Seat Kids Safe ~ {Giveaway} child car restraints

Giveaway brought to you by NRMA Insurance & Kidsafe Australia -Safety Campaign  -

This is NOT a Child Car restraint review !

Baby Car seats / child car restraints haven’t changed too much since we brought our eldest, adopted son, home as a 13 month old in 1994. We bought the best money could buy for our precious son and the baby shop fitted it.

The laws were not so strict about toddlers and preschoolers, but I was. I think our son was still in the same 5 point harness car seat till he started school at 5 yrs , then he went into a booster. I would not let friends take him for play dates unless they had a child restraint. When I worked we had a child restraint seat for each car.

The laws governing child car restraint have changed a few times over the last few years . While 90% people are aware of the current National laws for keeping 0-7 yr old restrained , their child car restraint seat may be, unintentionally, incorrectly fitted (Yes, some ignore it anyway) .

Last year , 70% of child car restraints inspected by Kidsafe needed an adjustment. I find it hard to believe and shocking that figure is so high. Four months ago we attended a professional check of car seats organised by our local council . We were surprised that we needed to remove the car seat retainer/locking clip. A Locking Clip normally helps ensure proper and effective car seat retention but wasn’t required in our case.

Making sure child restraints are exactly right can be tricky for parents to determine, so why not let Kidsafe do this for you, for free.

Dec 2007

One guy (a local car restraint professional) also said we didn’t need to bother with the restraints after they turned seven (a month ago). I am keeping them restrained as my twins are at only at 10%  (115cm) & 25% (118cm) height percentiles for their age - no where near the recommended 145cm. It is far safer and no trouble to keep them in correctly fitted child restraints, in my opinion.

I have had friends begrudge the money paying for car seat safety checks , even when it is for the safety of their kids. As well as grumbling about paying for new seats after a minor accident. 

A good friend works as a nurse in a busy Sydney Children’s hospital, Accident and Emergency, she was very vocal speaking OUT to our playgroup mums when she heard people talking about putting siblings 'out' of child restraints for a new baby and into booster seats or a seat belt. Tragically, she had seen children lose their lives due to incorrectly fitted seats or an absence of car safety restraints.

Fortunately, we rarely changed vehicles and still own the same car we bought the twins home in. Every time you remove seats or change cars you are advised to have them checked. When the twins were born we also purchased the best available at the time for 0-4 yrs (Given we also wanted them to last as long as safely possible). 

Sept 2011

We've had their child restraint seats professionally checked a few times over the years .The local hospital provided a free service 2-3 times a year to have a professional check car restraints. It was reassuring to drive away with the certainty that my children were seated safe. It took less than 10 mins a seat, for peace of mind for parents or carers .

Simple mistakes such as having the restraint at the incorrect height or a twisted harness may lead to a child being injured. When I was asked Tuesday for my assistance, in the form of a post, to help promote child safety when traveling in cars I was keen to participate.

A team working with NRMA Insurance and Kidsafe Australia have offered free restraint checking days in QLD and NSW . Encourage your friends and get the word out. Their goal is to educate parents and carers through these free restraint checking days.

They need your help in spreading the word to help keep children safe on our roads. Tell your family and friends to help spread the message about these important events to other parents and carers.

Parents can have their child restraints professionally checked and adjusted to make sure their children are seated safely – in just minutes and for free. 

GIVEAWAY

As part of the campaign I have Two child car restraints (rated three stars and above on the Australian Standards Restraint rating site: crep.com.au), as prizes to give away to my readership base:

• 1x 6 months – 4 years rearward/forward facing restraint (Safety 1st) 
• 1x 4 years – 7 years forward facing restraint (Infa-Secure) 

The seats will be delivered to the competition winners (one prize/one seat per winner)

Enter by leaving a comment telling me  ...

How do you keep children happy in the car ?

Terms and Conditions.

1. Only Australian Residents are eligible to enter.
2. Entries not answering the question will be deemed invalid. The winner will be chosen by originality and creative merit, not by chance. Judges decisions are final and no correspondence will be entered into.
3.There will be two winners - one seat per winner , please indicate in comments which seat you would prefer.
4. Entries - Open 8/8/2013 - Close 11.59pm 22/8/2013 AEST. The winners will be notified by email, and posted to mylittledrummerboys.blogspot.com.au after they reply - Winners have 7 days to respond or a new winner will be drawn.
5. The Prize is not transferable, changeable or redeemable for cash.
6. Prizes sent out by PR firm directly will not be replaced in the event that they are stolen, lost or damaged or delayed in transit.
 
