Monthly Archives: July 2011

In small quantities, fear is a good thing!

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The summer that Leah was about 18 months old, and probably the next summer too, every time I tried to take her swimming I spent about 3/4 of the time trying to coerce her into actually getting into the water.  About 15 minutes before it was time to leave she’d finally decide to enjoy herself.

When Ben was that same age and stole a kid’s boat at a wading pool, I had a brain flash and put some of our excess bath toys into a bag to keep with the swimming paraphernalia (swim diapers, chlorine-removing shampoo, swimsuits, towels, sunscreen.  Keeping it together in one place makes it sooo much easier to just GO.)  He was a bit more interested in the water, but true to his cautious nature, spent most of the time holding my hands or legs.

They have both taken swimming lessons for at least 2 years now, and Ben is still nervous about jumping off the edge of the pool, especially without someone catching him.  If fact, he WON’T jump unless he thinks someone is going to catch him.  Too bad his mom is kindof a liar in that department. (We’ll just call it a Tiger Mother streak…I KNOW he can do it!)

But this 3rd baby, on the other hand…

What did I expect, when he was doing THIS at just over a year?

There is no hesitation about water for this kid.  He is IN IT from the moment we say okay, and sometimes almost before he has his swim diaper/trunks on!

Late last week we went to a wading pool, and instead of depending on me to play with him, Adam took charge and spent the time walking around on his own…and only periodically commanding me to “One two FREE!” and swing him into the water.  Impressively, he did a pretty good job staying upright, and only slipped under three times.  I grabbed him immediately the first time, and he hardly seemed to notice.  The second time he dunked under but had gotten his footing by the time I made the two steps over.  The third time I was there right away again, but he required a short comforting before diving – or stepping – in the water again.

Each time we go swimming, he gets bolder and closer to giving us a heart attack.  Yesterday we all went swimming, Daddy included.  After Adam got tired of walking around in water up to his chin, he did a little dance on the side of the pool, on a penninsula-type of thing.  It was great entertainment for everyone, even the lifeguard. Then he started walking on the filtered border of the pool, about a foot wide.  At first he was on my side of the penninsula (chin deep on him), but he quickly rounded the corners and was one topple from being in water 5 feet deep.  Aaron was closer than I was, but I knew he wouldn’t be able to get there in time.

As I hoisted myself out of the water, I checked the lifeguard’s position – and yes, she was paying attention and looked ready to jump in at a second’s notice.  Reassuring that I wasn’t the only the one anticipating his actions!

I walked along side Adam for a bit before redirecting him to shallower waters.  Soon he was going down the slide (no water running on it, just at the bottom)  – on his belly with feet first – whereas on our previous visit he refused to go at all. 

I guess I’ll get used to having my eyes on him constantly  – and having my blood pressure spike periodically.  It’s all just another relaxing summer afternoon!

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Have you had any close calls around water?  (Let’s keep it light – I’m aware that there are plenty of tragedies surrounding water and children, and if you’ve experienced that, you have all my sympathies.  That possibility is why we will never have a pool, and why I make sure to have plenty of eyes on my kids, and usually life jackets too.)

Learn How to Fit a Life Jacket

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Many people conceive life jackets to be bulky and unnecessary, but a life jacket may be your only lifeline during an emergency. 

Life jackets come in many shapes, sizes, and varieties which makes it difficult for a first time buyer to choose one. And, if the device is going to save your life, you might just want to pick the right one for you.  If the life vest is too large, a person may slip out the bottom and if it is too small it will not have enough flotation.

Life jackets are fitted by weight.  Infant jackets are 0-30 pounds, children jackets are 30-50 pounds or 50-90 pounds, and adult life jackets are 90+ pounds.  To check if the size is correct, lift the life jacket from the straps on the shoulders.  If the jacket lifts past the person’s ears, it is too large and the person risks falling out of the jacket.  A proper fit can look differently on different body types.  The flotation may or may not touch on the sides of the life jacket and that is ok as long as the correct life jacket is being worn for the weight.

The most common types of lifejackets are near shore life vests and flotation aids.

Near shore life vests are designed for near shore activities where there is chance of a fast rescue. Many will turn an unconscious person face-up in the water.  The life vest is worn around the neck with a strap that circles the midsection.  These life vests are NOT for water sports like tubing.

Near Shore Life Vest

Flotation aids are generally considered the most comfortable and are used for sporting activities on the water.  They have flotation on the back of the jacket as well as the front with at least three buckles circling the waist.  Flotation aids do not turn an unconscious person face-up so these life jackets should be used in places where a quick rescue is expected.

