When kids are along for the ride, having your kitchen and bathroom with you is a huge plus

The promise of an upcoming vacation is often the thing that keeps us going through all the other months. With fall on the horizon and lots of leaf-peeping adventures to take, consider hitting the open road in an RV. Sketchy RV parks are a thing of the past with many of them offering kid-friendly perks like water slides, swimming holes, and jumbo rocks to climb on. You’ll love having your kitchen and bedroom along for the ride when you set out in your house on wheels.

1. It's one of the safest ways to travel. 

dog camping in an rv with sunset
Jimmy Conover/Unsplash

With all the craziness that is air travel these days, traveling in an RV can be one of the safest ways to travel. Imagine, a kitchen to cook meals, your own bathroom, and a self-contained hang-out space just for your family. It's social-distanced travel at its best. 

Related: Our Editors’ Top Tips to Make Traveling by Air a Little Easier

2. There's an RV for every kind of family.

If you are a little intimidated by the RVs that look like tour buses, don't worry! You can still get an RV experience without going so big. Pop-up travel trailers and Airstreams that you pull behind your car offer some of the RV features like indoor sleeping and kitchen facilities without having to learn how to drive a huge vehicle.

If you decide to go big, motor homes offer more sleeping options and conveniences like bathrooms and full-sized refrigerators. Think about what you'd like to do and where you'd like to go with your RV before you rent.

3. Your home base travels with you.

family camping in rv in the mountains
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If you've ever tried to get a grumpy toddler to nap in a hot tent in a busy campground then you'll know, the struggle is real. With an RV, you have a dedicated sleeping spot where you can put the kids down while you enjoy the fresh air just outside. 

Related: 48 Spots in the US to Visit Before Your Kids Get Too Old 

4. You can bring your toys.

Tent camping means you are limited to what you can fit in the back of the car, so extras like bikes and kayaks usually have to be left at home. An RV gives you extra space to store this stuff so that you can get out and explore the trails and water when you arrive.

5. You can extend your travel to far-away destinations or enjoy the open road in your home state. 

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If you are looking to hit the road to one of the national parks or somewhere more than a day's drive away, then an RV is your answer. As long as you plan out your options for overnight RV parking, you have your own built-in hotel room for the journey. This also allows you to be more flexible and go with the flow on how far you drive each day. 

6. The actual travel portion of the trip is part of the adventure.

Trying to fit all the gear you need for your family and your family in one vehicle can lead to a cramped situation. RV camping allows the actual travel portion to be easier for everyone. And, if you go for one of the big bus-style RVs, you can really live it up as you watch the world go by while you play cards at the kitchen table!

Related: The Best Under the Radar Parks in Every State

7. Bugs and rain? No biggie!

family eating picnic lunch outside of rv
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These two things can make your camping adventure go down the tubes fast. While you'll want to spend most of your camping time exploring the great outdoors, the RV gives you peace of mind in case nature strikes back. 

8. Cooking is easier in an RV.

Cooking while camping requires a hot fire or a propane camp stove, both of which can be iffy if you have wind or any bad weather. RVs offer indoor cooking options that make your job easier. Most have at least a small refrigerator to keep your milk, eggs, and microbrews cold so that you don't have to worry about the problem of constantly melting ice. Some even have microwaves!

9. Power up those devices.

If you can't go completely off-grid for a multi-week camping adventure, an RV provides the option to power up your phone or laptop from your campsite. Either plug the RV into the campground hookups or use the solar-powered options offered by some newer models. That way you can keep all the family and friends back home updated on your adventures.

10. You can bring your dog.

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Most campgrounds are very pet-friendly, so bringing your pup along in the RV is an option. When looking for RVs to rent, be sure to check the pet-friendly box when searching, or confirm with the rental company that pets are okay. And, just like a car, never leave your pet alone in an RV. 

