Parking Pal Magnet - a review and giveaway
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About a week or so ago the kids and I went shopping and one of our stops was Babies R Us. We have the same routine getting out of the car every time but this time, for whatever reason, my son decided either not to pay attention or that he didn’t like the routine.
As I was getting the baby out of the car and shutting the door, Jake just started walking into the traffic lane. Luckily I managed to get a hand free without dropping the baby and grab him as I yelled “Jake get back here.” He turned and looked at me a little startled and confused. I reminded him (while my heart tried to start beating again) that he MUST stay by the car until I take his hand. He said “why” in a way that made me wonder where he has been the last few years when we were drilling this into his brain. I, of course, explained to him that he could get hit by a car but I was not convinced that the explanation alone was enough.
The other day I happened across something called the Parking Pal Magnet and I wondered if this would solve our problems.
What is it?
The Parking Pal Magnet is a big bright colorful magnet that you stick to your vehicle to help encourage your kids to stay next to the car until you are ready to go.
How does it work?
It’s simple. You stick it on your vehicle right on the back panel behind the door and as the kids get out, they put their hand on it and wait.
Why do I need it?
According to kidsandcars.org 942 children in 2007 were involved in accidents caused when left unattended in or around motor vehicles. They also state that these statistics vastly underestimate the true magnitude of this public safety issue.
Who created it?
One mother residing in Virginia began to think of ways to keep her kids focused so the chance of them bolting or wondering in parking lots would be eliminated. She created the Parking Pal and IT WORKED. Austin, her 5-year old, and Aiden, her 3-year old, love the Parking Pal. When getting out of or coming back to the vehicle they go directly to it, put their hand on it, fiddle around with it and chat with each other while she gets her youngest into his stroller or back into his car seat. Until all vehicles are equipped with back-up cameras and all until all drivers remember to pay careful attention in parking lots, this is a great aid in keeping your child safer.
My Thoughts
So far, Jake is enamored with the Parking Pal magnet. He even goes over to it while the van is parked in the driveway and puts his hand in the hand outline on the magnet. We actually have put the magnet on the front passenger door of our van because that is the spot Jake always stands while I get the baby in and out of the car. He stands there so I don’t have my back to him.
Here is a picture of Jake in our driveway with the Parking Pal (it’s hard enough just getting 2 kids out of the car, there was no way I could get a picture in an actual parking lot):
The magnet is of high quality, is very cute and colorful and at $7.99 plus shipping, is worth every penny if it helps ensure the safety of your child in a parking lot.
If you would like to get your own Parking Pal magnet, you can visit their website and check out all the cool designs and purchase one or more for yourself (they take Paypal, which I think is great). Or, if you are feeling lucky, you can enter our giveaway and win one!
Giveaway
We have 1 Parking Pal PlanetPal magnet to give away to a lucky reader!
How to enter:
- Visit the Parking Pal website and choose which design is your favorite
- Leave a comment on this post telling us which one you like best (the giveaway is only for the PlanetPal design, but we want to know which one you like best)
How to earn extra entries:
- Subscribe to our email updates - 1 extra entry
- Stumble this post - 1 extra entry
- Digg this post - 1 extra entry
- Favorite our site in Technorati - 1 extra entry
- Rate us on Blogged.com - 1 extra entry
- Blog about this giveaway - 2 extra entries
- Add our button to your sidebar - 5 extra entries
(note, make an additional comment for each extra entry telling us what you did; for blog entry and button entry, make a single extra comment for each one and your additional entries for these items will be added manually)
This giveaway is open to the US and Canada.
Giveaway ends at Noon on July 22, 2008.
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July 8th, 2008 at 10:48 pm
I found this product recently in a magazine and was telling my online Mom friends about it! I could really use one as I have a newborn and a toddler! I like the flower design!
July 9th, 2008 at 4:39 am
I have been reading about these,AlphaPal Magnet would be my favorite,but as a grandmother of 4 under the age of 3,I really need this,I already am subscribed for the email updates,an I new to this blogging stuff so Im not sure about the rest of that how to do it,but im going to try,thanks
July 9th, 2008 at 6:16 am
I like the Alphabet print, its pretty cute and very genious! Seems like it would really be Great for small children!
July 9th, 2008 at 6:21 am
I added to Technorati!
July 9th, 2008 at 6:29 am
I stumbled! http://lovingheartmommi.stumbleupon.com/
July 9th, 2008 at 6:29 am
We are subscribers!
July 9th, 2008 at 6:32 am
http://kristiniac.blogspot.com/2008/07/wednesdays-worthies.html
We blogged!
July 9th, 2008 at 7:42 am
My favorite is the Planet Pal but I also really like the Fish Pal Magnet. Great idea.
July 9th, 2008 at 7:44 am
I blogged about the giveaway at:
http://www.thenotsoblog.blogspot.com
July 9th, 2008 at 8:28 am
I have been wanting one of these ever since they came out. What a great invention! I like the fish pal and the alpha pal. Thanks for the giveaway!
