November 16, 2008

It’s no secret that a good, solid and well-rounded education is necessary to get ahead in today’s world.  But… it’s also true that many high school graduates aren’t even prepared for college, having to take remedial courses to review simple middle school and early high school math and English skills alongside Psych 101.  And wasn’t all of that supposed to be covered back in, oh I don’t know, high school?

In The Global Achievement Gap, Tony Wagner goes through the seven survival skills that are necessary to flourish in today’s world, what’s happening now that isn’t working to instill those skills in students, and what can be done to fix it.  For worried parents and citizens as well as disenchanted educators, The Global Achievement Gap sheds light on many educational pitfalls, including how many disregard the need to learn spelling due to the belief that everything can be spell-checked.  He talks about how so many students simply have no idea how to be curious or don’t have the analytical skills that will get them ahead in this world.  Wagner’s book is full of fact and findings, and it is quite an interesting read for anyone with an interest in the future of education in our country.

Check out The Global Achievement Gap at Amazon to take a peek inside the book and read an excerpt from the book.

Technorati Tags: The Global Achievement Gap, Tony Wagner, education, global economy, book review

Book Reviews, Education, Printables 3 Comments

November 16, 2008

…Jennifer, a mom from Arkansas who blogs at My Life With Four Kids.  Congratulations Jennifer!  You’ve won a soft, beautiful and oh-so-comfy pink and polka-dotted minky blankie from My Carseat Blankie!  I’ve sent you an email, so please check your inbox!

Looking for more great giveaways? Click Here!

In honor of International Baby Wearing week, Stephanie over at Adventures in Baby Wearing is hosting a giveaway for a sling from Nonny & Boo, and she’s inviting parents to share their baby wearing photos to enter!  These photos are from 2006, when littleQ was but an infant!  Time flies so fast…

Psst… check out how Motrin managed to anger a whole lotta moms: OMG Like, BabyWearing to Look Cool? Um.. NO Motrin

Technorati Tags: contest winners, international baby wearing week, motrin angers moms, motrin, baby wearing

A Mama's Life No comments

November 16, 2008

##Update!  As of about 9pm EST on Sunday, Nov. 16, 2008, Motrin has taken down the Mom-alogues ad from the website (as well as the entire site, actually).  Some bloggers, including the Crunchy Domestic Goddess and Katja Presnal, have received email responses from the VP of Marketing for McNeil, Kathy Widmer: Motrin’s email response to the onslaught of complaints over babywearing ad | Motrin Heard the News##

Motrin has definitely struck a pinched nerve with baby-wearing moms all over the web, twitter and the blogosphere. 

Sure, parenthood isn’t the easiest job in the world, and we all might need a little relaxation and maybe a little something extra to alleviate aches and pains, but who are you trying to sell your meds to with this garbage?

Wearing your baby seems to be in fashion.

I mean, in theory it’s a great idea.

There’s the front baby carrier, sling, schwing, wrap, pouch.

And who knows what else they’ve come up with. Wear your baby on your side, your front, go hands free.

Supposedly, it’s a real bonding experience.

They say that babies carried close to the bod tend to cry less than others.

But what about me? Do moms that wear their babies cry more than those who don’t?

I sure do!

These things put a ton of strain on your back, your neck, your shoulders. Did I mention your back?!

I mean, I’ll put up with the pain because it’s a good kind of pain; it’s for my kid.

Plus, it totally makes me look like an official mom.

And so if I look tired and crazy, people will understand why.

Thanks to Barb for the transcription of the ad, which at this point is still running HERE.  It’s entitled the Motrin Mom-Alogue.  Beth over at Small Dots caught some screenshots of the ad here: Motrin Moms React

I’m sorry, but what’s with this official mom business?  I don’t think we run out and buy slings to look cool, we buy slings and carriers to stay close to our babies AND to make carrying them easier.

If you get a chance to actually listen to the ad, note the faux-mom’s patronizingly chipper voice as she passive-aggressively bashes baby-wearing positives with her *supposedly* and *in theory* comments.  Someone didn’t do their marketing homework.  Note: Mommies won’t buy your product if you irritate at least 50% of them with your silly, misguided ads.  If that Motrin ad irritated you in any way, please head over to Motrin.com and send an email telling them so!

Check out what other moms are saying out in the blogosphere:

http://ecochildsplay.com/2008/11/15/more-outrage-as-motrinmoms-reaches-2-on-twitter/

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=j47elDsoBvM

http://merrycricket.blogspot.com/2008/11/would-you-like-some-insult-with-your.html

http://instinctparenting.wordpress.com/2008/11/15/motrin-ad/

http://jeremyscorner-grifter.blogspot.com/2008/11/motrin-hates-babywearing.html

Whether you’re a baby-wearer or not, it’s safe to say that whoever put this ad campaign together used poor judgment.  What the hell would be the point of irritating potential consumers of your product, or making many of those in your target demographic feel uncomfortable?  Well, if Motrin’s plan was to get enough panties in a twist here in the blogosphere and on the web, they have succeeded.  Great job by the way, pissing baby-wearers off during International Baby Wearing Week.

Technorati Tags: Motrin, Mom-alogue, motrin ad angers moms, #motrinmoms, baby wearing, international baby wearing week

A Mama's Life 10 Comments