11. No more communal campground bathrooms.

family camping on the side of a lake in an rv
iStock

Most RVs and travel trailers offer a bathroom option which is key when you are camping with kids, whether there's a COVID-19 concern or not. If you've ever had to help someone with a middle-of-the-night potty break while sleeping in a tent, you know how awesome having your own bathroom is. It can also make those roadside stops more enjoyable, without having to wait in line to use the bathroom before you take in the view. 

 

The U.S. Food and Drug Administration recently announced a voluntary recall of Sabra Dipping Company, LLC 10oz. Classic Hummus due to a potential Salmonella contamination concern.

The current recall includes 2,100 cases of the 10oz. Classic Hummus with the UPC code 300067 produced on Feb. 20, 2021 between 6:00 p.m. and 12:00 a.m. with the “Best Before” date of Apr. 26, 2021.

There are currently no reported illnesses or consumer complaints related to the recalled products. The FDA did find the presence of Salmonella in one tub of the hummus during a routine screening, prompting the voluntary recall.

Hummus distributed to the following states are included in this recall—Alabama, Arizona, Arkansas, California, Florida, Indiana, Mississippi, Maine, Missouri, Nebraska, North Carolina, New Jersey, Utah, Virginia, Washington and Wisconsin.

If you have the recalled Sabra Classic Hummus, don’t eat it. Return the affected products to the place of purchase for a reimbursement.

Direct recall-related questions to Sabra Consumer Relations at 1-866-265-6761, Mon. through Frid. from 8:00 a.m. to 8:00 p.m. ET. Visit the FDA’s website here for more details.

—Erica Loop

Photos courtesy of the U.S. Food and Drug Administration/Feature photo: Pexels

 

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The Environmental Working Group, a non-partisan health and environmental watchdog group, released its Dirty Dozen List for 2021. The annual roundup of non-organic produce tests for high levels of pesticides that include chemicals to keep away rodents, insects, and mold.

This year, the study found that nearly 70 percent of non-organic produce sampled tested positive for pesticides. Here is the EWG’s breakdown of the 12 “dirtiest” produce for 2021.

12. Tomatoes

Tomatoes are a the cusp of moving out of the dirty dozen, but at this point still contain residues that result in a cause for concern. When in doubt, go organic.

11. Celery

Celery slipped out of the top 10 of the dirty dozen but still contains enough residue to steer you towards organic.

10. Bell & Hot Peppers

Bell and hot peppers haven’t been tested in years and the result was finding they had the most pesticides detected––115 to be exact.

9. Pears

We don’t know the exact amount, but pears were found by the EWG to contain enough pesticide residues to warrant a spot as number nine.

8. Peaches

Peaches are number eight but they were found to contain at least two pesticide residues in over 90 percent of those sampled.

7. Cherries

Coming in at number seven, more than 90 percent of non-organic cherries were found to have residues of two or more pesticides.

6. Grapes

Not a ton of data was shared about the pesticides found on grapes, but the fact that it’s number six on the list has us steering clear of the non-organic kind.

5. Apples

When you switch to organic apples you’ll be avoiding tons of pesticides. Apples were found to contain at least two types.

4. Nectarines

Nectarines come in at four, with more than 90 percent of samples testing positive for two or more pesticides.

3. Kale

A single sample of kale was found to have up to 20 different pesticides, one of which is DCPA a possible human carcinogen.

2. Spinach

Runner-up in the dirty dozen, sampled spinach had 1.8 times as much pesticide residue as any other crop tested. In addition, this leafy green was in the group for testing positive for two or more pesticides.

1. Strawberries

In no surprise, strawberries stayed at number one for the sixth year in a row. Ninety percent of the total samples had at least one pesticide, while 30 percent had residues of 10 or more pesticides.

There’s no question when it comes to strawberries: pay a few extra bucks and buy organic, so you can eat your berries with confidence that you are eating pesticide-free!

