Shop and make a difference. With the election right around the corner, you may have noticed that some of your favorite celebrities and public figures have been making statements with their jewelry. There’s nothing better than hopping on a fashion trend while contributing to the greater good.
New York jewelry brand mazi + zo wants to inspire and support women to show up as their whole selves. Their chic yet simple VOTE necklace launched in July to strong sales. The necklace is sustainably made with recycled solid 14k gold ($192) and .925 sterling silver ($72). mazi + zo also donates 35% of the purchase price to When We All Vote, a 501(c)(3) non-profit, nonpartisan organization committed to increasing participation in elections.
According to Sara, a mazi + zo customer in Tucson said, “I love my necklace. I haven’t taken it off since I got it and I don’t plan to until the election.”
Get ready to cast your ballot. Just in time for the 2020 elections, the Yara Shahidi Barbie doll is here to inspire young girls from around the world. As part of their ongoing Role Model Series, Barbie is shining a light on notable women who affect positive change in the world.
You may know Shahidi as an actress and model but off-screen she uses her platform to inspire others. She launched Eighteen X 18 voting initiative to educate and motivate first-time voters to turn out for the 2018 mid-term elections. The Yara Shahidi doll hopes to empower the next generation of voters to stand up for what they believe in, emphasize the importance of using one’s voice at every age and show young voters how they hold the power to help shape a better future.
To further encourage a conversation around the voting process, a QR code on the doll’s packaging links to WeVoteNext which provides directions on how to register to vote based on one’s zip code.
The collectible doll is available now for pre-sale exclusively on Amazon and Barbie.com.
It’s an election year and that means a lot of political signs, commercials and visible campaigning—which can lead to questions about how we elect officials (like the president!) to office. Stage some in-house (and at the polls) activities to give little ones an idea of the process. Scroll down for four simple ideas you can implement on Election Day.
There are plenty of everyday decisions that are worthy of a vote. What should you have for dinner? Who will read bedtime stories? Make a list of the top few household "ballot measures" and let the kiddos cast their vote. You can just draw up a few pieces of paper with the initiatives and boxes for checkmarks.
You can also have everyone vote on one thing and "cast" their vote into a little box. Take an empty tissue box and let the kiddos decorate it, or convert a shoebox into the ballot box. The ballot box helps emphasize the anonymity of the voting process. Mom or Dad can read the votes out loud while one of the kiddos keeps a simple count.
Just in time for the 2020 election, the creators of the New York Times bestselling book Last Week Tonight with John Oliver Presents: A Day in the Life of Marlon Bundo have a new children's book that's all about speaking up and using your voice. Everyone Gets a Sayis a picture book about furry friends who can't seem to agree on anything, and decide they need a leader. But, how do they pick who's in charge? This fun book is perfect for teaching younger kids about democracy and voting with characters and concepts they'll understand!
Make a polling place at home! For a simple one, just pick a corner and string up a wire, hand a curtain over. If you happen to have a big ol’ cardboard box around, you can convert that into a little booth. A three-fold cardboard or box on its side will do, too. Kiddos can decorate the inside with markers. Let them take turns stepping inside the booth to vote.
Yes, you can take your children to vote with you! Check your state laws for how many can come in with you at once (some only allow two or fewer) but all polling places will allow children 17 and under to come into the booth with Mom or Dad. It goes without saying that your kids need to be on good behavior and may be asked to leave if they're disrupting the voting process for others, but guess what else? You can actually let your kids vote for you. While we don’t advise letting them make all the marks, you can have them fill in that line for you. Just remember to keep voices library-level low while doing it. With any luck, you'll both get "I voted!" stickers. Snap a photo of your proud little voter-in-tow to mark their first election but remember photos are not allowed inside polling places, so be sure to do it outside on the streets or at home.
Is it us or do you feel a Denver baby boom coming on? Whether you’re expecting or you just want to see how your kiddo’s name stacks up, we’ve got a list of baby names that honor Denver’s popular places, people and history. Scroll down for some mile-high baby name inspiration!
What could better convey a love for the great outdoors than naming your baby after a tree?
Brec
Ski destination Breckenridge is the source of this shortened name that could be good for either a boy or a girl.
Bronc
It's no surprise that this name is on the list of local favorites, after the Denver Broncos, of course.
Buffy
This name has a cool, retro feel and pay homage to the University of Colorado mascot, the buffalo.
