Was the Super Bowl Halftime Show Family-Friendly?

By Emily Lynn Paulson

February 13, 2020

Photo: Chris Benson on Unsplash

The super bowl halftime performance last week caused a lot of noise on social media! One phrase that I noticed being thrown around was “family-friendly” and it got me thinking, what does this even mean? Is it based on values, or morals, or some sort of social indoctrination? Isn’t it subjective, considering every family is different?

Let’s take a step back. If your kids were watching at halftime, you were exercising your right as a parent to let them watch it. If the resulting outcome was disapproval or disgust, does the fault lie with you as the parent or the network? Perhaps the NFL or the artists themselves? Who ultimately has control of the content that goes from the TV directly into your child’s impressionable brain?

My vote: the parents.

Don’t get me wrong, figuring out which content is appropriate for kids (no matter what your version of appropriate is) can be dizzying. The TV and Movie Parental guidelines rating system is fairly helpful, but not always accurate, so parents still have to be aware of what their children are watching all the time.

I’ve watched some PG-13 movies that are benign because the adult humor goes well over my kid’s heads, yet some PG content has caused nightmares in our house (I’m looking at you, Coraline). Unfortunately, this rating system does not apply to news or sports programming, including the super bowl and its halftime performance.

For the record, my kids did not watch it, not because I didn’t allow it, but because they were busy doing other things. When the Seahawks don’t make the cut, my kids lose interest. However, If they had watched, I would have been ok with it and would have addressed questions, if any, as they came up. It was perfectly “family-friendly” for this family.

If for some reason it had been objectionable to one of my kids, it would have been MY responsibility for allowing them to watch. It isn’t up to JLo and Shakira to set a good example for my family. That’s our job as parents.

You might say, “But, I didn’t know it would be that risque!” Ok, fine, but again, isn’t this part of informed parenting? Maybe next time, before letting your kids watch, you could give the performers a google? The content should have been no surprise (the performances and outfits were on par for both artists), and you would have been fully prepared to skip it or hit the off button on your tv. Family-friendly in YOUR home is up to you to decide, not the network, not the producers, not the performers.

Let’s step back even further. If your kids were watching football in the first place, and you were offended by the halftime performance, how do you justify watching the cheerleaders who are scantily clad during each and every game? Before JLo and Shakira took the stage, your kids had already taken in a whole lotta skin, gyrating, and jumping up and down via the sidelines.

How about the commercials for Viagara and violent R rated movies? I know that when my 7-year-old watches football with his dad, I am on guard to turn certain commercials off or ask him to look away. I’ve watched enough football games to KNOW there is content that scares him sometimes! They are not family-friendly in my opinion, but we do our best with the content to make it appropriate for his eyes. Again, it isn’t up to the advertisers to parent my kid. What they watch is ultimately up to us as parents.

If the halftime performance wasn’t your cup of tea, that’s cool! I liked it and found it super entertaining, but I respect and understand the viewpoint of those who thought it was too risque for their taste. We all have our own level of comfort. But ultimately, if your children watched and now you’re offended because it wasn’t “family-friendly,” then it’s a good time to remind yourself who is in charge of your family, and the content they watch. You hold the remote.

Emily Lynn Paulson

Tinybeans Voices Contributor

Emily is the author of Highlight Real: Finding Honesty & Recovery Beyond The Filtered Life.

As a Certified Professional Recovery Coach, recovery advocate, educator, and speaker, she is passionate about connecting women with resources for healing. Emily lives in Seattle with her husband and their five children.

Greta Thunberg Named Time’s 2019 Person of the Year

by Erica LoopDecember 11, 2019

Greta Thunberg is not your typical teenager, and that’s why the climate activist is Time’s 2019 Person of the Year.

The Swedish 16-year-old has inspired four million people in a global movement to stop climate change, starting with a sign that read (translated into English) “School Strike for Climate.” Thanks to Thunberg’s efforts, the idea of kids doing good has taken on a whole new meaning.

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A post shared by TIME (@time)

In 2018 Thunberg skipped school to protest in front of Swedish Parliament. Fast-forward 16 months and the teen has caught the attention of the world. With no political agency or organization backing her, Thunberg started her strike alone. The next day a second person stood with her. As the weeks went by more and more people stood by Thunberg, eventually resulting in the Fridays for the Future movement.

By 2019 the strikes had grown to unimaginable proportions. More than one million people joined the cause across Germany, striking in Berlin and 600 other cities. In September of 2019, the Fridays for the Future strikes moved from Europe to the United States. A reported 250,000 people marched in New York City’s Battery Park.

Time editor-in-chief Edward Felsenthal told TODAY during the 2019 announcement, “She became the biggest voice on the biggest issue facing the planet this year, coming from essentially nowhere to lead a worldwide movement.” Felsenthal continued, “Young people are demanding change, and urgently. She embodies youth activism.”

