Latest Blog Posts

Sunday I was going through the SNHParents stats and I cam across something interesting: in 2008 we haven’t had any visitors from Wyoming.

I know what you’re thinking, “SNHParents is about southern New Hampshire families, what would interest someone from WY? Nothing.”

And I would agree with you, except for one thing: in 2008 we’ve had visitors from every other state in the US. If someone in Alaska, or Hawaii found something interesting enough to follow a link to us, why not Wyoming? Not to mention the visitors from the Canada, UK, Germany, France, Sweden, or the other nine countries that have sent visitors this year. But not Wyoming. Was it something we said? Have we somehow offended Wyomingites?

Ok, I don’t really think that’s the case, but it is odd that WY is the only state we haven’t had a visit from, making it the only state not one of several shades of green on the map in our website statistics.

So I’m reaching out to SNHParents, both those who live in Southern New Hampshire and those who visit online and asking you for help. If you know someone who lives in Wyoming, ask them to visit the SNHParents blog so Wyoming can take its place alongside the 49 other green states who have “visited” this website.

Thanks!

Yesterday morning WMUR reported that a student at Sunset Heights Elementary school in Nashua had a confirmed case of Methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) and that a teacher was a possible second case. Unfortunately, the story really didn’t do a good job of explaining what MRSA is. I find this a bit surprising considering a student at Boscawen Elementary School died from MRSA in October (see Concord Monitor link below) and both of Nashua’s high schools had cases last fall (see The Telegraph link). None of these cases are related, but it’s obvious that MRSA is something parents should be aware of.

However, like BPA in baby bottles, it’s also a topic where a little bit of information can be a bad thing. Nobody wants to think of their kids being exposed to some sort of “super germ” in their school…I know my first reaction would be to keep my daughter at home if I learned of a case at her daycare. Of course, that would be a complete over-reaction on my part. One in three people are estimated to be carriers of the staph virus, but the percentage of those carrying MRSA is much lower. And, like “normal” staph infections, the risk of MRSA being passed between people is very low and can be greatly reduced with simple precautions. I’m not sure that makes me feel better, but it does help keep things in perspective.

Here’s a quick overview of MRSA as well as some additional links to help you learn more:

What is MRSA?
In short, MRSA is a strain of staph bacteria that is resistant to all but the most powerful antibiotics. Often found in hospitals or nursing homes, the growth of MRSA outside those areas has been linked to the increased use of antibiotics. There are two types, hospital-acquired MRSA (HA-MRSA) and community-acquired (CA-MRSA). Other than the source of the infection, the two are very similar.

How is MRSA Transmitted?
Skin-to-skin contact, or contact with items that have come in contact with someone else’s infection

Symptoms
According to the CDC: “Staph or MRSA infections in the community are usually manifested as skin infections, such as pimples and boils, and occur in otherwise healthy people.”

Treatment
Currently MRSA can be treated with more powerful antibiotics like vancomyacin. However, increased use of these antibiotics could lead to bacteria becoming more resistant to them in the future. Wounds may also be drained by a physician.

Prevention
The best ways to prevent MRSA infections are the same things you would use to prevent other infections: Wash hands regularly, keep wounds covered, and don’t share personal items.

Additional Links

• MRSA in Schools – CDC
• Overview of Community-Associated MRSA – CDC
• MRSA Infection – Mayo Clinic
• MRSA: Understand your risk and how to prevent infection – Mayo Clinic
• Hand washing: An easy way to prevent infection – Mayo Clinic
• Wikipedia entry on MRSA
• Understanding MRSA – WebMD
• School aid and student have MRSA – The Telegraph
• N.H. official answers staph questions – Concord Monitor

Let me know if you have any other links that would be useful to SNHParents.

A few months ago I reviewed the weemote 3 from Fobis Technologies. Today it’s time to look at another of their children’s remotes, the weemote DV. The weemote 3 did a great job simplifying TV viewing, but can the weemote DV do the same thing for DVDs?