Clara
Clara Brown was often called the "Angel of the Rockies" and is reportedly the first Black woman to cross the plains during the Gold Rush. She came to Colorado by working as a cook on a wagon train in exchange for her transport. In Denver, she opened the first laundry and used her profits to help formerly enslaved people relocate to Colorado.
Denver
It's never wrong to go right to the source and name your baby after the Mile High City. Plus, Denny is just too cute for a nickname.
Elizabeth
Elizabeth Piper Ensley (three awesome ideas for Denver baby names!) was a Denver reporter for Woman’s Era, a newsletter of the National Association of Colored Women. Her tireless work campaigning for the Colorado Equal Suffrage Association is credited for helping the state to give women the right to vote in 1893.
This classic name is an homage to Dr. Florence Rena Sabin, the first female medical professor at Johns Hopkins. She retired to Colorado although her retirement was short lived as she was asked to help combat infant mortality, scarlet fever and diphtheria in the area.
Hattie
Isn't this just the cutest name? Actress Hattie McDaniel was the first Black person to win an Academy Award. The award was given for her role as "Mammy" in the movie Gone with the Wind.
Lark
The Lark Bunting is the state bird of Colorado and we think it makes a lovely girl name.
Miles
How better to pay homage to the Mile High City than with this classic name?
Mills
Enos Mills moved to Colorado early in his life and his love of nature permeated his entire life. He was the main figure behind the creation of Rocky Mountain National Park.
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Peyton
This gender-neutral name is a great option for Broncos fans, after Peyton Manning.
Pike
Winter sports fanatics, this one's for you.
Rocky
This name harkens back to times past and a love of the Rocky Mountains.
This vintage name is a great option that also shows a love for Colorado's Ruby Mountain Range.
Spruce
The Blue Spruce is the Colorado state tree and it makes for a lovely middle name.
Vail
This gorgeous name honors the gorgeous ski area of the same name.
Make sure to capture all the joyful moments with your Colorado kid—and share them with your family and friends near and far—with the Tinybeans app. The secure platform puts parents in total control of who sees and interacts with photos and videos of their kids.
The Summer Olympics may have been postponed until 2021 but that doesn’t mean we can’t still have Team USA spirit. American Girl just announced an exclusive product collection launching today paying tribute to the inspirational athletes and popular summer sports in celebration with Team USA. The new collection is part of American Girl’s larger summer product unveil to encourage girls to dream, lead, grow, make a difference, and shine.
Designed to inspire girls to dream big and cheer on our country’s amazing athletes, the exclusive doll sets feature 18-inch doll-sized Team USA gear for the following six summer sports: gymnastics, soccer, swimming, track & field, softball, and beach volleyball. A Team USA Medal Ceremony Set and a girl-sized Team USA “Go for the Gold” Tee will help fans gear up for next year’s celebrations. Fun new video content, inspired by the new collection, is also available at americangirl.com/play and on the brand’s popular YouTube Kids Channel. The Team USA doll sets are available to purchase individually or as play packs as part of the customized American Girl Gift Trunk experience.
Timed to celebrate the 100th anniversary of women’s right to vote this August, the new set—including a ballot box and sheets, a “VOTE” banner and buttons, and a recording megaphone—empowers girls to say, “Yes, we can!” Other summer items new to Truly Me include an array of high-quality playsets with themes ranging from travel to arts appreciation.
Empowering with A Smart Girl’s Guide
With nearly 6 million books sold, American Girl’s popular A Smart Girl’s Guide advice series has been a trusted go-to resource for girls (and their parents) since its debut in 2001. Available today are the following two new titles:
A Smart Girl’s Guide: Crushes helps all kids embrace and understand the emotional feelings they are having for others during puberty. Written by award-winning author Nancy Holyoke, the new guide is an update from the original title, A Smart Girl’s Guide to Boys, published in 2001. The new book has evolved to be more inclusive in its use of language and addressing questions about same-sex crushes to better reflect how kids ages 10 and up think and talk about romantic relationships today. As before, the book’s goal is to provide kids with thoughtful, age-appropriate information, while sharing real-life guidance on how to approach romance confidently and staying true to one’s self.
A Smart Girl’s Guide: Making a Difference gives girls the tools to be positive changemakers in their community and beyond. From protecting the planet and helping animals to raising funds for causes they care about, Making a Difference offers young readers plenty of ideas—big and small—to make the world a better place.