—Erica Loop

Featured photo: Greta Thunberg via Instagram

This 16-Year-Old Just Became the Youngest Nobel Peace Prize Nominee

When Kids Stand Up for a Cause, Are We Listening?

Why Do Babies Hiccup? It May Have to Do with Brain Development

by Erica LoopNovember 15, 2019

Researchers may have discovered an actual purpose for those adorable little baby hiccups. As it turns out, the sweet little noises may boost some types of brain development.

A recent study, published in the journal Clinical Neurophysiology, looked at the brain activity of 13 newborns (born between 30 and 42 weeks) when they hiccuped. Through EEG data, the researchers found that contractions in the diaphragm muscle during hiccups elicited a response in the newborns’ brain.

photo: Public Domain Pictures via Pixabay

The increased brainwave activity the researchers recorded may tie to breathing and breathing muscle regulation. In other words, the newborns’ hiccups were training their brains how to regulate breathing.

The study’s senior author, Dr Lorenzo Fabrizi, said in a press statement, “The activity resulting from a hiccup may be helping the baby’s brain to learn how to monitor the breathing muscles so that eventually breathing can be voluntary controlled by moving the diaphragm up and down.”

Not only did this study help to find a reason for newborn hiccups, but it may also connect to adult hiccups too. Researcher Kimberley Whitehead noted, “Our findings have prompted us to wonder whether hiccups in adults, which appear to be mainly a nuisance, may in fact by a vestigial reflex, left over from infancy when it had an important function.”

—Erica Loop

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Real Trees, Real Memories Photo Contest Official Rules

by Kenzie KramerOctober 30, 2019

NO PURCHASE NECESSARY. VOID WHERE PROHIBITED.

HOW TO ENTER: The Contest (“Contest”) will run from 11/18/2019 at 12:00 a.m. PST to 12/25/2019 at 11:59 p.m. PST and will run on Instagram, Twitter and Facebook. Any entries received after the contest has closed will not be included in the Contest. In order to enter the contest, participants are required to do the following:

Post a photo or a video of your family’s real Christmas tree memory-making experience to a public account on one of the following social platforms: Instagram, Twitter or Facebook
Include #RealTreesRealMemories and #Contest in the post

Post a photo or a video of your family’s real Christmas tree memory-making experience in the comments of the contest post on the Red Tricycle Facebook page or the It’s Christmas. Keep It Real. Facebook Page

Photographs and videos must be in digital format. Only online entries will be eligible. No print or film submissions will be accepted for entry into this Contest. Entries are limited to one entry per person per day. Any use of automated or programmed methods of effecting entry is prohibited.

ELIGIBILITY: Open to legal residents of the fifty (50) United States and District of Columbia who are 18 years of age or older at time of entry. Employees or Sponsor, their affiliates, subsidiaries, advertising and promotion agencies and their immediate family members and/or those living in the same household of each are not eligible to win the prize package.

SPONSOR: This Contest is sponsored by the Christmas Tree Promotion Board (“Sponsor”). Sponsor reserves the right to cancel the Contest at any time and substitute another promotion in its place. The Sponsor is deemed to be the party providing the prize package for this Contest. The Sponsor is responsible for prize fulfillment within 30 days of the winner providing requested mailing information. If winner does not receive prize within 45 days, the winner is to email Red Tricycle for follow up (kenzie@tinybeans.go-vip.net). The winner forgoes any prizes after 180 days without follow up.

WINNERS SELECTION: Four weekly winners will be selected throughout the Contest period. One grand prize winner will be selected within 72 hours after the close of the Contest period from among all eligible entries received during the Contest.

Winners will be determined by Red Tricycle and Sponsor. Entries for weekly winners and grand prize winner will be judged on the following criteria:

(33%) Creativity – we want to see you and your family having fun!

(33%) Image quality – make sure we can see the fresh tree!

(34%) Adherence to Theme – Remember, this is all about real Christmas trees and making real family memories!

Weekly winners will be selected from submissions received between the following dates: November 18- December 1, December 2-December 8, December 9-December 15, and December 16-December 22.

Grand prize winner will be selected from all entries received during the Contest from November 18-December 25th.

Winners will have 72 hours to claim their prize or a new winner will be selected. A list of winners can be requested at any time by contacting kenzie@tinybeans.go-vip.net. Red Tricycle is not responsible for electronic transmission errors resulting in omission, interruption, deletion, defect, delay in operations or transmission or alterations of entry materials, or for technical, network, telephone equipment, electronic, computer, hardware or software malfunctions or limitations of any kind, or inaccurate transmissions of or failure to receive winner’s emailed information on account of technical problems or traffic congestion on the Internet, email being inadvertently flagged as junk or other email form, or at any website or any combination thereof. Every reasonable attempt will be exhausted prior to prize forfeiture and a new winner being selected, including, but not limited to review of all sub-folders and accounts where emails may inadvertently be directed.

