There's More to Car Seat Safety Than Proper Installation

Ad for http://www.healthycanadians.gc.ca/kids

If you are Canadian, have you seen the ad above yet? Do you know that car seats expire? Do you know why?

While trying to buy a used car seat/stroller travel system online I was amazed by how many people listed expired car seats for sale. Most didn't even know they expired. This is not good. If someone else who doesn't realize they expire buys from them, there are more people using expired car seats around. They expire for a reason!

What reason?

1. The material it's made out of doesn't last forever. Plastic breaks down or gets small fractures too small to see but enough to cause danger. Straps deteriorate. Even the safety stickers and labels fade or wear away. 
2. As new safety features come out, older car seats won't have them and therefore won't be as safe as a newer car seat.
3. Car seats haven't been tested past 5 or 6 years. So we don't know how much danger the above two mentioned points would cause.

The average car seat lasts 6 years but different brands last different lengths. Expiration dates are printed on the underside of the car seat and base. You can also check out the Transport Canada website for how long common cars eats last.

Please do NOT use an expired car seat or sell it to someone else. The bases expire too. Don't just throw them out though either. If you put it to the curb, someone else will take it home and use it. It is recommended that you cut the straps

Furthermore... in Canada, you are ONLY supposed to use car seats manufactured in Canada as they are the only ones that bear the National Safety Mark which ensures it's been tested by Transport Canada.

If throwing out a car seat or turning down a great sale in the USA seems like a pain to you, remember, IT'S A MATTER OF CHILD SAFETY!

Guest Post: On the Road to Parenting

© Flickr User Gabriele Nastro

As I look back at my life, I am often amazed by the way things have turned out.  When I was five, I wanted to be a teacher.  When I was sixteen, I wanted to be a famous singer (or at least date a famous singer).  When I was 21, I wanted to own my own business.  But throughout all of these “career changes”, I’ve always known that I wanted to be a mommy.  Unfortunately, as a teenager I was diagnosed with Endometriosis, and the doctors were not optimistic about my chances of ever getting pregnant.

I got married fairly young – I was 20, he was 21 – and we started trying to have a baby after about a year of marriage.  Month after month went by with no progress on that front, but life went on.  I kept working, kept going to school for my Bachelor’s degree in business administration, kept changing my career plans, and kept secretly and wistfully flipping through parenting magazines when I knew nobody was looking.  We had a couple of miscarriages, and I could feel my dream of being a mommy fading away, like the Polaroid pictures I still kept of myself playing dress up as a kid.

Then the completely unexpected happened, I started feeling tired all of the time, I would vomit if I even looked at a toothbrush, and I often found myself in tears over fabric softener and antiperspirant commercials: that’s right, I was pregnant! The pregnancy was not “easy”, I had Gestational Diabetes, pre-term contractions, Preeclampsia, and ended up having an emergency C-section; but on October 13, 2005, my husband and I welcomed our baby boy, Johnathon, into the world.  Suddenly my life took on a whole new meaning.  Three straight hours of sleep became a luxury that I could only imagine and never achieve.  My business plans and homework assignments were buried under a pile of dirty laundry, diapers, and nursing pads, and I knew that I had finally become who I was meant to be: Johnathon’s Mommy.

But then the mommy-high started to wear off.  My previous life and old responsibilities started to creep up on me.  Just because I stuck my homework under the diaper box, didn’t mean that it wasn’t still coming due, and just because I loved being a mom didn’t make it any easier to pace the floor with a crying baby boy all night and all day.  Parenting decisions which used to seem easy were suddenly daunting.  Should we try co-sleeping or keep him in his crib?  Are vaccinations the right way to go or were they too risky?  Was it wrong to stick the baby in the swing so I could do homework?  Was I playing with my baby too much? Too little? Was I ruining his life before he was even old enough to realize and blame me for it?!

Five years, and two more children later, I’ve learned to relax when making parenting decisions, but the road ahead will undoubtedly be challenging. I am traveling that road armed only with a camera of my own, a few parenting tips from those who came before me, and a sense of excitement I can barely describe.  I can’t wait to find out what’s coming next!

Amanda
Amanda is mommy, freelance writer, and blogger in her spare time.  Check out Giveaway Blogdom and read her most recent article on Childhood Vaccinations.

New "We Are Canadian Blog Hop" - Come Join Us!

 

A special blog hop just for Canadians, only the second week! Link up and visit the two hosts and the featured blogger and then as many others as you want. Help the blog hop grow!

