3 Ring Binder

I love Barbie , and I’m not afraid to say it.   I reject the idea that playing with Barbie negatively impacts a child’s self-esteem. Even the Ph.D. author of that post admits to the hours of creative fun she had with Barbie. In exploring how homely dolls might improve one’s self-esteem, the Onion reported “ Mattel also announced that it would begin production next year on Timorous Tim, a fey, cowardly action figure designed to boost the confidence of shy young boys. ” The ridiculousness of that effort is a source of humor, so why are the imagined beauty standards of a doll so often seen as harmful? Millions of little girls (and boys, I would guess) have played with Barbie and very few have been scarred, or have chosen to be permanently re-configured as a result.  Clearly, the overwhelming majority of children who play with Barbie go on to lead normal, productive lives. In fact, Barbie may be an inspiration toward those future careers. More than simply not ...

Sometimes, like when I see things like the order of her closet, I get concerned about the inner workings of my daughter's mind. Then I see things like this taped to her door. The Clue less Series Mrs. White: The Dark Place 55 years after Emily Shwartz runs away from a horrible history, a "Mrs. White" finds herself teaching an incompetent, German parlor maid how to make a pot roast.  But when a mysterious and yet incredibly boring man appears on Mrs. White's employer's doorsteps, Mrs. White's life becomes considerably more surprising.  Unwelcome memories come back to her.  Uniformed men ask her questions. With the help of an odd women who is part- icularly fond of a certain bird, Mrs. S. Rouge, and a portly detective, Mrs. White uncovers a mystery with shocking results. PLEASE FORGIVE SPELLING MISTAKES! What I love about this little bit of insight into her mind is that she is not only intent on writing a series of stories using the ...