7. Subscribe to my blog  to receive MLDB updates.
8. Follow via Facebook or Bloglovin on the sidebar .

All opinions are my own.

The more parents who get their restraints professionally checked, the safer our children will be.

Winners : Katie P -  4 years – 7 years forward facing restraint (Infa-Secure)
Jody - Six Little Hearts  - 6 months – 4 years rearward/forward facing restraint (Safety 1st) 

How Eskimos keep Their Babies Warm and more than one way to parent a child

Book Review

I've been doing a lot more reading lately. I can't wait till the weather cools to snuggle up on the couch or under the doona with a book. There is nothing more satisfying.

I've always been an avid reader but since the Internet children I've read less and less. Reading a book (s) for my own enjoyment used to be a part of my daily activity, now I'm more dependent on technology and finding less time to read 'paper' books. I do read to my children most nights and listen to them read home readers 4-5 days a week

I was sent several books to review in the past month so I've been very busy.

How Eskimos keep Their Babies : Parenting wisdom from around the world , has been absolutely delightful.

I learn so many things through reading. Reading gives me insight into other peoples lives and cultures and this book was eye opening.

A charming insight into child-rearing practices across the globe

How Eskimos Keep Their Babies Warm is the perfect read for fans of bestselling parenting book French Children Don't Throw Food.

'A captivating book, filled with some genuinely useful (and jaw-dropping) child-rearing tips from all over the world' Amy Chua, author of Battle Hymn of the Tiger Mother

For any parent weary of the so-called 'expert advice' peddled in books and on TV, How Eskimos Keep Their Babies Warm lifts the lid on how other cultures parent their children, with some interesting – and surprising – insights. Mei-Ling Hopgood explores how mums and dads in other countries approach such issues as bedtime, potty training, healthy eating and playtime squabbles and offers some fascinating new perspectives on how to do things.

This inspiring, engaging and fun read proves that there are many ways to be a good parent - and more than one way to raise a child.

I've been a parent for almost 19yrs and spent 10yrs nursing children in hospital. I'm still learning how to be a better parent.

How Eskimos Keep Their Babies Warm is captivating and entertaining while providing views from other parents and solid research from anthropologists and childcare experts, it's interspersed with the author's experience and observation, to explore and back up the different parenting methods observed.

The author, Mei-Ling Hopgood has a warm , 'honest' personality and she writes with humour and gentle wit. I've learned a whole lot of new ideas and had some of my own views challenged.

Mei-Ling doesn't agree with everything and even challenges what experts tell parents ...especially about potty training infants. It was interesting and easy to read.

I am an accidental 'attachment parent' who breastfed because I could, practiced baby 'wearing' for a short time (because twins do make it more challenging) and co-slept because it worked for us. I had no set ideas and I didn't have solid reasons one way or the other. I've never openly judged other parents and I tried never to offend people ...though breastfeeding my preschoolers was certainly offensive to some.

The message is clear there is no way to be a perfect parent and a million ways to be a good one!

There is just no need to attack other parents choices. I enjoyed this post by Emma too.

Disclaimer: No financial payment  was received . One copy of  How Eskimos Keep Their Babies Warm was sent to me by PAN MACMILLAN AUSTRALIA Books.All opinions are my own. Like them on Facebook

Linking up with    Jess  #IBOT
 ♥

Walk for Prems ~ Close to my heart

I've told you before about the day our family grew by 4ft; just two little treasures among 59 babies born prematurely across Australia each day. Little miracles happen though families need a lot of support.




My twins Sam and Joel were born strong and perfect @ 2.8kg & 2.1kg . Fortunately apart from needing oxygen & suctioning at birth, and nasogastric tubes for feeding they were well premmies.

They spent 4 days in NICU. Not really long as far as some premmies go. Then almost another 2 weeks in the Special Care Nursery before coming home.

