Robin's Child Care Blog

When your young child develops a case of the sniffles or a really nasty cold, good ol' TLC is the best and safest remedy and not over-the-counter medicines. A group of pediatricians has been seeking a ban of child cold medicines because of a lack of evidence that the medicines work in youngsters and that the health risks are many. The result is new industry advice to never give kids younger than age 4 any over-the-counter cold remedies. Child care providers need to be aware of the updated recommendations, and be even more careful in guarding against drop-and-run child care tactics of some working parents.

To make the hunt for quality child care easier, two new reviews have been recently been added to the site. Remember that reviews, child care listings and even child-related photos are now welcomed!

REVIEW:

• The Best Academy Child Learning Center, Inc., Bartow, FL.

"Vanilla" says very few of the staff members show that they have any knowledge of developmentally appropriate practices or the desire to work with or take care of the children left in their care.

• Creme de la Creme, Sugarloaf - Duluth, GA.

"Concerned" says to do your homework on the director and teachers.

Three new studies take another look at Sudden Infant Death Syndrome and ways to reduce the risk. A first study by researchers at Kaiser Permanente looked at whether using a fan in the room where a baby sleeps can reduce the risk of SIDS. Researchers indicated that fans may improve ventilation and decrease the chance that babies will rebreathe exhaled carbon dioxide. Two other new studies focused on how parents and caregivers (family providers, daycare, relatives, etc.) are implementing SIDS guidelines to have babies sleep on their backs, not share beds, and to have beds free from blankets, stuffed animals and pillows. Newsweek has a newly-published article about this tragedy and the mystery surrounding SIDS.

Have you noticed your local fire station planning an open house or public event this month? That's because October is National Fire Prevention Month. There's no better time than right now for daycares and schools to talk about fire safety basics, what to do in the event of a fire, having a family safe plan, and, of course, the dangers of playing with matches or lighters. Consider these fun fire safety activities as well. My youngest child has already come home and asked me to remind him about our family evacuation plan. (Note to self: talk about fire safety year-round!) Here are 10 top tips for teaching kids about fire safety to get those conversations started.

Thirteen car booster seats for kids are getting a poor review because while they may be more comfortable, they don't don't position belts to put occupants in the best position for protection in the event of a crash. The Insurance Institute for Highway Safety and the University of Michigan Transportation Research Institute have announced that they do not recommend the following car seat models: Compass B505, Compass B510, Cosco/Dorel Traveler, Evenflo Big Kid Confidence, Safety Angel Ride Ryte, Cosco/Dorel Alpha omega, Cosco/Dorel (Eddie Bauer) Summit, Cosco Highback Booster, Dorel/Safety 1st (Eddie Bauer) Prospect, Evenflo Chase Comfort Touch, Evenflo Generations, Graco CarGo Zephyr, and Safety 1st/Dorel Intera. The institute also offers "best bet" and "good bet" recommendations as well. Child-seat manufacturers say their products meet and exceed federal regulations.

Early educators and elementary-school teachers will certainly get stuck on Elmer's Glue Crew Recycling Program. With a growing awareness and emphasis on finding ways to recycle, this easy program makes even very young kids feel good about making a difference on a product that every youngster uses a lot of! The program encourages kids to decorate a recycling box and then fill it throughout the year with used glue bottles and glue sticks. Come Earth Day of '09, just bring the filled box to the nearest Wal-Mart to drop off. Even better, there is a newsletter and chances for prizes throughout the year!

The next time your child tells you to just "chill out," take heed! A recent study shows that kids would rather see parents less stressed and tired than spending more time with them. For us pooped-out parents, what kids are really saying should be a wake-up call!

"TMI" is lingo for too-much information, something that employers say that many working parents provide during initial job interviews. Of course your kids are perfect and you selflessly drive your kids to all sorts of activities and volunteer at school. But interviews are a time when employers want to know all about you and whether you are dependable, committed, a hard-worker, and on time. This is a time when kids and questions about child care can truly wait...at least until the offer comes in!

As a parent of three kids, I've read a ton of children's books over the year. But the newly-released children's book Think Green! is the first early reader book that I believe has truly succeeded in inspiring interest in youngsters in protecting our environment and understanding ways they personally can contribute. I think it's so good it belongs in every elementary school and daycare library!

This year, my elementary-aged children's school cancelled its typical brochure fundraiser of fattening candies and junk-style trinkets and opted instead to start a new tradition with a fun run. Parents were all abuzz, and all of them in a good way. Having kids exercise their way to help raise much-needed money to support the school can't be a bad thing. And with report after report showing an upswing of child obesity, of obesity being tied to school absences, and of kids walking to school less (and often not due to safety but of the "whine" factor), I was glad my kids so eagerly ran for a great cause and for their own health!