Insta-stars Leah and Ava Clements are helping girls channel their inner fashionista with the debut the new AG Fashion Show x Clements Twins Cute at Heart Collection. The new mix and match collection features several on-trend doll and girl outfits, including a gold moto jacket, a heart print dress, a summery skirt, and sparkly kimono, plus many more styles and accessories.
2020 Girl of the Year Joss Kendrick’s Beach Break
Joss Kendrick, American Girl’s 2020 Girl of the Year, is a fierce athlete born with hearing loss and a passion for surfing and competitive cheer. Given her love of the ocean, Joss’s product collection expands this summer with the release of her new Beach Jumper and Beach Grill Set, featuring a portable grill with color-change technology that “cooks” the pretend food with grill marks after being exposed to the special lighting inside. These items join the Girl of the Year’s other Southern California-inspired accessories, including Joss’s Volkswagen Surf Bus.
All of the new summer products and books, plus American Girl’s full assortment of items, are available on americangirl.com and at American Girl stores that have safely resumed business.
We had the opportunity to interview Tim Allen, the CEO of Care.com, the digital platform that provides comprehensive solutions for finding, managing, and paying for childcare and more, about what life might look like this summer and how working parents can navigate the future during this new, quarantine-style world.
How do parents navigate going back to their workplaces while schools and daycares remain closed?
“One thing that’s been abundantly clear to everyone these last few months is that childcare is simply essential for working parents. That means that access to childcare will be critical to our economic recovery. In fact, in a recent survey, we did with our members, of the more than 1,000 who responded 98% said childcare is crucial for them to get back to work. With daycares and schools closed, we expect that more families will look to hire in-home caregivers as parents return to their workplaces. In-home care is in abundant supply with a workforce of professional nannies, displaced teachers, daycare workers, and college students. In addition, having one person come to your home to care for your children is far less daunting to some parents right now because it enables them to more closely manage the number of people with whom their kids are in contact and to control the environment with things like regular handwashing.”
What are you hearing from parents about those concerns going forward?
“They are concerned about bringing caregivers into their homes and concerned about their kids going back to daycare. In our survey, more than half said they wouldn’t feel comfortable putting their child back in daycare and ¾ of those parents say they’re now more likely to hire in-home care. As a parent myself, I get it and expect that this will be an on-going discussion in most households for many months. At the end of the day, each parent has to make the decision that best suits their family.”
What do you think the childcare landscape will look like in the coming months?
“Clearly there will be changes inside daycares to control class sizes, interactions and the ability to keep things sanitized. Exactly what they will look like remains to be seen; we’re watching some of the European countries who are slowly started to re-open. And again, with daycares closed and even after they reopen, we anticipate many families will turn to in-home care as their new childcare solution.”
What about the summer?
“Many camps and summer programs are canceled. While it’s true that many camps and traditional summer programs are canceled, there is actually some good news: we parents have some time to solve for that and make alternate arrangements. One of the most challenging aspects of the last few months was how quickly schools and daycares closed. Overnight, we were all scrambling to be stand-in teachers as well as parents all while trying to work. Now with the luxury of a little advance notice, we can make new plans. Not surprisingly, most of the camps and extracurricular programs are being adapted for a digital world. We have a service—Care.com Explore—where thousands of classes and programs are now available virtually. From music to video production to art to science…it’s all there and you can put together a pretty fun summer for your kids.”
If parents are hiring nannies or sitters, what should they do to ensure a healthy environment, given the pandemic?
“It’s essential that parents and caregivers have candid conversations on this and are clear about expectations while on the job. When a caregiver is in your home and with your child, you have the right to set the house rules. For clarity, we encourage parents to have a nanny contract where everything is mapped out from salary and hours to responsibilities and yes, to expectations about maintaining certain protocols surrounding COVID-19. We encourage both families and caregivers to follow the CDC protocol guidelines and, on our website, we have recommendations on specific questions to ask during the interview process to help ease concerns.”
What else should parents think about going forward?
