Summertime is all about great play—and at our recent Spring & Summer Showcase, we got to play with a wide variety of creative, engaging toys designed to make the summer fun for kids.
Keeping Summer Safe… And Sane Read More »
That grinding sound you hear is my teeth, and that loud crash you just heard was me throwing a toy against the way.
Zen and the Art of Toy Assembly Read More »
There’s been some controversy around a recent J.Crew ad that has generated a lot of chatter about gender-appropriate play for kids, and what role parents should have in defining those boundaries. The ad featured their style director painting her son’s toenails pink, and included some text about how lucky she felt to have a son
Gender-Appropriate Play Read More »
(or, You will NOT put that LEGO in your mouth, young man!) In a house with 3 boys with large gaps in ages, it’s hard to make sure the LEGO’s for the 11-year-old stay out of the hands (and mouth!) of the 2-year-old. The 6-year-old might have some Squinkies lying around that the toddler wants
Ways to Keep Tiny Toys Out of the Hands of Little Ones Read More »
The Harry Potter exhibition opened in Times Square this week with a gala event that included appearances by members of the cast, a red carpet and a preview of the exhibit. If you’re in New York, you’ll want to get to the Discovery Center in Times Square. The exhibit is amazing and for anyone who
My daughter’s First Grade class is learning about the neighborhood we live in via short field trips to local businesses and public spaces. Each of these excursions requires several chaperones. A 1:3 grown up to kid ratio, in fact. So my husband and I signed up: He got a scavenger hunt in the park; I
To Chaperone, or Not to Chaperone Read More »
Anyone who knew my family when I was growing up, and I’m blessed that there are still many in my life who did, will tell you that our house was at the best of time organized chaos. With four highly rambunctious boys into all kinds of activities each usually with a friend or two
Take Time to Stop and Smell the Cardboard: The Value of Family Game Nights Read More »
Last night my 3-year old son was telling me a story about his sledding adventures that afternoon, when an alert went off on my Blackberry, notifying me of a new message. So I did the thing I’ve been trained to do; I picked it up, ignored the conversation I was having, and checked to see
Mom Behaving Badly Read More »
I write this column every year, and this year won’t be different. Halloween has always been one of my favorites holidays with respect to spending time with my kids. The choosing of the costume (always a long hard decision), trick or treating, and Halloween parties have made Halloween a huge event. (In recent years, the trend has continued to grow as more and more adults look to the holiday as one just for themselves and their families.)
National Trick or Treat Day Read More »
With schools in many parts of the country in session for a couple of weeks and all kids back in school this week, learning is—or should be—on top of all parents’ minds. I spent the last month talking to parents and kids about going back to school, and one of the things they’re very concerned about is performance. In fact, almost too much. For some kids, especially those starting high school, the level of anxiety was particularly high. Why? Because they’re already concerned about their performance and how that’s going to affect their ability to get into college.
School’s In Session: Time to Fail Read More »
When it came to table manners, I grew up in a very strict home. I mean, really strict. My brothers and I were constantly corrected about which fork to pick up, how to hold the flatware, where to put the napkin, how to chew and so forth. It was a constant battle for my parents with four rowdy boys who thought the height of hilarity was flinging a roll across the table when one said, “Please pass…” Or that peas or lima beans (ick) could be effective weapons when catapulted with a spoon. Still, mom and dad were tireless, saying we’d thank them later.
Mind Your Table Manners—It May Matter Later Read More »
With an estimated opening weekend box office of $109 Million, you don’t need me to tell you that Toy Story 3 is a major hit. Pixar’s biggest opening yet speaks to the power of the franchise-and the indelible mark that Woody, Buzz and the whole crew have left on our culture in just 15 years. In fact, it’s hard to imagine many kids growing up without these films-like Star Wars and The Wizard of Oz, they are now part of the kids’ movie pantheon. Yes, the reviews have all been glowing, and even our reviewer Cynthia Fuchs gave the movie 10 stars. Yet what has intrigued me are some of the subtle-and not so-messages that the movie delivers and the brilliant worldview of Pixar and Disney that offers all of us so much insight and food for thought over and above the sheer entertainment value.
