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There have already been 245 incidents of gun violence in American schools this year, and there’s no reason to think that number is slowing down. In fact, studies show that kids’ gun deaths are actually on the rise in the U.S. While that’s heartbreaking and enraging to any parent, the idea that this problem continues to get worse must be particularly devastating for parents of the children who were killed at Sandy Hook nearly 11 years ago. Today, Sandy Hook Promise — an organization founded and led by several family members whose loved ones were killed that day — released a powerful PSA called “Just Joking” to promote their new “know the signs” campaign.
In the engrossing two-minute PSA, comedians perform what seems to be a stand-up routine in front of an audience that’s often laughing nervously at first and then silent as the comedians share the exact, real threats made by real school shooters to audiences who think they’re hearing the set-up for a joke. Phrases like “I’m going to shoot up an elementary school right now,” (delivered with perfect awkwardness by David Cross) and “some of you guys are alright, don’t come to school tomorrow” (shared by Caitlin Reilly) fall heavy on our ears and the audiences’, as we realize that the shooters who said them were very much not “just joking.”
“As the U.S. is on track to have its deadliest year yet, the urgency to protect our children from gun violence is stronger than ever,” said Nicole Hockley, co-founder and CEO of Sandy Hook Promise, and mother of Dylan, who was killed at Sandy Hook Elementary School on Dec. 14, 2012.
According to Sandy Hook Promise’s data, 80% of school shooters tell someone before they go forward with their tragic plans, which is why this campaign focuses so heavily on encouraging families to learn how to know the warning signs, as well as the importance of taking preventative actions in order to protect children from gun violence.
“Even if it seems small — or like a joke — recognizing and reporting a potential threat of violence can have massive, life-saving impact,” Hockley urges. “We can all do more to learn about the warning signs of violence and take action immediately when we see them.”
Three years after the Covid-19 pandemic began, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) have finally announced what seems like a permanent plan for Covid vaccines: get your initial doses, and then one updated jab each year, just like the flu shot. For most families, it’s a relief to have clear guidelines instead of constantly waiting for guidance that seems to change on a monthly (or weekly) basis. But for parents of babies and toddlers, the act of actually getting their little ones vaccinated can be nearly impossible.
Since Covid vaccines first became available to infants and toddlers in June 2022, parents have had difficulty actually finding a place to get them for kids 5 years and younger. Today, the same confluence of problems — from technicalities about who can give shots to small kids, and the way vaccines are packaged — is still preventing parents from making sure their families are protected against Covid. So, if you’ve tried to schedule an appointment for your young child’s vaccine and come up short, just know you’re not alone.
It’s surprisingly difficult to find someone to vaccinate your baby against Covid.
Logically, parents probably start their vaccine search by asking their pediatrician for the shot (since their child’s doctor is also likely making the recommendation to get it, per the CDC’s and American Academy of Pediatrics’ guidelines). But many pediatricians aren’t stocking or administering the vaccine themselves. Because they can’t afford to.
— SrdjanPav/E+/Getty Images
Pediatric Covid vaccines are packaged in vials, each containing multiple doses of the shot. Once they open the vial, its contents must be used within a certain amount of time or they expire. Every wasted dose not given to a child then comes out of the pediatrician’s bottom line.
“We hear from pediatricians, ‘If it's not a single dose vaccine, I can't afford to give it,’” says Dr. Michelle Fiscus, M.D., FAAP, board-certified pediatrician and chief medical officer of the Association of Immunization Managers. “You can't afford to spend $360 on a three-dose vial to vaccinate one kid and hope that you get a $120 back from the insurance company. That’s just untenable. Until there are single-dose vials available for young children, I just don’t see access getting any better.”
Pharmacists can only vaccinate children 3 years and older under the PREP Act, which overrides the usual age limits set by each state to help more families access vaccines. This, of course, leaves out little ones between 6 months and 3 years old. CVS MinuteClinics can vaccinate children as young as 18 months, but not all CVS locations have a clinic onsite, and that age limit still leaves out infants. When the PREP Act expires in December of 2024, these age limits will once again differ by state; Fiscus says in Illinois, for example, pharmacists can only vaccinate kids 7 years and older. So, finding shots may get tougher in the coming years depending on where you live.
