Take Your Kid to Work, But Don't Let them Take Control of a City Train

JeanneSager — Sat, 27 Sep 2008 13:08:00 GMT

There's take your kid to work day, then there's put half a city at risk day. A trolley driver in Boston has been reprimanded by the Massachusetts Bay Transit Authority for letting his son and nephew get behind the wheel.

A pissed off passenger (wouldn't you be?) took pictures of the man and two kids and posted them on Craigslist. Michael Critz listed what trolley the picture was taken on, the date and time, and posted a link back to his own Website.

Critz expresses sympathy for a dad having to work on a holiday weekend and admits we all make mistakes. He worried what would happen to himself - it's illegal to take photos on MBTA, a rule enacted after 9/11 - but Critz said he decided it was more important to protect others. Beyond the distractions the two boys could potentially be to a driver who needs to keep his attention on the tracks at all times, Critz said the kids were dangerously close to the main controls of the trolley. That includes the emergency stop button (the big red button in Critz's photo, above).

The MBTA told the Boston Herald that the 45-year-old driver has been disciplined before. He was suspended for three days last year for using a cell phone while operating the train.

As a mom, I know what it's like to have to suddenly take my daughter to work because the babysitter called out. I'm lucky that my job has allowed me to take my daughter with me a large percentage of the time, and allowed me to work from home when there was simply no other option. But before heading out to interview someone at their house or even in their office, I always warn people she's coming. I also find a sitter or call on a friend when I'm heading somewhere that she just shouldn't be. And I'm not putting hundreds (or potentially thousands) of people's lives at risk. I don't drive a train. But I'd like to think I could trust the people who do - with my life and the life of my own kid.

Sometimes we feel like our bosses just don't understand what it's like to be a parent, and sometimes we're right. MomsRising, an advocacy group for working moms, estimates 100 million American workers don't have paid sick days so they can take the day off to care for a child. Based on a Children's Defense Fund Study, MomsRising says even parents who have the sick days don't necessarily have enough money to pay a daycare when their child is well. The study found childcare costs anywhere from $4,000 to $10,000 a year.

But work is still work. Unless your boss has said, "Oh yeah, bring 'em along," kids don't belong in the workplace.

Image: Michael Critz

Last Minute Halloween Safety Tips, Cuz It's the Scariest Holiday

Kelly Mills — Wed, 31 Oct 2007 13:32:00 GMT

I feel we can't post enough about the myriad dangers of Halloween. After all, it involves masks, darkness, strangers, and candy--for god's sake, it sounds like a party at Rachel's house, and we have to sign a waiver to get into those. So let's take quickly do a last-minute recap of what you can do to protect yourself and your loved ones on this fun but perilous day.

1. Watch that costume. Did you know falls are the number one cause of injury on Halloween? For kids, that means you should check to make sure the costumes aren't too long and trippy, and that any masks have large enough eyeholes to allow for clear vision. (You may want to make sure there's airholes while you are at it.) For adults, this means you should exercise caution when selecting who to be this year. For example, I know of at least one person who dressed up as Amy Winehouse and really lived the part, resulting in some hilarious photos, a few falls, and a de-invitation to next year's party. So be cautious when deciding to emulate a messed-up celeb, giant baby, or lecherous forest creature.

2. Be sure others can see you. Kids and cars and poorly-lit streets create a deadly cocktail. (You like that line? I got it from Fox News.) Invest in flashlights and glow sticks--in fact, you could convince your child to dress up as a giant glow stick if it makes you feel better. Keep the kiddies close when crossing the street to vandalize pumpkins. But while you want to make sure your outfits are well-lit, please do check that the costumes are flame-retardant. That poly costume fabric ain't pretty after you brush up against a lit jack-o'-lantern. Brrrrgh.

3. Inspect the candy. We know the tales of razor blades in apples are largely hoaxes (yeah, like a kid would eat an apple) but you can't be too safe. Toss all unwrapped candy and the Whoppers (just cuz they are gross.) You might also wanna confiscate anything chokeable. I've been trying to convince my kid that Reese's are totally the kind of thing that gets lodged in kids' throats. Wish me luck.

Have a safe and spooky holiday, and I hope it's only scary in a non-traumatic way.

Strollerderby : kids in danger

Take Your Kid to Work, But Don't Let them Take Control of a City Train

Last Minute Halloween Safety Tips, Cuz It's the Scariest Holiday