Motherly Law

Expensive Plastic: Tips for Recycling Car Seats {Not Buying/Selling Used}

Finding the One

It took me a while to get it right when it came to car seats for my Darlings. In the last 5.5 years we have had 7 car seats/boosters between our 2 children. I resisted spending the money on a Britax in the beginning. I shouldn't have because in the end I spent more money buying multiple car seats before relinquishing and buying the Britax (s) that I loved.

I learned my lesson. When it comes to car seats and shoes, I should just spend the money and I won't regret it {I'd love to buy my kids cheap shoes, but they both have extra wide feet that just don't fit in cheap shoes}.

But before I learned my lesson I dabbled in less expensive, less cooperative, less comfortable, less ease on the part of the mommy car seats. So, this meant in the end I had more car seats to get rid of too.

Don't Buy/Sell Used

Now, car seats should never be re-used, unless it was first used by your own older child or a close relative or friend and you know exactly what conditions it has had to withstand, how it has been used, whether it was in any kind of accident and how long it has been used. One should not shop for car seats on ebay or craigslist or other online ads site for used items.

You simply can't know the conditions the car seat endured prior to you acquiring the used car seat. Even if it looks like it's in perfect condition, it could have been in a car that was involved in an accident and be damaged or weakened in a way that you can't readily see.

Additionally, car seats should not be used longer than 5 years from the date manufactured, which can be found stamped onto the car seat. After 5 years, the plastic and belts may begin to break down due to extreme temperatures in vehicles, repeated use, etc.

Therefore, a car seat is something that you should neither buy used nor sell used. It's just not wise for either party to do so. There are other baby items that are fine to buy used, but not car seats. Your child is much too precious cargo to gamble with his or her safety while riding in the car.

Disposing of Car Seats

So, how should you dispose of the old or outgrown car seats? A family will at the least likely have an infant seat and an additional base, a rear facing/forward facing child seat or two and a booster seat or two, depending on the number of cars in the family, the number and spacing of children in the family and the family's commute schedule.

When I went to the fire station to have Darling 1's infant seat tested to ensure we had it securely placed and fastened, I distinctly remember the fireman telling me to cut the straps before I put the car seat out with the trash when we were finished using it. And this is what we have done when disposing of the first few.

However, I recently read an article in Parents on recycling car seats. No, I don't mean for you to make a planter out of the seat, although my Darling Boys have been using our old Britax car seats for rocket blaster seats for a while now. What I mean is that there are a number of states with locations, agencies and organizations that will take the seats and recycle the plastic.

Parents magazine mentions a website that actually doesn't list this information, but I found a "list" of sorts that does list recycling information for a number of states. The list is actually a forum of parents weighing in from various cities and states with their area's information, but the information is good and the best, most comprehensive information I could find listed in one place. You can also check with your waste disposal company or city and/or state government offices to find out if your area recycles car seats.

The Scoop

However, again, it's important to remember that if you do put your old car seat/booster seat out on your curb or in your dumpster {in the garbage or to be recycled}, you should cut the straps and/or remove the padding. This will prevent someone from picking it up for their own use. Do this especially if the car seat has been damaged in some way, whether in a car accident or otherwise.

You don't want someone else's child to be injured after using your used car seat. While this is a long shot, there could be liability issues, and unless you are an expert, you may not realize that your seat is too old or is damaged. Over and out...

Anna

Anna the Enforcer: PUT YOUR PHONE DOWN {2012 Distracted Driving Challenge}

A New Job

A few months ago, Darling 1 and I were out running errands. I was pulling out of a parking lot when a car almost backed into my vehicle. I honked, and I stared at the rearview mirrors to get a good look at the driver. That's when I saw it. The driver was too busy talking on the phone to notice that my vehicle was directly behind hers when she started backing up; she was a Distracted Driver.

At this point, she had backed out and was now directly behind me. I slowed down and glared at her via the side mirror and then slowly proceeded to the corner. All the while, Darling 1 was aware what was going on. When I got to the corner, I stopped and intended to turn right. The woman who nearly backed into me intended to turn left; therefore, at the stop sign she was directly next to my car.

I looked straight at her, as she continued chatting away into her handheld phone. She was looking at me when I slowly and firmly said the words, "Put Your Phone Down!" to her through my rolled-up window. She saw me and gave me a completely shocked look. Then, I turned the corner.

At this point, Darling 1 said to me, "I think you need a new job, Mom." I said, "Oh yeah, what kind of job should I have?" to which Darling 1 responded. "I think you should a policeman." And I said, "Why is that?" and he said, "Because you have a big mean voice to tell people what to do."

The Absence of Distracted Driving Laws

I suppose I had sounded like a policeman, saying, "Put Your Phone Down" in a loud, authoritative voice, but it made me laugh. And yet, I am quite good at enforcing laws and rules; and I have always been very authoritative {just ask my brother}. In fact, I'm quite certain I'd do a good job enforcing a no phone use while driving policy.

However, I'm afraid that is one law that will never be passed and enforced. I don't think that we will ever see the day that all cell phones, both handheld and hands free are banned while driving in every state.

We are too connected to our technology; too convinced that we have to multi-task while doing anything and everything. We have persuaded ourselves that we are safe; we are able to focus on the road and the conversation; we are invincible. And lawmakers recognize this fact. It is my personal opinion that lawmakers themselves don't want to be held to such a standard as they race from location to location, meeting to meeting and "need" to use the phone while driving.

{No} Common Sense Safety

For me, this is not about a law. This is about common sense; this is about safety for ourselves, our families and strangers we come in close contact with on roadways. Why should we have to have a law to tell us to do the safe and reasonable thing?

