Thursday, October 29, 2009
International Nanny Association Demands Drastic Changes to Dante's Inferno Video Game or No Release
Irresponsible to market "baby killing" to group which statistically has highest percentage of individuals charged with child maltreatment, says INA
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
PRLog (Press Release) – Oct 29, 2009 – Last week the International Nanny Association (INA) drew heat from the gaming and tech world for their public statement denouncing a level of Electronic Art's (EA) upcoming game, Dante's Inferno-- the level unveiled during the company’s Naughty or Nice press event on October 14, 2009.
INA took issue with the "lust level" of the game, which has a February release date, in which “un-baptized babies” are slaughtered by the game player to earn the achievement of "bad nanny."
Lynne Kenney, PsyD, known as "The Family Coach" and author of The Family Coach Method insists "INA has not over-reacted.” She says, “We live in a culture that has become desensitized to killing. To encourage even adults to play games that celebrate and reward killing babies is disgusting and sick. Social isolation, gaming that emphasizes ‘kills’ and companies that spend man hours on this sort of game development contribute to the dehumanization of children, which is appalling."
According to The Entertainment Software Association, in 2009, 68% of individuals in US households now play computer or video games. They also state that the average player is 35 years of age.
According to the US Department of Health and Human Services, the median age of an individual who is charged with child maltreatment is between 30 and 33 years of age.
INA is shocked by the amount of excitement and anticipation being expressed on hundreds of video gaming message boards and blogs over the unveiling of the lust level in Dante's Inferno. INA feels strongly that marketing a video game that promotes “baby-killing” (a term EA has coined) to an audience that statistically has the highest percentage of individuals charged with child maltreatment is extremely irresponsible.
INA stands by its original statement and demands that Electronic Arts either not release the game or drastically change the verbiage and nature of the lust level in the game.
# # #
The International Nanny Association (INA), a nonprofit organization, serves as the umbrella organization for the in-home child care industry. INA members include nannies, nanny employers, nanny agencies, educators and industry service providers. Since 1985, INA has worked to professionalize the industry by setting high standards for industry professionals and nanny agencies. INA leverages the expertise of industry professionals from around the globe to help increase awareness about the industry, to develop the professional skills of nannies, and to educate parents about the benefits of hiring a qualified nanny to care for their children.
International Nanny Association
P.O BOX 1299
Hyannis, MA 02601
(Toll Free) 888.878.1477
713.526.2670
Fax: 508.638.6462
Sunday, October 25, 2009
The International Nanny Association Speaks Out Against Video Game
The International Nanny Association Speaks Out Against Video Game:
Dante's Inferno Baby Killing Achievement called "Bad Nanny"
We wish to inform you of a hot button topic where INA has recently
taken a stance: Last week, the International Nanny Association (INA) released an
official statement regarding the soon-to-be released Dante's Inferno Video Game which
features a baby killing achievement, or trophy, called "Bad Nanny."
"INA feels this video game component of Dante's Inferno was created out of poor
taste and bad judgment. INA is opposed to video games that promote and encourage
players to "kill" babies, even in fantasy play. It is our opinion that this type
of play may promote violence towards children. The name of the trophy
or achievement,"Bad Nanny," is offensive to our association in that we strive to
promote and educate the public regarding the selfless work nannies do to support families by providing quality in-home child care."
INA has received a response statement from the Entertainment Software Rating Board
regarding this topic: "ESRB appreciates the sentiment being expressed in response to recent reports about the content in the Dante's Inferno Game. This game has not yet been rated by ESRB.If and when it is submitted, ESRB will assign rating information that will enable consumers to make an educated decision as to whether it is one they
deem suitable.
In fact, ESRB's new rating summaries go beyond a game's age rating and content descriptors to provide a more detailed description of content in a game that
factored into its rating, further empowering consumers with specific information about game content. All that being said, it should be understood that our job is not to censor potentially tasteless or objectionable content nor dictate to publishers what type of content they may include in their games. ESRB's role is to objectively evaluate a game's content and assign age and content ratings that will be helpful in
allowing consumers to make informed choices."
INA has yet to receive a response from Electronic Arts (EA), the game's publisher.
