ML Interest Tag: presentation

11 Ways to Celebrate Martin Luther King, Jr. Day in Los Angeles

by Jennifer O'Brien

On Martin Luther King, Jr. Day, discover MLK events, celebrations, and local volunteering opportunities for you and your kids around LA

Each year, on Martin Luther King Jr. Day, Americans unite to honor his legacy and tireless work as a champion of civil rights. So when is Martin Luther King Day? MLK Day takes place the third Monday in January each year. Fun fact: King’s actual birthday is January 15 (he was born in 1929). In addition to celebrating King’s legacy, this holiday has also become a National Day of Service—encouraging Americans to volunteer and do good in their communities. So whether you want to celebrate MLK at a parade or spend the day giving back to others, here are all the things to do on MLK Day in Los Angeles.

How to Celebrate MLK Day in Los Angeles

1. Long Beach Martin Luther King Jr. Parade and Celebration

Jan. 14: This beloved event returns for its 35th year to celebrate Rev. Dr. King and the diverse community of Central Long Beach. Festivities kick off at 10 a.m. at the intersection of Martin Luther King Jr. Ave. and Anaheim St., followed by the park celebration from noon-5 p.m. at Martin Luther King Jr. Park. The park celebration will include a main stage with live performances, a health and wellness area, youth area, and tons of food and vendors.
Martin Luther King Jr. Park
1950 Lemon Ave.
Los Angeles
Online: longbeach.gov

2. Santa Monica Symphony MLK Holiday Concert

Jan. 14: In partnership with the Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Westside Coalition, the Santa Monica Symphony honors the legacy of Rev. Dr. King with its annual MLK concert conducted by Gary Pratt. The concert opens with Coleridge-Taylor’s Danse Negre and Price’s rousing Symphony No. 1 and concludes with Gershwin’s iconic Rhapsody in Blue with Jason Stoll on piano. The event is free, but pre-registration is required. Doors open at 2 p.m. with the performance running from 3 p.m.-5 p.m.

John Adams Middle School Performing Arts Center
1630 Pearl St.
Santa Monica
Online: smsymphony.org

3. Minecraft March on Washington (Virtual Event)

Jan. 14 & 16: As part of LA Works MLK Day of Service, this virtual event builds upon the anti-racism movement through an interactive march on Washington in Minecraft and an in-person event at LA Memorial Coliseum. Tour a virtual exhibit of the 1963 March on Washington and interact with civil rights leaders like Rev. Dr. King himself. The event takes place from noon- 9 p.m. on Jan. 14 and 10 a.m.-9 p.m. on Jan. 16. Advance registration is required and closes at 5 p.m. on Jan. 11. Once you register, LA Works will email a link to attend the event. Access to Minecraft (Java or Bedrock edition) is required. Event details.

4. LA Works Martin Luther King Day of Service at LA Memorial Coliseum

Jan. 16: In 1964, Rev. Dr. King passionately addressed 15,000 Angelenos at LA Memorial Coliseum on the issues of race relations and human dignity. This year, LA Works continues Rev. Dr. King’s legacy by empowering LA volunteers to fight for food and climate justice. The day of service schedule starts off at noon-1 p.m. where volunteers will sample vegan food at booths hosted by local restaurants and learn about local activity to combat climate change. From 1:15 p.m.-1:30 p.m., there will be a keynote speaker, and from 1:30 p.m.-3:30 p.m., volunteers will rotate through eco-action stations, including creating urban greening kits, assembling disaster preparedness materials, and making a climate action pledge. There will also be a family zone with volunteer activities designed with kids in mind. Register online to volunteer.

LA Memorial Coliseum
3911 S Figueroa St.
Los Angeles
Online: laworks.com/mlk

https://www.instagram.com/p/B7Wz4qalnkP/?hidecaption=true

5. King Day at California African American Museum

Jan. 16: From 10 a.m.-5 p.m., on Jan. 16, CAAM celebrates Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. with a day of festivities. This year’s theme of “MLK: A Legacy of Service” will include a performance by the Inner-City Youth Orchestra of Los Angeles, the King Study Group, and family activities provided by the LA Public Library. Admission is free, but attendees are asked to RSVP to the event ahead of time.

