Checklists for Life

10

Children (For Those Who Only Borrow Them!)

If your children have long since left home, or if you entertain other people’s children infrequently, you may find yourself at a loss when they come to visit. The lists in this section are aimed at helping you keep them safe, entertain them, and maintain your own sanity while enjoying their company.

 Childproofing Your Home

It’s easy to miss potential child-safety hazards around the house. In fact, accidents are the number one killer of children—more than all childhood diseases combined—according to the National Safety Council. The good news is that home accidents are entirely preventable. One of the best ways to spot trouble is to literally crawl around the house, exploring it as a toddler might. This checklist will help you recognize and correct safety risks.


1.

Cover open electrical outlets with plastic safety caps.

2.

Tie electrical cords together and tape them down to prevent tripping.

3.

Keep shade and blind cords out of reach or invest in the type that break apart if a child’s head or limbs become entangled.

4.

Install childproof latches on cabinet doors (for brief visits, use rubber bands or twine to keep handles closed).

5.

Lock away all household cleaners and other toxic substances.

6.

Put safety gates or other sturdy blockades at the top and bottom of staircases.

7.

Double-check windows and screens to make sure they’re locked.

8.

Protect little heads from sharp-edged furniture. Cover any child-high tables with padding (try a mattress pad secured with duct tape) or purchase specially designed corner protectors. The type that attach with double-sided tape are, unfortunately, easy (and fun) for many toddlers to remove. Devices that fit around table edges like garters will be easier for you and safer for the child.

9.

Be on the lookout for top-heavy items like bookcases, étagères, or other furniture that could be toppled or shaken, causing heavy objects to fall.

10.

Decks and balconies should be kept off limits to unsupervised children. Tiny bodies can squirm through small spaces in railings.

11.

Check bathrooms for tempting but toxic items like strawberry shampoos or vanilla-scented candles.

12.

Remove candy dishes with nuts, small candies, and other choking hazards. Put away small items that children might swallow (buttons, small collectibles, pet toys, etc.).

13.

Store plastic dry-cleaning bags out of reach.

14.

If you have firearms in the house, make sure they’re unloaded and out of reach. Store the ammunition separately.

 Baby Gifts They’ll Drool Over

Anyone reasonably well acquainted with a newborn has learned this hard truth: the world of babies is vast and bewildering for the uninitiated. Perhaps no one understands this better than a relative, godparent, or friend in search of the perfect baby gift. Ari Lipper, coauthor with his wife Joanna of Baby Stuff: A No-Nonsense Shopping Guide for Every Parent’s Lifestyle, offers these suggestions:


1.

Ask if parents have registered for gifts. Having a baby is right up there with getting married when it comes to receiving gifts—but new parents have less time to return what they don’t need. Like newlyweds, many parents now register for baby items they would like to receive. Don’t guess what to buy if the answer is as close as your nearest Toys ‘ ’ Us.

2.

Consider the unnecessary. Think about items parents might like to have, but may not purchase because they’re too busy buying necessities like cribs and diaper pails. The Lippers divide baby stuff into three categories: 1) Must have; 2) Might want; 3) Totally optional. Consider narrowing your gift list to categories 2 and 3.

3.

Think strategically. If you’d like to give a present that isn’t a duplicate destined for return, stay away from the most frequently chosen gifts: mobiles, infant carriers, infant seats, front carriers, monitors, bouncer seats, activity gyms, and black-and-white mirrors and toys. And unless you find one you just can’t resist, stay away from stuffed animals; the crib will be crowded enough.

4.

Consider a deluxe version. Even if the parents of your tiny pal are inundated with front carriers or diaper bags, you can still make a hit by giving the deluxe version of these items. Also consider luxury clothing like embroidered booties or a cashmere hat and sweater set.

5.

Think keepsakes. Silver picture frames or baby cups, spoons or porringers engraved with the child’s name or initials will delight parents and be cherished keepsakes throughout the child’s life.

6.

Watch clothing sizes. Size labels may be little help when you’re trying to decide which teensy outfit to buy. “They can be erratic to say the least,” says Lipper; “babies’ bodies vary so much and grow so fast that clothing sizes can’t be as precise as for adults.” Very often, baby sizes run so small that a six-month outfit given to a five-month-old will be too snug. And be careful with clothing labeled “newborn”: many babies outgrow these outfits before even before they make their appearance!

7.

Match size with season. As you cleverly shop for clothes that will fit Baby several months from now, think about the season that will coincide with the size. If you’re not careful, you could wind up giving an adorable snowsuit that will fit perfectly next summer.

8.

Shop catalogs. If you’re looking for creative ideas, are short of shopping time, or just prefer the convenience of catalog shopping, you’re in luck. It’s possible to purchase everything from stuffed animals and educational toys to strollers and safety items from the variety of catalogs available. See the Resources section for a few to get you started.

