If you are feeling stressed, grab your family and hop in the car. There’s nothing that lifts your spirits like being out on the open road.
Outdoorsy released its Road to Wellness survey last summer and it found that 94% of North American families are happier and healthier after taking a road trip and spending time outdoors.
According to the survey, 71% of those who had to cancel their summer travel plans due to COVID-19 are now considering alternate vacation options such as a road trip. Of those who responded 70% would rather go on a road trip with family or a significant other rather than going alone.
Air travel is still a hassle. 65% of parents say that it is easier to drive with children than to fly with 75% of respondents noting their last road trip was a “much needed escape” and would plan to take one again soon.
Those working from home have caught the travel bug. Remote workers are 2.5 times more likely to say they would take more road trips if they had access to an RV, with 72% reporting they are planning to take more road trips as a result of the widespread work from home policies as a result of the pandemic.
Parents find that their kids are much more appreciative on road trips. Of those surveyed, 93% said they feel more bonded with their children when on a road trip with 75% adding that their kids say “thank you” more often when on vacation.
Millennials are 2.13 times more likely than any other generation to spend their COVID-related stimulus funds on a road trip this year and Boomers are 1.8 more likely to opt out of plane travel this year.
Here’s another reason to get pumped for Tokyo. To support breastfeeding during the Olympic Games, Willow has offered to send the brand’s Generation 3 wearable breast pump to Olympic athletes, coaches, training staff and onsite support.
Although organizers of Tokyo’s events had banned athletes’ families from attending the Games due to Covid-19 safety protocols, they’ve now made an exception for Olympic participants with nursing children. In response, Willow is offering to send them the pump and has made this their message: Being a breastfeeding mother and a world-class athlete do NOT need to be mutually exclusive.
Athletes and other busy moms love the hands-free technology and full mobility of this wearable pump. The Willow all-in-one breast pump fits inside your bra with no external tubes, cords or bottles, so it’s great for on-the-go, even if where you’re going is the Olympics!
The pump is spill-proof in any position, so you can lie down, bend over, jump on a Zoom call, tend to kids or train for your Olympic sport while pumping that liquid gold. Check out the Willow breast pump on their website and learn more about their generous Olympics offer on this Instagram post.
Move over Mane 6, there’s a new batch of ponies in town! Say hello to My Little Pony: A New Generation.
In the new Netflix movie, Equestria has lost its magic! Now, all the ponies live separated according to their species, which means earth ponies, unicorns and pegasi no longer live together in friendship.
photo: Courtesy of Netflix
Earth Pony Sunny (Vanessa Hudgens) won’t let that stop her from trying to bring the world back together in unity. She pairs up with Unicorn Izzy (Kimiko Glenn) on an adventure that takes them to new places to meet new faces, like Pegasi Pipp (Sofia Carson), Zip (Liza Koshy) and Earth Pony Hitch (James Marsden).
Can the new Mane 5 use their own talents to bring Equestria back together? You can find out when the film debuts on Netflix on Sept. 24, 2021.
It’s hard to keep up with all of LEGO’s cool new releases, but this one is definitely a showstopper. The group just released a vintage typewriter that’s sure to be a conversation piece in your home. It was designed by a LEGO fan and it’s a fantastic gift for the expert builder or wordsmith in your life.
The typewriter has all the functionality you’d expect, with a center typebar that rises each time a letter key is pressed, a carriage that moves as you type and a roller to feed in real paper. It also comes with a letter signed by Thomas Kirk Kristiansen, the chairman of the LEGO Group and fourth-generation member of the family privately owning the business.
The fan who pitched the idea, Steve Guinness, said “I wanted to create something totally different from anything that LEGO has ever done before and showcase that you really can make anything out of LEGO. I bought a vintage typewriter for my research and then played around with bricks and the mechanism until I was happy with the design. I hope it will bring nostalgia to adult fans like me, and wonder and curiosity to younger fans who might not have ever seen a real typewriter!”
You’ll be able to snag this set starting June 16 if you have LEGO VIP Early Access for $199, or July 1 as a member of the general public. It clocks in at 2,079 pieces for adult builders to construct. Write on!
Think of it as a Schoolhouse Rock remix! A new show about rights and citizenship is coming to Netflix, packed with starpower and produced by the Obamas. We The People will fittingly premiere on July 4 and you can preview the trailer now.
The series will feature 10 animated videos that bring musicians and directors together to present civics lessons for the next generation. And it’s quite the list of talent: H.E.R., Lin-Manuel Miranda, Adam Lambert, Bebe Rexha, Brandy Carlile, Daveed Diggs, Janelle Monae and more! You’ll experience original compositions and songs as the soundtrack for the narrative.