Related: The Easiest Way to Get Your Kids to Eat Vegetables, According to Science

What You Can Do

To keep your family out of harm’s way, it’s imperative to shop organic when it comes to the Dirty Dozen list for fruits and vegetables. If you can’t buy organic (and even if you do), you should always wash your produce thoroughly before cutting, peeling, cooking, or consuming.

Head to the Environmental Working Group’s website to download your own Produce Shopper’s Guide for 2021.

 

 

Getting quality healthcare for your kiddo just got easier. Blueberry Pediatrics is a new app that gives you access to a virtual pediatrician 24/7!

Whether your littles all have the same tummy ache, you’re not sure if your newborn is nursing enough, or you have any other concern, Blueberry is like a pediatrician in your pocket.

Access the app for a visit with a board-certified pediatrician any time day or night. Blueberry’s doctors are on call whenever you need them for whatever you need them for.

Jonathan Kahan, Chief Medical Officer and Co-Founder of Blueberry Pediatrics, said in a press release, “As a doctor and a father myself, I know firsthand the anxiety that comes from caring for your sick child. There’s nothing more reassuring than having an expert to call for help, and that’s what our team provides.”

Kahan added, “With the low cost of membership and the high value of care, we want parents to see us as a vital part of their medical solution, a subscription that every family should have to navigate their children’s health.”

The Blueberry Pediatrics app is currently available for users in California, Florida, New Jersey, New York, Pennsylvania and Texas on iOS, Android and online. To use the app, join Blueberry Pediatrics for a monthly membership fee ($18 for one month).

After you join, a call will be scheduled with Blueberry’s Chief Pediatrician and you’ll be introduced to the Blueberry pediatric team. When a question, concern, or illnesses creeps up, just use the app to schedule a virtual appointment with a board-certified pediatrician and you’ll be chatting within 15 minutes.

You’ll also get an at-home medical kit (one time $100 fee) that includes a finger pulse oximeter, ear infection kit and forehead thermometer. Visit the Blueberry Pediatrics website here for more information.

—Erica Loop

Photos courtesy of Blueberry Pediatrics

 

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In the United States, events of the past few weeks have given us more of an opportunity to talk about race, inequality and race relations. Protests, marches, and conversations have spanned the globe, from New York to Seoul. Whether your summer travel plans involve a long road trip, staying close to home or even not leaving your home, there is a way to learn and incorporate some of these important conversations with your family.

I understand that vacations are highly prized occasions to break away from the everyday and relax. But, if you want to take a moment out of your summer for an education-based experience, check out the places below. As always, check before you visit a museum or other institution as it may not be open or hours may have changed due to the ongoing pandemic.

African American Heritage

One of the best places to start is with the Smithsonian collection of museums. Located in Washington D.C., the National Museum of African American History and Culture is an incredible institution with interactive exhibits. The NMAAHC is the only national museum devoted exclusively to the documentation of African American life, history, and culture.

Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr’s name and legacy have been invoked often during this time of heightened discussion about race relations. The King Center in Atlanta promoting King’s message of hope and nonviolence is an excellent place to take children of all ages for an understandable exploration of civil rights in the US.

Headed to Lousiana? A must-stop is The Whitney Plantation in Wallace, Louisiana, which is “the only plantation museum in the region with an exclusive focus on slavery.” The plantation offers the opportunity to honor the lives of those who had been enslaved.

Tuskegee University Legacy Museum in Tuskegee, Alabama is a treasure trove of African American history and includes the Dr. George Washington Carver Museum, The Booker T. Washington Home: The Oaks, and the Tuskegee Airmen Museum. One of the permanent exhibits called the “Tuskegee Experiment”  provides insight into health disparities between blacks and whites and the noted distrust many African Americans have of public health officials.

To find places close to home to help learn and grow, check out these 50 places during you can visit, and if you are traveling, check out these13 destinations for African-American history and culture.

