Dear Person Who Designs Building Layouts, I feel like I might be over-stepping, given that all of my CAD classes were ones that I was in while cutting algebra, and I basically flunked my technical drawing classes, cuz they were the last period of the day, and, well, everyone knows that’s when you get the [...]

I grew up in the city.  I grew up with DARE and Officer Friendly, and Stranger Danger, and I learned about sex at roughly the same age that I learned Santa Claus didn’t exist.  I played with Barbie dolls, but the story lines were lifted straight from the Santa Barbara soap opera my cousin watched [...]

Firm’s Recall Hotline: (800) 394-4225 CPSC Recall Hotline: (800) 638-2772 Wrist Rattles and Baby Booties Recalled by Midwest-CBK Due to Choking Hazard WASHINGTON, D.C. – The U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission and Health Canada, in cooperation with the firm named below, today announced a voluntary recall of the following consumer product. Consumers should stop using [...]

Supernanny. Nanny 911. Belligerent teens on the Jerry Springer show. Everywhere you look, you’re deluged with parenting tips, even if you don’t have kids. Booksellers make a fortune off of parenting books, and discipline books. But, can you believe everything you read? Here’s a short look into the longstanding theory that fostering attachment leads to [...]

Arm’s Reach Concepts Recalls Infant Bed-Side Sleepers Due to Entrapment, Suffocation and Fall Hazards WASHINGTON, D.C. – The U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission, in cooperation with the firm named below, today announced a voluntary recall of the following consumer product. Consumers should stop using recalled products immediately unless otherwise instructed. It is illegal to resell [...]

Infantino Recalls Toy Activity Trucks Due to Choking Hazard WASHINGTON, D.C. – The U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission and Health Canada, in cooperation with the firm named below, today announced a voluntary recall of the following consumer product. Consumers should stop using recalled products immediately unless otherwise instructed. It is illegal to resell or attempt [...]

I just read a news article about a 6 year old first grader in Florida with a life threatening peanut allergy.  Let me say that again.  6 years old, with a life threatening allergy. Trace amounts of peanut residue can cause her to stop breathing, can cause her throat to swell to the point that [...]

Today is a banner day in the world of car seat geeks.  The American Association of Pediatrics revised their 2002 guidelines for car seat use, to state that children should ride in a rear facing car seat until 2 years of age, at minimum, up from the 1 year minimum previously recommended.  In both recommendations, [...]

I was talking with a friend of mine the other day, and something she said struck me in that thoughtful place.  She mentioned that I was ‘safe’ to be honest with.  That because I freely admit my more than occasional failings at this parenting game, she feels comfortable admitting her own shortcomings.  So that got [...]

So, like most people, this household has been glued to the coverage of the devestation in Japan.  Typically, I’m careful about what I expose my kids, who are 6 and 2, to on television.  I think it’s important to know that bad things happen, and that there are things you can do to protect yourself, [...]