Halifax baby expo offers parents ways to navigate rising cost of living

The rising cost of living can be a daunting challenge for parents, especially when it comes to raising children. In an effort to provide support and resources to parents, the Pregnancy and Parenting Expo was held at the Halifax Forum over the weekend. The event aimed to offer parents practical ways to navigate the rewarding yet expensive journey of parenthood.

Organized by Ashley Cooley, the expo featured dozens of vendors focusing on helping parents save money and alleviate financial burdens. Many businesses offered free or highly discounted services to parents attending the event. With statistics showing that parents spend an average of over $17,000 a year on raising a child, the expo aimed to provide solutions to help parents manage the high costs associated with parenting.

The expo brought together businesses and organizations specializing in prenatal, birthing, and postpartum care, as well as services for infant sleep and feeding. Ashley Cooley, owner of Birth, Baby, Sleep, emphasized the importance of creating a support network for parents and providing a one-stop shop for resources and information.

Some vendors at the expo focused on helping parents with both short-term and long-term costs. The Parents of Multiple Births Association of Nova Scotia, for example, offered support to parents of twins and other multiples by providing free clothes for premature babies, breast pump rentals, and discounts at select stores. President Tyana Randell highlighted the financial challenges faced by parents of multiples and emphasized the importance of finding ways to save money.

Steve Murray, a sales representative with CST Savings, attended the expo to educate parents about post-secondary grants available to them as soon as their child is born. With the cost of tuition on the rise, Murray emphasized the importance of starting to save for education early. Government subsidies like the Canada Education Savings Grant can help parents save for their child’s future education expenses.

Overall, the Pregnancy and Parenting Expo in Halifax provided parents with valuable resources and information to help them navigate the financial aspects of raising children. By offering practical solutions and support, the event aimed to ease the financial burden on parents and make the journey of parenthood a little more manageable.