I have many friends with even tinier premmies than mine (read their story)

On Sunday 6^th November at Bicentennial Park, Sydney - Siders  being encouraged to come together for the inaugural

WALK FOR PREMS’ 2011 – A BIG WALK FOR LITTLE AUSSIE BATTLERS

Register to take part at www.lifeslittletreasures.org.au

What:   Life’s Little Treasures Foundation “Walk for Prems” charity walk / fun-run

When:  Sunday 6th November 2011, 10am meet for a 10.30am start

Where:  Twin Sails Shade Area, Bicentennial Park, Homebush Bay, Sydney

Register at:  http://www.lifeslittletreasures.org.au/walk/registrations/sydney/

Registration fee:  Adult $25 and Children $10 (all proceeds and donations go towards Hospital Survival Packs)

Life’s Little Treasures Foundation (LLTF) President, Parool Shah, says "More than 45,000 Australian babies are born premature or sick each year, with some weighing less than a bag of sugar" ...

Shah comments:   “Having a baby born premature or ill affects the whole family.  Our aim is to raise awareness of the issue, support families by providing information and practical assistance and promote medical research in the area.

“The walk and fun run not only helps raise national awareness of the issue but brings families together for a day of celebrations.  It’s comforting for families to talk to others, share experiences and know that they’re not alone.”

About Life’s Little Treasures foundation: 

Life’s Little Treasures Foundation (LLTF) was established in 2005 by a group of mothers
of premature babies. Its focus is on improving the lives of premature and sick babies, by providing information and support to their families.  Last year LLTF helped more than 1000 families with premature or sick babies though services in hospitals and in the community. 

For more information, visit www.lifeslittletreasures.org.au

I won't be home in time to take part but I hope to do my bit by sharing this on blog. 

♥ Never miss a post

Grateful for Weddings , RAKs & Babies

A Wedding  ~  it reminds me of how grateful I am for my husband of 21 yrs. We were married in a warehouse with a Christian ceremony, the building stands but it is no longer a church - just a warehouse. 

 

Image via flickr

I don't remember our exact vows though I trust we mostly hold true to them and cherish them highly. Our future was before us (like William & Kate's today) a blank slate, waiting to be filled with shared dreams and adventures.A future that was filled with all the hope and promise two young twenty-somethings with the world at their feet could ever imagine...

Incredibly two weeks ago we saw G, a Pastor at the time, who 'talked' us through our wedding vows. G was at DH's niece's enagagement party. Plus our lovely photographer, V who is now his bride. 

(Though this Pastor wasn't the Pastor to sign our official marriage certificate...and a year had me all worried we weren't married - he was stirring us up at our friend's wedding)

 

Every day , I am thankful for my husband's strength and tenacity.  I am grateful today I can pause for a moment to just reflect and recognize all that we do have and enjoy it simply for what it is, without thinking about what it is not.

"What counts in making a happy marriage is not so much how compatible you are, but how you deal with incompatibility." - George Levinger

We've been apart the last 3 days and I've missed him terribly ...and his cups of tea :).

Steve -  a 'VIP' truck driver & random stranger ~ who helped back up the car & caravan today after I found myself down a narrow, bendy street blocked by construction ...DEAD END -  Steve's RAK {random acts of kindness} rescued me.

It wasn't supposed to be a one way street , with cars parked either side . I'd still be there otherwise waiting for hubby to come rescue me after he got home from Dubbo 6hrs later.

Babies ~ the International acclaimed movie preview screening of BABIES is on Sunday May 1, 1pm at Event Cinemas Macquarie see this post. If you are in Sydney Sunday and would like to attend I have 5 free family tickets , you can meet me there.

Today is the last day to enter the Lego City SPACE comp - click the Lego Logo 'brick' on the right.

 

 So, what's making you smile today?
... Please add a link back to Maxibella in your post. Blog hop to visit other bloggers who are spreading a little sunshine.  

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GIVEAWAY - The adventure of a lifetime begins... with BABIES

Who doesn't love cute babies ...this movie is sure to be make the ovaries ache !

Attention Sydney readers! I have 5 family passes available to a special preview screening of BABIES on Sunday May 1 at Event Cinemas Macquarie at 1pm for 5 lucky readers.

Directed by award-winning filmmaker Thomas Balmès, Babies simultaneously follows four babies around the world (Namibia, Mongolia, San Francisco and Tokyo) – from birth to first steps. BABIES is the cutest film of the year! Rated G for all the family.

If you’d like to win one of these family passes please leave a comment , you must be able to attend the preview in Sydney on May 1st at 1pm.

I also have 5 inseason double passes to BABIES to giveaway to my readers who are not located in Sydney. 

Please tell me in your comments which double pass you require. 

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Yooneek and Kre8iv Names

Kewl & Kewt baby names ...only we all grow up and then spend the rest of our life spelling it out to people.

