Myndu Interior Design

I don’t remember growing up with a favorite toy that I kept and loved to shreds. Most of the childhood games I enjoyed required nothing more than water or a stick to draw lines on the dirt or sand and a flat stone for hopscotch; recycled inner tubes, leather from old shoes and a tree branch for a slingshot; and an old ping pong ball and pebbles for jackstones. I do remember being proud of all the rubber bands I won and wore on my arm from wrist to elbow.

There are children, however, who latch on to a favorite toy, furniture (like his high chair), blanket or dish, and throw a fit if they can’t take these everywhere with them. My son, up to the age of seven, was one of those children and his favorite was a teddy bear he called “bear-bear.” Bear-bear travelled everywhere with us and his appearance suffered from the wear and tear of constant hugging, dragging and washing (my son cried when he saw I had hung his teddy bear by the feet on the clothesline and insisted it be hung by the ears).

I talked about this with other mothers and one mother said that her daughter didn’t have a favorite toy but a favorite food that she had to have every day, anywhere – applesauce, in its original jar. She would eat anything at mealtimes as long as she had her applesauce. Another mother said her son fixated on his baby pillow.

We discussed easy ways to make some old favorites exactly like those they replaced without our children knowing, for the sake of aesthetics and sanitation. It worked for the applesauce and the pillow moms, but my son loved his Bear-bear, bald patches and all, and I had to be satisfied with washing, patching and re-filling until he finally outgrew that stage.

Making your home safe and child-friendly is not only a consideration or option for those who have young children. Even if your children have flown the nest or not, it still remains your responsibility to make your home safe. No one wants an unexpected accident or unusual incident that never happened ever before. Here are some basic but very important things to note to maintain a safer and enjoyable home:

1. Check your fuse box and electrical connections from time to time. Invest some money to hire an electrician to check for possible repairs and upgrades. You would find it to be cheaper than spending your money on fires because of faulty electrical wiring or even medical costs for any human injuries.

2. Keep all cleaning products away from small children. Although your kitchen cabinet in the corner is a simple place to keep the bleach and other household chemicals, remember that the kitchen cabinets are always a great place for small children to explore with curiosity. Make sure you take extra precaution on storing these items out of reach of your children.

3. Always check your kids’ toys for cracks, sharp edges and peeling paint. Shredded piece of plastic or metal can cause nasty injuries.

Specially designed to fit varying doorway widths, the Soft and Wide Gate from Evenflo is a sturdy and reliable gate that helps protect babies from six to 24 months. This gate expands from 38 to 60 inches so it fits into even large openings with ease. Incredibly easy to install and move, this handy protective device is made of lightweight steel tubes with polyester and nylon and soft but strong mesh panels that won’t damage door frames.

Expandable from 38 to 60 inches to fit even large openings. View larger.

The Soft and Wide Gate installs quickly and easily with no tools. Clear markings on the knobs (“ADJUST,” “IN,” “OUT”) indicate how to contract the tubes. And the pressure mounting means zero to minimal alteration or damage to doorways. Once installed, the gate also smoothly uninstalls, an option that’s great once baby has gone to bed for the night, or when you’re traveling, either to play dates or on vacation.

Unlike most of the metal safety gates on the market, the Center Gateway does not permanently attach to walls or banisters with hinges and screws. Instead, this 29.5-inch-high steel barrier uses a pressure-mounted system to hold it in place across doorways and halls in your house. Although it may lack the complete strength of a permanently mounted gate and probably shouldn’t be used in front of stairways, the Center Gateway is far more versatile: after installation you can easily detach and move it throughout your home to block off-limit rooms and spaces as needed. The Center Gateway also eliminates the need for drilling holes into the wood and metalwork around your home. The gateway is designed to block spaces from 29.25 to 37.5 inches wide, and you can purchase optional extension kits (sold separately) to extend the gate’s length to almost 49 inches. Adult assembly is required.

