(Parents' Choice, 3/29/2012)

Kid Spirit is an online magazine for kids and by kids that provides an easy way to exchange personal and topical information. Kids can submit artwork, stories, poetry and photos or simply join in the group discussions and spout off on a range of topics.

(Parents' Choice, 3/29/2012)

With Teen Life, kids can look at opportunities that allow them to explore careers through internships, volunteer programs, classes and semesters abroad without feeling like their life choices are etched in stone.

(Parents' Choice, 1/5/2012)

There's a song about having Bette Davis eyes but now, thanks to a new book, anyone can have Bette Davis' Red Flannel Hash. How about Katherine Hepburn's Brownies or Pan-Fried Okra ala Johnny Cash? Frank DeCaro, radio show host and former movie critic for The Daily Show has written the Dead Celebrity

(alexandrianews.org, 12/12/2011)

Charles Dickens' perennial classic is as sacred a tradition as the Thanksgiving dinner menu. People always want to reinvent it, try something new. It's fine to spice things up a bit, but if ever there's a time to stick to tradition, it's with this holiday classic.

(Variety, 11/28/2011)

It doesn't take a criminal mastermind to know that when establishing a TV mystery franchise, you need to call upon pros like Scott Turow and Mary Higgins-Clark. They and other bestselling crime writers have been tapped to inaugurate TNT's umbrella "Mystery Movie" banner, kicking off the six-film even

(Variety, 11/12/2011)

Masterpiece Contemporary's "A Song of Lunch" is nuanced storytelling, doting camerawork and tremendous acting. Popcorn certainly won't do, but a nice glass of Chianti or Grappa would provide the perfect pairing.

(Variety, 10/6/2011)

Wearing ribbons and outfitting football players in hot pink may be a great way to acknowledge Breast Cancer Awareness month, but they don't bring home the complexity of emotions and consequences associated with the illness like "Five," the star-studded original movie from Lifetime. With a dream team

(Variety, 6/16/2011)

Actress-singer China Anne McClain is the latest tween to get the Disney Channel star treatment, which starts with a goofy, slapstick series and, in the cases of Miley Cyrus, Selena Gomez, Demi Lovato and Hilary Duff, has added music videos, a clothing/toy line, an eye toward made-for-TV/movie deals a

(Variety, 4/14/2011)

The mysterious and intriguing Amish community has been great fodder for movies, offering a haven for dramatic license and stories of longing and denial. Their simple, close-to-the-earth customs and beliefs often seem in direct contrast to our flashy 4G ways; how could they not want to leave the plain

(Parents' Choice, 3/3/2011)

Big cats, such as lions, tigers and cheetahs rank almost as high in popularity with kids as dinosaurs, but according to conservationists, they too may soon be going the way of the T-Rex. Currently, there are more tigers in captivity than there are in the wild and the lion population has been cut in

(Variety, 2/8/2011)

It only follows that a movie about a young girl whose ideas of love and romance come strictly from fairy tales and Disney movies would borrow so heavily from said stories. By invoking themes, plots and even images of everything from "Princess Diaries" to "The Parent Trap," Hallmark Channel's "Smooch"

(Variety, 1/7/2011)

You've got to hand it to Oprah -- she shares all of her favorite things, she gives away cars, trips and schools. And, with this new reality series on her eponymous network, she teaches regular folks how to be her. Every week for eight weeks, 10 contestants selected from more than 15,000 Oprah wannabe

(Variety, 11/6/2010)

Our instant access, text messaging, multi-tasking world seems more efficient, but Hallmark Channel's original pic "A Family Thanksgiving" presents a decent case for personal balance. Writer Emily Baer also crafts an interesting parable about rethinking careers, or at least redefining the idea of succ

(Parents' Choice, 11/4/2010)

As we plot our migration to grandmother's house in search of turkey and cranberry sauce, we might want to think about the origins of our impulse to move from one place to the other. A rich, lush and beautifully filmed seven hour series, "Great Migrations," documents 12 different species in their driv

(Parents' Choice, 10/21/2010)

Taking its name from the Aesop fable that preaches honesty particularly in hairy situations, this original Nick movie owes more to the Wolfman than to old Aesop and his morality tales. Victoria Justice, star of Nickelodeon's hit series, "Victorious," takes center stage here as nerdy high schooler Jor

(Variety, 10/21/2010)

Metaphors and male-enhancement jokes aside, "Growing the Big One" isn't Cinemax fare but actually a family-friendly tale of novelty gourd farming. Shannen Doherty, once television's bad girl, stars in the corny, or more adequately, "seedy" original pic from Hallmark Channel. At its core, this made-fo

