Recall Woes

We've been mostly lucky with all the recalls this year. None of Emmett's favorites have been among the millions of toys recalled. Until now, that is. Monday night, blissfully unaware, I walked by the recall board at Emmett's daycare. The fact that they have an entire huge classroom sized bulletin board dedicated to the latest recalls is sad enough. Anyway - as I walked by, there was Monkey, staring right at me. Emmett has always called Curious George 'Monkey'. I think it's because he has a hard time saying 'curious' (sounds like serious) - which is really quite funny when speaking of Curious George. Imagine a little boy calling him Serious George - not exactly the theme of the cartoon, huh?

So last night, I asked Emmett if I could take Monkey for the night. Then I looked up the Marvel recall list and found that yes, Emmett's beloved Monkey was on the list. We've had it a year - even washed it. And it has always been one of Emmett's top three stuffed animals. Right up there with little Moby and Pooh Bear. Generally, I'm not that anxious about recalls - but this sweet looking monkey has slept under Emmett's arm for over a year - almost every night. Monkey even flew in our suitcase on vacation. I knew we couldn't keep it, and putting it up on the shelf would never work.

Tonight as we prepared for bedtime, Emmett asked if he could have Monkey back. I'd been dreading this moment since finding Monkey on the recall list. How do you explain that a group of adults who should really know better, used chemicals proven to cause health effects, on a child's toy. So, I told him the truth - "Monkey had some chemicals on him that might make you sick. So we have to send Monkey away so he doesn't make you sick." Emmett's little eyes welled up and he fought back tears. I said it would be ok to miss Monkey, that sometimes we have to say goodbye to things even when we don't want to. I even said we'd look for a new Monkey for Christmas (already on that mission!). But in his little heart, I know his first Monkey will be the most important one for him. And I really wish I could feel like a good mom and still leave Monkey to sleep under Emmett's arm, but I can't. And Craig tells me I think too much about it. So maybe I do!

Part of me wonders if we're all over reacting. I'm sure my toys as a kid probably contained high levels of something bad. Wasn't there an M&M food additive which ended up being dangerous? I'd never let Emmett chew on paint chips - but at which point does it become a major overreaction? I mean this toy had been tested by an independent firm 3 times since it's release to retail. All three tests passed for lead levels. On the four test they tested surface coatings (not sure what those would be) and found that it failed.

At any rate, I now have the joy of finding a solitary moment to box Monkey up and ship him back to his manufacture to meet a fiery demise. Goodbye Monkey - and good luck.