INA asks that EA either not release the game or use alternate titles for the highly
objectionable and inappropriate concepts of "baby killing" and "bad nanny."
A Google word search of "Dante's Inferno Nanny" will show you the
massive response INA's statement has created in the gaming and tech world. You can view recent news articles that have sourced INA here.
Read Be the Best Nanny's blog posting on this topic, as well as
links to relevant violence in media websites and clinical studies proving the adverse
effect of violent video games on children.
Learn about the soon-to-be released Dante's Inferno Video Game.
Learn about The Divine Comedy, which Dante's Inferno Video Game is
based.
Dante's Inferno Baby Killing Achievement called "Bad Nanny"
We wish to inform you of a hot button topic where INA has recently
taken a stance: Last week, the International Nanny Association (INA) released an
official statement regarding the soon-to-be released Dante's Inferno Video Game which
features a baby killing achievement, or trophy, called "Bad Nanny."
"INA feels this video game component of Dante's Inferno was created out of poor
taste and bad judgment. INA is opposed to video games that promote and encourage
players to "kill" babies, even in fantasy play. It is our opinion that this type
of play may promote violence towards children. The name of the trophy
or achievement,"Bad Nanny," is offensive to our association in that we strive to
promote and educate the public regarding the selfless work nannies do to support families by providing quality in-home child care."
INA has received a response statement from the Entertainment Software Rating Board
regarding this topic: "ESRB appreciates the sentiment being expressed in response to recent reports about the content in the Dante's Inferno Game. This game has not yet been rated by ESRB.If and when it is submitted, ESRB will assign rating information that will enable consumers to make an educated decision as to whether it is one they
deem suitable.
In fact, ESRB's new rating summaries go beyond a game's age rating and content descriptors to provide a more detailed description of content in a game that
factored into its rating, further empowering consumers with specific information about game content. All that being said, it should be understood that our job is not to censor potentially tasteless or objectionable content nor dictate to publishers what type of content they may include in their games. ESRB's role is to objectively evaluate a game's content and assign age and content ratings that will be helpful in
allowing consumers to make informed choices."
INA has yet to receive a response from Electronic Arts (EA), the game's publisher.
INA asks that EA either not release the game or use alternate titles for the highly
objectionable and inappropriate concepts of "baby killing" and "bad nanny."
A Google word search of "Dante's Inferno Nanny" will show you the
massive response INA's statement has created in the gaming and tech world. You can view recent news articles that have sourced INA here.
Read Be the Best Nanny's blog posting on this topic, as well as
links to relevant violence in media websites and clinical studies proving the adverse
effect of violent video games on children.
Learn about the soon-to-be released Dante's Inferno Video Game.
Learn about The Divine Comedy, which Dante's Inferno Video Game is
based.
Saturday, October 24, 2009
INA Responds to Dante's Inferno Video Game Feature
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
PRLog (Press Release) – Oct 19, 2009 – Last week, the International Nanny Association (INA) released an official statement regarding the soon to be released Dante's Inferno Video Game which features a baby killing achievement, or trophy, called "Bad Nanny."
"INA feels this video game component of Dante's Inferno was created out of poor taste and bad judgment. INA is opposed to video games that promote and encourage players to "kill" babies, even in fantasy play. It is our opinion that this type of play may promote violence towards children. The name of the trophy or achievement, "Bad Nanny," is offensive to our association in that we strive to promote and educate the public regarding the selfless work nannies do to support families by providing quality in-home child care."
INA has received a response statement from the Entertainment Software Rating Board regarding this topic:
"ESRB appreciates the sentiment being expressed in response to recent reports about the content in the Dante... Read More’s Inferno video game. This game has not yet been rated by ESRB. If and when it is submitted, ESRB will assign rating information that will enable consumers to make an educated decision as to whether it is one they deem suitable. In fact, ESRB’s new rating summaries go beyond a game’s age rating and content descriptors to provide a more detailed description of content in a game that factored into its rating, further empowering consumers with specific information about game content. All that being said, it should be understood that our job is not to censor potentially tasteless or objectionable content nor dictate to publishers what type of content they may include in their games. ESRB’s role is to objectively evaluate a game’s content and assign age and content ratings that will be helpful in allowing consumers to make informed choices."