Well, we had to have laws that tell us that we can't exceed certain speeds; we had to have laws that tell us we must wear seatbelts to protect us from injuries if there is an accident; we had to have laws that tell us to securely buckle our babies and young children into car seats and now booster seats; and we had to have laws that tell us that we can't drive while intoxicated. Clearly, we aren't capable of protecting ourselves from danger without laws to regulate our activity.

Interestingly enough, TX Gov. Rick Perry vetoed a bill last summer that would have banned texting in the state of TX. His reason for the veto: a law banning texting while driving would be micromanaging the behavior of adults; something he didn't want to do.

Pardon me if I don't see the difference between banning texting while driving and forcing drivers and passengers to use a seat belt while in the vehicle or limiting the speed of a vehicle or the amount of alcohol in one's bloodstream when it comes to driving. If it's micromanaging, so be it; apparently, that's what we need to be safer drivers.

When it comes to driving a vehicle on public roadways, it's not all about the driver. It's about taking care not to injure, cause harm or damage other people or their property. We must be considerate of the laws, but we must also use common sense in the way we operate our vehicles, weighing a ton or more; for our own sakes and for the sakes of others.

Phone Down Eyes Up Button

For those of you who are as serious as I am about distracted driving and putting your phone down and your eyes up on the road, I do now have a button that you can copy the code to place it on your website or blog too. You will notice it just to the upper right hand side with my slogan for this campaign; Phone Down Eyes Up. Thanks to my friends at Black Elephant Studios for creating it for me. If you click on the button, you will be taken to my Phone Down Eyes Up post.

I encourage you to spread the word about the dangers of distracted drivers. I see it over and over on the road; drivers chatting on the phone and driving too slowly, weaving in and out of lanes, not paying attention to the rate of traffic, not seeing a stop sign or a red light or failing to see the vehicle directly behind them as they back up.

The Scoop

Remember, I hit a kid with my car, and I wasn't distracted at all. Although, years ago, one evening while driving home from work and talking to my mom about a troubling issue, I drove 30 minutes south of my exit. When I finally became aware that I wasn't focused on my driving, I realized I had no idea where I was. I was, in fact, miles from home. I had not seen any exits or even noticed any of the cars around me; I had simply been on autopilots for miles upon miles.

This frightened me. And it should frighten you too. We should all be frightened at our often low levels of focus on the road. My 2012 challenge to you? You guessed it: Phone Down Eyes Up. Prove to me, to yourself and everyone you come in contact with on the roadways {and I hate to say it, but prove Gov. Rick Perry right too} that we don't need laws to wizen up and be safe about how and when we use our cell phones.

Tomorrow I will be addressing new distracted driving laws for 2012. Oh, and don't forget to grab the distracted driving button. Over and out...

Anna

New Beginnings: State Laws Taking Effect January 1, 2012

Happy New Year

January 1^st....the start of a new year, a day a big sales at retail giants, the first day of a new diet for many and the day a number of new state laws take effect. January is definitely the month of new beginnings and that rings true for many laws too.

While I haven't surveyed every state, I did take a look at some of the new state laws from around the country. I have highlighted the new laws {or absence of pertinent new laws} that have just taken effect that concern parents, kids and/or families.

While you may think this is unimportant information, take a look; there may be a few that concern you and your family. With almost 40,000 new laws going into effect on January 1, 2012, there must be something that affects you or someone you know.

A Few New State Laws

Minnesota

No news laws that pertain to families. {Let it be noted that it was quite an argumentative year in MN.}

Texas

College students attending school in Texas to get a meningitis vaccine. This law is applicable to all state universities, community colleges and junior colleges. TX is the first state mandate this. The students must have had this vaccine within the last 5 years.

Texas homeowners will be protected from aggressive homeowner associations that try to foreclose on homes based on late dues, fees and fines.

New York

Hookahs, water pipes, and shisha (a product made of primarily tobacco and smoked) shall not be sold to minors.

A new law will strengthen DEC's authority to ban products that contain mercury.

Middle class tax cuts will reduce tax rates on middle to their lowest levels in more than 50 years About 4.4 million middle class taxpayers will receive a total of  $690 million in personal income tax relief.

California

Open carrying of guns is banned;

Children under 8 and those who are too small to wear regular seat belts must use a child safety seat or booster seat.

Florida

The federal government will no longer have a hand in control the Florida school meal programs This will allow the state of Florida to use more Florida-grown fresh fruit and vegetables on school menus.

Illinois

Hotels are now required to be equipped with at least one smoke detector within 15 feet of every room that is used for sleeping purposes. (HB 1398/ PA-97-0447)

Allows local school boards to, if federal grants are available, opt in to a full-year pilot plan if a school is on academic watch status for more than 2 years. Schools that opt in must increase their school calendar by 35 days, and requires students attend a minimum of 215 days. This pilot program affects only schools in Sen. James Meeks' district.

Requires criminal background information on an employee that has been obtained by a school district within the last year to be shared, upon request, with any other school district.

Changes legislation to reflect the current criminal penalty for making a false report of child abuse to DCFS, and updates the required posted warning to reflect that a false report is a Class 4 felony violation.

Allows people in divorce situations to use life insurance as a security for child support and maintenance obligations.

Requires all employees of licensed child care facilities who care for newborns and infants to complete training every 3 years on sudden unexpected infant death (SUID), sudden infant death syndrome (SIDS) and on the safe sleep recommendations of the American Academy of Pediatrics.

Requires adult passengers in the back seat of a vehicle to wear a seat belt, and also requires those 18 and younger riding in a taxi cab for school-related purposes to wear a seat belt.

Colorado

Coaches must not allow players as young as 11 to continue playing a sport if a head injury is suspected. In order to return to play, the athletics will be required to have medical clearance. Furthermore, coaches in public and private schools and even volunteer coaches of Little League and Pop Warner football are required to take a free annual online training to learn the symptoms to recognize a concussion.

