School had already started here in Switzerland when the ‘walk to school’ debate started in the US in September this year. It was partly initiated by an article in the New York Times ‘Why can’t she walk to school?’ The story featured a mother who let her 7-year old girl, a second grader in upstate New York walk a block and half to school. Friends, neighbors, and families were just horrified at this apparent “lack of judgment” on the part of the mother.

In the part of the world where I live in, walking to school is the norm rather than the exception, and moms who chauffeur their kids to school, the so-called Mama-Taxis, are considered a traffic hazard frowned upon by school authorities, traffic officers, and other parents.

Why Parents are Afraid

Walking alone, even in familiar territory, presents danger to little children. The story of Little Red Riding has been our guiding lesson at a very young age. Kidnapping, pedophilia, bullying, and traffic accidents are just a few of the reason why parents would practically delivery their children right at the school doorstep and pick them up the same way. We’ve all heard the horror stories over the years of abductions and murders that have occurred.

However, because of these fears, parents would, according to the NYT, watch over their kids with unhealthy paranoia. Examples of these behaviors are:

• Parents and children sit in their cars at the end of the driveways to wait for the school bus.

• School buses are fitted with surveillance cameras.

• Parents drive to school with their kids’ names on the dashboard and children are individually escorted out by a school staff.

• People who see kids walk to school alone call the authorities.

• Parents who let their kids walk to school alone are reprimanded and are threatened to be charged with child endangerment.

What are the Benefits of Kids Walking to School?

• Walking to school builds character - It’s my kids’ way to independence.

• Walking prepares kids to navigate the world – Some experts believe that children who are chauffeured to and from school are not prepared to navigate the outside world.

• Walking is healthy – Lack of physical exercise is one of the major factors that contribute to chronic health problems and obesity in children these days. Walking to school give kids the chance to get physical exercise, get some fresh air and sunshine.

• Walking is cheaper and environmentally friendly – Gasoline  is expensive and driving adds to air pollution. According to the traffic officer, a lot of traffic accidents involving children happen because of the traffic hazards presented by Mama-Taxis.

With these things in mind, I give some tips as to how I got my kids ready for walking to school.

Make sure your child is ready -I rehearsed with my kids several times before school started. On the way to school, they have to cross the main street which is usually manned by 2 traffic guards during school days. However, they have to learn to cross on their own, just in case the guards aren’t around. If your child doesn’t feel too secure about walking alone, then walk with him or her until she gains confidence.

Choose the safest way – The safest way is not necessarily the shortest way. I showed my kids to take a way where they aren’t exposed too much to vehicular traffic. However, I did check it out several times, paying attention to hazards such as steps, dogs, water, insufficient street lighting etc. that they might encounter along the way.

Once they grow older and more street wise, I’m sure they’d take the shorter route. But that’s years away from now.

There is safety in numbers – I always emphasize this to my twin boys. They go to separate classes but they have similar schedules and the rule is: wait for each other. It is advisable that your child walks with other children even if it means making a detour. Talk to other moms and pool your kids together.

Leave the wheels at home – Bicycles, skates, and scooters, leave them at home until the kids are old enough. The safest way to get to school is walking, even though it may not be the fastest.

Make your child as visible as possible to motorists – Reflectors on jackets and school bags make children more visible to drivers. Kindergarten kids in Switzerland are required to walk the streets with some sort of reflector vests.

Do spot checks – I have to admit it. I spied on my kids during the first few weeks of school just to make sure they are alright. I also try to observe their behavior while walking. Are they being careful? I have stopped spying on them since but I do spot checks from time to time and tell them ‘I just happened to be nearby.’

Let go. And don’t feel guilty – I know a lady who’s been waging a battle for the last couple of years against her daughter, her daughter’s teachers, and her fears. She was traumatized as a child when she witnessed a friend fatally ran over by a car on the way to school. I can imagine how difficult it is for her to let go and let her daughter walk to school alone. But we cannot protect our kids forever. And we shouldn’t make our fears their fears. We have to let go at some stage, and we shouldn’t be feeling guilty either.

Huh. Color me ignorant. I had no idea that Halloween was considered the most dangerous holiday for kids. Thinking about it some more, it makes sense. Trick-or-treating in the dark, the pointy costume props, the costumes themselves which are easy to trip on, the possibility of injury is staggering. Children have a higher chance of getting hit by a car on Halloween than any other night of the year. The number of injuries caused by plastic swords, pitchforks, and other Halloween props increases ER visits on Halloween more than any other night.

I guess my child’s tame roaming at the local mall for her first Halloween years has kept me in a bubble. She’s two so that was ok, but as she gets older I know she’ll want to do the street trick-or-treating with friends.

