A boy from New Zealand was wearing pajamas that were made in China (of course) and contained 500-900 times the safe amount of formaldehyde. He caught on fire while sitting near a gas heater. Fortunately, there is no evidence as of yet that the pajamas have been sold in the US. You can read more about it here. What an awful story…

This article was sent to me by Michael Martine

Um…I just don’t know what to say about this.

Apparently, the original ad was too ‘hard hitting’ and somewhat ‘offensive’. To who? Men? The government? So they tone it done using dandelions and butterflies.

‘The federal Office on Women’s Health developed an ad campaign several years ago that included insulin syringes and asthma puffers that looked like bottles of formula to make women aware of the risks of passing up breast-feeding.’

I don’t know-what are your thoughts?

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Edited to add:

I found this related post from the  International Breastfeeding Symbol Blog

Are you thinking what I’m thinking — besides the fact that my three girls and I have perhaps purchased MORE than our fair share of dolls, videos, sheets, toothbrushes, and the list goes on and on — it’s too bad about Barbie, huh?

Sort of.

The sound of her name, alone - not to mention that funky sort of “click-clack” one hears when trying to bend any part of her disproportioned body - some times is enough to send me searching for the nearest blow torch or blender.

Our house is sick with Barbie dolls and now, it turns out, Barbie can make our house…you know…sick - what next; is my six-year-old’s love for Dora and Diego going turn dangerous, too!?!?

Crap!

Here’s the thing, Mattel screwed up and - having expressed and accepted my own imperfections as a parent, in the past - I can’t help and feel a bit of empathy, especially when they seem to be trying…really hard…to gain our respect and trust, in making it right.

To a point.

For a company like Mattel? C’mon, guys! You sell your stuff, everywhere. Now, with the internets, your world just got smaller. We’re all talking and most of the parents I know are tired of buying into the hype, anyway. You can’t “hose down” the fact that taking responsibility sometimes means that someone’s going to get a good tongue-lashing!

Stop making excuses and start making toys safe, before someone gets hurt!

This is a HUGE undertaking and, I believe, it IS about gosh-darned time consumers (like us) hold companies (like Mattel) to their commitment in providing my family a safe and healthy environment, to play in.

And if that means spending a little more money (mine and/or theirs) so be it!

I’m sorry to say that my girls are beginning to outgrow you, Barbie - nope, we won’t be buying into her click-clack, not anymore - and I really don’t expect Mattel to be able to change what’s happened in the past. I sure as heck, can’t. I wouldn’t begin to imagine, or understand, how.

But, in the words of one of my favorite websites, adios Barbie - your trunk is packed - corporate America’s going to have a hard time buying their way out of this one, or into our hearts, anytime soon!

I will accept your apology, though - as I am a fair and understanding parent, who’s just trying, like hell, to raise my children to be responsible adults, too - just, don’t do it again!

[FYI: Sign the petition to tell Congress and the Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC) - get the lead out, no more toxic toys - via MomsRising.org]

I found yet another article about yet another recall concerning China and Toys R Us.

Will it never end??

So, this one concerns Toys R Us and the 27, 000 crayon and paint sets encased in a wooden box that is contaminated with lead.

From MSNBC:

Childhood exposure to lead can lead to reduced intelligence, hyperactivity and attention deficit disorder, research has shown.

Hmmm….Yeah.

Time to start making your own toys, everyone!

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