(Parents' Choice, 9/30/2010)

Reality game shows like Survivor, The Bachelor or Big Brother draw the most public attention, but one of the best of the genre debuts its 5th season under the radar this October on PBS. It's not as well known as those spouse swapping, bug eating ratings grabbers--but it should be. Fetch! With Ruff R

(Parents' Choice, 9/23/2010)

Every fall season, TV networks promise a new slate of programming to entertain and entice. Problem is, it just seems like more of the same old thing. For instance, the "new" season features no less than eight police or spy dramas, four shows with lawyers, three new reality shows and seven dysfunc

(Parents' Choice, 9/9/2010)

Love 'em or hate 'em, bugs are a cool. According to Wired Science, 95 million-year-old bugs aren't all that different from the household pests we know and love/hate. Even if you may not share your child's fascination with insects, that doesn't mean you can't encourage and even nurture their interest

(Variety, 6/14/2010)

Identical twins Danielle and Deanna Warren may look alike but are quite different. When fate steps in, the girls find the man of their dreams, but it creates havoc for the siblings.

(Variety, 6/4/2010)

It requires Herculean effort for a single father to graduate from college, let alone Harvard; as far as parental feats go, that's definitely worth a "World's greatest dad" coffee mug. Based on a true story, Hallmark Channel's "Freshman Father" is a unique twist on typical heartwarming Father's Day se

(Variety, 6/1/2010)

Genuine imitation. Jumbo shrimp. Airline food. Thanks to Oxygen's latest summer series, the world has a great new oxymoron to add to the list: "Jersey Couture." One could probably credit "Jersey Shore's" Snooki and friends for spawning more Garden state-based reality TV. High manufactured drama + low

(Variety, 4/7/2010)

You know you have a true mystery when the facts in a case don't add up, and Lifetime's original thriller "At Risk" is its own kind of mystery. Based on bestselling author Patricia Cornwell's book, it has a talented cast and polished tech credits, but they just don't yield much of a movie.

(Variety, 3/27/2010)

Love her or hate her, you gotta give Kirstie Alley props for honesty, even if she does have quite the potty mouth. Few would fess up so matter-of-factly about drug use and other bad choices, all of which led to a 75-pound weight gain.

(Variety, 1/15/2010)

Based on a true story detailed in a magazine article by Andrew Corsello, writer Teena Booth has penned a compelling, multifaceted script that tells the saga of Janet "Prissy" Gregory (Julia Ormond), a Louisiana paralegal and single mom who worked for 22 years to free Calvin Willis, convicted of rapin

(Variety, 12/12/2009)

In the grand tradition of an epic country song, "Christmas in Canaan" pulls out all the stops, including endless drama -- not the least of which is a wounded puppy. Still, there is just enough well-meaning intent between the cliches to qualify as a feel-good holiday diversion.

(Variety, 10/18/2009)

News vet Paula Zahn brings a personal approach to the genre that gets her subjects to open up. Compared with other Investigation Discovery shows such as "Wicked Attraction" (romances gone wrong) and "Most Evil" (think Manson, Dahmer), Zahn brings a lighter, more sisterly, Oprah-like style to the proc

(Variety, 9/30/2009)

Director Andy Mikita's dark style, combined with "The Mist's" Rohn Schmidt's lensing, creates a deliberately unsettling milieu for Stargate's fourth spin-off.

(Parents' Choice Foundation, 9/25/2009)

Every fall season marks the promise of something new, but really, Hollywood has been recycling for years. This season isn’t so much new as it is familiar—old shows have been reworked and popular trends repackaged.

(Variety, 9/20/2009)

If healthcare reform doesn't work out, at least there's daytime TV. Self-ordained "America's doctor" Mehmet Oz debuted his syndicated series in 99 percent of the country the week of Sept. 14 in hopes of capturing a good chunk of our health- and beauty-obsessed culture.

(Parents' Choice Foundation, 9/10/2009)

Based on the Noggin show Pinky Dinky Doo, the site from Sesame Workshop utilizes main characters Pinky and her little brother Tyler to let visitors create stories, play games, listen to podcasts and watch videos.

(Parents' Choice Foundation, 9/8/2009)

Instead of just watching TV, kids can become a part of the creative process through Zimmertwins.com.