Keeping Our Children Safe on Halloween

• Supervision. It shouldn’t matter whether they’re 1 yr. old or 11 yrs. old. We as parents, should be around to supervise them especially if they are trick-or-treating in the streets. If your preteen argues that it’s uncool, just cite the statistics and explain you’re doing your job as parents in keeping them safe. In other words, you don’t care if it’s “uncool”!

• Preventative Measures. Discuss safety tips with your kids before you go out. Impress upon them the importance of being aware of their surroundings. It’s never too much to repeat the adage of stop, look, and listen to them.

• Avoid Poorly Lit Streets. There’s nothing more risky than trying to cross a dark street with several kids in tow. Stick to familiar and well-lit streets. You and your kids will be familiar with your surroundings, and you’re able to see them better – and see better overall- as well.

• Choose Appropriate Costumes. Rethink bulky costumes they can trip over easily. Have them try their costume on at home and see how they handle it. The trial run allows you to modify any sources of possible injury. You can tell them they can use a prop at home for pictures but that you will carry it for them when they’re out trick-or-treating. This gives them the proper range of motion without having to worry about them poking themselves or someone else. Click here for tips on picking out age appropriate Halloween costumes for you baby or toddler.

• Indoor Venues. A church, an indoor mall, even schools sometimes put together Halloween events for kids. This is a nice alternative that offers candy, games, and other prizes, without having to be out in the element, and on the streets.

• Ration the Halloween Candy. It’s definitely prudent to have your kids bring all their candy at home where you can inspect their loot to make sure its safe. Aside from safety, you can ration their candy too so they don’t get themselves a tummy ache. I usually let my child choose their favorite candy from their loot, then take the rest to work/school in a candy jar at a prominent place. That way, we don’t give their dentist any more work than they have too and I don’t end up getting tempted as well.

If you are vigilant, and safe, Halloween can remain the happy memory it’s supposed to be for years to come.

If you leaf through your baby or parenting magazine you’d be sure to find one of those cute pictures of babies, pictures that will tug at any mommy’s heart. Unfortunately, the American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) is not pleased with many of them. Not in the least, according to this US News report. Because most of the pictures, especially those of sleeping babies do not reflect the safety guidelines to prevent sudden infant death (SIDS) as recommended by the AAP. Great photos as they are, they nevertheless set a bad example to parents and care givers.

Baby Ad Inconsistencies in Regards to SIDS:

• Babies sleeping on their tummies. The AAP and other health organizations have been advocating the “Back to Sleep” campaign to prevent SIDS.

• Babies on soft surfaces. The AAP discourages the use of pillows and soft blankets to prevent suffocation and overheating. Overheating is another factor that causes SIDS.

• Babies co-sleeping with mommy. There is nothing sweeter than a sleeping Madonna and her child. The AAP doesn’t think so because it is strongly against co-sleeping even though many other groups advocate co-sleeping for the sake of mom-baby bonding and promoting breastfeeding.

• Babies co-sleeping with other babies. The picture of Jennifer Lopez’s twins Max and Em sleeping in the same crib was really a slap at AAP’s face. I have twins myself and I admit I never let them sleep in the same crib mainly for practical reasons – they slept better that way and were less likely to disturb each other when one wakes up. But I know twins who couldn’t sleep away from each other.

Clearly, there is a big difference between what is safe and what makes a good photo. From a photographer’s view for example babies may look cuter “bottoms up.” And ads are all about photos that are cute and appealing and nice to look at. Plus the artistic license, of course.

What do you think?

Do you think the AAP has the right to “police” baby photos in ads, print and web media for safety reasons?

Carl R. Darnall Army Medical Center in Fort Hood was locked down on Monday after an attempted newborn abduction from a mother’s room. Technology did its job, however, the infant abduction warning alarm went off and the baby was recovered.

The would-be abductor, reportedly a woman dressed in hospital garb, got away. The AP report requests that anyone with information should contact the Fort Hood CID (Criminal Investigation Department) Office at 254-287-2722 the Fort Hood Military Police at 254-287-4001 or email Hood.CID.SAC.RA@conus.army.mil.

The Good News
This story had a happy ending, with the baby returned to their mother. There are measures every new parent can take that will make your baby less of a target for abduction. The best thing a mother can do is trust her instincts. If a hospital visitor or even supposed staff member seems “not quite right,” do not leave your baby alone with that person.

IN THE HOSPITAL

Check the Child ID Bracelet. Minutes after your baby is born, hospital staff should outfit you, Daddy and baby with matching ID bracelets. Check the numbers right away to make sure they match and make sure the bracelets are affixed firmly around baby’s wrist and ankle.

