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by Rosemary Lee Potter, Ed.D.
Special to Tropical Breeze
When was there ever a time for parents to
stop having concern over their small children? Don't think ever. I
remember there was concern about toddlers chewing on painted window
ledges, toddlers squeezing between badly spaced crib slats,
possible suffocation with plastic bags, babies needing to sleep on
their backs, undersink lock-up and/or disposal of toxic materials
to protect against little floor explorers. There are stair gates,
pool alarms and home video systems, child-proof RX bottles, over
the counter cough and cold meds, age warning restrictions on
certain toys and their parts, car seats, and glues, all potential
child dangers.
So with all that we think we're paying
attention to the continuing best advice on how to protect our
littlest folks. Then along comes a huge surge of scary information
on how some of our most revered toy companies and children's
furniture manufacturers, even baby bib designers have put our
children at risk -- and may have done this for a long time.
Frightening! Frightening! Frightening, just when millions of
conscientious parents thought they were pretty vigilant, true
protectors of their children.
One can't protect anything, if one
doesn't know, isn't warned, though. The recent scary rush to
check out specific toys with lead-based paint, which were imported
and sold to children's parents, relatives and friends by
supposedly reliable famous American firms.
My grand-niece, Kennedy, had in the spring
been the one-year-old princess birthday girl recipient of some
wonderful toys. I rushed to the phone as I was almost certain that
the little girl had been given some of the tainted toys shown on
TV. Her mom, Casey, my niece, had already been there, done that, to
weed out any dangerous playthings. The very next week, though, it
was children's furniture. And the next -- how 'bout bibs -- lead
paint in the decoration of bibs? What's next?
The idea that for any reason companies
here or abroad would be so lax as to endanger youngsters to keep
their bottom line smoothly big-time is woeful. And yet, surprise?
They were, too? Surprise! Hello! There is a brain-development enemy
-- lead -- in your popular products, things children can and do
chew on. Awful. No one we know would accept the excuses for the
lack of trust now for sale.
So we know all this about that. Avoid
these products, maybe these companies? Perhaps. However, there are
other truly positive things parents are doing to minimize potential
damage to their dear young ones from sadly under-the-radar business
practices.
Of course staying in touch with news on
the subject is good. However, a few young moms showed that they
have already adopted some different strategies about things they
give or want given to their children. For one thing, with various
holidays on the way, several mothers have already asked their
closest relations and friends (those they know will likely come
bearing gifts for children) to please consider the following
ideas:
1. Consider giving something homemade --
say a knit sweater or blanket, even if created by a friend for the
occasion. Its child appeal might be a decoration on it -- a bear,
turtle, rabbit! It could be just the time for a hand-made wooden
toy as well -- and perhaps a dad's pride and protective caring
here.
2. Books are greatly appreciated at any
age and traditionally enjoyed at holidays. Parents can check with
public or school librarians about titles. A straight text and
pictures is the safest, probably. Avoiding sewn-on buttons and
other possibly hazardous attached items on juvenile books may be
wise.
3. Entertainment. A gift card or
underwrite of an adventure or themed attraction children would
enjoy. Or maybe it's the Coast Guard approved life jackets for
water fun. Perhaps more expensive, child/family adventures have a
built-in treasure of memories.
4. Buy a share of stock for the child,
perhaps one in a company where the major business is child-oriented
-- perhaps a stock for an attraction the whole family likes. Buyer
remains the guardian for the child, so it's more than a
one-minute, opening-the-package memory. Later on, the giver can
anticipate unique conversations with the child about this gift.
5. Parents ally themselves with other
parents to share ideas and perhaps trade items outgrown or unworn.
I know two moms who stay tuned in by joining networks of other moms
-- some for infant "play dates" and sharing magazines and info
given them, including both "beware" experiences and pro-baby
activities and concerns.
One young parent said that she gave each
of the other four moms in her momgroup photo-albums with a few of
the first pictures of their children playing together.
These days concerned parents can be clever
in selecting appropriate and safe items for their children's
enjoyment. Wary? Still. Good thing. Worried? Not necessarily.
Staying alert, on guard, choosing more home-grown items and
known-to-be friendly activities, taking time for careful check-out
before the check-out counter is a commitment that your family
matters.
© 2007 Rosemary Lee Potter. All
Rights Reserved.
Rosemary Lee Potter, Ed.D., has been a
teacher since 1960, including 21 years at Safety Harbor Middle
School, and is now a reading teacher at Carwise Middle School, Palm
Harbor. Contact her at
This e-mail address is being protected from spam bots, you need JavaScript enabled to view it
or by mail in care
of Tropical Breeze, P.O. Box 585, Safety Harbor, FL 34695.
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