(Variety, 6/26/2009)

"Princess Protection Program" is as light as a summer breeze on the Louisiana bayou -- the perfect vehicle to further showcase Disney's newest franchise stars, Selena Gomez and Demi Lovato. A fairy-tale story of an imperiled princess and the tomboy who befriends her, the pic should be a hit with the

(Variety, 5/27/2009)

"Safe Harbor" is exactly what it purports to be -- a haven of feel-good sentiments amid an onslaught of real-world bad news. A sound vehicle whose solid cast and based-on-real-life morality keep it afloat, this Hallmark Channel movie ultimately works, even if the characterizations don't always hold w

(Parents' Choice Foundation, 5/20/2009)

Yo Gabba Gabba! is one of those unique shows that appeals across unexpected demographics. Made with the preschool set in mind, it’s found a following on YouTube and on college campuses.

(Parents' Choice Foundation, 5/19/2009)

Smithsonian Channel's special jumps from canvas to canvas, giving a little back story about what it means to be captured for posterity and how a few brush strokes could change the way the world remembers a U.S. President.

(Parents' Choice Foundation, 5/18/2009)

F. Murray Abraham narrates this 'Nature' special, which turns its lens on the powerful symbol of our country. Through specially designed nest cameras and some exceptional photography, viewers watch the stories of several eagle families unfold.

(Parents' Choice Foundation, 5/17/2009)

Word Girl chooses her weapons carefully. But a rich vocabulary won't do any good if no one understands what she's saying, so each episode she introduces viewers to the definitions and context of new and challenging words. The stories and lessons are so entertaining most kids won't realize that - horr

(Parents' Choice Foundation, 5/16/2009)

Fetch! With Ruff Ruffman, a reality game show parody that treats kids with respect and cats with disdain continues its quirky charm.

(Parents' Choice Foundation, 5/14/2009)

The experts say that the future of our economy depends on our advancements in the fields of science, technology, engineering and math (STEM). Simply put, that means we need to get better at piquing and keeping our kids interested in these subjects. Design Squad, a reality/game show hybrid that pit

(Variety, 5/6/2009)

Bravo's look-alike replacement for "Project Runway" is what Christian Siriano would call a hot mess.

(Variety, 3/29/2009)

Redemption, it seems, does have a price tag -- 50 grand and, apparently any shred of self-respect. Oxygen Network's competitive reality series "Pretty Wicked," a so-called social experiment, attempts to instill inner beauty within a group of good-looking beasts.

(Variety, 2/17/2009)

Canada's new original show for SoapNet, Being Erica, is frothy fun.

(Variety, 2/11/2009)

PBS' updates its flagship series Masterpiece with a modern retelling of the Charles Dickens classic Oliver Twist.

(Variety, 11/15/2008)

A sordid story of unbridled materialism and excess, The Two Mr. Kissels is based on the real-life account of brothers whose quick rise in the financial world was met with particularly gruesome downfalls.

(Variety, 11/13/2008)

Hallmark Channel's latest original movie is a thoughtful, poignant story that showcases the acting chops of Chandra Wilson.

(Variety, 10/2/2008)

Extremely topical, well acted and surprisingly touching, "Easy Money" is a promising new entry from Media Rights Capital.

(Variety, 10/2/2008)

Valentine, the new comedy from Kevin Murphy and Media Rights Capital, the fledgling independent studio, will certainly need divine intervention to make it on the CW.

(Variety, 9/10/2008)

Actress Bonnie Hunt enters the cut-throat daytime talk show world.

(Variety, 9/5/2008)

Stars come together for “Stand Up to Cancer,” an ambitious effort spanning three networks, offered viewers a chance to become informed about and donate to the war against cancer.

(Variety, 9/3/2008)

The sequel to the popular series doesn't live up to the original.

(Variety, 8/21/2008)

Jayne Seymour makes a comeback to television as this household diva turned small-town sleuth.

(Variety, 7/10/2008)

Stephen Collins trains daughter Magda Apanowicz, a champion rodeo rider, in Hallmark Channel's telepic 'Every Second Counts.'

(Variety, 6/12/2008)

iCarly, the popular webshow, is in danger of becoming a network sitcom.

(Variety, 1/31/2008)

A romance novelist helps others find love and marriage and discovers more about herself along the way.

(Variety, 1/24/2008)

Amber Tamblyn, left, and Jennifer Ehle must confront the pain of a shared secret in Hallmark Hall of Fame pic 'The Russell Girl' on CBS.

(Variety, 1/1/2008)

Carson Kressley of Queer Eye fame helps women with self-esteem issues in a new reality series from Lifetime.

