Buckle that Seat Belt

Many families are taking road trips this summer. Surveys show that half of all Americans still prefer the car for summertime vacation travel -- instead of a plane, bus, or train -- despite rising gasoline prices. There appears to be a "resurgent nostalgia for the great American road trip, a motorized odyssey that's long been part of the popular culture." Hopefully this means happy memories and not bickering kids in the backseat. A bunch of people sequestered in the back of an automobile for an extended period of time could prove to be explosive. This summer most families are keeping the peace inside the car for the entire length of Avatar.

Checking out national landmarks, cheesy roadside attractions and refueling at rest areas that sell pork rinds is all apart of the fun. "She" is making sure snacks are dispersed, babies are changed and windshields are clean all while waiting her turn behind the wheel. Not to mention the packing and planning that happens before the trip.

Taking memorable pictures is her job as well. The family photo at the "Welcome to Yellowstone National Park", Disney's log flume or a family reunion are treasured souvenirs. Documenting her family life is important whether she's a newlywed or grandmother. Later she'll look through these photos and realize she's not in any of them! So help her out, remind her to say cheese or better yet give her a chance to win a family portrait. Any she from the single mom to happily married with eight kids would love a professionally framed photo of tu familia. Oh yea, and a good site for that nostalgic car trip is RoadTripAmerica.com

She buzz words

• Super-soaker
• Duffel bag
• Travelers checks
• Fast Pass

Right now she could be

• Learning how to work a Smartphone
• Dusting
• Signing up for an art class
• Laying out in the sun

She's babyproofing!

Oh, the places baby will go! Baby-proofing a house or an apartment is a big, detailed job. She could hire a service that specializes in it, or tackle the job herself. If she lives in the city, she must install window guards; it's the law-screens are not enough. If a child lives on the property, landlords are required to purchase and install the window guards properly. Any area that houses a danger - including all kitchen and bathroom doors/drawers - needs to be latched. Inexpensive plastic outlet covers must fill in all electrical outlets that are not in use. They must be hard to remove and not pose a choking hazard. Old window blinds should be retrofitted to make the cords safe for children, to prevent strangulation. Free retrofitting kits are available at www.windowcoverings.org. Safety gates prevent falls and entry into unsafe places. Oven-knob covers prevent burns, and sharp cor- ners should be covered with padding. Small objects, knick-knacks, and breakable objects must be kept out of baby's reach. Smoke and carbon monoxide detectors are a must. She should crawl around on the floor, at eye-level with baby, to see all the things he or she could get into. Baby-proofing is one of those necessary, unsung jobs that make the world safer.

She baby showers!

Baby showers are a social necessity that welcome new babies and support mom. There is a big controversy over how many baby showers a woman should have. Some feel that after she has her first baby, another shower is not necessary because she got all she needed at her first shower. Others feel that all babies should be welcomed with this customary party. What does she think?

She baby vaccination!

Whooping cough is a highly contagious disease that is more prevalent than it used to be. Contact with this disease could be fatal for an infant. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention recommends a whooping-cough booster for everyone 11 through 64 years of age. Studies show that babies who do get whooping cough usually contract it from a family member. Protect babies by getting vaccinated. Speak to your doctor and log on to www.Doitforyourbaby.com.

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