Don’t Text While Driving

A friend sent me a link to this video, which is pretty graphic. But I’m glad I watched it. I am vowing NOT to text and drive. I’ve shared it with my teen and I’m asking her to share it with her friends.

You can read more about the making of this video and statistics about texting and driving here.

One Pediatrician’s Advice on Swine Flu

Since April 30, when I wrote this about the changes I’m making in my daily routine out of fear of the Swine Flu, my toddler hasn’t been to Mom’s Day Out or our YMCA nursery. During the same time period, she has had croup and last week she had some dreadful virus that involved a fever reaching 102.5 for a few days and an awful sounding cough. Said virus resulted in a visit to our pediatrician’s office. We never suspected Swine Flu, but while I was there, I brought up the subject and told our doctor of the modifications I’ve made in routine. He really helped me put things in perspective. This is a paraphrasing of his comments:

“In my nearly 25 years of practicing medicine, I’ve never lost a single patient to the flu or any other flu-like disease. I have, however, lost two patients to accidents involving swing sets. I’ve lost a patient to SIDS and I’ve lost a patient to a fall from a shopping cart in a grocery store. I’ve lost patients to car accidents. Last year, one of my patients was killed when his best friend accidentally shot him. Now, do you spend time worrying about swing sets. If you have a swing set, have you considered removing it? Do you put your child in the car, or take her to the grocery store? If you can’t live with yourself by not modifying your behavior, then do what you have to. But at this time, I don’t recommend keeping your toddler home from normal daily activities.”

What a “freeing” conversation. Maybe it was just the excuse I was looking for, because I really miss my YMCA. My toddler has always loved going there, and I’m afraid if I keep her away too long, she won’t be so agreeable when I drop her off at the nursery. Maybe I’m worried that there will be no sensible end to our self-imposed isolation. Maybe I don’t want to give up the possibility of Mom’s Day Out in the fall, or a new playgroup for older moms that is forming in my area and that I really want to join. Maybe I realize I was over-reacting, or maybe I’m being selfish and wanting my normal routine back. Maybe it’s a combination of all of these things, but I think I’m going back to the YMCA this week.

Guess I Should Worry More About Electrocution & Less about Swine Flu

This is what my toddler does when she manages to get her hands on my keys:

Let's pretend this outlet is a car ignition and put a key in here!

Now before you freak out and call DFS on me, I did NOT risk my baby’s life for a photo opportunity. This outlet is protected by one of my favorite child-proofing devices. The outlet cover swivels, and it takes some dexterity and know-how to use the prongs of a plug to swivel the covers into place so the prongs can slide into the outlet.

That brings me to another of may favorite child-proofing devices, which is featured in the video below. It’s called a “Double-touch Plug N Outlet Cover” by Safety 1st which allows you to have items plugged into an outlet while also keeping it baby-proofed.  As you will see in this video, my toddler was NOT happy about having her favorite, face-level outlet covered with a more effective device. We had been using those little plastic outlet plugs, which she promptly used her teeth and tongue to remove.

I’m not sure what her fascination with outlets is, but between keeping her from getting electrocuted and preventing her from falling off of furniture or securing furniture to prevent it from falling onto her, I don’t have enough time to worry about the swine flu. So far, we’ve secured one bookcase and one antique radio as a result of this story on CBS This Morning.

Here is a post on two of my other favorite child-proofing devices. Do you have a favorite device of child-safety tip?

Swine Flu Too Close to Home

I’d like to say I’m one of those completely rational people unaffected by the news reports about the Swine Flu. We are a “news family” — my husband is a journalist and I’m a former journalist. But the emphasis is on the word “former.” These days, I’m first and foremost a Mom. I’ve got three kids, one being an 18-month old, and I’m a little scared, especially now that the news is reporting a case of Swine Flu in Ellisville, MO, which borders Wildwood, MO, where I live.

I know the case in Ellisville is actually a college student from Chicago who was diagnosed there and came home to Ellisville to recover. He says he is putting himself in voluntary quarantine. It still makes me nervous. What if someone from his household becomes infected and then goes out in public before showing symptoms?

So, I’m doing a few things differently and taking a few precautions.

• First of all, I was almost done weaning my 18-month old and had actually nursed her for what I thought was the last time on Tuesday night. Then I reconsidered yesterday and even had a conversation with my pediatrician. He said that it is extremely unlikely/almost impossible that my breast milk would have any antibodies to protect my baby from Swine Flu. But he acknowledged that there is research that breast milk does contain some immunity strengthening properties for babies. His advice: “If it makes you feel better to continue nursing her until this Swine Flu thing plays out, then do it.” My decision: Keep nursing her. What difference does it make whether she is weaned at 18 months or 19 months.
• When I heard yesterday that all area Walgreens are out of face masks, I decided to visit a small private pharmacy to see if they had any. They did, so I bought some “just in case.”
• I’m planning to keep my baby home from Moms Day Out and away from the YMCA nursery for a little while. I’ll run with her in the jogging stroller, or run on my treadmill, or let my in-laws watch her while I’m at the YMCA.
• I plan to nag the kids more about hand-hygiene, particularly when we’re out in public and when they return from school.