Send Daddy in with the initial check-up. Very shortly after your baby is born, the doctors will whisk him away to be cleaned, weighed, measured and evaluated. You may be a little bit out of it at this time, but Daddy should follow the doctor with the baby into the other room. If the check-up is done right in the delivery room, that’s even better.

Room-in. Having your baby room in with you provides the best protection against hospital abductions – it also makes it a lot easier to stick to that “every 2 hour” feeding schedule of a nursing mother. Obviously, never leave your baby alone (or with someone you don’t know) in the room, not even so you can go to the bathroom.

Check ID badges of hospital personnel. Before anyone takes your baby back to the nursery for any reason, check their ID badge. Remember, though, ID badges and hospital garb is very easy to forge. Rely on your instincts. If something doesn’t “feel right” about a staff member, insist (politely) on accompanying them wherever they’re going. Most staff shouldn’t have a problem with this. If they do, consider that a red flag. Buzz the nurse’s station.

Never let baby out of sight.
You know your baby will be safe if you go everywhere they go. Again, you don’t have to sound accusatory or paranoid. Merely offer casually: “Oh, great, you’re bringing her to the nursery to see the doctor? I’ll come with you.”

Visiting hours. Visiting hour is a great time to get a few minutes away from your baby to shower, eat or just relax. Only leave the baby with very close friends or relatives. Take a few minutes to educate them on safety procedures and not letting any hospital staff take the baby without your approval.

AT HOME

As improved safety measures and security technology has reduced the number of hospital abductions, the number of newborn abductions from home has increased slightly. How can you best protect your baby at home? A lot of it is simply common sense: don’t leave your baby with someone you don’t know extremely well. Demand I.D. from anybody visiting your home in an “official” capacity – if their I.D. seems suspicious, refuse to let them enter your home. Be aware, too, if a casual acquaintance suddenly starts acting like your best friend after the baby is born – especially if you haven’t known them long.

Nix the lawn signs. Those cute little wooden storks on your front lawn announcing “It’s a girl”? They’re practically welcome signs for child abductors. Keep the celebratory balloons and signs indoors.

Watch your garbage. Similarly, putting boxes out at the curb with pictures of car seats, cribs and high chairs is an advertisement there’s a baby on the way. Drop these off at the recycling plant yourself or discard them over the course of a few weeks, broken down and sandwiched in between plain cardboard boxes. Better yet, keep the boxes. Babies go through gear quickly, and you’ll then have the products in their original boxes for sale, donation or for the next baby.

What happens when you are down to your last embryo and your chances of producing more are slim? This is a question facing many parents who are undergoing IVF. And this Greek fertility expert seems to have found a solution – artificially split up the embryo. In the process, Karl Illmensee, laboratory director at the Genesis Fertility Center in Patras, Greece, is creating twins and multiples in the lab.

Monozygotic (identical) twins and multiples are produced when an embryo spontaneously splits to produce several identical embryos. Illmensee does this manually. He claims that by splitting high quality embryos at the 6-to-8 cell stage, viable twins can be produced.

The success of an IVF cycle can depend largely on the number of embryos implanted. This technique can give couples who have a short supply of embryos higher chances of getting pregnant.

As expected, this technique is embroiled in controversy. Two main questions crop up: Is it ethical? Is it safe?

Is it ethical? After claims of human cloning, or performance of IVF on a 70-year-old woman, the ethical question in this issue seems pretty tame.

I am more concerned about the safety of the technique. Would the babies be healthy? Multiple pregnancies as such as associated with a high potential for genetic aberrations plus pregnancy complications that can threaten both the mother and the unborn children.

Illmensee counters objections by saying “splitting one embryo into two or more embryos could serve the needs of infertile couples in several ways. As long as a couple is fully informed of the risk of such an outcome, there would appear to be no major ethical objection.”

We live in a large city near the beach in the southern US.  Crime isn’t rampant, but it does happen.  I have to admit that as my pregnancy progresses, I worry a little bit about my personal safety, especially since my husband is away with business a lot.

I am very aware of the fact that I move a little bit slower than usual, and that I waddle.  My large midsection screams to the world that I am with child. I feel very vulnerable I have to admit.

Today, I was coming out of Walmart and a lady approached me and told me she didn’t want to hurt me.  I immediately put my toddler in the van, got in and shut the door.  She came to the window and told me she was a recovering drug addict and wanted a ride to the clinic where she could get some methadone.  It was just a few blocks away she said.

On the chance that her story was really for real, and also so she knew I could call for help,  I got out my cell phone.  I told her that I’d call someone to take her or I’d pay for her to get a cab.  She said no, she wanted me to give her a ride.  With that, I drove off, leaving her standing there.  I also called the manager at the Walmart too.  Better safe than sorry.

