DadTalk

Breakfast Loses to Trains

For more than a year, Seth has been asking for an electric train set. We’ve been putting him off for a simple reason: space.

In fact, my boy’s Thomas train tracks tend to sit unused much of the time because they can never stay set up for more than a day or two. After that, mom and dad are silently swearing after jamming toes and tripping over train bridges.

A few weeks ago, I got the bright idea of using our dining room table instead of the floor for the Thomas trains. It worked out surprisingly well when you consider the round table top – we almost ran out of curves.

We only left the tracks set up for a day, but the kids loved it.

Falling for My Kids

Lael invented this game of free fall from the shelves. Well, I guess I’m partly to blame.

For months now, I have held Lael up in my arms while standing on the floor. Then I cry “timber” as we fall onto the bed. It’s not a long fall, but it’s enough to thrill a little girl.

But apparently, it wasn’t a big enough thrill for Lael, who quickly dumped dad for the shelving unit. It’s pretty wild to see how perfectly straight she holds her body.

Seth, who tends to be a lot more cautious, finally decided it was safe and started falling from the shelves more recently.

And that my friends, is what happens when your kids are locked in a small apartment all winter long. (sorry about the bad lighting.)

Recalls Magnets Pose Danger in 870,000 Dart Boards

I’ve been quiet on this front for a while, but it’s hard to ignore when 870,000 dart boards are recalled because the small magnets can fall out and be eaten by children. Although there have been no reports of injuries with this toy, magnets can rip through intestines after being swallowed.

Similar dart boards were recalled in February and in March, MEGA Brands recalled 2.4 magnet toys, according to Consumer Reports.

The Chinese-made toys in this week’s recall were sold from September 2002 through March 2008 at Family Dollar stores nationwide, reports the Consumer Product Safety Commission.

Dad Is on the Right Track at Least During This Outing

Like many boys, Seth has a deep love of trains. For more than a year now, he’s been begging us for an electric set.

We’ve said not until we move into a larger space. Our current apartment is just too small.

As consolation, I took our boy to a train demo at the Deerfield Library a couple of weeks ago. Apparently, the train club goes to libraries to show off their trains while the library benefits from the influx of visitors.

One of the train club members gave us every catalog known to man save one: Lego Trains. (I showed that stuff to Seth when we came home.)

At one point during the exhibit, Seth started to melt down. “I want a train set now,” he cried. I explained to Seth he had a choice: Enjoy the moment or we could go home. He snapped out of it and had a great time right until the exhibit closed.

Recalls CPSC, Mega Brands Recall 2.4 Million Magnetic Toys

It took more than a year, but the Consumer Product Safety Commission finally persuaded Mega Brands to recall an additional 2.4 million magnetic toys, reports The Chicago Tribune. Some of the toys being recalled this go-around were replacements for previous sets.

The magnets are so powerful they can connect inside a child’s intestines, causing significant damage. To date, more than 10 million Mega Brand toys have been recalled, reports The Tribune.

The CPSC posted two separate press releases to cover the recalls:

• MEGA Brands Recalls Magtastik and Magnetix Jr. Pre-School Magnetic Toys; Ingested Magnets Pose Aspiration and Intestinal Hazards
• MEGA Brands Recalls MagnaMan Magnetic Action Figures; Ingested Magnets Pose Aspiration and Intestinal Hazards

Battat also added 7,000 magnetic toys to an earlier recall of 125,000 magnetic building toys. Here’s the link:

• Battat Recalls Additional Magnetic Construction Sets; Ingested Magnets Pose Aspiration and Intestinal Hazards

When It Comes to Kids, Who Is Training Whom? A Funny Story About My Daughter

Holiday gift cards are wonderful. They’re also a royal pain. And despite the fact we get children’s books delivered to our door almost daily for my wife’s website, we still get bookstore gift cards for holidays and birthdays.

So two weekends ago, we went to Barnes and Noble for overdue gifts for our kids. Seth was easy; he wanted a bunch of Roald Dahl books, especially Charlie and the Chocolate Factory. I also picked up a couple math workbooks for him.

But Lael doesn’t need books; she needs toys. She has precious few compared to her older brother. One gift was an easy choice: Alphabake comes with letter-shaped cookie cutters, a bake sheet and cookbook.

