Nifty products can be helpful for parents
They say that necessity is the mother of invention, and it’s certainly true for several moms who have invented new products to help with the raising of kids.
Tracy Richter of the Tri-Cities came up with a strap to help secure her baby’s car seat to shopping carts.
The strap is $12.99 plus shipping and handling and is available at www.babystrap.com.
Lisa Carvajal of Florida invented the Take-Out-Time-Out pad when her son went through the terrible twos. It’s a pad to take on vacations, to restaurants or wherever a time out may be necessary.
The pad sells for $14.99 plus shipping and handling and is available at www.takeouttimeout.com.
Car seats that stay locked up in a car on a hot sunny day tend to get hot, too. Keri Holmgren of Utah invented a cover to keep the seat cool and comfortable.
The cover, called a Comfaset, is available at various retail stores. You can find a list of these retailers at www.caringparents.com.
Pacifiers can get lost, and, if several moms are in one place or the children are in day care, they might get their kid’s pacifiers confused with others.
Michelle Soudry is selling personalized pacifiers that are dishwasher safe at www.itsmybinky.com.
The pacifiers sell for $18 for three and bulk discounts are available for day-care centers.
Kristine Gibson of Illinois wanted to protect her kids from the germs in public bathrooms so she invented a washable cover that parents can place over the toilet seat and take with them.
The Potty Poncho comes in different colors and is available for adults and children at www.pottyponcho.com. It sells for $19.99 plus shipping and handling.
Be Kind to Animals Kid Contest
The American Human Association is accepting nominations for the 13th annual Be Kind to Animals Kid Contest.
Any child who honors the companionship and friendship that animals bring to us can be nominated.
Kids ages 6 through 13 are eligible, and the deadline to submit your nomination is April 1. Winners will receive prizes. Two grand prize winners will be mentioned in the AHA’s various publications and at their Web site, www.americanhumane.org.
Contest rules and information are available on the site.
Parenting seminar
St. George’s School, 2929 W. Waikiki Road, is presenting “Active Parenting for Teens,” by Gary Steeves, Saturday from 9 a.m. to 3:30 p.m.
The class is $50, and a parenting guide is available for $15.
For more information, call Julie Evans at 991-0536.
Spring break activities
Spokane Parks and Recreation is offering several classes for kids during spring break, April 3 through 7, at the Corbin Art Center, 507 W. Seventh Ave. The classes are all $28 and are from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m.
Registration is required. For more information and a list of classes available, call 625-6677.
Bullying seminar
North Idaho Behavioral Health is presenting “Bullying, Victims and Now Cyber Bullying” Thursday at 6:30 p.m. in the Health Resource Center Fox Auditorium of Kootenai Medical Center, 2003 Lincoln Way, Coeur d’Alene.
Psychologist Ellen Jaeger will discuss how bullying continues to be a problem for school-aged children. For information or to register, call (208) 666-2030.