Glow in the Dark Disposible Diapers?

The latest toddler apparel craze: glow in the dark disposable diapers. What will they think of next?  Spending more money on something that is going to end up in the trash after one use doesn't make much sense to me.  Toddlers and babies are expensive enough without spending this extra money.  I must admit that I did buy the character ones for my daughter one time, but I have a good reason for doing this.  My son picked them out while I was pregnant for his sister as a gift.  His participation in shopping for the baby was part of preparing him for having a new sibling. 

Some suggestions to get the glow in the dark benefit without literally throwing money away:  glow in the dark PJ, glow in the dark shirt, glow in the dark onesie or finger paint plain diaper with glow in the dark paint.  Not sure about whether the finger painting idea will work but it might be a fun activity to try with your toddler.   

Unusual Baby Items Available for Purchase

Some of my top picks for the most unusual, and useless baby items I have ever seen include: 
              a baby bangs headband (baby toupee)
              pee pee teepee (keeps baby from squirting you when changing diaper)
              placenta teddy bear (gross)
              plush pee and poo stuffed animals to help in potty training

Although these items seem to be a waste of money, they are harmless.  Some of the items that I have found for babies and toddlers have me concerned.  I think that the following items can actually be harmful to baby or counterproductive to good parenting:
              pacifier with bling (many have already been recalled)
              high heels for toddlers (damage women's feet, imagine what they will do to tiny little feet that
                                            are still growing)
              kid keeper safety harness leash (opportative word here is leash, seen many parents
                                            who accidentally ended up dragging their child with this one)
               electronic time out pad (has lights, whistles and a timer that may entertain your child
                                            at a time that you are trying to teach a lesson.  A chair isolated from TV and
                                            toys works great and is free.)

 Be careful to do your research before investing in the latest gadgets for your baby or toddler.  Advertisers view new parents as prime targets, as we all have fallen victim to wanting the latest and greatest for our baby.  Keep an eye out for recalls as well.  Even tried and true products have problems sometimes.

Safety 101: Toddler Safety in the Kitchen

+Keep matches and lighters out of the reach of little hands
+Place safety latches or locks on all cabinets, drawers and doors that contain cleaning products, medicines, glass, knives, scissors and small objects (leave the pots and pans cabinet open every once in a while because of the fun time that your child will experience pounding on them)
+Remove small magnets from the refrigerator because small items can get lodged in a toddler's throat (find another way for them to learn their letters)
+Use the back burners on stove whenever possible and always turn pot handles towards the back of the stove
+Keep electric cords out of reach and cover all outlets within their reach with safety covers
+Keep hot drinks away from the edge of table, or on a tablecloth that a child may pull down on
+Don't pass hot drinks over your child's head
 +Dispose of or secure all plastic bags immediately because they can cause suffocation
+Use a safety gate to block child's access to kitchen when no one is around


Toddler safety does not mean overprotection.  Toddlers are going to get lots of bumps and bruises as they are learning to manuever and explore their world.  Don't beat yourself up when they get hurt, learn from it if you need to and then go on.

What Age Is Too Young for a Cell Phone?

While I was shopping yesterday, I past a toddler talking on a cell phone up and I thought "I hope Mom had the sense to lock it before giving it to her little one to play with".  I glanced up to get Mom's attention in order to let her know that it appeared that her little one was actually talking to someone on the phone and noticed that she was talking on her cell phone.  Mom laughed at me and stated that that was her baby's cell phone.  A toddler with a cell phone of her own, really?  When is enough, enough?  I am not sure the exact age a child should have a cell of their own but I am pretty sure that it comes after their ability to identify numbers.  Children in most elementary schools are not allowed to bring phones to school, and will lose them if they are caught with them out of their backpack.  Some divorced parents would argue that they would never hear from their children if they didn't have their own phone.  So the debate is on, when is the appropriate age for a child to have a cell phone of their own?  One thing I think is important to consider is whether your child understands how billing for these phones works.  If they don't you may be in for some outragously expensive phone bills that you are ultimately responsible for.

Play Dates and Alcohol...Do They Really Mix Well?

A recent trend has moms and stay at home dads adding to the traditional play date by raising an alcohol filled glass. Is there anything wrong with this, I would say no as long as the drinking is done in moderation and that no one is driving with children in the car having had too much to drink.

I would ask all of those individuals speaking out against these types of play dates, are they falling victim to a double standard. Fathers have been taking their children to ballgames and partaking in several beers during the game for generations and there has been no out public out cry about that. Do we hold mothers to a different standard then fathers, or should we be taking a hard look at the possible dangers of engaging in either of these two activities.

When it comes to drinking during activities with your children, I think the important words to consider are: moderation and driving under the influence.