San Diego Mom - Carmel Valley

We all try to read the recall notices, but you still worry its not enough to be sure the toys your kids play with are safe.

http://www.healthytoys.org/ 

They test the toys out there and they are giving you a rating on things like level of lead, arsenic and and mercury.  They lay out why these chemicals are bad and what they can do to your children.  And they let you submit a toy and ask that it be tested.

I liked looking through their worst and best toys - and of course you can search for an item you suspect could be a problem and if they’ve tested it you can a very detailed answer. 

 

As long as I’m on this topic this week, I thought I’d add another one of these "find a sitter" options.  Haven’t used them, but the site offers not only help to find a sitter, but a pet sitter, tutors and even housekeepers. 

Similar to others posted in this category, the model is to pay a monthly fee (in this case minimum of $25/mo) but what’s nice about this company is you get free backgound checks included in that fee.  A free membership will only allow you to search and see limited info (no contact info) but permits you to post some jobs. 

http://www.care.com/ 

I admit, I like the way this is set up - though I have no idea if the sitters are high quality or not.  They give you an easy way to see who lives near you, how old they are, their yrs of experience and how much they charge. Its easy to use.   If anyone tries it, pls leave comments so we can all learn from your experience. 

 

There’s a new Mommy business in town.  They are heralding a new way to find a sitter.  If you’ll part with$100 for new clients, and  $75 for returning clients, they’ll introduce you in a private party setting to 30 babysitters who live in the area.  (Fees for the sitter’s time is extra.)

The membership earns you the right to a booklet/directory of sitters as well. http://www.mommymixer.com/sandiego/ is the page which shows dates and times. 

Watch the details: you need to cancel within 72 hrs before to get a refund and they’ll take $25 fee to process the refund request.

Its essentially a dating service - in the hopes you’ll like one of their sitters and the relationship will work out - you’re paying for the easy access to potential sitters.  Note, they have not performed background checks on the sitters, so you’ll still need to confirm they’re a safe choice, etc.

Promotion Offered: MommyMixer is offering a $15 off for first time users for the first event in San Diego.  Just print this page and they’ll honor it.

 

This is another resource that provides the location/residences of felons who may live nearby.  It provides you with the map of the area around your address, and identifys the felons by name and location who are nearby.

 

 

I try to avoid the controversial, political and the like here. But, when I run across a book or resource that seems to provide information we don’t get in the mainstream press, I like to share it.

Of particular note, when I run across women who lived under islamic rule, who are willing to talk candidly about their experiences I appreciate the risk they take to do so and feel its worth sharing. 

Two books to check out:  

Nonie Darwish author of "Now They Call Me Infidel": Why I renounced Jihad for America, Israel and the War on Terror.

Brigitte Gabriel author of "Because They hate" written by a survivior of islamic terror  - http://www.americancongressfortruth.com/books.asp