First Nations

One of the places my girls love to visit is the National Museum of the American Indian in Washington, DC. They have another location in New York City. The museum houses one of the world’s largest and most diverse collections concerning the indigenous people and first nations. It includes a number of interactive exhibits that entertain and educate children. 

The Abbe Museum in Bar Harbor, Maine provides education concerning Indigenous people as well, stating that its commitment centers on “Indigenous people in their own histories, stories, and futures, correcting harmful representations of the past.” 

To learn about several native nations at once, you can attend the Gathering of Nations. Held in Albuquerque, NM, the Gathering of Nations is one of the world’s most recognized annual festivals. At the festival, Native people come together to celebrate and share culture. The event usually takes place in April if you are making plans for next year.

For more opportunities to learn more about first nations, here are 11 important Native American heritage sites in the US that are worth visiting. 

Latino American History

The Cesar Chavez National Monument in Keene, CA  “¡Si, Se Puede!” honors Latin American civil rights activist Cesar Chavez. Chavez was a co-founder of the National Farm Workers Association (which later became the United Farm Workers of America) and was the first national park site to honor a contemporary Latino American. 

Little Havana in Miami, FL has been described as the center of Hispanic culture in Miami. The area is replete with cafes, restaurants, markets and cultural venues that exhibit the different backgrounds from Latin America.

The Smithsonian has an impressive collection of museums but has yet to finalize a museum of Latino American history. According to the latest information from the Smithsonian, The Smithsonian Latino Center is building the Molina Family Latino Gallery, which is its first-ever physical museum space, at the National Museum of American History and installing its inaugural exhibition, ¡Presente! A Latino History of the United States sometime in 2022.  Definitely keep an eye on this one. 

Here are six more places to explore Latino Heritage.

Asian American Culture

There are many places to learn about Asian American culture in the United States.

Wing Luke Museum of the Asian Pacific American Experience in Seattle Washington is a National Park Service affiliate and the first Smithsonian affiliate in the Pacific Northwest. The museum tells the stories and shares the authentic experiences and perspectives, of Asian Pacific American artists and Asian pioneers. The preserved historic spaces of the museum are accessible only through daily guided tours.

World War II Japanese American Internment Museum in McGehee, Arkansas may seem like an unlikely place for an internment camp but many Japanese Americans were forced there after World War II. Very little remains of the original camp today but a trip through the museum offers the necessary background for a site visit. Visitors can travel to the nearby site of the former Rohwer Japanese American Relocation Center, where many Japanese Americans were imprisoned.

If you want to visit more than the museums, take a trip to Chinatown in San Francisco. It is the largest Chinatown outside of Asia and the oldest in the United States. I

Looking for somewhere close to home to learn about Asian American culture? Visit the Asian & Pacific Islander Americans in Historic Preservation that details historic places to visit and groups them by state. 

Angie Stubbs is a mom of two little ones and a wife. She's a travel blogger, agent, cute and quirky, who is traveling her way through her middle age years. Whew! She's authored 2 books, so far, about traveling with her kids as she's seen the positive impact travel has on her family, especially her girls.

 

In the past, March 2nd, the birthday of Theodor Seuss Geisel, well known as a picture book author, Dr. Seuss, was a cause for celebration. During my years as the Director of the Little Folks Nursery School in Washington, DC, on this day, children were asked to bring in their favorite Dr. Seuss books for sharing and reading aloud. Children and teachers made red and white striped “Cat in the Hat” hats. And to add to the festivities, I took the opportunity to cook up some ham and eggs —I mean green eggs and ham—to everyone’s delight!

While many were shocked by the announcement yesterday to cease publication of six of Mr. Geisel’s books, I believe that we have even more to celebrate, with this decision by Dr. Seuss Enterprise, the keeper of his legacy. Some may cry “cancel culture” at the news of this choice. But, I, for one, applaud it and appreciate the greater awareness brought to his past instances of racial stereotyping.