I don’t really like to fixate on the negative, but today’s experience jolted me a little bit.  Do you worry about personal safety more when you are pregnant, or when you are out with your infant? What steps do you take to make sure that you and your family are safe during outings?

This book starts out with a warning from the author to parents.  Readers are urged to not get overwhelmed by what they are about to read.  It’s a lot of information, the author admits, but don’t freak out.  I read that part and then continued on to the rest of the book, and promptly freaked out.

Plastic bottles? Don’t use them because they’ll poison you.  Lotion? No way; it will seep into your skin and pollute your insides.  Don’t even think of the term “aerosol air fresheners” because you might lose consciousness from the anxiety that will undoubtedly ensue.

At least, that’s how it seems at first.  I was assaulted with a bunch of information that really made me want to pack up my kids and go live in a cave that was first tested for lead before we moved in.  After I got over the initial nervousness from what I was reading, however, I started to digest what was being presented and realized that this is the perfect book for any parents who want to create a better environment for their kids.  This isn’t just about how to be greener, but also how to be safer and healthier.  After all, if you don’t really care about the environment, my guess is that you at least care about the well-being of your offspring in one way or another, right?

One of the best parts of this book are all the “recipes” for healthy, environmentally-friendly items such as household cleaners and finger paint.  Everything is easy to follow and actually a lot less expensive than the stuff you can buy in the stores.  It helped me a lot that the author didn’t just say, “Don’t use toxic cleaners!” but instead said, “Use this instead, and you can make it yourself.  You’re so clever!” I’m paraphrasing there, by the way.

Another thing I really liked about this book were all the excerpts from famous parents.  Some of them were incredibly environmentally conscious while others had changed some things but were still using disposable diapers or hadn’t given up their gas-guzzling cars.  The point is that even little changes can make a difference in the health of your children and your impact on the environment, and that’s an incredibly valuable lesson to learn…even if it initially freaks you out a little.

Available now at Amazon.com

Spring is a time of new beginnings – when the birds begin to sing again, flowers start to bloom and the leaves form on branches. It’s also a good time to start thinking about storm safety. Remember the adage “April showers bring May flowers”? Well, it’s nearly April, and those showers are coming.

It’s important to be prepared – but not scared – of possible storms, especially if you have kids. Children frequently pick up on adults’ nervousness and will react as well. In addition, many children – especially young children – find the thunder and lightning scary. But if you stay calm, they will, too. Here’s a primer on storm safety:

• Storm watches are put in place when conditions are favorable for a storm to develop.

• Warnings are issued when the National Weather Service has data showing that severe weather is imminent. Severe thunderstorm and tornado warnings are relayed to local radio and television stations to warn their audiences, and are broadcast over local NOAA Weather Radio stations serving the warned areas as well. Local emergency management and public safety officials are also notified of the warnings, and can then activate local warning systems, such as tornado sirens, to alert communities.

Spring is a good time to create a storm plan so that you and your family can be prepared if severe weather strikes. Keep flashlights and candles at the ready and in a convenient place for anyone to grab in an emergency. Make sure that everyone knows to come inside immediately if the sky looks threatening or if watches or warnings are posted. Any pets that are outdoors should be brought in or given shelter from the storm as well. Remember, if you can hear thunder, a storm is close enough that lightning strikes are possible. Head for shelter immediately, preferably indoors and away from windows. If you can, have a storm shelter set up, or designate a corner of your basement as a storm area. Stock the area with extra bottled water, non-perishable snacks and books or activities to keep you and your kids occupied during a storm.

Planning ahead can also help to keep kids calm if severe weather strikes. Having a plan and sticking to it can calm their fears and help everyone to weather the storm.

The tragic death of Natasha Richardson on the ski slopes has sparked a debate on whether wearing helmets should be mandatory while skiing.

Winter sports is a big thing here in Switzerland where we are currently living. Everybody skis, well, almost everybody, and I am one of the very few who can’t or don’t. Swiss kids start learning how to ski as early as two years old. Every February, there is a two-week school break called the “sports break”, referring to winter sports, of course. My neighbor confided to me last week that her two boys aged 14 and 17 have never been to the seaside as they spend all their vacation money during the winter holidays. Yet, even this country so crazy about winter sports doesn’t make helmet use compulsory.

Every year, hundreds of people in the skiing slopes of the European Alps get injured or even die. Earlier this year, another woman and mother of about Natasha’s age died in Austria after colliding against the prominent German politician Dieter Althaus. The politician has been charged with manslaughter and awaits trial. He was wearing a helmet during the collision. She wasn’t. All over Switzerland, there are posters reminding people to “Watch your speed” on the slopes. Yet, helmets are not obligatory here.

