In the past, I have always thought that there was a child too young for it. I have a 5-year-old that can swim like a fish, a three-year-old that can swim a lick and a fearless two-year-old that’s never been in a pool. Sure, the depths aren’t that deep for most of the pools out there, but as someone with a severe dislike for water, it’s still too much.

In the past, whenever our children went to a friend’s pool, I watched them like a hawk. The second I thought there was trouble I was right there ready to pull them up like David Hasselhoff from Baywatch, just not as hairy. OK – I am just as hairy.

Once again, I let my own psychosis get in the way of my children’s life experience. I realized that they will never learn to properly swim unless they actually get to be in the water. So, that’s what I am going to do this year.

I am going to buy a pool. A VERY safe pool and teach my 3- and 2-year-old the basics of swimming. I am no expert, but I am not ready to put my children’s safety in the hands of some 16-year-old lifeguard at the community pool’s swimming lessons. My goal is that by the end of the summer they will be able to hold their own and I promise next year I will let that 16-year-old teach them the proper way to swim…maybe. I want to see his credentials first and he must submit to a full background check…and blood test. What?

I don’t want my children growing up with the same dislike for water as I do. I nearly drowned as a child in a community swimming pool and it’s haunted me ever since. It’s too late for me, but my children should not miss out on an important part of their life experience because of a bad experience I had as a child. Especially since I know that there is at least one responsible, if not overprotective, adult ready to swoop in just like The Hoff.

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Troy the Activity Truck is a red, yellow and blue plastic truck with bead runs, adorned with star, circle and heart-shaped beads. It has been voluntarily recalled due to a potential choking hazard. There have been 28 reports from consumers stating that the beads have detached. Due to their size, the beads are a choking hazard for young children. Two children reportedly gagged on the loose beads.

Troy the Activity Truck was available for purchase at Toys R Us, Meijer, Babies R Us, Marshalls, TJ Maxx as well as other toy stores across the nation. The trucks were sold between September 2009 and February 2011.

If you have one of these toys, then you should immediately discontinue use and contact Infantino for a replacement.

Arm’s Reach Concepts’ Infant Bedside Sleeper is described as a “co-sleeper” by the company. The bedside sleepers are built with one side that’s lower than the other, so when placed next to a bed, a parent can easily reach her baby for feedings and comfort. The models being recalled include all the Arm’s Reach Universal and Original styles manufactured between September 1997 and December 2001.

The Infant Bedside Sleepers are being recalled after 10 reports of infants falling from the raised to the lower mattress or became entrapped between the side of the unit and the edge of the mattress. No children were reported to have been hurt, but to avoid the risk of suffocation or injury, they’re recalling the co-sleepers.

The Arm’s Reach Concepts’ Infant Bedside Sleeper was available for purchase at retailers nationwide, including Babies R Us and Burlington Coat Factory, between September 1997 and December 2001.

If you have an Infant Bed-Side Sleeper, then discontinue use and visit www.armsreach.com/instructions for further instructions on how to use the unit safely.

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Curious, I walked in to see a woman changing her toddler’s diaper while a young boy, by my guess around 8 or 9 years old, was washing his hands. I stepped into stall, shaking my head.

What exactly was the big deal? It seemed to me that the boy was well behaved, but of course, I wasn’t there the whole time. Maybe he was playing peekaboo under the stalls; I don’t know.

What I do know is, if I were that mom, then my son would be standing in there with me, too. Call me overcautious, but there are some really dangerous individuals who are just waiting for a chance to grab an unaccompanied child, even in a crowded store.

I was really disappointed in the woman who was giving this mom a hard time. She was doing the best she could with the resources she had. Her baby needed a change and her son need a bathroom. Women’s bathrooms have stalls with closing doors for added privacy. Again, I have to ask, what exactly is the big deal?