How can we be more sensitive to this type of transgression if we don’t point it out when we see it? In Theodor Geisel’s case, racist and anti-semitic depictions can be found in drawings from his college days, his early cartoons, and long before he became a successful children’s book author. When delving into his early work, there is no mistaking his ugly and hateful depiction of Blacks, Asians, and Jews; it is indefensible. More subtle insulting imagery of non-whites in his children’s picture books resulted in the decision to discontinue their publication.

Like all humans, artists are flawed…and full of contradictions. Still, we can “call out” their harmful mistakes while acknowledging their positive contributions. And moving forward, we all can learn from and make a more significant effort to represent all book characters with dignity and respect while acknowledging when someone falls short.

In Mr. Geisel’s case, his later attempts to instill tolerance, diversity, and compromise in books such as The Sneetches and Other Stories, published in the late fifties, can be embraced and appreciated. In The Lorax, published in 1971, readers are introduced to environmentalism and the importance of taking care of our earth. So, like Dr. Seuss himself, who grew and changed with the times, our consciousness can be broadened as well, if we welcome an honest look at the expression of others. We can take the good, leave the bad, or at least acknowledge how wrong and damaging degrading representation can be.

As an educator, parent, grandparent, and human, I know that representation is important. When children do not see themselves in books or see depictions that are negative, no matter how subtle, true damage is done. When they see others represented in a negative way, those thoughts and feelings are internalized. We all have a responsibility to think critically and call out such representation.

While I approach the idea of censorship with caution and a genuine concern for free speech and the exchange of ideas, I don’t see how the discontinuation of these six books affects either free speech or an exchange of ideas; if anything, it encourages reflection and discussion.

I am not buying the notion that we must endure offensive imagery or language because of nostalgia or the risk of censorship gone too far. Lies, hateful and hurtful visuals can and should be named. Some are more worried about being called “PC” or politically correct, than undoing the damage caused by white supremacy and white privilege. If that is where the concern lies, there is more to worry about than a publishing decision by an organization that is, after years of consideration, trying to get it right for our future and the future of our children.

In my view, it is the past acceptance or obliviousness to the subtle and not-so-subtle racist messages in books, television, movies, and advertising that contribute to the disease of racism. It isn’t the only factor that feeds it, but it plays a role, and acknowledging it as such is a step in the right direction.

Like the Dr. Seuss Enterprise, I look forward to a new chapter.

I am a parent and grandparent with over four decades of experience in early childhood education. I share my passion, wisdom and experience, with parents and the people who care for and about children at Little Folks Big Questions, where we're out to answer the questions parents face in today's world.

You may have a laundry list of questions that have popped up in the hours and days since your little one entered the world, or you may not have any and might be unsure what questions to ask. Either way, we’ve got you covered with topics and questions to ask a pediatrician at your first visit to get the most out of your appointment.

Pro tip: Keep a list of questions on your phone for easy access at the pediatrician’s appointment. And no concerns are too small or unimportant to ask. These experts are there to partner with you in your baby’s health and development. So ask away!

Food

1. How much should my baby be feeding?

2. How long should each feeding take?

3. How often should my baby take a bottle or breastfeed?

4. If using formula: What’s the best formula for my child?

5. If breastfeeding: Do I need a lactation consultant? If so, any recommendations?

6. Any tips on nipple care for breastfeeding?

7. Is it okay to pump and breastfeed at the same time?

Digestion

1. After eating, the baby seems gassy or upset. What should we do?

2. Our baby seems to spit up a lot after eating. Could it be reflux?

3. Any techniques to burping our baby that would be helpful?

Sleep

1. What’s the best way to soothe baby to sleep?

2. Is it okay to use a pacifier?

3. How often should my baby be sleeping?

4. Where should my baby sleep, and how can we make sure it’s safe?

 

