The BritMums Blog

How advertisers intend to ‘let children be children’

Since June’s Bailey Review raised concerns over the commercialisation and sexualisation of children and called for more responsible behaviour by broadcasters and advertisers, pressure has been on advertisers to control the “wallpaper” of sexual imagery facing today’s children.  

The Advertising Standards Authority (ASA) says it has taken a number of steps to help protect children, including – as it was asked to by the Bailey Review – reducing inappropriate sexualised imagery from outdoor advertising where kids could see it.

A buggy ban at Heathrow airport? Really?

We all know how very important buggies are to our children and for maintaining our sanity as parents, particularly when our precious children begin to toddle and need containment and security. Heathrow Airport has recently been reaching out to a group of Mummy Bloggers to see how much more family friendly they can make parent's flying experience.

Imagine our surprise after reading the following story in The Evening Standard yesterday. At Terminal 1, thanks to the decisions of someone at Menzies Aviation, their baggage handlers will no longer be permitted to handle buggies due to "health and safety" regulations. What this means for parents is that, upon check-in at Terminal 1 at Heathrow Airport, you will no longer be permitted to take your buggy into the terminal and up to the departure gate. You will need to check-in your buggy along with your luggage and will not be reunited with your buggy until you arrive at baggage claim at your destination. No more meeting you at the ramp to the plane! You'll have to negotiate lengthy airport walks on either side without the convenience of your buggy.

How are BritMums handling the riots?

Bewilderment. Fear. And most of all, anger.

As London erupts into flames and looting, mum bloggers - one of the UK's largest blogging tribes - are demonstrating how parenthood is colouring their personal response to the biggest news in the UK.

Even as many remain relatively insulated from the mayhem, these parents feel a visceral response to the danger. They may live in a part of London where they listened to owls hooting rather than glass shattering overnight, or they may live just down the road from the looted Clapham department store. But their response is strong and immediate. It can be characterised simply:

What is happening in the country my child is growing up in?

"Kids these days" is a clichéd phrase, associated with stuffy old codgers who can't stand rap music. But many people are deeply troubled about what "kids these days" are doing. (The fact that these may not be political rioters but gangs intent simply on creating chaos and looting a few shops while they're at it is a whole other story.)

'Gay Girl In Damascus' hoax: blogger is 40-year-old white male in Edinburgh!

It turns out that a 40-year-old white male University of Edinburgh student was the voice behind A Gay Girl in Damascus, a fictional blog about the plight of an Arab lesbian that was kidnapped. You can read all about it here.

I find this disturbing for several reasons. I read personal blogs because they give insight into someone's life. I fully expect the author to be authentic and for the content not to be made up. If a blog is fictional, that should be disclosed upfront so readers don't feel duped. Also, the Internet cloak highlights that  you never really know who is on the other side of that keyboard!

Thoughts?

-Susanna (A Modern Mother)

Photo credit: Orbmiser

Pregnancy and drinking: what's your take?

Pregnancy and drinking is in the news again.

This time it is about a large drinks company funding an initiative to help educate midwives in England and Wales about the health risks of drinking whilst pregnant, who in turn will pass on their insights to the masses. 

Critics say it is in the drinks company's interest to have people drink; supporters think this programme will potentially reach 1 million women.

But what do you think about drinking whilst pregnant?

I remember my first midwife appointment, and the stress of fessing up to having a few glasses of wine very early on (my GP said not to beat myself up over it). I also remember that during my first trimester the thought of a drink turned my tummy, hence turning me into a teetotaler.

**The government suggests pregnant women avoid drinking alcohol, limiting themselves to one to two units, once or twice a week.

How did you manage drinking and pregnancy?

Update: Ellie Lee, a senior lecturer in social policy at the University of Kent and a speaker at next week's CyberMummy, writes this week in Spiked Online that her concern for the midwife training isn't the source of the funding but the message itself. It may surprise you to know how little evidence there is linking babies' health issues to drinking or moderate drinking during pregnancy to bad outcomes. Read her thought-provoking post.

 

-Susanna (A Modern Mother)

Photo credit: fair dingo

 

Do you know how she does it? What do you think about upcoming film?

So the trailer for the upcoming film of Allison Pearson's book I Don't Know How She Does It is out - the movie features Sarah Jessica Parker as a suspiciously Carrie Bradshaw-esque Kate Reddy.

What do you think? Are you looking forward to it. Think it will live up to the touchstone quality of the book? Or will it be a disappointing retread?

 

Like me on Facebook-- not in France!

The French love to be different, even when it comes to Facebook and Twitter.

Read this article by Jamey Keaten of the AP to enlighten yourself.

Apparently, broadcast advertisers can't ask viewers and listeners to "follow us on Twitter" or "like us on Facebook". It breaks a 1992 ruling for secret and unfair advertising. France's guiding authority, The Superior Audiovisual Council, or CSA, said instead they can use a generic term like "social media".

It just rolls off the tongue, non?  

Follow me on my social media, darling!

You go France! I was going to say something snarky about having their head in the clouds, but, never mind!

-Susanna (A Modern Mother)

Photo credit: Slava Baransky