I really can’t understand about people’s aversion to wearing helmets, be it while riding a bicycle or skiing. Some say it’s bothersome, some say it’s uncomfortable. Maybe some people just didn’t learn to wear helmets as a child.

But we have helmets now and they are affordable and medical science has proven time and time again that helmets can prevent head injuries and save lives. Motorcycle helmets are mandatory almost everywhere; so are bicycle helmets in many countries. So why not skiing helmets? And what can we do to make sure that our kids grow up to be safety-conscious?

Start ‘em early.
My twin boys got their first helmets the minute they sat on their first trike at 18 months. For some people, this was perhaps overcautious because how fast can they really go on a trike. For me, it’s all about association and getting used to. I wanted my kids to get used to wearing helmets early in life. Unlike my childhood, their childhood is full of opportunities to learn wonderful sports like in line skating, skateboarding, skiing, among others. However, these sports can also be potentially dangerous. Apparently, many people think so. This year, the ski rentals for my boys included helmets as well.

Explain what helmets are for.
Kids should know why helmets are necessary. It’s not about making a fashion statement. It’s not because everybody is wearing them. It’s not about being cool. Helmets are worn for a good reason and kids should know just how important they are.

Set a good example.
I always wear a helmet while cycling. Unfortunately, my husband doesn’t be it while cycling or skiing. He is normally particular about safety and he knows how important helmets are, especially for kids. But not for him. Maybe it’ simply difficult to teach old dogs new tricks. I’d rather concentrate my energy on my little boys instead.

Currently, there is a big discussion going on whether a helmet could have saved Natasha’s life or not. Maybe we’ll never know. What I know for sure is it’s better to err on the side of caution. Especially with my kids.

What looks like a cigarette, glows like a cigarette, contains nicotine like a cigarette but is not a cigarette? It’s an e-cigarette or e-cig for short. This new import from China is literally selling like hotcakes because the manufacturers claim that it is safe, and does not contain any of the toxic chemicals such as tar found in your Camels or Virginia Slims. What it contains is pure nicotine.

According the official “electronic smoking” website, e-cig is the healthiest alternative to cigarettes you will ever get. It works similarly like a nicotine patch but it works better because the smokers get the oral fixation. In a CNN article, the CEO of Smoking Everywhere, one of the leading e-cig distributors, was quoted as saying that e-cigs do not contain ingredients that can cause cancer. There are however, a lot of uncertainties about this new product. The US FDA has declared the e-cig to an unapproved product whose safety cannot be determined. However, the CNN article criticized the regulatory body for being “hazy” about the issue because also the FDA is trying to stop e-cig importation, it is not seizing products that are already in the US.

What concerns me about the product is that its claims of safety which is not proven and tested might mislead young women who are smokers and pregnant. Cigarette smoking during pregnancy has been linked to a lot of infant health problems. The effects of e-cig on the unborn child, however, are not known. Other groups are also concerned that e-cig contains a high dose of pure nicotine that is potentially lethal when ingested by children. In addition, it puts to test the age limit some countries have placed on cigarette purchase and possession.

Doors are dangerous things, especially for kids. The person who designed them originally must be very proud of himself/herself. They are sturdy and strong and can keep the wind and rain and big bad wolves at bay. But they also have hinges and jambs and they move and squeak, thus presenting a fascination but also a major threat to little limbs, fingers and toes. I’ve heard of so many tales about lost fingers, permanent disfigurement and disabilities.

I remember when my twin boys were 18 months old. I took R out of the car first, carried him inside the house, leaving the front door open while I ran back for his brother. Wham! He pushed the door closed, with a forefinger caught in the hinges. Luckily, the finger wasn’t broken but the nail did turn black and eventually came off. But boy, was I scared. We did have special door stoppers and hinge guards then especially to protect those little fingers but not on the front and back doors. That wasn’t the last time that it happened but I always thought it would get easier as they grow older. Well, I had another scare just today. While playing chase and catch, F decided to escape to his room and closed the door on his brother’s hand. Another heart-stopping moment for me. Again, lucky it was a minor injury.

Another thing about doors is that one can easily get locked in. Especially our little ones. In most European homes, doors are locked by turning the key in the keyhole. We have no bolts or one-push door locks. This is quite convenient because as soon as our boys were mobile, we just put away the keys (again except for the front and back doors). Swiss doors are even niftily designed to have a special cubby hole on the door itself to keep the key in so they won’t get lost or mixed up. But it’s a different story when it comes to public toilets and changing rooms at the swimming. My boys already locked themselves in a changing room at age 6 months. Luckily, it’s one of those cubicles that is open on top so I could climb over (with some help from below) and rescue them. That’s when I started this rule never to lock toilet doors. And I thought that was the last of week. Well, about 6 years later (just last week), R locked himself in the changing room after swimming lessons and started bawling. This time I had to ask a pool staff member to come and help. But R did learn his lesson.