“The parent/caregiver relationship is unique. On the one hand, the caregiver becomes a part of your family; after all, you’re entrusting them with your child. On the other hand, you’re now a household employer and that comes with certain obligations, like paying your caregiver over the table. Our Care.com HomePay team often hears from parents who are concerned that their caregiver won’t want to be paid on the books and here’s what we counsel them:
Paying your caregiver legally is more than just the law; it’s protection for the caregiver, someone who is now a part of your family. During these last few months, while parents have been home, caregivers who’d been paid legally had access to paid sick leave, paid time off, and unemployment benefits, as well as any help offered by the federal government. Those were real benefits and real dollars at a time when it was desperately needed. As parents look to hire in-home caregivers, we urge them to start the relationship on the right foot: paying above board. Is there anything else you’re hearing from parents right now? Knowing how intertwined care and work are, we were curious if these last few months have influenced how parents think about childcare from a policy standpoint, so we asked some questions in our survey and the results were eye-opening. A whopping 92% feel that childcare is something that should get more attention from the government and 68% said that childcare policies will impact how they vote in the election this November. I think it’s fair to say that childcare is a topic we’re going to be talking about for quite some time.”
A lifestyle writer whose work can be seen in Red Tricycle, Money.com, Livestrong.com and Redbook. When she’s not checking out new events, museums, and restaurants to keep her and her kids entertained, she can be found wandering around flea markets and thrift stores looking for cool vintage finds.
On National Chocolate Chip Day (May 15) Nestle Toll House is challenging chocolate chip lovers to “Remix the Original.” This contest invites bakers (or pro-level eaters) to share their most creative recipe concepts using Nestle Toll House morsels on Instagram.
Nothing is off limits, as long as the recipe is made with Nestle Toll House morsels.
The eight most creative (and tasty) submissions will face off in a tournament, and then fans will vote to decide who takes the grand prize!
The winning entry will receive a prize box from Nestle Toll House with a year’s supply of morsels, baking gadgets and major bragging rights. The winning concept will also be developed into a recipe by the Nestle Toll House Head Pastry Chef and featured on the Nestle Toll House website.
The contest will be open for submission starting at 10:00 a.m. ET on National Chocolate Chip Day, May 15, 2020 and will remain open until May 20, 2020 at 11:59 p.m. ET.
For the last 25 years, TIME for Kids has been a trusted source for millions of elementary students. Now, the school-based publication is launching a new weekly interactive video series, “Draw with Drew (and Rosie!).” The series will provide free art instruction and inspire creativity in children who are adjusting to school closures.
The video series will be hosted by TIME for Kids creative director Drew Willis, who will be joined each week by 10-year-old Rosie, the daughter of TIME for Kids editor in chief Andrea Delbanco. Over the course of 8 weeks, viewers are encouraged to draw along with Drew and Rosie and to share their completed drawings with TIME for Kids for the opportunity to be named a TIME for Kids Art Director of the Week, and to be considered for inclusion in a special issue of TIME for Kids.
New episodes will launch weekly on Thursdays on TIME and TIME for Kids’ digital and social platforms and on the Adobe Distance Learning Hub. Each episode will feature a new drawing assignment and viewers will be able to vote on the new assignment.
We have a feeling you’ll be having a lot of family dinners in the next few weeks. Take advantage of this at-home time by implementing healthy habits at the table. Rebuild and strengthen your bond—with one of these habits brought to you by parents just like you. Scroll down to read more.
1) Device-free is the way to be. Want your kids to engage in meaningful conversation and enjoy their meal? Put away the devices and distractions. Turn off the TV, too. We can’t promise this will make your kids eat their peas, but at least they’ll hear you when you’re begging. Need more reasons? Check out Will Ferrell’s latest video as part of Common Sense Media’s campaign for #devicefreedinner campaign.
2) Fancy it up, a little. Doesn’t matter if it’s take-out or home cooked, swap out a few basics to make dinner a bit more special. Cloth napkins and serving spoons just might do the trick. Dim the lights, too. Make it cozy with mood lighting! (Also, then you won’t see all the stuff your kid just threw on the floor.)
3) Sit down, already. Every parent ever is guilty of running around the kitchen/house while the kids eat. Make it a point to sit down and talk with your kids, and eat your meal, at the same time as the kiddos, for one meal a day.
4) Say one thing that you are grateful for. Or try a game like Rose & Thorns: Each person talks about their thorn—something that bothered them that day or made them unhappy—and a rose—something they are proud of or that brought them joy.
5) Try a Meal Kit or Delivery. Cut down on the amount of dinner prep and spend more time with your kids at the table eating together. We know it’s easier said then done, which is why once a week we suggest making it a point to outsource the prep or even the whole meal. Our Editor recently tried, Plated. Each dish is chef-designed, meaning you get the restaurant quality food in the convenience of your own home. Plus, for those with food allergies, Plated is super clear about what the dish has and is free of.
