The Girls Q&A Book: 50 Ways to Fix A Friendship

Nov. 13, 2014 "There is no girls’ friendship drama that can’t be made WORSE… through staying silent, venting behind a friend’s back, or pretending things are just peachy," writes tweens and teens parenting pro Annie Fox in this interview that probes Annie Fox's latest new book "The Girls Q&A Book: 50 Ways to Fix A Friendship Without the Drama."“What part of friendship gives … [Read more...]

Her Next Chapter: Media Literacy Puts Mothers-Daughters On Same Page

April 17, 2015 Update In honor of National Library Week as I put the finishing touches on my presentation tomorrow about gender stereotypes and navigating unhealthy cues to kids, I'm sending a loud SHOUTOUT to remind that this book enlightens, informs, entertains, and lights the path for parents and educators alike to reverse the damage of some less than ideal pop culture cues. … [Read more...]

Using “Frozen” as an Icebreaker For Meaningful Chats With Kids

Nov. 22, 2019 Frozen 2: With the opening weekend of Frozen 2 and a script laced with big topics from tribalism to ethnic genocide, there are icebreakers and family history springboards aplenty. Interesting that Disney took a preemptive step to negate cultural appropriation backlash by signing an agreement with indigenous Sami culture for respectful portrayal; first I've … [Read more...]

Mattel’s Manipulative Monster High Marketing Machine: Unkind.

June 15, 2012 Last year when I wrote about Mattel’s vampy campy Monster High dolls I purposely didn’t even name their brand, hoping it would quietly fizzle and bury itself in the outcry of parents tired of sexploitation, sassy, rude, mean behavioral cues sent to kids, blatant consumerism and vapid values.When Mattel tried to backpedal from the toxic messages in their webisodes … [Read more...]

Sesame Street Takes On Bullying in Shows, Talking Points

Oct. 18, 2011 “Look at those feet!” Big Bird is told. “They’re ridiculous!” --“They are?”As he tries to get accepted into the “Good Bird Club,” he shifts from “happy to be me” to hanging his feathered beak with insecurity and scuffling his giant orange clompers in ‘not good enough’ mode…Before you roll your eyes at Sesame Street's bullying prevention program as yet another … [Read more...]