Here are some upcoming events at the zoo:

Nov. 25 – Free day.  No admission fee!  Hours are 9 a.m. to 5 p.m.

Nov. 27 – Feast for the Beasts. Some animals will be feasting on traditional Thanksgiving dishes from 1:30 to 3 p.m.

December through February – Free zoo admission every Monday!

Dec. 1 – 24 – Deck the Zoo. Bring and edible wildlife ornament and get admission to the zoo for only $1!

Dec. 5, 12 and 19 – Cupcakes with Santa. Kids can decorate their own holiday cupcake.  They’ll create some unique holiday crafts and end the day with a visit from Santa himself.  Kids must be accompanied by an adult. Cost for children age 3 and older is $20 for ZooFriends members, $22 for nonmembers. Adults are free with a paid child. Pre-registration is required and must be made one week prior to the event. Register online at http://okczoo.recware.com or call 425-0218.

Dec. 5 – Wreath making class. Everything to make a holiday wreath will be provided. Cost is $20 for ZooFriends members, $25 for nonmembers and the class is for age 16 and older.  Register at the same site or phone number listed above.

Dec. 7 – Coffee Connections. This is a new, FREE program for ages 16 and older from 9 to 10 a.m. Meet at the Rosser Conservation Education Center to learn about the zoo and its happenings while sipping a cup of joe.

Dec. 14 – Santa is stopping by the zoo to delivery goodies to the animals from 10 to 11 a.m. Guests in the Canopy Restaurant can enjoy free hot chocolate and doughnuts and get pictures with Santa.  Activity is free, no reservations are required.  

Dec. 29, 30 – Winter day camps are available for ages 4-11.  They are from 9 a.m. to noon and cost $20 for ZooFriends members, $25 for nonmembers.  Snacks will be provided, but bring a lunch. Advance registration and payment are required.  Enroll at http://okczoo.recware.com or call 425-0218.

For more information about upcoming zoo events, go to www.okczoo.com.

~Erica Smith
esmith@opubco.com

Maclaren USA has reported 12 fingertip amputations in the U.S. involving the strollers’ hinge mechanism, all children.

1 million strollers are affected by this recall including ALL single and double umbrella strollers.  They were sold at various stores including Babies R Us, Target and other national retailers from 1999 through this month. 

Consumers will get a free repair kit from Maclaren.

For full recall information, including additional photos, click here. 

I can’t encourage parents enough to sign up to get recall alerts emailed to them.  Since my son was born, 5 items we were using, including a carseat, were recalled. 

Sign up online at https://www.cpsc.gov/cpsclist.aspx.

-Erica Smith
esmith@opubco.com

Recently, The New York Times had an article about the surge in sharing kids’ photos online.  Many parents use sites such as Flickr, Facebook, MySpace, YouTube and other social networking sites to share countless moments of their kiddos – whether they’re in a Halloween costume, at Grandma’s house or (gasp!) playing in the tub.  But in some cases, photos have ended up used in ways not intended by the parent.

Some examples include photos of baby being passed off as someone else’s who is faking a pregnancy; use of children’s head shots on profiles on a social networking site in Brazil, even getting “sexy” ratings.  And of course, parents are concerned about pedophiles singling out their children and in turn finding out where they live. 

But some parents say this is the age of the Internet.  No longer are moms and dads sending pictures of their children through the mail to the grandparents in another state.  These days, grandma and grandpa are hooked to the Web to see instant pictures. 

So is it exploitation or unsafe to post pictures?  Or are the fears irrational and this is just how the 21st century is? It’s a decision only parents can make.  But if you do post pics, be sure to use password-protected Web sites and always check your privacy settings on these sites.  

And when given the choice of “Share with the world” or “Private” … don’t always go with what the site “recommends.”  Go with your gut instinct instead.

-Erica Smith
esmith@opubco.com

I’ve written posts for Hiccups before on the importance of water safety, but in light of another recent drowning, I’d like to share my personal experience with a program my 3-year-old son is in.

Infant Swimming Resource is a program I found after a user on NewsOK.com posted a comment on a story about a baby drowning a couple of months ago.  Her comment was, “If the family only knew about ISR.”  That comment prompted me to look into this program. 

I went to their Web site, www.infantswim.com,  and watched the videos and read about parents’ experiences with the program.  I have to say, I was instantly impressed.  (Click below to see the video.)

These babies and toddlers weren’t just swimming, they were performing self-rescue skills.  I found an instructor in the Oklahoma City-area using the online locator and got him started in the lessons.

I’ve had my son in swimming lessons before, but have been very disappointed with the results.  He was only swimming with a floatie on or by using a noodle and these give children, and their parents,  a false sense of security.  Children don’t fall into pools with floaties on.  If they did, no child would drown.