Chris Nee, who formerly created Doc McStuffins and worked as an associate producer on Sesame Street, is the brainpower behind the new show. Barack and Michelle Obama are executive producers along with Higher Ground’s Tonia Davis and Priya Swaminathan and Black-ish creator Kenya Barris.
Your family can brush up on civil rights knowledge, courtesy of each three minute episode—and have a lot of fun along the way. Add this one to your watch list for the summer!
The pandemic left everyone missing family and friends, and none more so than grandparents. New research from Motel 6 has some interesting data on what the older generation plans on doing once it’s safe to travel again.
The survey was conducted via SWNS Media Group online among 2,000 U.S. grandparents. It found that most grandparents haven’t seen their grandchildren in person for over seven and a half months, with 59% spending less time in general as a result of the pandemic. What else did the survey find?
photo: Motel 6
Once it’s safe to travel again, 56% of grandparents said their first trip will be to see their grandkids, with almost half of those already in the planning stages. Forty two percent also reported they’ve had a grandchild born since the start of the pandemic.
Despite the challenges of the last year, 59% of grandparents plan to spend more time with their grandchildren than ever before in the future.
As more and more Americans feel ready to travel again, we are thrilled to be able to take part in some of these much-needed family reunions,” said Rob Palleschi, CEO of G6 Hospitality. “We will continue to leave the light on for all guests, whether that be grandparents staying with Motel 6 on the way to visit family or as a way to socially distance and remain safe for upcoming family visits.”
A. Had an original American Girl doll or
B. Desperately wanted an original American Girl doll
Whether or not you actually counted Samantha, Kirsten, Molly, Felicity, Andy or Josefina among your prized possessions, the dolls were a smash hit—and just in time for the brand’s 35th birthday, they’re coming back! The six original characters have each been released in a retro-inspired American Girl doll box, complete with the signature 18-inch doll in the original outfit with authentic accessories.
All six are available on the American Girl website for $150 each and they even come with the original paperback books. Their stories span from 1774-1944 and teach courage, compassion, confidence and resilience. Whether you’re scooping one for yourself or your daughter, these dolls will certainly reclaim prized possession status in your home.
“For 35 years, American Girl has created powerful stories with smart, courageous heroines that have helped shape an entire generation of women,” said Jamie Cygielman, General Manager of American Girl. “As we celebrate this major milestone, we’re thrilled to recognize the very first generation of American girls who grew up with these beloved, original characters and made them the phenomenon they are today. Knowing many of these women are now moms themselves, we look forward to creating special, multi-generational experiences for families via their shared love of the brand.”
Last but not least, the company will partner with Save the Children’s U.S. Literacy program and donate more than $100,000 in American Girl books this summer. And there are more events and partnerships coming this summer and fall! Consider your day made.
A blast from your past is making a comeback this May! The epic ’80s flick Stand By Me is returning to the big screen for a very special 35th anniversary event.
Fathom Events recently announced the return of the coming-of-age classic to movie theaters across the country next month. On Sun., May 23 at 3:00 p.m. and 7:00 p.m. and Wed., May 26 also at 3:00 p.m. and 7:00 p.m. you can relive your youth, while bringing the film fave to your brood.
The last time you watched River Phoenix, Jerry O’Connell, Wil Wheaton, Corey Feldman and Kiefer Sutherland graced the screen together you were younger than your kiddos are now. Now a whole new generation of tweens and teens can enjoy the Stephen King novella-turned feature film. Don’t worry if your kids aren’t old enough for this very special film event just yet. You can still re-live your youth and make a date-night or girls’ night out of the nostalgic fun.
Along with the original ’80s classic, the event also includes a special 35th anniversary featurette, Walking the Tracks: The Summer of Stand By Me. Get your tickets right now in-person at participating movie theater box offices or online at FathomEvents.com.
One of the biggest questions that have come up with the recent hate crimes against the AAPI community is how to raise anti-racist kids. While there is no one right way to do it, there are a plethora of ways to model inclusivity and teach kids the importance of diversity.
Have Frequent Honest Conversations With Your Kids
From a young, impressionable age, educate your kids about diversity and inclusion by having frequent conversations that recognize and celebrate differences. Many parents are surprised at how helpful simply talking about diversity and inclusion can be, and how non-judgemental kids really are. Just last week, I was talking to my 10-year-old about different minority groups and I was blown away. He said he doesn’t care what skin color someone is, where someone lives, what gender they identify with or who they love as long as they were kind, fun, and a good friend. It’s truly that simple. We are born without judgment. Hate and bigotry is something we are taught or modeled, so it really comes down to setting a good example.
Help Your Kids Process Their Feelings
Much like you would process an internal family conflict, a disappointing event at school, or a bad grade, it’s important for parents to help kids process what they are seeing in the media. You don’t want to shield your kids from the outside world, but parents should take time to process what is going on in the world, e.g the #StopAsianHate movement. Watch your responses and physical reactions to media pieces, as your kids see and hear everything. Ask your kids how they are feeling with everything going on.