When I asked Lael if she’d like it: “Ohhhhhh. Yeeeeeesssss! Let’s make cookies now!”

A few hours later, we were home baking cookies that tasted pretty good. Most letters came out looking okay, except for that tricky A.

But this story is about the other toy we decided on, the Thomas and Friends train named “Lady.” You see, Lael loves Seth’s Thomas trains, but not one of the 20 or so pieces belong to her. Lady was the only engine I could find at the B&N except for some $20 diesel thing.

Recalls CPSC Leader Suddenly Notices All Is Not Well in Toyland

Suddenly, she’s angry and not taking it anymore from toy companies. “I will not tolerate this industry ... not complying with our regulations,” Nancy Nord told attendees of the annual American International Toy Fair in New York, according to The Associated Press.

Nord, who is the acting chair of the Consumer Product Safety Commission, said she “was ‘very angry’ about recalls involving lead paint because they showed a breakdown in quality control,” writes The Associated Press.  The CPSC leader even faulted her own agency for responding too slowly to eliminate hazardous products.

Nord would be more convincing if she hadn’t spent so much time defending the toy industry’s ability to police itself. At times, she even seemed against legislation to strengthen the CPSC.

In fact, Nord is still working with the Toy Industry Association to develop an industry-imposed certification system. I think it’s a great idea – there will never be enough government money to police these companies – as long as tougher legislation, which is still working its way through Congress, is also passed.

In the meantime, there have been plenty of additional recalls since the beginning of this year. I just can’t keep up with them anymore.

Recalls Southern California Firm Finds Lead in Suitcase Similar to One We Have

As you may have noticed, I’ve stopped reporting on recalls from the Consumer Product Safety Commission. It’s not that I think it’s any less important than before, but I wanted to redirect some of my energy to other topics, such as the economic downturn facing Americans.

I still read through alerts that arrive almost weekly. Even after the holiday season, many products have been found dangerous.

At home, we’ve been ever more concerned about product safety because Lael, our 2-year-old, has taken to eating nonfood items such as dinosaurs and foam rockets. I don’t know what the appeal is, but she is getting more adventurous every day. Seth still has the habit of sucking on shirt sleeves and zipper pulls, the latter a common source of lead.

Recently, I was contacted by a California entrepreneur who will test products in the home with a handheld scanner. The service, called Inspect A Toy, is not cheap, but then those scanners cost a fortune and require special training to use. The company charges $149 for the first hour and $50 for each additional hour.

Virtual Worlds for Kids to Flood the Market

Shhhh. I need your help keeping a secret from my children. Don’t tell them about Webkinz or Club Penguin. Ever.

I’m especially talking to you, gift-givers. I will be checking all, cuddly, stuffed animals for  “Webkinz” tags. If I find one, be prepared to cough up a gift receipt pronto.

To be honest, I didn’t even know what Webkinz was until about two weeks ago. But at a recent holiday party, a boy about Seth’s age was dragging one around by the ear. The 4-year-old freaked whenever he lost sight of the toy.

The boy’s dad explained the concept to me: You get the doll, go online and activate an account. From there, you can feed and take care of your Beagle, Alley Cat or Brown Arabian. Personally, I’d go for the Bull Frog, since cats and dogs dominate the market. Besides, it would be a lot cooler to feed it insects than stinky dog food.

So you are probably wondering, what’s wrong with these virtual worlds? Harmless fun, right?

Popular Children’s Health Care Insurance Is Extended

Every now and then, politicians do the right thing. I know, I know, it’s hard to believe, but it does happen.

In this case, President Bush signed legislation that extends federally-funded children’s health care, reports The Associated Press. This follows two vetoes of Democrat-authored plans that would have expanded the original program.

The version Bush signed provides states enough money to cover existing programs through March 2009 when a new Congress and president will be in place.

It’s a relief to see children’s needs finally put ahead of party bickering and partisanship. Perhaps a better plan can be worked out next year.

Previously

• Bush Vetoes Second Bill That Would Hike Child Health Care
• 10 Million Unhappy Kids
• Health Care Debate on Children Continues