Diapers

1. How many wet diapers should my baby have each day?

2. How many dirty diapers should my baby have each day?

3. What color and consistency poop should we be looking for?

Weight

1. It looks like our baby has lost weight since birth; is this a concern? Why or why not?

2. If it is a concern, what should we be doing differently?

Vaccines

1. When are the baby’s first vaccines?

2. What side effects can we expect after vaccinations? How should we comfort our baby?

3. How often will baby be scheduled to receive vaccines?

4. Can we discuss specific vaccines and any risk factors to consider?

5. Can we request specific vaccine brands?

6. Is it possible to spread out the vaccines to different appointments? Is it advisable?

Umbilical Cord

1. How long will it take for the cord to fall off?

2. How should we be taking care of the area around the cord?

Circumcision

1. What are the risks and benefits of circumcision?

2. When do you typically do the circumcision?

3. What can we expect after the procedure?

Bath Time

1. How often should we bathe our baby?

2. Where is the safest place to bathe our baby?

3. Any tips on products to use to avoid rashes or irritation?

4. Is lotion recommended after bath time?

Development

1. When should we start tummy time?

2. Why is tummy time important?

3. What things should we be looking for developmentally right now?

Extra Help

1. If we have a concern after office hours, what number do we call?

2. Is a doctor or nurse available for tele-health consultations after hours? If so, how do we access that service?

A Note About New Moms & Mental Health

Women experience a dramatic drop in hormones after giving birth, so it is completely normal to feel out of whack in those first days, weeks and months after having a baby. Sometimes these are simply baby blues that pass as time goes by, but more intense feelings may be postpartum depression and could be dangerous for you and your baby. This happens to many women and is something you should discuss with your OBGYN. While this isn’t a pediatrician concern, it is very important to be in tune with your feelings and emotions during this newborn period and to ask for help when you need it.

RELATED: How to Choose a Doctor for Your Newborn

Check your freezer. Weis Markets has issued a recall of two different kinds of ice cream including more than 11,000 containers. The FDA posted an announcement over concerns the ice cream could contain extraneous material, specifically metal filling equipment parts.

Weis Ice Cream Recall

The ice cream included in the recall is 10,869 containers of Weis Quality Cookies and Cream Ice Cream and 502 bulk containers of Klein’s Vanilla Dairy Ice Cream.

There has been one report of a customer who discovered an intact piece of metal equipment in the Weis Quality Cookies and Cream Ice Cream (48 oz). There is also concern of an additional piece of equipment present in the ice cream product(s) possibly presenting a choking hazard.

The Weis Quality Cookies and Cream Ice Cream product has been removed from sale. It was sold in 197 Weis Markets’ stores in Pennsylvania, Maryland, Virginia, New Jersey, New York, Delaware and West Virginia.

The Weis Quality Cookies and Cream ice cream is packaged in a 48 ounce container with a UPC of 041497-01253 and with a sell by date of 10/28/21. This was produced on 10/28/2020 and released for sale on 10/29/2020. The sell by date is located on the bottom of the container.

Customers who have purchased this product may return it for a full refund.

The Klein’s Vanilla bulk ice cream is packaged in 3 gallon containers with a code stamp of 0302 and are not for retail sale. This product was sold to one retail establishment in New York and has been removed from sale.

Additional ice cream products packaged on 10/28/2020 include:

Klein’s Cookies and Cream Dairy Bulk – 665 containers

Nelson’s Graham Slam Bulk – 286 containers

These items are packaged in 3-gallon bulk containers with a code stamp of 0302 and are not for retail sale. They were stored in a warehouse and have not been distributed.

Customers requiring additional information may contact Weis Customer Service at 1-866-999-9347 Monday through Friday 8am-5pm EST.

