Month: September 2017

Warning: Sliding With a Child on Your Lap Is Dangerous

This is a fascinating and important point that most parents probably don’t know. When you go down a slide with a child on your lap, you are actually putting them at risk. A study published by the American Academy of Pediatrics has found that children are more likely to injure their lower leg or shinbone if they are seating on a parent’s lap when they go down a slide.

A child sliding by himself is unlikely to break a bone if his foot catches on the edge or bottom of the equipment, but on a parent’s lap he will be sliding faster and the force is more likely to snap the bone if a foot gets caught.

The study’s lead author from the University of Iowa, Dr Charles Jennissen, said: “Many parents and caregivers go down a slide with a young child on their lap without giving it a second thought.”

The study explained that, “The majority of injuries sustained on slides by infants and young toddlers are lower extremity fractures and sliding down on a parent’s lap is the primary cause of these injuries.”

 

Lego Set to Cut Jobs: Are Kids Still Creative?

When Lego needs to cut jobs, we all need to pay attention. Does it signal a lack of creativity across the world? Does it signal a financial crisis and parents can’t afford those little extras?

Whatever the source, Lego is cutting 1400 jobs which actually accounts for 8% of its toymaker’s workforce. They also announced a drop in their profits and sales for the first six months of 2017. This is the first time in 13 years that they have had a decline in their revenue.

As  Lego chairman Jorgen Vig Knudstorp said, “We have added complexity into the organization which now in turn makes it harder for us to grow further. As a result, we have now pressed the reset button.”

The new Lego CEO will start in October and they are certainly hoping to return to profit.

 

Family Finances in a Changing Political Climate

Politics play a major role in numerous industries and markets. With changing markets and emotions running high, financial planning and wealth management is especially challenging. As a result, many individuals and families are turning to professional advisors for help.

Chuck Cumello, president and CEO of Essex Financial Services, recently wrote an article for wealthmanagement.com discussing the challenges these advisors may face on the job, as well as things to look out for while working with a professional.

“It is often said, and is quite accurate in my opinion, that a financial advisor’s greatest challenge is managing the emotional and psychological challenges that beset clients when looking at their portfolios.”

Emotions such as fear and anxiety run especially high in times of political unrest. Though it can be hard to remain focused on the bigger picture and long-term plans, a good advisor will help you balance your concerns against your financial reality in a productive manner.

“The best advisors always use times of stress or instability to cement their relationships with their clients. They never shy away from difficult or challenging conversations; they embrace them and use these events as opportunities,” Cumello explained. “An opportunity to review their clients’ financial plan and to fully engage their clients on their agreed-upon commitments to achieve the goals set forth by that client and their family,” for example.