Delaware

Same-sex couples can now enter into a civil union or domestic partnerships, which give them the same state rights and obligations of those who are married.

The Scoop

Does your state have any new laws worth checking out? I'll be touching base regarding distracted driving issues in this New Year on Wednesday and Thursday of this week. Over and out...

Anna

Driving Our Kids: School Bus Driver Requirements

Where are the Seat Belts?

As we boarded the big yellow bus for our trek around the neighborhood, Darling 1's first question to the driver was, "No seatbelts?" The school bus driver replied, "Nope, you don't need them. This bus weighs just under 27,000 pounds. I could hit a brick wall with this thing and you'd be fine." Perhaps this is true, but let's not find out.

While school buses are considered quite safe, even though most buses don't have child restraints or seat belts, when a school bus is involved in an accident, generally, it makes the news, it's pretty bad and it sticks in people's minds {well, at least they stick in my mind}.

One accident that's seared into my brain happened 5 or 6 years ago in a suburb to the east of St. Paul. This is what I recall from the news story: a dad was driving his young son to daycare and was stopped in a lane with his blinker on waiting to turn into the daycare parking lot. A school bus was driving on the same road as the father and son, going the same direction on its way to drop off kids at school. Perhaps the sun blinded the driver or perhaps he was momentarily distracted; regardless of why it happened, the driver did not notice the stopped car he was fast approaching and he crashed into the rear of the small car, never putting on his breaks until it was too late. The little boy, strapped into his car seat in the back seat died instantly. No one on the bus was injured. {This is what I recall. The facts might be a little off, but not much}

Statistics

According to The Center for National Truck and Bus Statistics at the University of Michigan Transportation Research Institute (UMTRI) who conducted a study on 293 fatal crashes involving all types of buses in 2008, school buses are among the safest. Here's the breakdown of figures involving school buses from that study:

School buses were the most common operator type of vehicle studied at more than 39 percent of the total pool. The number of school buses involved in fatal crashes rose 7.5 percent to 120 in 2008 from 111 the year prior, and school buses accounted for 40 percent of all fatalities. About 50 percent of the fatal bus crashes occurred from 6 a.m. to 8:59 a.m., or from 2 p.m. to 4:59 p.m., primarily involving school buses due to the hours school is in session.

This seems like a high number of crashes involving school buses, but Daniel Blower, the director of the Center for National Truck and Bus Statistics at (UMTRI), was quick to point out that "it should not be assumed that the greater amount of school bus crashes mean that school buses are less safe than other types of buses. In fact, he said the opposite is true as the school bus fatality figures are an 'artifact of exposure.'" There are simpler more school buses lumbering through the streets of our cities than any other type of bus.

This article from June 2011 and the source for the above information on the study conducted by UMTRI can be found here.

School Bus Standards

So, the question becomes, to what standard are the drivers of these big yellow giants held? While each state has its own set of laws regulating school bus drivers, I examined MN's laws on this subject. Some of the provisions are regulated by federal law, which means it would be the same for each state. For the most part, the laws from state to state will be similar on this subject.

Here are the basics for MN:

• Driver's License Requirements:
  • The minimum age for a school bus driver is 18 years old;
  • Generally, a commercial driver's license (CDL) with a school bus endorsement and passenger endorsement is require, with a few exceptions;
  • Driver's licenses are verified annually for each school bus driver.
• Seatbelt Requirements:
  • Passenger seat belts are not required to be installed in large school buses. School buses can be equipped with an approved seat belt assembly. Federal safety standards require certain A-I school buses to be manufactured with a lap belt or lap and shoulder belt.
  • If a school bus does have seat belts, the passengers must use them, but students can be opted out of this provision by submitting a written document stating such.
  • Use of child restraints is required when transporting children in Type III vehicles and Head Start Vehicles.
• Drug & Alcohol Testing/Physical Exams:
  • A physical exam is required for those who have a CDL with a school bus endorsement and who operate Type A-I school buses; and for those whose only duty is to transport students in a Type III vehicle.
  • The exam must be administered every 2 years;
  • Federal law required that driver who have a CDL must be tested for drugs and alcohol during pre-employment screenings {controlled substances only}, randomly, due to reasonable suspicion, when returning to duty, as a follow-up to a positive screen and after an accident;
  • District or transport contractor policies may include drug testing, but it's not required under state law for Type A-I bus drivers.
• Background Checks:
  • All new or renewing CDL applications with a school bus endorsement must have a background check run. This means a criminal history check and a driving record check in the state.
  • A national criminal history check must be run if the person applying has lived in the state of MN less than 5 years.
  • A background check is also required for Type A-I drivers who do not have school bus endorsements on their licenses.
  • Additional checks can be run if deemed appropriate by the Department of Public Safety;
  • Background checks will be conducted every 4 years.
• Training (Drivers & Students)
  • Drivers must be trained in:
    • safe operation of the school bus;
    • traffic laws, rules of the road, etc.;
    • emergency situations;
    • dealing with students; and
    • safety procedures for loading and unloading passengers.
  • Students must be trained in:
    • School bus safety;
    • School bus rules; and
    • Entering and exiting the school bus safely
• Loss of Driving Privileges:    
  • Cancellation of School Bus Endorsement for 5 Years:
    • Conviction of DWI violation (Not while operating a school bus);
  • Disqualifying Offenses Permanently Cancelling School Bus Endorsement:
    • Any felony offense;
    • Certain drug-related violations;
    • Violations of prohibitions relating to minors; and a
    • DWI violation while operating a school bus;
    • Other less serious convictions will cause a loss of license too; see Source below for all.

Source: For these and other provisions regarding school bus drivers in MN, click here.