What’s So Great About Toy Story 3? Read More »
In the new musical “The Addams Family,” Pugsley says to Grandma, “I don’t get your references.” Grandma replies, “Well, you might if you stop the darn texting and pick up a book.” It gets, as you might expect a huge laugh.
Summer Reading. Ready? Read More »
My 5-year old daughter recently told me “that just because boys are stronger than girls, doesn’t mean that they can hit us”. Which she then immediately followed with, “and just because girls are smarter than boys, doesn’t mean that we can call them stupid.”
I’ve sat through three parent sessions this week at my daughter’s school that dealt with “summer brain drain” and how to keep kids from losing 30% of what teachers worked hard all year to cram into their little brains. And while some of the information was useful, very little of it took into account that kids actually need and deserve some time off. I was also struck by “fun activity” recommendations they offered parents for keeping kids’ minds engaged all summer. I’m pretty sure that my daughter would not, in fact, enjoy me dumping her LEGOs all over the floor so that she can count them as she cleans them up.
Summer Brain Drain Read More »
In the front hall my school from Pre-Kindergarten though 12th Grade, there was a bronze plaque in the front hall that we saw every day. It included a famous bit of poetry by Gartland Rice: “For when the One Great Scorer comes / To write against your name. He marks—not that you won or lost— / But how you played the game.”
How You Play the Game Read More »
My friend and fellow blogger Lenore Skeanzy, whose wonderful blog is Free Range Kids, has been quoting Mark Twain on the risks of riding trains in 1871. It’s fascinating and entertaining reading.
Last week was Jim’s turn to be in Hong Kong, this week it’s mine. The trade show here is the second largest in the world, and it’s where the “toy year” officially starts. Many manufacturers started showing things privately in October, but here in Hong Kong at the amazing Convention Centre that juts magnificently into the harbor from Hong Kong Island, or in the hundreds of showrooms and hotel suites on the mainland, this is where the toys you’ll be trying to find ten short months from now start to take shape.
The Toy Year Starts Again Read More »
Last Sunday night, I was in Chicago, and Michigan Avenue was lined with people there to watch a parade-and participate in the “official” opening of Chicago’s Shopping season.
Black Friday-Fun? Or Unnecessary Stress? Read More »
You’re looking for a Zhu Zhu pet or a Mindflex and you can’t find one anywhere. It’s at the top of your child’s wish list, and you need to come up with this toy (this is where we need to define “need vs. want”. What should you do?
It’s SOLD OUT!!!!!! Read More »
“If the music is too loud, you’re too old.” Have you heard that? It’s a supposedly humorous comment reflecting the thoughts of young people regarding the, ahem, “elderly” (30-something and above). But it’s not funny: noise-induced hearing loss in children and youth is a serious problem—and getting worse.
iPods (and similar MP3 players) are everywhere today, and when not used safely, they contribute to noise induced hearing loss, the second most common form of hearing loss today. That’s very bad news. But there’s also good news: Noise-induced hearing loss (NIHL) is 100 percent preventabl
Can You Hear Me Now? Read More »
As a parent of three children, one of our favorite family activities is going to the movies. When the kids were younger, choosing what movies to see was pretty easy; we only took them to G-rated films. As our kids got a little older, things became a little more complicated. We introduced PG films into the repertoire, but we wanted to make sure there wouldn’t be any nightmares after seeing a film.
TTPM.com Introduces Family Film Toy Reviews Read More »
I took my three teenage daughters to Transformers screening. Two of them liked it better than first movie. It was non-stop action from the moment it started! I already need to see it again for all the little things I missed. My girls were questioning why Megan Fox is always scantily dressed, but Shia never removes his shirt. LOVE Sam’s parents, the Twin Bots are hilarious, and Optimus Prime rules! (Although my youngest will tell you Bumblebee rules)
Transformers: Revenge of the Fallen Read More »
With the release of the trailer for Rock Band’s new Beatles Rock Band I’ve become all fired up. As a child of former hippies the Beatles where a staple in our house hold. Till this day they are the band to which I measure all other bands. It is if they are water, the basic necessity for life and all other bands are just flavors added to water. As a parent now I find myself playing Beatles songs for my son. And just like his father and his father before him he has taken to the fab four. Below is a list, in no particular order, of a few our favorite child friendly Beatles songs.
The Beatles Children Songs Read More »
