It’s a graveyard smash! A monstrous party is coming to your breakfast bowl, courtesy of General Mills. Monster Mash cereal is limited-edition and features pieces from the five Monster Cereals: Count Chocula, Boo Berry, Franken Berry, Frute Brute and Yummy Mummy,
It’s the first time you can find all of these cereals combined and it’s in honor of the 50th anniversary of Count Chocula and Franken Berry, the first two monster products. At the time, the two cereals were the only chocolate and strawberry flavored cereals on the market. The pieces transformed to ghosts in 1985 and the marshmallows have evolved over the years, but the delicious taste has never changed.
To celebrate the cereal release, the five monsters also remade the classic “Monster Mash” song for your listening pleasure. You can also watch Mocumentary, the Monster Mash Documentary, which includes a surprise appearance from Travis Barker. Both are available online now!
Keep an eye out at major retailers to scoop a box (or six) of this special new product. The artwork alone makes it a must-have for cereal collectors!
You’ve picked out a new backpack and finally got them to sit still for that back-to-school haircut. Whether your children are taking on the 2021-22 school year in person, online or both, they’re going to need a comprehensive eye exam. Read on to find out why you shouldn’t skip this critical step in getting your little scholars ready for the new school year.
Did you know that myopia, whose primary symptom is blurred distance vision, is on the rise—in its frequency and its severity?1 As your child grows, their myopia is likely to get worse over time, and can further impact their future eye health. Help is now available. MiSight® 1 day soft contact lenses are specifically designed for myopia control and are FDA approved* to slow myopia progression in children, aged 8-12 at the initiation of treatment!†2
Good Vision Is Vital for Learning
Children who suffer from vision problems will often struggle in school. Sometimes you’ll notice they avoid reading or have trouble seeing the whiteboard or materials the teacher uses. Sometimes, their vision issues can even interfere with their extracurricular activities, like sports. So frustrating—imagine if you couldn’t see what everyone else could and you didn’t even realize it! Diagnosing a child with a vision condition early on is critical to their overall developmental success.
Early Diagnosis Is Key
Myopia, often referred to as nearsightedness, can result in the inability to see objects clearly at a distance, like the whiteboard at school. It often worsens during a child's growing years. But myopia is more than just not being able to see well. It can increase the risk of serious eye health complications and sight-threatening conditions later in life, such as risk for retinal detachment, myopic maculopathy, and glaucoma.3-4
Prescriptions Can Change Year to Year
There’s a reason your child’s eye exam should be a yearly event: Children’s bodies can change quickly and so can their eyesight. Plus, children's eyes often show clinical signs of myopia even before the child experiences blurry vision, making the annual eye exam that much more important for early detection.5 Even children who did not exhibit any signs of decreased vision last year might need a prescription by the following school year. It’s important to compare changes year over year.
Increased Screen Time and Digital Devices Can Lead to Myopia
With the use of more computer screens in school, not to mention the increase in digital learning, children are online and on screens more than ever before. This can cause eye strain and can even affect their eye development, so getting those eyes checked at the beginning of the school year will help set them up for success.6
If You Have Myopia, Your Kids Might, Too
Studies show that children have a 1 in 2 chance of developing myopia if both parents have it; a 1 in 3 chance if one parent has it; and a 1 in 4 chance even if neither parent has myopia.3, 7-8 Other lifestyle factors, such as not enough outdoor time, poor lighting and increased digital screen time can influence myopia development in children.9-11
There Are Now More Options for Myopia
Like us, you probably didn't think contact lenses are an option for children. Through rigorous multi-year study, MiSight®1 day soft contact lenses on average slowed the progression of myopia by 59% in age-appropriate children.§2, 12And after six years, nearly one in four eyes originally fit with MiSight® 1 day had no progression of myopia.¶13These stunning results make MiSight® 1 day the breakthrough technology that was the first and only FDA approved* product for myopia control in children, aged 8-12 at the initiation of treatment.†2
Be sure to check this important item off your to-do list and get your child scheduled for an annual, comprehensive eye exam to make sure their school year is off to a brilliant start.
