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	<title>Comments for Spilling the Beans</title>
	<atom:link href="http://mbeans.com/spillingthebeans/comments/feed/" rel="self" type="application/rss+xml" />
	<link>http://mbeans.com/spillingthebeans</link>
	<description>An Insider&#039;s Guide to Baby Gear &#38; Toys</description>
	<lastBuildDate>Sat, 28 Jan 2012 13:23:26 +0000</lastBuildDate>
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		<title>Comment on Grand Opening Giveaway! by Weekend Fun in Metrowest &#124; Charlene Chronicles</title>
		<link>http://mbeans.com/spillingthebeans/giveaways/grand-opening-giveaway/comment-page-1/#comment-40161</link>
		<dc:creator>Weekend Fun in Metrowest &#124; Charlene Chronicles</dc:creator>
		<pubDate>Sat, 28 Jan 2012 13:23:26 +0000</pubDate>
		<guid isPermaLink="false">http://mbeans.com/spillingthebeans/?p=6233#comment-40161</guid>
		<description>[...] Magic Beans Grand Opening &#8211; Boston [...]</description>
		<content:encoded><![CDATA[<p>[...] Magic Beans Grand Opening &#8211; Boston [...]</p>
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		<title>Comment on Get your car seat checked. Start here. by Anne</title>
		<link>http://mbeans.com/spillingthebeans/baby/car-seats/get-your-car-seat-checked-start-here/comment-page-1/#comment-40148</link>
		<dc:creator>Anne</dc:creator>
		<pubDate>Fri, 27 Jan 2012 14:04:17 +0000</pubDate>
		<guid isPermaLink="false">http://mbeans.com/spillingthebeans/?p=6144#comment-40148</guid>
		<description>Where I live, in Los Angeles, a standard fee for a private check is $50-80. I don&#039;t personally charge, but I&#039;m not a business and I do ask that clients make a donation to one of several organizations I work with. It&#039;s not wrong to offer a service for a fee, especially when it comes with minimal to no wait time (my free clients have to work around my schedule; most public fitting stations have a 2-4 week wait) and good service and advice (I hate to say it but you never know if you&#039;ll get a passionate, involved tech, or one who doesn&#039;t care at many public agencies.)

Good luck, and may you help keep many babies safe!</description>
		<content:encoded><![CDATA[<p>Where I live, in Los Angeles, a standard fee for a private check is $50-80. I don&#8217;t personally charge, but I&#8217;m not a business and I do ask that clients make a donation to one of several organizations I work with. It&#8217;s not wrong to offer a service for a fee, especially when it comes with minimal to no wait time (my free clients have to work around my schedule; most public fitting stations have a 2-4 week wait) and good service and advice (I hate to say it but you never know if you&#8217;ll get a passionate, involved tech, or one who doesn&#8217;t care at many public agencies.)</p>
<p>Good luck, and may you help keep many babies safe!</p>
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		<title>Comment on Kazoo Flash Mob?! by Maribel C</title>
		<link>http://mbeans.com/spillingthebeans/uncategorized/kazoo-flash-mob/comment-page-1/#comment-40140</link>
		<dc:creator>Maribel C</dc:creator>
		<pubDate>Thu, 26 Jan 2012 20:03:58 +0000</pubDate>
		<guid isPermaLink="false">http://mbeans.com/spillingthebeans/?p=6193#comment-40140</guid>
		<description>Please save me a kazoo, I will be there close to 10:45 yupiiiiii; Congratulations on your new store. BTW I love the video!</description>
		<content:encoded><![CDATA[<p>Please save me a kazoo, I will be there close to 10:45 yupiiiiii; Congratulations on your new store. BTW I love the video!</p>
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		<title>Comment on Kazoo Flash Mob?! by Amy k</title>
		<link>http://mbeans.com/spillingthebeans/uncategorized/kazoo-flash-mob/comment-page-1/#comment-40139</link>
		<dc:creator>Amy k</dc:creator>
		<pubDate>Thu, 26 Jan 2012 17:56:57 +0000</pubDate>
		<guid isPermaLink="false">http://mbeans.com/spillingthebeans/?p=6193#comment-40139</guid>
		<description>That looks like so much fun!  Wish we can come</description>
		<content:encoded><![CDATA[<p>That looks like so much fun!  Wish we can come</p>
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		<title>Comment on Get your car seat checked. Start here. by Sheri</title>
		<link>http://mbeans.com/spillingthebeans/baby/car-seats/get-your-car-seat-checked-start-here/comment-page-1/#comment-40111</link>
		<dc:creator>Sheri</dc:creator>
		<pubDate>Fri, 20 Jan 2012 03:18:29 +0000</pubDate>
		<guid isPermaLink="false">http://mbeans.com/spillingthebeans/?p=6144#comment-40111</guid>
		<description>With regards to charging for car seat check-ups...