(Variety, 1/1/2008)

A look at the decadent world of the Orange County party circuit in Lifetime's new reality show.

(Variety, 1/1/2008)

A review of the new Lifetime reality dating show.

(Variety, 11/29/2007)

The latest Hallmark Hall of Fame original movie.

(Variety, 9/21/2007)

A cop with a lot to prove returns to the force with a very new outlook on life.

(Variety, 9/13/2007)

A critique of the gossip web site turned TV entertainment show.

(Variety, 8/23/2007)

Review of the original Lifetime movie

(Variety, 8/10/2007)

Review of the tween phenomenon sequel High School Musical 2

(Parents' Choice, 8/5/2010)

The numbers on this monster are huge. It can sneak up on unsuspecting folk and take a giant bite--out of the ratings. Shark Week is that annual TV event that sends shivers down the collective viewing spine and yet draws record numbers year after year. Sharks are now hotter than dinosaurs--both fear

(Parents' Choice, 4/26/2010)

My daughter, like me, is an avid reader. So it wasn't a big surprise that after finishing the Harry Potter series (for the fifth time), she moved onto Twilight. She begrudgingly took the book after ignoring my endorsement-- any suggestion from me is obviously tainted by uncool mom germs. Then somethi

(Parents' Choice, 4/22/2010)

My teen daughter is a big fan of Glee. She's one of the millions of young viewers who've caught the singing bug and enjoy the musical frivolity that is the latest TV sensation. Just so we're clear, aside from musical numbers, Glee isn't anything like High School Musical. Compared to HSM, Glee is roug

(Parents' Choice, 3/29/2010)

Now is a good time to ask ourselves whether or not we are giving our kids the selections that reflect our values. Tastes for foods, books and television are developed, not ingrained. Sure, habits are hard to break and change is often met with resistance, but isn't it time we give them some good food

(Parents' Choice, 3/22/2010)

Multi-tasking is a part of life, so "watching" TV can really mean checking some e-mails or sorting papers. But when my daughter noticed I wasn't paying attention to her selected show, she got mad. A selfish pre-teen moment or missed parenting opportunity?

(Parents' Choice Foundation, 11/15/2009)

A good mystery movie is a great two-for-one deal--it's a puzzle and it can offer thrills without the full-blown chills of a scary movie. It also does what many family genre movies don't makes viewers think. Done well, it keeps you guessing right up until the last frame. Here's a selection of movies w

(Parents' Choice Foundation, 9/25/2009)

Every fall season marks the promise of something new, but really, Hollywood has been recycling for years. This season isn't so much new as it is familiar--old shows have been reworked and popular trends repackaged.

(Parents' Choice Foundation, 8/15/2009)

Whether you are looking for inspiration or entertainment, you can find that and more through this sampling of musical films--a cross section of soul, rock, classical and Broadway, fiction and documentary.

(Parents' Choice Foundation, 11/15/2008)

By trimming away the excess, we remember to appreciate the small things--those seemingly insignificant moments that, when added together, make up some of the best family memories.

(Parents' Choice Foundation, 9/15/2008)

Rather than taking everybody out to the movies, try staying in for a full fledged family movie night.

(Parents' Choice, 1/12/2008)

TV viewing should be a choice, not a habit.

(Parents' Choice Foundation, 11/1/2007)

The truth about reality shows and how parents can determine which to watch with their kids.

(Parents' Choice Foundation, 10/1/2007)

Kids are actually wired for thrills and scary movies and books are all part of the natural growth process.

(Parents' Choice Foundation, 9/1/2007)

Getting kids ready for going back to school with the help of Hollywood.

(Parents' Choice Foundation, 7/1/2007)

With a little savvy, parents can use films based on books to inspire a love of reading.

(Parents' Choice Foundation, 6/1/2007)

An essay that explores age-appropriate humor in television and movies.

(Parents' Choice Foundation, 5/1/2007)

Parents shouldn't be fooled by shows that claim to make your toddler smarter.

(Parents' Choice, 11/11/2011)

Anna Ostapenko, a young hand balancing performer in Cirque du Soleil's newest show, Quidam, has the kind of life that you read about in adventure books. At 15, she left her family and friends in her native Ukraine and joined the circus. Not just any circus, but the highly inventive, physically demand

(Variety, 6/5/2008)

David Duchovny's role as the over-sexed writer Hank Moody makes fans all but forget about Fox Mulder and The X-Files.

(Variety, 1/3/2008)

Interviews with the hottest Hollywood stars in the 2007 Award season.