CAAM
600 State St.
Los Angeles
Online: caamuseum.org

6. Kingdom Day Parade

Jan. 16: Known as America’s biggest and oldest birthday celebration of MLK, the 38th Annual Kingdom Day Parade features this year’s theme of “America, The Last Best Hope of the World.” If you are wondering what time does the MLK parade start in Los Angeles? The parade takes place at 11 a.m. and provides a festive, family-friendly opportunity for the LA community to gather and celebrate the life of Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. With over 250,000 spectators expected to line the parade route filled with floats, marching bands, and tons of fun, this is must-do event. It will also be broadcast on TV at 11 a.m. on ABC-7.

Martin Luther King Jr. Blvd.
Los Angeles
Online: kingdomdayparade.org

7. A Walk to Remember MLK in Redondo Beach

Jan. 16: Join fellow community members in a Day of Service by walking to honor the life of Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. The walk begins at 101 W. Torrance Blvd. in Redondo Beach and ends at the MLK Jr. memorial located in front of the Redondo Beach Police Department. While the walk is free, event organizers ask all participants to bring a child or adult/teen kit filled with necessities (see website for specific needs) to donate at the event or any time prior to that at the RBPD. All kits will go to the RBPD Domestic Violence Advocacy Program. Attendees should meet at the Pier Sub-Station at 10:00 a.m.

Redondo Beach Pier Sub-Station
101 W. Torrance Blvd.
Redondo Beach
Online: eventbrite.com

https://www.instagram.com/p/CJrq8pEsHsW/?hidecaption=true

8. Big Sunday MLK Clothing Drive and Community Breakfast

Jan. 16: Big Sunday is hosting their 11th Annual MLK Day Clothing Drive and Community Breakfast on Jan. 16 from 10 a.m.—1 p.m. at 24th St. Elementary School. This big block party will feature a community breakfast, arts and crafts projects to benefit local nonprofits, entertainment from the Blue Breeze Band, a Civil Rights Exhibit, and Big Sunday’s Something in Common project. They will also be putting together 2,023 winter clothing kits for folks who are struggling. They are happy to accept donations of any new clothing or shoes, or you can sponsor a new clothing bag for $25. All ages are welcome!

24th St. Elementary School
2055 W. 24th St.
Los Angeles
Online: bigsunday.org

9. Leadership Long Beach MLK Day of Service

Jan. 16: For 13 years, Leadership Long Beach has coordinated the largest MLK Day of Service in LA County, bringing together thousands of volunteers to complete dozens of community service projects. If you have a project idea, Leadership Long Beach welcomes suggestions on their website. All service projects must be completed between 9 a.m. - 1 p.m. on Jan. 16 and be easy enough that volunteers can quickly jump in to make a difference. Projects must be completed within the cities of Long Beach or Signal Hill and have a dedicated leader who will guide and supervise volunteers to complete the work.

Online: leadershiplb.org

10. National Park System Free Entrance Day in Honor of MLK

Jan. 16: In honor of MLK’s birthday, National Park service sites will waive entrance fees for everyone on Jan. 16. Many national parks also host a variety of service projects that people can sign up for as volunteers, so be sure to check the park’s website for any opportunities.

Online: nps.gov

Related: Our Favorite National Parks within Driving Distance of DTLA

11. Martin Luther King Jr. Walk-A-Thon

Jan. 16: Join the African American Historical Society for a Walk-A-Thon in honor of MLK. This year’s theme is “A Legacy of Strength, a Future of Action.” The 5K walk starts at the Stratton Center and ends at the Main Library Breezeway across from the Civil Rights Institute with a stop at the Martin Luther King Jr. statue along the way. Early registrants have an opportunity to receive one of a limited number of commemorative coins to celebrate the grand opening of the Civil Rights Institute, as well as a family pack of tickets to an Ontario Clippers game at Toyota Arena. Registration begins at 7:30 a.m. at Stratton Center and the walk begins at 10 a.m. Afterwards, there will be booths, entertainment, and performances. Proceeds from the Walk-A-Thon will benefit the Riverside African American Historical Society’s initiatives. Online registration prior to the event is encouraged, but on-site registration will available too. Tickets are $35 for participants ages 13 and up and include a t-shirt.

