This colorful toy truck with its plastic heart and circle beads attached, has been recalled by its manufacturer and the US Consumer Safety Commission. Parents are encouraged to return this product and toy stores are urged to stop selling this.

More details below:

BRAND:
Infantino

SOLD AT:
Babies R Us, Toys R Us, Meijer, TJ Maxx, Marshalls and other toy stores nationwide from September 2009 through February 2011 for about $15.

PROBLEM:
The plastic beads on the activity truck’s bead runs can detach, posing a choking hazard to young children.

PRODUCT NUMBERS RECALLED:
About 40,500 in the United States and 1,900 in Canada

IF YOU OWN THIS PRODUCT:
Consumers should immediately take the recalled toy away from children and contact Infantino to receive a free replacement toy.

CONSUMER CONTACT:
For additional information, contact Infantino toll-free at (888) 808-3111 between 8 a.m. and 4 p.m. PT Monday through Friday, or visit the firm’s website at http://service.infantino.com

INCIDENTS/INJURIES:
Infantino has received 28 reports of the plastic beads detaching from the bead runs on the activity trucks, including two reports of young children gagging on the plastic beads.

MANUFACTURED IN:
China

According to an article on Forbes Magazine, in teaching our kids how to handle money, leading by example is still the best way to do it.

For instance, parents may not have the heart to say no to their kids thinking that buying and spending everything for them is equal to the kids’ happiness. But if they’re spending so much, while forgetting to pay their bills and are $50,000 in debt, then it is teaching them the wrong idea. Once in a while, it is best to say no to the child when she or he would ask for something. This mindset of consumerism with many adults must be avoided so that kids will not equate happiness with spending.

• Lead by example. Families can have fun without having to spend a lot and your child will appreciate you more for this.
• Resist the urge to using the credit card a lot, especially when the children are present and can see you paying. This way, they won’t let it in their heads that a credit card can save everything.
• Teach your children to save at an early age. These may be pennies, but you’re teaching a great value to your kids.
• Give the children a chance to be involved with money matters. Parents often refuse to discuss this in front of the children and would say that this is only for adults to decide. But if you discuss money matters early, you are slowly teaching your child to value money.

It’s also great to explain to kids, for as long as they are able to understand, how the money system works and why people work hard for it.

Nick Jonas has Type 1 Diabetes

Doctors really don’t know what causes Type 1, or juvenile, diabetes. Research is being done to explore both genetics and environmental triggers, but many kids who are diagnosed with diabetes have no family history of it at all.

Diabetes is manageable; kids who have this condition can live normal, active lives if they pay close attention to treating their condition. Diabetes can’t be cured, but its effects can be minimized. If your child doesn’t do this conscientiously, he or she might develop several undesirable complications. These can include:

• Neuropathy. This is nerve damage. It commonly causes problems in the legs, but it can also affect other systems in the body as well.

• Retinopathy. Diabetes can cause damage to the eyes, including causing blindness.

• Nephropathy. Nephropathy is kidney disease. Weak kidneys allow toxins to build up in the body and make a child sick.

• Heart Disease. Heart disease is more common to diabetics than non-diabetics. It can lead to other complications such as stroke, embolism, or heart attack.

So how do you know if your child has diabetes? There are some symptoms that all parents should be on the lookout for:

• Excessive thirst. Is your child constantly asking for something to drink?

• Frequent urination. If you find yourself saying, “Are you in the bathroom again?”…pay attention!

• Drowsiness or lethargy. They fall asleep over their homework, or they just can’t get the energy to do things they used to enjoy. If you’ve tried adjusting your child’s bedtime and it isn’t helping, bring this to your doctor’s attention.

• Sugar in urine. Obviously your doctor will have to test this, but it’s a pretty significant indicator.

• Sudden vision changes. The cells in the eyes are being attacked by the immune system, so vision decreases fairly quickly.

• Increased appetite. Are they suddenly hungry all the time, and can’t seem to get enough? They could be going through a growth spurt, as all kids do…but it could be diabetes.

• Sudden weight loss. None of that food is being processed like it should be. Instead of gaining weight, they might lose weight very quickly.

• Fruity, sweet, or wine-like odor on breath. The imbalance of sugar and insulin in the blood can come out in strange ways, including very sweet breath.

• Heavy, labored breathing. Your child might find it hard to catch his or her breath, even if they aren’t doing anything strenuous.

• Stupor, unconsciousness. If diabetes goes too long without being diagnosed, it can cause kids to faint or, in extreme cases, fall into a coma.

Taken alone, most of these symptoms seem harmless, but together, they could indicate the presence of Type 1 diabetes. Don’t be afraid to bring them up to your doctor; he or she can judge whether there’s anything to be concerned about. The sooner you start treatment, the more likely your child is to live a normal, active life.

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Making the decision to have a child is momentous.  It is to decide forever to have your heart go walking around outside your body.

~Elizabeth Stone

Image Courtesy of EssentialBaby.com

Kids aren’t stupid.  They know that something is going on.  They hear the news and read headlines that shout about recession, downturn, layoffs, depression, decline…and they worry.  They worry even more if you and your spouse are worried. 

Kids need security, but they need it to come honestly.  So, how can you talk to your kids about the economic hard times that most Americans are facing without scaring them?  Here are some tips.

• Avoid TMI.  Kids don’t need to know the gory details.  If your 401K has declined, that’s not for them to worry about.  Stick to general truths and overall pictures.

• Be honest with the big picture.  Kids need to know that there’s going to be a little less money for extras.  They can handle it.  Even if the belt tightening is more severe that you hoped, let them know what’s going on.  You can even say, “It’s a little harder than we expected.”

• Enlist their help.  Remind them to turn off lights, and to wear a sweater instead of turning the heat up.  Tell them that the big family vacation is not possible this year, but then get their suggestions for fun activities closer to home. 

• Stay positive.  Hard times don’t last forever, and much of life’s sweetness transcends money.  Remind the kids that the sacrifices are temporary, and point out that it doens’t have to affect their enjoyment of theit favorite things. 

• Reach out.  It helps all of us, kids included, to be reminded that even if things are hard, we’re better off than some people are.  Volunteer to help at a food pantry or soup kitchen.  It reminds you of your blessings, and it makes you a part of the solution.  Kids have a heart for the suffering, and can learn these lessons alongside everyone else.

Kids know something is going on, so don’t make them more anxious by hiding things from them.  Let them in on it, appropriately for their age and understanding.  After all, economic hard times affect the whole family.

*Photo courtesty of the Austin TimesHerald.com