good to know Massachusetts is 2020’s best state for working dads. In a recent study by WalletHub, the Bay State topped the list as the No. 1 state for men who play a dual role of parent and provider. The ranking took into account average length of work day, child care costs and men’s health. Minnesota and Connecticut rounded out the top three.
Nearly 26% of parents say they are hesitant to have their children get a flu shot, according to research published in the journal Pediatrics. Parents’ reluctance stems not from concerns about safety but from doubts about the effectiveness of the influenza vaccine. By contrast, just 6% of parents question the effectiveness of routine childhood vaccines, such as those for measles, mumps and whooping cough.
Google’s smart assistant can now help families with kids taking classes online from home. If you say “Hey Google, create a Family Bell,” you’ll be able to create bells throughout the day for things like lunch time, homework time, nap time, a reminder when a virtual class starts or when school starts and ends. The Assistant can be personalized to include the names of your kids for the tone, which has a unique sound, unlike a reminder. Nest Hub devices can also play background noises, like the sounds of people shuffling through lockers. 6 SEPTEMBER2020
Stay-at-home toys from Fisher-Price put playtime into the coronavirus pandemic BY MIKE SNIDER The newest Fisher-Price toys let kids play along with their parents who, as part of the coronavirus pandemic, are working from home and doing other stay-at-home activities. These new play sets let kids play like they also are working from home, exercising in the house, and spending more time in the kitchen – just like their parents. Babies and toddlers can play along with adults with these toys "that turn every day grownup activities into, well, toys," says Chuck Scothon, senior vice president of Fisher-Price and Mattel's global head of infant and preschool, in a blog post announcing them. "This collection features a number of actions that kids are seeing the adults in their lives do now more than ever."
• The Cutest Chef Gift Set ($14.99, available now) has a chef's apron bib, chewable oven mitt, tongs with a spinning meatball and a recipe card.
The new Fisher-Price toys include: • My Home Office Set ($24.99, available for pre-order) comes with a toy laptop with changeable fabric apps for the screen, toy smartphone, headset and coffee cup.
• Baby Biceps Gift Set ($14.99, available now) includes a headband, play dumbbell and kettlebell, plus a pretend protein shake drink cup.
• Tiny Tourist Gift Set ($14.99, available now) to make staycations feel like a game. The set includes a toy camera with a clicking lens and rattling beads, sunscreen bottle, a mirror and a chewable teething “passport." This was released earlier in the year.
Fisher-Price toy designers used popular social media hashtags – #food, #fitness and #staycations – as inspiration for the new products which are meant to tickle adults as well as kids, Scothon says. "We’ve always been focused on making playtime more fun by infusing surprising and playful elements into our toys," he said. "In the infant and preschool categories especially, we have deliberately focused on introducing toys that get parents and caregivers laughing too." Other Fisher-Price and Mattel toys announced during the pandemic included action figures and figurines of doctors, nurses, emergency medical technicians, grocery workers and delivery drivers. The company also released new Matchbox vehicles including delivery vans and a garbage truck, plus play sets including a police cruiser with a police officer and medical personnel.