Stratton Center at Bordwell Park
2008 Martin Luther King Blvd.
Riverside
Online: raahsinc.org

Advertisement

Related reads

Advertisement

3 Tips to Help Kids Navigate the Digital World Safely

By Erik Weitzman

As a dad who works in tech, I always believed that technology was a vital developmental, discovery and connection tool for my kids. What I didn’t realize was just how quickly they’d need to learn to use it, and how fast they’d become fluent. Remote learning during the pandemic accelerated my kids’ use of technology. I recently watched my 7-year-old successfully deliver a presentation over video chat to his teacher and classmates—something I couldn’t have imagined prior to this pandemic.

Over the last year, kids have had to become experts at navigating online environments for learning, collaboration and communicating. Whether it’s giving a presentation to their class, devising video game strategies over video chat or writing a book together across different time zones, how our kids use technology will continue to evolve.

However, reality dictates that no matter how creative our kids are, how forward-thinking they may be when it comes to technology use, they need a solid foundation in digital literacy and online communications skills in order to successfully navigate the digital world. Kids need a space to learn, to make mistakes, and hone their skills with parental guidance, just like they need swimming lessons before they can get in the pool on their own.

Here are three tips for parents who are looking to help their kids navigate the digital world.

1. Choose the Right “Digital Playground” for Your Kids
When deciding where your child will begin their online journey, consider apps and experiences that help balance child independence with appropriate supervision. According to a Dubit study, 74% of parents of 6-12 year olds are concerned about their children interacting with strangers or people they don’t know online. At the same time, parents want to give their kids a way to have fun and connect with their friends and family without needing to hover over their every move. This is actually one of the key reasons we built Messenger Kids—to give kids a space made just for them with parent supervision. For instance, parents can see images and videos their kids send and receive in the app, giving them an opportunity to talk with their kids about how they felt when they saw a certain photo, or why a certain video might have hurt someone’s feelings.

2. Don’t Just “Set and Forget” Rules & Controls
As kids grow, their interests and needs change and it’s important for parents—and technology—to be flexible. Parents are in the best position to know what’s appropriate for their child, from the type of content they view, to who they can connect with online or how much time they can spend in a particular app. But an experience that may be ideal for a 7-year-old will look very different from what’s best for a teenager (I experience this every day with my two kids!). Remember to treat rules and parameters as an active conversation rather than something that’s set and forgotten to help continuously balance giving kids independence while still providing parental supervision and guidance.

3. Prioritize Quality of Screen Time
Something I’ve learned with my own kids during this pandemic is that prioritizing quality of screen time is just as important as managing the quantity of time they can spend on their devices. Prioritizing experiences that help kids actively engage with meaningful content or other people requires teamwork to succeed. For instance, find time to watch your child’s favorite TV shows together, or have your child teach you how to play a new game. Ask questions about what they enjoy, how the plot is progressing, and what decisions they’d make if they were the main character. This is a great way to celebrate and respect your kids for discovering and learning new things online.

The future of technology is one where it will be even more ubiquitous than it is already. Making sure our kids are ready for their next presentation or play date in the virtual world is going to intertwine with the “real world” like it never has before, and preparing our kids in a safer environment for that future should be a top priority for us all.

RELATED STORIES:

Want to Connect With Your Child? Try Technology
10 Reasons Why You Need to Teach Internet Safety to Your Kids
How to Create a Safer Internet Experience for Kids

Erik Weitzman is the Director of Product Management for Messenger Kids, a messaging app designed for kids to have fun connecting with friends and family while giving parents the visibility and controls to help manage their online experience. He's a dad to two boys and an amateur pretzel baker. 

Advertisement

Related reads

Advertisement

The Unexpected Way My Hope for the Future Changed

By Maykayla Hazelton

It had been about two months since I found out that my son was autistic. I was working as a catering manager at a large charity event. The event was to raise money for autism research. I only found that out once I arrived. In between clearing tables and directing staff, I noticed the presentation began.

At this point in my son’s diagnosis, I was still a total mess. I could barely hear the word autism without breaking down, let alone watch a presentation on it in the middle of working. Despite that, I felt almost stuck in place. I knew I shouldn’t watch it but couldn’t move my feet to walk back into the kitchen.

The presentation started off dark.

The life of an autistic adult…

It was scary.

It was heartbreaking.