(Variety, 12/7/2007)

An interview with the actress about her critically-acclaimed role in "Away From Her."

(Variety, 11/26/2006)

An interview with Danish film star Mads Mikkelsen and his international breakthrough role in Casino Royale.

(Common Ties, 11/5/2007)

An essay about a random act of kindness amidst personal tragedy.

(Parents' Choice, 10/9/2010)

With all of the channels out there, it's easier than ever to find great programming for you and your family. The problem is that some of the best shows or channels aren't always available to all viewers. The good news is that many are available on your computer--when you want to watch them. It's th

(ivillage.com, 9/10/2009)

If you're a fan of the big group sing, you won't be disappointed in either High School Musical or Fox's new show Glee. The question is, do you like your musicals sweet or with a tangy twist?

(ivillage.com, 9/8/2009)

What's a parent to do when her child's favorite stars appear nude on the Internet or acts inappropriately in public?

(ivillage.com, 9/8/2009)

There was a time when kids dreamed of being doctors or astronauts or even the president. These days, it seems that most kids are practicing in front of the mirror for their 15 minutes of fame. Celebrity, it seems, is a must-have accessory for tweens and teens.

(The Independent, 8/14/2009)

In the post-ER world of American TV medical dramas, a raft of new shows is shifting the focus from the doctors to the nurses. But, says Gerard Gilbert, while they offer gore, adultery and drug abuse aplenty, one subject remains stubbornly out-of-bounds. Laura Fries of Variety, offers her opinion.

(The Independent, 2/27/2009)

There's both good news and bad news for TV patriots and for those who still cling to the belief that Britain makes the best television in the world. Laura Fries offers her opinion to UK's The Independent.

(Variety, 1/23/2009)

Mort Marcus and Ira Bernstein, co-presidents of Lionsgate's Debmar-Mercury come up with a new business model to distribute "The Wendy Williams Show."

(Parents' Choice Foundation, 1/15/2009)

With so many options for family movie nights at home, you'll save enough money on gas and tickets to order pizza--with extra toppings.

(Parents' Choice, 12/29/2012)

Experts say that pessimists who win millions in the lottery will, months afterward, become very unhappy and pessimistic yet again. Conversely optimistic people who develop cancer can remain optimistic and often do better even while undergoing tough treatment.

(Parents' Choice, 12/22/2012)

Shouldn't we celebrate everything we can?

(Parents' Choice, 12/15/2012)

As we try to teach our kids fiscal responsibility as well as compassion for others, we need to think of innovative ways to accomplish both.

(Parents' Choice, 12/8/2011)

The most recent Black Friday seems to contradict all that we thought was true this year: that people have less money to spend frivilously and are getting by with fewer possessions. Hopefully, the shopping flash mob was just the rush of tryptophan from the Thanksgiving turkey and not a return to the o

(Parents' Choice, 12/1/2011)

While many kid movie characters have come and gone, the Muppets have endured. Their latest feature film, in fact, is a box office and critical success. It makes one wonder what it is that makes the Muppets so timeless, especially when most others fall to fads.

(Parents' Choice, 11/17/2011)

Cirque Du Soleil's Quidam has been around since 1996, but the troupe is trying a different approach with the familiar story, taking it out from under it's traditional big blue and yellow tent and bringing it to arenas in North America. If you've ever attended one of Cirque Du Soleil's performances (

(Parents' Choice, 11/3/2011)

It has begun. Before the Halloween decorations are even put away, we adults feel the pressure of the impending holiday season upon us. Magazines, stores and television ads are all about creating the perfect, festive holidays. It seems like we were just at back to school night and now we have to think

(Parents' Choice, 10/27/2011)

One of the fall's most heralded new shows is Fox's Terra Nova, a big budget sci-fi extravaganza from executive producer Steven Spielberg. So yes, there are dinosaurs as well as bad guys and lots of action and special effects. The basic premise is that in the future, we have wasted our natural resour

(Parents' Choice, 10/24/2011)

In the world according to television, we all live in beautifully decorated homes, friendly small towns with hiddily-ho neighborly neighbors. That is, unless, you live in that alternate TV stereotype--the creepy town of supernatural creatures, disturbing characters and unsolved murders. The real fac

(Parents' Choice, 10/13/2011)

Television is often like looking in a fun house mirror. We see bits of ourselves, but often it is exaggerated or even distorted. Most of us expect this from series dramas and comedies, but the influx of reality shows has made this "mirror" image all the more distorted. Granted, most of us can assume

(Parents' Choice, 10/6/2011)

