My oldest son, lil’ Mel just started middle school (6th grade) today and even though he thinks he’s all grown now …  I still worry about him.

I dropped him off at the front of the school and watched my little man walk inside (holding back the tears and thinking “Where has the time gone???”).

Before I dropped him off, I handed him a cell phone with very strict instructions: “This phone does not get turned on until school is out or if there is an emergency. Keep it in your pocket and do not flaunt it.”

Ok, I know there is a HUGE debate over kids having cell phones, but with a busy family and unpredictable schedules, it can be necessary or at least make our lives much more organized and SAFE. (We’ll get into the cell phone debate more on another day.)

Every year I watch the news about children being abducted going to or from school, and some of those children do manage to get away, but unfortunately not all of them.

We also hear of children bringing guns and other weapons to school with harmful intentions that none of us really want to hear about.

So, I told lil’ Mel to call me as soon as school got out so I could know where he was exactly (in the sea of children and parents and cars) and guide him on how to get to me. It worked out great.

Now I know that he is getting a little more responsible and maybe I’ll even give him other privileges with the phone as time goes on. (Right now only me and dad have that phone number.)

I also gave him my “never talk to strangers” speech. I believe in being open and honest with my kids about many things. (Which can be difficult to do without providing too much “adult” info at times.)

That speech goes beyond just telling them not to talk to strangers. It includes watching the news together and talking about the kids that get kidnapped or almost kidnapped. We talk about what they can do to deter someone from snatching them.

I tell them that I love them more than anything in the world every morning when I kiss them goodbye. Even on those mornings when nothing goes right and major attitude is flowing my way! 

Remember that we were kids, preteens and teens once too…try to think like them. Try to put things in their perspective. Make them understand how much you love them-even when they aren’t being sweet and innocent-and make them aware of the dangers and evils of this world.

Always have some sort of an emergency plan for a crisis. What is your child(ren) to do if you aren’t there to greet them at the school or bus stop or home (or whatever your normal routine is).

Give them emergency phone numbers. Tell them what to do, where to go, and who to call. Give them details. Practice this information.

Obviously you wouldn’t give a 5 year old this information and expect them to remember it all…but talk to your child(ren) at every step along the way-whatever you deem as age appropriate.

This is for the safety of your child, my child, and everyone else’s child. Let’s work together to keep them all safe!

Please write a comment and tell me what you do or say to ensure the safety of your child! Remember that even as adults we can learn something new all the time…and the more we share the more ways we learn to keep our kids safe!!!

Until next time,

Amy

China obviously doesn’t have the same quality control that the US has. Yet 80% of our toys are manufactured in China.

More than 10 million toys have been recalled! These include popular Barbie Dolls and Polly Pocket Sets, Batman figurines, Big Bird, Elmo and Dora the Explorer. The toy recalls have been for toys contaminated with lead paint and/or toys that have small high-powered magnets that created a risk to children.

The recent enormous toy recall has resulted in a boost to US toy manufacturers. That could be a good thing for our economy. A bad thing for the price of toys? But should we be concerned with the cost of toys to ensure our children’s safety? When we purchase toys made in the USA we can be guaranteed that they are lead free.

With Christmas just right around the corner, it’s time to take a minute and think about what you will purchase for the children you love. You may want/need to do some research before grabbing that toy off the shelf.

I have to hand it to Mattel. They are very concerned about the safety of our children. Check out what the CEO has to say at http://www.mattel.com/safety/us/

With so much information on line …
I wanted to direct to you these to US Government Websites.

Till Next Time!
Cindy

Wear and/or display your purple ribbon to remind people that it is unsafe to leave a child unattended in a car.  Let’s spread the word and help to prevent senseless deaths.

Each year numerous children die.  You might think that it’s just the children that are left in HOT locked cars.  But this is not the case.  Kids are curious little things and can easily knock the car out of gear. 

Children are left in vehicles for numerous reasons.  Sometimes a parent doesn’t want to disturb a sleeping child.  They might think they will only be gone for a minute.  They may be talking to friends standing right outside of the car … Let it be known that all of these instances has resulted in a preventable death of a child.

You wouldn’t leave your valuables in your car …  So my question to you is … How valuable is a precious child?

Purple ribbon month began in honor of Kaitlyn Russell.  “Kaitlyn’s Law” in California makes it a citable offencse to leave a child under 6 years of age unattended in a motor vehicle.

Kaitlyn died on August 15, 2000 when her babysitter left her unattended in a car.  Kaitlyn’s mother Tammy Russell began 4RKidsSake.org.  She states “It is my goal to affect change in legislation and to bring about public awareness to this type of tragedy.”

Visit 4RKidsSake.org to see how you can help and to read the tragic story of Kaitlyn and other children.

Pass the word … Leaving a child unattended in a car is absoulutely unacceptable!