After a few moments of the scary, it turned light and cheerful. I think it was meant to show how important autism research was. I think they wanted the scary to provoke donations. I am not really sure though, because, by that time, I was already shattered.

I hid behind one of our catering trucks and, as tears began to stream down my face, I prayed that no one would see me falling apart.

That was the day that I stopped imagining my son’s future.

I buried those scary, dark images as far down as I could. Along with those, I buried all the dreams that I had too.

I decided right then that I needed to take things one day at a time, otherwise I would break.

I couldn’t bear to imagine these scary, sad stories of what autism as an adult would look like.

I couldn’t bear to imagine that for my baby and so I just didn’t imagine anything at all.

Fast forward a few years and I was moving into a new home.

That is when I met you—the best neighbor that I have ever had.

You look to be in your 20s, like me, although I am not sure exactly how old you are.

I have never asked, but my mom heart knows that you are like my baby.

We don’t know each other very well, but you have changed my life from across the fence. 

You are the friendliest soul that I have ever met.

You live with your sweet mom and you are very helpful.

You take out the trash and hang Christmas lights.

You do all the yard work, while you sing loudly to your favorite tunes.

Sometimes we sing along with you, while we play in our yard, and that makes you giggle every time.

You greet me with a smile and a wave every day when I come home.

You make silly faces at my son to see him smile.

You bark and play with our puppy.

Your life is not dark.

Your life is happy and bright.

Your smile is contagious.

You are kind.

You care about everyone around you.

Today I was working from home when I noticed you outside shoveling our driveway.

We have never asked you to this, but you always have.

When you are finished shoveling, you come back to put salt down for us.

You don’t ask for anything in return.

As I watched you shoveling, suddenly my mind was somewhere else.

For the first time in years, I was imagining my baby all grown up.

I imagined him mowing the lawn while singing his favorite song.

I imagined him helping his neighbors.

I imagined him happy.

And just like that, everything changed.

From now on when I think of the future, I won’t think of the dark.

I won’t think of the scary.

I will think of the beauty.

I will think of the smiles.

We will still have a hard road.

There will still be bad days.

I still won’t know what the future holds but, because of you, I will have hope.

From now on when I think of the future, I will think of you.

The greatest neighbor in the world.

The one who gave me hope.

The one who gave this mama back her dreams, all from across the fence.

Thank you.

Maykayla is a single mom to an autistic little boy. She sells yacht parties by day, plans weddings by night and navigates the world of special needs in between. She is the co-creator of A Blonde, A Brunette and Autism. She invites you to come along on her journey! 

Advertisement

Related reads

Advertisement

The New Morphe ❤ Lisa Frank Collection Will Transport You Back to the 90s

by Jennifer Swartvagher

Grab your Trapper Keeper and scrunchie. Morphe Cosmetics has partnered with the iconic and beloved Lisa Frank to bring classic, colorful nostalgia to the 2020 holiday season. The Morphe ❤ Lisa Frank Collection will be available online at Morphe.com and in-stores at Morphe on Tues. Nov. 24 just in time for holiday shopping.

Lisa Frank

The Morphe ❤ Lisa Frank Collection is the perfect collaboration for collectors, as the eyeshadow palette comes in three custom packaging designs featuring Lisa Frank’s bold, bright art all for under $35. 

Lisa Frank

“At Lisa Frank, intricate packaging has always been our game. We leaned on Morphe for their cosmetic product expertise, and they relied on us to take the design and presentation to the next level. The result is a truly special collaboration for both brands. We hope the elevated packaging and iconic Lisa Frank spirit, combined with Morphe’s trusted formulas, will bring happiness and excitement as the consumer interacts with the collection from beginning to end,” said Lisa Frank Inc.

Included in the Morphe ❤ Lisa Frank Collection:

Lisa Frank

35B by Lisa Frank Artistry Palette ($30)

The 35B palette is back. The same bold and bright shades with custom Lisa Frank packaging designs perfect for collecting.

Lisa Frank

Blend Bright 6-Piece Brush Set ($32)

The set includes six synthetic eye brushes with handles in trademark Lisa Frank neon shades.

Lisa Frank

Treat Me Sweet Beauty Sponge Set ($19)

The set includes two full-size bubblegum beauty sponges and three mini bubblegum beauty sponges.