—Jennifer Swartvagher

Featured photo: FDA

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Mom confession: When I started looking for a preschool for my oldest son I was out of town. We spend summers in the midwest and live in California. This means I found myself shopping around for a preschool thousands of miles from where they were located. My search consisted of cold calling neighborhood schools to check for openings. I had no criteria put together. I wasn’t worried about the curriculum. I hadn’t thought about play-based education versus traditional learning structures. The racial diversity of my child’s future school was far from a concern. After calling several schools, I finally found an opening. I tentatively signed him up—scheduled to start when we returned to California several weeks later. 

We showed up a few days early to tour the school. Greeted by the principal, she then walked us to what would be my son’s classroom. We met his teachers and future classmates. The school seemed completely adequate, safe with kind teachers and friendly students. With this less than thorough vetting process, we decided our son would attend the following week. 

Now as I look back on this moment, this choice in our child’s education, I have to admit something, racially we were the minority in this school. As we walked away the questions littered my mind. Is this a good school? Am I doing the right thing? Years later, as I am learning about my own racial lens I recognize the racism in these questions. The underlying concern to these thoughts was: There aren’t that many white kids here, does that mean this isn’t a good school? Thankfully, I also recognized the power in diversity and we sent our son to school the next week. 

Three years later and I can say without hesitation, I love the preschool our kids go to—when it was time to send my middle son we eagerly signed him up. About a year ago I entered a conversation with several mom friends centering around the concept of addressing racism with our children. At the time, I stated I was hesitant to bring up race to my children. Diversity has continued to be the main feature of the school they attend and it has proven to be one of the things I am happiest about. Both of my children have had close friends at school that are not white. They have never asked me about the child’s appearance. Not to argue they haven’t noticed, simply that the differences seem to be of little concern or question. I argued to my friends—that’s the goal, to have our children completely unaware of the weight that race can carry in this world. We want our children to see no hierarchy based upon what people look like, right? Well as it turns out, not really. 

I was scared of introducing the concept of racism to my kids. I was most fearful that it would change their outlook. That they would suddenly see themselves as better than their non-white counterparts. That maybe, the world would become a little less optimistic once they knew the pain of racism. It took too many cries of pain from the black community to open my eyes to the disservice I was doing to both my children and the greater human community. 

I am raising white men. Not men yet—they are five, three, and one. They seem harmless, powerless, and innocent right now. But one day they will be white men. And before that, they will be white teenagers. And before that, they will be white boys, hopefully, friends to people of all colors. By not educating my boys on the privilege that they carry now, and how that privilege will likely become more evident as they grow, I am taking away their opportunity to do the right thing. They will be in the position one day, sooner than I realize, to stand up and be anti-racist. They will have the potential to be a loud voice for human equality, that someone might listen to more than their black or brown counterparts. My job in raising these white boys is to give them the education to know what racism is, not only so that they can see the privilege that surrounds them, but so that they can do everything they can to stop the injustices happening in our world. 

My three-year-old’s classroom was doing a school project centered around heritage. Without many details, the teacher asked me where my son was from. Like many, we are a hybrid breed, but for the sake of the project, I told her Scotland. Seeming unsatisfied with my answer, the teacher followed up several times. Each time I answered she would ask “What do you want him to be? American or Scottish?” Honestly, I didn’t care. It seemed she preferred to have him be American, so I agreed he would be American. I laughed about this exchange with another mom from school. She and her daughter also white. We both agreed it was strange but thought little of it. 

When we showed up to the open house to see the results of our watered-down heritage, we looked at a wall covered with the students in the class. Each child had a photo of their head placed upon a body dressed in the theme of the country of their heritage. There were our children’s faces placed upon an American flag dress and cowboy-themed costume. We grimaced a bit, both of us aware of the delicate ground we stood on. I think the teacher meant well, she herself a minority. Now, at the retelling of this story, I am saddened. Saddened that two blond-haired, blue-eyed three-year-olds were categorized as more American than their class counterparts. 

Raising anti-racists needs to start with me being an anti-racist. So I am doing the work, not just for myself, not just for my sons. I am doing the work for the people in this world who need our voices to be heard when theirs are being ignored. 