The We Are Canadian Blog Hop

*If you follow me on Google Friend Connect, Facebook and/or Twitter, let me know in the comments and I'll return the favour!

Looking for Sponsors: The Brand New Baby Event

My third baby will be here in 5 short days on March 29, 2011. I wanted to hold an event featuring baby related reviews and posts but need time to get it organized and time to get to know my baby and recover before I host it. So I picked April 29 (when he will turn one month) to May 29 (two months.) The event has been bumped to May 15 to June 15 (or less, depending on how many sponsors I get.)

I'm looking to cover baby from Birth to 6 months. If you sell or represent something a mom or baby could use in the first six months that you'd like to see reviewed here, please send me an email ASAP. I would love to include some giveaways as well for my readers.

Here are some ideas of what I'd be looking for:

• baby clothes (0-3 months Spring boy or 3-6 months Summer boy)
• nursing equipment/accessories (breast pumps, nursing pillows, nursing clothes, etc.)
• baby equipment (strollers, toys, diapers, soothers, activity mats, slings, swings etc.)
• Nursery items (furniture, wall decorations, bedding, etc.)
• Baby shower gift ideas (gift baskets, keepsakes, mementos etc.)
• Baby Safety (baby monitor etc.)
• Bath/Beauty Products for Baby and Mom (shampoo/soaps, lotions, cracked nipple cream etc.)
• Food/Nutrition for Breastfeeding Moms (food replacement drinks, postnatal vitamins etc.)
• Just about anything for baby 0-6 months or postpartum mom

I will be featuring any company that sponsors the event somehow in the sidebar and in a few posts at the beginning of the event with company logos, links to websites, facebook and twitter accounts and the like. 

I also accept sidebar ads if you want to advertise with me during the event or otherwise. Contact me for rates. My rates are pretty low but I'll offer an even lower rate if you donate a product for review as well.

NOTE:

• You MUST be able to ship to Canada!
• I'm having a BOY so anything that could be gender specific should be for a BOY.

Contact me (using the link above) if you have any ideas for the event, even if it's not for an item to review or giveaway. I'm open to other ideas.

Blog Hops - Finding New Blogs to Read

Article: How to talk to kids about tragedies, disasters: Tips from World Vision

I received this in my email and wanted to share with you. My girls are too young to even know about the earthquake or what an earthquake is but I'm sure some of my readers have older children.

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WASHINGTON, 16 March 2011- As information increases about the devastation of Japan's earthquake and tsunami, our children will likely see disturbing news footage and have questions about this tragedy. Below are several suggestions on how to talk with children about this disaster and its impact.

These tips are provided by humanitarian organization World Vision. World Vision has worked in Japan for more than two decades and responded to the massive Kobe earthquake in 1995, and now has staff assisting in the relief efforts in Sendai.

1. Start by listening.

Find out what your child already knows. You can then respond in an age-appropriate way. The aim is not to worry them with the devastating details, but to protect them from misinformation they may have heard from friends or disturbing images they may have seen on television.

2. Provide clear, simple answers.

Limit your answer to the question asked and use simple language.

3. If you don't know the answer, admit it.

If your children ask questions that you can't answer, tell them so, and then do some research to try and help them sort it out. If they ask "Why did this have to happen?" don't be afraid to say "I don't know." The reassurance offered can be invaluable in helping your child sort through the truth that awful things happen.

4. Follow media reports or online updates privately.

Young children in particular are easily traumatized and seeing or hearing about the horrifying details of the quake may be more than they can cope with. Adults, too, should ensure they are dealing with their own emotions by talking to others, so they can continue to respond well to their children's needs.

5. Concentrate on making them feel safe.

When tragedies occur, children wonder if the same event could happen in their hometown. If it was an act of nature that could not be repeated in your area, tell children that. Placing themselves in the situations of victims is not all bad-it is a sign of empathy, an essential life skill, but watch for signs of excessive worrying.

6. Give children creative outlets.

Some children may not be prepared to speak about what they have heard, but may find drawing or other creative activities helpful to deal with their emotions and stress. Their drawings can be helpful starting points for conversation.

7. Model involvement and compassion.

Tell your child that, as a family, you will be helping the people in Japan by giving a donation to a reputable charity such as World Vision.

8. Give your child a chance to be involved.

Being involved in the solution will help relieve some of their anxiety. Invite them to contribute to the family's gift by giving something out of their piggy bank.

