BabyCenter.com, the #1 pregnancy and parenting digital resource, today released its 2016 U.S. Cost of Raising a Child report, which examines the rising cost of having a baby. More than 1,100 BabyCenter moms completed the survey, which found that parents spend an average of $13,000 per year on each child.
In 2016, 7 out of 10 moms say they are worried about having enough money to raise their kids – a 5 percent increase since last year. BabyCenter also found that 9 out of 10 moms are in debt and nearly 4 in 10 don’t see a day when they will be entirely debt free. Also, 1 in 4 is receiving financial aid from a parent or family member, and 1 in 3 is experiencing relationship issues with their partner due to working longer or irregular hours.
To view the multimedia release go to:
http://www.multivu.com/players/English/7700853-babycenter-cost-of-raising-a-child-report/
Visionworks and Davis Vision kicked off 2017 continuing their work to raise awareness about the importance of annual eye exams for school-aged children by increasing the number of vouchers and glasses they will donate this school year from 10,000 to 15,000. Through their joint initiative, Let’s Go See has already donated more than 8,300 vouchers since the 2016-17 school year started.
“The Let's Go See program has been instrumental in our efforts to spread awareness of the need for annual eye exams for school-aged children. We feel honored to help families provide eye exams and glasses to their kids, and look forward to continuing our mission,” said Jim Eisen, president and CEO of HVHC Inc., and president of Visionworks.
Between dental checkups, doctor's exams, and everything else parents do to keep kids healthy, children’s vision often gets overlooked. Many parents wait until their child has expressed an issue with their vision before taking them for an eye exam, but according to Prevent Blindness America, 1 in 4 school-aged children in the United States has a vision problem, which if left untreated can affect learning ability, personality, and adjustments in school.
To view the multimedia release go to:
http://www.multivu.com/players/English/7938651-visionworks-lets-go-see-childrens-eye-health-awareness/
ClosetMaid®, the industry leader in home storage and organization, has launched KidSpace™, a new collection of kid-tested and approved juvenile storage furniture. Comprised of 10 laminate storage items and a variety of compatible fabric drawers and wire frame fabric bins, this new line is attractive, durable, functional, safe and kid-friendly. Designed to be affordable and gender-neutral to look good anywhere in the home, KidSpace helps kids take a more active part in getting and staying organized. The entire product line ranges in price from $7.99 to $69.99 and will be available for purchase on www.closetmaid.com, popular online retailers and at select stores.
“Considering $22 billion is spent annually on toys in the USA, we created KidSpace to help keep them all organized,” said Scott Davis, vice president of product development and marketing, ClosetMaid. “Our research showed most storage products on the market classified as Juvenile/Kids were general items like bookcases and soft storage, so we wanted to take it a step further to offer something more to consumers.”
To view the multimedia release go to:
https://www.multivu.com/players/English/8094351-closetmaid-kidspace-storage-furniture/
Millions of children in the United States don’t have health coverage. As a result, it may be difficult or impossible for them to get the routine preventive care that keeps them healthy or access to the care they need if they get sick or injured. But, the majority of the nation’s uninsured children are eligible for free or low-cost health coverage through their state Medicaid or Children’s Health Insurance Program (CHIP). They can apply for the comprehensive benefits these programs provide at any time, and now the enrollment process is faster.
To view the multimedia release go to:
https://www.multivu.com/players/English/8102651-hhs-connecting-kids-to-coverage-psa-insurekidsnow/
Today LeapFrog® Enterprises, Inc. announced the availability of its updated LeapStart™ Learning System, offering key enhancements to the successful, interactive learning system. Providing the perfect balance of core school and life skills, the LeapStart Learning System gets kids excited about counting, learning to read, problem solving and more with fun, replayable activities. Engaging new content featuring popular children’s characters, the availability of LeapFrog’s acclaimed Learn to Read series and a newly designed adaptable stylus give children the tools they need to build tomorrow’s skills today.
To view the multimedia release go to:
https://www.multivu.com/players/English/8140752-leapfrog-leapstart-new-content/
Today LeapFrog® Enterprises, Inc. announced the availability of its updated LeapStart™ Learning System, offering key enhancements to the successful, interactive learning system. Providing the perfect balance of core school and life skills, the LeapStart Learning System gets kids excited about counting, learning to read, problem solving and more with fun, replayable activities. Engaging new content featuring popular children’s characters, the availability of LeapFrog’s acclaimed Learn to Read series and a newly designed adaptable stylus give children the tools they need to build tomorrow’s skills today.
To view the multimedia release go to:
https://www.multivu.com/players/English/8140752-leapfrog-leapstart-new-content/
Back to school is right around the corner and with it comes the chaos of school year routines! The to-do list for families before classes begin is extensive: getting the kids ready on time, making sure they get to school safely, preparing lunches in a pinch, and the list keeps going on! With so much to do, even the most put together parent might feel overwhelmed.