PRIZES/APPROXIMATE RETAIL VALUE: Prize is valued as follows: ONE (1) GRAND PRIZE: One (1) gift card valued at $1,000. Grand prize winner will be required to submit an IRS W9 form. FOUR (4) WEEKLY PRIZES: One (1) gift card valued at $250.

GENERAL: Subject to all federal, state and local laws/regulations. This contest is not sponsored, endorsed or administered by Instagram, Facebook or Twitter. Neither Red Tricycle nor their affiliates will have any liability whatsoever for any injuries, losses or damages of any kind caused by any prize or resulting from acceptance, possession, use and/or misuse of any prize or participation in these promotions. By participating in this promotion, entrants agree to be bound by the Official Rules and the decisions of Red Tricycle, which are final and binding in all respects. Red Tricycle is not responsible for any typographical or other error in the printing of the offer or in administration of the promotion.

INTERNET: Red Tricycle is not responsible for electronic transmission errors resulting in omission, interruption, deletion, defect, delay in operations or transmission or alterations of entry materials, or for technical, network, telephone equipment, electronic, computer, hardware or software malfunctions or limitations of any kind, or inaccurate transmissions of or failure to receive entry information by Red Tricycle on account of technical problems or traffic congestion on the Internet or at any website or any combination thereof. If for any reason the promotions are not capable of running as planned for any reason Red Tricycle reserves the right in its sole discretion, to cancel, terminate, modify or suspend the Contest and select the winners by random drawing from among all eligible entries received from all methods combined up to the point of the action taken by the Red Tricycle.

CONTEST ENTRY REQUIREMENTS & CONDITIONS: All Contest Entries must comply with the following minimum guidelines to be eligible:

Only entries featuring real, natural trees, submitted via the above-mentioned means of entries will be accepted.
Entrant must have express written permission from any individuals that appear in the Submission. If Submission features a minor under the age of majority in his/her state of residence, you must obtain written permission from the minor’s legal guardian.
Entrant must be a registered user of Instagram to submit an Instagram Entry or a registered user of Facebook to submit a Facebook Entry or a registered user of Twitter to submit a Twitter Entry and must comply with each respective company’s Terms of Use in order to enter the Contest.
Submissions on public Instagram, Facebook or Twitter accounts must include #RealTreesRealMemories and #Contest to be eligible
Submission must conform to the format and size requirements and limitations of Instagram, Facebook or Twitter.
Submission cannot contain content that is irrelevant to the purpose of the Contest.
Once a Submission has been submitted, it cannot be modified or deleted by Entrant.
Each submitted Submission must be original.
No duplicate Submission or substantially similar Submission, as determined by the Sponsor’s in its sole discretion, may be submitted.
By submitting a Submission taken by a third party, Entrant warrants and represents that he/she has secured all rights and clearances to the Submission from the photographer or videographer.
Entry and Submission cannot be profane, pornographic, sexually explicit or suggestive or contain nudity.
Entry and Submission cannot be violent or promote firearms/weapons.
Entry and Submission cannot promote alcohol, illegal drugs or tobacco.
Entry and Submission cannot defame, misrepresent or contain disparaging remarks about people, brands, products or companies.
Entry and Submission cannot contain content that defaces or depicts any person, brand, product or company in a negative or inappropriate manner.
Entry and Submission cannot be obscene or offensive, endorse any form of hate or hate group or be derogatory to any ethic, racial, gender, religious, professional or age group.
Entry and Submission cannot reference or contain materials embodying copyrighted images, names, likenesses or other indicia identifying any brand, products, company or person, living or dead, without permission.
Entry and Submission cannot communicate messages or images inconsistent with the positive images and/or goodwill to which Sponsor, Instagram and Facebook wish to associate.
Entry and Submission cannot depict illegal activity and cannot itself be in violation of any law.
Entry and Submission cannot in any way reference persons or organizations without written permission from any person or organization whose name or likeness is used.
Entry and Submission may not include images of a known celebrity, famous or well-known person or any image which violates the right of privacy or publicity of any person.

By submitting a Contest Entry, Contest Entrant warrants and represents that: (a) Contest Entry does not infringe upon the copyrights, trademarks, rights of privacy, publicity or other intellectual property or other legal or moral rights of any person or entity; (b) Contest Entrant owns all rights to the Contest Entry, including without limitation, copyrights, and has received prior written permission from a third party if any Submission was photographed or videoed by someone other than the Contest Entrant him/herself; and (c) Contest Entrant will indemnify and hold harmless the Sponsor, Administrator and related entities, agents and assigns from any claims and damages (including reasonable attorneys’ fees) arising from or relating to the breach or alleged breach of your representations and warranties herein, the Contest Entry, or Contest Entrant’s conduct in creating the Contest Entry, the acceptance or use of any prize or otherwise in connection with this Contest.

