Thirteen Things for Summers End

1. Enjoy Nature- take your child fishing, kite flying, or on a walk to enjoy the last of the warmer days.
2. Get ready for school- have a Back-to-School fashion show for your children to try on clothes from last year or clothes bought ahead to make sure they will still fit.
3. Don't forget the shoes- i try to buy 2-3 sizes ahead, but they may not always fit across different brands. Have your children try on shoes to make sure they have gym shoes and school shoes ready to wear.
4. Safety First- check your smoke detectors and fire alarms. replace batteries as needed. Create an escape plan that all members of your family can follow.
5. Outerwear check- make sure you have the proper coats, jackets, sweaters, ponchos, raincoats in the sizes that your family will need this fall.
6. Vehicle Check- Make sure your vehicle is up and running smoothly. Get your oil changed and keep a full gas tank. Get your fluids and brakes checked to be sure everything is up to par!
7. Stock up the refrigerator- make sure to buy healthy snacks that are quick to prepare. Make ahead pancakes or waffles or muffins and freeze them for early school mornings.
8.Fill your water bottles. Keep plenty of cold, fresh water handy to grab on the go. With school, practices, and meetings you will want to stay hydrated on the go!
9. Check shot records and physicals- not just for your children but your pets as well.
10. Check car seats and make sure your child still meets the height and weight requirements for that seat. Check your states law and make sure you have everyone secured properly.
11. Schedule a family meeting to coordinate schedules and plan meals. Meal planning cuts down on the rush and anxiety as well as the extra expense of drive-thru food. Remember to add breakfast and after-school snacks to your grocery list.
12. Remember your child's teacher with a note of appreciation or a gift basket of goodies for the first week of school.
13. HAVE FUN!! Enjoy the last days of summer before the cool weather strikes.

Hot Cars+Forgotten Child=Disaster

Just saw this video that I wanted to share with everyone about the danger of leaving your child in your vehicle when it is hot out. Please take the time to watch it as well as pass it on to family and friends!

Have you weighed your child lately?

Since it is summer time and we will spend more time in the car due to vacations or activities, I wanted to remind all you moms to WEIGH YOUR CHILDREN and READ the LABELS on the side of your child's car seat and/or the car seat manual!!

Why is this important you might ask? If your child is above the weight limit of their car seat then your child isn't being protected as much as you thought.

Infant Rear-facing only car seats can have weight limits of 20lbs, 22lbs, 25 lbs, or 30lbs. Make sure that you do not place an infant seat in front of an airbag.

Rear-facing Convertible seats can have weight limits of 22lbs, 30lbs, or 35lbs.

Forward-facing 5 point harness seats can have harness limits of 40 lbs, 50 lbs, 65 lbs, or 80 lbs.

Booster seats with built-in harnesses should be used to the maximum weight limit for that harness. The weight limits for this type of car seat can often be confusing. The instructions give one weight limit to be followed with the harness and one weight limit to be followed without the harness.

Booster seats without harnesses should only be used for children who exceed the height and weight of a 5 point harness AND who will remain buckled the entire trip with the lap and shoulder belt across the shoulder and hips. Your child should be able to sit with their back against the vehicle seat and knees bending at the edge of the seat. The lap shoulder belt should come along the hips and across the middle of the shoulder.

Each car seat manufacturer has different weight limits. Be sure to read the labels and/or instructions.

GIVE IT A CHECK TODAY!! If your child is near the weight limit it is time for a new seat or to place the convertible seat forward facing.

Please keep infants and young children rear-facing until they reach the weight and height limits of a rear-facing convertible seat. Children 13-24 months that remain rear-facing have 5 times the protection for their head, neck, and spine as the children 13-24 months that are forward-facing.