We have debated a very long time about this exact issue. This service, which is widely available through not-for-profits and government agencies, is available thanks to the generosity of donations and grants. As a for-profit business, we can&#039;t offer a service like this, which is time-intensive and requires special certification, for free. So we had a choice: offer the service for a fee or don&#039;t do it at all.

Our customers have asked us again and again to offer this service, because budget cuts have led to long wait times and reduced hours in many communities. Ultimately, we felt that we can offer an experience that is at the same high level as all our other services, and we can promise little or no wait time before getting an appointment. All our techs are also supervised by one of the most experienced CPS technicians in the state, to ensure the quality of our work and so that any complicated situations can be addressed quickly. We are not looking to gouge anyone. We are simply trying to be responsive to the needs of the parents in our communities, and to do so in a commercially responsible way. There are other businesses around the country that are asking $50 or more for the same service. 

Our technicians volunteer their time to help out the agencies that offer these services for free, and as company a we do our best to help and support those agencies in any way we can. It&#039;s so important that services like this continue to be available free of charge. We are not looking to compete with them, but rather to be a convenient alternative. Also, if we can attract the families who are willing and able to pay for a service like this, we will help free up resources at the non-profit agencies to focus on families who can not pay.</description>
		<content:encoded><![CDATA[<p>With regards to charging for car seat check-ups&#8230;</p>
<p>We have debated a very long time about this exact issue. This service, which is widely available through not-for-profits and government agencies, is available thanks to the generosity of donations and grants. As a for-profit business, we can&#8217;t offer a service like this, which is time-intensive and requires special certification, for free. So we had a choice: offer the service for a fee or don&#8217;t do it at all.</p>
<p>Our customers have asked us again and again to offer this service, because budget cuts have led to long wait times and reduced hours in many communities. Ultimately, we felt that we can offer an experience that is at the same high level as all our other services, and we can promise little or no wait time before getting an appointment. All our techs are also supervised by one of the most experienced CPS technicians in the state, to ensure the quality of our work and so that any complicated situations can be addressed quickly. We are not looking to gouge anyone. We are simply trying to be responsive to the needs of the parents in our communities, and to do so in a commercially responsible way. There are other businesses around the country that are asking $50 or more for the same service. </p>
<p>Our technicians volunteer their time to help out the agencies that offer these services for free, and as company a we do our best to help and support those agencies in any way we can. It&#8217;s so important that services like this continue to be available free of charge. We are not looking to compete with them, but rather to be a convenient alternative. Also, if we can attract the families who are willing and able to pay for a service like this, we will help free up resources at the non-profit agencies to focus on families who can not pay.</p>
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		<title>Comment on 10 Best iPhone Apps for Babies by Victoria FR</title>
		<link>http://mbeans.com/spillingthebeans/baby/10-best-iphone-apps-for-babies/comment-page-1/#comment-40090</link>
		<dc:creator>Victoria FR</dc:creator>
		<pubDate>Tue, 17 Jan 2012 15:30:09 +0000</pubDate>
		<guid isPermaLink="false">http://mbeans.com/spillingthebeans/?p=2288#comment-40090</guid>
		<description>My baby girl loves TinyGenius. Great flashcards with sounds effects supported in multiple languages.
She&#039;s already learned a few words in spanish!