Sunday, September 27, 2009
Congratulations - INA Book Winner
Congratulations to Christine. Your comment submisstion won the complimentary copy of Beyond Parenting Basics.
~Nana, the eclectic nanny~ said...
first of all I read read read! magazines, books, and current trends, even if I don't support them, I want to know about them. I have also taught in the daycare world for many years. the first job I ever held was in a center owned by a good friend. we still take all the CE classes together that she has her current staff take. I keep my hours current with state guidelines for daycare teachers, I think its 20 hours per year. I also look for classes offered in my area.
christine casarez
nanatheeclecticnanny.blogspot.com
~Nana, the eclectic nanny~ said...
first of all I read read read! magazines, books, and current trends, even if I don't support them, I want to know about them. I have also taught in the daycare world for many years. the first job I ever held was in a center owned by a good friend. we still take all the CE classes together that she has her current staff take. I keep my hours current with state guidelines for daycare teachers, I think its 20 hours per year. I also look for classes offered in my area.
christine casarez
nanatheeclecticnanny.blogspot.com
Sunday, September 13, 2009
Win a copy of Beyond Parenting Basics
Want to Win a Copy of Beyond Parenting Basics: The International Nanny Association's Official Guide to In-Home Child Care?
Beyond Parenting Basics: The International Nanny Association’s Official Guide to In-Home Child Care was developed to help prepare caregivers and parents for the responsibility that comes along with being a primary caregiver.
Co-authored by Sara McCormack Hoffman, director of the Professional Nanny Program at Minnesota State College and Michelle LaRowe, INA Credentialed Nanny and author of Nanny to the Rescue!, Working Mom’s 411 and A Mom’s Ultimate Book of Lists , Beyond Parenting Basics is the perfect resource for anyone who desires to become a better caregiver.
Designed for use by those wishing to expand their knowledge of child care, Beyond Parenting Basics is perfect for those preparing for a career as an in-home child care provider or those already working in the field who wish to take the International Nanny Association’s Nanny Credential Exam to become an INA Credentialed Nanny. Beyond Parenting Basics also serves as an important resource for parents who wish to improve their parenting skills through the expansion of their child care knowledge.
Read more about Beyond Parenting Basics: The International Nanny Association’s Official Guide to In-Home Child Care
To enter this contest, simply answer the following question in the comments section of this post:
As a nanny, how do you continue your education and why is continuing education important to you?
One entry per person, please. You must include your name and email address in your comment, so we can contact you if you win.
Winner will be chosen using Random.org.
Only those who live in the Continental US are eligible.
No entries after 11:00 pm Eastern Standard Time Wednesday, Sept. 23.
Winner will be announced by 11:00 am Eastern Standard Time Sunday, Sept. 27.
Friday, September 4, 2009
INA Lobbying Efforts need your help to increase Child and Dependent Care Tax Credit
Dear INA Members:
We are extremely pleased to report that INA's ongoing lobbying effort to increase the federal Child and Dependent Care Tax Credit (CDCTC) has resulted in three bills in Congress in support of our position! The bills, H.R. 460 and H.R. 1500 in the House and S. 210 in the Senate, all seek to raise the amount of childcare expenses eligible for the credit as well as the percentage of those expenses eligible for the credit. This is excellent news!
As you may know, currently the CDCTC provides a minimum credit to working families of 20% of the first $3,000 spent on childcare for each of the family's first two children per year. The CDCTC has not been increased in years, and thus it does not even begin to cover a family's childcare costs.
The bills in Congress now would raise the amount of eligible expenses to $6,000 per child with a credit of anywhere from 35% to 50%. Obviously, this would be a significant improvement and provide much needed relief for working families trying to pay for the costs of childcare.
Here's what we need you to do now: Contact your member of Congress and two U.S. Senators. Tell them you support H.R. 460, H.R. 1500 and S. 210 and urge them to vote for these bills.
This lobbying effort went from nothing to getting three bills introduced in Congress. We have done a terrific job, but there is still more to do. Contact your representatives, and let them know you support H.R. 460, H.R. 1500 and S. 210 to increase the federal Child and Dependent Care Tax Credit today!
