|
|
|
|
Better to Be Sure
Kids and car seats – what’s to know? Maybe more than you think. Studies conducted by transportation authorities in Canada and the U.S. show that four of every ten children are not riding in their car seats correctly and the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration reports that up to 82 percent of infant car seats are installed improperly. It has also been reported that your child’s risk of death or injury increases tenfold when the car seat is improperly installed or misused. While you may believe that you are in compliance, clearly “better safe than sorry” applies here. A great resource to assist parents and other caregivers can be found at: www.buckleupkids.state.mn.us. The site offers lists of car seat clinics and fitting stations statewide, provides current recall information, reviews car seat basics and new booster seat laws and indicates programs that distribute low or no cost car seats to eligible families.
Fun Flu Fighters
Hand washing is regularly identified as a key weapon in the battle to stay healthy. But your child’s idea of an adequate hand-wash may leave something to be desired. Better than singing “Happy Birthday,” the Healthy Hands Disney Musical Hand Wash Timer uses the natural action of pushing down on the pump to dispense soap to trigger music that plays for 20-25 seconds, the CDC recommended wash time to eliminate germs. The timers fit the tops of any liquid soap pump dispenser and feature kids’ favorite Disney characters and music along with flashing lights to encourage them to wash hands longer and more often. Timers sell for $3.99 each and are available at www.GetHealthyHands.com.
The Birds & the Bees
For many parents nothing strikes more terror in their hearts than the thought of a frank conversation about sex with their child. Relax – it’s normal! A little guidance (for you) can go a long way toward making “the talk” more comfortable for both of you. A free downloadable book The Birds and the Bees with Ease! is available at www.healthychats.com. This parenting guide gives an overview of the topic of sexuality in general and offers suggestions for how to approach relating age-appropriate details, starting at 5 years old, moving up to ages 6 through 9. It also offers a list of books as further resources both for you and your child.
All In One Place
Organization and new babies don’t usually go together naturally. With everything on your plate, keeping track of all the paperwork that comes with your new addition or even the little ones that have been around for a while can be daunting. BabyBriefcase to the rescue! This organizer was designed by a mom to store all the legal documents, health records, information and memorabilia relating to a new baby in a way that keeps everything tidy and easy to find. It fits a standard size filing cabinet and snaps securely to close. Retailing for $29.95, it can be purchased online at www.organizedfromthestart.com or at area stores.
Waddle!
A Scanimation ® Picture Book
By Rufus Butler Seder
As parents of small children know, kids frequently want you to read the same book over…and over…and over. While some books that acquire this status will need to get inexplicably “lost,” Waddle! won’t be one of them. Employing a clever gimmick of optical illusion, Seder’s charming animal figures literally prance about the page, creating an effect that is delightful and captivating at any age. The simple, but playful text and surprise ending seals the deal. Workman Publishing, $12.95.
Junie B.’s Essential
Survival Guide
to School
By Barbara Park
Who can resist Junie B. Jones? This spiral bound notebook-style book is loaded with classic Junie B. drawings, wisdom and first grade insights into the mysterious whys and wherefores of school, that will indeed prove irresistible to parent and child alike. From enumerating the “bossy bosses who will boss you” to the sound advice (with a reminder sticker included) not to butt people in the stomach with your head, Junie B. gives readers a hysterical primer on how to handle all the ups and downs of school, with the occasional tangent thrown in (match your clothes to what you are eating so spills don’t show). Plus kids are sure to love the spaces and suggestions for recording their own pointers and renderings on the school experience. It’s a winner! Random House, $12.99.
Twimericks
The Book of Tongue-Twisting Limericks
By Lou Brooks
As described by Brooks, twimericks are what happen when “tongue-twisters crash into limericks” and clearly, he’s got it down to an art form. Written for “kids of all sizes,” this compendium of convoluted verbal craziness makes for a challenging mouthful. Brooks, an award-winning commercial artist, has paired his twisted limericks with fun, frenetic illustrations that are the perfect complement to the silly text. From Kathy’s Cousin Cuthbert to Joan J. Blajoney-Jabloney, all the twisters are G-rated fun. Workman Publishing, $8.95.
Family Fun Night!
Over 300 Great Nights with
Your Kids!
By Cynthia L. Copeland
Family Game Night always sounds so good on paper, but getting everyone on board can be dicey (puns intended!), especially if the family spans a range of ages. Cynthia Copeland, author of numerous parenting books, effectively addresses the age issue among other stumbling blocks to implementing a successful family night. While she includes board games (and some fun variations on that theme), she expands on that idea with a wide variety of easily doable and inexpensive activities designed to help your family connect, have fun and make memories – from toddlers to teens. The chapters also include numerous suggestions from “real families” of specific approaches that have worked for them to jumpstart your own traditions. Cider Mill Press, $14.95.
www.GreatSchools.org
Created to increase parent involvement in schools, the site offers a comparative search function of both public and private schools, parent reviews and numerous articles on school and school choice related topics.
www.AutismSupportNetwork.com
Site connects families touched by autism spectrum disorder with each other, provides support and insight, and acts as a resource guide for treatments, strategies and therapies, plus offers a database of local ASD related providers.
return
to top
|