When I exited the stall, the mom, who was buttoning what looked to be the kajillionth button on her daughter’s jumper, looked up at me and said, “Sorry,” motioning at her son, who was now making faces at himself in the mirror.

“No apologies necessary, mama,” I returned. “I have three boys of my own. A mom’s gotta do what a mom’s gotta do. They’re too precious.” She looked at her son and smiled the biggest, proudest smile I’ve ever seen. She loved her kids and was protecting them, despite what some grumpy woman might say in a public restroom.

Every kid should be so lucky. Instincts first, moms. Public opinion won’t keep your little ones safe.

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This is a prime example of why it’s important for parents to understand the Web, discuss what they feel is appropriate use and know what their kids are doing on it. While this young woman was 16, many other children are independently using the net, unsupervised, at a much younger age. It isn’t unusual for a 10- or 12-year-old to have a Facebook page of his or her own now.

While laws are different from state to state, the country, as a whole, takes harassment very seriously. Children need to know that they are responsible for what they write online and there can be serious consequences to posting insulting comments about others for the world to see. All it takes is one person seeing it and filing a complaint.

By the same token, children also need to know their rights. If other kids are posting threatening, vulgar or profane images or messages about them, they should tell you quickly. Not only are these types of cyberbullying embarrassing, but they’re damaging to people’s reputations and shed an ugly light on their character.

If your child is a victim of such an attack, contact your local authorities. It may seem like cruel, thoughtless childhood shenanigans, but it is harassment and can carry long-term consequences. Think of your daughter applying for her first job. It’s common practice for potential employers to do Internet searches on applicants. What impression will her potential supervisor get if he does a search on her name and it brings up a Facebook page with your child being labeled with vulgar terms. Will they give her the benefit of the doubt or move on to another application?

Cyberbullying is serious business. The world is now connected by the Internet and messages that our children can have serious repercussions both in the short and long-term. Talk to your kids about responsible sharing on the net, so they’re safe all the way around.

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Inevitably, a leg or small hole would break first, and a few sugary treasures would drop to the ground. All the kids would rush in, not thinking about the still-swinging bat, and parents would grab and tug them back, telling them to wait for it to be safe. When the final crushing blow came, again the kids would try to tug away before the coast was clear.

This scenario plays out around every piñata at every birthday party. Kids are fevered with the promise of chocolate as parents panic that their little ones will rush in too soon. As children get older and understand the dangers of running in before the bat is down, the standard piñata becomes much safer. But, what about the little ones?

My youngest will be celebrating his second birthday next month, and we want to get him a piñata, but we are concerned about safety. Plus, there’s no way he’d actually be able to break the piñata himself, so we feel it’s kind of an uncool tease. So, I was looking for an alternative to replace the piñata activity altogether when I found pull-string piñatas. I’d never seen them before, so I’m pretty excited.

Pull-string piñatas are quite simple. They come in all sorts of shapes and styles, just like the hit variety, but rather than trying to beat the poor clown or donkey into submission, there are a bunch of pretty, flowing ribbons on the bottom. Each child takes a turn pulling a random ribbon, and only one will actually “break” the piñata and release the goodies. The kids still get the roulette effect, never knowing who’s going to give the successful tug, but the danger element is gone. No dizzy, blindfolded, weapon-wielding children necessary.

The simplicity and safety have won me over. In a few years, when I feel more comfortable with my boys’ ability to restrain themselves until the “all clear,” we’ll bring back the traditional hit piñata. Until then, while my little men are still young, our family will be going the pull string route.

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With a staggering statistic, like 160,000 children around the world being diagnosed with cancer every year, it’s easy to see why so many adults join in the St. Baldrick’s Foundation fundraiser every year.

St. Baldrick’s has given cancer fundraising a whole new look. Participants gather pledges from friends and family in exchange for the promise that they will shave their locks off at a St. Baldrick’s event. Proceeds from the popular fundraiser go to children’s cancer research. If that’s not reason enough to sport the Mr. Clean look, then I don’t know what is.