Doors are wonderful and handy things. But as a mom, I’m scared stiff of them.

Check out these figures:

• 300,000 door-related injuries every year in the USA.
• 45,000 injuries to the hands and fingers of children under 14.
• 15,000 amputations from finger pinch injuries

I don’t want to scare you. I just want you to take care. Doors are a threat to kids, no matter what age they are.

After last year’s safety issues with children’s cough and cold medications, the drive to increase awareness of their safety is being stepped up and the drug manufacturers are taking an active part in the awareness campaign. Actress Chandra Wilson, star of ABC’s Emmy Award-winning medical drama TV series Grey’s Anatomy is working together with the Consumer Healthcare Products Association (CHPA) to spread safety news and information about over-the-counter (OTC) cough and cold medicines for children. The education campaign is called “Treat with Care”and targets parents and caregivers and gives the following recommendations:

• Always follow the label exactly and use the measuring device that comes with the medicine,
• Do not give a medicine only intended for adults to a child.
• Do not use two medicines at the same time that contain the same ingredients.
• Prevent unsupervised ingestion by keeping all medicines out of the reach and sight of children.
• Do not use antihistamine products to make a child sleepy.
• Consult a physician or healthcare professional with questions.

Chandra has three children herself and is therefore concerned about the safety of OTC children’s medicine. CHPA is a trade association which represents manufacturers and distributors of OTC medicines and nutritional supplements. By working together with Chandra, celebrity mother and “medical” figure, CHPA hopes to reach out to their target audience.

This is not the only measure that OTC drug manufacturers are taking to ensure increased drug safety. According to a US FDA safety alert, several manufacturers of OTC cough and cold medicines are voluntarily changing the labels on their products as well as introducing new child resistant packaging and measuring devices. The new labels clearly indicate the warning “do not use” for children under the age of 4 years.

Press Release

Public Service Announcement

I have to admit that I never thought too much about this before.  Today, I read an article that made me pause to consider the possibilities.

In the past, we lived in a very rural area.  Whatever we couldn’t compost, we burned in a burning barrel to reduce the amount of trash we had for curbside pickup.  Trash removal was so expensive!  I burned a lot of wrapping paper over the years.  I’ve also recycled wrapping paper by using it for other gifts, or I’ve used it to line bureau drawers.  I have to admit that I’ve probably thrown away a lot of wrapping paper too.

Gary Jones is the director of a company called Printing Industries of America.  He says that today’s inks contain safe pigments.  However, when those pigments are burned, that can change.  He advises consumers to not burn wrapping paper for that reason.

I’ve never tried burning wrapping paper in a fireplace, although we did heat our home with a wood stove for many years.  My concern there would be that the bits of paper wouldn’t totally disintegrate and could cause a chimney fire.

Surprisingly, the experts say that the best and safest thing to do with wrapping paper is to recycle it or simply throw it away.

I remember before I had children, I thought it was strange when I saw mothers who had their children in harnesses out in public.  The idea is that it is easier to keep track of an active child if they are in a baby harness.

When I became a mother, I still thought it was odd.  Then, my toddler got lost one day while we were in Disney World.  I decided to take a bathroom break and asked my parents and my ex to watch the children.  When I returned, only three of our four children were waiting for me!  It turned out that my youngest had slipped away and followed me into the bathroom.  We discovered her a few minutes later, but I swear I sprouted several grey hairs in those minutes.   The next day, I bought a baby harness.

I thought of this today as we were touring Jamestown with my dear friend, her family, and their Belgium exchange student.  Somehow, signals got crossed and everyone thought that the other person was watching the toddler. Then, panic ensued when we discovered he was missing.  We ran around the exhibits for a few minutes, calling for him in English, French, and German.  He yelled back in English and we were able to find him.

The entire event lasted again, only a few minutes.  This time, I’ve got too many grey hairs to tell if I’ve sprouted any new ones.  As I hugged my son, my youngest, who herself had gotten lost in Disney almost a decade ago, remarked loudly–”SOMEBODY needs to get a baby harness!”

Have you used a baby harness to keep your active toddler close to you in public? Would you ever use such a product?

We decorated our Christmas tree last night.  As I write this, I’m sitting next to the tree admiring the ornaments.

All of them are on the top of the tree so my son can’t grab them and hurt himself or the ornaments.  The tree is wired to the wall so that he, the cats, or the dog can’t topple it over.  At the top of the tree sits a fake chicken.  Yes, a chicken because the children saw the decoration in the store and begged us to put it on top of the tree instead of the angel.  This is the fourth year that we’ve had a chicken instead of an angel on the tree top.   I suppose we’ve started a tradition.