Check it out! http://itunes.apple.com/us/app/tinygenius-lite/id490008376</description>
		<content:encoded><![CDATA[<p>My baby girl loves TinyGenius. Great flashcards with sounds effects supported in multiple languages.<br />
She&#8217;s already learned a few words in spanish!<br />
Check it out! <a href="http://itunes.apple.com/us/app/tinygenius-lite/id490008376" rel="nofollow">http://itunes.apple.com/us/app/tinygenius-lite/id490008376</a></p>
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		<title>Comment on Get your car seat checked. Start here. by Car Seats: Get Them Checked! : Twin Life Magazine</title>
		<link>http://mbeans.com/spillingthebeans/baby/car-seats/get-your-car-seat-checked-start-here/comment-page-1/#comment-40040</link>
		<dc:creator>Car Seats: Get Them Checked! : Twin Life Magazine</dc:creator>
		<pubDate>Wed, 11 Jan 2012 20:33:04 +0000</pubDate>
		<guid isPermaLink="false">http://mbeans.com/spillingthebeans/?p=6144#comment-40040</guid>
		<description>[...] To help ensure parents that their car seats are properly installed, Magic Beans of Brookline is offering car seat check-ups by appointment. You&#8217;ll have the opportunity to meet with one of their certified Child Passenger Safety Technicians for a one-on-one lesson in appropriate car seat installation. The lesson is $39.99 per car, or just $19.99 if you&#8217;ve purchased your car seat directly from Magic Beans. For more on this offer, click here. [...]</description>
		<content:encoded><![CDATA[<p>[...] To help ensure parents that their car seats are properly installed, Magic Beans of Brookline is offering car seat check-ups by appointment. You&#8217;ll have the opportunity to meet with one of their certified Child Passenger Safety Technicians for a one-on-one lesson in appropriate car seat installation. The lesson is $39.99 per car, or just $19.99 if you&#8217;ve purchased your car seat directly from Magic Beans. For more on this offer, click here. [...]</p>
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		<title>Comment on Get your car seat checked. Start here. by shannon</title>
		<link>http://mbeans.com/spillingthebeans/baby/car-seats/get-your-car-seat-checked-start-here/comment-page-1/#comment-40038</link>
		<dc:creator>shannon</dc:creator>
		<pubDate>Wed, 11 Jan 2012 19:31:55 +0000</pubDate>
		<guid isPermaLink="false">http://mbeans.com/spillingthebeans/?p=6144#comment-40038</guid>
		<description>I&#039;m actually surprised you&#039;re charging, there are many places that do it for free.  And I&#039;m not talking about the FD or PD - they&#039;re often not Certified.</description>
		<content:encoded><![CDATA[<p>I&#8217;m actually surprised you&#8217;re charging, there are many places that do it for free.  And I&#8217;m not talking about the FD or PD &#8211; they&#8217;re often not Certified.</p>
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		<title>Comment on 10 Best iPhone Apps for Babies by John Hutton</title>
		<link>http://mbeans.com/spillingthebeans/baby/10-best-iphone-apps-for-babies/comment-page-1/#comment-40037</link>
		<dc:creator>John Hutton</dc:creator>
		<pubDate>Wed, 11 Jan 2012 18:17:30 +0000</pubDate>
		<guid isPermaLink="false">http://mbeans.com/spillingthebeans/?p=2288#comment-40037</guid>
		<description>This is a very interesting list and discussion.  I just launched a blog with a different viewpoint that might spur some discussion: www.babyunplugged.com.  It&#039;s mission is to keep kids screen-free until 3, with reading and creative play as alternatives, from a pediatrician dad&#039;s perspective.  I do think that there is no place in a baby&#039;s world for baby apps, and don&#039;t really believe in any real educational benefit from any of them.  Engaging, for sure.  Educational, no.  Babies are just getting the hang of the real world, and mostly need real people to spend time with them.  Technology will consume them soon enough.</description>
		<content:encoded><![CDATA[<p>This is a very interesting list and discussion.  I just launched a blog with a different viewpoint that might spur some discussion: <a href="http://www.babyunplugged.com" rel="nofollow">http://www.babyunplugged.com</a>.  It&#8217;s mission is to keep kids screen-free until 3, with reading and creative play as alternatives, from a pediatrician dad&#8217;s perspective.  I do think that there is no place in a baby&#8217;s world for baby apps, and don&#8217;t really believe in any real educational benefit from any of them.  Engaging, for sure.  Educational, no.  Babies are just getting the hang of the real world, and mostly need real people to spend time with them.  Technology will consume them soon enough.</p>
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		<title>Comment on Get your car seat checked. Start here. by Lauren</title>