First Impressions
Picture your average remote: it’s probably black or silver and has a ton of little buttons on it, right? Ok, the weemote DV looks nothing like that. Instead, like the weemote 3, it features a colorful, rounded body and brightly colored buttons. However, it also has a soft rubber ring around its edge that makes it easy to grasp. Finally, there are only nine buttons (Play, Pause, Stop, Ok, Up, Down, Left, Right and (M)enu) on the weemote DV. Removing a screw on the bottom allows you to change batteries and access the three programming buttons.

Setup
Setting up the weemote DV is very simple. Just find your DVD player manufacturer in the instruction manual and enter the matching codes until you find the one that controls your player. If for some reason, you can’t find one that works, don’t worry: unlike the weemote 3, the weemote DV is a true learning remote so you can use your current remote to teach the weemote DV commands for any of its nine buttons. The learning feature also lets you use the weemote DV with devices other than DVD players. For example, you could program it to control a CD player and use the “Up” and “Down” keys for volume.

Testing
I tested the remote with our Sony DVD player. Unfortunately, the first weemote DV we received had a defective LED, making it impossible to program the remote using the codes from the manual. A quick e-mail to Fobis Technologies and a new remote was on the way. In the meantime I was able to use the learning feature (which uses a different LED) to program the weemote using my original Sony remote control. Programming was done by pointing the remotes at each other and following a simple sequence for each button.

Once programmed, the weemote DV worked perfectly. I didn’t notice any difference in performance between it, the factory remote, or our much more expensive universal remote. Next I reprogrammed the remote to work with our cable box and it did a great job controlling on-demand titles or programs recorded with the built-in DVR. However, this setup permitted access to all the cable channels, so I’d still recommend the weemote 3 for TV viewing.

After receiving the replacement remote, I entered the DVD player code from the manual and tried the tests again. This was easier than using the learning feature and I would recommend using this method first as there’s no difference in the weemote DV’s performance when it is programmed using the provided codes versus learning from the original remote.

But how did the weemote DV do with its target audience? My two-year-old took to the weemote DV as quickly as she did the weemote 3. However, because the weemote DV’s buttons send a single command rather than the macros used on some of the weemote 3 buttons, she was able to use it more effectively without having to keep it pointed at the DVD player after each button was released. Finally, she ran the remote through her battery of “drop and step” tests and it handled them all without problem. The weemote DV’s rubber ring seemed to make it easier for her to hold and may have provided a bit of cushioning during the drop tests (I would love to see a similar feature added to the weemote 3).

Once again, my daughter’s testing also pointed out a way to improve the way I had programmed the weemote DV. This time it was the “Stop” button that was causing trouble because it took her out of the DVD menus, requiring me to press “Play” or “Enter” to restart the disc and sit through the FBI warning before I could get her back to her movie. Disabling this button kept her within the DVD menu structure.

Final Thoughts
The weemote DV, like the weemote 3, is a welcome addition to the family room, particularly given it’s $25 suggested price. More and more children’s DVDs are including interactive games and puzzles and this remote is a great way to let your children control their discs without overwhelming them with complex remotes or risking them accidentally changing your player’s settings. And although it really shines with a DVD player, as long as you only need nine buttons, it should work well with other remote-controlled electronics.

Heard of Bisphenol-A (BPA)? If not, get ready, because you’re about to. The chemical is used in a variety of consumer products, but its use in water bottles, baby bottles, and food cans that has been a growing source of concern due to BPA’s possible links to number of health problems.

Now The Boston Globe is reporting that CVS has joined Wal-Mart, Nalgene and “other companies in pulling tens of thousands of the shatter-proof, transparent products off store shelves” because they contain BPA. According to the article, BPA has been linked to reproductive problems and possible cancers in animals. It’s also possible that it contributes to obesity. However, plastics industry representatives say “no study has proved a link between Bisphenol A and health problems in humans.”

