My sister bought The Safe Side – Stranger Safety for my daughter. The video is a guide for kids (and their parents) to help determine what situations are safe for kids, what situations aren’t, and what you should do in each.

The video features Safe Side Superchick (played by Angela Shelton) who entertains the kids (she has my daughter cracking up through much of the movie!) as she teaches them important lessons that can keep them safe, and possibly save their lives.

The producers of the video include Julie-Aigner Clark (creator of Baby Einstein) and John Walsh (host of America’s Most Wanted). I think they all did a great job of relating important information that kids need to know in a way that was fun, interesting, and memorable. I’ve done little random quizzes (verbal) with my daughter on some of the “hot tips” mentioned in the video. And when I ask my 3 year old what he does if someone he doesn’t know tries to get him to go somewhere, he yells, “Help! This is not my mom! Help! This is not my dad!” He’s a good yeller.

I still need to get my kids to a program in our area, called A.S.S.E.R.T. Child Safety Program, developed by a local police officer, Glen Evans.
It’s a workshop that teaches kids the techniques and words that they need to stay safe, and lets them yell them out and practice them on adults. I’ve heard good things about this program.

Do you have any programs like this in your neighborhood? Have you ever had your child watch and learn from a video like this? Would your kids know what to do to stay safe while out playing?

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While I have nothing against the Baby Einstein products, I can’t honestly say that I’ve ever seen the videos, listened to the CDs, or played with the toys. I can see why Erica of GNMParents took my enthusiastic congratulations of Aigner-Clark as a promotion of her product.

In actuality, I was congratulating Aigner-Clark on harnessing her passion, sharing it with the world, and being able to make a living on it. Isn’t that the hope of us all? To be able to do what we love and find a way to support ourselves and our families on it? Isn’t that our hope for our children?

Since Aigner-Clark was mentioned in the speech, she has been blasted in several places for being recognized for doing nothing but creating videos for babies who should not be put in front of the TV. Since I’ve not seen the videos, I don’t have an opinion on them specifically. However, I have been known to throw a Wiggles video in on occasion (ha), and I’m sure neither Aigner-Clark nor I could be the first to be accused of using TV as a babysitter to TRY TO GET JUST ONE THING DONE. However, I also bottle-fed my eldest child, and still use disposable diapers, so maybe I’m not the one you’re looking to for child-rearing advice.

And, FINALLY, why has eveyone failed to mention the child safety video, The Safe Side – Stranger Safety, that Aigner-Clark produced with America’s Most Wanted guru John Walsh? Reading the text of the speech (you can find that portion here), it seems to me that this project was as instrumental in getting Aigner-Clark recognized in the presidential speech as her entrepreneurial spirit and success. I haven’t seen the safety video, yet (thanks for sending it, you know who!), but will give it a review when I do.

Anyway, I am proud to be nominated for the Hot Stuff Award, and will check out the other posts to see the company that I’m in. If you’d like to vote for me, head over to this post and vote in the comments. Thanks!

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Here’s what POTUS (I love saying that) had to say:

After her daughter was born, Julie Aigner-Clark searched for ways to share her love of music and art with her child. So she borrowed some equipment, and began filming childrens videos in her basement. The Baby Einstein Company was born and in just 5 years her business grew to more than $20 million in sales. In November 2001, Julie sold Baby Einstein to the Walt Disney Company, and with her help Baby Einstein has grown into a $200 million business. Julie represents the great enterprising spirit of America. And she is using her success to help others producing child safety videos with John Walsh of the National Center for Missing and Exploited Children. Julie says of her new project: I believe its the most important thing that Ive ever done. I believe that children have the right to live in a world that is safe. We are pleased to welcome this talented business entrepreneur and generous social entrepreneur Julie Aigner-Clark.

Way to go, Julie!!! I’d love to get my hands on a copy of her new video series. My kids are at that age where the “safety” talks are coming more frequently. I’d love more tips on how to keep them safe!

What about you? Do you have an idea within you that’s waiting to get out into the world? What’s stopping you?

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