Potty training doesn’t have to be a frustrating process for you or your child. With some patience, a sense of humor, and the goal of independence in mind your child will soon be able to master this important lesson in childhood.
Swimming around in the Westin Calgary pool, we were both happy as clams. My son loves Minecraft (especially computer version) and asked if he could get a new MOD (translated to ‘modification of the original – I think). Personally knowing the student who had told him about add-ons to Minecraft, I was skeptical but decided to be open-minded. Daddy and I would research the MOD to see if it was appropriate.
Pushing me, my son explained that you could get a girlfriend and make ‘it’ do things. Red flag #2. He insisted his friend said there was a Youtube video that would explain it. And he wanted me to watch it NOW.
I looked and there were no age restrictions, so we watched it together.
For ten minutes.
And my heart sank deeper and deeper and I knew that we’d entered tech hell, a place that I may have to go back to school to understand because I can’t be a great parent without a full understanding of that world.
In the video (that was like a gender-biased, sexist train wreck I couldn’t stop watching), I learned that ‘mail-order girlfriends’ emerge from a box shipped to the miner. They do your bidding and their weapons are shoes tossed at the creepers. If you like, you can give them a sword but must take it back promptly. They are tamed with a rose and will do what you tell them once they are in love with you. You can dress them in 16 different outfits and if you draw them to water.. wait for it… they will change into a bikini! (Of which there are many styles as well). Building a dance floor of 5×5 bricks will compel them to dance for you to ensure your happiness. And finally, to break up with these creatures you just have to give them a dead bush. Hopefully the symbolism isn’t evident to my son.
I was silent. I asked my son how he would feel if it was me who got out of the box. He said he wouldn’t like it, but if you marry them with a diamond you can get a baby from inventory and even eat dinner together. At a table in a restaurant.
I explained that he had not done anything wrong, but that this particular MOD divided genders and included harmful thoughts about women. He still begged to get it and promised he’d never treat a girl like that in real life.
So I guess he realizes some of the negatives. But the weaponry, clothing changes and newness is still too enticing. And now I’m petrified.
This video has over 6 million views. Developers such as TheDiamondMinecart make or simply video and explain the workings of these MODS. They are certainly not screened for content. Parents who may think their child is playing ‘Minecraft’ has no idea about the can of worms introduced by coders who want to extend the range of the game.
So much for work. I’ll be looking over his shoulder from now on. And before he can download ANY SIM? He has to learn how to code and build the damn thing himself if he’s still interested. (Hopefully it will take a few years). There was a great article on Babble about teaching kids coding. Spanish can wait. Coding and the reinforcement of gender equality are next on the list. And just because you trust what you read about Minecraft and it’s developers, be careful not to consider all-things-Minecraft as kid-appropriate.
In the meantime? Any advice on how to deal with the family of the 7-year old who hyped the Girlfriend Mod would be much appreciated.
by Jill Amery
We’ve all been there. You know, the one where you drop big bucks on a great camera and when you see your special vacation photos later you cringe. I thought it was sunny in Cancun. Wow little Suzy’s face looked splotchy. That photo would have been so great if I had only….. Vacations are expensive. Here are a few photo tips for family vacations so that your pictures are as bright as your memories.
As I have mentioned in the past, when the world around me is fuzzy and unclear, I become dizzy and my confidence level gets a huge jolt – and not in a good way. Youth in sports at a competitive level must experience this as well – especially when under intense pressure to perform. As a delinquent with glasses (I either forget them or sit on them), I had a pressing question for Kaylyn Kyle and Soflens®.
JA: Do you see a change in the way youth play sports and their level of confidence when they make the switch from glasses to contacts?
Here is Kaylyn’s video response!
One of the benefits of my role at UrbanMommies is that I have the opportunity to experience new things and am constantly pushed in new directions. Often our staff is given the chance to be on the cutting edge of new research and products that genuinely help people. Those times, and our ability to share information and products that really make a difference, are the high points of the job. The insights I have been given into contact lenses through Kaylyn and Bausch + Lomb (and my subsequent confidence boost) have been some of the true highlights of my year. I hope that youth and parents everywhere can share the gift of sight and confidence.
UrbanMommies had the pleasure of taking part in one of the smartest, inspired fashion events of the season. Coquitlam Centre set up an area divided into four sections. Stylist Catherine Dunwoody pulled coats for each of the mall’s stores and categorized them. After filling out a quick questionnaire we were directed to a section of coats that fit our style personality: Uptown Girl, Jane Bond, Urban Casual and Provocateur. Despite being pegged as an uptown girl (are you shocked?!) I wandered the racks and found no less than 5 coats I needed. Catherine Dunwoody pulled bags, hats and glasses in order to style us, and as we are sharing her tips below on how to rock your winter coat. Not only did the exercise help me discover new styles, but stores that I haven’t visited in years blew me away with fabrics, designs and reasonable price points. Well played, Coquitlam Centre.
When people ask me what do for a living, I usually say, “I’m a fashion writer and blogger”. More often than not, this is followed up with, “oh, you are a mom blogger?” The thing is, being a mom isn’t what defines me or my dress sense. I’m an entrepreneur and fashion blogger, and I happen to be a mom. To me being fashionable doesn’t stop being an option when you have kids. If you had a sense of style before, it’s still there, just a little dormant now.
What a coup. Washable, tailored and stylish pieces that are WASHABLE. Maybe I said that already. Kimberley Newport-Mimran, the woman behind Canada’s iconic fashion brand, Pink Tartan, knows a thing or two about looking chic. As the creative director and president for one of Canada’s most successful women’s wear lines and as a mom, Kim shares her style secrets for looking great on the go.
Updated: September 2020. Every year the folks at Make Up For Ever design some amazing looks for hallowe’en. We just had to share this creepy Halloween makeup with you! The only problem we are having is choosing the desired look for this year. Which is your favourite? We’ve got: Fairy Princess Makeup, Gaga Halloween Makeup, Gatsby Halloween Makeup, Masquerade Makeup, Zombie Girl Makeup and Wicked Witch Makeup. Bwahaha…
I will admit – the DIY Tin man costume is not the easiest. But it’s warm, move-able and super fun! You also have the option of a no-sew version. Enter the duct tape.
Materials:
– 1 sheet Silver cardboard
– 1 silver hoop earring
– 2m industrial insulating fabric – silver on one side and white batting on the other
– scissors
– needle and thread
– silver duct tape
– silver face paint