—Jennifer Swartvagher

All photos courtesy of Morphe

RELATED STORIES

 

Advertisement

Related reads

Advertisement

The Grammy Museum Presents Matthew Morrison’s Disney Dreamin’ for Kids Music Day

by Jennifer Swartvagher

The 5th Annual Kids Music Day will be celebrated on Fri. Oct 2 with Mattthew Morrison serving as the official ambassador. The Grammy Museum YouTube Channel will premiere a special presentation entitled Matthew Morrison’s Disney Dreamin’ for Kids Music Day. Morrison will perform four songs off of his latest studio album, Disney Dreamin’. 

Disney Dreamin' for Kids Music Day

Vanessa Williams and Jack Black also serve as Kids Music Day ambassadors, and are featured giving personal testimonials on the importance of music access.

Each year, Keep Music Alive partners with over 1,000 music schools, music stores and other music organizations around the world to hold special events that benefit and celebrate kids playing music. The goal is to highlight the importance of including music & the arts in children’s education.  Events held by participating locations include open houses, instrument petting zoos, free music lessons, student music performances, community/family jams, instrument donation drives, kids open mics and more. Due to the ongoing pandemic, virtual events and promotions for Kids Music Day will include live-streamed performances, open mics for kids, free online lessons, virtual instrument petting zoos (think “Musical Show & Tell”), online instrument clinics and Kids Music Day sales on select instruments, accessories and lesson programs.

“This year has presented many challenges, and I’m very thankful for music and its ability to bring positivity to my family’s life,” Morrison states. “I know firsthand just how valuable an introduction to the arts can be, and because of that, I’m here to support my friends at Keep Music Alive to celebrate Kids Music Day. Our hope is to encourage kids and their parents to tap into the arts to find the relief, joy, and inspiration that playing music can offer,” said Morrison.

Disney Dreamin' for Kids Music Day

Over a dozen celebrity artists are showing their support for Music Education as Kids Music Day Ambassadors including Matthew Morrison, Julie Andrews, Jack Black, Ann & Nancy Wilson of Heart, Pat Benatar & Neil Giraldo, Michael Feinstein, Kenny Loggins, Richie Sambora, Sarah McLachlan, Vanessa Williams, Victor Wooten, Todd Rundgren, Philip Lawrence, Bernie Williams, Damien Escobar and Mandy Harvey.

Kids Music Day is also supported by music industry brands including Alfred Music, CASIO EMI, Conn-Selmer, D’Addario Foundation, Kala Brand Music, Guitar Girl Magazine, Hungry for Music, Les Paul Foundation, Music & Sound Retailer, Music Nomad Equipment Care, Remo Percussion and Rock Out Loud LIVE.  Some of the largest music chains in the nation participate including Music & Arts, Guitar Center, Kindermusik, Music Together, Gymboree, Long & McQuade, Bach to Rock and the legendary School of Rock.

—Jennifer Swartvagher

All photos courtesy of Keep Music Alive

RELATED STORIES

Raffi’s Label Releases Lindsay Munroe’s New Album “I Am Kind”

Raffi and Yo-Yo Ma Release New “Baby Beluga” Single

Raffi and Yo-Yo Ma Duet Marks 40th Anniversary of “Baby Beluga”

Advertisement

Related reads

Advertisement

Parenting Is a Self Improvement Project in Disguise

By Lisa Howe

I believe that parenting is a giant self-improvement project in disguise. If you are paying attention at all and are even a little bit mindful of what you’re saying or doing, you can’t help but notice how our stuff shows up in all of our interactions with our children. I don’t know about you, but for me, it’s often uncomfortable. It’s so much easier to notice the areas of growth rather than the wins.

My daughter attends a project-based elementary school. She’s in second grade. Distance learning has been a huge learning curve as it has been for every parent I know. Her class has continued its on-going project on the body. She’s been studying the skeletal system and has been working towards preparing a presentation she’ll be doing today.

Personally, I’ve been focusing on all of the things the amazing Dr. Nadine Burke Harris, an incredible pediatrician and California’s first Surgeon General suggests for those who have experienced or are experiencing toxic stress: sleep, exercise, nutrition, mindfulness, mental health, and healthy relationships. We are all under a great deal of toxic stress right now. The beginning of the week went so well. The best we’ve had yet. I know, in large part, to plenty of the above. I put myself on the list of people to take care of so I could give everything I have to her.