July 9th, 2008 at 8:29 am
I’m subscribed to your newsletter!
July 9th, 2008 at 11:02 am
we like the FlowerPal Magnet!
we are also subscribers!
thanks!
moore.g at insideconnect.net
July 9th, 2008 at 11:18 am
Hey Kim!
I like the Dyno Pal design. These are great products, I’ve been wanting one for a while. Hope your doing well!
–Mary @ Adventures in Mommyland
July 9th, 2008 at 11:19 am
Stumbled ya!
July 9th, 2008 at 11:28 am
Final entry, blogged ya:
http://mommyland512.blogspot.com/2008/07/win-parking-pal-at-whats-that-smell.html
I even gave it a little extra description since your the best!
–Mary
July 9th, 2008 at 1:07 pm
i like the alphapal
July 9th, 2008 at 3:02 pm
What a great tool to have to help keep your kids safe. My favorite design is the FishPal.
gkstratos@ yahoo.com
July 9th, 2008 at 3:03 pm
Also a subscriber. Thanks.
gkstratos@ yahoo.com
July 9th, 2008 at 4:56 pm
I love the PlanetPals one best! Too bad this isn’t for 3… LOL
July 9th, 2008 at 8:15 pm
I like the flowers best!
July 9th, 2008 at 9:01 pm
I like the AlphaPal magnet. I know that one would work great for my kids.
July 10th, 2008 at 12:53 am
That was super easy…being the mom of 2 girls and living in an all female house, my favorite is the FlowerPal Magnet.
July 10th, 2008 at 12:55 am
Just posted about your contest!
http://www.allaboutkimberly.com/safety-first
July 10th, 2008 at 12:57 am
I think I just stumbled it…I clicked “I like it” in my stumble toolbar…that’s how we do it right?
July 11th, 2008 at 7:19 am
I like the Flower one!
July 11th, 2008 at 5:54 pm
I like the stars and planets one.
July 11th, 2008 at 9:26 pm
I think the stars and planets is best for me.
July 12th, 2008 at 2:20 am
FlowerPal Magnet is cute, i like flowers!
July 12th, 2008 at 4:55 am
These are pretty brilliant, I love the DynoPal Magnet. I even bet the surface of the magnet doesn’t get as hot as the car does in this summer sun.
July 13th, 2008 at 10:14 am
I would love to have this and have been wanting since I first hear about it a few months ago. and seein as how I have two little boys.. one who I carry the other well I kinda get scared when we are in the parking lots and it would be an awesome addition for me to add to the car to keep him staying put while I get the younger out. so this would be great for me to have b.c it would ease my mind a little.
July 13th, 2008 at 4:06 pm
I personally love the alphabet Parking Pal best!
Megret
musesofmegret (at) gmail (dot) com
July 13th, 2008 at 9:41 pm
I like the Flower Pal Magnet!
July 15th, 2008 at 6:34 pm
I like the Alpha Parking pal also,what a wonderful thing to have come up with,hats off to the inventor,thanks great contest
July 15th, 2008 at 6:36 pm
Im a subscriber also
July 16th, 2008 at 8:30 am
I have girls so I love the flower design.
July 17th, 2008 at 1:19 pm
The alphabet one is great and this is a great idea.
July 17th, 2008 at 1:20 pm
i’m subscribed
July 18th, 2008 at 2:03 pm
I like the Fishpal best:)
belinda_streak(at)hotmail(dot)com
July 18th, 2008 at 2:06 pm
Just added your button to my blog sidebar!
belinda_streak(at)hotmail(dot)com
July 18th, 2008 at 2:11 pm
And I’m now a subscriber via email:
belinda_streak(at)hotmail(dot)com
July 19th, 2008 at 9:19 am
I added you button to my sidebar.
July 20th, 2008 at 8:43 am
Ooh I like the Alpha Pal! Something for them to look at while keeping their had there.:)
July 20th, 2008 at 8:43 am
You LIVE on my sidebar…does that count?
hehehe
July 20th, 2008 at 8:45 am
And of course I am an email subscriber (as well as Technorati)
July 22nd, 2008 at 3:59 am
I like the PlanetPAl design. My son likes the color blue. Thanks so much!
July 22nd, 2008 at 7:56 am
I totally need one (or 2..lol) of these! Having 2 kids only 14 months apart I need all the help I can get with making sure one is standing by the car while I get the other out of their car seat. What a fear of mine having my child run into the street. These are great!!
July 22nd, 2008 at 7:56 am
Oh I have your button up on my site and my blog sidebar!
July 22nd, 2008 at 7:58 am
Just checked out their site! Too cute and only $8! I LOVE LOVE LOVE the flower one…my girls would get a real kick out of it and the numbers one is super cute too!
July 22nd, 2008 at 8:24 am
love the flowers
great idea!