PHOTO SUBMISSIONS/RELEASES: If the photograph or video submission contains any material or elements that are not owned by the entrant and/or which are subject to the rights of third parties, and/or if any persons appear in the photograph or video, the entrant is responsible for obtaining, prior to submission of the photograph or video, any and all releases and consents necessary to permit the exhibition and use of the photograph or video in the manner set forth in these Official Rules without additional compensation. By participating in the Contest, participants give Sponsor and Red Tricycle the right to share participant’s images, videos and text.

LIMITATION OF LIABILITY: By entering this Contest, all entrants agree to release, discharge, and hold harmless Sponsor from any claims, losses, and damages arising out of their participation in this Contest or any Contest-related activities and the acceptance and use, misuse, or possession of any prize awarded hereunder. Red Tricycle assumes no responsibility for any error, omission, interruption, deletion, defect, or delay in operation or transmission; communications line failure; theft or destruction of or unauthorized access to Contest entries or entry forms; or alteration of entries or entry forms. Sponsor is not responsible for any problems with or technical malfunction of any telephone network or lines, computer online systems, servers or providers, computer equipment, software, failure of any entry to be received on account of technical problems or traffic congestion on the Internet or at any website, human errors of any kind, or any combination thereof, including any injury or damage to entrants’ or any other persons’ computers related to or resulting from participation, uploading or downloading of any materials related to in this Contest.

RIGHT TO CANCEL OR SUSPEND CONTEST: If for any reason the Contest is not capable of running as planned, due to infection by computer virus, bugs, worms, trojan horses, denial of service attacks, tampering, unauthorized intervention, fraud, technical failures, or any other causes beyond the control of Sponsor that corrupt or affect the administration, security, fairness, integrity, or proper conduct of this Contest, Sponsor reserves the right, at its sole discretion, to disqualify any individual(s) who tamper with the entry process, and/or to cancel, terminate, modify, or suspend the Contest.

AMENDMENT: Any and all rules and regulations stated within, may be amended for a specific Contest to be in compliance with the rules and regulations of a specific Sponsor. Any amendment of rules and regulations will be stated in the Contest post.

PRIVACY POLICY/DATA COLLECTION: Information provided by you for this Contest is subject to Sponsor’s privacy policy located at https://tinybeans.com/privacy-policy/ (“Privacy Policy”)

Amazon Five Days of Gratitude Photo Challenge Official Rules

by Kenzie KramerOctober 28, 2019

PHOTO CHALLENGE SWEEPSTAKES OFFICIAL RULES

NO PURCHASE NECESSARY. VOID WHERE PROHIBITED.

HOW TO ENTER: The Photo Challenge Sweepstakes (“Sweepstakes”) will run from 11/04/2019 at 12:00 a.m PST to 11/8/2019 at 11:59 p.m. PST (“Sweepstakes Period”) and will run on Instagram, Twitter and Facebook. Any entries received after the Sweepstakes has closed will not be included in the Sweepstakes. In order to enter for a chance to win the grand prize, participants are required to do the following: Post a photo to one of the following social platforms: Instagram, Twitter or Facebook from a public account each day of the five-day sweepstakes following along with the specific themes and using the official Sweepstakes hashtag displayed on the Sweepstakes website and on applicable social media pages. Daily themes are as follows:

Monday, 11/4: Person You’re Grateful For

Tuesday, 11/5: Place You’re Grateful For

Wednesday 11/6: Thing You’re Grateful For

Thursday 11/7: Throwback of Giving Back

Friday 11/8: Random Act of Kindness

Photographs must be in digital format. Only online entries will be eligible. No print or film submissions will be accepted for entry into this Sweepstakes. Entries are limited to one entry per person per household per day. Any use of automated or programmed methods of effecting entry is prohibited. To be considered for the Grand Prize, the participant must have participated in all five daily themes of the Photo Challenge Sweepstakes, but photo do not need to be posted on the days listed for the themes. To be entered into the daily prize sweepstakes, participants must enter one photo on either Instagram, Twitter or Facebook with the daily outlined theme between 12:00 AM and 11:59 PM of that day and include the Sweepstakes hashtag with their entry.

ELIGIBILITY: Open to legal residents of the District of Columbia and the United States (excluding residents of Rhode Island) who are 18 years of age or older at time of entry. Employees or Sponsor, their affiliates, subsidiaries, advertising and promotion agencies and their immediate family members and/or those living in the same household of each are not eligible to win the prize package.

