Blog Archives

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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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  Rotating Toys = A Happy Mom

  From Emily Vanek on January 4th, 2012

  At our house, we have toys coming out your ears. With three boys ranging from three to twelve years-old, We probably have about every toy they sell in the “boy aisles,” or at least that’s the way it seems at times. I recently decided that enough was enough and set up a rotation plan for [...]

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  Holiday Shopping 2011: The Main Event Isn’t Always Buying

  From Christopher Byrne on November 28th, 2011

  Were you one of the 212 million shoppers that the National Retail Federation said hit the stores over the Black Friday weekend? Or have you waited for this week to get the Cyber Week deals that are being promised? I was in Los Angeles for the weekend, and visited toy stores all over the area [...]

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  An Attitude of Gratitude: Recalling What Thanksgiving is About

  From Christopher Byrne on November 17th, 2011

  A mom I know and respect recently talked with me about conversations in her 7-year-old daughter’s class among the kids about how rich their families were. Now before you roll your eyes, understand that this is an age when kids are trying to locate themselves within a peer structure—it’s a natural thing we do as humans—and material status is tangible to kids. So let’s assume that they are not intentionally being monsters but, as kids do when they begin to interact in the world as separate individuals looking for simplistic ways to locate themselves within the social order in which they find themselves. True, these kid interactions can create awkward questions and situations at home, but so can questions about body types, clothing, personal habits and myriad other topics that are new to kids as they first encounter the world outside their homes and realize they are encountering things that are different than what they know. Even as a child blurts out, “Why is that person so like that?” at full volume in a public place, we have to struggle to realize that they are trying to get a grasp on this big, strange world they suddenly find themselves in. They don’t know topics are off limits or inappropriate for a high decibel discussion, even as you, the adult, want to disappear.

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  It does NOTHING? Ha! That’s what you think!

  From Christopher Byrne on November 7th, 2011

  One of my favorite things to do at this time of year when toys are top of mind for nearly everyone, is to explain to baffled adults-admittedly most of whom don’t have young kids-the wonder of a toy that does “nothing,” for example, a doll, stuffed animal, or other toy that doesn’t have an electronic chip in it. Second best is the incredulous question/statement, “You mean that’s ALL it does?!”

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  National Trick or Treat Day

  From Jim Silver on October 25th, 2011

  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.)

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  Halloween Fun: Trick or Treat or Toys?

  From Emily Vanek on October 18th, 2011

  This year will mark my twelfth year for trick-or-treating with kids. I’m a seasoned pro. I can spot the candy my kids will toss out from a mile away. I know which neighbors give out the full sized bars and which will give us toothbrushes. The boys rely on this information when they are “in [...]

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  When does collecting turn into obsession?

  From Emily Vanek on September 12th, 2011

  Everyone likes to collect things. I think it’s in our hunting/gathering, human nature. My collections sometimes turn into a bit of an obsession. A few of you parents will understand (and probably nod your head) as I explain. It started off innocently enough. My oldest boy enjoyed the Toy Story series. When he was three, [...]

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  Parents v. Positive Reinforcement Toys

  From Emily Vanek on September 5th, 2011

  Lots of toys these days give some form of response that’s intended to be positive reinforcement for the play experience. For instance, the toy lights up or makes sounds when kids get the answer correct, or the toy makes an animal noise when they put the right piece in the puzzle. It’s been proven over [...]

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  Death of the Toy Box

  From Emily Vanek on August 29th, 2011

  I don’t know about you guys, but I hate it when my kids are wanting to play with a certain toy and they end up dumping the entire contents of their toy box, or bins, on the floor and start looking for all the tiny pieces. Anyone with as large of a collection of Fisher [...]

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