So let me get this straight: a growing number of scientists and consumer groups have been warning about the possible dangers of BPA and now retailers, including the world’s largest, are pulling products containing BPA off the shelves. And while all this is happening, the chemical industry is saying not to worry? Hmm, I wonder whom I should trust with my family’s health.

Since the evidence is pointing toward BPA being harmful, does it make sense to keep using products that contain it? Of course not. Look, if the chemical industry turns out to be right, and independent studies support them, I’ll consider using products containing BPA again. But until that happens I’m going to look for alternatives.

What can you do?

Well, for starters, don’t panic. Although the list of possible medical issues is scary, remember that no direct link between BPA and those issues in humans has been identified. However, according to a source quoted by The New York Times article linked below, “research strongly suggested that polycarbonate food and beverage containers and food cans were the main source of human exposure to B.P.A.” So reducing or eliminating your family’s exposure to these sources should also reduce the potential risk. And doing this is easy:

1 – Check Your Plastic Bottles and Containers
Look at the recycling logo on any shatterproof plastic bottles or containers you’re using to store food or beverages, including baby bottles. If the number 7 appears inside the logo, the container may contain BPA and you should consider using alternatives. I found the logo on our Nalgene bottles, but thankfully not on our daughter’s cups. Her old bottles, Playtex Ventaire Naturals, had no recycling mark on them, but the Z Report (see below) shows other bottles in the Ventaire line as containing BPA, so I’m glad we’re done using them.

2 – Look for BPA-Free Alternatives
If you do find problem containers, see if you can identify other options, especially for baby bottles. One place to look is the Z Report on BPA in Children’s Feed Products. This site has BPA information for bottles, tableware, pacifiers, utensils, and more. They also offer a text-messaging service, a great option if you want information on a product while you’re in the store. Simply send a text message containing the company name and product line (e.g. ‘avent pacifiers’) and you’ll receive an automated reply with related information.

As far as food cans go, just reduce the amount of canned foods you eat by eating fresh or frozen foods instead. Of course, this also means you’ll probably be eating better, so that’s an added bonus.

3 – Learn More About Bisphenol A
This is a developing issue and both sides are trying to promote their views. The best thing you can do is stay informed and make up your own mind. Go beyond what you see on the nightly news and do your own research. I found the links below by searching Google for “Bisphenol A”, but there are plenty more out there.

• A Hard Plastic is Raising Hard Questions – New York Times (added 4/23)
• Canada Likely to Label Plastic Ingredient ‘Toxic’ – New York Times
• News You Can Use: How Can I Avoid BPA? – ABC News
• Bisphenol A Free
• National Geographic Green Guide
• Wikipedia Entry on Bisphenol A
• Z Recommends collection of BPA links (added 4/29)
• Safe Mamma BPA Free Bottle and Sippy Cup Cheat Sheet (added 5/07)
• Plastics Industry Sites:
  • American Chemistry Council’s “Facts on Plastic”
  • BisphenolA

So let’s hear from you: Did you find any products with BPA in your home? If so, what alternatives are you using?

The Telegraph posted a story yesterday about a Pelham man who had advertised a party on MySpace. Among those who paid to get in were 25 minors from Dracut, Lowell, Lawrence, Chelmsford, Tyngsboro, Tewksbury, Nashua and Hampton. But I’m not posting about this story because local kids were drinking, after all that’s nothing new. And although I have to wonder why a 40-year-old man let minors into his party, I’m also not writing about that.

It was the headline that prompted me to write: Pelham police bust ‘Myspace’ [sic] drinking party

Yes, the party was advertised on the host’s MySpace account, but this wasn’t a ‘MySpace’ party any more than a party advertised via e-mail is an ‘e-mail’ party. Instead, the headline s is simply an attempt to draw in readers by using a buzzword. And since it got me to read it, I guess it worked. But honestly, I’d be surprised if the majority of social activities, including illegal drinking, involving 14-20 year-olds weren’t organized using social media. Why? Because that’s how teens are talking to each other. And if you think that’s not the case, then you haven’t been paying attention.