“The pharmacies are not able to fill this gap for young kids in most cases. It really has to be the pediatricians,” says Julie Rosenberg, MPH, deputy director for the Global Health Delivery Project at Harvard University, and associate director for Better Evidence at Ariadne Labs.
Manufacturers are trying to make it easier for doctors to give vaccines.
If pediatricians are the key to getting more young children vaccinated, there may be some hope that access will improve soon. On September 19, 2023, a spokesperson for Moderna told Romper via email that now, their “Covid-19 vaccines for young children (6 months to 11 years old) are in single dose vials, whereas Pfizer’s Covid-19 vaccines are in multi-dose vials.” They have shipped their vaccines already, and they have begun arriving to pharmacies, the brand says.
This new packaging will make a huge difference in pediatricians’ ability to stock Covid vaccines, says Rosenberg, but only if the company lets pediatric providers know the one-dose vials exist. Neither expert has seen any sort of messaging about it from the company yet.
“You can have something, but if people aren’t communicating about it, then it also doesn’t change providers’ habits or desires. So if they don’t know and there hasn’t been a big push, then they still won’t do it. The message needs to be now and clear,” says Rosenberg.
Fiscus also heard rumors that Pfizer will now offer 100% refunds to pediatric providers for wasted or expired vaccines for kids 6 months to 4 years old. A Pfizer representative confirmed this to Romper via email. “This is huge and will go a long way toward getting the youngest children protected from Covid-19,” says Fiscus.
When should little ones get their Covid vaccine?
— Shutterstock
Children between 6 months and 5 years old are considered fully vaccinated once they’ve received their initial series of Pfizer or Moderna shots, and then their updated shot each year, just like they would for the flu. The updated shots for 2023 are available now, if you are able to access them in your area. The AAP says all of your child’s shots should be from the same manufacturer, if they’re between 6 months and 4 years old.
If your child just had Covid, they should wait to receive this year’s vaccine. They can get their shot three months after their Covid symptoms began (or when they tested positive for Covid, if they were asymptomatic), says Dr. Mobeen Rathore, M.D., chief of pediatric infectious disease and immunology at Wolfson Children’s Hospital of Jacksonville.
If your pediatrician isn’t offering Covid vaccines and your child is too young to be vaccinated at a pharmacy, Fiscus and Rosenberg recommend:
Checkingvaccineplanner.org. This online tool was created to improve vaccine access and display areas where doses for your age group are in stock near you. Enter your zip code, whether you drive or use public transportation, and the age of the person who needs to be vaccinated. The tool will shade the map in areas where you have to travel more than 30 minutes to find a shot, and identify possible vaccination sites accessible from those vaccine desserts.
Asking your pediatrician where they’re sending other patients to be vaccinated.
Calling your primary care provider to see if they can make pediatric doses available at their office.
Getting vaccinated yourself. Babies are the pediatric population being hospitalized most often for Covid right now, Fiscus says. Having the adults around them vaccinated against Covid can help protect them from infection.
Ultimately, you might have to raise a little hell to get your child vaccinated, because no one else is doing it, according to Rosenberg. The more parents press for vaccines, the more likely doctors are to offer it. “Parents are the best advocates for their children. The more they ask for [the vaccine], the more likely they'll be able to find it. And unfortunately, it’s sort of in their hands right now. There's not a lot of other advocacy going on.”
