These few weeks Ryan has been learning to ride his bicycle without the trainer wheels. We took off the trainer wheels as we feel that he is old enough to try and ride the bicycle without them.

The boys do not get to go on their bicycles that regularly as we only have time to bring the bicycles out on the weekend for them to play with. Sometimes the weekend is filled with other activities that they do not get to go on their bikes so it has been a while since they have been cycling.

It was a slow start for Ryan to get adjusted to being without trainer wheels but he got the hang of it after awhile and managed to go a short distance without falling over. This weekend he is much more confident and is able to ride his bicycle to the nearby coffee shop for lunch.

Roy too isn’t doing too badly on his tricycle. He is now able to pedal it independently and pedal quite a distance on it. Previously he didn’t even know how to move the pedals!! Roy is getting more and more independent and I feel that when he is four he should be ready to start rollerblading classes and go rollerblading with his elder brother.

We will be starting swimming lesson for him this September and he is eagerly looking forward to joining Ryan in the pool.

August 20, 2010

Facing a Toy Dilemma

Dominique Thoughts

This week I have been closely paying attention to the news since this story about ” Toy test reveals toxic results” was released. It was shocking to know that many of the toys sold by the local toys shops are not up to mark and considered toxic.

Today another report was out which stated that upon a further and more comprehensive re-test mentioned that 82% of the toys failed the safety test

It really makes me question about the ethical standards of the toy manufacturers and distributors. Just to squeeze out more profit from the buyer they disregard the potential harm and ill effects of phthalates and lead on innocent kids.

There has been reports that phtalatescan damage the reproductive system — premature breast development in females and poor semen quality
in men have been linked with phthalates. It also can trigger asthma and allergies and impair the lungs and is linked with pre-term birth in humans.

It seems really scary reading all the facts of the harms that these chemicals can cause our kids. The relevant authorities here are also working at snail’s pace to regulate the industry and to insist on proper testing for all toy products being made. It’s anyone’s guess to how long one has to wait before everything is regulated.

Meanwhile as a parent I will be regularly checking the list of recalled items and unsafe toys as on the US list as they do have a rather comprehensive list available.

It is very important that kids are given age appropriate toys and are properly supervised during playtime as accidents and breakages may happen which may hurt the child.

I will also be discarding “suspected” toys from the boys toy chest and clearing up all the small and broken pieces before the baby arrives.