Blog Archives

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  A Screen-Free Week. Why You May Want to Try It

  From Christopher Byrne on May 2nd, 2012

  At this writing, we are about halfway through the annual Screen Free Week, the brainchild of the Campaign for a Commercial Free Childhood (CCFC), an advocacy group that tries to reduce the impact of advertising on kids.

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  Special Needs Kids: Tips for Daytrips

  From Emily Vanek on March 30th, 2012

  When you have a special needs child, sometimes getting out of the house and into the crowds and hustle and bustle of the city can be difficult. Whether you need wheelchair access or a quieter atmosphere, simple excursions like heading to the zoo for a couple hours can become an all day activity. Here are [...]

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  Broadening Horizons

  From Christopher Byrne on March 8th, 2012

  I grew up in a much less technology-powered time, as virtually any adult did today. We had no iPods or internet, and other than game shows and the occasional horror movie there was nothing on TV for kids in the afternoons—and even those weren’t primarily directed at kids. It simply wasn’t possible to live in [...]

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  Hiding Place

  From Shannon Eis on February 23rd, 2012

  As my kids get older, I’m learning that where the grown-ups were once in control setting rules, now virtually any situation can occasion high-level negotiations. Even when it comes to rules we think we have established, we can still be surprised. However, there are times when the grown up must turn dictator, especially when the [...]

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  Join the Circus

  From Christopher Byrne on February 7th, 2012

  Recently, I had the opportunity to see an amazing show called “Circus in a Trunk,” performed by The Piccolini Trio, three exceedingly talented young people who are making a living clowning around.

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  That’s… Really NOT Okay

  From Shannon Eis on January 18th, 2012

  I love children’s books and everything about the moments I get to share with my kids while reading to them, and now, them reading to me. (*sigh*…How fast they grow.)

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  The Gender Thing

  From Christopher Byrne on January 18th, 2012

  I’m hoping that this is the year we can all start having an honest conversation about toys, gender identity and socialization. It’s certainly a topic that can get people all worked up, but is it real? I don’t think so. Like so much in the media in the “age of outrage,” this is often something that’s cooked up so that people can a) pontificate on talk shows and b) sell books or consulting services. Either way, some people are getting rich making you think that a color (pink) has the mystical power to form the personality of the girls in your life.

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  My Trot Through BroNYCon

  From Jim Silver on January 9th, 2012

  This past weekend I ventured to BroNYCon at the Hotel Pennsylvania in NYC. I had been to conferences like GenCon and Comic-Con before, but this was different. Leading up to the event, I really didn’t know what to expect and was a little apprehensive. It appeared a little odd to me; a convention for Bronies, mostly males 18+ who are huge fans of “My Little Pony Friendship is Magic,” a show whose target audience is 2 – 6 year old girls.

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  Storytime: Navigating the (Apparent) Minefield

  From Christopher Byrne on December 6th, 2011

  Sometimes you just have to laugh. I wonder if there isn’t anything in the media or entertainment world these days that can’t provoke adult outrage from someone seeking—and too often getting—publicity. And it all usually comes from one very popular but horribly misguided practice—adults projecting their unresolved personal issues and political agendas on anything that comes in their sights. It doesn’t matter if their opinions makes no sense or ignores the facts; it’s all about getting attention and shocking.

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  Too Many Toys? Donate to your local School.

  From Emily Vanek on November 15th, 2011

  My youngest son just started preschool. He is on the autism spectrum, so he is required to go to public school to receive his therapies. Long story short: our school district is one of the poorest in the entire state of Colorado. This was a surprise to me as there are quite a few affluent [...]

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