October is Breast Cancer Awareness month so it's not unusual to see people sporting pink ribbons, scarves and other items to serve as a reminder. Even NFL football players are decked out in pink this month. Considering that one in eight women will be affected by Breast Cancer in their lifetime, it's

(Parents' Choice, 9/29/2011)

Easy, not cheap is a subtle distinction and no, we aren't talking about personal reputations. Every day, busy parents face the dilemma of doing what is quick and easy over what is ultimately best for your family, be it food, television or exercise. We've all fallen prey to the easy road at some point

(Parents' Choice, 9/22/2011)

According to a recent story in the New York Times, failure isn't just an option for students; it just may be a necessity. The article looks at the teacher, scholars and psychologists who researched why some kids, despite good schools and parental support, don’t make it through college. Across all inc

(Parents' Choice, 9/15/2011)

It's been all over the news--the TV study that proves watching SpongeBob will make your child fail in school. Ooops--Sorry. Got a little caught up in the media hype. Every couple of months, there's a new study that comes up with some proclamation that most conscientious parents already know--wh

(Parents' Choice, 9/8/2011)

My daughter looks at me with disbelief when I talk about growing up without Netflix, Internet, Nintendo or Ipods. It's just unimaginable to her. How did we know what was going on in the world? How could we live not knowing what our friends were doing every minute? I try to stress the point that now

(Parents' Choice, 9/1/2011)

Say what you want about the pitfalls of TV, but during a summer of Midwest tornadoes, East Coast earthquakes, and all-encompassing hurricanes, television has brought us together. When cell phones fail, and e-mails go unanswered, we can count on getting a close up look at what is happening in other pa

(Parents' Choice, 8/18/2011)

Panicked about back to school? It seems like the kids are hardly out of school before you have to start planning for the next academic year, especially when the marketing push for school supplies started the beginning of July (just when you were looking for more sunscreen for vacation). For most of u

(Parents' Choice, 8/11/2011)

Parents have seen loads of great information lately about how to combat bullying in schools and online. We've all had conversations with our kids about appropriate behavior, accepting our differences and utilizing constructive communication skills to achieve compromise. So it makes it all the harder

(Parents' Choice, 8/8/2011)

Once, there was no such thing as a Summer Blockbuster, then Steven Spielberg introduced the world to Jaws. Now, every summer, movie execs try to recreate the summer sensation--usually a loud, action filled supernatural hero-type movie. Really though, one of the joys of summer is undiscovered film, t

(Parents' Choice, 7/28/2011)

Across most of the US, it's hot out. Record-breaking hot. It's the lead story on the news and it's not the first time that weather, good or bad, has been the main topic of conversation. TV Weather Forecasters are the new stars with entire channels dedicated specifically to climate conditions, downloa

(Parents' Choice, 7/14/2011)

Unless you live under a rock, then you have probably heard that the last Harry Potter film, Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows Part 2, debuts this week. Though this marks the end of the series, it will probably not end the love affair many have with Rowling's wizard universe.

(Parents' Choice, 7/9/2011)

As a nation, we've become obsessed with measuring the achievements and abilities of our kids. Perhaps it is just our competitive nature or possibly the skyrocketing costs of higher education that drive parents to push their kids to greatness. This phenomenon is deftly explored in Vicki Abeles' docume

(Variety, 6/30/2011)

Garages and closets are filled with failed educational gifts--the unopened science lab, the dusty rock tumbler, the broken ant farm. Like a foreign language, these can fade from memory if left unused. Worse, if they require extra materials or a complicated set up, chances are they won't be a go-to ac

(Parents' Choice, 6/24/2011)

Take a look at the current TV line up and you'll notice a large proportion of teens with transformative powers. The newest is MTV's reworking of Teen Wolf, about a young lacrosse player juggling school, sports and the supernatural. ABC Family has The Nine Lives of Chloe King, which features a young g

(Parents' Choice, 6/16/2011)

A new article in The Atlantic, "How to Land Your Kid in Therapy," talks about an increasing phenomenon in which young adults, after childhoods filled with fair play, equal time for all and no hurt feelings, wind up with a disconnected and skewed view of the world. I agree, we don't want to watch our

(Parents' Choice, 6/13/2011)

Call them guilty pleasures, B-movies or camp classics, either way, they are a light-hearted, fun way to get the family together. These are movies are so bad, they're, well not good, but sure to generate groans and giggles.