Flotation Aid

Life jackets do not have an expiration date but should be properly cared for. Rinse life jackets after use in chlorine to maintain the waterproof fabric and hang them to dry. Keep fishing hooks and other sharp objects away from life jackets as they can cause tiny tears in the fabric. When there are tears or holes in the fabric, the flotation is compromised and the life jacket should be thrown away. As you take your life jacket out for the first time each spring, test the flotation by sitting in shallow water.  If the jacket takes in water, the life jacket is no longer useful and should be thrown away.

Reminder: Life jackets are great for all ages but should be checked each year for correct fit, especially with kids who may have grown over the winter.

 

 

Bringing the Pool Party Home

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Every kid loves going to pool parties in the summer.  If you find the pool party in your backyard or under your supervision, keep your party both fun and safe at the same time. 

 Pool parties attract many children and there may not be enough supervision for the number of children attending.  Even if the pool party is taking place at the local swimming pool where lifeguards will be present, additional supervision is necessary.  Children can drown in only 3 seconds so it is important to have adequate supervision of all of the children. Adequate supervision means watching the pool and having the ability to reach a child in 3-5 seconds. If additional supervision is needed for the swimming pool, ask another parent to help supervise.  It will relieve the stress on you and hedge against a drowning incident. 

Before letting the kids into the pool, discuss the rules and the consequences for breaking the rules.  Rules such as no running, no pushing, no dunking, no diving in the shallow end, and no launching other children should be set in place.  If you see these behaviors, set the child on a time-out next to you and explain to them why their behavior is dangerous.  In addition, tell children that pool drains are not play toys.  Pool drains can cause entrapment or disembowelment.  Instead, bring along diving rings or diving stick to entertain children.

If the party consists of young children still developing their swimming skills, show the children areas that they can swim in.  Point out the ladders they should use to enter and exit the swimming pool and explain that the pool gets deeper in certain areas.  If you are not comfortable letting the child in the pool alone, put a lifejacket on them.  Water wings, noodles, and rings are not adequate protection against drowning because they can float away from the child.  Always use a proper fitting lifejacket.  Safe Kids Grand Forks has a lifejacket loaner program in which lifejackets can be loaned out for two weeks at a time.  This program is perfect for a pool party when you don’t want to buy lifejackets for everyone but want to maintain the safety of the pool.  Contact Safe Kids Grand Forks at safekids@altru.org to loan out lifejackets in any size. (The life jacket loaner program is also available at Altru Clinic in Crookston.)

At random intervals throughout the pool party, have all children get out of the pool and do a head count. Walk around all the entire pool and search the bottom for children.  This is a great time not only to make sure all children are accounted for but to re-apply sunscreen and give them water. 

When the party is complete, check the pool again and close the gate behind you. Any in-ground pool in the City ofGrand Forksmust have four sided fencing around it to prevent children from wandering into the pool area and drowning.  Take extra care in closing the gate after all children have exited.  This will prevent children from returning to the pool without your consent. If the pool is an above ground one where fencing is not required, by sure to store the ladder away from the pool so children can’t access it without permission.

Attending pool parties will always be great memories for children if you keep the party safe and under your control. Happy swimming!

Submit your child’s art, writing, etc. for the “Mom and Dad’s Fridge” blog

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Is your child the next Vincent van Gogh, William Shakespeare or Emily Brontë? That’s just what the Areavoices “Mom and Dad’s Fridge” blog is for. Submit an image of your child’s drawing, poetry, story, etc. to smercer@forumcomm.com for possible inclusion on the Areavoices blog for creative kids at: http://thefridge.areavoices.com. Maybe your child is more into music or dance. Send us a link to a YouTube or Vimeo video.

Flaming Fun at the Campfire

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Although the state parks are closed in Minnesota at this time, there are still many camping options around.  North Dakota has beautiful state parks as close as Turtle River and many people have taken to camping in the safety of their own back yard.  It doesn’t matter how close or far away from home the campsite is, dangers may be lurking. 

Camping is a summer tradition in many families, but campfires send thousands of children to the emergency room with burns every year.  74% of all camping injuries are due to burns, and burns are said to be the most painful, sustainable injury.  In other words, there is no easy treatment for skin burns and skin grafts are excruciatingly painful. 

Most of the burns incurred by children are from throwing combustibles such as gas on an open fire.  Throwing gas on an open flame creates a large ball of fire and the fumes are what make the explosion.  Because of this, the fire can travel through the fumes in the gas back to the gas can and cause the can to explode. For this reason, parents should not have gasoline at the fire, and active parental supervision should be the standard.