If you have questions about INA's lobbying effort, please contact INA Governmental Affairs Chair Bob King of Legally Nanny at 714-336-8864 or info@legallynanny.com. Thanks again for all your support, and keep up the fight!
Click here to find out how to contact your officials.
~~~SAMPLE LETTER~~~
Dear Congressman [Name]:
As a resident of your district and a voter, I wanted to contact you to support H.R. 460, H.R. 1500, and S. 210 to increase the federal Child and Dependent Care Tax Credit (CDCTC).
Currently the CDCTC provides a minimum credit to working families of 20% of the first $3,000 spent on childcare for each of the family's first two children per year. The CDCTC has not been increased in years, and thus it does not even begin to cover a family's childcare costs.
H.R. 460, H.R. 1500, and S. 210 would raise the amount of eligible expenses to $6,000 per child with a credit of anywhere from 35% to 50%. Obviously, this would be a significant improvement and provide much needed relief for working families trying to pay for the costs of childcare.
I urge you to support these worthwhile bills to lower taxes for families and enable them to work and provide quality childcare for their children. Thank you in advance for your support.
Sincerely,
INA Member Name
Tuesday, September 1, 2009
Car Seat Safety - A must read for all parents and caregivers
All over the country word is finally starting to get out that while all states have some kind of laws regarding the use of car seats and booster seats, many parents and caregivers are not aware of them, most of them are not nearly strict enough, and children are needlessly injured and killed every day because a majority of them are simply too lax. But because caring people are taking action, laws are beginning to change and our precious little ones who cannot protect themselves are becoming better protected.
Each state has specific laws that apply to the use of car seats. Most of these laws outline what type or size of seat is to be used for a child based on their age, height and weight. But even within each state, laws can vary from region to region. In Arizona for example, the general state law is one of the most vague and lax in the country. It states “A driver shall not operate a motor vehicle in Arizona when transporting a child who is under five years of age unless that child is properly secured in a child passenger restraint system.” But once you cross into the Navajo Indian Reservation, the laws change to become one of the strictest in the country. As of January 2009, children ages 5-12 and up to 4 feet, 9 inches tall must be in a booster seat. This law applies to all people, Indian or non-Indian, driving on the reservation.
Currently many states have laws pending that will place much more stringent guidelines, like those on the Indian Reservation, on the use of car seats and boosters. Many of these go into effect in the next few months. Click here to view a state-by-state listing of applicable and pending laws.
It is wise to check this site once or twice a year to see what laws have changed and to make sure you are always in compliance with the laws. It is also important to know that the laws are not always the “safest” you can make a child in a vehicle.
The various seats available on the market in the US
Infant car seat: This is a rear-facing ONLY seat which should be installed in the back seat of the car (middle seat if you have 3 rows of seating), preferably in the center position. It is not always possible to install it in the center depending on the style of your seat. This seat should NEVER be used in a forward-facing position and should only be used in the front seat of vehicles that do not have a rear seat AND that have a switch to disable the passenger air-bag. Most seats have an upper weight limit of 20-22 lbs although at least 2 seats on the market have an upper weight limit of 30 lbs (Graco Safeseat and Chicco Keyfit). Parents and caregivers should keep infants in an infant seat until they reach the maximum weight limit for the seat OR their head is less than one inch from the top of the seat. Once they reach either or both of these limits, it is time to move them into a new, bigger seat. Depending on the size of the child, this may be well beyond one year of age. When a child is in an infant seat, it is important to keep the top strap position at or below the child’s shoulder, to keep the straps pulled snug against their chest (no more than two fingers should fit between the child and the strap) and to keep the chest clip closed at armpit level.