Experts:
Dr. Michelle Fiscus, M.D., FAAP, board-certified pediatrician and chief medical officer of the Association of Immunization Managers
Julie Rosenberg, MPH,deputy director for the Global Health Delivery Project at Harvard University, and associate director for Better Evidence at Ariadne Labs
Dr. Mobeen Rathore, M.D.,chief of pediatric infectious disease and immunology at Wolfson Children’s Hospital of Jacksonville
— Johnny Nunez/Getty Images Entertainment/Getty Images
When she was in her 40s, Kerry Washington uncovered a family secret that turned her “world upside down.” In her new memoir Thicker Than Water, the Little Fires Everywhere actress shares details about her childhood that still impact her today and reveals how she recently found out her dad is not her biological father
In a new interview with People, Washington said learning that the man who raised her, Earl Washington, is not her biological father “really turned my world upside down.” Washington’s parents — Valerie, a professor of education, and Earl, a realtor — decided to tell her the truth of her paternity in 2018 after she shared with them that she was going to be a celebrity guest on Henry Louis Gates Jr.’s PBS series Finding Your Roots, which would require she take a DNA test.
“My parents told me that my dad is not my biological father. That I was born from a sperm donor.” Washington said in an interview withTODAY’sHoda Kotb and Jenna Bush Hager on Sept. 26. “It was shocking, but there was also something strangely familiar. There was like a confirmation.”
“It felt like, ‘Well, this is a really exciting opportunity for me to learn more about who I am and who I want to be and to also make sense of my life,’” she told TODAY, adding that it led her to write her memoir as a form of “healing.”
Speaking with People, Washington said knowing the truth allowed her to have a better sense of her identity. “When I got this information, I was like, ‘Oh. I now know my story.’ I didn't know what my story was, but I was playing the supporting character in their story.” Washington told the magazine that her parents decided to use an anonymous sperm donor after struggling to conceive, but had planned to keep it a secret.
While it’s been several years since she found out, Washington, a mom of three with her husband Nnamdi Asomugha, shared in an essay for the Wall Street Journal that she’s still on a “journey” of self-discovery.
“In many ways I’m still discovering who I am. Six years ago my parents told me I was conceived with the help of an anonymous sperm donor. Since that time, I’ve been on a journey,” she wrote for the Wall Street Journal. “Their news sparked a desire not only to figure out the identity of my donor but also to understand more about myself. I still don’t know who the donor is, but my dad is, and will always be, my dad. My family is a loving work in progress. And I have found great peace in that truth.”
There’s no better time to go shopping at Target than in the fall. With all of the major holidays approaching — Halloween, Thanksgiving, Hanukkah, Christmas, and more — you have all the excuses in the world to shop at the place that has everything you’ll need. The best part about this is that Target is announcing amazing deals that span the next few months — this way you can be a little strategic about when to go shopping and what exact items you should fill your cart up with at the time.
The most exciting thing Target is doing this season is bringing back Target Circle Week from October 1-7. Members of Target Circle will be able to get up to 40% off on the most sought after gifts, seasonal items, and everyday basics. Also starting October 1 is Target’s Deal of the Day program, which will mean significant savings for Target Circle members that get switched up everyday until December 24 — that’s 84 days of deals. So basically, you should become a member of Target Circle as soon as you can.
Most deals will not be revealed till October 1, but here are some of the biggest Target Circle Week deals that will be live at some point during the week of Oct. 1-7.
Spend $50 on toys and save $10, or spend $100 on toys and save $25
Spend $50 on household essentials, receive a $15 Target gift card
Spend $25 on select beauty brands, receive a $5 Target gift card
Up to 40% off kitchen items
Up to 40% off floor care items
30% off women's sweaters, denim, jewelry, accessories and shoes
30% off select Halloween costumes and accessories
20% off bedding and bath items
20% off select diapers and wipes
20% off select grocery including cereal, granola and coffee
For the first time, Target’s partnerships with Shipt, Ulta, and TripAdvisor will also be of benefit to shoppers during Target Circle Week. Some of the deals include:
50% off a new annual same-day delivery membership for Shipt (down to $49, reg. $99), so guests can enjoy the ease and convenience of having all orders of $35 or more delivered to their doorstep in as soon as an hour.
Spend $40 or more on select Ulta Beauty at Target brands, get a $5 Target gift card when a guest’s Target Circle account is linked to their Ultamate Rewards account. Guests can link their accounts quickly and easily and save on brands they love throughout Circle Week.
