Being a new mother can be unnerving enough. Finding out you have given your child poison can leave you completely distraught. It’s not like there aren’t enough threats on your child already, but now the Chinese are attacking through the toys. What is a mom to do?

Recently, Mattel has recalled a large number of its toys for young children - the same children who are notorious for putting things in their mouths. The recall is on toys with the label “made in China” because of an excessive amount of lead in the paint on the products. Lead paint has been forbidden in the United States for decades.

Not too long ago, another Chinese product (this time pet food) was also recalled. The poison in this case resulted in pet deaths and serious illness. There was also a recent incident in the recall of fish imported from China. It this a trend that should be a concern, or is it just a coincidence?

It’s almost impossible to protect your child from everything, but moms still try. It’s disheartening when I company that you have known and trusted has a mistake this large and this potentially hazardous. In truth, there is very little a mom can do to ensure that products are always completely safe. Unfortunately, there has to be some leap of faith in the companies. It’s just too bad the company in this case has fallen short.