Convertible Car Seat: This seat can be rear-facing or forward-facing and is the seat you want to move your little one into once they have outgrown their infant seat. It is designed to be installed REAR-facing until the child reaches the maximum weight for the rear-facing installation of the seat, usually 33-35 lbs (although as of this publishing, there are now several seats on the market with upper limits for rear-facing up to 40 lbs, yeah!). Many children do not reach the maximum rear-facing weight of a seat until well after 3 years of age and some won’t reach it until after they turn 4. This does not matter. The old recommendation of the American Academy of Pediatrics was to turn a child forward-facing at 1 year of age and 20 lbs. That is NO LONGER their recommendation. The American Academy of Pediatrics and the National Highway Transportation Safety Commission both now recommend that children stay rear-facing until AT LEAST 2 years of age and always until the maximum rear-facing weight allowance on your particular car seat. This has been the recommendation of the seat manufacturers all along. Once your child reaches that maximum weight, then and ONLY then, should they be turned forward- facing. (Many people have concerns about this; it will be addressed later in the article). In a convertible seat, while still in the rear-facing position, the straps should be positioned exactly the same as in an infant seat. Once the seat is turned forward-facing, the top strap should be at or above the shoulder of the child, snug against their chest (2 finger rule) and with the chest clip closed and at armpit level.
Forward Facing Car Seat: This is a forward-facing ONLY seat and should never be installed rear-facing. This seat is designed for children who have reached the maximum weight for rear-facing in their convertible car seat or infant seat if they are in a seat that has a maximum weight of 30 lbs. This seat should have a 5-point safety harness. The strap positioning is the same as for forward-facing in a convertible seat.
5-point Safety Harness Booster Seat: This seat is a forward-facing only seat and should never be installed rear-facing. It is designed to be used when a child has reached the forward-facing maximum weight limit of their convertible or forward-facing seat. Many of these seats go up to 8 years of age or 100 lbs. They are considered MUCH safer to use than a seat belt positioning booster. For more information on 5-point Safety Harnessing, go to http://www.kyledavidmiller.org/. The strap positioning is the same as for forward-facing in a convertible seat.
Seat Belt Positioning Booster: These boosters come in both a high back and backless style. They should ONLY be used once a child has reached the maximum limits (height, weight or both) of a 5-point safety harness and cannot fit safely in a standard seat belt with the belt low and tight over the hips (not the abdomen). Otherwise these types of boosters are NOT recommended for use. They are the least safe of all car seat options available.
Once your child reaches the maximum weight limits and/or height limits for their particular seat, it is time to move them. The maximum weight limits of your particular seat are in the information provided by the manufacturer. Each seat is different, so do not assume it is the same as your last seat or your friend’s seat. The upper height limit for any car seat is when their shoulders no longer fit properly in the upper strap slot and/or their head is less than one inch from the top edge of the seat. Be sure to never put a child in a car seat while they are wearing a heavy jacket, in a snow suit, are swaddled or are wrapped with anything that will create padding between them and the seat or straps. This creates an unsafe situation which could result in extreme injury to a child in the event of an accident.
Do not assume just because your child fits within the weight parameters written on the outside of the car seat box that it is the proper seat for your child. Many children reach weight parameters long before they reach the height or age parameters.
Car seat installation
Did you know it is estimated that up to 80% of car seats are used incorrectly in the United States? 80%! One of the biggest factors in the incorrect use of the seat is improper vehicle installation.
When installing a car seat in any vehicle, there are a few key components that are critical. First, you must read your car manual to find out any if there are any special recommendations of the vehicle manufacturer regarding the installation of car seats. This will also guide you in finding the “latch” anchors and the “tether” anchors in your particular vehicle. Second is making sure you are using a seat that is compatible with your vehicle. There are a few car seats that just don’t fit well in some cars. For an up-to-date resource on what seats fit best in what cars, you can check here: http://www.carseatdata.org/. Third is reading and understanding the installation instructions for the seat you are using. If you do not understand the instructions clearly, call the seat manufacturer and get clarification. They all have trained installation experts to assist you and the numbers can be found in their manuals. If you still cannot figure it out, it is best to have your seat professionally installed. To find someone in your area who professionally installs seats, you can call your local fire department (many of them have car seat technicians) or http://www.seatcheck.org/.
Extended rear-facing
Once a child is out of their infant seat, everyone seems to be in a big hurry to turn that child around to forward-facing, but not so fast! The research available now is thorough and extensive and it makes it abundantly clear that continuing to rear-face a child in their car seat well beyond one year is safest for children. This is called “extended rear-facing”.