According to the St. Baldrick’s site, the foundation raised $22,191,811 in 2010, with a 38,322 men and women getting their heads shaved for the cause. Well, not just men and women. I couldn’t find a statistic, but I do know that children have been getting involved in the St. Baldrick’s fundraiser, as evidenced by the following video.

Joe and Jay are inspired to help fund cancer research for children, not only by spreading the word about this fantastic organization on their website, IJoeJay.com, but also by participating themselves.

When I read about Joe and Jay, I couldn’t help but get choked up. They’re truly inspiring. Not only have they committed to participating this year, but they did last year as well. Despite being so young, when looking like everyone else is more important than any other time in person’s life, these young fellas are making a stand against cancer and forfeiting their hair to do it.

More adults, myself included, can learn from their example. We are all part of something bigger, and it’s our duty and privilege to help others however we can.

If you’d like to support Joe and Jay’s effort to make the world a better, healthier place by making a donation to the St. Baldrick’s Foundation, then please visit their website and follow their designated link.

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According to CNN.com, Caira Ferguson, 21, has been granted child welfare supervised visits with her little girl after posting 10 percent of her $25,000 bail. She also has to complete a parenting class and wear an electronic monitoring bracelet.

Ferguson is being charged with unlawful restraint, endangering the welfare of a child, and false imprisonment after she showed police a picture of her daughter duct taped to a chair with her mouth taped shut. Apparently, she was trying to claim that her identity had been stolen… Huh?

As if the whole thing isn’t sick enough, her lawyer then made a statement saying that because she doesn’t have a prior record, anger management or mental health issues, there’s no “basis” to keep her in jail without bail. Um, WHAT? There are so many things wrong with that statement, my head is threatening to explode.

First, either she has some issues with anger or there’s something fouled up in her noodle. What on Earth would make you think restraining your baby to a chair with duct tape would be a reasonable solution to ANYTHING? That’s not the parenting response from someone who’s able to think clearly in a tense situation, but hey, that’s just my common sense talking.

Second, was her child given the option to pay her way out of the chair that her little arms, legs and waist were strapped to with a strong adhesive tape? Does she have a record of priors? Was she mentally unstable? Maybe it was her anger management issues that justified such a harsh punishment? That has to be it. That 2-year-old must have been a dangerously angry, mentally ill criminal. If not, then I’d love to know why her mother has more rights than she does.

Before anyone decides to lynch me for not taking an innocent-until-proven-guilty stance, I need to clarify why I’m inclined not to believe in her innocence. That poor little girl wasn’t the only one in the picture. Her mother was standing next to her.

Am I the only one who is sickened by this? Am I the only one who feels that maybe she should have been denied bail? What do you think?

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Play-Doh is a fun and safe way for your children to be artistic, but with a few simple home ingredients, you can turn it into a science experiment, as well. Here are some great recipes for homemade play dough that you and your child can have fun creating. Some of these require using the stove top, so make sure there is parental supervision at all times. All recipes are for children ages 2 and up.

Rubbery Play Dough: This is a simple little recipe that you can do in a few minutes.

2 cups baking soda
1 1/2 cups water
1 cup cornstarch

Mix everything together in a pot and boil on medium heat until it thickens. Pour it onto a plate or wax paper until it has cooled down.

All-Natural Play Dough: This recipe uses vegetable juices to help make the color, rather than dyes.

1 cup flour
1/2 cup salt
1 cup water
2 tablespoons oil
2 tablespoons cream of tartar
Beet, spinach and carrot juice

Mix everything into a bowl except for the vegetable juices. Place on medium heat and slowly add water to keep moist. Remove from heat when dough is at the consistency you prefer. Divide and add vegetable juice for color.

Peanut Butter Play Dough: This is a great dough that might actually be tasty.