Indications and Important Safety Information.
Rx only Results may vary. ATTENTION: Reference the Patient Information Booklet for a complete listing of Indications and Important Safety Information. *Indication: MiSight® 1 day (omafilcon A) so! (hydrophilic) contact lenses for daily wear are indicated for the correction of myopic ametropia and for slowing the progression of myopia in children with non-diseased eyes, who at the initiation of treatment are 8-12 years of age and have refraction of -0.75 to -4.00 diopters(spherical equivalent) with à 0.75 diopters of astigmatism. The lens is to be discarded a!er each removal. Warnings: Problems with contact lenses could result in serious injury to the eye. Do not expose contact lenses to water while wearing them. Under certain circumstances MiSight® lenses optical design can cause reduced image contrast/ghosting/halo/glare in some patients that may cause difficulties with certain visually demanding tasks. Precautions: Daily wear single use only. Patient should always dispose when lenses are removed. No overnight wear. Patients should exercise extra care if performing potentially hazardous activities. Adverse events: Including but not limited to infection/inflammation/ulceration/abrasion of the cornea, other parts of the eye or eyelids. Some of these adverse reactions can cause permanent or temporary loss of vision. If you notice any of the stated in your child, immediately have your child remove the lenses and contact your eye care professional. †Compared to a single vision 1 day lens over a 3 year period.
§ Children aged 8-12 at the initiation of treatment. ¶ -0.25D or less of change. Lenses fitted between the ages of 8-12 at initiation of treatment.
Holden BA, et al. Global Prevalence of Myopia and High Myopia and Temporal Trends from 2000 through 2050. Ophthalmology. 2016;123(5):1036-42.
Chamberlain P, et al. A 3-year randomized clinical trial of MiSight® lenses for myopia control. Optom Vis Sci. 2019;96(8):556–567.
Xu L, Wang Y, Wang S, Wang Y Jonas JB. ‘High Myopia and Glaucoma Susceptibility: The Beijing Eye Study. Ophthalmology, 2007;114(2):216-20.
Flitcroft DI. The complex interactions of retinal, optical, and environmental factors in myopia aetiology Prog Retin Eye Res. 2012;31(6):622-660.
Mutti DO, Hayes JR, Mitchell GL, et al. Refractive error, axial length, and relative peripheral refractive error before and after the onset of myopia. Invest Ophthalmol Vis Sci. 2007;48(6):2510-2519. doi:10.1167/iovs.06-0562
Lanca C, Saw SM. The association between digital screen time and myopia: A systematic review. Ophthalmic Physiol Opt. 2020 Mar;40(2):216-229. doi: 10.1111/opo.12657. Epub 2020 Jan 13. PMID: 31943280.
Jiang X, Tarczy-Hornoch K, Cotter SA, et al. Association of Parental Myopia With Higher Risk of Myopia Among Multiethnic Children Before School Age [published online ahead of print, 2020 Mar 19]. JAMA Ophthalmol. 2020;138(5):1-9.
Morgan P. Is Myopia Control the Next Contact Lens Revolution? OPTICIAN 2016
Gifford P, Gifford, K L. The Future of Myopia Control Contact Lenses. Opt Vis Sci. 2016;93(4):336-43.
Rose KA, Morgan IG, Ip J, et al. Outdoor Activity Reduces the Prevalence of Myopia in Children. Ophthalmology 2008;115(8):1279-85.
Chee Wai WONG, M.D. M.C.I. Digital Screen Time During COVID-19 Pandemic: Risk for a Further Myopia Boom?. American Journal of Opthalmology. 2020.07.29
Rah MJ, et al. Vision specific quality of life of pediatric contact lens wearers. Optom Vis Sci2010;87(8):560-6.