But all of this day-to-day self-care doesn’t remove our triggers or our core fears which are so often activated in parenting. Not because of anything our children say or do, it is not their fault or responsibility, but because these buttons and old ideas were installed and existed long before I became a parent. I noticed myself getting quite strident about this presentation she was preparing to give. I kept taking deep breaths. I noticed I was getting a little too intense about a 90-second presentation on the femur. I took a break. I called a friend and talked it through. As I told the story, I was able to recognize what it was about. Guess what? It was not about the presentation. It was not even about my daughter. It was about me. My fear. My anxiety. My stress. My own insecurities. My worries about what her teacher might think and how her presentation would be a reflection on me.

I had a good laugh with my friend as I said, “Dude. This is a less than two-minute talk about one bone and I am acting like it is a freaking TED talk.” I meditated, confident in my self-awareness and ability to CTFD, and went back to helping her prepare. For about 45 minutes, I was able to be calm and measured.

Then, that self-awareness and calm evaporated. I ramped myself up again and did the opposite of what I suggest to parents every day—I created chaos instead of calm. My daughter told me she was feeling really pressured. My husband gave me *that* look, the one that says you are being insane. I made a repair and she went to bed.

I took another break and went for a long walk at dusk. I talked to a friend. I cried about my behavior. I laughed at my behavior. I walked for a long time bringing my mind and my body back into a space of equilibrium and perspective. I stopped and smelled the neighbor’s glorious purple roses.

By the time I made it back home, she was asleep and I was exhausted. Feelings can wear you out. I told my husband about what was going through my head today, all the fear and anxiety, the desire for my daughter to have the best presentation—the worry that her teacher would think less of me, a professional public speaker and if my daughter’s 90-second speech on the femur wouldn’t measure up to the level of professional paid speaking engagement. We laughed a lot because when you’re not in it, these old ideas and triggers are pretty damn ridiculous. He gave me loads of empathy and grace. Then I gave myself loads of empathy and grace and went to bed. Today is a new day. Today is her 90-second talk on the femur. It is not about me.  That is my mantra for the day.

I’m Lisa. I am an MSW, a mother of a six-year-old girl and a Certified Peaceful Parenting Coach. Using my knowledge, professional experience and personal journey as a parent, I coach other parents to develop happier, healthier and more peaceful relationships with their children.

Advertisement

Related reads

Advertisement

Just say No to the Homecoming Proposal Production

By Amy Carney

Photo: Riala

Star light. Star bright. First star I see tonight. I wish you may. I wish you might. Be my date on Homecoming Night.

As if teenage guys don’t have enough on their plate, they must now come up with a cheesy proposal presentation to ask a girl to Homecoming (HOCO). He’d better not think of asking her to the dance without at least a decorated poster board in hand.

Why are our sons expected to put on a proposal production to ask someone to Homecoming today?

I have triplet boys. I have a husband. I have a father. I know a little something about men. I know males don’t come up with ideas like this on their own.

This means that mom most likely is assisting son with the plan. Or maybe the high schooler is scrolling through Pinterest for HOCO proposal ideas instead of doing his school work, which is strange. Or perhaps he’s recycling an idea from a friend who’s gone before him so that he can get the nonsense over with.

I have seen prom proposal productions in the past, but the shenanigans have now made their way into the Homecoming arena.

Do boys need to conjure up a rhyme and creatively display it on a poster to invite your daughter to a dance? 

Others take it to another level buying huge teddy bears, shoes, candy and the list goes on. I’m sure the bigger, the better.

That wouldn’t exactly be something my sons would authentically do. And me pushing them to participate, isn’t something I would authentically do, so sorry ladies.

What happened to just a good guy asking a sweet girl to the high school homecoming?

How come that’s no longer enough?

Why do we insist on turning what should be a simple invitation into a production?

Perhaps it’s working for some guys because hiding behind a poster board slogan that your Mom helped you write, is probably easier than actually having to invite a girl face to face using your own words.

And there wouldn’t be anything post-worthy for social media if there wasn’t a production. And we all know how much everyone loves a good photo for the feed.

