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Bratz Gets the Boot from Schools

Can I get a Hallelujah? By now most of you know that I am not a big fan of Bratz dolls (those mega-popular little dolls with the disproportionately gigantic heads). In fact, I’m not a fan at all. Which is why I was elated when I heard that Scholastic (the company that sponsors book sales at schools nationwide) recently banned Bratz from its book clubs and fairs. If your child is a Bratz collector you might not have had the same reaction I did. In fact, you may have interpreted Scholastic’s announcement in an entirely different way. For those of … Continue reading →

Homeless Doll Causes Controversy

Would you buy your little girl a homeless doll… for $95? If you answered “no,” did you do so because you didn’t think your daughter would be interested in playing with a doll whose family has been hit by the financial crises and must sleep in their car, or are you more offended that a doll manufacturer would require that you drop nearly $100 for the privilege of schooling your kid in Homelessness 101? Dropping $100 (not including hair accessories) on a doll? Heck, at that price we’ll all end up sleeping in our cars, and then our daughters can … Continue reading →

Barbie Ban—Yea or Nay?

A West Virginia lawmaker recently introduced legislation calling for a ban on Barbie dolls in the Mountain State. The pretty, plastic blonde is an icon in the toy world, yet her legendary status hasn’t stopped Lincoln County Delegate, Jeff Eldridge from wanting her to disappear from his neck of the woods. If Eldridge gets his way Barbie will be banned from West Virginia store shelves. Oh, and Eldridge says parents will thank him for it. “I just hate the image that we give to our kids that if you’re beautiful, you’re beautiful and you don’t have to be smart and … Continue reading →

Love-Hate Toys

If I had to make a list of the toys I have a love-hate relationship with, Wacky WallWalkers would be at the top… the very top. As a child I adored the sticky, octopus-shaped goopy blobs that would “crawl” down a wall after you threw them against it. As a parent… not so much. Whereas I appreciate the fact that the toy is one of few that can actually survive repeated torture by unruly kids, I’m not fond of the way its sticky exterior attracts hair, carpet fibers and the occasional Fruit Loop, like flypaper. If you have never hurled … Continue reading →

Would You Buy Your Preschooler a “Twilight” Barbie?

I wouldn’t. And not just because my preschool daughter isn’t into Barbies and has no clue that twilight is something other than the time of day immediately following sunset. Actually, I’m not quite sure she knows that twilight has anything to do with the sun at all. Regardless, Mattel will be disappointed that they won’t be scoring 25 bucks from my bank account in the near future. Your wallet, on the other hand, might not be so lucky. If your child is obsessed with Edward and Bella, brace yourself. Mattel has decided to make a few bucks from the Twilight … Continue reading →

Would You Buy Your Toddler a Breastfeeding Doll?

I’m not referring to those pricey custom-made plush Mini Mama dolls that feature a hungry infant latching on to her mother’s breast via under-skin magnets. I’m talking about a doll that uses your toddler as a human pacifier. Lest you think that I am joking take a look at this review from Thingamababy, which features an actual toddler nursing a doll that can suckle like a real newborn. Introducing Bebé Glotón, an infant doll made by a toy maker in Spain. According to the review, the doll was made for the “express purpose of promoting breastfeeding.” Apparently, the doll manufacturer … Continue reading →

Toys with Secrets

What happen to the days when you could go shopping for a doll and not have to worry about upsetting an entire segment of the population? Parents, whose young daughters are avid American Girl doll fans, listen up: Some vocal historians don’t want you to buy Rebecca Rubin—-the latest member of the American Girl family. Apparently, her name conjures up bad memories for those who were affected by a series of fires in Oregon. Dear, sweet Rebecca Rubin—-the new American Girl doll-—is a nine-year-old growing up in New York City in 1914. She is a daughter of Russian-Jewish immigrants and … Continue reading →

Father Furious After 9-Year-Old Daughter is Accused of Selling “Drugs” at School

When you hear the word “drugs” what substances come to mind? Most people would answer: marijuana, cocaine, Ecstasy, PCP, or perhaps even alcohol. I doubt many individuals would categorize Vitamin C as a drug… unless, of course, you’re a fourth grade teacher in Florida. According to reports, said teacher accused one of her students of not only possessing drugs, but also of selling them after she saw the girl receive money for a Halls Defense Vitamin C cough drop. No kidding. In an interview 9-year-old Khalin Rivenbark and her father did with a local Florida TV station the girl says … Continue reading →

School Scarf Controversy = Irate Parents

And people wonder why some parents and school administrators are constantly at war… Parents in Montgomery, New York are fuming over a recent decision by school leaders to ban high school students from wearing scarves. Last time I checked it was November and the temperatures were plummeting, not rising. That said you would think most reasonable adults would be encouraging kids to bundle up. Apparently, not in Montgomery. According to news reports, the school board (allegedly comprised of highly educated adults) initiated the ban after a boy wore a scarf to school and it was interpreted as a form of … Continue reading →

Something for Parents of LEGO Lovers to Think About

Are your children into Lego? Are you constantly nagging them to pick up the tiny brick-like blocks from the floor before a younger sibling decides to make the colorful toys an afternoon snack? Now, let me ask you this: Are those Lego lovers of yours boys or girls? If they are girls, then what sets do they play with? Are your daughters crafting houses and castles from the popular Danish designed toys or are they more content building robots and fire engines? If it’s the latter, then you might want to contact Sweden’s Trade Ethical Council against Sexism in Advertising … Continue reading →