Fall 1999
Seal of Approval
Product Testing Report
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Although there is no substitute for the watchful eye of a
parent, there are many times when children are apt to wander off and the Parent
Pager can be a great backup support. Using a radio frequency to send signals back to the small, key chain
sized receiver, the Parent Pager alerts you when your child travels out of a
"comfort zone". Parents
immediately recognized the value of having a pager like this when they are in
the mall, at a theme park or any large gathering. If your child is a wanderer then this tool can be
invaluable. If you will be with your
child near water, the Parent Page will alert you by going off if the unit
becomes submerged. The unit will be
ruined, but it could also save your child's life.
Recommended Ages: 3 and up
Suggested Retail Price: $49.00
Table
Topper
Neat Solutions, Inc.
How many times have you smacked yourself on the head when you see a great product and say "Why didn't I think of that?" We heard lots of smacking sounds from parents who found the ingenious Table Topper to be the product they had wished for since their kids were first eating finger foods. The plastic sheeting designed to catch errant foodstuffs, is the epiphany of a smart idea. The Table Topper gives parents a sanitary way to eat with young ones at restaurants especially on those questionably "cleaned" high-chair trays. Its an easy to use, convenient, well-priced product that cuts clean up time in half. Great for dining out, parks and most obviously, your own dining room table.
Recommended Ages: 6 mos. to 5 yrs. Suggested Retail Price: $3.99 Pack of 8
How
To Behave So Your Children Will, Too!
Greentree Publishing
Being a parent is not a matter of following any specific rules for guiding children through their development. In fact, the parenting process is a journey that requires thought and not a small amount of adaptation on the parent's part. This superb book lays out methods for helping parents become more effective in their roles, and even how to enjoy the experience to its fullest. Managing to find the right balance between teaching and entertaining, the book uses anecdotes and other real life stories, making it easy to relate to and identify with. Parents who read the book explained that they felt empowered and positive after reading it. Dr. Severe points to consistency as a foundation from which parents can take those important steps towards effective communication with their children. We heartily agree and recommend this book.
Suggested Retail Price: $21.95
The
Parents Toolshop:
The Universal Blueprint for Building a Healthy Family
Ambris Publishing
Some parenting books attempt to give parents snippets of advice or helpful guidance on an issue or two. Not so with the Parent's Toolshop, a hefty and prodigious work to be sure. By using the analogy of designing a house to build a strong foundation by which parents can raise their children, other books would be building birdhouses in comparison. In terms of quantity, this is a significant effort and, like parenting itself, one not to be taken lightly. There are superb examples, ideas, discussions, and guidelines here, but the sheer volume can be overwhelming. If you are a parent, looking for an in depth examination and blueprint for the job at hand, The Parent's Toolshop can be just what the doctor ordered.
Suggested Retail Price: $29.95
Raising
Children You Can Live With:
A Guide for Frustrated Parents
Bayou
Publishing
When we pick up books in the parenting section of the bookstore what exactly are we looking for? Thoughtful, commonsense help and ideas for raising our children? If this is your mission, then here is a great book that should fit the bill. Written and laid out in a style that is easy to understand, refer back to and work with, Raising Children You Can Live With covers so many of the most common issues facing parents today. Issues that often become divisive are approached with a no-nonsense, solution oriented perspective. Bullet points and offset shaded boxes highlight topics and help the book work as an effective tool for parents seeking a little insight and guidance.
Recommended Ages: Adult
Suggested
Retail Price: $14.95
Let's Go Potty!
Parenting Resources, Inc.
This training video is designed for parents facing the challenge of getting their little ones to use the potty. Using clear step-by-step instructions, this tape offers easy-to-follow advice while keeping a positive tone during a period that can otherwise be quite frustrating. Parents reported that they felt upbeat about the task at hand after viewing it. The system is well laid out and offers ideas that parents told us they believed would be helpful.
Suggested Retail Price: $19.95
Safety
Flash Cards
Paula
Geonie Enterprises
Covering a wide variety of safety issues, these flash cards are great icebreakers when it comes to discussing the sometimes tricky subject of safety. Our parent testers were "wowed" by the scope and breadth of issues tackled here from bicycle safety to drug awareness. The picture side of the cards are great for opening up conversation, while the questions on the back can spark discussion where you will learn about your child's questions, fears and concerns. This product is really ideal for groups such as scouts, school and church. The company has mistakenly set their age sights a little to low according to our testers, they told us 5 would be the youngest they would go. Parents told us their 10-year-old children could benefit from this product as well as the recommended younger age group.
Recommended Ages: 3 to 7 Suggested Retail Price: $9.95
Or, for more information about The Seal of Approval or The National Parenting Center call: 1-800-753-6667
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Last Update: August 15, 1999
