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Friday, December 08, 2006

it's not that i don't like blogging...

Really, it's not. I like it and I miss it. It's just that I can't rescue my mind from carseats. I think about it 14 hours a day and have even taken to dreaming about it at night. It's definitely an addiction. A very safe and good addiction as far as addictions go, I suppose, but consuming still. I joined a message board with people just like me on it. Yes, there are people like me. I am not alone. People like me that analyze the way cartoon characters use carseats. Arthur's baby sister? NOT properly restrained. That kid should so be rear-facing. People like me who gasp in horror at the newest Sear's commercial where the baby is strapped in a carseat with a huge snowsuit on and very loose harness straps. People like me who want to save the world one carseat at a time. I even made another blog just for random carseat stuff.

I've thought about doing a weekly post with carseat tips. But where would I start? 9 out of 10 carseats are being used improperly with an average of 3 errors per seat. I see it each and every day and sometimes it's overwhelming. I know logically that I can't help everyone. I can't help those who don't want to be helped. But where do I draw the line? Do I say something to the teacher at Little Boy's preschool who has a horribly misused carseat in the backseat of her car or do I mind my own business? What if she was in a crash tomorrow and her child was hurt or killed because I decided to mind my own business? You see why I'm so conflicted?

So you see, it's not that I don't like blogging. It's not you. It's me.

11 comments:

sheri said...

You can't use that line. *I* made up "it's not you, it's me"
(that would be George Costanza)
And you'll be happy to know that I gasped at that snowsuited baby in the commercial the other day, too. See? You've already made a difference :)
I know where you're coming from in your dilemma of wanting to save a child's life but not wanting to intrude. My suggestion would be to somehow make it known to everyone that you are a certified carseat saftey chick. (formal title, I'm sure) Even though I'd like to think I'm fairly aware of carseat safety, if I knew another mom at ds's school were certified like you are...I'd TOTALLY ask her to take a look at my carseats. So try to slip it into conversations or something. Or better yet, get a shirt made w/your title embroidered on it :)
Ok, wait...maybe that's not a bad idea. Maybe not the shirt, but business cards? I wouldn't be offended AT ALL if a mom went around passing them out...offering to give carseat advice/help to any of us if we wanted it.

Staci said...

Just so you know...
YOU MADE A DIFFERENCE IN MY LIFE!!!
I have a 6 month old daughter, the literal light-of-my-life. A month or 2 ago I went out of town, borrowed a car seat, and because of my ignorance, I changed it's installation to front facing, so I could see baby, and for convenience. Well, we were fine and returned home safely. Then I read your blog about how long babies should be rear facing, etc.. etc.. I was literally in tears. What had I done??? I can't believe I NEVER KNEW THIS. I think I'm a pretty good parent, I research EVERYTHING! How could this has slipped by me??
Anyways.
Thanks to YOU, my baby is rear-facing, I'm researching the safest carseat, installing properly, and am put my 3.5 year old back into a car seat.
PLEASE keep up the good work. Don't keep this stuff to yourself, it could save a child.
Just wanted to say "thank you" :)

Char @ Crap I've Made said...

Well, I miss you. And one of these days I actually will get pictures of my seat belts so you can tell me if the buckles lock or whatever. In the mean time, if my kids die....TOTALLY not your fault.

:o)

sheri said...

Uh, and in case I sounded cheap, I'd even be willing to pay you (or whoever) to look at my carseats.

Anonymous said...

I just burst out laughing when you talked about the Sears commercial - because I saw it and thought "I bet if Alicia sees this, it will drive her crazy!" Ben was watching with me and said "That baby shouldn't have a big, bulky coat on!" ROFLOL!!!

Alicia said...

Oh don't you worry, Ms. Sheri! Come January, everyone will know I'm a CPST! These things are all on my Christmas list:

http://www.cafepress.com/cpstgear.66425431

http://www.cafepress.com/cpstgear.47444409

http://www.shellebelle.com/cpsstore.html

And an update. I wrote the teacher at preschool a note. Hopefully she'll call me! Katy's ds is in her class...Katy is going to tell her to call me too, lol!

Anonymous said...

She checks my seats everytime she helps put my kids in the car! But I miss your blogs.... :)

Anonymous said...

And for the record, she *does* have a snazzy embroidered shirt - she wore it when she came to check my seats! LOL Thanks again, I keep forgetting to post a thank you to you for that!

Rachelle said...

I miss your bloggy. And I would totally love car seat tips. I wish you lived close enough to me to inspect mine.

Lei said...

you're so definitely forgiven... wise carseat lover. ;)

Valarie said...

I think you need a sash- like a hall monitor. or maybe a vest. those would both look really official.