The Scoop

Next week, I'm going to discuss cyberbulling as it pertains to students, but school buses are often the site of old-fashioned physical and mental bullying. School bus drivers are often unaware of this happening on the bus, as they maneuver through traffic, dropping off kids and keeping their schedules. Before school starts up again, make sure to read or re-read my posts on bullying as a reminder about these issues and remedies {see links below}.

If you, like me, don't know the difference between a Type III or A-I bus, here's a guide to School Buses. Over and out...

Anna

You might also like:

We're Not Gonna Take It: Anti-Bullying Laws Leaving Kids Unprotected

Growing Pains: How to Handle Bullying Whether Your Child is Being Bullied or Doing the Bullying

Cyberstalking: Stalking Awareness Month Part IV

 

Heat Advisory: Children Left Unattended in Vehicles Can Die

Hot in the City

Yesterday, June 7^th, it was over 100 degrees in the Twin Cities. That's not the norm for June in these parts. I was out and about alone and with the Darlings yesterday in that sweltering heat. During the times I was alone in the car, I found myself checking the backseat even though I knew the Boys were not with me. It's an instinct I've developed after reading so many tragic stories of kids left behind in the oven-like metal vehicle; entirely by mistake; by a slip of the mind; a slip that ends in the most unthinkable catastrophe.

Like a String on Your Finger

When the Boys were with me in the car, I left doors open after strapping them into their seats as I loaded the groceries, returned the cart, etc. I was conscientious of the amount of time they sat in the vehicle with the doors shut {the mere seconds it took for me to close the door on the back passenger side and walk around the vehicle to enter the driver seat}. I have made myself double and triple check their seats in the mirror whether they are with me or not and make sure the windows or doors are open as I fill up the gas tank, put bags in the back, etc.

Overworked

My brain is tired and overworked most of the time. Even though I can remember the most detailed tidbit of something that happened years ago or exactly recall something I read weeks ago, I can very easily lose my train of thought if stopped in mid-sentence and I often get distracted from what I was doing and move on to something else, totally forgetting the first thing I was doing until hours later something reminds me again.

I know I'm not alone in this. We are all tired, busy parents. The forgotten something could easily be a sleeping toddler or quiet infant in the backseat of the car.

Reminders from the Past

With the extreme heat warnings, I wanted to reissue this thought and pass along the link to these past posts. Force yourself to check over and over, put your purse or brief case in the backseat, make sure people are on alert to call if your child(ren) have not been dropped off at the time and place expected. Make sure to talk to caregivers and family members about these issues, share this post and these links. But also be aware that the temperature does not have to be very high to reduce a vehicle to a sauna within minutes.

We are all multi-tasking all the time. Our minds don't always keep up, but don't let your children {or you, your spouse, your family} pay the price for your slip-up. Awareness of this issue is the first step to preventing these horrible deaths.

Here are the past posts on this subject:

Not Even for a Minute: Children Left Unattended in Vehicles

There but for the Grace of God, Go I: Tips and Websites for Keeping Your Child Safe In and Around Vehicles

The Scoop

Interestingly enough, I just noticed that it was exactly one year ago that I first wrote and published this posts. They are repeatedly found by search engine queries. I know it's a subject that many parents are conscience of and worried about, and it's an accident that can be prevented.

One note: this goes for pets left in vehicles too. And even though we aren't thinking of the extreme frigid temps right now, below freezing weather can be just as harmful as heat. The lake safety post is still coming, but I felt the need to talk about this very important issue again today. Over and out...

Anna

You might also like:

Some Call It Worrying, I call it Accident Prevention

Mommy Brain

As a mom, part of my brain is dedicated to coming up with worse-case scenarios of what might happen to my Darling Boys if.... and then devising plans and solutions to avoid and/or survive such imagined occurrences.

Much has been written, spoken and tweeted about the death of Osama bin Laden this week. I'm thrilled he is out of the picture and that the U.S. has been able to thwart so many terrorist plots over the last 10 years, but interestingly enough, as much as I'm horrified of being caught in a terroristic attack, that's not the kind of scenario that usually pops into my head.

It's the everyday, freakish, what-are-the-odds-of-that-happening kind of catastrophic event that really concerns me.

Here's What Really Scares Me:

I'm scared to death of the day they are old enough to take off on their bikes {wearing well fitting, undamaged bike helmets} on adventures up and down and across streets; streets with no sidewalks or shoulders where drivers recklessly careen about in their vehicles without concern for the well-being of my children.

I'm petrified my Boys will choke on popcorn, marshmallows, tomatoes, small Lego pieces, Star Wars figurine heads {why, oh why do they detach from the body} or a million other items. Darling 2 did choke on a tomato just a few weeks ago. I did not freeze up and was able to perform the Heimlich maneuver on him and get the tomato unstuck. Thank God! I have played this scene over and over and prayed I would be able to do what I needed to do out of instinct; and I did.

I worry that my children won't get the proper servings of veggies per day or enough of the right kind of veggies or that the veggies they do eat will be contaminated with pesticides which will lead to cancer in the prime of their lives.

I contemplate what I will say when they come to me with broken hearts because their true loves don't love them back or kids they thought were their friends did something or said something that was not at all friendly. I fret about whether they will be well liked, well mannered, well accepted, well adjusted and happy as they grow and mature and become young men who never think this world is too much and contemplate their own demise.

I pray that a driver distracted by sending a text, reaching for coffee, putting on makeup, looking for a CD or having an in depth discussion over the phone does not cross into the lane I'm driving in and smash us to smithereens, but should this happen I pray that I will not die or be critically injured and leave my babies; and that the hand of God would protect my precious boys securely and lovingly strapped into their seats behind me.

I hope they never ride their bikes or run while listening to music through earphones that could muffle the sound of a trash truck, train or rapid dog fast approaching.

I take measures to ensure they don't accidentally ingest a poisonous plant or mistake a bleach bottle for a milk bottle or have access to brightly colored pills of medicine that look eerily like candies.