This playard from North States is a great choice for parents who spend time outside and need to keep an eye on baby while gardening or enjoying the sunset. The weather-resistant plastic allows it to stand up to Mother Nature and most toddlers up to the age of 2.

North States’ playard folds up easily for convenient portability.

But it’s not only meant for outdoor use. It can just as easily be set up inside–for a few hours of entertainment while at the grandparents’ or permanently at home base. Once the six interlocking panels are connected, the size-adjustable device boasts 18.5 square feet of protective play room. If you decide to purchase the 2-panel extension kit (sold separately), this can increase to 34 square feet. Imagine the possibilities!

Other benefits are that the playard is durable and lightweight for easy portability (a carrying strap is even included), it is easy to clean, and it offers quick access to baby. Should you want to prevent baby from getting into something not meant for them, you can also reverse the playard’s setup. For instance, placing it around the Christmas tree or outdoor plants can keep children away from trouble. The Superyard is certified by the Juvenile Products Manufacturers Association (JPMA), assuring you that it’s safe for your little      ones.

Because of its simple “knee-knocker” mechanism, this Hands Free Gate can do exactly what the name implies: be opened without having to use your hands. Any parent occupied with little ones and all of their necessities will quickly recognize this as a huge benefit. To operate, simply press on the pedal with your toes and then bump the knee plate with your knee. Closing is just a nudge in the opposite direction; you will hear a click when the latch has caught, offering peace of mind that it’s secure again.

The pedal, knee plate, and hinges are designed so the gate can swing open from either direction. Even smarter is that the gate is purposely designed as easy-to-open for an adult, yet difficult for children. The gate’s vertical bars curb curious toddlers from trying to climb over, are spaced to help prevent painful accidents, and provide ample visibility through to the other side.

The convenient foot pedal is easy for adults, but difficult for children, to open.

Able to fit in standard doorframes (29″ to 34″ wide), the all-metal safety gate is a pressure-mount device. Just twist the adjustable bolts at each of the four corners to get a proper, secure fit in your doorways. (If you have wider than standard doors, The First Years sells extension kits separately that can accommodate up to 44-inch wide openings.) It should be noted that this safety gate can be a little unsteady when used at the outer limits of its range, so you may want to consider an extension kit even if using in a standard doorway.

Before you buy, there are two things to be aware of. One, the actual opening for parents, kids, and/or pets to walk through is only about 18 inches wide. Two, if you want to use this in a doorway and be able to close the door, the foot pedal sticks out too far to allow this. For use with children up to 24 months.

Specially designed to fit varying doorway widths, the Soft and Wide Gate from Evenflo is a sturdy and reliable gate that helps protect babies from six to 24 months. This gate expands from 38 to 60 inches so it fits into even large openings with ease. Incredibly easy to install and move, this handy protective device is made of lightweight steel tubes with polyester and nylon and soft but strong mesh panels that won’t damage door frames.The Soft and Wide Gate installs quickly and easily with no tools. Clear markings on the knobs (“ADJUST,” “IN,” “OUT”) indicate how to contract the tubes. And the pressure mounting means zero to minimal alteration or damage to doorways. Once installed, the gate also smoothly uninstalls, an option that’s great once baby has gone to bed for the night, or when you’re traveling, either to play dates or on vacation.

It’s hard to believe that a grill just 14 inches tall could offer 189 square inches of cooking space, but it’s true. Weber’s super-portable Baby Q gas grill features 8,500-BTUs for quickly barbecuing burgers, steaks, poultry and seafood. A push-button ignition means easy, reliable lighting on the road or at that remote campsite. The grill is equipped with an infinitely adjustable burner valve and high-quality regulator. A sturdy, reinforced nylon grill frame offers optimal stability for those larger cookouts. A cast aluminum lid and body stand up to the occasional drop off the tailgate, yet are light weight enough for easy transfer from trunk to picnic table. The grill also features a large, heat-resistant lid handle and a porcelain-enameled cast iron cooking grate. The Baby Q is fueled by a standard 14.1 ounce propane cylinder (sold separately).