Tidbit #10: Safety
Posted by: homenews <homenews@...>
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THE HOPE CHEST
with Virginia Knowles
Tidbit #10 on September 27, 2003
Safety
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Welcome to the Hope Chest!
The Hope Chest is a free e-mail newsletter with encouragement and practical teaching tips. The writer is Virginia Knowles, wife of Thad, mother of nine children, and author of Common Sense Excellence: Faith-Filled Home Education for Preschool to 5th Grade, and The Real Life Home School Mom.
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Its safety season at our house! Baby Ben learned to crawl this week, so we have to make extra sure the living floor is safe for him. We have to vacuum more often, and continually make sure there is nothing hazardous within his reach. Hes already raided a low bookshelf! I had to remove his crib mobile because an over zealous preschool sibling tried to adjust it and knocked it down.
Last week, one of my daughters decided to buy some inexpensive toys at Wal-Mart for a few of her younger siblings. We found soft water-filled light-up rubbery balls on a stretchy rubber cords. The instructions said to put cords ring on your finger, cast the ball outward and bounce it in the air, sort of like a yo-yo. (I know this may be confusing to imagine.) The younger children were thrilled with their new toys, but we soon had some problems! One of the cords snapped, leaving a chokeable ring and hitting Joanna (10) hard in the hand. When Micah (4) started swinging his ball around, I was afraid it was going to hit baby Ben. Just as I was fussing at him to stop it, the whirling ball zoomed in and wrapped the stretchy cord tightly around Micahs neck! If I hadnt been right there to pull it off of him, he could have easily choked to death. Of course, I immediately confiscated all three of these dangerous toys! Why do manufacturers make these things, and why dont mommies like me see the danger before buying them? I guess I was just tired or something, but I should have been able to predict trouble. Im just glad I was around when the trouble really happened!
This incident reminds me to go through my childrens toy bins to weed out anything that is unsafe or broken, as I often do. It also calls to mind the times in years past when I have sorted through the toy bins in church nurseries and Sunday School rooms. People often donate used toys, but many just arent safe. Ive often found dolls with button eyes dangling off of them or stuffing popping through split seams, metal fire trucks with sharp edges, cracked plastic toys, or even just great toys that were inappropriate for that age level. How about a safety check at home and church, ladies? Our children are worth it! (My book The Real Life Home School Mom has a section on safety tips and toys for the preschoolers in your life.)
For safety reasons, Ive been extra grateful to have a cell phone for the last two months. Thad needed one because of his mothers health situation and because he is trying to start a business. Mary and I also got them, since for an extra $10 per line, we could get the Cingular family plan, share monthly minutes, and call each other for "free." Now, wherever we are, we can get in touch with each other immediately. When I need to take someone to a class or go grocery shopping, I know that the children at home can reach me if there is a problem. (Yes, that happens!) Thad can call me at home even if our regular line is tied up on the Internet, which is good since he has often needed help caring for his mother. As Mary launches out into life away from home more and more this year with college classes and work, I breathe easier knowing that she has instant access to us also, especially since shell get her drivers license soon. Cell phones may be a luxury, but at this strenuous season of our lives, they sure are appreciated!
At the risk of sounding trite, what I appreciate even more is having instant access to God through prayer. His line is never busy. I can call on him wherever I am, at any time of day or night, and he answers! Micahs toy tangle reminds me of 2 Samuel 22:6-7, which assures us: "The cords of the grave coiled around me; the snares of death confronted me. In my distress I called to the LORD; I called out to my God. From his temple he heard my voice; my cry came to his ears."
As we face my dear mother-in-laws impending death, it is such a comfort to know that just in the past few months, she too has learned to talk to God as a friend. As I write this, her time of meeting the Savior face to face is very close at hand, probably within the next several days. We dont when, but Thads sister called him early this morning to come over, so it may be really soon. Please remember to keep our family in your prayers. Death of a loved one is still so hard to bear, and the pressure has been intense. Still, I am so grateful that we have been available to care for her. I can only spend a few minutes at a time with her, as she tires so easily, but it is a sweet blessing to just help her take a drink of cool water or to hold her hand and tell her we love her.
May we all know for sure that whatever happens to us, we are secure in Gods sovereign and saving hand. If you dont know for certain that you belong to him for all time and eternity, why not call out to him right now? He is listening and he will answer!
In His Sovereign Grace,
Virginia Knowles