Crazy Lady?

Whew! I said it. Sometimes I even worry that by actually voicing these fears, they could come true. This list is not exhaustive and it changes as they grow, but this is how my heart and brain work; this is how I get through the horrible things that happen all in our world. And then I can focus on the beautiful, wonderful, magical things that also happen every day.

I think through these things; I take precautions; I implement plans; I teach my boys safety; and I pray a lot! Now don't mistake me for saying that I dwell on these things constantly and am all-consumed by tragedy and disaster. I'm not. Intense; paranoid; empathetic; analytical; planner; prayer: yes.

The Scoop

I cannot always be there. I cannot stop everything from happening to them; and nor would I want to. In the words of a spunky, blue fish named Dory, "Well, you can't never let anything happen to him. Then nothing would ever happen to him. Not much fun for little Harpo. {Nemo}" From Finding Nemo.

I want them to take risks; the kind of risks that lead to innovation, creativity, discovery, love, laughter, success and sometimes failure. After all, it's from good, bad, happy, sad, interesting, boring, small and big happenings that a person learns and grows and experiences. These are good things, but, Please Lord, no shattering events that would break my heart in two forever!

You can tell by the links in this post that I've written posts about many of my motherly fears. What do you worry about? Or maybe you don't! Here's to a safe Thursday! Over and out...

Anna

You might also like:

The Right to Bear Arms in Your Home: McDonald v. City of Chicago

Celebrating the Red, White and Blue: Be Prepared to Follow the Law

Not Even for a Minute: Children Left Unattended in Vehicles

Motherly Law Year in Review: Updated Posts

Trial and Error

Parenting is largely trial and error, a learn-as-you-go, kind of job. It's been my experience that many times a well-thought-out plan for dealing with a developing issue or setting a goal or laying down the law may not work or have an unintended consequence and must be re-worked to some degree.

This is also the case with the law. As I have mentioned in the past, the law is ever-changing depending on current trends, new research, new technologies, and old lessons learned. Laws are passed, amended and repealed every year; for better or worse.

Updated Posts

Therefore, due to changes in laws, guidelines and recommendations over the last year, there are several posts that need to be updated. Here are a few words regarding the changes for each one of these posts, plus links to the changed, updated information. The posts themselves have also been updated with new links, etc.

Bisphenal-A {BPA}

My second post on ML was about BPA-free products and the laws banning this chemical in certain items. Most of the state laws in place regulate BPA in baby/child products. GreenBiz.com reports "17 states and the District of Columbia will be looking at new legislation to ban BPA from baby bottles, infant formula packaging, receipt paper or a combination of items." Currently, ME, MA, MN, CT, WA, NY, VT, WI and MD have state laws in place banning such products.

Birth Centers

Many women are turning to alterative choices when it comes to where to have babies and who is delivering babies. One choice that seems to be gaining popularity is a birth center. A birth center provides a homelike, comfortable setting in which to give birth with a midwife overseeing the pregnancy and delivery. Birth Centers are often covered by major health care plans and are an attractive alternative to a home birth or at the opposite spectrum, a hospital birth, for those who feel a hospital is too invasive and uncomfortable. Over the past year, accredited birth centers have been popping up all over the country. Click here for a current list of accredited birth centers.

Bike Helmets

There's been some discussion over whether bike helmet laws and recommendations are causing kids who can't afford helmets or find them "uncool" to simply stop riding bikes. This result, of course, was not what was intended by lawmakers who passed these state laws requiring helmets to ride bikes, scooters, skate boards, etc.

Regardless, 21 states, plus District of Columbia have bike helmet laws, covering various ages. Here is a table and accompanying maps that show what the helmet laws are for each state, whether it's for motorcycles, scooters or other low-power cycles and bikes.  

Pool Drain Safety

Last summer, I wrote about the new mandatory pool drain covers that were meant to ensure that people, and in particular, children could not become trapped under water or disemboweled by broken/malfunctioning pool drains. However, just last week there were reports that the Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC) is investigating whether the pool drain covers were improperly tested. After issuing subpoenas to three independent laboratories, the CPSC is reviewing more than 17,000 pages of documents to learn more about their testing methods.

Pool & Spa News reports, "The investigation has revealed that the testing protocols used by some laboratories may have been improper and, as a result, some covers certified by these laboratories may not comply with the Virginia Graeme Baker Pool and Spa Safety Act." This means that some drain covers may not have accurate flow ratings and may not prevent entrapment. CPSC is trying to have finished this investigation by the start of pool season, but warns pool owners to keep children away from drains, especially the shallow areas.

Car Seats

While my posts on car seats have been focused on booster seat laws and finding the car seat that best fits your car, there are new guidelines for rear-facing seats. The American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) now recommends that infants remain in rear facing seats until 2 years of age or until reaching the maximum weight or height allowed for the rear-facing infant, convertible or 3-in-1 seat being used. This recommendation may seem extreme, especially for those who have giant toddlers like I did, but it's based on research that shows this is the safest position for a small child to be in should a crash occur. And as parents, ultimately it's our kids' safety that matters most.

For additional information on this subject click on these links:

www.aap.org

www.heathlychildren.org

www.ghsa.org

The Scoop

It's interesting to watch the progression and/or reversal of laws, regulations, guidelines and recommendations on these and other issues. The great thing about a law or guideline is that it can continually be molded or completely done away with depending on the current school of thought, needs and purposes of our society. Many guidelines or recommendations of organizations like AAP do eventually become law and others retain their status as merely guidelines of a particular organization.

Next week, I will have a guest post on what to look for in finding an attorney to help you with your estate planning needs; how to approach your digital legacy and more. Over and out...

Anna

 

And the Third Runner up is….

