Illegal contraband

Very soon, my clippies will be considered illegal to sell in the United States of America.

The US is bringing in new, strict laws to deal with the toy recalls and concern about public safety. New laws that, if enforced, will put an end to the handmade industry for children's items. Anybody who makes or buys items for someone under the age of 12 is affected.

Basically, the law requires testing of all components of all items made. So, in one of my clippies, I use a metal alligator clip, and 1 or 2 types of ribbon. To comply with this law, I need to have the clip and each type of ribbon tested. In every clippie. Never mind the fact that I use the same clip in every style or the fact that I use the some of the same ribbons. EVERY style of clippie I make has to be subjected to the same tests. So, since my store currently has almost 100 items in it, and if I only needed 2 tests per item, that would be 200 tests I would need to have done for lead.

Oh, did I mention that these tests cost about $400 each?

So, let's do the math. 200 tests at $400 a pop is $80 000. I guess once I get all of my current styles tested, I'm never going to change what I offer. After all, it will take me about 50 years to start making a profit again after having to shell out that kind of cash.

Toysrus and Walmart don't like this law either, but they can afford it. They might have to get 6 components of a toy camera tested, costing $2400, but they can then sell that same camera 50 000 times, spreading out the cost of the testing considerably. Most handcrafters will make less then 10 of a certain item. Some make everything one of a kind.

Nobody that sells children's items wants to put children at risk. But, the law, as it currently stands is oppresive and unrealistic. Grandmother's that make teddy bears will no longer be able to. Seamstresses selling one of a kind children's clothes will have to stop. Stay at home mom's who make hair clips will be committing a crime.

I rant on occasion about how much I hate Canada post, but right now, I am very happy to living and selling on this side of the border. I won't lie, it will hurt to stop shipping to the States, but it won't destroy my business the way it will for many.

If you are reading my blog from South of the border, please write your congressman and ask them to review this law. Express your concerns about the casualties of these new requirements.

The days before political correctness

Do you ever realize that you were born in the days before political correctness?

I caught a bit of "Rudolf the Red Nosed Reindeer" on the television last night. A bit of nostalgia hit me so I watched part of it with Spud. I remember watching this almost every year at Christmas when I was little. Anyone know what year it was made?

Anyways, it got to the part where Rudolf's parents were going to go look for him. Mrs. Donner wanted to go too, but Mr. Donner said "No, this is man's work," and then left.

I wonder if that would fly today?

I said I never would...

Co-sleeping that is. Prior to becoming a parent, I was adamantly against co-sleeping. I strongly believed that children need to learn to sleep on their own, and couples need their bed to themselves. My pre-child attitudes had no room for even entertaining the idea of letting my child sleep in my bed.

That was before I was blessed with 2 children who are lousy sleepers.

I fought co-sleeping with Spud. I had to get up with him anyways since I never managed to breastfeed him any way except for one position, sitting up. Plus, I always had to supplement him with formula afterwards. So, it was easy to fight the co-sleeping since I was up regardless. Those days are kind of like a blur anyways. I was pretty much always a sleep deprived zombie. Despite getting up with him though, I ended up giving in more and more often when I realized that he would sleep in our bed and I would sleep.

Somehow, I often think my husband shares my viewpoint on things without realizing that he often doesn't. Since I had been so strongly against co-sleeping, I figured he was too. At some point we discussed it and I discovered I was the only one that cared so much, and I had no reason for it.

When Sweetpea was born, I had a much more open mind about the co-sleeping thing. And when she turned into a baby that slept no better then her older brother, it was a godsend. This time, I was able to breastfeed without supplementing and before long, I figured out how to breastfeed laying down.

It's almost unfair. My husband gets up with Spud because I have to feed and "get up" with Sweetpea. There's more then the occasional morning where he looks exhausted and I am doing fine. Aside from the first 2 weeks, I haven't even had many days where I feel especially sleep deprived. I barely wake up when Sweetpea is hungry and the difference is amazing.

It is so easy to form opinions before your children are born, but sometimes alot harder to stick to them.

I can deal with it if you brag about how well your child sleeps,

but I can't deal with it when you complain about it.

Warning: rant ahead.

Honestly, I don't know why parents feel that they are entitled to a full uninterrupted night's sleep. If you get it, good for you. That is really awesome and consider yourself very lucky. But, really, being woken up at night is just par for the course. If you can't deal with it, that is something you should have considered before becoming a parent. Maybe you can hire a night nanny.

Having said that, some babies do sleep through the night very early. My mother claims that I slept through the night starting at 2 weeks. I used to believe her, but since my own children show none of those tendencies, I wonder if she was just sleep deprived and delusional...

BUT DO NOT COMPLAIN when your child gets up once overnight. I feel sympathy if you are one of those unlucky ones that has a truly bad sleeper. (meaning multiple wake ups and stretches of sleep shorter then 3 hours). But, guess what? Having a 4 month old that wakes up to eat once is very normal.

Okay, rant done.

I've had an article written about my clippies!

Recently someone contacted me through my blog asking me questions in order to write an article about my clips. Now the article is up on their website. I think it's pretty exciting that someone I don't even know has shown interest in writing this article and I encourage you all to check it out.

http://sweetmama.ca/calgary/sweet_nothing/6131/ornamental_do/