The ornaments themselves are mostly resin.  They can’t be broken and they don’t show chew marks if the puppy should happen to get a hold of them either.

I thought that we’d done a pretty good job of child proofing the tree, but I was wrong.  My toddler figured out that if he stood on top of the puppy who was asleep next to the tree, that he could climb up the branches to get to the ornaments.  Isn’t he clever?

This evening, after supper, we decided to put the tree in the playpen as an additional safety feature.  That way, the tree has a safety perimeter and even if my son stands on the puppy, he can’t grab the ornaments off the tree.

I was talking to a friend of mine just a few minutes ago and I sheepishly admitted to her that we needed to take extraordinary measures to keep my son and the tree safe.  She laughed and admitted to me that she’d done the same thing almost 20 years ago when her son was small.

Her admission comforted me slightly.  Apparently I am not the first person to have a kid friendly Christmas tree.  I’m sure I won’t be the last either.

I’ve always been concerned about finding safe toys for my children.  After seeing the many news articles this year about toxic toys and chemicals, I’m even more concerned.  Because of my concerns, I’ve been searching for companies which sell safe and environmentally friendly toys which I can give to my children for Christmas.  I’m just looking for toys, not toxins or chemicals please!

Kangarooboo sells a plethora of great toys, all of which are safe toys.  I love the toys NOT made in China section too!

My favorite line is the Kathe Kruse toy line.  Mrs. Kruse was a mother of 5 who began making toys in 1905 for her 5 children! Eventually, she started her own toy company.  Today, the toys are made in Germany and are specifically designed for infants and young children. The best part is that the toys are free of chemicals and dyes.  For older children, the company sells toys made from recycled plastic.  What a clever concept.

Another company which sells non-toxic wooden toys is Bambino Land.  When I checked out their website, I found that many of the toys are on sale right now!

Good Steward Naturals also sells non-toxic toys.  According to their website, they are offering free shipping on toy purchases until December 15th.

Hopefully, you will find wonderful non-toxic or natural toys for your little ones.

My baby girl is like many other 8-month old babies. She scoots around on her belly, squeals at the cat, giggles when we play peek-a-boo, and loves to empty the Tupperware cabinet. Unfortunately, she also has some other favorite playthings.

Literally, the day she first started “crawling” (if that’s what it could be properly called), my daughter reached out to touch what she’d been looking at for months. What is at perfect eye level with every baby in a bouncer, or sitting on her own? The electrical outlets, of course. Before she was mobile, I never had them covered. Of course, I went out right away and bought some safety caps. I bought some that were almost clear so they wouldn’t look so garish in the living room. But since they are clear, the girl doesn’t necessarily realize they are there. So she scoots over, lifts herself up and tries to suck on them.

Next are the power cords. A friend of mine said her kids always liked them, too. Actually, my daughter’s very favorite power cord is the one on my laptop. I think that’s because it has a transformer box with a little green light on it. I wouldn’t think it would have a particular flavor, but that doesn’t stop the baby from tasting it every chance she gets. Her second favorite is the controller cord on my electric blanket. I really do try to keep things out of reach, but some things just need to stay plugged in.

Something I DO remember to keep put away are plastic bags. But sometimes when I’m cooking dinner, I have the waste basket out. Inevitably, the baby gravitates towards yet another deadly toy. She must just like the way it sounds. Or the way the garbage smells when the whole trash can tips over. Once I forgot to put up the waste basket in my office when she was with me. Aside from the bag lining it, there’s only paper in the can. But my baby likes the taste of paper, apparently. And it sticks really well to the roof of her mouth. So well, in fact, that I didn’t find it until the next morning.

Finally, I saved the best for last. If you really want to keep my daughter happy and quiet for a good half hour, give her a shoe. When we realized how much she adored footwear, my husband kind of rolled his eyes and said something about her being such a girl. But time proved that she doesn’t really want to wear shoes, she just wants to chew them. Now he rolls his eyes and says something about her being a puppy. OK, so maybe shoes aren’t deadly toys, but they are really gross. Come to think of it, the shoelaces could strangle her. And there could be some kind of nasty infectious substance on the soles. So, I guess she’s 4 for 4 on the suicidal playthings. We’re thinking (seriously) about buying her a pair of clean shoes as a toy for Christmas. I could pull out the laces and if they never go outside, they’ll stay as clean as any “real” toy.

Here are some tips for successfully baby-proofing your home.

So, am I the only one with a baby that has a death wish? What do your kids play with that really shouldn’t be a toy?

Do you ever wonder about the toys you purchase for your children?  Exactly what is in that plastic toy?

