Important Advisory:

The Asterisk on the Oppenheim Toy Portfolio Lead-Free* Platinum Award list indicates that samples from only one particular batch of these toys tested lead free.  Other production runs or samples of the same products may contain lead.

We have not had the other toys on our website independently tested for lead content. For the future, we are requiring companies to provide us with documentation that their products have been tested by an independent lab and found to be free of surface and embedded lead, as well as phthalates.  

1. Eliminate Distractions

Experts agree that homework is done best in a setting that is free of distractions like tv and phone.  But, computers are inherently full of distractions.   They are places that kids play games, talk to friends in instant messenger, and even shop! 

Parents need to set guidelines that separate play time from work time.  Perhaps a rule that says no Instant Messages until homework is done.  Now this brings us to my first Smart Parent trick:  If every time you walk into the room you see the screen change...it probably means that your kids are talking to friends or surfing and have just covered up the play screens with a work screen.  This is a variation on the "read a comic book hidden in a large book" gambit that many of us tried when we were kids. 

If you think your kids might be playing this trick...look at the bottom row of the screen...you'll see icons for all the open programs...even if they've covered up a screen!  The illustration below shows what to look for.

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