What ISR does is look at all aspects of a child.  The program uses many fields of study in their approach – psychology, biology, physiology and anatomy.  And most children go through the program and are skilled in self-rescue swimming in only 4-6 weeks.

When my son started, he had never even been put underwater. He never floated on his own.  He was terrified of going underwater. Now he is in his last week in the program. He can swim underwater, turn to float to get his breath then continue swimming to the side of the pool.  Without the aid of any flotation device.  If you knew my son, you would know this is truly impressive.

The lessons are one-on-one with a highly trained instructor.  Because repetition is key, they are every weekday for the full 4-6 weeks. To prevent water fatigue, the lessons are only 10 minutes long. 

I urge every parent to check out this program.  I am truly impressed with what my son has learned and with the professionalism and knowledge of the instructors.  It’s a small price to pay and small amount of time to spend on preventing the senseless tragedy of losing a child to drowning.

-Erica Smith

esmith@opubco.com

The first five are for trick-or-treaters:

1. Cross the street safely at corners. Use traffic signals and crosswalks.  Walk, don’t run, and always look left, right then left again before crossing.

2. Stay on sidewalks or paths. No sidewalks? Then walk facing traffic as far to the left as possible.

3. Slow down, stay alert. Keep an eye out for cars turning or backing up.  Don’t dart into the street or cross in between parked cars.

4. Young kids should always be with an adult. Especially those younger than 12. 

5. Costumes should be safe. Reflective tap is essential.  If possible, choose a light-colored costume. Choose nontoxic face paint over a mask that can obstruct a child’s vision. Have kids carry glow sticks and flashlights. Make sure they can be seen.

The last five are for drivers:

6.  SLOW DOWN.  Especially in residential neighborhoods and school zones. Most often, trick-or-treating is done between 5:30 and 9:30 p.m.

7. Be especially alert. Take extra time to look for kids at intersections, on medians and on curbs. Kids can be unpredictable so be on guard.

8. Enter and exit driveways slowly and carefully.

9. Reduce distractions when driving.  Don’t talk on your phone or text. It only takes a second to miss a child darting out in front of your car. Concentrate fully on the road and your surroundings.

10. Keep your headlights on so you can spot kids at a greater distance. Children may not be able to see your vehicle.

Let’s keep these 10 important tips in mind so everyone has a safe and happy Halloween.

-Erica Smith
esmith@opubco.com

Turns out she’s thinking about some of the same things we “regular” moms are – how to keep the clan close, which battles to wage with the kids and which to forget and so on.

Denise Jones is set to speak at an iMom event at a Brooklyn school on Friday, Oct. 23. The nonprofit organization iMom provides support for moms in school and online. The organization has monthly events called iMom Morning, at 350 public schools across the nation.

Here’s some of her advice, some personal principles she’s acquired on her own:

1. Put in the rug time. “I called our family’s spontaneous father-and-sons games “rug time” or “rearranging the living room without license.” But without a word, the boys and their dad called it love. I learned that no carpet or piece of furniture is worth more than bonding that happens in the rug time.” 

2. Cook when you can. “Life on the road wreaks havoc on kitchen togetherness but I love to cook and I’ve learned to do it as much as I can. Something’s very comforting about eating food mom cooks.”

3. Never mind the hair. “Moms also  know this lesson as ‘choose your battles.’ As issues come up, I’ve learned to weigh each for its big-picture significance and adjust my response. Some things, like a  teenager’s hair, I let go.”

4. Buy the drums. “Your daughter wants to play softball? Find a team. Your son wants to sing? Encourage it. Someone’s good at drawing? Quick: paper and colors. At times you have to study your kids. Other times their gifts hit you full force. Whatever the case, give them a chance — then stand back and give them room.”

5. Celebrate the wrinkle cream. “In a store once, I saw a wrinkle cream and mentioned it to the boys that I like it. Next Mother’s Day, I’m unwrapping the wrinkle cream and felt like crying! But the sweet thing is, my sons had heard me and wanted to please me.”

6. Trust the detours. First the news of Nick’s diabetes brought shock. Then we responded as a family. We learned about diabetes, followed the guidelines and stayed the course — and our eyes opened to others with health issues. Bad news has been a back door blessing.”

7. Stay grateful. “With privilege comes responsibility and we’re grateful for all of it. Yes, everything. Our flight is held up? We’re grateful to be going. Our hotel reservation is one room short?  We’ll sleep on the floor. Life isn’t perfect, but in every circumstance, our job is to manage our response.”     

