Franklin Goose

I am Grateful….

Gratitiude can present itself in so many ways.  I always prided myself on expressing gratitude to strangers, for excellent customer service, etc.  But in the last couple of years I feel I have become “too busy” to notice or certainly to think about all that I have for which to be grateful.  

I usually express that I am grateful for my 2 wonderful children but beyond that it drops off.  My poor husband gets none of it, and if a stranger went out of their way now I probably wouldn’t even notice it.  

Therefore, in our house we instituted a “what I am grateful for” policy.  Every evening at dinner we go around the table to each state what stood out that day for us.  Was it a particularly beautiful day to play outside, did a friend do or say something nice to us that day, were we grateful for a much needed hug or kiss (hopefully not from a stranger)?  

It has been so fun to spend some time thinking about the little things that make our days.  Often times for my 4 year old she is being silly and is grateful for something dealing with her imaginary friend, and of course my 2 year old copies everything she says.  But we just go with it and get a glimpse into their brains and see just what they are capable of creating with their own minds.  And other times they say they are grateful for us, which melts our hearts.  

 

Car Seat Safety

(sheri)

Two weeks ago I achieved my certification as a Child Passenger Safety Technician (CPST). I was so excited to become a technician! I knew I would be glad to get certified, but I had no idea how good I would feel about being able to help people install their car seats safely.

The class was about a week long, and on our last day we volunteered to check people's car seat installations. With both of the cars I worked on we made changes to the configuration to make the children safer. I felt so good knowing that I was able to help parents find the safest way to transport their children. I am pretty sure this sounds very nerdy, but it is so important to me to be able to do this--it is an extension of what Franklin Goose is, a place to find safe products for your family and to find knowledge and advice.

In the class we heard terrible stories about crashes where children died or were badly wounded because of lack of car seat safety or installation. It broke my heart every single time. We also heard about really good things, too, like the programs available that donate car seats to needy families. (Please note, if you're interested in learning more about that, you can contact your health department for the correct place to go.)

There were many things that I learned that I would like to share with you.

 

Rear Facing Until Four

The National Highway Transportation Safety Authority (NHTSA) recommendation is for children to be rear facing up to 2 years old right now, but there is a lot of talk about a new recommendation to keep kids rear facing until four. Some of the discussions we've been hearing have been about whether or not rear facing until 4 is safer, as well as concern over possible injuries sustained in children rear-facing at an older age.

There is actually much less of a risk to the child when rear-facing until four. Contrary to what many people think there is less risk of damage to the legs and hips while rear facing, along with the neck and back. The reason is that in a front impact crash, (the most common type of crash), a forward facing child is propelled forward with the force of the crash. In the same scenario, a rear facing child moves with the seat, protected completely, almost like a rocking motion.

Here are two videos that really show the difference:

 

 

 

I did not realize that car crashes are the leading cause of death in our country for children. In fact, I was amazed when I read in my technician guide by the NHTSA that "A vehicle going 40 mph would hit a tree with the same force as hitting the ground after falling off a 50-foot cliff. A person inside the vehicle would hit the windshield with the same force as hitting the ground after a fall from a 5-story building."

Coats & Car Seats

Did you know your child should not wear their coats or bunting in the car seat? Puffy types of coats hold air. In a car crash, this air is compressed, allowing for inches of extra movement between your child and the car seat harness or seat belt, which can be dangerous. (This also holds true for adults and teenagers as well.)

If you can, start your car before it's time to go to warm it up before you bring your children outside. If you're unable to do so, then take the coat off of your child, buckle them into their car seat, and then slip the coat on backwards or put a blanket over them and the harness. This will keep them warm and safe.

 

Here is a great video that demonstrates this:

 

 

Car Seat Safety Checks

There are car seat safety checks all across the country. You can do an Internet search to find locations close to you to have your car seat installation checked. When you go to these events, have them show you how to install the seat. If they install it for you that is great until the first time you need to move it, but if you have them show you how to do it, you will always know the best way to install your seats.

Also, whenever you put your child in the car seat, check for tightness of the seat belt. Normal driving and road conditions can loosen the belt over time, so get in the habit of checking to make sure the seat belt or latches remain tight.

It is also not recommended by the NHTSA or your car seat manufacturer to have anything on the car seats that didn't come with it, such as teething pads, head rests, toys etc. They can interfer with the performance of the seat or become hazards in the event of an accident.

The purpose of car seats and every choice you make regarding the car seat, the harnessing, the seat belt etc., is to put your child in a pre-crash position that will help to save their life or keep them from as much injury as possible. For me to be able to help assist with this in any way makes me so proud.

Just A Few Of Our Favorite Things: Women's Day

(emily)

 

Happy International Women's Day!  

March 8 is observed by many countries around the world as a day to honor women and to focus on the advancement of women in society. Each year a theme is assigned to Women's Day, and this year the theme is "inspiring change." 

While the role of women has progressed, there are still issues that need to be faced here in America and in the rest of the world. We at Franklin Goose believe in raising children, girls and boys, who will be world changers, actively making our world a better place. 

