'fashionable' one, but if it doesn't suit your lifestyle, or more importantly your OH's pushing abilities then it's a world of pain.
We opted for a cheaper travel system as I bought extra seat bases for both our cars and that was invaluable.
Bon chance!!
ETA :- Do NOT spend a lot of money on your new car. It WILL get trashed!
Definitely test the pushchairs as best you can.It's a bumpy ride but awesome all the same, you're in for some intense and rewarding times!
However, as I did mine one at a time and have a large driveway, (Currently resident to three seven seaters and a GT.), I can't advise on the particular practicalities of your situation, sorry.
I will say this much though, test drive the prams properly. It's all well and good going for the 'fashionable' one, but if it doesn't suit your lifestyle, or more importantly your OH's pushing abilities then it's a world of pain.
We opted for a cheaper travel system as I bought extra seat bases for both our cars and that was invaluable.
Bon chance!!
ETA :- Do NOT spend a lot of money on your new car. It WILL get trashed!
Edited by Big Rod on Friday 2nd September 19:01
Both ours ended up virtually redundant after too short a time, as they were such a ballache to put up and down and fit into things.
And get used to wasting money on things that you need for next to no time at all, but are worthless at resale, because very few people want to buy second hand things for their new baby.
Congratulations!
wonderful news, well done. You just have to be patient: during childbirth, the women forget all the hard work you put in 9 months beforehand, so let it slip.
In fact, let a lot of things slip in the comming months. Her body is being onslaughted by more hormones then you could ever imagine.
In fact, let a lot of things slip in the comming months. Her body is being onslaughted by more hormones then you could ever imagine.
Landlord said:
Get ready for her being hornier than she's ever been and you turning her down because you don't want the babies to see your penis.
Though that may just be me (with my missus, not yours).
God I remember the days well, it was like living with a sex pest. I'd often break things in the IT dept so I had to stay behind and fix them.Though that may just be me (with my missus, not yours).
Congratulations
We didn't do the twin thing, but we did buy a Qashqai that seduced us by being great value for the spec at the time we were looking. I admit to not paying to much attention to the boot as it was a family car and I am an idiot.
For the type of vehicle they are the boot is useless. When you dint have kids you will look at it and think it's more than you ever need, but when it comes to buggies, bikes, scooters, etc it's pants.
Access to, and space in the back was not that great either, and with 2 child seats in you will never get anyone else in the back seat, so it is effectivelya four seater.
We changed after a few months for an s-max, which may be overkill but has a huge boot and 3 independently sliding middle seats. There are even 2 more in the boot if when the little ones are a bit older you want to take friends along for the day.
Basically, with 2 kids, whatever seems to be a practical and huge family car now, probably won't be when you actually come to use it as one.
We didn't do the twin thing, but we did buy a Qashqai that seduced us by being great value for the spec at the time we were looking. I admit to not paying to much attention to the boot as it was a family car and I am an idiot.
For the type of vehicle they are the boot is useless. When you dint have kids you will look at it and think it's more than you ever need, but when it comes to buggies, bikes, scooters, etc it's pants.
Access to, and space in the back was not that great either, and with 2 child seats in you will never get anyone else in the back seat, so it is effectivelya four seater.
We changed after a few months for an s-max, which may be overkill but has a huge boot and 3 independently sliding middle seats. There are even 2 more in the boot if when the little ones are a bit older you want to take friends along for the day.
Basically, with 2 kids, whatever seems to be a practical and huge family car now, probably won't be when you actually come to use it as one.
Don't feel you need to buy new - there are thousands on second hand buggy, high chair, cot etc offerings around. Try the local parent & toddler groups. Many can be free or just a small amount.
Push chairs do not need to be the size of a Transit van. They WILL fill the boot of just about anything on the road if you allow the sales staff to get up a head of steam. Teach the kids to "walk to heal" as early as possible - it is easier in the long run and better for them.
Car seats can be a pig to fit correctly - get help. Our local fire station did a free check and showed us how to fit it properly and it was way better than the service at Mothercare.
Get with the other dads at the pre-natal classes. I didn't do this and regret it. All the support is for the mother and baby, very little for the father.
Get used to being nothing - once the kids arrive you are to provide money, food and someone to shout at.
Don't even think of copping a quick feel of her boobs once the milk comes in. I tried this after I overheard my wife and another woman discussing this and making favbourable comparisons to a 16 year old - Big mistake!
Push chairs do not need to be the size of a Transit van. They WILL fill the boot of just about anything on the road if you allow the sales staff to get up a head of steam. Teach the kids to "walk to heal" as early as possible - it is easier in the long run and better for them.
Car seats can be a pig to fit correctly - get help. Our local fire station did a free check and showed us how to fit it properly and it was way better than the service at Mothercare.
Get with the other dads at the pre-natal classes. I didn't do this and regret it. All the support is for the mother and baby, very little for the father.
Get used to being nothing - once the kids arrive you are to provide money, food and someone to shout at.
Don't even think of copping a quick feel of her boobs once the milk comes in. I tried this after I overheard my wife and another woman discussing this and making favbourable comparisons to a 16 year old - Big mistake!
Congratulations!! Two for one ... Even better! That way you can get it all done at the same time 
On the pushchair front it's best not only to consider what is useful for newborns, but also when they are 18 months plus, weigh a shed load but still can't walk far.
You don't want to be lugging a pushchair that's the size of a tank!
Chances are the mrs won't go out alone, and when you are together you will be the one doing the pushing.
Look for on line reviews and get her to join a few of the dreaded parenting websites for 1st hand advice. Heck, join yourself, it's the 21st century!!
Like someone mentioned, you don't have to buy new. If the brand spanker is stupid money, perfect in every way other than the price, look for a second hand one. Beleive me I made the mistake of spending £350 on some all terrain thing that got used a hanful of times, before the easier stroller was put in it's place. The big mutha was sold on practically brand new, with hardly a mark on it! So you really can get a great bargain if you look about.
Honestly, the parents have done it before and learned that despite wanting things all shiny and new, if you can get the same thing cheaper it is better.
On the pushchair front it's best not only to consider what is useful for newborns, but also when they are 18 months plus, weigh a shed load but still can't walk far.
You don't want to be lugging a pushchair that's the size of a tank!
Chances are the mrs won't go out alone, and when you are together you will be the one doing the pushing.
Look for on line reviews and get her to join a few of the dreaded parenting websites for 1st hand advice. Heck, join yourself, it's the 21st century!!
Like someone mentioned, you don't have to buy new. If the brand spanker is stupid money, perfect in every way other than the price, look for a second hand one. Beleive me I made the mistake of spending £350 on some all terrain thing that got used a hanful of times, before the easier stroller was put in it's place. The big mutha was sold on practically brand new, with hardly a mark on it! So you really can get a great bargain if you look about.
Honestly, the parents have done it before and learned that despite wanting things all shiny and new, if you can get the same thing cheaper it is better.
Roof boxes are terminally naff, but my brother and his OH found them invaluable for stowing buggies and the vast logistical baggage train that goes with small people. Using a roof box allowed him to keep his Legacy wagon and bodyswerve the horror of people carriers(or at least the horror of budget ones) despite having 3 rugrats to transport.
hidetheelephants said:
the horror of people carriers(or at least the horror of budget ones)
Our first one cost £1k and, (other than the petrol), has cost us a pitance to keep for nearly five years. We still own it, (although it has been superceeded and is due to be offloaded.).Sharan VR6. Amazing bit of kit! The only thing that prevented us keeping it was for the wont of a more robust 4x4. (I know they come in 4x4 form but a Shogun and a smaller engined Sharan suited us better.)
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