Internet Buzz#1- 23 Toys (that aren’t an iPad) that will entertain your kid at a restaurant
We were so excited when we found this article- after all, we’re always looking for ways to keep the little ones occupied at restaurants, in the car or sometimes just to play at home. Take a look at this list for a much-needed break from screen time, and on those days you can’t (or are too tired to) take them outside. We have so many fond memories of these games especially the pocket Etch-a-Sketch and the Teeny Tiny Mini Farm. The Classics are also our favourites, with Tic Tac Toe being sadly absent from this list. Do you have any other toys to add?
Internet Buzz #2 – To the Mom who desperately needs a break
“Hey there, Mama. If you have been a Mom for a few days, months, or years, you share a common bond with every other mother who has walked this earth; you have days when you don’t think you are going to be able to pull it off. You have moments when you think, I just can’t deal today.”
Sound familiar?
If you’re that mama, we would love to share this letter from Katie Bingham Smith with you. She writes and expresses some resounding sentiments we feel but sometimes do not acknowledge, that we all need to do something to make a big difference to our lives: “I had to learn the hard way: You need to take the time to make sure you can keep giving to others by giving to yourself. Self-care is the biggest necessity of motherhood, yet the hardest thing for us to do. But I want you to do it; I demand it”.
This eloquent piece of advice is our shout out to all mums out there. We all need a break sometimes and the most important thing is that our kids will always know how much we love them. And that’s what truly matters.
Internet Buzz #3 – How to make your girls more confident in science and math
Sian Bellock, PhD, cognitive scientist and president of Barnard College in New York shares with us how to develop young women who are competent and confident in what she calls ‘STEM’ for short: science, technology, engineering, and mathematics.
“Girls as young as six pick up on the false notion that boys are smarter. In a recent study, researchers found that kindergarten girls are less likely than boys to believe that people of their own gender are really really smart. Girls at this age also begin to avoid activities – like many types of math and science – seen as most appropriate for “the smartest” kids,” said Bellock.
In this article she shares some practical and easy-to-implement tips like talking about math with your girls at home, focusing on your daughter’s efforts, reinforcing positive STEM attitudes and also offering relevant role models.
“Your daughter doesn’t need to grow up to run a tech company, but our society is better off if she has mathematical and scientific chops and the confidence to use them. As her first and longest-lasting teacher, you have the power to equip her for success,” adds Beilock. We couldn’t agree more!
Internet Buzz #4 – Beyond ‘Fine’: 21 questions to get kids talking
It’s the age-old question parents ask their kids: “How was school today?” And for generations, kids have been grunting out some variation of the same vague response: “fine”.
We love this article where Lisa Sadikman shares a few solid conversation starters to help you get beyond the “fine”. This is definitely a list we’re keeping in our phone! We have a few favourites already including, What made you laugh?, and What did you do that was kind today?
Read on, we would highly recommend it!
Internet Buzz #5 – Barry T. Tooth Fairy
Henry Warren, a father of three, sent a message from Tooth Fairy Headquarters to let his son know that his brushing just wouldn’t stand.
Sharing the letter on his Twitter account, he highlights that the Tooth Fairy has had enough.
“Mr Warren, we will accept the tooth on this occasion but we need your assurances that the condition of your next tooth will be significantly better or we will withhold payment”.
We can’t help but giggle every time we read this letter. Thanks Barry and Warren, we love your enchanting ways of making the kids listen when it comes to tooth brushing. We’re also glad Sam received his tooth fairy money in the end!
Compiled by Elyza Noordeen
We hope you enjoyed this week’s internet buzz as much as we enjoyed putting it together. Drop us an email at makchic@popdigital.my if you come across anything share-worthy!
