I wrote a post in September that explains why I emailed Handi-Craft, the company that manufactures Dr. Brown’s products. I was horrified to find out that the sippy cups my daughter was using at the time nearly had the rubber coming off at the top of the spout. As a parent, I feared it was a serious choking hazard.
At Theta Mom, I always write honest posts and product reviews. Even though I wasn’t reviewing this particular product, I used my blog as a platform to share my concerns about a product that I thought (in my opinion and experience) to be defective. After that post was published and my email was responded to from a company representative, I ended up speaking with another representative directly over the phone and I was sent replacement cups. These cups were an improved design from the “original” sippy cups my daughter was using. You can read that full follow-up post here.
However, after reading through all of your comments again on that follow-up post, I was still really upset. I knew that if the rubber was easily coming off of the “original” sippy cups for my daughter, it had to be happening to other babies. There was no way I could have been the only one to experience this. My gut was telling me that this product needed to be taken off the market and I needed to do something more…
Amidst my chaotic thinking of what to do next in pursuit of this issue, the new cups arrived and my daughter actually did beautifully with them. Was it because the spout was indeed stronger in this different design? Maybe. Was it because my daughter was (at the time) now 3 months older so she wasn’t chewing on them quite as hard? Probably. Were these cups safer compared to the original design? I do believe so. You can get a good look at the new design of these training cups here.
But, I still had that unsettling feeling that my serious concern was not totally being heard (since those “original” cups were still available on shelves). As a mother, I needed this issue needed to be escalated…
While I was still testing out these new replacement cups and had numerous telephone conversations with various reps over at Handi-Craft, I soon received an email from the Vice-President of Handi-Craft. Apparently, he wanted to talk with me over the phone.
Can you believe that? The Vice-President of a major corporation actually wanted to take time out of his busy day to converse with me! This would be the perfect opportunity to reiterate my concerns with the company, knowing I would be speaking directly with someone who may be able to make a change.
So there I was, bent over in my kitchen cleaning up spilled applesauce off the floor, then picking up my daughter to change her diaper while Yo Gabba Gabba was playing in the background. Among this routine of “just another day in the life” of a Theta Mom, I was about to speak with the VP of Handi-Craft himself.
I pictured him on the other line dressed in a perfect suit, sitting behind a large uncluttered desk in a spacious office in a major city. And he was talking to Theta Mom, who happened to answer the phone wearing yoga pants and an applesauce splattered t-shirt, holding her daughter in one hand and wipes in the other.
After some introductions, we briefly made some small talk and then we got down to the issue. He was following up with me to see how my daughter was doing with the new replacement cups. We spoke about my concern at length and then he finally shared the news that the “other” sippy cups had been taken off the market.
They were taken off the market.
Can I honestly say that Theta Mom was the reason these cups were removed? No. In my mind, do I think I had a little something to do with it? I would like to believe, maybe.
With all of my emails, phone conversations, and ultimately a chat with the VP himself, I would like to think I had a little something to do with the “original” cups being removed so that they could not potentially harm a baby…and that in itself is pretty amazing stuff.
To think that in this instance, my blog became a platform for my voice to be heard. In the end, with some effective blogging and persistence, it made a difference.
Actually, it made a big difference.
If my daughter could talk right now, I know she would be thanking Handi-Craft for listening to her mommy…
And the best part?
I know she is so damn proud of me.
And so am I.
Theta Mom says
Thank you so much Melissa!
.-= Theta Mom´s last blog ..Parazul Review and Giveaway =-.
Mimi says
I follow you as bigguysmama
.-= Mimi´s last blog ..Be Authentic by Warren Wiersbe ~ FIRST Tour =-.
Jean Myles says
Woohoo! Good for you!
On a much, much lighter note, one time I was totally pissed because I bought a chocolate chip muffin pouch and when I made them there were no chips! I wrote an angry letter and got many coupons for free pouches of muffins. I felt great about that so can’t imagine how great you feel! You rock! You are looking out for all of us!
steph says
I voted 1
bargainfun1 at yahoo
.-= steph´s last blog ..Munchie Mug review & Giveaway =-.
steph says
I voted 2
bargainfun1 at yahoo
.-= steph´s last blog ..Munchie Mug review & Giveaway =-.
Kaci says
Oh wow that is so awesome!! WTG!
Christy Cross says
Impressive mama! Keep up the great work–we are our children’s advocates! Following you from MBC
~Christy
.-= Christy Cross´s last blog ..Product Review-So Smart! Award Winning DVD’s for Children =-.
Natalie says
That’s so neat!
.-= Natalie´s last blog ..Saturday night plans =-.
Foursons says
Wow- good for you! You made a change in the world for the better! Be proud of yourself. (By the way- your posts no longer show up in my dashboard. Hmmm)
.-= Foursons´s last blog ..Letters of Intent =-.
Ghada says
awesome stuff, Heather. Its nice to know that we can use our blogs as a platform for something greater
.-= Ghada´s last blog ..The New Workout Plan =-.
Theta Mom says
Thank you Ghada!
.-= Theta Mom´s last blog ..I Have a Chotchkie Drawer and I Know How to Use It =-.
Pateachermom says
Great job. You should be very proud of yourself.http://www.AboutOne.com
Elizabeth a.k.a. Type A Mommy says
That is so darn awesome! Talk about effecting change!! What an awesome, inspiring story.
.-= Elizabeth a.k.a. Type A Mommy´s last blog ..Oreo Chocolate White Chocolate Chunk Cookies =-.
Gray says
I think if your daughter had known what was going on, she would have raised that Handi-Craft and made a toast…”To my mom, for making a difference where she can.”
.-= Gray´s last blog ..Easter Tablescape =-.
Herself says
WOW! If that’s not blogging like a rock star, nothing is! Congratulations! And congrats on your SITS Day too!
.-= Herself´s last blog ..Change of Address =-.
Melissa @Cellulite Investigation says
I love love love love LOVE this post!!! This is the way the world SHOULD be!
.-= Melissa @Cellulite Investigation´s last blog ..The Digestion Dossier: Identifying a Food Sensitivity =-.
Amber Hurd says
I think you did the right thing. That is what mother’s do that gets overlooked but you probably helped so that another child would choke which could cause death or injury. Right on, keep it up.
.-= Amber Hurd´s last blog ..Coupon Lingo =-.
Miz Dinah Gogina says
Way to go! That’s great that you stuck with it, and impressive that the VP took the time to call you.
Lucie says
I LOVE that you made a difference! If everyone spoke up this world would be a better place! Yeah, freedom of speech!!
I have just discovered you from The Secret is in the Sauce blog (which I just discovered yesterday
I love your blog!
Blessings,
Lucie
Marie Cole says
I love the new social networking platform that allows us all to have our voices heard. CONGRATULATIONS on making a difference, that had to feel amazing! :)))
.-= Marie Cole´s last blog ..Sensomatic =-.
Accustomed Chaos says
Good for you for listening to your gut! good companies listen to their customers and its nice to know this company takes concerns seriously
.-= Accustomed Chaos´s last blog ..Product Review: Readeo {plus coupon code} =-.