Look, teens are teens. They do stupid things. I know I did when I was young and I’m sure you did too. And that’s what this story is about: teens who did something stupid. But because of the very minor roll MySpace played in it, this story could also be another reason for some parents to say, “that’s it, no MySpace in my house!”

I’m not saying we shouldn’t be concerned about how our children use social media, in fact quite the opposite. However, if you’re considering a household ban as a solution, I urge you to look at other options. Forbidding things outright isn’t going to solve the problem. I remember how well it worked when I was a teen and I don’t think technology has improved anything. Back in my day (insert old man voice), we organized parties by phone. Prohibiting phone use back then was a lot easier than it is today, but we still got around it. How are you going to control things that can be accessed from just about any computer?

Myspace..Facebook..Twitter..instant messaging, e-mail, blogs…your children have a number of new communication channels available to them. And yes, some of them could put them at risk in ways that we could never have imagined when we were their age. But we’re not their age anymore and it’s now up to us to help them understand the risks, and opportunities, involved with new media, particularly social media. These technologies aren’t inherently bad or good, so rather than freaking out over possible problems, let’s help our kids understand the world they live in and what we expect of them. Let’s give them the tools to make smart choices, even when we’re not around. Hopefully, we’ll be able to help them see why being among 25 minors drinking in a group of “approximately 100 people in the basement of a home” is probably something they should avoid.

To learn more about how kids are using social media, I suggest watching Frontline: Growing Up Online. Not only can you watch the full program online, but you’ll also find additional related information. Of course, you could also simply ask your kids what they’re doing online. No really, you might just learn something. And finally, remember that social media also offers you and your children new ways of communicating with each other.
Of course, I’m sure some of you might think I’m out of line for writing about this when my own daughter is only 2. Don’t worry, my time will come. After all, 12 years ago we could never have imagined the options for communicating that are available today. And who knows what the next 12 years will bring. The only thing I can be sure of is that when my daughter is 14, I’ll be looking back enviously on the days when all parents had to deal with were things like Twitter, Facebook, and MySpace.

So how are you dealing with your children’s online lives?

New Hampshire just keeps getting better and better, at least according to CQ Press. They’ve named NH the “Most Livable State” for the fifth time in a row. This year we’re the only New England state in the top five spots which also include Utah, Wyoming, Minnesota and Iowa.

New Hampshire also ranked highly on the list of “Healthiest States,” passing our neighboring states in our move from last year’s #5 ranking to this year’s #2 spot behind Minnesota. Vermont, Maine And Massachusetts came in right behind us.
And if that’s not enough to convince you that New Hampshire is a great place to live, consider that CQ Press also named NH the “Safest State” for 2008 (up from last year’s #3 spot).

Visit the CQ Press website for the full lists and additional information:

• Crime State Rankings 2008
• Health Care State Rankings 2008
• State Rankings 2008

By now I’m sure you’ve heard of Google Maps. Like many people, you’ve probably already used it (or a similar mapping service) to find directions to a new restaurant, store or other family destination. But now Southern New Hampshire families have another reason to use it: Google has mapped the Manchester and Nashua areas with their “Street View” feature.

What’s Street View?

The Street View feature puts you “in” the map. You can move up and down streets and see things as if you were driving down the street in real life. Just search for an address on Google Maps as normal. If the address is in a Street View area you’ll see a “Street View” button. Click this and then click the little person on the map to start your virtual trip. You can click the photo to move up and down the street as well as pan around 360 the images

So What Good is It?

Once you get past the “golly gee” factor, you may start thinking of ways to use this. Here are a few I came up with while playing with it:

1. “See” a New Destination Before You Actually Go There
   Visit local destinations from your computer and find landmarks to make it easier to find them when you’re surrounded by the distractions of driving.
2. House Hunting
   It’s a buyer’s market right now. Check out the neighborhood around potential houses before you visit the house.
3. Remember Summer
   The Street View images currently being used were taken this past summer (the Telegraph article linked below pinpoints some of the Nashua photos to August 2). Ok, this may be another “golly gee,” but on a snowy day like today, it’s just nice to see images of New Hampshire in the summer. So even though it’s snowing right now, you can “stroll” around without bundling up.