(Parents' Choice, 6/2/2011)

Sports is great way to bond with kids, be it on the field or in the living room, and addition to rules, rants and fantasy leagues, it's just as important to talk about good sportsmanship. The question of whether celebrities and sports figures should be or are role models will always be hotly debated.

(Parents' Choice, 5/27/2011)

It used to be that summer vacation meant trying to get kids back inside the house for supper or even bed time. These days, the challenge is tearing them away for the computer or TV screen. Summer vacation should still be about the outdoors, but it doesn't have to be entirely tech-free. Luckily, paren

(Parents' Choice, 5/20/2011)

While playing a popular trivia game not long ago, I was able to quickly answer a game-winning question. Who wrote the line, "To thine own self be true? "I knew it of course. I was, after all, an English major in college. I took a course in just Shakespeare. But to be perfectly honest, those years of

(Parents' Choice, 5/12/2011)

I didn't think TV producers could find reality subjects to exploit that would be more obscure than "Ice Road Truckers" or Pregnant in Heels," but alas, they have.

(Parents' Choice, 5/5/2011)

As Atul Gawande's documents in "The Checklist Manifesto: How to Get Things Right," lists are a vital yet underused tool.

(Parents' Choice, 4/28/2011)

Face time still trumps status updates or badly spelled texts any day. Still, it is crucial to know how to navigate in her tech savvy world.

(Parents' Choice, 4/14/2011)

There is a delicate balance to the way the world works and even a small shift can have rippling consequences. One of the hardest workers on our colony called Earth is the honeybee. These guys probably don't get enough credit for all their busy little buzzing does for us humans. Now it's our turn to h

(Parents' Choice, 4/7/2011)

The old adage suggests that time flies when you're having fun. Truth is, time simply flies by. Our kids grow up fast. Our lives change so quickly sometimes it's hard to keep track. Fortunately there are now easy and innovative ways to capture our memories. Kids can create their own story books illus

(Parents' Choice, 3/31/2011)

There was a time when geeks and nerds were the social outcasts of the world--a source of jokes about living in basements and building toy models. They were simply the lowest people on the cultural food chain. With our fast paced technological world, it has increasingly become hip to be square. No lon

(Parents' Choice, 3/24/2011)

We're lucky to have so many tools at our disposal to enrich and enlighten our children. We can supplement classroom work and sharpen minds through toys, web sites and even educational TV programming--and tha's just the extra stuff we have at home. Not everyone is so lucky and even schools can lack b

(Parents' Choice, 3/17/2011)

The NCAA Tournament seems like a big excuse for grownups to act like little kids. Ask around the office and chances are, you'll find copy machines clogged with basketball pools and complicated diagrams for predicting the final champion. Even President Obama is busy filling out college basketball bra

(Parents' Choice, 3/10/2011)

I can't help but feel partially responsible for the unending popularity of Scooby Doo. As a kid, I lived for Saturday mornings, watching the gang solve the latest mystery and that eventually carried over to my own daughter. Recently, I've been waxing nostalgic over other shows from my childhood and l

(Parents' Choice, 2/17/2011)

Rarely do we think of chores and daily house work as part of an overall education, but when colleges start offering Laundry 101 and Personal Care as course selections, you realize that these aren't skills to take for granted. Still, how did we get to the point where we send our kids off into the worl

(Parents' Choice, 2/10/2011)

If I were a Greek God, I'd be Hera. As far as Harry Potter characters go, I would be Cedric Diggory, yet tested as a Gryffindor for my Hogwarts house. My aura is Blue, my heart color is purple and I've seen 56 of the AFI 100 Years, 100 Movies list. Admit it--we have all wasted time taking quizzes

(Parents' Choice, 2/3/2011)

One of my earliest writing jobs was reviewing video games. Of course, they weren't as fancy and realistic as they are now, but it did make for an interesting day at work. It would seem natural then that I would jump at the chance when my 13-year-old asks me to play Wii with her. Most of the time I sa

(Parents' Choice, 1/28/2011)

Lately, I've found myself pining for the good old days. When I look at the various shows on TV now, I don't see any really positive female characters. Sure, there are some that I like and enjoy, but if I scratch the surface for deeper meaning, life analogies, identifiable, empowering young female cha

(Parents' Choice, 1/20/2011)

This month, ABC Family debuts "Mean Girls 2," the sequel to the 2004 Lindsey Lohan movie. The original film, a social satire written by Emmy-winner Tina Fey, took a look at the brutal warfare that can go on between girls, all under the guise of friendship. And while it seems a little strange to look

(Parents' Choice, 1/13/2011)