The Ecology Center, a non-profit group based in Michigan in the United States, tested numerous toys on the shelves in the United States and found that 1/3 of the toys tested contained lead, arsenic, and other chemicals.  They also found that there was no correlation between where the toys were made and the prices of the toys and the amounts of chemicals found in those toys.  For example, toys made in the United States had just as much chemicals as toys made in China. Expensive toys had just as many chemicals as inexpensive toys.

I admit, since the recall of many toys made in China last year due to high lead levels, I thought that I’d be safe if I just avoided Chinese toys.  It was a bit disheartening to find out that despite my efforts (it’s not that easy to find toys made outside of China), my children may still be playing with toxic toys.

According to the group, infant bath toys and books were especially full of chemicals.  I had planned on buying my son some tub toys for Christmas, but I may hold off.  New laws go into effect in February in the United States which ban certain plasticizers in toys.  These chemicals make the plastic more flexible and are used in making vinyl books and tub toys.  As my son puts almost everything in his mouth at this stage, it concerns me that he might actually be ingesting some toxic chemicals from his toys.

What is a concerned parent to do?  This year, I’m doing a bit more research online before I decide on what toys to purchase for my son.  I’m also researching natural toys—toys made without chemicals or toxins.

Are you worried about toxins that are in toys?  What steps are you taking to protect your children?

Every year since 1973, WATCH (World Against Toys Causing Harm) has created a list of the top 10 worst toys for that year.? Although I don’t agree with all of their selections, I thought I’d pass along some of the toys on the list for 2008.

• Walk’N Sounds Digger the Dog – The toy is intended for young children, but the long walking string is a choking hazard.? The group points out that according to federal law, all strings on pull toys are supposed to be no longer than 12 inches.? This string is 26.? I truly had no clue that the government even regulated this.
• Meadow Mystery Sounds Book with Cuddly Pooh – According to the packaging, the toy was tested for children from 18 months up.? The group says that the mask included in the book could pose a choking hazard.
• Inflatable Giga Ball – This toy is a blow up ball that is so huge that a child can crawl into the ball.? The toy is not recommended for children under 4.? The group feels that the ball poses a huge safety threat even though parental supervision is suggested.? This toy looks like fun, but I don’t know if I’d let my kid play inside a big plastic ball in our unfenced yard.
• Spiderman Adjustable Skates – This one made me laugh because it’s a set up Spiderman skates with “safety gear”.? However, there is only 1 knee pad and 1 elbow pad.? The packaging does say that you should make sure to wear knee pads, elbow pads and a helmet when skating.? If you decide to purchase this toy for your child, you will need to purchase safety gear separately.

What do you think?? Were you planning on purchasing some of these toys for your children?? Does the fact that these toys made the “worst toys” list cause you to reconsider? Stay up-to-date with current baby related recalls and unsafe toys right here at the Babies Online blog

The decision to move your child from his or her crib to a ‘big kid’ bed is a big one. I’ve known people who move their children to a bed before their child turns a year old, or others who make the transition right before the arrival of a younger sibling. Still others keep their children in the crib as long as possible. For some parents, the transition to a ‘big kid’ bed means purchasing a toddler bed frame that can be used with a crib mattress. Other parents prefer to move their child from the crib to a regular bed. As with almost all parenting issues, there is no right or wrong answer.

Personally, I keep my children in the crib as long as possible! When they are able to crawl out of the crib, I’ll move the mattress down to the lowest rung on the crib to try to delay the inevitable. I’ve found that the crib tents and other items designed to keep your baby from ‘escaping’ the crib really don’t work. When your child is making a regular effort to get out of the crib, it’s time to make the move to a big kid bed, mostly I feel for safety reasons.

I’ve found that making the transition from crib to bed because of the impending birth of a sibling isn’t a good idea. The idea of sharing mom and dad can be a stressful change for some kids; adding more changes is not such a good thing. Then again, your youngster may be excited to make the transition. If that is the case, take your opportunity when it presents itself!

My son is so active and he gets into everything! Frankly, I worry at this point about making the transition to a bed mostly for safety issues. Just thinking about all the things he could get into after I put him to bed and before he goes to sleep really stresses me out. I usually transitioned my children to a toddler bed when they were around 3, but I am wondering if this is a good plan for my son or not. I transitioned the children again to a regular bed when they were around 4 to 5 years old.

My son is very, very different from his four older siblings, all of whom happen to all be girls. He’s much more active and perhaps because he’s the youngest of 5, he is really focused on being a ‘big boy’ and doing ‘big boy’ things. Nevertheless, he hasn’t made a regular habit of escaping from his crib just yet and so my husband and I have decided to let well enough alone. Perhaps he’ll spend a little while longer in his crib, or perhaps we’ll be making that transition to a big boy bed very soon. Only time will tell!