###

For more information on World Vision's efforts please visit www.worldvision.org/press.

World Vision is a Christian humanitarian organization dedicated to working with children, families and their communities worldwide to reach their full potential by tackling the causes of poverty and injustice. We serve the world's poor - regardless of religion, race, ethnicity or gender.

Budding Iron Chefs or Nutritionists?

My kids, especially my 5 year old, LOVE cooking. Not only do they fight over helping in the kitchen, they watch Food Network Shows with me.

My 5 year old pays more attention to a cooking show than she does to some cartoons. She doesn't just passively watch either, she asks questions about everything:

• What food is that? 
• What is he doing to the meat?
• What's that she's using?
• What are they making?

She loves Iron Chef America but will watch any Food Network Show. Both girls (the other one's 3)  like the children's show Big Cook, Little Cook on BBC. 

They eat their fair share of non healthy foods but they are aware when something is not healthy and if they aren't, they always ask. They know that you should only have un-healthy food sometimes and in small quantities. They know that food gives them energy so they can do things.

My 5 year old has some kids magazines that feature a recipe or two and she wants to try them. 

One can only guess what their children will do for a living when they grow up but I wouldn't be surprised if I was nurturing a future chef or nutritionist.

Do your children show signs of a possible future job?

Upcoming Review from CSN Stores

I did a giveaway last time so it's time for another review. I will be reviewing an item from CSN Stores, a great online store that is really 200+ stores and sells all sorts of things. You can buy an L shaped desk, a new lamp, beds, a dining set and so much more.

I will also be hosting a $100 CSN Stores Giveaway at SMS Book Reviews, my blog of childrens and nonfiction reviews in the next month.

I Took The Mom Pledge

First a thank you to Mommy Moment for posting about this and bringing it to my attention.

I don't usually call myself a Mom Blogger, mostly because I don't blog about my kids lives. However I am a Mom who Blogs so I guess I still am a Mom Blogger. I participate in Mom Blog Campaigns and communities.

If you read Mom Blogs you may have noticed that some are judgmental or even bully other bloggers. This is terrible of course. If you are a Mom Blogger and you are sick of all this bullying and judgment, then you too should take the Mom Pledge.

International Woman's Day 2011

Sadly I didn't have time to write a International Women's Day post so I wanted to at least direct you to this post on the Girl Guides CAN Blog. It's a guest post by The Honourable Rona Ambrose, Minister of Public Works and Government Services and Minister for Status of Women.

Self Injury Awareness Day 2011

*This post was originally published on SMS Mental Health, another blog of mine I haven't been keeping up. So I'm moving it over here and reposting it this year.

March 1st is Self-Injury Awareness Day around the world. The date doesn't seem to be as well-known as I think it should be.

First Signs is the home of the offiical website for SIAD but is in the UK. However most if not all of the information provided is helpful to anyone wanting to help spread the word that self-harm is real and is more than just a cry for attention.

You may also be interested in these posts by Dr. Kathleen Young:
Common Myths about Self Injury 
Self Injury Awareness Day

MY STORY:
I started self-harming at about age 16 (1999) and wasn't able to quit until 2004. Since then I've had two slipups but I was able to stop them from continuing. I still struggle with thoughts of SI, especially if I accidentally hurt myself or someone else does. Sometimes I find myself wishing it had happened to me. How did I stop? It wasn't easy. It tooks years of therapy and a few hospital visits, medication and a class on trying to stop SI. IT involved finding out why I did it and coming up with less harmful ways to get the same effect. The hardest part of it all was deciding that I wanted to quit once and for all. Without the determination to quit, you're not going to be able to resist the temptation. I wouldn't be surprised if the temptation never fully goes away for me. 

Here are a few hints:

1. Some people find reading books or websites about self-harm make them feel better and some people find it makes them feel worse. I found the information helped me understand it but after that, chatting online about it with other self-harmers made me want to do it.
2. Try and figure out why you do it. There are a variety of reasons. Usually: you like to see the blood, you feel pain when otherwise you feel numb, you can control the pain unlike other pain or you feel it's self-punishment.
3. Research things to try instead of self-harming, based on your reasons for doing it:
   
   
   • Draw lines with red washable marker on your arm if it's the blood you like
   • Keep an elastic around your wrist and snap it on your wrist (this one worked for me)
   • Journal or talk to someone who cares

Spread the Word