Experience Different Cultures
In an ideal world, we would be able to travel the world to immerse ourselves in different cultures but it isn’t always financially possible. I have been having my older son pick different influential people in history from the “Who Is” series and present lessons on them to me. This puts them in a teacher role and you in a student role. We also go on Amazon Explore to virtually travel to different parts of the world to learn about their traditions with a live interactive one-on-one guide.
Be Mindful Of What You Consume
Model inclusivity as a parent by consuming art, movies, music, and more from a variety of different cultures. In my family, we watch documentaries and then talk about what we learned as a family. We also role-play and discuss stereotypes whenever possible. View these as opportunities to have a more open dialogue with your child and to talk about your own family’s rich history, their journey to America, and the traditions you maintain to this day.
Highlight the Beauty in Diversity
Pay attention to how you communicate with and about others. As an Asian, I get asked most often…”Where are you from?” The simple answer is here. I was born and raised in Orange County. So when you ask where I am from, I am from here. You might also be wondering what my ethnicity is but that is a different question. I am an American, the daughter of immigrants from India and Indonesia (Chinese). Teaching your child the difference between ethnicity and nationality is a great place to start, and sharing details of your own family history can help inspire your kids to see the beauty in diversity.
Model Speaking Up & Out
This past year there has been so much hate and violence toward Black people, Asians, and other minorities in this country. As a first-generation American, I grew up being taught not to speak out against injustices, but to keep silent. To move on. To say things only within our home. I think we are the generation that is changing that. We have to change that. Innocent Asian people are being attacked because of how they look and bigotry, and my heart is broken. I always think that could have been my Mom or my Dad, and that is not ok. All these lives that have been affected by Asian hate…they are someone’s Mom, Dad, grandparent, sibling just going about their lives before being harassed or violently attacked. As a parent, show your child how to speak up and out when faced with injustice.
Proudly Eat Foods From Different Cultures
I remember never wanting to bring leftovers to school for lunch because they were “smelly”, so I opted for something more socially-acceptable. I ate my Kimchi at home, I wouldn’t let my mom make Indian curry if friends were coming over, and my husband has been the only guy I ever let see my 99 Ranch Market purchases. I love everything from the seaweed crackers, mae ploy sauce and jackfruit to the pickled daikon radish, boba ice cream, sticky rice dessert, and fresh noodles. It has taken me a long time to be proud of my heritage and present it to the outside world. I suggest parents eat their favorite foods proudly and introduce their kids to foods from different cultures early on. When they are old enough, you could also sign them up for cooking lessons so they can learn how to make things like dumplings or curry. If you want your kids to embrace diversity, start in the kitchen.
I know the majority of people in this country don’t hate Asians but the recent attacks have hit hard and close to home. I’m not always sure how to stop it or how to be a part of the solution, but I do want to keep the conversation going because change is imperative. I’m here to lend a voice, to have a conversation, and to create a better world for our kids. I want a world where my boys can be proud to be 1/2 Asian and celebrate their culture. Life is hard as it is…the color of our skin shouldn’t be one of the aspects making it harder. After all, we are a country of immigrants.
Veena mom of 2 boys (Max and Eddie), is a former Miss California and currently works on TV as an expert in the parenting, lifestyle, beauty and fashion space, You may have seen her on The Doctors, Ktla, Extra and FabFitFun TV and more. Veena currently resides in Boulder with her family.
The Tamagotchi world just expanded! Bandai America recently announced the debut of the Tamagotchi Pix—a brand-new device that features a built-in camera and so much more.
Now your fam can interact with their virtual pets in a new way. The Tamagotchi Pix still allows your kiddos to care for and nurture their pretend pets. Along with feeding the oh-so-cute creatures, this new device also lets virtual pet parents cook for their characters, have food delivered to them and add pics.
photo courtesy of CNW Group/Bandai America
Tara Badie, Bandai America Senior Director Brand Strategy, said in a press release, “With over 82M units sold globally and almost 25 years in the market, Tamagotchi is a brand that is truly known across generations.” Badie continued, “After the 2019 launch of Tamagotchi On, we saw a whole new generation of kids fall in love with Tamagotchi and were excited to continue to expand their gameplay with Tamagotchi Pix.”
Tamagotchi Pix’s new, upgraded features include a built-in camera, the chance to paint, cook and more with your kiddo’s pets using the camera, interactive touch buttons and new ways to play. The device is available in Floral (pink), Sky )purple), Ocean (blue) and Nature (green) colors and gives users the choice of six different languages—English, Spanish, German, French, Portuguese and Italian.
Pre-order the Tamagotchi Pix online now on Best Buy, and Amazon and Walmart soon for $59.99.