Chamberlain P, et al. Myopia Progression in Children wearing Dual-Focus Contact Lenses: 6-year findings. Optom Vis Sci 2020;97(E-abstract):200038
Will Tan France’s baby rock the French tuck like dad? We can’t say. What we can say is congratulations to Tan and his partner Rob, who welcomed home their new addition today!
Baby Ismail has made his debut on Instagram and according to France, he was born early on July 10. The beaming couple shared two photos with their son to mark the occasion. In the caption France wrote “We love him so, so much. Like fully obsessed.” Insert all the heart eyes!
France first shared that the couple was expecting in April, noting that they’d have the baby via “the most wonderful surrogate” and that Baby France was due in the summer. He noted “Something we’ve wanted for sooo many years. Our hearts are so full right now.”
The family resides in Salt Lake City, Utah and France stars as a stylist on the popular show Queer Eye with the rest of the Fab Five. His partner Rob is an illustrator and the couple has been together since 2007. We’re so excited for the new dads as they embark on the journey of parenthood!
If parenting has become a total grind, you’re not alone. With the pandemic throwing a wrench into just about any kind of school or family activity, parents everywhere are struggling to bounce back. And a new survey conducted by OnePoll on behalf of Sittercity highlighted the common struggles that families are facing.
The survey collected 2,000 responses from American parents of school-aged children. The results? 69 percent of parents said they’re overwhelmed with the constant routine changes of the past year. Over half (51%) said they don’t feel prepared for the upcoming school year. What’s more, 60 percent reported that the mental load of parenting is overwhelming.
Since Sittercity is an online source for in-home care, many survey questions focused on childcare. Those responses were also eye-opening. Nearly half of respondents (45%) said they don’t know where to look when it’s time to plan child care. 13 percent said they don’t have any support options for childcare gaps. And 57% rely on a spouse or family member to assist with watching their children.
All the extra time at home together does have some advantages. More than 3/4 of parents said they’d learned more about their children over the past year thanks to the extra proximity. But the last year has definitely taken its toll. While we can’t offer childcare, we can help streamline your routine—so you can spend less time stressing and more time preparing with your family for the rest of the year.
The summer sun is peeking through and with all those extra daylight hours and outdoor action, your kiddos need some eye protection. We’ve got the scoop on all the new glasses from our favorite brands. Scroll down to find your kiddo’s best new accessory.
Zenni Optical
With an average price point of around $40, Zenni Optical is a great choice for kids' sunglasses this summer. Kids can really show their own style with different tints, mirrored lenses and lots of fun styles to choose from.
Additionally, Zenni just released its 2021 Pride Collection of rainbow frames and is donating a portion of the proceeds from this collection to the It Gets Better Project for the fourth consecutive year.
UV protection and style galore is the name of the game when you snag some shades from Jonas Paul. With prices starting at just $19 and loads of colors to choose from, you can order a few pairs for when they (inevitably) get lost at the beach. Use their virtual try-on program to see what the sunnies look like on your kid before you order!
These adorable shades are not only sturdy enough for tiny tots, but they come in a wide variety of colors, so your little trendsetter can pick her favorite! The frames are bendable and durable and if you break or lose them within the first year, you'll get a new pair for free! Made with FDA-approved impact-resistant lenses that provide 100% UVA and 100% UVB protection, Weefarers come in sizes from 0-2 and 2-4.
Sunski has launched kid-sized versions of two of their most popular frames: the Mini Dipsea and the Mini Headland. These sunglasses are both sustainable and stylish. The frames are made from recycled materials, there's no plastic packaging, Sunski participates in 1% for the planet, and the company is also carbon neutral. The glasses are also polarized, have 100% UV-resistant lenses and come in sizes that fit kids ages 5-11.
JUNiA offers a range of sweet styles for kids with 100% UVA/UVB protection. They are as durable as they are stylish with shatterproof lenses and unbreakable hinges. Check out all of the styles in JUNiA's collection for a wide variety of sleek, chic sunglasses for kids of all ages. We love that you can shop by "lifestyle," too (adventurer, trend setter, prep school).
