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Let’s Talk About: Car Seat Safety

For your child’s utmost safety, it is imperative that you install a car seat properly or have it professionally installed for you. You can get your child’s car seat checked for proper installation at any police station, highway patrol location, or other privately owned location that have trained personnel to inspect that your car seat is installed properly. You can go to this link and check your local car seat inspection stations by state. There is even a car seat check app available for $1.99! Also on a safety side note, make sure you install a car seat in the back seat of your car. And did you also know that car seats have an expiration date? Check the side or the back of your car seat to find the expiration! And once your car has been in an accident of any kind, make sure to get a new carseat through your insurance company since there may be damage to the inside of the carseat that you can’t see. They should be covered through your insurance so don’t hesitate to ask!

 

Now let’s talk a little about rear facing as long as you can for the safety of your child. I had done a lot of research on this topic when my daughter was roughly a year old because I only wanted the highest safety measures for her and also wanted to make sure I was following the law. I found over and over again that rear facing was the safest for a child during impact/a car accident. As a first time mom, I tried to do everything by the book and also according to my own judgment based on everything I had learned through extensive research.

 

And to be honest, I was shocked at how many of my mom friends, who had babies the same age, switched their child’s car seat to forward facing even before their child turned 1 years old and many of them sometime between 1-2 years old, but closer to 15-18 months old. Certainly before it became a law in my state in 2017, I was determined to keep my child rear facing until she was at least 2 years old. We ended up keeping her rear facing until she was 2 ½ and we probably could have done it longer because she was content and didn’t seem to mind at all. It was all she knew so she wasn’t even the slightest bit curious about turning around. I didn’t cast judgment on my friends and certainly didn’t lecture them, but when I found articles on car seat safety, specifically safety regarding rear facing, I posted it on social media where they could all be educated and exposed to the information. Plus, they would see my car seat when we would meet for a play date and besides being a good role model, it often times sparked conversation about the topic without me having to force it or bring it up myself.

 

Each state is a little different on this requirement, so you can check your state for more information based on where you live. The American Academy of Pediatrics recommends rear facing until at least 2 years old. From the research I have done, “48 states and the District of Columbia and Puerto Rico require booster seats or other appropriate devices for children who have outgrown their child safety seats but are still too small to use an adult seat belt safely. The only states lacking booster seat laws are Florida and South Dakota. Four states (California, New Jersey, Pennsylvania and Oklahoma) require children younger than two are in a rear-facing child seat. Five states (California, Florida, Louisiana, New Jersey and New York) have seat belt requirements for school buses. Texas requires them on buses purchased after September 2010.”

 

For example, in California, according to the California Highway Patrol and California Law, effective January 1, 2017, children under 2 years of age shall ride in a rear-facing car seat unless the child weighs 40 or more pounds or is 40 or more inches tall. The child shall be secured in a manner that complies with the height and weight limits specified by the manufacturer of the car seat. In addition, all children whose weight or height exceeds the forward-facing limit for their car seat should use a belt-positioning booster seat until the vehicle seat belt fits properly, typically when a child has reached 4 feet 9 inches in height and are 8 through 12 years of age.

 

Typically a first offense fine for not complying with a state’s child passenger safety law varies from $10 to $500 and some states also use driver’s license points as an additional penalty for noncompliance. But besides the law, let’s talk for a minute about a child’s safety.

 

The Car Seat Lady has helpful information on her website on the safety of rear facing compared to forward facing. Some studies have shown that children (1-2 year olds) that are rear facing are 5 times safer in side impact crashes than children in this age group that are forward facing. Besides other statistics and facts based on research and safety tests, she also dispels some myths of rear facing car seats. Parenting also has a fantastic article written about rear facing safety  Another website found benefits of rear facing that you can read here and another here! The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention also discusses the topic of child passenger safety from August 2016 on their website!

 

When your child is ready to face forward, may I recommend they use a KidsEmbrace carseat! They make safety fun for children and offer a wide range of characters your children will love to ride in the car with no matter where they go! From Batman, Superman, and Avengers to Disney, Dora, Ninja Turtles, and Paw Patrol there are many car seat characters to choose from for boys and girls!



In fact, they have 15 combination booster car seats available for purchase that will grow with your child. They also offer high back boosters and backless boosters, too! They are all forward facing, so please make sure your child is at least 2-years-old between 22-65 pounds and 29″-49″ in height before purchasing one for your toddler! Once your child is 30-100 pounds and 38″-57″ in height, they can use the booster seat. And they only cost $149!

 

 

We own the Mickey and Minnie for our kids and they are super easy to install and are even machine washable! Each car seat has a 3-position adjustable headrest, one-hand harness adjusting system, comfortable contour, 2-position recline, and 2 cup holders!! And more importantly, KidsEmbrace products meet or exceed safety standards and are routinely evaluated to make sure their brand is up-to-date with the latest safety regulations. Additionally, our KidsEmbrace Harnessed Booster Car Seats are side impact tested, a non-requirement award in the U.S. and Canada, which they have made a company requirement to ensure they go above and beyond when it comes to Making Safety #1 and at the same time Making Safety Fun!