Parents should also provide strict supervision when children are near the fire to roast hotdogs or marshmallows.  Explain that the end of the roasting stick will be hot even after it has been taken out of the fire, and show older children to stand as far away from the flame as possible.  Children have been known to fall into the fire when they accidentally trip on a blanket they are wrapped up in.  Have children unwrap from their blankets before approaching the fire.

If a child does fall into the campfire or their clothing catches fire, teach them how to stop, drop, and roll to put out the flame.  After the flame has been put out, rinse the affected area with cool water for 3-5 minutes.  First degree burns appear red and can be treated at home. Second and third degree burns have blisters or broken skin and should be treated at an emergency room.

When you are done with the campfire, make sure to put the fire out with water. Sand appears to put the fire out, but fires that are put out with sand can cause first degree burns even 8 hours after and can remain hot for up to 24 hours.  Safe Kids Grand Forks advises parents to always have a bucket of water near by for emergency purposes because eventually the water will be needed to put the campfire out anyways. 

Keep the family tradition of camping alive, and pass safe campfire practices from generation to generation.

Potty Training Dooty

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I’ve learned something very important in the last two days- parents have no shame.  Particularly, potty training parents have no shame…none…absolutely zero. It is impossible to have any qualms when you are cleaning urine off a carpet or cheering riotously for a kid who just peed (sort of) into a potty chair. Oh, and by cheering, I mean so embarrassingly over the top that I’m glad my husband isn’t here to see it. I can honestly say I never envisioned doing this in my life, let alone, dare I say, have fun with it.

It all started when my niece, who is three months younger than my son, started potty training several months ago. The mother in me panicked and I thought, “My kid is behind and destined to be that ‘smelly kid’ having accidents on the school bus.”  However, I also dreaded the whole potty training ordeal and I rationalized that he shouldn’t start with a new sibling coming, but we all know that was just procrastination. So, despite my nagging urge to delay it more, I decided it was time to potty train after the 4th of July.

My sister-in-law and mother of the gifted trainee mentioned above, told me about the 3 Day Potty Training Program. As I read through it I started to get excited, I could totally do three days of potty boot camp and be done! Essentially all I had to do, according to the author, was to put my son in underwear and stay near him so I could see when he started to urinate. When he started I was to run him to the bathroom and put him on the potty. Even if he didn’t ‘do the dooty’ I should praise him heavily and sometime within 3 days of this it would just ‘click’ and he’ll begin holding it for the potty. The writer suggested not having another child to take care of, but with my husband out of town, I figured my 4 month old would probably get hungry, so ignoring him completely wasn’t really an option.  So I cleared my schedule, pre-mixed a ton of bottles for the baby and away we went.

We started at 9 a.m. with a pair of undies. We restarted 20 minutes later with a fresh pair of undies.  Once more at 10 a.m. with another pair of undies. At 10:30 my rational brain finally kicked in (while I was scrubbing you know what from my carpet) and I decided enough was enough, undies just weren’t cutting it. I don’t know about the author of that potty training plan, but from even 2 feet away I couldn’t see his underwear getting wet until it was far too late.  Maybe she has special ‘hypercolor’ undies for her kids….hmm, invention idea! (And bonus points if you are old enough to remember hypercolor)

Anyways, in the past when women told me about potty training, several had said they let their kid run around pant-less and just dealt with the mess. I used to think it sounded downright gross until I realized I was still cleaning up messes AND now adding to the laundry load. Plus, there was no way Ry would learn like this. So off went the undies, (closed went the curtains) and we started over yet again, our way.

About 30 minutes in we had our first ‘event’. Ry started to pee, got up and ran to the bathroom. He tried to finish in the pot but there was nothing left to do. Still, I thought this was tremendous (insert insane cheering here) and rewarded him anyways, especially since he apologized for the mess. Gotta love that. Two more times went by like this before naptime. I went to my Facebook ‘family’ for advice and got a lot of promises that he would get it figured out eventually. (Trust me; I was keeping them overly updated)

After naptime it was much of the same but instead of having nothing left for the potty, he was splitting it half and half. (Very fair of him I thought). This continued until bedtime, including a successful if not small #2. I was so proud!

This morning came and I thought okay- today’s goal, getting to the potty before it happens. Again the diaper came off at 9 a.m. and I prepped my scrub brush. To my utter amazement, not too long had passed and I heard him run to the bathroom. When I got in there he had used the potty and although left some overspray on the floor, he had no ‘mess’ to show me in the carpet. It turns out he was doing better when I wasn’t ‘hovering’. I was shocked and happy, but cautiously optimistic. Another three or four ‘events’ went by with no mess and I had dropped the cautious part of my optimism and decided to up the goal of the day to getting into undies.