Would you thank your parents for your name if they spelt it so yooneekly just for the sake of it.
I think knott.
Fair enough if it is cultural or back to ancient spellings.


At my sons' preschool there are 2 Samuels and a Sameul.

At playgroup someone spells my Samuel's name - Sameul and another person - Samual.
I was confused myself the other day when I was about to write it down. I seriously got out something to check.

I was already wondering why people have to be so kre8iv when I came across an article in the Reader's Digest about the very issue.

We all know the substitution , rearranging of letters and additional letters does nothing to change the pronunciation of even simple names. It does make them seem harder to pronounce, let alone spell.


I am not one to judge but seriously I wonder why people want their children to stand out...whether they like it or not.

It is more like torture the name spellling to increase the 'torture' at school ...then everytime they fill a form.

Cimberleigh?

Keightey ?

Dayvd ? or Daivd ? an Australian school friend's mum spelt it differently in birthday cards every year.

Matthew with one tea or two ? I am often asked !


When it comes time to do the family tree you might find that 'branch' falls off when no-one can look up the name because of the unusual spelling. We had a bit of fun searching the NSW database recently but you can't much information unless the marriage is prior to 1960. A quick look at the database marriage names revealed mostly normal names too prior to 1960.

Unusual names are a different story but still have their problems.



Cillian ...now I know this is a Irish name but how do you say it ...KILL ian. A little fellow at 4 boldly told stood up to the Principal of the school and told him he said it wrong. He was receiving an award :) too. Every time he got an award he had to do it at school and the kids teased him mercilessleigh.

Mozart ...moes art apparently but seriously it does suit the guy who now wants to be a musician. The guy gets asked all the time why he was called Mozart ?

Out of interest  I also googled 'yooneek' baby names and found this excellent post too.

Ps When my Samuel was in the NIC unit the baby boy, a metre away and right next to him, born the day before, had the same first name and surname. Exactly - no middle names were used. The file had a sticker to say beware patient of same name or similar.  

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Only 35 weeks - the day our family grew by 4 feet

November is Prematurity Awareness month and this week is National Premmie Week...

Today I pause to remember and thank the teams of Dr's & neonatal nurses who brought my babies safely into this world and who everyday bring hundreds of babies through their prematurity and safely home.

My little boys are the miracles that make my life complete.

Oh baby, baby, made their grand entrance into this wonderful world exactly a month early at just over 35 weeks. You can read their story here.

The reason for their premature birth is because I had Obstetic cholestasis ...the long & short of it is intense itchiness and increased risk of still birth.

I didn't have to be asked 'twice' if I wanted to see my boys early when I was diagnosed late at night on 30th June 2006. The babies were ok but I didn't sleep a wink worried ...

They had to organise two neonatal teams for twins and it was Friday around @ 11pm . The Dr's said Saturday morning would do for my emergency c-section.

So we held our breath and waited.

Then they had other more emergency ones that morning.

Twelve hours later at 12.51pm & 12.52 pm on July 1st our family had grown by 4 feet ...

Twenty fingers, twenty toes,
two sweet babies with cheeks of rose.
Born on the same day, two gifts from above,
lives entwined, two babies to love.
- Unknown

They were strong and perfect @ 2.8kg & 2.1kg . Fortunately apart from needing oxygen & suctioning at birth, and nasogastric tubes for feeding they were well premmies. They spent 4 days in NICU. Not really long as far as some premmies go.


Then they were transferred to the special care nursery of our local hospital for 2 more weeks. I thought I'd never get to take them home due to feeding issues. We did @ 19 days.

Read more here , here, here, here and at Bloggers Unite for more stories about prem babies.

In Australia over 21,000 babies are admitted to Neonatal nurseries each year; more than 6000 require neonatal intensive care. Some babies journey's in NICU & SCN last days, some last months. Some don't come home at all.

---

I also remember the precious angels of some special friends who said goodbye too soon to their premature babies I met many when I lost Charlotte @26wks to still birth...not premmie because she didn't take a breath.

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Heads and tails - Shake

HEADS & TAILS - the theme this week is

HEADS :Shake -
I am thinking inside the box today with this mosaic

1. dog2, 2. Kayleigh in mid-shake, 3. IMG_9443 copy_4x6, 4. Never, EVER Shake a Baby!, 5. Like Water off a Scrub-Jay, 6. CAPODANNO-3.jpg, 7. chocolate Oreo shake with whipped cream & chocolate drizzle, 8. Shake, 9. Salt-N-Pepa

This is cute ...