1 cup peanut butter
1 cup powdered milk
1 cup honey
1 cup oatmeal

Mix everything together and knead into a dough. This requires no heat and is ready to go in seconds. Be prepared; this one might be a little messy.

Every child loves to play with dough, so now you have a way to create it anytime at home without having to travel to the store and pay those outrageous prices. Enjoy!

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There is one, however, that has made a clear impression on me: Homeaway.com‘s “Test Baby” commercial. As a mother, I found it nothing short of appalling.

If you missed this commercial, then here’s a brief recap. A “test” family is in a clear glass box, trying to “vacation” in a hotel room that’s too small. A pair of children are engaged in a wild pillow fight on the bed. Their stressed-out mom, trying to figure out how to handle the situation, sets the baby on a nearby coffee table. As dad tries to stop the fight, he dodges a pillow, loses his footing and lands on the other end of the coffee table. The baby is launched through the air, hits a glass wall and slides down in a cartoon-y style.

I’m not easily shocked, but my mouth was totally agape after watching this commercial. I couldn’t believe the folks at Homeaway would think that the slapstick humor would outweigh the morbid humor. I fully realize that they were trying to be funny, and the fact that they say “test baby” is supposed to make it OK, but as a mom, I just can’t find the laugh.

As parents, our primary objective is to keep our children safe. There’s nothing humorous about hurting a child (even a test dummy). I’ve seen other serious commercials where test dummies of children were shown in actual crash tests. These demonstrations aren’t funny, and they’re not meant to be. Their purpose is clear. “Keep your children safe. This can really happen.” Homeaway’s sick attempt at a chuckle crossed a line. They weren’t trying to warn parents of potentially dangerous situations; they were trying to turn a buck using morbid humor.

As if the “Test Baby” commercial isn’t bad enough on it’s own, Homeaway went one step further. If you go to their website, they have an interactive option for the commercial where you can insert a photo of whomever you choose.

As a mom, I’m disgusted by the “Test Baby” commercial. Too many real children know the heartbreaking reality of violence. Too many babies have been severely injured, disabled or lost their lives through accidents, abuse or negligence. I hope that Homeaway realizes their error in judgment and does the honorable thing here. The “Test Baby” commercial should be taken off the air and removed from their website. There is absolutely nothing funny about this commercial. It crosses a serious and ugly line.

What do you think about the “Test Baby” commercial?

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Again, before we start, I want to stress that unless this blog is kept private and any viewers have to be invited, he shouldn’t use personal pictures or videos. It’s better just to be safe. Also, posting pictures, videos or stories with personal information about classmates is a big no-no, too. Even if it’s funny or phenomenal, like a sweet, half-court free throw, it’s still something that shouldn’t be shared unless you have written consent from the other child’s parents. Safety first, all the way around.

Now, the simplest thing you can do is add a neat photo to dress up your post. It’s easy, and really does a lot for capturing reader’s interest. You’re probably wondering, “Well, if my son shouldn’t use our pictures, what can he use?”

To get great pictures without infringing on copyrights, I personally use Creative Commons through Flickr.com. Below you’ll see a video tutorial that shows you how to use this neat site that offers plenty of copyright-free photos to jazz up your son’s blog.

Once your son has chosen an interesting, eye-catching picture he’d like to use, he can add it to his blog, as shown in the tutorial below. Once the picture is added, I give the photographer credit by copying and pasting the URL of the photo at the bottom of my post.

Another fun thing to add is video, like in this post here. There are millions of awesome videos available on YouTube, and most of them have an “embed code” that allows you to add them to your blog post. This sounds more complicated than it really is. It’s basically copy and past. Check out this quick video.

And there you have it! A totally cool blog post that your child can be proud of!

Thank you for reading this series. I hope your child and you enjoy blogging as much as I do. There is so much to share that your son will have limitless, interesting topics to teach people about or to give his opinion on. And the best part is, he’s practicing his writing and communication skills without even knowing it!

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