Leaving  Children Unattended in a Vehicle

This third most read post based on traffic from search engines is another critical issue: Not Even for a Minute: Children Left Unattended in Vehicles. It's interesting how many people search for whether it's acceptable to leave a child for just a minute in a vehicle. A number of people are looking for a specific state's law regarding this issue. One query stated, "received a ticket for leaving child unattended in car for less than one minute." I'm not sure what this person was searching for in running this search, but clearly it's an issue parents have on their minds.

Risks on Many Levels

I completely understand the convenience of leaving a sleeping baby or toddler in the car while quickly dropping off or picking up another child at school or daycare; or leaving them strapped into the their car seats to run in a grab a cup of coffee, pick up the dry cleaning or make a stop at the ATM, but it really isn't worth the risk. I also can understand the parent unintentionally leaving the child in a car for a great amount of time because the parent is sleep deprived, distracted by stress, work, or other issues or changes in his or her daily routine and simply does not remember the child is still in the car.

I can be very absent-minded myself, and the threat of this hazard has always scared me so much that I tend to look in the backseat and check car seats even when I know the kids are not with me. Not only are there dangers of hypothermia for many parts of the country at this time of year or hyperthermia in other areas and/or other times of the year, but there is also a risk of your vehicle, along with your child, being carjacked. In fact, here in the Twin Cities, just last week there was a parent who left his car running and unlocked with his child in the car seat in his driveway while he ran inside to get something he had forgotten. The trip inside and back outside took no more than 20 to 30 seconds, according to the parent, but when he got back outside his vehicle and child were gone. Fortunately, this story ended well, the child, still strapped into his car seat, was found 90 minutes later, unharmed.

Odd Searches

While there are numerous searches for this somber topic, most are to the point and not humorous at all, as they should be. But there are some random queries that landed on various pages that are quite interesting; some that I feel quite certain the person searching did not find what he or she was looking for on Motherly Law, but perhaps the person still found something of interest.*:

1. "hot tub girl"
2. "don't take it personal when I delete you"
3. "effective decision making in weddings"
4. "bed wrestling tips"
5. "best way to end a marriage"
6. "different social rules after drinking"
7. "what to do if your eye gets burnt with fireworks"
8. "what not to accept from strangers"
9. "what states can you have alcohol delivered to your home"
10. "unintended nudes in college"

This last one I really don't understand, but to each, his own.

The Scoop

On Thursday, I'll be posting the 4^th runner-up and on Friday, I will be answering some of the questions posed in searches. Over and out….

Anna

*Again, if you find one of your searches listed, please don't be offended and try to find the humor in it. I'm sure many of my own queries don't make sense.

Other related posts you might also like:



There but for the Grace of God, Go I: Tips and Websites for Keeping Your Child Safe In and Around Vehicles

The Hope of Evolving: Laws Concerning Booster Car Seats

The Days Keep On Rolling: Great Websites for Getting the Best Fit for Your Child’s Car Seat

The Well Packed Bag: Regulations Regarding Air Travel with Kids

Travel Expert?

As a travel expert, I recommend…oh wait, I'm not an expert on travel. But if you're going to travel with kids, and I do, you better know a thing or two about what TSA allows you to bring through security and onboard, what FAA says about child restraint systems, etc. I may not travel as much as some do, but I have done my fair share of traversing the globe. I have been delayed, stranded, missed flights, without luggage and lost. The trials and tribulations of taking a trip sometimes overshadow the fun that's supposed to be had.

When it comes to packing, I am not the kind of person that throws the bare minimums into a tiny carry-on bag and tosses it into the overhead compartment on an airplane. No, I am the kind of person who packs everything we could possibly need into one very large suitcase and a couple of smaller suitcases: one for each ticketed passenger, plus the two car seat bags stuffed full (they're free to check). Then, we each carry our allotted number of carry-on bags filled with snacks, DVD player and movies, laptop, makeup , medicine, toys, books and other essentials for the Darlings Boys, books and magazine for DH and me (because we are foolishly optimistic like that) and push a stroller or two. Yes, I am that passenger.

Stuck at the Airport

But consider this. We have been stuck sitting on an airplane for two hours with the Darling Boys. And this was OK because we had the afore-mentioned DVD player with movies, books and toys, and a full smorgasbord of snacks, baby food and formula. And then there was the time that I was 5 months pregnant with Darling 2 and Darling 1 and I struck out to visit my parents in Texas. Our original flight was cancelled and we were re-booked before we ever left the house, then once we did make it to DFW, we found out the connecting flight had been cancelled due to severe weather conditions and we had been rebooked – for a 7 AM flight THE NEXT DAY. What? Let me recap: I was 5 months pregnant, toting around all of our "essentials", pushing Darling 1 in a stroller, stuck in an airport, without a car seat (it was checked). Never fear, I found a lovely hotel attached to the airport with great room service and a handy toiletry pack for me. And thanks to my habit of always being prepared and over-packing I had my makeup, computer, a large supply of diapers and wipes, change of clothes for Darling 1, snacks, toys, books, even Darling 1's favorite stuffed animal. We did make that 7 AM flight, and did finally arrive at our destination – with 1 diaper to spare.

We have been stuck and delayed with our Darlings more times than I care to think of, but we have never really had too much difficulty because we were prepared and knew how much formula and baby food was allowed by TSA and exactly how to pack it, etc. We have taken the time to check the travel details. There are a number of travel regulations, and it's important to be aware of them when traveling, especially if traveling with youngsters.

TSA Regulations Regarding Traveling with Kids

Fortunately, there are several Transportation Security Administration (TSA) regulations that do not apply or are at least modified when they are applied to child travelers. According to the TSA, when carrying formula, breast milk, or juice through the checkpoint, they will be inspected, however, you or your infant or toddler will not be asked to test or taste breast milk, formula, or juice. Security Officers may test liquid exemptions (exempt items more than 3 ounces) for explosives.