The single thing causes more controversy than almost anything about car seats is when to switch a child from rear to forward-facing. Many parents and caregivers have misconceptions and misinformation about extended rear-face riding that need to be addressed. Here are a few of the most common questions and concerns parents have when I talk about the importance of extending rear-face riding:
1. “My child is unhappy this way.” Well, unhappy or not, it is statistically the safest position for a child to be in because their neck and upper body are not strong enough to handle the impact of a crash in a forward facing position. Children are 7 times more likely to be hurt in a collision if they are forward-facing and they are 5 times more likely to suffer INTERNAL DECAPITATION, serious injury or death if forward-facing versus rear-facing. So better off unhappy than paralyzed or dead.
2. “Their legs are all bunched up—what if their legs get broken in a crash? If they are forward-facing, that won’t happen.” You are right. It won’t. But internal decapitation with paralyzation or death might. Better to have broken legs than a broken neck. You can teach them how to sit cross-legged just fine. Or as one mom put it: “better to cast it than to buy a casket”
3. “They get hot that way.” Turn on the air conditioning or open a window for them.
4. “They are bored.” Get a portable DVD player and install it properly/safely so that they can watch a movie if it is truly that bad.
5. “I can’t reach them.” If they need something that urgently, pull the car over and attend to it—it is likely an unsafe distraction for you as the driver anyway if you are trying to reach into the back seat whether the child is forward or rear-facing.
6. “Where did you get all this info and how do we know it is accurate?” This is what the research says. I have extensively researched this topic and found study after study, most done by people with no interest in this industry except for the safety of children. There are some resources listed below. I urge you to check them out for yourself.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kRP7ynNI8mI
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Q8gU9zzCGA8
http://www.cpsafety.com/articles/StayRearFacing.aspx
http://www.carsafety4kids.com/rearfacing.html
http://www.car-safety.org/rearface.html
Ultimately, it is up to us as nannies to do the best job possible to protect the children in our care. This means keeping up with the most current safety recommendations, making sure we know how to properly install car seats and making sure we make this information available to the parents of our charges. As nannies we must take a stand for those who cannot speak for themselves. Do your part and take your stand!
Tonya is a Newborn Care Specialist who does both consulting and in-home sleep training for her clients. She is college educated, has more than 22 years experience and is a proud mom to Hunter, 5 and Remington, 17 months. In addition to be credentialed through the International Nanny Association where she has been a part of their Nanny Mentoring Program for several years, Tonya has taught several times for their International Conferences. She has also served as a speaker for the National Association of Nannies, the Valley Professional Nanny Association and for Nanny Agencies Nationwide. Tonya was voted the Professional Childcare Provider of the Year in 2003 and nominated for the International Nanny Association Nanny of the Year in 2004. In addition, that same year, she was deeply honored with a nomination by her peers for the National Association of Nannies Harriette Grant Memorial Award. Child car seat safety is a passion for her and she will soon be a Nationally Certified Car Seat Installation Technician.
Each state has specific laws that apply to the use of car seats. Most of these laws outline what type or size of seat is to be used for a child based on their age, height and weight. But even within each state, laws can vary from region to region. In Arizona for example, the general state law is one of the most vague and lax in the country. It states “A driver shall not operate a motor vehicle in Arizona when transporting a child who is under five years of age unless that child is properly secured in a child passenger restraint system.” But once you cross into the Navajo Indian Reservation, the laws change to become one of the strictest in the country. As of January 2009, children ages 5-12 and up to 4 feet, 9 inches tall must be in a booster seat. This law applies to all people, Indian or non-Indian, driving on the reservation.
Currently many states have laws pending that will place much more stringent guidelines, like those on the Indian Reservation, on the use of car seats and boosters. Many of these go into effect in the next few months. Click here to view a state-by-state listing of applicable and pending laws.
It is wise to check this site once or twice a year to see what laws have changed and to make sure you are always in compliance with the laws. It is also important to know that the laws are not always the “safest” you can make a child in a vehicle.