What About Privacy Issues?

Ok this is where things get interesting. To create Street View, Google drove around taking pictures of local streets, and the property all around them. In doing this, did they capture anything that couldn’t be seen by any one else driving or walking on those same streets? It’s unlikely. Of course, if you or your family were visible from your street when it was mapped, you’re part of the site for everyone to see. And that’s where things could get interesting. There are already sites that catalog interesting Street View images, for example streetviewr. So what if Google saw something you’d rather they hadn’t? No problem: Google provides a link to report inappropriate images on the “Street View Help” link. But is that enough?

Let us know what you think: Is Street View a great feature or an invasion of privacy?

February 17 Nashua Telegraph Article
Feburary 14 Union Leader Article

Am I going to hand (my daughter) the remote so she can access 100+ channels of digital TV by herself?

I asked that question about a year ago in a post titled “Say Hello to Generation We.” What I didn’t know then was that it wouldn’t be the TV she was going to be interested in this early, but the remote itself. Since writing that my daughter has developed a keen interest in “daddy’s remote,” a.k.a our universal remote. We tried giving her the remote from an old VCR, but she wasn’t fooled.

Fortunately, Fobis Technologies has solutions for parents looking to give their children a level of control, but still keep them, and your AV equipment, safe. In this post we’ll look at the weemote 3 which can simplify control of a TV and set-top box (cable or satellite). Fobis also sells the weemote Sr. which is functionally identical to the weemote, but features a more sedated color scheme and some tweaks to the default settings to make it friendlier for seniors. We’ll review the weemote dV, which controls DVRs and DVD players, in an upcoming post.

First Impressions

At first glance the weemote looks like a toy, but I mean that in a good way. The rounded shape and bright colors wouldn’t look out of place in a Fisher-Price catalog. And like most toys, the weemote can stand up to the abuse that kids can dish out. During our review it survived being stepped on, dropped onto hardwood floors, and even being licked. Needless to say, I wasn’t willing to subject “daddy’s remote” to those tests. And I certainly wouldn’t recommend trying the last one on any remote.

Ten bright buttons (Mute, Power, Volume Up/Down, Channel Up/Down, and five “Favorite Buttons”) and an LED poke through the weemote’s shell. The Favorite Buttons are each shaped differently (a square, triangle, pentagon, circle, and star) to allow younger children to use the remote, e.g. “press the star to watch Disney”. At the bottom of the remote is a plastic door that protects the six programming buttons.

Basic Setup

Like other aftermarket remotes, the weemote must be programmed to control your TV and, if you have one, set-top box. This is done by entering a code or two from the Quickstart booklet. I had to try a couple different codes for our Sony TV, but our Comcast cable box worked on the first code. Once this is done, you enter up to ten favorite channels. The first five will be accessed using the weemote’s Favorite Buttons and the second will be accessible using the channel up/down buttons.

One important thing to note: If the device you use to change channels (TV or set-top box) is not listed in the Quickstart booklet, you will not be able to use the weemote to change channels, greatly reducing it’s usefulness. Fortunately, the weemote is pre-programmed with codes for a wide range of products. However, you may want to check the list in the booklet (available online) if you’re using unusual equipment.

Advanced Setup

Here’s where I get to geek out a bit. As I mentioned, the weemote is very easy to set up, but beneath that bight plastic are a powerful set of options that can help you tweak the way it works to fine tune it to your preferences. For example, you can do any (or all) of the following:

• Disable volume controls
• Limit channel up/down to favorite channels or allow it to access all available channels
• Tune to Favorite Channel #1 at start up
• Auto-program children’s channels for users with DIRECTV Total Choice or Total Choice Plus
• Adjust the speed of the remote signals
• Adjust the delay of the keypad
• Adjust power options (disable/enable TV and/or cable/satellite box power)
• Select a TV input to tune to at start up (limited)
• Learn commands from your existing remote(s) to the Mute, Volume/Up Down, and Favorite Channel buttons