WINNERS SELECTION: Winners will be selected within 72 hours after the close of the Sweepstakes Period from among all eligible entries received during the Sweepstakes. Winners will be determined at random by a Red Tricycle employee. Winners will be contacted via email or direct message from Red Tricycle. Winners may be required to complete an Affidavit of Eligibility and any other documents required by Sponsor (unless prohibited by law). Winners will have 24 hours to claim their prize or a new winner will be selected at random from among the remaining eligible entries. A list of winners may be requested at any time by contacting kenzie@tinybeans.go-vip.net. Red Tricycle is not responsible for electronic transmission errors resulting in omission, interruption, deletion, defect, delay in operations or transmission or alterations of entry materials, or for technical, network, telephone equipment, electronic, computer, hardware or software malfunctions or limitations of any kind, or inaccurate transmissions of or failure to receive winner’s emailed information on account of technical problems or traffic congestion on the Internet, email being inadvertently flagged as junk or other email form, or at any website or any combination thereof. Every reasonable attempt will be exhausted prior to prize forfeiture and a new winner being selected, including, but not limited to review of all sub-folders and accounts where emails may inadvertently be directed.

PRIZES/APPROXIMATE RETAIL VALUE: Prize is valued as follows: ONE (1) GRAND PRIZE: One (1) gift card valued at $500 and an Amazon Fire Kids Edition tablet of an approximate retail value (“ARV”) of $200. Total Grand Prize ARV: $700. FIVE (5) DAILY PRIZES: Amazon Fire Kids Edition Tablet with an ARV of $200. Odds of winning prize are dependent upon the total number of eligible entries received for consideration of the Grand Prize or for each of the daily themes. Prizing is sponsored by Amazon. Red Tricycle reserves the right in its sole and absolute discretion to award a substitute prize of equal or greater value if a prize described in these Official Rules is unavailable or cannot be awarded, in whole or in part, for any reason. The ARV of the prize represents Sponsor’s good faith determination. That determination is final and binding and cannot be appealed. Sponsor makes no representation or warranty concerning the appearance, safety or performance of any prize awarded. Restrictions, conditions, and limitations may apply. Sponsor will not replace any lost or stolen prize items.

GENERAL: Subject to all federal, state and local laws/regulations. Neither Red Tricycle nor their affiliates will have any liability whatsoever for any injuries, losses or damages of any kind caused by any prize or resulting from acceptance, possession, use and/or misuse of any prize or participation in these promotions. By participating in this promotion, entrants agree to be bound by the Official Rules and the decisions of Red Tricycle, which are final and binding in all respects. Red Tricycle is not responsible for any typographical or other error in the printing of the offer or in administration of the promotion.

INTERNET: Red Tricycle is not responsible for electronic transmission errors resulting in omission, interruption, deletion, defect, delay in operations or transmission or alterations of entry materials, or for technical, network, telephone equipment, electronic, computer, hardware or software malfunctions or limitations of any kind, or inaccurate transmissions of or failure to receive entry information by Red Tricycle on account of technical problems or traffic congestion on the Internet or at any website or any combination thereof. If for any reason the promotions are not capable of running as planned for any reason Red Tricycle reserves the right in its sole discretion, to cancel, terminate, modify or suspend the Sweepstakes and select the winners by random drawing from among all eligible entries received from all methods combined up to the point of the action taken by the Red Tricycle.

SPONSOR: This Sweepstakes is sponsored by Red Tricycle (“Sponsor”). Sponsor reserves the right to cancel the Sweepstakes at any time as set forth below under RIGHT TO CANCEL OR SUSPEND SWEEPSTAKES and substitute another promotion in its place. The Sponsor is the party providing the prize package for this Sweepstakes. The Sponsor is responsible for prize fulfillment within 30 days of the winner providing requested mailing information. If winner does not receive prize within 45 days, the winner is to email Red Tricycle for follow up (kenzie@tinybeans.go-vip.net). The winner forgoes any prizes after 180 days without follow up. Facebook, Instagram, Twitter, (“Uninvolved Parties”) are not sponsors of this Sweepstakes and have no involvement with in its operation or administration. Entrants should direct all inquiries in connection with the Sweepstakes to Sponsor.

PHOTO SUBMISSIONS/RELEASES: If the photograph contains any material or elements that are not owned by the entrant and/or which are subject to the rights of third parties, and/or if any persons appear in the photograph, the entrant is responsible for obtaining, prior to submission of the photograph, any and all releases and consents necessary to permit the exhibition and use of the photograph in the manner set forth in these Official Rules without additional compensation. Except where prohibited by law, each winner grants (and agrees to confirm that grant in writing) permission for the Promotion Entities, their advertising and promotional agencies, and those acting under its authority to use such winner’s name, photograph, voice and/or likeness, for advertising and/or publicity purposes in connection with or referencing the Sweepstakes in all media now known or hereafter discovered, worldwide and on the world wide web, without notice, review, approval, or additional compensation (“Rights Scope”). By participating in the photo challenge and submitting an entry, participants grant to Amazon and Red Tricycle the right to share participant’s Sweepstakes entry images and related text as set forth in the Rights Scope.

