Recall: Kolcraft Recalls 1 Million Play Yards--Fall Hazard

Kolcraft Enterprises is recalling about 1 million play yards.  The names on the product are Kolcraft, Carter's Sesame Street, Jeep, Contours, Care Bear, and Eric Carle.  The side rail can fail to latch properly, making it unlatch unexpectedly.  There have been almost 400 reports of the play yard collapsing, resulting in 21 injuries.

Read the recall details here.

Recall: Aqua-Leisure Industries' Inflatable Baby Floats--Drowning Hazard

Aqua-Leisure Industries is recalling their inflatable baby floats.  The leg straps in the seat of the float can tear, causing children to fall into or under the water.  Drowning may result.

Read the recall details here.

Recall: Simplicity Drop Side Cribs--Risk of Death from Suffocation

Simplicity is recalling its drop side cribs.  The crib's plastic hardware can deform or break.  The result can be a malfunction of the crib, resulting in suffocation.

Read the recall details here.

Recall: Children’s Hooded Sweatshirts with Drawstrings by Winterbee--Strangulation Hazard

Winterbee Inc. is recalling their Speedy children's hooded zipper jackets.  The jackets have a drawstring through the hood, which can pose a strangulation hazard to children.

Read the recall details here.

Homeschooling: the canary in the coal mine?

This editorial in the Las Vegas Review-Journal caught my attention.  It's based around the fact that, as usual, the recent National Spelling Bee was dominated by kids who are homeschooled.  (Although the winner attends public school.)

The "big idea" of the article was that growing numbers of parents are homeschooling not for religious reasons, but because they want to give their kids a higher quality of education.  They call homeschooling the "canary in the coal mine" of public education.

Is this true?  Is the rise of homeschooling (the number of homeschooled kids has doubled in a decade) a sign that there is something wrong with public education?  I'd like to see what any parents who homeschool have to say.  I'm also interested in some insight from people who work in public education.

Is there something really wrong with the public education system in the US?

Is McDonald's giving away a kids CD that features the "F" word?

This story from channel 8 in Honolulu talks about the music CD that McDonald's is giving away with their kid's meals.  Some parents think they are hearing the infamous "F" word (no, not french fries, the other one) in one of the songs.

There's a link on the story page to the song in question.  I can hear what they're talking about, but I think it might be the word "looking" instead of the other word.  Listen for yourself, and let me know what you think.

I do find it hard to believe that McDonald's would give away something with that kind of  language in it.  But stranger things have happened...

Recall: Children’s Hooded Jackets with Drawstrings sold by Burlington Coat Factory--Strangulation Hazard

Some children's hooded sweatshirts sold by Burlington Coat Factory have been recalled.  The drawstrings can pose a strangulation hazard.  Consumers are encouraged to remove the drawstring, or return the garment to the place of purchase.

Read the recall details here.

Families slowing down because of the recession...

Over the weekend, I caught this story in the online version of the Newark, New Jersey Star Ledger.  The writer talks about the fact that many families are cutting back on their activities because of the recession.  In addition to doing fewer things, families are cutting back on unnecesary expenses.

One of the moms they talked to, Dana Slomkowski, said she felt guilty at first for the way the family had to cut back.  But now, she says, "We have more time, we talk.  We may not go anywhere, but at least we're all home together.  Now I'm big on, 'go outside and play.'" 

This may be one of the good things that comes out of the current economic mess.  I've believed for a long time that the one thing kids need more than anything else is time.  Time with their parents.  Time to receive the love and acceptance that only comes with hanging out with their family.

I know a lot of people are hurting financially, and I feel bad for everyone who is suffering right now.  But if the recession means that more families start investing time and energy into each other, then some good will come out of this bad situation...

Parents making do with less...

This article in the Tyler Morning Telegraph is a good read.  The writer interviewed parents in the Tyler, TX area who are cutting back on their spending because of the current economic situation. 

Of course, this isn't happening just in Texas.  Parents all over are watching their money, and holding on to as much of it as they can.  The moms they interviewed for this article have found different ways to save money.  They go to consignment stores, they shop for sales, they use coupons.

For some of us, it's been a big transition. But really, it's a  better way to live.  Why spend more money than you need to?

What are some ways you have been saving money for your family?

Recall: “CARS” Children’s Shoes Sold Exclusively at Wal-Mart--Choking Hazard

Walmart is recalling fleece clog-type shoes that are shaped to resemble a car from the movie "Cars."  The shoes have decorative wheels that can come off and pose a choking hazard.

Read the recall details here.