Bunchland

What the cool parents are reading today:

1. Momedy, or comedy for moms, is hard to define. But STFU Parents knows it when she sees it.

2. All parents of young kids should ask themselves, “Is my child more shy or anxious than other kids their age?” and “Is my kid more worried than other kids?”

3. First-time parents spend a whole lotta dollars on that first baby. “First-time parents believe that the more they buy, the easier it will be,” says one pediatrician-author.

4. Apparently it’s trendy to reveal the sex of your unborn baby via cake. It’s now big in Britain. Kind of a cute idea, but, you know, gender norms and colours.

5. Want to know what you can do with Lego and stop-motion animation? This homage to the Game of Thrones opening, for one.

 Read more...

What the cool parents are reading today:

1. All your helmets and guard rails are paying off: the Centre for Disease Control released a report saying that child accident deaths are way down.

2. Lego admits that Lego for girls was poorly thought out. A girls’ advocacy group, SPARK, sat down with Lego to discuss the problems with the “Friends” line. “SPARK asked that LEGO include more girls and women across all LEGO lines (the lines are at present 86.6% male), include more children of both genders in all LEGO lines as well as the “Friends” line, and include more non-stereotypical activities for girls as “Friends” expands. Basically, this means architecture, firefighting, space exploration, etc.”

3. Why you don’t stay together for the kids: parents who yell at each other all the time are affecting their kids’ brain development.  Read more...

What the cool parents are reading today:

1. Remember when the One Million Moms-types got all upset about gay marriage in the Archie comics? Now Archie and pals are stirring up more controversy with Occupy Riverdale. We so need to pick up some comics.

2. Do you have a favourite parenting philosophy, or do you find all the choices in parenting books overwhelming? One pediatrician says don’t worry about it, just love your kids and be a present parent.

3. Should airlines offer flights that are children and families only?

4. “Just because Lego is selling something doesn’t mean you need to buy it—and just because their ads are gender-biased doesn’t mean you need to follow their advertising cues.” Joshua Ostroff learned that kids will play with whatever toys they like, regardless of the toy’s gender. His 2-year-old is what you might call a Brony, a boy-fan of My Little Pony, because it’s just a good show.  Read more...

Cynthia Kinnunen blogs about sharing stuff from your childhood with your kids

He’s not Darth Vader, but he did oversee the recent construction of the Death Star. That’s my hubby I’m talking about. Actually, he prefers to go by Obi Wan, but that’s a story for another time.

Last weekend, on our way back from a few days up north, we stopped at my in-laws’ place and somehow, during our short visit, some of my husband’s old toys were unearthed in the basement. During those discoveries, the kids often pose questions like what the heck is that, Dad? or is that all it does? or my personal favourite, meh.

I am officially old now that my response to those comments is “Oh, you kids don’t have any idea how cool this stuff is! Back when I was a kid…” {ahem}  Read more...

What we’re reading today:

1. Toronto Star columnist Catherine Porter’s kid stuck a Lego up his nose. Twice. And so they made a trip to the hospital while Porter asks the experts about all the other things that kids put up their noses and in their ears.

2. Kids of queer parents in Washington State and finally start bugging their moms or dads to get married. Well, almost. The state Senate passed a Bill that has to be approved by the House. Good work, Washington!

3. When siblings attack! No, really, when should you intervene when two of your kids just can’t seem to get along?

4. Earlier this week we heard that engaged kindergartners made for more successful kids/adults, so how to you increase that engagement?

5. And speaking of identifying early success, may we present to you the future table tennis gold medalist of the 2028 Olympics:  Read more...

What we’re reading today:

1. Some lesbian mom schooled her homophobic mayor about what a family is and what it takes to get through life: love.

2. Maybe we were too quick to judge the girl Lego, but did it have to be those Barbie shades of pink and purple? And haven’t boys and girls always mixed their gendered toys together? G.I. Jones riding My Little Ponies etc.?

3. Kids are watching pornography at age 11… because they’re curious about sex and not getting the answers they want in school.

4. A tiny Hamilton woman just gave birth to a giant baby, like 11 lbs 11 oz giant. Whole family looks good and healthy though!

5. Darth Vader conducts a flash mob choir. Can you imagine if he and Santa teamed up? A lump of coal in your stocking is a pretty weak threat compared to the Force choke.  Read more...

What we’re reading today:

1. Suri Cruise had a meltdown in a toy store. Well, what do you expect from a 5-year-old who’s actually anticipating a pony from Santa? (Actually, these photos are super cute and it’s hard to stay mad at Suri, especially when she’s delighted by random city baby.)

2. And in a nice balance to Suri’s excessive lifestyle, read this story about some KMart good Samaritans paying off other people’s layaway accounts. Make sure you have some Kleenex handy before you read it.

3. Does your family have any holiday traditions that they do just because it’s tradition even though you’re not really enjoying them anymore? Here’s how to break them.

4. What do we all think of Lego for girls? Wasn’t Lego always for girls (and boys)?

5. We’re pretty in love with these gay dads who find out their about to be grandpas.  Read more...