LIMITATION OF LIABILITY: By entering this Sweepstakes, all entrants agree to release, discharge, and hold harmless Sponsor and the Uninvolved Parties from any claims, losses, and damages arising out of their participation in this Sweepstakes or any Sweepstakes-related activities and the acceptance and use, misuse, or possession of any prize awarded hereunder or any third party claim of rights infringement in connection with Sweepstakes entries. Red Tricycle assumes no responsibility for any error, omission, interruption, deletion, defect, or delay in operation or transmission; communications line failure; theft or destruction of or unauthorized access to Sweepstakes entries or entry forms; or alteration of entries or entry forms. Sponsor is not responsible for any problems with or technical malfunction of any telephone network or lines, computer online systems, servers or providers, computer equipment, software, failure of any entry to be received on account of technical problems or traffic congestion on the Internet or at any website, human errors of any kind, or any combination thereof, including any injury or damage to entrants’ or any other persons’ computers related to or resulting from participation, uploading or downloading of any materials related to in this Sweepstakes.

RIGHT TO CANCEL OR SUSPEND SWEEPSTAKES: If for any reason the Sweepstakes is not capable of running as planned, due to infection by computer virus, bugs, worms, trojan horses, denial of service attacks, tampering, unauthorized intervention, fraud, technical failures, or any other causes beyond the control of Sponsor that corrupt or affect the administration, security, fairness, integrity, or proper conduct of this Sweepstakes, Sponsor reserves the right, at its sole discretion, to disqualify any individual(s) who tamper with the entry process, and/or to cancel, terminate, modify, or suspend the Sweepstakes.

PRIVACY POLICY/DATA COLLECTION: Information provided by you for this Sweepstakes is subject to Red Tricycle’s privacy policy located at https://tinybeans.com/privacy-policy/ (“Privacy Policy”)

Disney Junior T.O.T.S. Photo Challenge Official Rules

by Kenzie KramerJune 24, 2019

PHOTO CHALLENGE SWEEPSTAKES OFFICIAL RULES

NO PURCHASE NECESSARY. VOID WHERE PROHIBITED.

HOW TO ENTER: The Photo Challenge Sweepstakes (“Sweepstakes”) will run from 07/01/2019 at 12:00 a.m PST to 07/5/2019 at 11:59 p.m. PST (“Sweepstakes Period”) and will run on Instagram, Twitter and Facebook. Any entries received after the Sweepstakes has closed will not be included in the Sweepstakes. In order to enter for a chance to win the grand prize, participants are required to do the following: Post a photo to one of the following social platforms: Instagram, Twitter or Facebook each day of the five-day sweepstakes following along with the day-specific theme and using the official Sweepstakes hashtag displayed on the Sweepstakes website and on applicable social media pages. Daily themes are as follows:

Monday, 7/1: Treasured Toy – Show us the toy your child won’t leave home without!

Tuesday, 7/2: Throwback TOT – Your favorite throwback photo of your little one.

Wednesday 7/3: Furry Friends – A day at the zoo, snuggles with a pet or an unshaven dad!

Thursday 7/4: Festive Family Photo – Everybody in! How are you celebrating the 4th of July?

Friday 7/5: Bringing Home Baby – Pics from the early days with your little one (or fur baby!)

Photographs must be in digital format. Only online entries will be eligible. No print or film submissions will be accepted for entry into this Sweepstakes. Entries are limited to one entry per person per household per day. Any use of automated or programmed methods of effecting entry is prohibited. To be considered for the Grand Prize, the participant must have participated in all five daily themes of the Photo Challenge Sweepstakes. To be entered into the daily prize sweepstakes, participants must enter one photo on either Instagram, Twitter or Facebook with the daily outlined theme between 12:00 AM and 11:59 PM of that day and include the Sweepstakes hashtag with their entry.

WINNERS SELECTION: Winners will be selected within 72 hours after the close of the Sweepstakes Period from among all eligible entries received during the Sweepstakes. Winners will be determined at random by a Red Tricycle employee. Winners will be contacted via email from Red Tricycle. Winners will have 24 hours to claim their prize or a new winner will be selected at random from among the remaining eligible entries. A list of winners may be requested at any time by contacting kenzie@tinybeans.go-vip.net. Red Tricycle is not responsible for electronic transmission errors resulting in omission, interruption, deletion, defect, delay in operations or transmission or alterations of entry materials, or for technical, network, telephone equipment, electronic, computer, hardware or software malfunctions or limitations of any kind, or inaccurate transmissions of or failure to receive winner’s emailed information on account of technical problems or traffic congestion on the Internet, email being inadvertently flagged as junk or other email form, or at any website or any combination thereof. Every reasonable attempt will be exhausted prior to prize forfeiture and a new winner being selected, including, but not limited to review of all sub-folders and accounts where emails may inadvertently be directed.