Additionally, when traveling with your infant or toddler, in the absence of suspicious activity or items, greater than 3 ounces of baby formula, breast milk, or juice are permitted through the security checkpoint in reasonable quantities for the duration of your itinerary, if you perform the following:

1. Separate these items from the liquids, gels, and aerosols in your quart-size and zip-top bag.
2. Declare you have the items to one of the Security Officers at the security checkpoint.
3. Present these items for additional inspection once reaching the X-ray.

You are also allowed to bring gel or liquid-filled teethers, canned, jarred, or processed baby food in your carry-on baggage and aboard your plane.

Mothers flying with, and now without, her child will be permitted to bring breast milk in quantities greater than three ounces as long as it's declared for inspection at the security checkpoint. Breast milk is in the same category as liquid medications.

TSA encourages those traveling with young children to bring along only as much formula, breast milk, or juice that is needed to reach your destination. But note my afore-mentioned stories of being stranded in an airport with young children. I would encourage you to always bring more than you think you need. I have never found formula, diapers, wipes, baby food or many kid-friendly snacks in an airport.

TSA must screen everyone, even infants, before they can go through the security checkpoint. Car seats/infant seats and strollers must go through the X-ray machine. However, NEVER leave babies in an infant carrier while it goes through the X-ray machine. Instead, you should hold your infant or toddler while walking through the metal detector.

Passports/Birth Certificates

If you are taking your kids outside of the United States, you must give yourself enough time to apply for and receive a passport for each person traveling, regardless of age, with a few exceptions listed.

The Department of State, Bureau of Consular Affairs provides:

• Minors under age 16 must apply in person
• All minors regardless of age, including newborns and infants, must have his or her own passport when traveling internationally by air.
• All Minors Age 16 and 17 shall:
  • Appear in person at the time of application
  • Have a parent or guardian present photo identification if the minor does not have identification of his or her own
  • Provide a photocopy of the same ID document that will be presented at the time of application (applicant or parent/guardian).  See photocopy requirements under STEP 4 of How to Apply for the First Time (In Person)
  • Establish parental consent (You may be requested to provide written parental consent for a child age 16 or 17 if it is not implied on the application)

According to the Western Hemisphere Travel Initiative (WHTI), beginning June 1, 2009, U.S. and Canadian citizen children under age 16 arriving by land or sea from contiguous territory may also present an original or copy of his or her birth certificate, a Consular Report of Birth Abroad, a Naturalization Certificate, or a Canadian Citizenship Card.

Additionally, beginning June 1, 2009, U.S. and Canadian citizen children under age 19 arriving by land or sea from contiguous territory and traveling with a school group, religious group, social or cultural organization, or sports team, may also present an original or copy of his or her birth certificate, a Consular Report of Birth Abroad, a Naturalization Certificate, or a Canadian Citizenship Card.

The group should be prepared to present a letter on organizational letterhead with the following information:

• The name of the group and supervising adult,
• A list of the children on the trip, and the primary address, phone number, date of birth, place of birth, and name of at least one parent or legal guardian for each child,
• A written and signed statement of the supervising adult certifying that he or she has obtained parental or legal guardian consent for each participating child.

 

FAA Regulations Regarding Child Restraint Systems

Some parents opt to check car seats (for free) while others choose to bring the child restraint systems onboard. Studies show that children are safest in a child restraint system, rather than in your lap. However, children are not required to be strapped into a seat until reaching the age of 2.

Not all car seats are certified to be used on an aircraft. Make sure your Child Restraint System (CRS) is government approved and has "This restraint is certified for use in motor vehicles and aircraft" printed on it. Otherwise, you may be asked to check the CRS as baggage. If using a special harness-type restraint, check to make sure it's approved and has "FAA Approved in Accordance with 14CFR 21.305(d), Approved for Aircraft Use Only" on it. The FAA encourages you to measure the width of your CRS. It should fit in most airplane seats if it's no wider than 16 inches.

While you should always follow the manufacturer's instructions when using a CRS, the FAA recommends that a child weighing:

• Less than 20 pounds use a rear-facing CRS
• From 20 to 40 pounds use a forward-facing CRS
• More than 40 pounds use an airplane seat belt
• A child may also use an alternative, such as a harness-type restraint, if it's approved by FAA. FAA has approved one restraint appropriate for children weighing between 22 and 44 pounds called CARES.

FAA prohibits passengers from bringing booster seats and harness vests on airplanes for use during taxi, take-off and landing. These restraints should be checked as baggage.

The Scoop

Follow these regulations for a smooth flight with your most precious cargo. Do you have any air travel tips or horror stories to share? On Wednesday, I will post air travel tips for a success trip with your little ones. On Thursday, I will be traveling by air to New York, and I'll be sure to let you know how my flights go. On Friday, I will post a bit of Motherly Advice from NYC. Over and out…

 

Anna

There but for the Grace of God, Go I: Tips and Websites for Keeping Your Child Safe In and Around Vehicles

The Game of Parenthood

 

Much of the time, parenthood feels like a competition with other parents. No matter what choices you make, whether based on intuition, research, polling other parents or a little bit of each, and no matter how confident you are in the decisions you have made, you will feel wrong, judged, flaky, arrogant, triumphant, smart, better, clever and a long list of other positive and negative feelings some of the time. Let the games begin!

