Holiday Gifts for Baby

With the recent problems with lead tainted toys for children it makes a person scratch their head and wonder what do I purchase for the little ones for the holidays? The solution for my friends and family has been to purchase clothing, books, videos, and the ever useful gift card. Since all the children I am buying for have more toys than they can count, don't need any furniture or accessories but love to read, color, and watch kids television shows then the solution was a rather easy one. Clothing, books and videos. With the occasional box of crayons here and there.

I realize that when I was growing up lead based paint was all that existed at the time and not only did we chew on the painted items in our room and the toys but we also inhaled the dust and other lead based particles that were in the house. But for some reason what is taking place today seems much worse. It could be that so many items are being recalled. Or maybe that the amount of lead in the items is so high. What about all the other items we use that are toxic and we don't even know it. Take for instance the chemical that is used to soften plastic, Phthalate (there are 6 of them)? It's in the nipples of bottles, toys, cribs, etc. Shouldn't we be concerned with that as well? Apparently the state of California is. Funny, Europe has banned 3 of the chemicals in all children's toys and childcare articles as of 1999. See link for the article http://www.ens-newswire.com/ens/jul2005/2005-07-06-05.asp.

Who knows banning Phthalate might be a good thing. When you consider plastic is a petroleum derivative, if we cut down on it's use in any way that leaves more petroleum for gas and other items. Could this assist in lowering the price of gas? Only wishful thinking on my part, but can you blame me?

Personally I think the big problem we are having with recalled toys is that there are few products available and that we are so concerned with quantity and keeping up with the Jones' that we are not willing to pay higher prices for fewer items. This is why we are manufacturing in China in the first place. As a society we want the best but aren't willing to pay for it. I'm no better. However I'm attempting to change that. I have begun to purchase fewer products at higher prices to help ensure my child's safety. Will it work, I don't know, but I have to hope that any change for the better is a step in the right direction.