So to inspire your little world changer, here are a few of our favorite things:

 

 

Raising World Changers by frankiegoose featuring a lunch sack

 

We believe in the power of education and knowledge. Inspire your child to explore the world with their Skip Hop Panda Backpack and Sugar Booger Arctic Pals Lunch Sack. Read books like I Am Different! Can You Find Me? and Hello, Washington D.C. Flash cards like Petitcollage's On The Go A-Z Alphabet Art Cards and Our World Floor Puzzle are a great option for your little world traveler. Petitcollage's Mix & Match Animal Jamboree allows for your children to express their creativity and personality, while puzzles like the Beleduc 5-Layer Girl puzzle introduces children to the various systems of the body. Spark your child's curiosity in nature with the Plan Toys Leaf Magnifier.  

For imaginative play, the Educo Fresh Food Market Cash Register is a lot of fun, but it's also a great way to learn counting and even finances. Encourage an interest in music with instruments like the Plan Toys Banjo and Oval Xylophone.  

And healthy minds need healthy bodies. Instill a healthy attitude toward exercise and fitness early with The Little Yoga Mat. Keep the Eco Vessel Stainless Steel Water Bottle handy for yoga sessions or playing outside on the Prince Lionheart Balance Bike. A friendly Zoli Reflectoid is a fun way to keep kids safe when playing outside goes late. 

 

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International Women's Day-Inspiring Change

A Brisk Walk

 

One thing I forget as most mothers do is to steal a few minutes to take care of myself.  I tend to be the type of person who puts myself last and find that a year or years go by and I haven’t had much time when I wasn’t either at work, at home working or doing something with my kids.  While I enjoy much of that I do need some quiet time, to think, breathe, and listen to MY music. 

 At a doctors appt. last week they suggested that I get out and walk to get that dopamine release that we all need.  I still haven’t found much time to do it but I did take a couple of nice long fast walks on cool days and boy was I grateful.  It always amazes me that I can feel so refreshed and rejuvenated by the outdoors.  So my goal is to find a way to make that time at least 1 time a week for now and hope to increase to at least 3 times a week.  I know it makes me a better mother and a happier person.  

 My husband jokes that “When Mommy is happy everyone is happy.”  In many ways I know that is true.  My patience increases and positive discipline is much easier to institute when I feel good and energetic.   I guess I owe it to myself and my family to make a point to get some fresh air and get my heartbeat up. 

International Women's Day-Inspiring Change

(sheri)

When I was growing up my friends were mostly boys. The older I got the fewer girl friends I had. I found boys to be less gossiping, more accepting  and they didn't form cliques like girls did. Boys didn't get caught up in all the things girls did. I couldn't keep up with the "cool clothes"--my family didn't have the money for that. I wasn't allowed to wear make-up, so I couldn't talk about all of the fashion stuff girls did. Looking back, I just didn't fit in with the girls, so I hung out with the boys. This was true even in college and afterwards.

Then, I got married. I suddenly had a family: a husband and two stepsons who lived with us full time. I needed advice from women. I was blessed enough to meet a woman, D., who became one of the most influential people in my life. Aside from the hundreds of things she taught me about raising kids, being a wife, and being a woman, she also taught me the value of women. She showed me the incredible strength women have, the wisdom, the kindness and the foundation women can give to those around them.  She changed everything for me.

Now, 15 years later, I understand that women truly have the strength to change the world. That is one of the things I love about my job, the women. I work with an amazing group of women, but I also get to see everyday the incredible gifts that women posess as mothers, friends, support systems, and wives. I feel empowered by the strength I see everyday in women who give everything they are to raising children and to creating homes, families, and communities.

This Saturday is International Women's Day, a day meant not just to honor women but to unite them in making a better world. I don't understand why we don't celebrate this holiday in America. I wish we did. Women getting behind a cause can change everything.

Every year a theme is assigned for Women's Day, and this year it's, "Inspiring Change." I love this theme and this idea! I ask myself what would I change? As a woman business owner I feel obligated to say that I would encourage all women to feel empowered to own their own businesses, but I think it is deeper than that for me. The change I wish to inspire is to raise girls with a strong sense of self. I believe that a girl/woman who believes in herself can change the world. There is a stigma oftentimes around women with self-confidence, and I believe that needs to go away. We should not feel guilty or selfish for asking for what we need, for demanding from life what we want, and for believing we deserve to have respect, love and equality on our terms. I would encourage women to stop feeling guilty and to feel confident that everything we are doing now is enough, we don't have to do more or be more.

I have a grand daugther ( a step-grand daughter) who is 10 years old. I see a fire in her that I don't want extinguished by society. I also see a self doubt creeping in that I don't want there. I want her to hold on to the fierceness she posesses. The girl who believes she can and will do what she wants (to run an animal shelter caring for sick, endangered, and homeless animals.). I know her ideas will change but I don't want her determination to change. I don't want her to be distracted by cliques, and trying to fit in to some crazy stereotype that exists. I want her to stay strong enough to say "This is who I am and I am amazing!"  

What will your change be?