These vintage-inspired sunglasses from Toucca Kids offer a classic style with modern perks like pinch-free hinges, 100% UVA/UVB protection, shatter and scratch-resistant lenses and polarization to reduce glare. They also have an extra-large nose pad for a comfortable fit. We adore the gender-neutral Blonde Havana Brandons ($49) for kiddos 2-6, but you'll find a ton of other options at touccakids.com or on Amazon.
Real Shades Screen Shades
Real Shades
Real Shades just launched Screen Shades, designed to protect eyes not only from sun (they offer 100% UVA and UVB protection) but also from damage caused by harmful bluelight emitted from tablets, computers, gaming consoles, smartphones and more! Available in sizes toddler (2+), kid (4+), youth (7+) and adult. They also come in tons of cool colors.
For parents in the know, Babiators are a first-choice for protective and stylish eyewear for babies, toddlers and bigger kids. Best part? They stay on! (Okay, the best part is how cute your kids look in sunglasses.) The Agent are among the newest glasses in the collection and are part of the Blue Series. The black frames with blue, mirrored polarized lenses are perfect for the little spy in your life. They come in sizes 0-2, 3-5 and 6+. $35
This French eyewear line has been making stylish sunglasses for parents for years but they also make amazing eyewear for kids, like the Looping 2, designed just for babies. They're wraparound with curved temples and a flat elastic strap, hinge-free and with a reversible frame (frames are symmetrical so they won't be upside-down.)Total protection for your littlest explorer! $35
Why have just one color when you can have two? These sweet solar-activated shades from Real Shades not only offer the 100% UV eye protection you need but they change colors when your kiddo hits the sunlight. The yellow ones change to orange; the green change to blue; the pale purple turn fuschia and the pinks go from light to bright. And at just $14.95, you can get two pairs! Plus, you can get them in three sizes: toddler, for 2+, kid for 4+ and big kid, 7+ so you can guarantee you’ll get the right fit for your crew.
Oakley is already known for being quality eyewear for athletes and active people, so it makes perfect sense that they came up with sunnies for the smaller set. Prices range from $100-$120 and the styles include the Turbine and the Radar, as well as styles of prescription lenses perfect for active kids.
From Baby Banz, these 100% UVA/UVB protection glasses offer sunglare reduction and cool color combos. Identical in style and function to the bestselling JBanZ style, these ones come in cute dual palettes: black and pink; white and black; brown and tan; and navy and white. Ideal for ages 4-10, they retail at $27.99.
The Supermoon is coming on June 24, but there’s no way it will be as eye-catching as this new Krispy Kreme creation! To celebrate the last giant moon of 2021, you can preorder your Strawberry Supermoon donuts or grab them in the store for one day only this Thursday.
Almost too pretty too eat, the new donut is filed with strawberry kreme, dipped in strawberries and kreme icing and topped with graham cracker “moon dust.” You can snag a special dozen with six original and six Supermoon donuts if you preorder by June 23 at noon.
You can save your sugary creation and stargaze on Thursday night to see the “strawberry supermoon” rise in the sky. It’s a low full moon that typically has a golden color and will be visible just after sunset. According to the Farmer’s Almanac, the moon name has been used by Algonquin, Ojibwe, Dakota, and Lakota peoples, among others, to mark the ripening of “June-bearing” strawberries that are ready to be gathered.
We’re not sure what celestial treat Krispy Kreme has up its sleeve next, but we can’t wait to see! Enjoy that summer night in style this Thursday.
Ahhh…the Slurpee. When the summer temps spike and heat stroke seems imminent, not much sounds better than the classic ice-cold concoction. 7-Eleven is innovating on the fan favorite this year with the release of stay cold cups, filled with a small Slurpee for just one dollar.
You’ll also be able to fill the stay cold cup with a new flavor, Peach Perfect. Fans of this fuzzy fruit will be stoked for this one, since it’s made with real juice! Find it at participating 7-Eleven stores starting now.
