“Ride ‘n Remind” to Prevent Tragic Car Deaths

*This is a sponsored post. All opinions are my own.

As a parent, we all know how hectic life can get. When you have a baby you’re constantly on the go and in mommy mode 24/7.

Despite how attentive you are, there are times when life gets the best of us.

I remember trying to get out of the house with a baby. Who knew someone so small could need so much stuff and take so much time to get ready? The process can make your head go in a tailspin! I remember forgetting my keys and diaper bag so many times only to have to take the baby back inside to grab them!

Whether you’re distracted or in a rush, you sometimes do or forget things you never dreamed you would.

For some parents, that means forgetting that your child is in the backseat. It may sound crazy, but it happens all too often. You may say it would never happen to you, but that’s what so many other parents have echoed, only to find themselves in a dangerous situation.

Each year, an average of 37 children die from being left in hot cars or accidentally locking themselves in. Some parents tragically forgot their children were in the backseat. That can especially be true if a baby or toddler falls asleep.

I always questioned how that could happen, but after becoming a parent I understand. I can also see how parents look for any little help they can get to avoid these situations. No one wants to become a statistic.

The only way to really make sure you don’t forget your child is in the backseat is to have a reminder you can hear loud and clear. For me, that’s my kids. They’re old enough now to let me know if I ever forgot them in the backseat. But, for parents of babies and small children you still need that reminder because your kids may not be that vocal.

That’s why there’s Ride ‘n Remind. I honestly wish this product was around when my kids were babies. I don’t think I would ever worry that I would forget they were in the car with this system in place.

Ride ‘n Remind is great because it sends an extremely loud signal you and the whole neighborhood can hear so that you don’t forget your child is in the car. Every time you turn off your car, a chime goes off to remind you to check the back seat.

In order to shut off the chime, you need to press a button that is conveniently located near the rear door (installed as part of the system). If you ignore the chime, within less than 40 seconds your car horn will activate sending a very loud SOS signal.

Sure, it will wake-up your baby if he’s sleeping but that’s far better than leaving him in the car.

Even if you don’t hear this sound (which is highly unlikely), anyone in the vicinity will hear it and pay attention to your vehicle and any child that may still be inside.

You can also use Ride ‘n Remind if you have fur babies in the car. The goal is to make sure everyone and everything that needs to be out of the car is not ever forgotten.

With Ride ‘n Remind, the sad statistic of children who die because they’re left in cars can hopefully be erased once and for all.

To learn more about Ride ‘n Remind, check out the website!

 

You’re the best mom…sometimes

As we approach Mother’s Day, the one day of the year when our kids are obligated to be nice to us, clean, make us a card, and maybe even get us a present, I’m reminded of something my youngest daughter said to me this week.

“You’re the best mom.”

Awe…how sweet!

Wait for it…”sometimes.”

#awkwardsilence

I looked at her, and thought, what? wait…really? Sometimes? Talk about a backhanded compliment!

Then I thought about it and realized she was right.

I am the best mom…sometimes.

As much as I would like to think I’m on point everyday, there are days when I look in the mirror and know I’m far from it.

There are days when I cringe after hearing “mommy” for what seems like the 100th time. Can’t I change my name?

There are times when the sound of little feet running into my room before 7 a.m. on the weekend makes me wish I had a trap door under my bed that I could escape into.

There are days when the thought of making another school lunch drives me insane.

There are days when I’d rather poke my eyes with a spork then go to soccer practice, another birthday party, or the park. What happened to the days of going to yoga and watching “Lifetime” movies? Oh yeah, I had kids.

There are days when I just want to scream “leave me alone!” But I know I can’t.

There are days when I swear too much and hope my kids won’t repeat what they’ve heard at the most inopportune times.

These are the days when I don’t feel like the best mom…not even close! These are the days when I feel like a hot mess…days that I question how I’m going to make it through to the next.

Then there are the days when my kids snuggle up next to me and give me the best hugs ever.

There are the days when I multi-task like it’s no one’s business and nail it.

There are the days when my girls get upset and I come up with some witty and comforting words from God knows where and they tell me they feel better afterwards.

There are the days when strangers come up to me and tell me how well-behaved my kids are.

There are the days when my kids accomplish something so wonderful that I can’t believe how proud I am of them.

These are the days when I do feel like the best mom…like I must be doing something right to have such great little humans.

I think being the best mom is realizing that you don’t always have the answers and you’re going to make mistakes. There are countless times that my kids ask me a question and I will tell them I don’t know…that includes third grade math homework!

Letting your kids see you’re not perfect is good for their souls because they hopefully will realize that no one is perfect and that it’s okay to make mistakes.

So when my daughter tells me I’m the best mom…sometimes, she’s just keeping it real. And I’m okay with that.