6) Keep the gab going! We know, it’s hard to not say, “One more bite” or “Keep eating” throughout the meal, but with good conversation and less demands, you’ll be surprised how much your kid eats. Try one of these 26 honest conversation starters for families.
7) Kid’s Choice Awards. Instead of asking what everyone want’s for dinner, try giving each family member a vote for one meal a week. Yes, you may have pancakes for dinner once a week, but at least you won’t have to meal plan!
9) Let the kids help. No matter their age or stage, getting the kids engaged in meal prep can make them more interested in the meal itself. Plus, they will beam with pride when you brag about how helpful they were. Check out this list of things kids can do in the kitchen by themselves.
10) Consistency is key. We don’t mean the mashed potatoes: whenever possible, eat dinner at the same time every day. The predictability is comforting for kids, and it increases the chances they will be engaged in the meal.
11) Relocate. Of course, you want the majority of your meals to be around the family dinner table but sometimes a picnic on the living room floor, a meal on the deck if the weather is nice or even heading to a park can refresh everyone’s attitude about being together.
What are your family’s traditions for mealtime? Share with our community in a comment below!
The origin of International Women’s Day dates back to a women’s celebration organized by the Socialist Party of America in response to a march in Denmark in 1910. Women in Europe protested by marching on March 19th, 1911, to demand the right to vote and hold public office. In 1975, the United Nations officially recognized International Women’s Day as March 8th.
Did you know that the day is an official holiday in countries like Russia, Kazakhstan, and Zambia? No matter how the day is celebrated, the idea behind the day is to celebrate women’s rights, equality, and progress. Here are five women who broke through barriers in 2020 and did something that was once considered impossible for women!
1. Heaven Fitch: First Female Wrestling Champ (United States) Teenager Heaven Fitch was the first female wrestling champ in the state of North Carolina. She beat her opponent, a teen boy, in a match that she won 11-3. Asked about her interest in wrestling, Fitch said she was always interested in wrestling because her brothers competed and she was their sparring partner. “(My parents) didn’t want me to wrestle,” she said. “I’m pretty sure it was because they didn’t want me to get hurt. But I would just be like, ‘Well, if they can do it, then I should be able to do it.’”
2. Reema Juffali: First Female Race Car Driver (Saudi Arabia) Women were banned from driving cars in Saudi Arabia until 2018. But Reema Juffali, the country’s first race car driver, was excited about cars and racing long before 2017. She attended a course in car racing in 2014 in the United States and it launched a passion for her. She is expected to compete in the 2020 Formula 4 racing championship in United Arab Emirates. Asked about her path-breaking interest, she says, “Many of [my friends and family] know little about racing. But they all know how much it means to me and are very supportive and proud. That’s more than I can ask for.”
3. Captain Rosie Wild: First Female Office To Pass A Brutal Test (United Kingdom) Even though women were allowed to take All Arms Pre-Parachute selection course, a brutal entry test to an elite regiment of the British Army for more than a decade, Captain Rosie Wild is the first woman to actually complete this rigorous test course. The test included marching ten miles in one hour while carrying a thirty-five-pound backpack, and an endurance test of marching twenty miles with a backpack and a rifle in four and a half hours. Rosie will join the Royal Horse Artillery to serve the British Army.
4. Eímear Noone: First Female Conductor At The Oscars (Ireland) Eímear Noone, a music composer who has worked on video games like Overwatch and World of Warcraft, was the first woman to conduct the orchestra. The forty-two-piece orchestra has historically been conducted by men, even though women play a significant role in playing the instruments. Her message to young music conductors? “Keep on keeping on. Know thyself. And failure is part of it. It’s not the fun part, but it’s definitely part of it.”
5. Katie Sowers: First Female To Coach At The Super Bowl (United States) Female coaching assistants are still a rarity in the NFL; however, women have broken through the bias barrier in the past few years. In February, Katie Sowers became the first female to coach in the Super Bowl when her team, the San Francisco 49ers, played against the Kansas City Chiefs.
We're two perfectly imperfect moms who have five very different kids between the two of us. We believe that topics in news are a fantastic way to spark conversations in families. That's why we started the Dinner Table Conversation series here at Xyza: News for Kids. Won't you join us in the conversation?