The various seats available on the market in the US
Infant car seat: This is a rear-facing ONLY seat which should be installed in the back seat of the car (middle seat if you have 3 rows of seating), preferably in the center position. It is not always possible to install it in the center depending on the style of your seat. This seat should NEVER be used in a forward-facing position and should only be used in the front seat of vehicles that do not have a rear seat AND that have a switch to disable the passenger air-bag. Most seats have an upper weight limit of 20-22 lbs although at least 2 seats on the market have an upper weight limit of 30 lbs (Graco Safeseat and Chicco Keyfit). Parents and caregivers should keep infants in an infant seat until they reach the maximum weight limit for the seat OR their head is less than one inch from the top of the seat. Once they reach either or both of these limits, it is time to move them into a new, bigger seat. Depending on the size of the child, this may be well beyond one year of age. When a child is in an infant seat, it is important to keep the top strap position at or below the child’s shoulder, to keep the straps pulled snug against their chest (no more than two fingers should fit between the child and the strap) and to keep the chest clip closed at armpit level.
Convertible Car Seat: This seat can be rear-facing or forward-facing and is the seat you want to move your little one into once they have outgrown their infant seat. It is designed to be installed REAR-facing until the child reaches the maximum weight for the rear-facing installation of the seat, usually 33-35 lbs (although as of this publishing, there are now several seats on the market with upper limits for rear-facing up to 40 lbs, yeah!). Many children do not reach the maximum rear-facing weight of a seat until well after 3 years of age and some won’t reach it until after they turn 4. This does not matter. The old recommendation of the American Academy of Pediatrics was to turn a child forward-facing at 1 year of age and 20 lbs. That is NO LONGER their recommendation. The American Academy of Pediatrics and the National Highway Transportation Safety Commission both now recommend that children stay rear-facing until AT LEAST 2 years of age and always until the maximum rear-facing weight allowance on your particular car seat. This has been the recommendation of the seat manufacturers all along. Once your child reaches that maximum weight, then and ONLY then, should they be turned forward- facing. (Many people have concerns about this; it will be addressed later in the article). In a convertible seat, while still in the rear-facing position, the straps should be positioned exactly the same as in an infant seat. Once the seat is turned forward-facing, the top strap should be at or above the shoulder of the child, snug against their chest (2 finger rule) and with the chest clip closed and at armpit level.
Forward Facing Car Seat: This is a forward-facing ONLY seat and should never be installed rear-facing. This seat is designed for children who have reached the maximum weight for rear-facing in their convertible car seat or infant seat if they are in a seat that has a maximum weight of 30 lbs. This seat should have a 5-point safety harness. The strap positioning is the same as for forward-facing in a convertible seat.
5-point Safety Harness Booster Seat: This seat is a forward-facing only seat and should never be installed rear-facing. It is designed to be used when a child has reached the forward-facing maximum weight limit of their convertible or forward-facing seat. Many of these seats go up to 8 years of age or 100 lbs. They are considered MUCH safer to use than a seat belt positioning booster. For more information on 5-point Safety Harnessing, go to http://www.kyledavidmiller.org/. The strap positioning is the same as for forward-facing in a convertible seat.
Seat Belt Positioning Booster: These boosters come in both a high back and backless style. They should ONLY be used once a child has reached the maximum limits (height, weight or both) of a 5-point safety harness and cannot fit safely in a standard seat belt with the belt low and tight over the hips (not the abdomen). Otherwise these types of boosters are NOT recommended for use. They are the least safe of all car seat options available.
Once your child reaches the maximum weight limits and/or height limits for their particular seat, it is time to move them. The maximum weight limits of your particular seat are in the information provided by the manufacturer. Each seat is different, so do not assume it is the same as your last seat or your friend’s seat. The upper height limit for any car seat is when their shoulders no longer fit properly in the upper strap slot and/or their head is less than one inch from the top edge of the seat. Be sure to never put a child in a car seat while they are wearing a heavy jacket, in a snow suit, are swaddled or are wrapped with anything that will create padding between them and the seat or straps. This creates an unsafe situation which could result in extreme injury to a child in the event of an accident.
Do not assume just because your child fits within the weight parameters written on the outside of the car seat box that it is the proper seat for your child. Many children reach weight parameters long before they reach the height or age parameters.
Car seat installation
Did you know it is estimated that up to 80% of car seats are used incorrectly in the United States? 80%! One of the biggest factors in the incorrect use of the seat is improper vehicle installation.