9.

Be practical. Avoid baby clothes that are too delicate to withstand repeated washings and stay away from clothes that appear confining or feel rough or scratchy. Don’t buy bottles, cups, or other items in gimmicky shapes that make them hard to clean and invite bacteria growth.

10.

Check for safety. To remove any doubt about a product you’re considering, call one of these automated, toll-free hotlines operated by the U.S. government. For child safety seats, call the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration at 800-424-9393. To find out about recalls on other baby products, call the Consumer Product Safety Commission at 800-638-2772.

 Ten Ways to Entertain Kids on a Rainy Day

It’s bad enough when you’re stuck inside on a rainy day—imagine how frustrating and disappointing it is for a child held prisoner by the weather. You can make the day a lot more fun for everyone with a little ingenuity and only a few simple props. Try some of these games the next time you find yourself hosting a bored and restless child (or two). And after they’re all worn out, remind them that rainy days were made for curling up with a good book.


1.

Build something small. Construct a tiny hut, fence, or other simple structure using glue and toothpicks.

2.

Play with their ears. Have a game of “Seek the Sound.” While children are out of the room, hide a clock, kitchen timer, portable radio, or any object that makes a steady and fairly loud noise. When they return, give them a certain amount of time to locate the sound.

3.

Bake or cook something. Choose something easy to make and fun to eat. Simple cookies and candies are rewarding because you can let all but the very youngest children make a contribution to the cooking. “Spider candy” is lots of fun and easy to make: Melt a 12-ounce bag of semisweet chocolate chips in the microwave, stir in 6 to 8 ounces of crispy chop suey noodles, and drop by the spoonful onto wax paper. They are ready to eat when cool and firm. Yum!

4.

Dress up. Get out old clothes, hats, scarves, and jewelry and help kids create costumes. Don’t limit yourself to regular “dress up”—try making a superhero cape using a scarf and two safety pins or a pirate hat from newspaper.

5.

Make faces. Let children use old makeup to change their faces. They can become anything from models to monsters with the right application of rouge, eye pencils, lipstick, etc.

6.

Play simple games. Play good old rainy day pencil and paper games: hangman, tic tac toe, or even an impromptu game of “pictionary.”

7.

Practice the arts. Help them create art and jewelry with pasta. Mix a few drops of food coloring with a little water and a splash of rubbing alcohol. Stir in dried pasta and spread on newspapers to dry (the alcohol will help them dry within a few minutes). String pasta for chains or necklaces or paste different shapes and colors on paper to create mosaics.

8.

Get wet. Let kids climb in the tub in bathing suits or washable old clothing and give them free reign with a set of watercolor paints. They can paint the tub, the tile walls, their bodies—whatever they like. When they’ve had enough, turn on the shower to wash it all down the drain.

9.

Put them through training. Give them an “Outward Bound” experience by having them navigate an indoor obstacle course. The adventures should vary according to the children’s age and skill level, but can include a crawl through a large cardboard box, a climb over a mound of throw pillows, a step-up-step-down challenge with a stool or large book, and a ball-toss (into a hat, basket, box, etc.).

10.

Have a parade. Get out pots, pans, plastic bowls, and wooden utensils and be a marching band.

What to Leave for a Baby-sitter

When you leave children with a baby-sitter, you want to know the sitter is well prepared to deal with any situation that might come up. Assembling information ahead of time will add to your peace of mind and guard against the possibility that you might forget something important in the chaotic dash for the door. Label the list clearly and post it prominently so the sitter can’t miss it, even if you forget to point it out. (See chapter 1 for important numbers to keep by your phone.)

 WRITE THESE DOWN BEFORE LEAVING THE HOUSE

1.

Phone number where you can be reached.

2.

Time you expect to return.

3.

Itinerary of where you’ll be and when, if appropriate.

4.

Phone number of a close neighbor. Call your neighbor first to see if they’ll be home and available if needed.

 SHOW SITTER WHERE THESE CAN BE FOUND

1.

Cell phone and/or beeper number.

2.

Information about security system.

3.

House keys.

4.

Car keys.

5.

Instructions for answering the telephone; pad and pen for taking messages.

6.

Pediatrician’s phone number.

7.

Poison control center phone number.

8.

First aid kit, flashlights, fire extinguisher.

9.

Operating instructions for indoor and outdoor lighting.

10.

Medication. Include information on dosage and instructions for administering.

11.

Allergy list. Include information on medication, if relevant.

12.

Cash for incidentals, if necessary.



Checklists for Life
Checklists for Life: 104 Lists to Help You Get Organized, Save Time, and Unclutter Your Life
ISBN: 0375707336
EAN: 2147483647
Year: 1998
Pages: 28

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