What we’re reading today:
1. Year-round schooling anyone?
2. Nothing we haven’t heard before: a 3-year-old boy loves his big sisters’ dresses and Barbies. How do his parents deal with his unconventional gender behaviour?
3. Your kids into doodling and copying their favourite comics? They could grow up to write their generation’s Scott Pilgrim.
4. Really, who hasn’t just thought up baby names, just for kicks?
5. Today in “Kids react to stuff,” kids explain Lady Gaga:
Photo by camknows via Flickr
What we’re reading today:
1. San Francisco has banned any McDonald’s happy meals that come with toys, as city officials see enticing kids to ask for meals with x amount of sodium, fat and calories is wrong. One mom in California says that McDonald’s happy meals violate the state’s consumer protection laws, and she’s filed a lawsuit against the fast food chain.
2. And while McDonald’s and others market to kids with toys, some wineries market to their moms with cutesy pandering. Ever referred to wine as “Mommy’s juice”? A New Jersey wine distributor claims that a California wine called “Mommy’s Time Out” is stepping on their “Mommyjuice” toes. The California winery says no one owns “Mommy.” Do you select wines based on funny names? We’re a little more discerning, choosing wines based on growing regions and the animal on the label. Via Jezebel
Beth Blenz-Clucas blogs about music for kids that grownups will love too
This is Autism Awareness Month, and while the issue gets lots of hysterical media coverage, there’s still no clear path for understanding what causes or cures this disorder. Some parents are weary of the whole “recovery” model for autism, which regards the disorder as a devastating tragedy. Documentary filmmaker Todd Drezner, whose young son was diagnosed on the spectrum, advocates that we move beyond the culture of crisis and on to acceptance.
What we’re reading today:
It’s potentially a very dangerous time to be a tourist (or a local in these areas). Stay away from shark-swarmed beaches in Florida, starving and aggressive 6-foot-tall, heavily clawed birds in Queensland, Australia and stampeding, sometimes carnivorous elephants in West Bengal, India. Also, tiger attacks are up 30 percent.
One mom put her kids’ Beyblade toys up for auction on Ebay after her sons decided to use the family bathtub as a battle arena. The toys caused $500 worth of damage the tub and Mom figured this was a just punishment. Then the folks at 4chan decided to up the bidding to $4, 000. Via Jezebel.
And after Optimus Prime getting a parking ticket, these Star Wars ice cube trays might be the most exciting things coming out of the New York Toy Fair. Enjoy Han Solo how he’s meant to be enjoyed — frozen. Via GeekDad