 

 

Check them out! They also make a collection of themed baby gear like high chairs, strollers, baby carriers, walkers, and more! They were one of our title sponsors for our Princesses Make More Magic event last year and they were wonderful to work with! I love working with companies that make high quality products and also have great customer service!

 

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Hello! I am Dr. Kim and I am The Parentologist! I am first and foremost a wife and a mom. I am also a Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist and Registered Play Therapist. I hope through my professional and personal experience we can collaborate with each other on how to better ourselves and our relationships with our families and our children.

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TODAY.com Parenting Team Parenting Contributor

About Dr. Kim

Hello! I am Dr. Kim and I am The Parentologist! I am first and foremost a wife and a mom. I am also a Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist and Registered Play Therapist. I hope through my professional and personal experience we can collaborate with each other on how to better ourselves and our relationships with our families and our children. Read More…

My Instagram

🇺🇸 What a monumental day in history we had t 🇺🇸 What a monumental day in history we had today! 🇺🇸

As soon as we woke up I started educating my children, specifically my daughter, on what the inauguration meant and why today was such a special day in history. We both were glued to the television as we watched @kamalaharris be sworn in as the first Black South Asian woman Vice President and @joebiden be sworn in as the 46th President of the United States. We also were powerfully moved hearing @amandascgorman - the youngest inaugural poet in history recite “The Hill We Climb.” 

My daughter was so excited to participate and recite the Pledge of Allegiance with the rest of the county and she was so proud to see and be a part of history in the making. I haven’t been to Washington D.C. in about 8 years but I promised I would take her one day when the pandemic is over. 

In the meantime, I have a fun fact for you! Did you know that President Joe Biden and I both graduated from the same university? Yep! We both went to @syracuseu 🍊 And in fact, @joebiden is the first @syracuseu alumnus to become President of the United States! 

📸: @chrissywphoto #inauguration #inagurationday #inaguration2021 #joebiden #kamalaharris #presidentbiden #syracuseuniversity #syracuse #syracuseu #historyismade #madamvicepresident #mommyandme #46thpresident #sandiego #sandiegoblogger #momblogger #parentingblogger #motherhood
This time of year is notorious for dry air, allerg This time of year is notorious for dry air, allergies, and sinus trouble. #ad 

And since I work from home, it can get quite noisy and distracting with my husband and two children here, so sometimes I get my best work done in the comfort of my own bed. And the best part is that I can have my new @crane_usa “4 in 1” cool mist humidifier on at all times with essential oils to help with overall wellness and since it comes with a sound machine I can block out the other noises in the house! 

And at night, it helps my sinuses as I sleep, especially when the dry air of the heater is on, and it has a nightlight so my kids can see where they are going in the middle of the night when they inevitably need water or a hug! 

This is our 6th #cranehumidifier style and it’s my favorite one yet! Check out my stories for a closer look! 👀 #happyhealthyhumidity 

#humidifier #coldandflu #humidifiers #peaceandquiet #workingfromhome #workingmom #working #coldandfluseason #coldandflurelief #winter #winterstyle #wintertime #wintervibes #winter2021 #wahm #wahmlife #wahmlifestyle #workfromhomemom #workfromhomelife #workfromhome #workathomemom #workathome #workathomelife #newmom #babyshowergift #sinusrelief
{New Blog Post} “How to Teach Children Gratitude {New Blog Post} “How to Teach Children Gratitude” 🌱✨🌸

Throwing it back to one of the first mommy and me photos I ever posted on my feed because I’ve been teaching my daughter about gratitude since she was this little, possibly even younger (she is two here for reference)! 

Gratitude is such an important virtue and must have trait to build a child’s character. It also shows therapeutic benefits when you show gratitude to others, so why wouldn’t you want to make it a priority to teach and instill in your children? 

In this blog, I have suggestions for how to teach children gratitude broken down by ages and stages from infancy to teenage years, while also including some conversation prompts, and links to my favorite gratitude journals for busy families that we use here at home! 

Find the direct link to read in my bio and stories! I also published similar articles on @todayparents and @redtricycle if you follow me there! #drkimblog
DOUBLE TAP if you agree!! 🙋🏼‍♀️ I am DOUBLE TAP if you agree!! 🙋🏼‍♀️

I am that mom who wants to do it all and when I get overwhelmed or start suffering from a major case of burnout, I feel guilty if I take a break instead of giving my body and mind permission to slow down or even stop. 

As moms we often feel guilty if we take a break or believe we are perceived as weak if we ask for help. I have learned that the more I ask for help and the more time I take for myself, the better I am for my children. 

Guilt is an emotional response to something you perceived you did wrong, but when you experience unnecessary guilt, it’s counterproductive to healing and helping you with what you need most. So give it a try and let me know how you are going to take a break and not feel guilty about it this week below in the comments! ⤵️ #drkimparentingtips #theparentologist #drkimparentingadvice
DOUBLE TAP if you used to love Hello Kitty when yo DOUBLE TAP if you used to love Hello Kitty when you were little - and still do! 🙋🏼‍♀️🐱#ad

I am so excited to have all of these new items from the @erincondren Hello Kitty collection that launched today to keep work fun, playful, and reminiscent of childhood - something all adults need a little more of, am I right? 

