Qui Custodes

Kids, backpacks & cell phones

Now that cell phones are creeping down into the lower grades, think about this too: my kid (until we talked about it) kept her wallet & cell phone in her backpack. Great!  So if she needs to call for help she has to stop and fumble in the pack. Or maybe she dumped the pack to run away so she doesn't have the phone with her.  :-((  So now I tell my girls to keep their cell phones and wallets in their pockets so they can dump the backpack and still have the minimum stuff they need.

Kids & backpacks

About once a year I go off on a rant about kids and backpacks.  It goes like this:  parents we tell the kids that if they lose their books or backpacks they are in DEEP doo-doo.  The kids really hear us because we are really serious.  Or are we?  How about if your kid is being chased by some pervert? Or a bully?  Do you really want to have a conversation where the kid says "Daddy, I couldn't run any faster because I didn't want to lose my backpack and get in trouble"?  Of COURSE NOT!!!!  So give the kids a nuanced message. They'll understand it.

Cars (last for a while)

Now that fall is finally here (even if today's temperatures are in the upper 80's) think about cold weather security.  Not personal security directly, but what to put in your car in case something goes wrong.  Check your flashlight and your reflectors in case you break down.  Do you have a space blanket in the car?  Maybe you should put one in the trunk so you can stay warm in case you break down in cold weather.  There are other things you can do too.  Check AAA or other websites for ideas on how to protect yourself in the cold.