The HOCO Proposal Production seems like another way to try and one up each other. I’m having a tough time wrapping my head around the concept and why we’re allowing this nonsense to be commonplace now.

My boys aren’t attention seekers, so I guess that they may never go to Homecoming with a date if they have to come up with a cutesy scheme to get a girl to say yes.

Do girls need this type of proposal from boys now? 

Our 8th-grade daughter said she thinks the idea is “cute.” I explained to her that it’s adorable when she and her girlfriends make posters for one another’s birthdays and bring them to middle school to celebrate. There is nothing cute about making a young man design a presentation to ask you to go to homecoming with him.

Let’s not put pressure on kids to have to put on a post-worthy show for what should be a simple invitation to a timeless high school event.

Let’s put our efforts into raising confident and kind young men and women who don’t need a show for social media to feel good about themselves and their lives.

No post-worthy production necessary.

Amy is the author of the book Parent on Purpose: A Courageous Approach to Raising Children in a Complicated World. Her work can be found at www.amycarney.com. She and her retired NHL playing husband, Keith, are raising 18-year-old triplet sons, a 16-year-old daughter, and a recently adopted 13-year-old son. 

Advertisement

Related reads

Advertisement

“The Mandalorian” Trailer Is Here & It’s Even More Awesome Than We Expected

by Shahrzad Warkentin

It was a very big weekend in Disney news with the first look of dozens of new shows and movies for Disney+ revealed, but The Mandalorian trailer is the glimpse that will have you most excited about the new Disney streaming service.

Set in a galaxy far, far away, five years after the events which take place in Return of the Jedi, the new Disney+ series The Mandalorian follows the story of a lone bounty hunter traveling through outer reaches of the galaxy. As director Jon Faverau explained in the D23 presentation, “Chaos reigns because there’s no central government. It’s a world like the old Samurai movies and Westerns.”

Pedro Pascal stars as the show’s titular character, with Nick Nolte, Giancarlo Esposito (Mof Gideon), Gina Carano (Cara Dune), Emily Swallow, Carl Weathers (Greef Carga), Omid Abtahi and Werner Herzog rounding out the impressive cast.

The Mandalorian will debut on Disney+ when it launches on Nov. 12. It was also revealed at the D23 convention that, unlike Netflix, shows on Disney+ will roll out episodes weekly one at a time, so you can say goodbye to your binge-watch habit for now.

—Shahrzad Warkentin

Featured photo: Disney via YouTube

 

RELATED STORIES

Disney+ Is Bringing “Lizzie McGuire” Back

Disneyland’s Avengers Campus Is Opening Soon & Here’s Everything We Know So Far

Disney and Mattel Have Gifted the World with “Star Wars” Barbies & Here’s How to Get Them

Advertisement

Related reads

Advertisement

Apple Just Unveiled New Privacy Features for Kids

by Shahrzad Warkentin

In today’s Apple presentation at the company’s annual Worldwide Developers Conference several new upgrades and features were announced, including updates to the iPhone, iPad and iWatch. Here are some of the new features parents will be most excited about.

Up all night with baby? Now there’s a special feature that will lessen the harsh glow of your iPhone as you scroll through Facebook to stay awake. Dark Mode, as it’s officially called, will be part of the new iOS 13 and it will turn everything white on your screen to an easy-on-the-eyes black.

The other major update that parents will be happy about is Apple’s new restrictions on apps developed for kids. According to TechCrunch, after the development conference Apple quietly updated their guidelines for developers to restrict third-party tracking and advertising in apps.

Parents will also be excited to see additions to Apple’s photo app. Now those snapshots of your kids will look even better with upgrades to the app’s editing functions, giving you the ability to manipulate and touch-up photos even more than before.

Another exciting new feature for women is the new menstrual cycle tracker rolling out on the iWatch, this could come in handy for couples tracking fertility and trying to conceive.

—Shahrzad Warkentin

Featured photo: Tracy Le Blanc via Pexels 

 

RELATED STORIES

Apple Made 4 Huge Announcements That Parents Will Love

Here’s Why You’ll Need to Change Apple’s Screen Time Default Settings Pronto

Target Is FINALLY Getting Apple Pay, Thank Goodness

Advertisement

Related reads

Advertisement