The collection is all about organization, kindness, and friendship. My favorite piece of the collection is the “Daily Kindness and Joy Journal” that boldly says BE KIND, BE NICE, REPEAT on the front cover but I am also pretty obsessed with the Hello Kitty x Erin Condren Pencil Case and Vegan Leather Padfolio! 

Swipe to see my business attire on top and activewear on the bottom work style! 😉 And head to my stories to see it all up close and for your convenience I have everything linked for you http://liketk.it/35XZC and make sure to follow me at THEPARENTOLOGIST @liketoknow.it  for more of my favorites!!! #liketkit #erincondren
{New Blog Post} “Sensory Play, Pretend Play, and {New Blog Post} “Sensory Play, Pretend Play, and Role Play Ideas for Children with Autism” 🧩 🧸 🚂 ⚽️ 
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For the last 3 years I have spent my career therapeutically helping families and children of all ages on the Autism Spectrum. Play has been a fundamental way for many of my clients to communicate if they are non-verbal. And some of my clients have had to be taught how to play with a toy or another person. The play ideas listed on the blog can be used with children with or without special needs. Play is a universal way a child can explore their world in a way that makes sense to them and cultivate imagination, creativity, and fun! As a Registered Play Therapist, I love the work I do and couldn’t be prouder of the progress my clients have made with play over the years! #drkimblog
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#autism #autismmom #autismfamily #autismspectrum #autismcommunity #autismparent #autismlife #autismparents #autismparenting #autistickids #autisticchildren #autistictoddler #autismresources #playtherapy #playtherapist #playbasedlearning #learningthroughplay #activitiesforkids #activitiesfortoddlers #activitiesforchildren #sensoryplay #sensoryplayideas #sensoryprocessingdisorder #sensoryactivities #momswhoblog #ontheblog #newblogpost #parentingblogger #momblogger
{New Blog Post} ✨🌱🧴“Ways to Take Control {New Blog Post} ✨🌱🧴“Ways to Take Control of Your Eczema” #ad 
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These winter months have been so dry and my eczema has been flaring up. Can anyone relate? For decades I have used a variety of treatment options from over-the-counter ointments and lotions to doctor prescribed steroid medication. In today’s blog, I am partnering with @mediqcme to share more of my story and struggles with atopic dermatitis as well as some new treatment options! If you or a loved one suffer from eczema or atopic dermatitis it’s a must read! 
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Plus there is a survey at the end of the blog you can fill out and opt in to be entered to win 1 of 10 VISA gift cards! 🙌🏻 Link in bio and in stories! #itchyskinhelp #drkimblog
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#eczema #eczemarelief #eczemahealing #eczematreatment #eczemaproblems #eczemawarrior #atopicdermatitis #itchyskin #itchyskinrelief #atopicskin #atopicdermatitistreatment #atopicdermatitismanagement #eczemamanagement #winterskincare #winterskin #winterskincareroutine #winterskincaretips #newblogpost #momswhoblog #ontheblog #wellnessblogger #wellnesstips #wellnessexpert
{New Blog Post} 🌿 “How to Utilize Play to Get {New Blog Post} 🌿 “How to Utilize Play to Get Your Kids to Do What You Want” 
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As a Registered Play Therapist, play is the foundation to the way I help children conceptualize and conquer the world. Play is second nature to children and the way they respond to many of life’s obstacles. Sometimes as parents, it is easy to get into a power match with your children, especially when you want your children to comply with a request and they won’t budge. When this happens, we need to change the way our adult mind thinks and switch it to the way a child thinks. Instead of giving them a punitive consequence, try these play recommendations that can be used with children as young as toddlerhood all the way to adolescents! #drkimblog 
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#playtherapy #playtherapist #therapistsofinstagram #playoutsidethebox #learningthruplay #playbasedlearning #learningthroughplay #learningisfun #parenting #parentingtips #parenting101 #parentingteens #parentingtweens #parentingtoddlers #parentingadvice #parentingexpert #parentingblogger #parentingblog #newblogpost #ontheblog #momswhoblog #parenthood #toddlerproblems #toddlermom #behaviortherapist #behaviortherapy #positiveparentingsolutions #positiveparentingtips #positiveparenting
{New Blog Post} “Tips on How To Set Goals Effect {New Blog Post} “Tips on How To Set Goals Effectively in 2021” ✨ 
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It’s is usually around this time that I start thinking of the goals I want to accomplish for the year. And whether you believe in making resolutions, affirmations, or goals, it is time to be proactive!! On the blog, I outlined an organizational system I use year after year to help me accomplish my goals. And I hope they work for you!! 
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What are some of your goals you want to accomplish this year? 
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#2021 #2021goals #goals #goalsetting #goalgetter #goalsettingtips #goalsetter #goalsetting2021 #goalcrusher #momhustle #snowday #snowman #newgoals #newgoals2021 #mommyandme #letthembelittle #letthembekids #letthemplay #playoutside #playoutdoors #playoutsidethebox #familyday #familyfun #familysnowday
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