8. Sit close, hug often. “Our family speaks the language of hugs and we speak it liberally. I’ve learned that when words aren’t enough, holding my child says volumes. Kids outgrow laps but never hugs.”

9. Set internal pillars. “The world presses in with schedules, expectations and exhaustion. How my children withstand that has everything to do with what’s inside them. We don’t just assume our kids will pick up good inner structures such as honor, self-respect, honesty and kindness. We talk about these things and praise our kids when those qualities show.”

10. Be the mom. “My kids don’t need me to be a buddy, a sidekick or a maid: They need me to be a mom. Kids need a mom to set limits, set the example and set out what they can be and do. Anyone can be a friend. Only the mom can be the mom. That’s the highest calling — a a big reason I’m big on iMom.”  

For more information about iMom, go online to www.iMom.com.

Carla Hinton 

Playgroups are FREE and for children from birth to 36 months old and their parents.  Play clothes are suggested.

Parents will be able to play with their kids and meet other parents.  Facilitators will also be there to talk about behavior of young children, language, age-appropriate play activities and positive parenting. 

Here are some dates & locations:

Edmond: Peace Lutheran Church, 2600 E Danforth Rd. 
Nov. 5, 19 and Dec. 3, 17.  
Sessions are 9 to 10 a.m.  and 10:15 to 11:15 a.m.

NW Oklahoma City: Mayfair Church of Christ, 2340 NW 50.
Oct. 28, Nov. 25 and Dec. 9. 
Sessions are 2 to 3 p.m.

Midwest City: Doctor’s Tower, 3rd floor, 6912 E Reno.
Nov. 10, 24 and Dec. 8, 22.
Sessions are 10 to 11 a.m.

To participate, you must pre-register by calling 425-4412.  And check out the health department’s schedule of upcoming parenting workshops by going to http://www.cchdoc.com/ and clicking on the Parent Express Newsletter on the right-hand side.  

-Erica Smith
esmith@opubco.com

Especially when it is the death of a mother who leaves young children behind.

Shock is the initial feeling I felt when I heard my friend Karen Baker had died Sunday. She and I had been co- assistant leaders for our daughters’ Girl Scout troop, and then co-leaders.

Our children had attended the same daycare and then the same schools. Her children were similar in age to two of my children.

Karen was always smiling, laughing … You always felt good around her.

How saddening was my second thought. Her children. Her husband. Why?

When I was diagnosed with breast cancer in 1999, my first reaction was fear, but it was quickly followed by a deep, sinking feeling that I might not be around for my children, then ages 1 and almost 5.  

Karen’s children are middle school and high school ages, still very young. They still needed their mother.

My heart breaks for this family. And it also renews the worries.

Whether you’re a mother or father, you always want to be there for  your children. 

– Linda Lynn

LLYNN@OPUBCO.COM

The free parenting seminar will be at the Edmond library on Wednesday, Sept. 23, from 3:30 – 5:00 p.m. It’s perfect for parents and caregivers of children from birth to age 5. The experts from Child Guidance Services will answer questions and address concerns, and give out great information about issues related to eating.  Techniques and resources will be provided.

To register, call Child Guidance at 425-4412 to register.  For more information about this program and others, call 427-8651 or go to www.cchdoc.com.

-Erica Smith
esmith@opubco.com

Until this week, my daughter had been sleeping on a mattress I know is older than my husband. (At least she was sleeping on it when she wasn’t sleeping on the livingroom couch.)

The old mattress was hard, you could feel the springs, it seemed to tilt down at the head of the bed, and the box springs cover had started to tear away.  Sounds awful, but it wasn’t until I spent quite a few nights in the bed during the nights she couldn’t go back to sleep that I began to realize just how uncomfortable her bed was.

First, I looked online to see what type of style she might like. We decided together that a twin or daybed would be perfect for her, since it would open up more space to play in her room. But I still hesitated making a purchase, because I wanted to make sure to get something she would love. Good beds aren’t cheap, so I wanted her choice to be one she would enjoy for several years.

This past weekend, she and I made the furniture row rounds, looking at bedframes, trying out mattresses, comparing styles and colors and prices. And we bought it.

A black, solid-wood daybed with two hot pink, soft mattresses.

I thought this would certainly help her go to sleep at night – and get her off our couch at night.

The day the bed was delivered, we also bought a new hot pink and zebra-striped comforter set, as well as hot pink curtain and body pillow. Everything looked so cute!

What I didn’t foresee was the smell!

The mattresses had a strong chemical smell, perhaps because they had just been unsealed from their protective plastic. It was so bad neither one of us wanted to spend time in her room.

That night, though her room was decked out and comfy, she slept on the couch.

–Linda Lynn

LLYNN@OPUBCO.COM