• Round One starts the moment your ever growing belly announces to the world there is a little being growing inside. Some of the issues up for disscussion:
  • Stroller make and model;
  • Breast feeding or formula feeding;
  • Co-sleeping;
  • Cloth diapers or disposable;
  • Doula;
  • Midwife or doctor.
• Round Two, the beautiful bouncing baby is born. Some of the topics in this Round:
  • Hours of sleep in between feedings;
  • Paci, thumb or nothing at all;
  • Colicky, reflux and/or allergies;
  • Feeding baby solids at 4 months;
  • Mommy gets her "old figure" back by 6 months.
• Round Three includes the developmentally milestones. Baby is growing:
  • Holds up head at 1 week;
  • Hasn't started rolling at 3 months;
  • Scoots on bottom rather than crawling on all fours;
  • Cruises, waves and/or dances;
  • Walking at 9 months or baby doesn't walk until 17 months;
  • First words at 5 months or baby's first words at 2 years.
• Next is Round Four, a.k.a. general socialization, which comprises art class, music class, dance class, tumbling, Spanish, soccer, tennis, swimming, tee ball, preschool, etc.
  • child taking early childhood music by 3 months;
  • child playing youth sports at age 3;
  • child registered for dance or tumbling classes by age 2;
  • child taking swim lessons by age 2;
  • child enrolled in preschool by age 3.

     

The rounds of the competition continue forever. The thing is there are no right or wrong answers. All the questions are trick questions. We, as parents, can be caddy and quick to judge. The right and wrong answers change from one parent to the next. The judgment can range from one end of the spectrum to the other: parents are over stimulating their child to parents are not exposing their child to enough; parents are working too much and not spending enough time with their child to the parents never leave that child with anyone.

 

Parental Judgment

 

It's my opinion that parents are quick to judge someone who does things differently because it eases the parental self-doubt to label someone different as wrong. Honestly, who among us is free from parental self-doubt. If we are parenting correctly and others are not, then we feel better about the job we are doing with our own kids. It's easy to say I would NEVER let our child sleep in our bed; ride a bike without a helmet; drink juice; watch DVDs in the car; scream and screech just because; waste food; etc, especially before your child is born! It's also comforting to say to ourselves I would never be so upset with my infant that I would shake him to death like that parent in the newspaper; I would never answer the phone while my toddler is taking a bath like the parent on TV; or I would never forget that my child is in the car and leave him there for 9 hours while I worked like the parent in the magazine. Never say never! The truth is parents are universally overworked, overtired, over-stimulated, and the brain can play terrible tricks.

 

Safety Tips

 

Here are ways to ensure that your child is safe in and around vehicles:

Safe Kids USA urges all adults to take the following steps:

• Call 911 if they see a child unattended in a vehicle.
• Never leave children alone in a vehicle - even for a minute.
• Set your cell phone or Blackberry reminder to be sure you drop your child off at daycare.
• Place a cell phone, PDA, purse, briefcase, gym bag or whatever is to be carried from the car on the floor in front of the child in a back seat.  This forces the adult to open the back door and observe the child before leaving.
• Set your computer "Outlook" program to ask you, "Did you drop off at daycare today?"
• Have a plan with your child care provider to call if your child does not arrive when expected.  
• Check cars and trunks first if a child goes missing

Children should never be left alone in a vehicle, not even to run a quick errand. Harrison's Hope offers parents the following tips to help keep their children safe.

• Plan ahead to use drive-through services where available such as pharmacies and banks. More and more services are adding drive-through convenience, including dry cleaners, restaurants (beyond fast food), libraries, grocery stores, and even dog grooming. A quick search on the Internet will help you find convenient drive-through services in your area.
• Call dry cleaners and other businesses to schedule pick-up and drop-off services at your vehicle. Most businesses will bring service curbside if you call ahead.
• Make advance arrangements for your child-care provider to meet you at your vehicle. Alternatively, plan extra time into your pick-up/drop-off routine to bring all children inside with you.
• Use your debit or credit card at the gas pump.
• Ask grocery store clerks to load your bags into your vehicle and return the grocery cart.
• If possible, leave your children with a responsible adult. Arrange a baby-sitting co-op with your neighbor to give you an hour to run errands.

Accidents can happen right in your own garage or driveway. Harrison's Hope offers parents the following tips to help prevent accidents in or around vehicles.

• Keep vehicles locked at all times -- even in the garage or driveway.
• Never leave keys within the reach of children.
• Teach children to never play in or around vehicles.
• Consider installing cross-view mirrors and/or a backup detection device on your vehicle.
• Make sure all young passengers have left your car after it is parked.

From Harrison's Hope (See Websites for additional information)

 

Another good idea that I read about was to place a stuffed animal in the car seat. When you put your child in the seat, place the stuffed animal in the front passenger seat. Then, you know if you see the stuffed animal sitting next to you, your child is in his or her car seat.

 

Websites

 

1. Harrison's Hope; a Missouri-based, national, non-profit organization dedicated to preventing injuries and deaths that occur due to children being left unattended in or around motor vehicles. Harrison's Hope has embarked on a mission to pursue preventative legislation in all 50 states to make sure that no child is ever, not even for a minute, left alone in or around a motor vehicle. For more information on Harrison's Hope, the Zero Seconds Program, go to www.harrisonshop.org.

    

2. The ChildMinder Alarm System; alarm sounds if child is left in car seat and parent walks more than 15 feet away from the vehicle. Get more information about this product at: http://www.babyalert.info/index.php?main_page=index&cPath=1&zenid=sqt8qmqicnofugqb8h1ta68ss3.
3. Safe Kids USA; this site has lots of great safety information, including information on staying safe in and around vehicles. Check it out at http://www.safekids.org/.

The Scoop

 

Be proactive, and do something that reminds you to check your child(ren)'s seat(s) when you exit your vehicle. If you see a child left in a vehicle, please alert authorities immediately. Try not to be so quick to judge. Try putting yourself in other's shoes. This may sound cliché, but it's true. Try practicing compassion and empathy. More than likely it was a slip of the memory, and it could happen to you. On Friday, I will post a bit of Motherly Advice. Over and out…

 

Anna