 

Always on the search for faith and beauty in the everyday, I love the power of words. I believe in the strength of sharing stories to bring people together. I live in Southern California, with my husband and three sons but dream of autumn in the midwest. For more musings on the everyday: FrecklesandFortitude.com

Editor’s Note: Since publication Nickelodeon has released the following statement, “Made by Maddie is a show we acquired several years ago from Silvergate Media, a renowned production company we have previously worked with on other series. Since announcing the show’s premiere date this week, we have been listening closely to the commentary, criticism and concern coming from both viewers and members of the creative community.  In response, and out of respect to all voices in the conversation, we are removing the show from our schedule as we garner further insight into the creative journey of the show. We are grateful to Silvergate Media for all of their work. And we hold Matthew A. Cherry and the wonderful and inspiring Hair Love in the highest regard.”

 

Preschoolers and families will fall in love with a new Nick Jr. show. The new animated series centers on Maddie, her close-knit, supportive family, her creative ways of looking at the world and her serious flair for fashion.Made by Maddie launches Sun. Sept. 13 at 11 a.m. ET/PT.

Made by Maddie

Both Maddie (Alyssa Cheatham, Collateral Beauty) and her mom, Dee (Tony-winner Patina Miller, Madam Secretary, The Hunger Games), a successful fashion designer, provide strong female role models for young viewers. Maddie’s musician dad, Rashad, is played by the Tony-winning James Monroe Iglehart (Aladdin, Hamilton). The inclusive series features diverse characters organically woven into the fabric of the show to help a broad range of young viewers see themselves represented on-screen. 

Made by Maddie

Made by Maddie follows 8-year-old Maddie in New York City, as she uses her imagination and design ingenuity to turn every problem into a positive with the perfect fashion fix. Maddie’s creative thinking and dazzling designs are a reflection of  the bustling, colorful city of New York and its residents. Maddie confidently embraces her own unique style, celebrates individuality, treats everyone with kindness, and encourages others to take risks and be themselves.

Made by Maddie

Made by Maddie will continue to air regularly Sundays at 11 a.m.(ET/PT) on the Nick Jr. channel. 

Throughout the season, Made by Maddie will feature guest voice appearances by: Karamo Brown (Queer Eye); Rhyon Nicole Brown (Empire); Danny Burstein (Broadway’s Moulin Rouge!); David Burtka (Professional Chef); Monét X Change (RuPaul’s Drag Race); Joey Fatone (*NSYNC); Griffin Robert Faulkner (Raising Dion); Nina Garcia (Project Runway); Joy Lynn Jacobs (The Blacklist); Claudia Morcate-Martin (Seneca); Wanya Morris (Boyz II Men); Christine Pedi (Steven Universe); Christiani Pitts (Broadway’s King Kong); Al Roker (TODAY); D’Angelo Russell (Minnesota Timberwolves); Horatio Sanz (Black Monday); and Nico Tortorella (Younger). 

In the series premiere, “If the Glue Fits/Mini Me DJ,” Maddie gets her hands stuck to a pair of shoes Dee designed. Once she finally gets the shoes unstuck, she has to come up with a redesign to save the day. Then, Maddie, Dee, and her assistant Dustin design an outfit for DJ Fierce, a famous DJ. They scour the city for the perfect materials, but when a misunderstanding leads to an outfit mix-up, Maddie will have to get creative with a fashion fix.  

Following the series premiere of Made by Maddie, NickJr.com and the Nick Jr. App will feature short-form content and full-length episodes. Episodes will also be available on Nick Jr. On Demand and Download-To-Own services. 

Production of Made by Maddie for Nickelodeon Animation Studio is overseen by Eryk Casemiro, Senior Vice President, Nickelodeon Preschool.

—Jennifer Swartvagher

All photos courtesy of Nickelodeon

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