If anyone knows how to get a family on the move and into a seamless routine, it’s parenting expert Colleen Burns: she raised six sons! On Tuesday, August 8, Colleen is available for live interviews to discuss her top tips for getting parents (and kids!) ready for the school year to begin.
Today, HHS’ Administration for Children and Families (ACF), along with the National Responsible Fatherhood Clearinghouse, has launched a new series of public service advertisements (PSAs) recognizing the critical role fathers play in the lives of their children.
The public service campaign created by the non-profit Ad Council coincides with Tell a Joke Day and centers on the popularity and growing trend of telling “Dad” jokes. Through sharing dad jokes, the PSAs aim to communicate to fathers that the smallest moments spent with their children can make the biggest difference in their children’s lives. The ads direct fathers to Fatherhood.gov where users will find helpful tips, tools, information and jokes to help them get more involved with their kids.
To view the multimedia release go to:
https://www.multivu.com/players/English/8156551-ad-council-fatherhood-dad-jokes/
littleBits, the award-winning company that empowers kids to be inventors, today announced the launch of its Droid Inventor Kit, which enables kids to create their own Droid. An integral part of the global launch of Disney and Lucasfilm's Force Friday II, the Droid Inventor Kit brings Droids to life, inspiring imagination and invention for kids around the world. Kids can easily create and power up their own mechanical companion using littleBits electronic Bits--along with the free Droid Inventor app--to send their creation on more than 17 special Star Wars missions, complete with authentic Droid sounds from the Star Wars films. As they unlock new capabilities and level up their Droid Inventor skills, kids can also learn how to create their own custom R2 Units and experiences, combining play with real hands-on learning.
“Today we are continuing a global inventor movement that empowers young people to participate in a story that inspires them to be creators, not just consumers of technology,” said Ayah Bdeir, founder & CEO of littleBits. “We’ve created a gender-inclusive product that celebrates kids’ own self-expression and ingenuity, while showcasing the same characteristics of imagination, grit and invention that are embodied in the Star Wars franchise.”
To view the multimedia release go to:
https://www.multivu.com/players/English/8170651-littlebits-droid-inventor-kit-star-wars-kids-toys-stem/
Continuing its commitment to bringing parents’ technology to the next generation of kids, VTech® today announces the availability of KidiBuzz™, an innovative new hand-held smart device for kids. With quality content and robust features similar to those found in parents’ smartphones, KidiBuzz lets kids play games, watch videos, listen to music, send text messages and more. Already one of the hottest toys for the holiday season, KidiBuzz has earned a place on the influential TTPM Most Wanted List.
“VTech has always strived to adapt adult technology for kids in a smart, engaging way that supports the way they play,” said William To, President, VTech Electronics North America. “KidiBuzz fills a need in the marketplace for kids growing up in the age of smartphones who want to mimic their parents, while addressing the concerns of parents who aren’t ready to commit to the expense and responsibility of a phone and plan.”
To view the multimedia release go to:
https://www.multivu.com/players/English/8140758-vtech-kidibuzz-smart-device-for-kids/
The back-to-school craze is in full motion, and the National Pork Board (NPB) wants to help parents prepare meals not just for their kids, but for the whole family. NPB has partnered with top digital Latino influencers to bring healthy, savory meals for everyday eating.
“Back to school is a special time for the entire family, and we wanted to offer tips and pork recipes with quality nutrition that could be enjoyed by the entire family,” said Jose de Jesus, director of multicultural marketing at The National Pork Board. “It is important that even with the craze of this season families get to enjoy homemade dishes. Pork is safe, healthy and affordable, making it the perfect protein for any lunch box.”
To view the multimedia release go to:
https://www.multivu.com/players/English/8391951-national-pork-board-back-to-school-meal-planning/
Today VTech® announces the availability of new Go! Go! Smart Wheels® playsets, driving excitement to the line with fun new themes to spark toddlers’ imaginations. The Go! Go! Smart Wheels line offers engaging play experiences while teaching first words, letters and more and features innovative SmartPoint® technology that truly brings the toys to life.
“Kids love our Go! Go! Smart Wheels line because it’s fun; parents love that it’s smart and engaging. With this new collection there’s even more to love, with exciting themes that will take kids on thrilling new adventures,” said Andy Keimach, President, VTech Electronics North America. “From a police tower that allows kids to chase a getaway car, to a multi-level, interactive garage, to an airport with a plane that ‘takes off,’ there are engaging play experiences for every child.”
To view the multimedia release go to:
https://www.multivu.com/players/English/8327353-vtech-go-go-smart-wheels/