PRIZES/APPROXIMATE RETAIL VALUE: Prize is valued as follows: ONE (1) GRAND PRIZE: One (1) gift card valued at $500 and a Disney Junior Prize Pack with an approximate retail value (“ARV”) of $125. Total Grand Prize ARV: $625. FIVE (5) DAILY PRIZES: Disney Junior Prize Pack valued at $115. Odds of winning prize are dependent upon the total number of eligible entries received for consideration of the Grand Prize or for each of the daily themes. Prize pack components will be chosen by Sponsor in its discretion. Red Tricycle reserves the right in its sole and absolute discretion to award a substitute prize of equal or greater value if a prize described in these Official Rules is unavailable or cannot be awarded, in whole or in part, for any reason. The ARV of the prize represents Sponsor’s good faith determination. That determination is final and binding and cannot be appealed. If the actual value of the prize turns out to be less than the stated ARV, the difference will not be awarded in cash. Sponsor makes no representation or warranty concerning the appearance, safety or performance of any prize awarded. Restrictions, conditions, and limitations may apply. Sponsor will not replace any lost or stolen prize items.

INTERNET: Red Tricycle is not responsible for electronic transmission errors resulting in omission, interruption, deletion, defect, delay in operations or transmission or alterations of entry materials, or for technical, network, telephone equipment, electronic, computer, hardware or software malfunctions or limitations of any kind, or inaccurate transmissions of or failure to receive entry information by Red Tricycle on account of technical problems or traffic congestion on the Internet or at any website or any combination thereof. If for any reason the promotions are not capable of running as planned for any reason Red Tricycle reserves the right in its sole discretion, to cancel, terminate, modify or suspend the Sweepstakes and select the winners by random drawing from among all eligible entries received from all methods combined up to the point of the action taken by the Red Tricycle.

SPONSOR: This Sweepstakes is sponsored by Red Tricycle, Inc (“Sponsor”) at 3001 Bridgeway #432, Sausalito, CA 94965. Sponsor reserves the right to cancel the Sweepstakes at any time as set forth below under RIGHT TO CANCEL OR SUSPEND SWEEPSTAKES and substitute another promotion in its place. The Sponsor is the party providing the prize package for this Sweepstakes. The Sponsor is responsible for prize fulfillment within 30 days of the winner providing requested mailing information. If winner does not receive prize within 45 days, the winner is to email Red Tricycle for follow up (kenzie@tinybeans.go-vip.net). The winner forgoes any prizes after 180 days without follow up. Facebook, Instagram, Twitter, ABC Cable Networks Group and Horizon Media, Inc. (“Uninvolved Parties”) are not sponsors of this Sweepstakes and have no involvement with in its operation or administration. Entrants should direct all inquiries in connection with the Sweepstakes to Sponsor.

PHOTO SUBMISSIONS/RELEASES: If the photograph contains any material or elements that are not owned by the entrant and/or which are subject to the rights of third parties, and/or if any persons appear in the photograph, the entrant is responsible for obtaining, prior to submission of the photograph, any and all releases and consents necessary to permit the exhibition and use of the photograph in the manner set forth in these Official Rules without additional compensation. Except where prohibited by law, each winner grants (and agrees to confirm that grant in writing) permission for the Promotion Entities, their advertising and promotional agencies, and those acting under its authority to use such winner’s name, photograph, voice and/or likeness, for advertising and/or publicity purposes in connection with or referencing the Sweepstakes in all media now known or hereafter discovered, worldwide and on the world wide web, without notice, review, approval, or additional compensation (“Rights Scope”). By participating in the photo challenge and submitting an entry, participants grant to ABC Cable Networks Group and Red Tricycle the right to share participant’s Sweepstakes entry images and related text as set forth in the Rights Scope.

PRIVACY POLICY/DATA COLLECTION: Information provided by you for this Sweepstakes is subject to Sponsor’s privacy policy located at https://tinybeans.com/privacy-policy/ (“Privacy Policy”)

The World Health Organization Now Officially Recognizes Work-Related Burn-Out as Real

by Erica LoopMay 29, 2019

Is your job stressing you out? You aren’t alone. The World Health Organization now includes “burn-out” as a mental health issue associated with employment in the ICD-11 diagnostic tool.

The frazzled feeling that hits you at the end of a 40 hour (more like 40 plus, plus, plus) week is real. According to the WHO’s ICD-11 definition, “Burn-out is a syndrome conceptualized as resulting from chronic workplace stress that has not been successfully managed.”

photo: Energepic.com via Pexels

So how does WHO characterize work-related burn-out? The ICD-11 definition includes, “Feelings of energy depletion or exhaustion,” along with, “increased mental distance from one’s job, or feelings of negativism or cynicism related to one’s job” and, “reduced professional efficacy.”

Even though the global ICD-11 guidelines now count workplace burn-out as an actual mental health issue (at least when the guidelines take effect in 2022), the U.S.’s DSM-5 diagnostic manual does not include the all-too-common problem. But don’t let that make you feel like the serious case of exhaustion you have is just a case of the post-work Friday evening tireds. Judging by WHO’s newest definition, job-related stress is the real deal for many adults worldwide.

