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Mothers' Third Arm

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Mothers' Third Arm back

Our first tip for June is the Mothers 3rd Arm. This product has been a mainstay in our house since discovered. It is relatively cheap ($20.00 to $25.00), easy to use and kid friendly looking. It will clamp on to almost anything - a stroller, wheelchair, car seat, table, etc. It will hold a bottle, cup, paint jar, cup of crayons and anything else you can think of to put in there. We have used it mostly to keep a drink handy, at all times, for our daughter. That way we don't have to guess when she is thirsty, she is able to get her own drink when she wants it! What a thrill for her and us! We combine it with a Tupperware no-leak cup and a straw and it works great. If accidental startles knock cups, paints, etc. off the table this product will really be a benefit to you and your child. It doesn't eliminate the spills but greatly reduces them. It also can be used as a quick and easy way to position a switch for the single switch user to operate a toy, say a message, etc. The one drawback I have discovered is that they do wear out under heavy use. They made some improvements to their first model and it seems to last longer and wear better. The product comes with a list of safety warnings, instructions, and information on where to contact the manufacturer. The Mother's 3rd Arm is offered in a variety of places. You can contact the manufacturers, InnoVentions, at 1-888-540-7070 or you can order from Sammons Preston at 1-800-547-4333. Sammons Preston calls it the Universal Flexible Arm.

Pool Playtime back

Play pools are wonderful for various activities with young children. Kids love to play in water, and it's a great way to cool off! For a child who needs support in sitting upright, try using a bath ring seat in the play pool. If greater support is needed there are a variety of bath and/or waterproof seats available through Sammons Preston 1 800 323 5547(catalogue has complete listing of products). Don't forget pool noodles, blow-up rings, etc. Sometimes a combination of supports (ring seat, pool noodles, neck supports, etc.) can be the answer. Seating support helps your child be more independent, and allows you to face your child to play splash games or to assist with toys. Big Pool Ideas... The big pool is the social hub for our family in the summer. We are constantly looking for ways that our daughter can join in the fun with her siblings, and be as independent as possible in the pool. The following are tips that have been successful for our family and hopefully will help yours.

1) Use a combination of pool noodles, weights and float rings to find what works for your child. When our daughter was small we used both, pool noodles and a floatation device (purchased through Sammons Preston) to enable her to float about the pool and play.

2) A hula-hoop around your child keeps small items close at hand. It floats and keeps toys within easy reach of the child.

3) Although the floatation devices in special needs catalogues such as, Sammons Preston, etc. are great and work well, over the years, we have found that, "sometimes" a combination of pool noodles, weights and float rings from Target or Wal-Mart work just as well. Some swimsuits can be purchased that have floatation devices built-in.

4) Noodle seats can be purchased in most places carrying pool supplies. They are made of mesh, and a noodle slips through one side. The noodle is then bent and straps in the front of the seat slide on the edges to form a floating mesh seat. A second noodle can be threaded through the side spaces to provide more floatation.

(http://www.lifelikeproducts.com/lifoam/swimproducts.htm )

Note: Seating support is not a substitute for supervision. Never leave a child unattended.

Fun with Food back

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Halloween / Harvest Celebrations back