Saturday, November 22, 2008

Widget-y Goodness

So I have never mentioned what I do in real life, outside of chasing my many children around, that is. But I do have a job, if you can believe it! I am a child passenger safety technician, which basically means I educate parents on how to use their carseats correctly and transport their kids safely. Believe it or not, 4 out of 5 carseats are misused!

I became a tech about a year and a half ago. Here is a dorky story: Soon after Eli died, I was at loose ends. I had always wanted to become a tech, but never had time to attend the week long intensive training course, or babysitters to watch the kids so I could do it. I really wanted to be able to do something to create a legacy for Eli, and to help other parents avoid going through losing a child like we had.

Well, my birthday was coming up, and John, knowing what a geek I am at heart, got me the best birthday gift ever. He called around to all of our friends and set up babysitting for both kids each day of the week. He adjusted his schedule so that he could drop them off in the morning and pick them up in the evening. He secretly signed me up for the class. He made it possible for me to become a tech, and he made it possible for me to create a legacy for Eli.

So now I am a CPS Tech. I work out of a baby boutique owned by a very good friend, and I get to play with a lot of awesome carseats, strollers, and other baby gear. But most of all, I get to help teach parents how to keep their kids safe. It is the best and the worst job...the days when parents are receptive and leave with their child safer than when they came are awesome. The days when parents ask my professional opinion and then blatantly disregard it pretty much suck. =) But most of all, I know that through Eli's death, I was able to become someone who could help save other baby's lives, and so indirectly, because of Eli, other babies have been saved. I think that is pretty cool.

Another cool effect of working where I work is that I have literally owned and used every single & double stroller in existence. =) Every single item we sell in the store gets tested out, and if we don't like it, we stop carrying it. So this time around, with Seth, I got all kinds of amazing little gadgets (widgets, if you will...) and gear that make life with kids simpler, cuter, or more fun. So I think I will probably start to do a few posts here and there about the things I use with Seth that make my life with a bunch of kids easier.

I think I may call it Widget Wednesday, as one of the definitions is this:

widget
noun
2.
a device or control that is very useful for a particular job

The "particular job" being, of course, baby raising. =) And Wednesday because it also starts with W. So, yeah. I am also reserving the right to forget to do it sometimes...I do have kids to take care of! So stay tuned for that!

6 comments:

Liz {Learning To Juggle} said...

What wonderful work you do. Where did you find the training class for this?

E @ Scottsville said...

I guess you were reading my blog as I was reading yours - - - as your comment just came in! =0)

What an awesome job you have! While you're looking around for cool widgets, can you find a way to make life with teenagers easier? Remember, I'm in THAT PHASE already with mine. Blech!

Rose said...

Hi! I could use your advice then.... I'm looking for a stroller that rocks, of course (and rolls) but that can also be used with a jogger. I have a jeep and a baby trend and am ready to throw them both to the curb! I want to sell both and just have one, multipurpose stroller.

And what a cool job you have!

Les said...

I have the bugaboo cameleon.. and I LOVE IT! Bought it about at half price used from a sweet mom. Every time I use it I am excited because it is so Great!! Is this one good El?

Julie said...

Can't wait for your opinions! Although I think we've gotten everything already... Please say good things about what we have! :)

Anonymous said...

As a tech, I hope that you are correcting the misconception that rear facing is only for babies! My 15 month is still rearfacing and will be until he reaches 35 lbs!!

And ps- yah for being able to leave a comment. I couldn't before!

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