		<link>http://mbeans.com/spillingthebeans/baby/car-seats/get-your-car-seat-checked-start-here/comment-page-1/#comment-40035</link>
		<dc:creator>Lauren</dc:creator>
		<pubDate>Wed, 11 Jan 2012 16:11:39 +0000</pubDate>
		<guid isPermaLink="false">http://mbeans.com/spillingthebeans/?p=6144#comment-40035</guid>
		<description>I think it is totally awesome you are making car seat safety checks so easily accessible but to tell you the truth I am Kind of disappointed you are charging for such an important safety service. Don&#039;t you think parents will just visit their local police dept for free.</description>
		<content:encoded><![CDATA[<p>I think it is totally awesome you are making car seat safety checks so easily accessible but to tell you the truth I am Kind of disappointed you are charging for such an important safety service. Don&#8217;t you think parents will just visit their local police dept for free.</p>
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		<title>Comment on #2012 Mom-Resolutions by Capability</title>
		<link>http://mbeans.com/spillingthebeans/just-for-fun/2012-mom-resolutions/comment-page-1/#comment-39984</link>
		<dc:creator>Capability</dc:creator>
		<pubDate>Tue, 03 Jan 2012 23:51:55 +0000</pubDate>
		<guid isPermaLink="false">http://mbeans.com/spillingthebeans/?p=6113#comment-39984</guid>
		<description>I have already started my pseudo resolutions (I have to tread carefully, if they know they are resolutions they will run away like scared wildlife animals...shhh!). One - be present when my children get home from school - not just physically but mentally. I work at home so I can time my intense work time for school hours...it is only day 1 - let&#039;s see how this goes!</description>
		<content:encoded><![CDATA[<p>I have already started my pseudo resolutions (I have to tread carefully, if they know they are resolutions they will run away like scared wildlife animals&#8230;shhh!). One &#8211; be present when my children get home from school &#8211; not just physically but mentally. I work at home so I can time my intense work time for school hours&#8230;it is only day 1 &#8211; let&#8217;s see how this goes!</p>
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		<title>Comment on 11 things exhibitors can do to make the ABC Show a success by jay</title>
		<link>http://mbeans.com/spillingthebeans/trade-shows-travels/11-things-exhibitors-can-do-to-make-the-abc-show-a-success/comment-page-1/#comment-39746</link>
		<dc:creator>jay</dc:creator>
		<pubDate>Tue, 13 Dec 2011 18:43:18 +0000</pubDate>
		<guid isPermaLink="false">http://mbeans.com/spillingthebeans/?p=5570#comment-39746</guid>
		<description>Here&#039;s an article that gives some good advice to novice trade show exhibitors
http://www.megaprint.com/tradeshowprimer.php</description>
		<content:encoded><![CDATA[<p>Here&#8217;s an article that gives some good advice to novice trade show exhibitors<br />
<a href="http://www.megaprint.com/tradeshowprimer.php" rel="nofollow">http://www.megaprint.com/tradeshowprimer.php</a></p>
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		<title>Comment on Orbit Baby G2 Upgrade Program by Eleanor</title>
		<link>http://mbeans.com/spillingthebeans/baby/orbit-baby-g2-upgrade-program/comment-page-1/#comment-38817</link>
		<dc:creator>Eleanor</dc:creator>
		<pubDate>Tue, 22 Nov 2011 02:30:10 +0000</pubDate>
		<guid isPermaLink="false">http://mbeans.com/spillingthebeans/?p=3077#comment-38817</guid>
		<description>I would like to know if this promo is still available. I would like to trade in my 2009 orbit stroller to the latest g2 model. Thank you.</description>
		<content:encoded><![CDATA[<p>I would like to know if this promo is still available. I would like to trade in my 2009 orbit stroller to the latest g2 model. Thank you.</p>
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		<title>Comment on 10 Best iPhone Apps for Babies by Mark</title>
		<link>http://mbeans.com/spillingthebeans/baby/10-best-iphone-apps-for-babies/comment-page-1/#comment-38634</link>
		<dc:creator>Mark</dc:creator>
		<pubDate>Wed, 16 Nov 2011 15:36:12 +0000</pubDate>
		<guid isPermaLink="false">http://mbeans.com/spillingthebeans/?p=2288#comment-38634</guid>
		<description>(oh - the app is available here: http://mwl.li/whatface and the game has a small website here: http://mwillis.com/whatface - thanks!!)</description>
		<content:encoded><![CDATA[<p>(oh &#8211; the app is available here: <a href="http://mwl.li/whatface" rel="nofollow">http://mwl.li/whatface</a> and the game has a small website here: <a href="http://mwillis.com/whatface" rel="nofollow">http://mwillis.com/whatface</a> &#8211; thanks!!)</p>