So far, that’s it. I know worrying about this won’t do any good. So, I’ll do what I can, pray about it and then go about my life as normally as possible minus the above-mentioned changes.

PS — my former employer, Standing Partnership, has a great post about reliable sources of information on the Swine Flu on Twitter. Check it out.

Car Accident Puts Things in Perspective

While driving my baby to Mom’s Day Out yesterday, I wrecked my minivan.

I was driving around a curve on Strecker Road in Wildwood, MO, when I encountered an SUV coming the other direction that had crossed the center line.  I swerved to the right to avoid the SUV, and my right front tire went off the road.  I swerved to the left, overcompensated, lost control and my minivan went careening across the road, between a tree and telephone pole and into the ditch.

I found out today that the van is totaled. You can’t really see the damage in the picture because it’s all on the driver’s side, but the glass broke out of the windows on that side, the roof buckled, etc.  It doesn’t matter.  What matters is that my baby was completely unharmed (she was in back on the passenger side in her Britax Marathon carseat) and I only suffered some minor stiffness last night.

The accident could’ve been a lot worse.  The van could have rolled as we went down the embankment. I could have hit the tree or telephone pole head-0n.  My baby’s carseat could have been on the driver’s side, which likely would’ve resulted in at least cuts and scraps from the branches that came into the van when the glass broke.  Suffice it to say — I think Jesus took the wheel. I’m thankful and feel very blessed, once again.

Several times in my past, something or someone has helped me put the holidays in perspective.  Two years ago, we got an amazing Christmas letter from a neighbor whose husband beat a terrible form of blood/bone cancer. When I read it, I took a deep breath, counted my blessings and vowed to try to appreciate the holidays as much as their family appreciates them.  Last year, I got an heartfelt letter from a friend who is raising three kids alone after her husband died from cancer the previous January.  Again, it reminded me to cling to those I hold dear and not sweat the small stuff.  Almost 10 years ago, one of my husband’s co-workers died in a car accident right before the holidays and just months after she’d married the love of her life. That one made me realize how important it is seize happiness and joy when it’s in front of you.

While my car accident isn’t nearly as dramatic as the above-mentioned events, it did help me adjust my attitude.

• There have been some people who have really gotten on my nerves and under my skin lately.  (Insignificant)
• My house isn’t as clean as it used to be.  (Totally insignificant)
• I’m not done shopping. (I’m lucky to have money with which to shop)
• Money is tighter. (My husband is employed, I’ve got freelance work and I’m not having to choose between food and heat)
• My van is totaled and we may only get enough money from insurance to pay it off. (We have insurance and my DH was GREAT about the accident)

I am truly blessed. My three amazing kids and my husband are upstairs sleeping, which is where I’m headed when I’m done here. I will say my prayers of thanks before I close my eyes.

Shopping Cart Dangers for Children

I recently went to a grocery store with my 1-year-old DB and had to plow through at least four carts before I found one with safety straps that were functional.  And I conducted this search in the cold air that hovers by all grocery store entrances, with DB perched on my hip, frantically signing “eat,” which is her way of telling me she expects that free cookie RIGHT NOW!  But I digress. 

This shopping-cart search didn’t happen at a “discount” grocer, although I think that’s irrelevant.  It was a nice store and a regional chain that charges above-average prices for their groceries. 

My experience reminded me of a conversation I had with my pediatrician when DD (now age 13) was turning one.  Doc was going through the usual safety spiel about the hazards lurking in the home , the hazards of choking, the dangers of riding in a car without a safety seat, etc.  And he said to me, “Always use the safety straps in shopping carts.  As a pediatrician, I’ve never lost a baby to SIDS*, but I have lost one to the injuries resulting from a fall from a shopping cart.”  That statement made a big impression on me.  After all, I was a first-time mom , and I worried myself SICK over SIDS  (I never got over that). But I’d never given a second thought to the possibility of a shopping cart-related death. 

And it seems that my doctor wasn’t exaggerating the facts.  According to the policy statement by the American Academy of Pediatrics, “Shopping cart-related injuries to children are common and can result in severe injury or even death.” The same statement goes on to say that an estimated 24,200 children younger than 15 years were treated in emergency rooms in 2005 for shopping cart-related injuries.   Fractures are the most common injury, and deaths have been reported from falls and tip-overs.

So, when you’re shopping with your little ones, take the time to find a cart with straps that are operational.  And let the store manager know if there are carts with straps that need to be repaired or replaced.  Do the same thing when you’re at a restaurant and the highchair they bring you has broken straps.  It’s been my experience that restaurant highchairs — in addition to being filthy — almost NEVER have straps that work.

* (Unfortunately, my pediatrician’s office can no longer say they’ve never lost a patient to SIDS).