Testing

In our home, all audio and video goes into our receiver and then to the TV. This means we have to use our universal remote to turn everything on and select the proper input on the receiver. This is something the weemote can’t do, and honestly wasn’t designed to do. Because of this, my wife or I will turn on the TV, set the volume, and then let our daughter control the channels using the weemote. So, our weemote was programmed as follows:

• Power – Disabled
• Volume – Disabled*
• Channel Up/Down – Favorites Only
• Fav. Buttons 1-5 were each programmed with a kid-friendly channel

*I did use the learning feature to have the weemote control the receiver’s volume, but I disabled this feature before handing the remote over to my daughter. This proved wise as she is a big fan of the volume button. With it disabled, I don’t have to worry about her damaging her hearing (or the speakers).

Changing channels was just as fast as entering the numbers on the original remote. I flipped between the channels a bit and then handed the remote to our daughter. She quickly mashed the buttons and managed to change the channel several times before stopping on a show she recognized (and giving the weemote the previously mentioned “lick” test). Ok, not the most scientific of tests, but the weemote did what it was supposed to do. And she did find one issue: Like all infrared remotes, the weemote must be pointed at the TV or set-top box to control it. This may seem obvious, but when sending a series of commands (e.g. 2-1-8 for channel 218) with a single button press, the weemote must be aimed correctly until the last signal is received, not just until the button is released. This means that it’s possible for partial commands to be received, for example “2-1″ instead of “2-1-8.” This isn’t a flaw with the weemote, and is something that also affects our much more expensive universal remote. It didn’t happen too often though, and should be less of an issue with a bit of practice

Conclusion

The weemote delivers on the company’s promise to make “TV safer for your kids.” But if this was all it did, I wouldn’t recommend it. Most set-top boxes accomplish the same thing by allowing you to set access codes for specific channels and/or program ratings. The weemote is not a substitute for these features. In fact, your children can always bypass the weemote’s pre-defined channels by using the buttons on your set-top box or TV to change channels. Enabling your set-top box’s access controls will prevent your children from viewing channels and programs you consider inappropriate, no matter which remote you use.

I also wouldn’t recommend the weemote if all it did was eliminate the remote clutter in your living room. Cable and satellite service generally includes a remote that does this quite well. Local stores also carry a wide range of aftermarket universal remotes that do the same thing.

What sets the weemote apart from the other solutions is that it makes TV safer by not only limiting the channels, but also by greatly simplifying the remote itself. This means that not only can your kids not get to unapproved channels using the weemote, but they also can’t accidentally purchase a pay-per-view title or change your TV’s setup menus to a foreign language (am I the only one who has had this happen?). Add a durable, kid-friendly design to the package and the weemote is definitely a winner.

My favorite kinds of products are those that are simple and useful. OnTray is just that. This simple little tray snaps onto the handle of shopping carts and can hold snacks for your child, coupons, a calculator, or whatever. The removable lid even stores on the bottom of OnTray.

I’ll admit at first I didn’t think this simple plastic container would be that useful. But then I gave it a try when my daughter and I went shopping. But after snapping it into place on the cart handle, I realized how great this product was really going to be. I don’t know how many times I’ve been trying to move quickly through the shopping aisles while trying to fish crackers out of a crumpled bag for my daughter. With this secure tray, both she and I are happier. This is brilliant! And at $6.99 (or $11.99 for two), it’s a steal. I would definitely recommend it!

OnTray

I do my part when I fly. I show up at least an hour early – even earlier when I fly with my child. I pack carefully so that any TSA agent who decides to search my bag won’t have too much trouble getting though it quickly. I filter out all my liquids in my purse and my child’s diaper bag and make sure it all fits into my quart size bag (even though I am allowed more when I fly with my daughter). I can walk through most security check points without setting off an alarm, as I’m meticulous about what I wear and what is in my pockets. I even go so far as to make sure I wear easy off and on shoes so I don’t hold up the line. I never bring on more than my one carry on bag and one personal item (and that includes the diaper bag). And, as in the case of my last holiday trip, I pay for this privilege – A LOT!

