Tweens | Daddy Mojo

Speed of Life, just the pace for teens, especially girls

Heed the warning on the back of Speed of Life, but take it with a grain of salt. The warning says that its story is sad, talks about death and loss; but then references cat videos, kissing and moving on. All of which are true about Speed of Life, a middle school book that isn’t as heavy as you might think and deftly handles real world emotions that kids encounter.

Sofia is a 14 year old kid who is having a rough year. Her mother died eight months ago and she’s unable to move on from that fact. She has friends, her father is there for her and she regularly reads advice columns about grief, but it’s difficult. Plus, she’s 14, there are considerable changes happening internally and physically. Continue reading Speed of Life, just the pace for teens, especially girls

Win 4 passes to One Direction: This is Us, 8/10 at AMC Sugarloaf Mills

If you listen to top 40 radio you probably know or have heard of One Direction. If you have a daughter then you absolutely know about One Direction. If you have a daughter who is between 10-12 you know that I should be calling them 1D, know about their movie (One Direction: This is Us) and want me to get on with the ticket giveaway. Continue reading Win 4 passes to One Direction: This is Us, 8/10 at AMC Sugarloaf Mills

The Kitchen Witch is great, comic book fun for kids

I love to read. I’ve always loved to read and it was comic books that introduced me into the fact that reading is fun. That totally sounds like a PSA, but it’s true. I still read comic books, but, as a child I started reading easy reader comics like Spidey, and, to a lesser extent, Richie Rich. Thus, as a dad, I’m on the hunt for easy reader books that children will love. If your child is into fantasy adventure they will love The Kitchen Witch and here is why. Continue reading The Kitchen Witch is great, comic book fun for kids

A Perfect Pet for Peyton is great for kids 7-10

Any adult that has browsed for books has seen The 5 Love Languages by Dr. Gary Chapman. That book is a #1 New York Times Bestseller, has sold over 7 million copies and been translated into over 40 languages. That book led to The 5 Love Languages of Children, which is geared to how parents can better interact with children. A Perfect Pet for Peyton is essentially the children’s book that teaches them the 5 ways that people can give and receive love. Continue reading A Perfect Pet for Peyton is great for kids 7-10

Overweight children according to Chunk from The Goonies

We love The Goonies in our house. It’s one of those movies that can stop me and my wife from whatever we’re doing to sit down and watch. In The Goonies Chunk was played by Jeff Cohen, who at the time was a very chubby, excitable tween.

If Chunk were transplanted from the late 80’s to today, he could be labeled obese. Granted, Chunk is a fictional character, but the actor portraying him could either be taken away by the state, given a video guilt trip or have doctors that are scared of what parents think. Continue reading Overweight children according to Chunk from The Goonies

Mattel’s Clawdeen Wolf doll causes concern for parents

Toddler Mojo learned that he can close his eyes without going to sleep. He’s started squinting, then laughing, squinting his eyes, closing them and then falling on the floor laughing with his eyes closed. Some news stories make us want to close our eyes and this is one of them.

Clawdeen Wolf is a new entry in Mattel’s hugely popular Monster High doll line. Clawdeen Wolf looks like a stripper, granted that’s not too different from the Bratz dolls. Continue reading Mattel’s Clawdeen Wolf doll causes concern for parents