When installing a car seat in any vehicle, there are a few key components that are critical. First, you must read your car manual to find out any if there are any special recommendations of the vehicle manufacturer regarding the installation of car seats. This will also guide you in finding the “latch” anchors and the “tether” anchors in your particular vehicle. Second is making sure you are using a seat that is compatible with your vehicle. There are a few car seats that just don’t fit well in some cars. For an up-to-date resource on what seats fit best in what cars, you can check here: http://www.carseatdata.org/. Third is reading and understanding the installation instructions for the seat you are using. If you do not understand the instructions clearly, call the seat manufacturer and get clarification. They all have trained installation experts to assist you and the numbers can be found in their manuals. If you still cannot figure it out, it is best to have your seat professionally installed. To find someone in your area who professionally installs seats, you can call your local fire department (many of them have car seat technicians) or http://www.seatcheck.org/.
Extended rear-facing
Once a child is out of their infant seat, everyone seems to be in a big hurry to turn that child around to forward-facing, but not so fast! The research available now is thorough and extensive and it makes it abundantly clear that continuing to rear-face a child in their car seat well beyond one year is safest for children. This is called “extended rear-facing”.
The single thing causes more controversy than almost anything about car seats is when to switch a child from rear to forward-facing. Many parents and caregivers have misconceptions and misinformation about extended rear-face riding that need to be addressed. Here are a few of the most common questions and concerns parents have when I talk about the importance of extending rear-face riding:
1. “My child is unhappy this way.” Well, unhappy or not, it is statistically the safest position for a child to be in because their neck and upper body are not strong enough to handle the impact of a crash in a forward facing position. Children are 7 times more likely to be hurt in a collision if they are forward-facing and they are 5 times more likely to suffer INTERNAL DECAPITATION, serious injury or death if forward-facing versus rear-facing. So better off unhappy than paralyzed or dead.
2. “Their legs are all bunched up—what if their legs get broken in a crash? If they are forward-facing, that won’t happen.” You are right. It won’t. But internal decapitation with paralyzation or death might. Better to have broken legs than a broken neck. You can teach them how to sit cross-legged just fine. Or as one mom put it: “better to cast it than to buy a casket”
3. “They get hot that way.” Turn on the air conditioning or open a window for them.
4. “They are bored.” Get a portable DVD player and install it properly/safely so that they can watch a movie if it is truly that bad.
5. “I can’t reach them.” If they need something that urgently, pull the car over and attend to it—it is likely an unsafe distraction for you as the driver anyway if you are trying to reach into the back seat whether the child is forward or rear-facing.
6. “Where did you get all this info and how do we know it is accurate?” This is what the research says. I have extensively researched this topic and found study after study, most done by people with no interest in this industry except for the safety of children. There are some resources listed below. I urge you to check them out for yourself.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kRP7ynNI8mI
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Q8gU9zzCGA8
http://www.cpsafety.com/articles/StayRearFacing.aspx
http://www.carsafety4kids.com/rearfacing.html
http://www.car-safety.org/rearface.html
Ultimately, it is up to us as nannies to do the best job possible to protect the children in our care. This means keeping up with the most current safety recommendations, making sure we know how to properly install car seats and making sure we make this information available to the parents of our charges. As nannies we must take a stand for those who cannot speak for themselves. Do your part and take your stand!
Tonya is a Newborn Care Specialist who does both consulting and in-home sleep training for her clients. She is college educated, has more than 22 years experience and is a proud mom to Hunter, 5 and Remington, 17 months. In addition to be credentialed through the International Nanny Association where she has been a part of their Nanny Mentoring Program for several years, Tonya has taught several times for their International Conferences. She has also served as a speaker for the National Association of Nannies, the Valley Professional Nanny Association and for Nanny Agencies Nationwide. Tonya was voted the Professional Childcare Provider of the Year in 2003 and nominated for the International Nanny Association Nanny of the Year in 2004. In addition, that same year, she was deeply honored with a nomination by her peers for the National Association of Nannies Harriette Grant Memorial Award. Child car seat safety is a passion for her and she will soon be a Nationally Certified Car Seat Installation Technician.
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