It turns out my son liked that idea, I guess even exhibitionists get sick of being naked ALL the time, and happily slipped them on. However, within 20 minutes when he had to go, he tried to get to the potty but the undies wouldn’t come down and my bathroom floor looked like a golden slip and slide. So much for the underwear. He wouldn’t even think of putting on another pair. Back to the internet for a little research and I found out I needed training pants, not underwear, and apparently there is an open secret that they are very different. The lady with the ‘3 Day Potty Training’ warned against training pants but I will say on the record, unless your child is capable of easily getting undressed and dressed with tight spandex waistbands-get the training pants.  I guess I’ll be doing the ‘pant-pulling’ duty until the hubby gets home and I can go to the store. I don’t mind, I figure I’m saving a few diapers a day.

I will add that this latter issue has helped because before, Ry would run to the bathroom on his own without telling me. He’s a little independent so I was cool with this…okay, who wouldn’t be happy they weren’t drug into the bathroom every 20 minutes by a panicking toddler.  Anyways, now that he is wearing these impossible undies, he is telling me he has to go. Maybe it’s just me, but I think this will come in handy when we go out of the house and potty chairs aren’t a few steps away.

In the end, I think that is what the 3 Day Potty Training program was all about, getting them to know when they had to go and being able to hold it in until mom and dad could help. I figure in this regard the writer was right. However, I don’t know any parents who have 3 days to devote entirely to this, right down to not showering…yes, you read that right, or sleeping next to their kid’s bed to see if and when they pee at night.  (yup, she said that too)  I forgot to ask my sister-in-law if she did that.

What I do know is that it turns out that kids really need to work on this themselves and all we can do is be there, armed with a lot of patience, and ready to shamelessly wipe up any accidents or butts that need it.

Backover and Frontover Tragedies

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Cars and trucks do not need to be in a collision to severely injure or kill children. Many injuries and deaths occur in driveways and parking lots when drivers are unaware children are near vehicles.  Tragically, these drivers are often family members or friends of the injured child.

Children are inadvertently killed by backover and frontover tragedies when the car is accidentally set in motion.  Parents can avoid this tragedy by placing keys in places children cannot reach them, keeping doors locked at all times, and identifying safe play areas for children.  Tell your children they should never play around parked or moving vehicles.  Safe Kids also cautions parents about the use of items such as sidewalk chalk that is often times taken to the “largest canvas – the driveway”.  Children need to learn that they should NEVER play in the same place that a car could park or drive including a driveway, street or parking lot.  This reminder holds true for kids riding on bikes and tricycles, splashing in wading pools or playing other games in these areas. 

Frontover and backover accidents also happen every day because vehicles have blind zones on them.   Blind zones are different for every driver depending upon their height and the type of vehicle being driven.  For instance, a 5 foot 8 inch tall driver of a pickup truck has a 31 foot blind zone behind the vehicle.  SUVs and pickups have larger blind zones than cars, and drivers should take extra caution before operating the vehicle including walking all the way around the parked vehicle to check for children or anything that may attract children, such as toys or pets.  The following graphic gives a visual display of the large blind zone that can exist behind a common vehicle.

The blindzone of a pickup.

 

The following graphic gives a startling look at how many children can be behind a vehicle and not be seen by the driver.

All 62 children cannot be seen by the driver.

 

In addition to walking around the vehicle, parents should accompany children when entering and exiting the vehicle.  Safe Kids encourages parents to firmly hold the hand of each child when walking near moving vehicles and when in driveways, parking lots, or on sidewalks.

Teach your children how to cross the street properly to avoid being struck by a car.  Before stepping into the street, stand on the side of the road in the crosswalk and wait until eye contact has been made with the driver.  After the car has come to a stop, the child is then safe to cross.

Frontover and backover tragedies are common in today’s society as we build bigger and bigger automobiles.  Safe Kids is working hard to prevent this misfortune. Spot the Tot is a program designed by Safe Kids Worldwide to reduce the number of frontover and backovers.  If you are interested in more information about Spot the Tot, visit safekids.org.

Another great resources for frontover and backover injuries is Kids & Cars.  Their web site is www.kidsandcars.org.  The photos in the blog were taken from their web site and we appreciate their expertise on this subject.

Safe Kids Grand Forks also offers vinyl clings that remind parents and caregivers to look for children inside and out of the vehicle before moving the car.  To obtain your free cling, send an e-mail to safekids@altru.org