—Erica Loop

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Is Your Ice Cream Safe to Eat? Here’s What the FDA Has to Say

by Erica LoopApril 29, 2019

The U.S. Food and Drug Administration wants to make sure your ice cream is safe to eat. If you thought it already was, read on for information on an important announcement the FDA recently made about its findings from inspections and environmental sampling for Listeria monocytogenes and Salmonella at 89 ice cream production facilities.

So what prompted the FDA to take a serious look at ice cream and potential illnesses related to the products? After 16 ice cream recalls between 2013 and 2015, the government agency decided to start sampling the sweet stuff. The resulting report, which includes data from facilities in 32 states taken between Sep. 12, 2016 to Aug. 30, 2017, provides plenty of insight into ice cream safety in America.

photo: Calebe Miranda via Pexels

On a positive note, the FDA didn’t find “objectionable conditions or practices” in almost half of the facilities they visited. But (on the negative side) they did detect Listeria monocytogenes in 19 of the facilities. Before you rush to toss your ice cream in the trash, only one of the facilities had the Listeria monocytogenes on a food-contact surface. A separate facility also tested positive for Salmonella.

Following the FDA’s investigation, there were three voluntary ice cream recalls made between 2017 and 2018—two for Working Cow Homemade, Inc. ice cream and one for Nelson’s Creamery LLC.

If you’re wondering whether your ice cream is safe to eat, the recalls resulting from the report are all in the past. But the FDA does stress the importance of safe practices and preventative controls for commercial ice cream manufacturers.

—Erica Loop

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A Solar Storm Means You Could See the Northern Lights This Weekend—Here’s How

by Erica LoopMarch 22, 2019

A mid-week solar flare may make it possible to see some meteorological magic this weekend. According to the U.S. National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, a geomagnetic storm on the sun released a coronal mass ejection (CME), making it possible to auroras as far south as New York City! So where exactly can you see the Northern Lights in the United States?

As the CME moves towards the Earth, its charged particles will collide with our planet’s magnetic field. Regularly released solar particles are responsible for the brilliant Northern and Southern Lights. But the CME adds an extra powerful stream of particles, resulting in pretty rad light show much farther south than usual.

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So who exactly gets to sneak a peek at aurora awesomeness? Most likely, according to NOAA’s data, the lucky ducks who live in the northern part of the Unites States. The light-viewing line should slice through the entire country, East to West Coast—dipping down to cities such as New York and Chicago.

When can you catch a glimpse of the North American light show? Most likely Saturday, Mar. 23, early in the morning, is your best bet. To see the lights, just go outside and look up. If the astro-experts are correct, you’ll have quite the view!

—Erica Loop

Featured photo: Visit Greeland via Pexels

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NASA Is Offering Amazing Rocket Launch Vaycay Packages That Are Out of This World

Ford Just Recalled Over 1 Million Vehicles. Is Yours One of Them?

by Erica LoopFebruary 15, 2019

Do you own a Ford F-150? If so, you need to know about a major Ford vehicle recall of 6-speed automatic transmission vehicles for an unintended downshift safety risk. This recall affects 1.48 million vehicles in North America. This includes 1.26 million in the United States and an additional 221,000 in Canada. Representatives from Ford Motor Company did not immediately respond to Red Tricycle’s request for comment.

Along with this recall, Ford Motor Company also announced two other recalls: one for select 2017 to 2019 Lincoln Continentals for door latches that may fail to engage and select 2019 Ford Mustang, Lincoln Nautilus and Lincoln Navigator vehicles for blank instrument panel cluster assemblies.

photo: Courtesy of Ford Motor Company

Recall Description: Ford F-150 Trucks

The current Ford F-150 recall includes 2011 to 2013 models built at the Dearborn Assembly Plant between Apr. 28, 2010 and Oct. 28, 2013 as well as vehicles built at the Kansas Assembly Plant between May 18, 2010 and Nov. 18, 2013. All recalled vehicles have 6-speed automatic transmissions.

Why the F-150s Trucks Were Recalled

According to a press statement from Ford, the vehicles may “experience an intermittent loss of the transmission output speed sensor signal to the powertrain control module, potentially resulting in a temporary, unintended downshift into first gear.” This can result in loss of vehicle control.

As of now, there are five reports of accidents resulting from this problem. Out of the five accidents, there is one potentially related case of whiplash.

How to Tell if Your Ford Was Recalled

Again, this recall only includes 2011, 2012 and 2013 Ford F-150 trucks manufactured at the Dearborn Assembly Plant and Kansas City Assembly Plant between the specified dates.

If you’re not sure whether your F-150 is included in the recall, contact your Ford dealer immediately.

What Ford Owners Can Do

Contact your Ford dealer for an update to the powertrain control module software immediately. Failure to do so may result in a serious crash safety risk.

—Erica Loop

FDA Expands Recall of Infant Ibuprofen Sold at CVS, Walgreens & More Stores

Which Chicken Nuggets Have Been Recalled? There Are 3 Active Recalls Right Now

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