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Tweens

How can I tactfully ask our family not to give my kids character toys?
 How can I tactfully ask our family not to give my kids character toys? 150 150 Mediatrics

Q: I don’t want to seem ungrateful, and I know my children would probably like the Dora or Batman version of toys, but I just find that sort of commercialism unnecessary. How can I tell my family that we’d prefer they not get the character versions of toys when giving my kids gifts?
A: Let your family know how important it is to you that your child make up her own stories during plattime instead of having her playtime scripted by pre-digested plotlines.

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Do you have any tips on good gifts for kids?
 Do you have any tips on good gifts for kids? 150 150 Mediatrics

Q: Help! I’m shopping for kids of all ages this year for the holidays, and don’t know where to begin. What are your thoughts about the kinds of toys that are good for kids?
A: This year, focus on the CHILD–opt for Creative gifts you’ve decided upon after doing your Homework on the recipients’ interests, keeping in mind the importance of Imagination, Learning, and making Donations.

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Do cell phones affect kids’ sleep?
 Do cell phones affect kids’ sleep? 150 150 Mediatrics

Q: My middle-schooler seems like a zombie during the day since we agreed to let her have a cell phone. What’s going on here?
A: Like most tweens and teens, your daughter probably uses her phone primarly as a platform for texting–thus, she may sleep with it on a nightstand or even under her pillow, just in case she receives…

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Should I correct Thanksgiving stereotypes my kids see on TV?
 Should I correct Thanksgiving stereotypes my kids see on TV? 150 150 Mediatrics

Q: My school-age kids have seen TV shows and movies that show inaccurate stereotypes of the first Thanksgiving—grateful Pilgrims and wild “Indians” and lots of peace and harmony. Is it my place to correct them?
A: If what your kids are learning isn’t in line with your understanding of the actual story of Thanksgiving, start a discussion about what they’ve heard, and consider guiding them through these concepts that add nuance and accuracy to their understanding.
Answered by Dr. Michael Rich, The Mediatrician®

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My well-rounded teen wants to play violent, multiplayer games. Should I let him?
 My well-rounded teen wants to play violent, multiplayer games. Should I let him? 150 150 Mediatrics

Q: My 13-year-old likes to play the Call of Duty games, and claims it’s not too violent, bloody, or intense for him—he just thinks it’s fun. Should I let him keep playing it?
A: The answer to your question depends on what you’re concerned about. Given that your son is actively engaged in other activities, it sounds like you’re not worried that it might be getting in the way of other things in his life, so I suspect that your concern is about his exposure to and engagement with the game’s violence.

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How should I explain to my child that her favorite pop star is having emotional issues?
 How should I explain to my child that her favorite pop star is having emotional issues? 150 150 Mediatrics

Q: My 6-year-old adores singer/actress Demi Lovato. How can I talk to her about the reports that she is experiencing emotional issues and may have an eating disorder?
A: The most important conversation you can have with your daughter about this issue is one that separates this pop star’s image from who she really is as a young girl…
Answered by Dr. Michael Rich, The Mediatrician®

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Is it OK to watch the “It Gets Better” videos with kids?
 Is it OK to watch the “It Gets Better” videos with kids? 150 150 Mediatrics

Q: The It Gets Better videos are so powerful, but would my child be too young to understand them and just get upset?
A: The It Gets Better series is very good and should be commended for what it is: A well-intentioned initiative by adults about an important matter that needs to be addressed in a very public forum. The issue here, though, is that the brain development of child viewers is not yet as complete as that of the grown-ups producing these videos.
Answered by Dr. Michael Rich, The Mediatrician

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How can I address racial jokes on TV?
 How can I address racial jokes on TV? 150 150 Mediatrics

A: As you demonstrate you already know, humor around racism, sexism, discrimination or hate in any form tends to be very mature, and usually dark and painful…
Answered by Dr. Michael Rich, The Mediatrician®

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Is my daughter’s Halloween costume too sexy?
 Is my daughter’s Halloween costume too sexy? 150 150 Mediatrics

A: It’s likely you’ll get “But it’s just a book, Mom. She’s just a character.” You can respond by talking with her seriously: What is it about this costume that she likes? Does she realize how people will respond to her in it…
Answered by Dr Michael Rich, The Mediatrician

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My son’s school assignment is to watch the news, but I don’t usually let him; what do I do?
 My son’s school assignment is to watch the news, but I don’t usually let him; what do I do? 150 150 Mediatrics

Q: My son’s homework was to think about the news he watches and relate it to something in his history book, but I don’t let him watch the news. What should we do?
A: You are right to be concerned about your kids’ exposure to TV news. Because a more tabloid approach tends to bring higher ratings, TV news stations often cover the most outrageous…
Answered by Dr. Michael Rich, The Mediatrician®

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