A few weeks ago we featured a "SuperMom" action figure – a heroic icon decidedly for us. Superheroes, after all, are typically the province of kids, even as they are usually depicted as adults (just not moms). Yet if kids are the ones who most yearn to conjur the idea of superheroes, why have we not made it easier for them to model that role?
They Can, If They Travel to Herotopia
Herotopia is a brand new virtual world for kids, conceived and created (by an Executive Mom, naturally) as a place where kids can act out the ideals of heroship, learn how to deal with bullies, and work toward making the world a better place. Given the reality that kids today are online from a young age, this is a safe, parent-friendly destination in which each child creates his/her own Superhero, and in the process of playing, can explore famous cities and learn amazing Fun Facts, go on Eco-friendly quests that unlock special rewards and get an introduction to foreign languages, geography, math and reading skills.
According to our intrepid nine-year-old reviewer: "Webkinz is fun, but in Herotopia you get to pick your power and you can travel the world. That’s really cool. And kind of educational too. You can express yourself with it. It’s my new favorite website."
Any child, with parental approval, can join Herotopia; though for the full access and customization benefits, there is a membership fee of $5.95 per month. Bringing its principles of play to reality, there are even real-world benefits to participation: a percentage of Herotopia memberships are donated to the Global Heroship Fund to help kids do their own good deeds in the world in which they really live.
Executive Moms on Today
Yesterday Executive Moms had a brief cameo on "The Today Show," on an important topic that has recently received some new press: the challenges that mothers face in the professional world. While the segment focused on one horrific case in Chicago, where a mom was actually fired from her job for taking a day off when her daughter came down with Pink Eye, fortunately this is an extreme example. The larger, societal issue is what we really need to discuss: if there is a ‘mom penalty,’ how can we get it lifted? Here’s one key question we need to address to get to the answer: why is embracing the joys and responsibilities of family, along with the joys and responsibilities of a career, framed as a "moms" issue, versus a "people" issue?
We’d love for you to watch the segment … and READ OUR LATEST BLOG POST for thoughts on this bigger issue. (We want yours, too).