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		<title>Comment on 10 Best iPhone Apps for Babies by Mark</title>
		<link>http://mbeans.com/spillingthebeans/baby/10-best-iphone-apps-for-babies/comment-page-1/#comment-38633</link>
		<dc:creator>Mark</dc:creator>
		<pubDate>Wed, 16 Nov 2011 15:34:57 +0000</pubDate>
		<guid isPermaLink="false">http://mbeans.com/spillingthebeans/?p=2288#comment-38633</guid>
		<description>Check out What Face? for babies - a great looking, incredibly simple game for babies.  Vibrant colors, textures and sounds, completely FREE, and non-commercial.  (I&#039;m the developer - I originally made it for kids in my own family, who&#039;ve grown a bit older now - but hopefully many more babies and young toddlers can still enjoy it!)</description>
		<content:encoded><![CDATA[<p>Check out What Face? for babies &#8211; a great looking, incredibly simple game for babies.  Vibrant colors, textures and sounds, completely FREE, and non-commercial.  (I&#8217;m the developer &#8211; I originally made it for kids in my own family, who&#8217;ve grown a bit older now &#8211; but hopefully many more babies and young toddlers can still enjoy it!)</p>
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		<title>Comment on Baby Jogger City Select a winner by Amy</title>
		<link>http://mbeans.com/spillingthebeans/baby/baby-jogger-city-select-a-winner/comment-page-1/#comment-38453</link>
		<dc:creator>Amy</dc:creator>
		<pubDate>Sun, 13 Nov 2011 04:19:03 +0000</pubDate>
		<guid isPermaLink="false">http://mbeans.com/spillingthebeans/?p=1766#comment-38453</guid>
		<description>I have owned both the Phil &amp; Ted and the Britax B-Ready. I just ordered the City Select. I have read so many comments and reviews regarding the City Select versus the P&amp;T and the B-ready. One thing seems to be missing among all the considerations. Will your child enjoy staring at the seat in front of him? This is the main reason I am switching strollers yet again. That rear seat was not coveted by my kids. Oh. they loved it at first. It was novel to ride in that little seat down at the bottom! However, the novelty wore off a bit too quickly! Yes, we have to push it, load the packages in it, and fold it up and heft it into the minivan, but our kiddos are spending a lot of time in the thing too! Just wanted to add my observations to the mix! Good luck to everybody on the quest for the perfect stroller!</description>
		<content:encoded><![CDATA[<p>I have owned both the Phil &amp; Ted and the Britax B-Ready. I just ordered the City Select. I have read so many comments and reviews regarding the City Select versus the P&amp;T and the B-ready. One thing seems to be missing among all the considerations. Will your child enjoy staring at the seat in front of him? This is the main reason I am switching strollers yet again. That rear seat was not coveted by my kids. Oh. they loved it at first. It was novel to ride in that little seat down at the bottom! However, the novelty wore off a bit too quickly! Yes, we have to push it, load the packages in it, and fold it up and heft it into the minivan, but our kiddos are spending a lot of time in the thing too! Just wanted to add my observations to the mix! Good luck to everybody on the quest for the perfect stroller!</p>
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		<title>Comment on Retail reality check by Lorita</title>
		<link>http://mbeans.com/spillingthebeans/holidays/retail-reality-check/comment-page-1/#comment-38411</link>
		<dc:creator>Lorita</dc:creator>
		<pubDate>Sat, 12 Nov 2011 04:30:44 +0000</pubDate>
		<guid isPermaLink="false">http://mbeans.com/spillingthebeans/?p=5809#comment-38411</guid>
		<description>Thanks for the response! That&#039;s unfortunate to hear. Just YOU don&#039;t go anywhere, deal?</description>
		<content:encoded><![CDATA[<p>Thanks for the response! That&#8217;s unfortunate to hear. Just YOU don&#8217;t go anywhere, deal?</p>
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		<title>Comment on Retail reality check by Sheri</title>
		<link>http://mbeans.com/spillingthebeans/holidays/retail-reality-check/comment-page-1/#comment-38385</link>
		<dc:creator>Sheri</dc:creator>
		<pubDate>Fri, 11 Nov 2011 14:50:07 +0000</pubDate>
		<guid isPermaLink="false">http://mbeans.com/spillingthebeans/?p=5809#comment-38385</guid>
		<description>Hi Lorita. The two stores I&#039;m referring to in this article are Goore&#039;s, a baby store in Sacramento, CA and Belmont Toys in Belmont, MA.</description>
		<content:encoded><![CDATA[<p>Hi Lorita. The two stores I&#8217;m referring to in this article are Goore&#8217;s, a baby store in Sacramento, CA and Belmont Toys in Belmont, MA.</p>
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