Seriously - Never shake a baby please check the link

♥

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Friday ... cake anyone

It's Flickr Friday hosted by Lazycowdesigns. kate's little guy,Muski had his 1st birthday the other day so she chose cakes. Perfect timing for me too.

Except I feel a failure. Look at all those great cakes.*drool*

I am feeling a lot little overwhelmed and emotional tonight. I could eat a few cakes actually.

I am not feeling grateful at all because people have let me down organising the Brothers birthday 2nd party on Sunday, someone else is being a biatch difficult about other stuff I am involved with and now I won't sleep tonight - it has nothing to do with the party but it's eating away at me.

I have an email in draft to her ... maybe I'll delete it or just ignore it till next week.

I have so much to do tomorrow and The Tool man has stuff of his own to finish ... that he has also left to the very last minute. I am trying to be reasonable about that but I am so NOT happy ! He has been very busy at work and had unexpected dramas there too. Trying to please everyone instead of me.

I haven't a clue what do for S & J's cake (s) and I don't know who is coming because a lot of people haven't replied to say yes or no.

The boys would quite happily eat any cake covered in lollies, chocolate, smarties, lolly pops etc. They are not into any characters because they rarely sit still long enough to watch TV ... good and bad ! yes I am scratching my head now ! I did a drum cake last year -maybe I'll do it again.

The cake they apply all over their face, with chocolate grins ear to ear . They will probably only eat the lollies I decorate with. I am not fond of artificial colourings but limited if I want to use Smarties. I wanted to give them a cake of their own too... Compfight didn't give me many ideas for boys.

So if you don't see me around much tomorrow - you know I'll be pulling my hair out.The house is topsy turvy because we got the carpets cleaned today and couldn't move anything back till they dry.

I think too much ... I am not ready for my babies to turn two. It feels like they won't be my babies anymore.


1. Groom's cake!, 2. choc n pink, 3. Drum Grooms Cake, 4. More cupcakes!, 5. White and dark chocolate bow @ Amphora Bakery, 6. Cupcake Bear!, 7. Birthday Cakes, 8. Flowers bring colours... Happy Birthday!, 9. Noah's Ark Cake @ Amphora Bakery




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Special days

November is a very special month for me. It always will be.

Today marks an important milestone ...19yrs ago on 15/11/1988 the man of my dreams asked me to be his girlfriend.It was one month from our first blind date. I never knew for sure then, but I hoped he was the one for me.

Lucky God answered my prayers this time LOL.So began a dance ...for all time.I love him more today than I could ever have imagined.I could write a whole page on him but I will save it for another day. I won't tell you about the losers (the ones who didn't get him).

Monday, November 14th 2005 was another date that changed our lives when 2 six day old embryos 'hatching blastocysts comprising a few thousands cells and smaller than a pinhead were transferred to my uterus.It took less than 10 mins.
They handed us a sheet of paper and said "goodluck" "but don't be disappointed" ...they were our last two little babies.

It was no magical mystical feeling just a been there before.I crossed my legs and hoped / prayed third time lucky.

We exited the lift from 6 th floor and corridor was busy ... as we passed the hospital shops we saw twin boys ( about 2) in a stroller ... we grinned at each other. Be careful what you wish for ... and now we have S & J. I never imagined the joy they have brought us.

November 12th was always a special day in our family - my parents wedding anniversary. My Dad passed away in 2005 , 2.5 months short of what would have been a joyous celebration of 40 yrs of marriage.

I know that not all marriages are perfect and I mean no disrespect or offense to those who endure loveless / violent marriages or otherwise lose their partners. The greatest gift we can give our children is two parents who love each other and love them. I know some days I fail terribly but I am blessed with a forgiving, patient and loving man.

November 8th 2005... was the day they 'harvested' the eggs that resulted in S & J. When I woke up in recovery and it was all over a second time(2nd cycle) I heard another lady crying over her one egg ... I wanted to cry with her though I had considerably more. It was so emotional. I hoped it would be my last time.

I hope she got her baby too - eventually...

Flashback Friday ...

Ok I copied this idea from someone else who in turn copied it from someone else ...

The idea is a flashback from the past ... hmmm what can I do ... okay it isn't about me today. One year ago 17/8/06 - I can hardly remember them this small. They were about 6 weeks old .