However, even though I held up my end of the bargain this last holiday travel season, I was greeted at my destination with no luggage. Still, I tried hard to keep it together. So I would have to buy some soap and new underwear, eventually, I thought, I would get my things back. But then I realized – one of the pieces missing was my child’s car seat.

Parents, I’m writing this as a warning. This is how United Airlines dealt with me. Scratch that: this is how United Airlines treated my child. When I asked them to provide me with a loaner, they said they had none. They did check with another airline (Northwest) and they did not have a suitable option either. This is basically the conversation that followed:

Me: It is illegal for me to drive away from this airport with my child without putting her in a car seat. What do you expect me to do?

United Agent: I’m sorry, I understand, but there is nothing more I can do for you

Me: Can’t you coordinate something with one of the rental car agencies? Surely they have car seats you could borrow?

United Agent: Ma’am, you are welcome to check with them but I do not have the authority to do that.

Me: Will United pay for any costs that I incur?

United Agent: You can call this number and ask them, but I have no idea.

Me: (Stunned look).

Still stunned by United’s inability to manage an issue that they created I trudged over to one of the rental car counters and asked if they had a car seat I could rent. The kid at the counter said yes but could only give me one if I rented a car (which I did not need). After much begging and pleading he went against his company policy and gave me a car seat for no charge. I only had to promise to bring it back the next day before his boss came to work so that he wouldn’t get in trouble. I happily agreed and did return the car seat before his boss found out.

A few points to note:

First, I know it’s appalling to some not to put your child in a car seat on a plane. And honestly, this incident has forced me to think about that a bit more. I assumed since airlines often cite safety as a reason it enforces so many rules that they know what they are talking about when they say it’s optional. It’s tricky when the seats are all different sizes and availability is scattered. Still, I’m rethinking our previous approach to flying as a family.

Second, we had a plane change in Chicago – which is a busy airport – granted! However, my husband’s bag made it, which proved to me that while it was possible for them to transfer our luggage, they simply did not. Third, it took United two full days to give us back our car seat and the rest of our luggage. My husband and I had many conversations with United’s baggage loss department and one agent said to me many times that it was always at the baggage handler’s discretion on whether or not our luggage would be put on the next flight. Weren’t these the same people who didn’t do the job right the first time? The fact that they were holding our car seat made no difference to them.

It’s appalling to me that United had no solution for us when, in my opinion, there are several procedures they could put into place to deal with these issues. One would be to implement better luggage transfer processes (Weren’t they supposed to do that as part of this homeland security thing anyway?). Next they could have loaner car seats available at airports – maybe a stash that all the airlines could use? Or they could contract with the rental car agencies to borrow car seats from them when needed. Certainly airlines should be able to coordinate something with them directly instead of forcing their passengers to go begging. If that was in place, this poor car rental agent wouldn’t have had to put his line on the job to make up for United’s mishap. Finally, I have to say if airlines can’t handle this task, they should require infants and children who fly with them to purchase a seat and to be in an approved car seat.

This incident was a huge eye opening incident for me. At the end of it all, I’m not just re-evaluating the airlines luggage policies, but also their overall disregard for their young travelers. Safety does not seem to be of any concern for them. And while I used to trust that they must know what they are talking about when they say children can sit on laps (if they are under 2) and that if they have a seat, a car seat is optional, I can no longer take them at their word. For my part, I won’t check our car seat again. At worst, I will gate check it. They just can’t be trusted with something so important.

As a frequent traveler, I can accept lost luggage as I have come to accept all of the other annoyances that are part of flying. Like all of those things, I figure out how to compensate. But when I trusted them with something that is a legal safety requirement for my child I had expected them to respect it. I did my part, why can’t they do theirs?