If going by the sheer number of cooking and/or food related programs on TV, you would think that our society consists solely of Julia Child prodigies. We're obsessed with food, and as a nation, we're seriously overweight. There are several great public initiatives such as Michelle Obama's Let's Move

(Parents' Choice, 1/6/2011)

We worry about how much TV our kids watch and concern ourselves with the particular shows they are viewing. Still, it's important for parents to think about what kids are seeing on TV. Do the families and people on the small screen look, live or act your family? Would you let your kids talk to you th

(Parents' Choice, 12/30/2010)

The New Year comes with many expectations and resolutions. It can be exciting for kids at the thought of a new, blank slate of a year, but it can become quickly overwhelming if one adopts too many resolutions. One tradition our family has is journaling the year on the back of a favorite holiday card

(Parents' Choice, 12/16/2010)

It's not uncommon to find DVDs of favorite TV shows wrapped under the tree--or maybe even a flat screen with a bow on it for the really extravagant. Giving the gift of TV this holiday season is much more than just DVDs and fancy television sets. TV is a launching pad to more interactive, interestin

(Parents' Choice, 12/9/2010)

The first cat I ever owned was named Elsa--not for the similarly spelled heroine of Casablanca (although I love that movie), but rather after the beautiful lioness raised by George and Joy Adamson. Before there was Willy to free, or marching penguins, the first animal superstar was Elsa, an orphaned

(Parents' Choice, 12/2/2010)

Tired of the same old movies and specials for the holidays? Sure, tradition can be comforting, but creating new memories can be just as fun. Want to know what the animals really do on Christmas? Check out "Nature: Christmas in Yellowstone" on PBS. Interested in other cultures and their celebrations?

(Parents' Choice, 11/18/2010)

Like thousands of fans, I have tickets to tonight's midnight showing of "Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows Part 1." I'm taking my 13-year-old daughter--on a school night no less--along with several other friends and their children. For mom Denise Fulton, the choice was easy. "Harry Potter inspir

(Parents' Choice, 11/11/2010)

We've all done it--passed along that clip of the surprised kitten or the bridal party that danced down the church aisle. They're good for a laugh or a smile and are generally considered fun time wasters. Yet, there are a few tidbits that, every once in a while, are so marvelous that I have to share w

(Parents' Choice, 10/28/2010)

Halloween is traditionally about thrills and chills-- not to mention candy. But all of the elements we love about Halloween, creating costumes, do-it-yourself decor, chunkin' pumpkins-- aren't necessarily frivolous fun. In fact, there are great concepts and projects that you can indulge in all year

(Parents' Choice, 10/14/2010)

Parents are usually careful to check social networks and online gaming sites, but it's far too easy to take educational and homework sites for granted. In the old days (we're talking before there were even computers or the Internet); home work was done with hard back books and volume after volume of

(Parents' Choice, 9/16/2010)

Kids love a good story. That's something that hasn't changed with the advent of Nintendo. Movies, books and even video games can't hold your attention if there isn't at least some underlying story. Even if the basic plot doesn't seem all that deep or worthwhile, it can be a great creative starting po

(Parents' Choice, 9/2/2010)

Labor Day marks the symbolic end of summer. Even though the day is usually marked by pool parties or cook outs, it can elicit groans and sometimes a few tears from the kids. Summer vacation is over. Never mind that most of them are secretly anxious to see new friends back at school, try out a spiffy

(Parents' Choice, 8/26/2010)

Ever wish your kids came with an owner's manual? How about an instructional DVD? Sound ridiculous? A lot of parenting is instinctual, but a great deal is really trial-by-fire education. We don't often think of TV or movies as a tool to help us through the growing pains of parenting, but resources d

(Parents' Choice, 8/19/2010)

Steven Spielberg made his first movie when he was 12. Armed with his dad's 8 mm camera, he convinced his sister to star in "The Last Gunfight." While "Gunfight" may not have earned the famous director one of his many Academy Awards (although he reportedly completed his photography merit badge), it di

(Parents' Choice, 8/12/2010)

Faster internet. Quick bites. Instant news. Life in the fast lane has never meant more than it does today. In fact, if we are to believe "reality" TV, houses are built in a week, designer clothes are made in mere hours and weight loss transformation can happen overnight. TV execs were even were a

(Parents' Choice, 4/14/2010)

Summers in South Hampton, tennis and golf clubs and a big apartment in Manhattan seems like a charmed life, but as Tom Murray's poignant documentary "My Dad's in Heaven with Nixon" reveals, it was anything but.