The popular convenience store has a few more tricks up its sleeve for outdoor season. Grab 10 bone-in wings or a whole pizza for only five dollars and get them delivered through the 7NOW delivery app. You can even get delivery wherever your family is posted up to enjoy the day, whether it’s the beach or the park. The app is offered in more than 1,300 U.S. cities and also offers real-time tracking so you can keep your eye on the proverbial dinner prize.
We’re excited to get this summer started! Especially since the odds of our Slurpee melting just dramatically lowered and food delivery is more convenient than ever. See you at 7-Eleven!
Say it with us: Butterbeer Bar. If your travel plans include New York this summer, you’re in luck, because the first official Butterbeer Bar is scheduled to open soon at the flagship Harry Potter Store.
Just as it sounds, this bar features only one product in all its glory, butterbeer. You can drink it on draft, in bottles, or even enjoy it in ice cream form. Your frothy, butterscotch beverage comes poured in a souvenir tankard or in a bottle with an exclusive collectible label. The bottle is only available in-store and the label is designed by MinaLima, the duo behind the Harry Potter and Fantastic Beasts series.
There’s much more to love about your trip to the Butterbeer Bar. Once you step inside, you’ll be greeted by a giant cascade of glowing Butterbeer bottles. As you walk to the bar, the bottles will appear to ‘float’ as Butterbeer transports magically through copper pipes. And the bar is part of Harry Potter New York, the world’s only official Harry Potter flagship store.
The store and bar open on June 3 and are sure to be must-stops for the wizards and Muggles in your life. You’ll find exclusive products, interactive elements and an eye-catching design from top to bottom—three floors, to be exact. At over 21,000 square feet, the store will hold the largest collection of Harry Potter and Fantastic Beast products anywhere. Start plotting your trip now, because what’s life without a little magic!
—Sarah Shebek
All photos: Courtesy of Harry Potter Flagship Store New York
One thing that’s universal in parenting, especially in the earliest days, is the need to keep an eye on your little one. Whether you’re trying to squeeze in some me-time (or a snooze yourself!) while the baby is napping or need to keep a watchful eye on an adventurous toddler trying to climb out of their crib, a baby monitor is essential for being able to look in on the kids without disturbing them.
Parent-favorite baby monitor brand, Infant Optics, has a new model that is up for the challenge of growing with your kids and your needs as a parent. The new DXR-8 PRO from Infant Optics has upgrades from the previous DXR-8 model fueled by feedback from parents.
One of the most prominent feature upgrades, and a first for baby monitors, is their new Active Noise Reduction (or ANR) technology which, when enabled, reduces background noises like fans and air conditioners so your child can be heard more clearly.
It is also a non-WiFi, closed-loop system, providing a sense of security and privacy for parents. There’s aren’t any apps to download and the system is expandable to use up to four cameras paired with the display.
The DXR-8 PRO includes a large 5-inch display (up from 3.5-inches on the previous model) with 720P HD video resolution. The unit also comes with a zoom lens included which is interchangeable with a wide-angle lens (sold separately) giving parents the ability to use a lens that best fits their viewing needs in a particular space. This can be especially useful when traveling or using in different rooms for optimal viewing when paired with the pan, tilt and zoom features of the camera.
On Apr. 15, the brand is asking fans to become the ultimate detective and solve the new SOUR PATCH KIDS flavor. Did we mention there’s also a chance to win $50,000?
So how does it work? First, purchase the new Mystery flavor packs at retailers nationwide to get a taste. Then, head to Mystery.SourPatchKids.com submit your guess and enter for a chance to win $50,000 and other instant prizes.
Fan will need to keep an eye out on those crazy KIDS, who will be dropping clues of the mystery flavor on SOUR PATCH KIDS packaging, social media channels and in-store displays. In addition, the Mystery Kid will take over the SOUR PATCH KIDS social media channels and reveal new clues every week from Apr. 15 through July.
In August, one winner will win the $50,000 grand prize when SOUR PATCH KIDS reveals the mystery flavor.
