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• Elmo Doll Makes Death Threats

  This is a strange turn of events. After all, I imagine many talking Elmo dolls have had to listen to muttered death threats from parents weary of that cloying little giggle, that high-pitched voice with the mechanized edge. In fact, I sort of imagine the Elmo dolls sneak out at night and meet at a bar somewhere to drown their sorrows and share stories of the creepy things parents say to them when the kid leaves them wedged between the couch cushions and the parent accidentally sits on Elmo, causing Elmo to say "Elmo loves you" and the parent to say...well, stuff we can't reprint here. But clearly one Elmo has had enough, and fully lost it. A mom is reporting that her son's Elmo Knows Your Name doll says in a sing-song voice, "Kill James." Raise... Read More... Posted Feb 22 2008, 05:33 PM by Kelly Mills with | with 1 comment(s) Filed under: toys, elmo, mothers, recall, moms, violence, names, children and divorce, dolls, elmo knows your name doll, death threats

• Having Fun with Your Kids this Summer

  For many parents, Summer creates a scheduling nightmare as working folks try and find suitably engaging activities for their kids.  Summer isn't what it used to be.  But University of Missouri Professor Dick Robinson thinks Summer should be a time of fun and learning, a seemingly obvious statement. Some of his ideas include creating a home library, taking kids to places of historical interest, and  playing word games while in the car.  Since my husband and I are both working stiffs, we've managed a sort of middle ground on some quality summer time with our kids (two of whom are just entering Kindergarten this Fall). I think Summer is a lovely time for child-rearing.  Swimming pools, neighborhood parties, trips to the park.  Everything seems less shut-in and more expansive in the bright sunshine. Let's hope each of us can find some time to put some fun back in our kids summer... word games, home libraries or no.  Posted Jun 25 2007, 04:47 PM by Rachael Brownell (Redsy) with | with 1 comment(s) Filed under: summer activities, children and divorce, kids activities

• Children of Divorce Get Help From Video Game

  Ain't no secret that divorce is hard on the kids. Now a big East Coast divorce law firm is offering clients a video game to help kids deal with emotional issues that come up during the transition. I know, "Wha...?"  But yes, Rosen Law Firm gives Earthquake in Zipland, "the first research-based psychological computer game aimed at helping children ages 7-13 cope with divorce" to the children of splitting clients. According to the press release, "Jennifer Coleman, life transition coach with Rosen Law Firm and a national certified counselor with a background in marriage and family counseling. 'Children will have fun playing this interactive game while addressing some of the emotional issues they face concerning their parents' divorce.'" I don't know if I'd generally link "fun" and "addressing emotional issues" together, unless it involves JD and throwing stuff, but whatever works. Is "life transition coach" code for "divorce shrink"? It just sounds so soft-pedaled. I actually think the whole game thing is a fab idea, though I'm sure some critics and haters of our increasingly tech-driven culture will despise it. Therapists have been using toys and art as therapeutic tools for a long time, and some of the kids of divorcing parents would have a certain amount of resistance to talking about feelings with the 'rents. If the game helps them express or get in touch with the hard stuff, hooray. The banner photo on the website is odd though, with the tense kid huddled over the game, mom kind of casually edging her way in, and that sorry, sad little moose-thing looking like he's ready to beg for a Prozac prescription. If you've played Earthquake, check in and lemme know what you thought.     Posted Jun 06 2007, 12:36 PM by Kelly Mills with | with no comments Filed under: video games, divorce, technology, children and divorce, divorce attorneys, separation