The Case Against Dr. Sears, Disney Filming in NYC, DOE Bans Sweets, Why Moms Worry, More

4/15/09 - By Anna Fader

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Haven't done a links post in a while, so lots to catch up on, like where to possibley catch a glimpse of Nicholas Cage filming the latest Disney creation, what the DOE is doing to try to reduce childhood obesity, what moms worry about (everything), the case against Dr. Sears (and everything else), cool new craft site, the cute little robot who could, and more free ways to entertain your kids at home. Check it out:

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Disney is filming "The Sorcerer's Apprentice" a new Jerry Bruckheimer movie starring Nicholas Cage in Chinatown this week. I'm sure Mott Street has never been this clean.

DOE Tightens Our Belts: After selling out our kids a few years ago by giving Snapple the exclusive right to sell soft drinks in our schools, the city is now changing its tune. The DOE has just created new guidelines which set calorie restrictions on all drinks and snacks sold in schools as well as banning artificially colored and flavored drinks. [Gothamist]

Moms worry. That's the subject of a funny new book called Love, Mom: Poignant, Goofy, Brilliant, Message from Mom. (I'm worried their title doesn't live up to the book), which appears to be a hilarious collection of off-the-cuff concerns expressed from moms via email, chat and phone calls. For example:

Honey, i have been thinking about your trip to New York tomorrow and I am worried about your wedding ring. I think you should leave it at home. You know there are criminals up there who may see your ring while you are walking around and try to steal it. They will do anything to get what they want - if they can’t pull it off easily, they may try to cut off your finger or your hand to get it. They’ll cut it right off without thinking twice!!!! Don’t forget you need your left hand to type at work. I don’t think it’s worth the risk.

See more excerpts from the book or attend a reading. [NY TImes]

Kids don't need fancy toys. Simple Mom directs you to 11 basically free ways to entertain kids. Nothing revolutionary, but a good reminder that creativity and keeping it simple are usually the best options. [Simple Mom]

The case against Sears: In the April Issue of The Atlantic was an article called The Case Against Breastfeeding, which has created quite a stir across the internets. The author, Hanna Rosin, rails against the idea that breast is best as another guilt-inducing way the world is keeping moms down. Now on A Child Grows in Brooklyn, the parenting experts from SoHo Parenting turn the light what they feel is another ball and chain for Moms, Dr Sears and attachment parenting and suggest a de-tox program for "post-traumatic Sears Disorder." I'm interested to hear what other parents think. It seems to me if every parenting philosophy is driving moms to be overly dogmatic, maybe the philosophies aren't to blame. Maybe we just need to chill in general. [A Child Grow in Brooklyn]

Loving this new activities site. No TIme For Flash Cards has lots of cute activity ideas including this one for re-using those plastic Easter eggs to make fun crafts. [No TIme For Flash Cards]

The LIttle Robot That Could: To further disprove that New Yorkers are rude and would leave you dying on the street, see how helpful they are to this adorable little robot who's just trying to find his way home. [Gizmodo]