BOB Strollers

Once upon a time, before I had a baby and before I tried to run with a stroller, I did not buy a BOB stroller. For those not in the know, while there are many jogging strollers out there, for the last decade the preferred stroller for actually running is the BOB. These strollers are also rather expensive, new they’re often between $350 and $400 for a single stroller, over $500 for a double stroller, and that is without accessories like cup holders and car seat adapters and weather covers. I’d say insanely expensive, although I now realize they are an investment and likely worth the money.

I instead bought a Graco jogging stroller that fit our infant car seat. It was much cheaper and I can see why now. There were many things this stroller did not do as well as a BOB. The sun shade covered much less. It was heavier. It was longer which does fit a bigger child better, but meant it did not turn as well. The seat was farther forward which makes it not push as nicely as the BOB. I did love the large underseat basket though, as for a time I used the Graco stroller for on foot grocery store trips.

I was gifted a fixed wheel BOB stroller a few years ago. It’s 10 years old, but in good shape. Fixed wheel meaning that the front wheel does not rotate, making it not useful for much besides running. That first time running with that old BOB though I understood why people liked them. They do push nice for many reasons, good tires, lightweight frame, good shocks, but mostly the seat is far enough back to be over the back wheels. Me, my daughter, and that stroller did a lot of miles together. It was not perfect or new or snazzy. But at the time it was what I likely needed to make stroller running a bit easier.

I knew that if I got a double jogging stroller it would be a BOB. However, I was only going to be using one for maybe 2 years before C would be in school, so I did not really want to pay the $500 for a new one. So I went in search of a used one. Mind you a used double BOB still sells for usually between $200 to $450, depending on age, wear and accessories. I lucked into a much older and worn one for $125 with the exact older car seat adapter I needed. So far me and my littles have put a lot of mileage on that stroller. It’s a beast, as any double jogging stroller is. But if you are going to insanely run pushing a stroller it is good that it’s one that pushes as well as possible. I’d say it is also lightweight, but double jogging strollers do not really come in lightweight or easy to store, then you add kid poundage. Sigh.

Last year I found a used single revolution BOB for $75. This means the front wheel rotates. I love my fixed wheel BOB but it is not the best to walk with and I would not be taking it anywhere but a trail or sidewalk. So far me and my little guy have logged good mileage with it while big sister is in preschool, and with half marathon training I’m sure we’ll log a butch more. While I was not actively looking for a new stroller this came up and was too much of a deal to pass up. It’s an older model but the stroller has almost no wear, the worst being on the handlebar likely from storage. The wheels looked like they had never even seen dirt or gravel, which I quickly remedied. I’m sure it will easily last until R is out of a stroller and I may even be able to sell it after using it.

Now there are a few other options out there that are comparable to the BOB, and stroller runners who like them as much as or even more than BOB strollers. Besides how easy they are to run with, BOBs are built pretty tough. My older BOBs mentioned above are all at least 10 years old. The straps have some wear, especially on my double stroller, but overall everything is in working condition. So, while a new BOB is an investment, if you will seriously be running with it and for several years, that money is likely worth it, especially if you find one on sale or discounted. The resale value of BOBs is pretty good as they do stand up to abuse and are built to last. (Really the fact they are build to last 10 years is likely why they cost so much new.) Had I been using a double stroller for more than 2 years I may have bought one new on sale.

The moral here, if you are going to run with a stroller, do something good for yourself and buy a good stroller to run with, even if you buy that stroller used. The extra money will be worth it.

** I was not at all paid or given anything by BOB Gear for this endorsement. **

 

Young Kids, Military and Underemployment

For the last 7 years I have been a typical underemployed military spouse. For the last 5 years my ability to get a job has been limited by the fact that my pay must overcome childcare costs.

I once had a full time teaching job at a 2 year college. Then, we moved overseas to Japan. The first two years I did work part time, between 15 and 25 hours a week at one and then two jobs. One of those jobs was the most fun I have had as an educator. I taught English to high school students at Japanese public high schools. It was a blast to go and share my language and country and in return learn about theirs. It was great to experience being out in Japan all day, even when my husband was away and I missed hearing people talk in English by the end of the day. My salary was in yen and that became our spending money. My eventual second job was an adjunct teaching job on base, good for my resume, nice and interesting group of students with most of them active duty military or military dependents, but adjunct pay is never great.

The other nice thing about that adjunct job is because we stayed in Japan the next move it was able to move with me. So, it become my first job after having my daughter. Again, something for the resume, an interesting mix of students and good experience for working after baby. Luckily it was also a late afternoon/evening job and thus my husband, who was usually around, could provide most of the childcare. Then, we moved again.

Back in the states I found an online tutoring job. I’ve done that for the last 3 1/2 years. The pay is not great, and it ends up only being a few hours I can work per week, but it is something I can do without paying a babysitter, or needing my husband to be present to watch kids. It is also teaching and there are times I love being able to help a student understand a concept, reminding me why I love being an educator.

I also for a year and a half did volunteer work with an officer spouse club. It was quarterly, so not busy for a month or so, then part time work and then basically a full time job for about two weeks. It was worthwhile work that helped fund the club and aid in their scholarships and charity work. One of those things that I had to be reminded I should include on my resume as it was work, just not the paid with money kind of work.

Recently I have been hired as an adjunct at a local 2-year college. It’s great to be back in the classroom and in front of students. Most of the hours are night, and my husband is around to watch the kids. This helps to make the small pay I get more worth it. Again, good for the resume, hopefully I can make a more recent reference from it, although hard to do since working nights I see few other faculty.

Could I get a full time job? I have a graduate degree in biology and a decade or more of experience teaching in some fashion. Even without an actual teaching degree most states have ways I could work towards a teaching certificate to teach at secondary school. The pay would likely make up for childcare costs for two kids, and next year I have only one child needing full time childcare. Of course, with military life I also have no clue where we might be next year.

Realities of employment after kids and as a military spouse

Good childcare is expensive, especially all day care or care for children under 2 years of age. It can also be hard to find. I’m glad I did not have to pay a sitter to watch my children for my current job. I have seen studies on people choosing to be stay at home parents because of those costs of childcare. When you are the secondary income in a family and most of your income may end up going towards just childcare, I completely understand the idea of just not working. As is, my working nights does cut down on my time with my husband so I can work more affordably.

Military spouses are woefully unemployed or underemployed. Recent stats I’ve seen is that military spouse unemployment is almost 25%, while the national average is currently at 4%. And that is of those who would want to be employed, most do want that but the reality of their situation has not allowed it. They keep doing studies on this, even if just about any military spouses knows it’s true and big and a problem. It takes an average of 6 months to get a new job. Usually we do not have 6 months notice where we are going next, or we have a strong idea but not solid proof until a month or so before, and sometimes it is just weeks before we know or plans change last minute. And there is that move to contend with while looking for new employment. Then if you do find a job you must find childcare that is good, reasonably priced, allows early and late hours if you are doing the solo parenting thing, and all that possibly last minute. Rarely are you going to have any family or possibly even friends at a new location to help out. We may then only live in one location for 2 to 4 years, sometimes less. I imagine in a military area, like I currently live, it is pretty obvious on a job application if someone is associated with the military and may be a transient hire. My resume shows that within the last 10 years I have lived in 5 places and have been employed by 4 different companies with gaps of months in between employment.

I am glad that my husband makes enough that we can get by on just his income. I am glad that I have been able to work at least part-time the last several years and at least contribute some to our family finances. And I am glad that much of my day involves helping my 5 year old with crafts, or watching my toddler do random toddler crazy.

Link to the most recent “well duh” article researching military spouses that includes employment info.