20% off Tripadvisor Things to Do, which includes over 300,000 experiences from around the globe, including cultural and city tours, day trips and outdoor excursions.
Target Circle members can pre-save deals on the Target app up until September 30, the day before the Target Circle Week starts. Purchases can be made in-store or online with the same discounts.
— Nina Westervelt/Getty Images/ Jason Bollenbacher/Getty Images
Jonathan Van Ness is “tired” of having to fight for transgender kids who just want express themselves and feel included. During an interview on Monday’s episode of Dax Shepard’s podcast Armchair Expert, the Queer Eye star broke down in tears during an unexpected, unplanned debate with the host about anti-trans rhetoric in media and politics, leading Van Ness to defend the rights of trans children.
The conversation between Shepard and Van Ness, who appeared on Armchair Expert to promote new spin-offs of their own podcast, Getting Curious, got off to a cheerful start with lighthearted banter about topics like washing Jane Fonda’s hair, Van Ness’ family, and Illinois geography. They then began discussing politics and whether The New York Times should be considered a left-leaning publication. Shepard said “it absolutely is,” while Van Ness argued it’s “anti-trans” after “platforming multiple anti-trans people,” referring to recent opinion pieces that have prompted the Human Rights Campaign to condemn the publication’s coverage on the transgender community, including a controversial op-ed by titled “In Defense of J.K. Rowling.”
Shepard argued there’s “a huge spectrum” of issues facing the community and The Times shouldn’t be considered “no longer left-leaning” because of its coverage on some of them. “How you do anything is how you do everything,” Van Ness replied.
“Some people are very uncomfortable about teenagers transitioning,” Shepard said. “How do we know that the person’s not gonna change their mind? Then there’s another counterargument. If they kill themselves, then that’s really f*cking permanent… To even question it makes you an enemy. I don’t think that’s the way forward.”
“I feel like I’m talking to my dad,” Van Ness replied, adding that “there are so many things to unpack here,” including attacks against transgender athletes and the many factors beyond biology that impact fairness in sports.
“What we know about misinformation and disinformation is that when you have an outsized reaction to something, there’s a good chance you’re being exposed to misinformation and disinformation,” Van Ness continued. “And a lot of the rhetoric around the anti-trans backlash does have a lot of misinformation and disinformation in it.”
Shepard continued to push back about whether it’s safe or fair for transgender athletes to compete against cis-women, prompting Van Ness to cite data and facts about transgender athletes in elite level sports like the Olympics and the many hurdles they have to go through to be included. “Conservatives do need a boogyman right now, they need a scapegoat,” they said.
“I definitely think a lot of people who are anti-trans are using this as a trojan horse ... If you and I can’t have a conversation about it...” Shepard responded, to which Van Ness replied, “Well, we are. But we have to be careful. I’m a nonbinary f*cking trans person. When I talk to my dad or people who say similar things, it’s hard to be cool through that.”
“I’m not calling you a transphobe. You can not be transphobic and still have thoughts that espouse trans misogyny and espouse transphobic ideologies or beliefs and not be transphobic,” Van Ness said, adding that they have to be aware of and challenge biases of white privilege.
“I was really bullied for my gender expression as a little kid and there’s a lot of little kids who aren’t going to be Olympic gold medalists,” Van Ness shared, before adding that they just “wanted to come and chat about my podcast.”
“I did not intend at all to get into a debate with you about this,” Shepard said. “I didn’t want that at all. I adore you. I think you’re hysterical and talented and I love that you’re an activist.”
“I could just cry because I’m so tired of having to fight for little kids because they just want to be included,” Van Ness said through tears. “I wish that people were as passionate about little kids being able to be included or grow up as they were about fictitious women’s fairness in sports. I have to tell you I am very tired.”
Shepard apologized multiple times and said he did not want or plan to “challenge” Van Ness on their position on trans rights. “I’m sure you’re disappointed in me,” Shepard said.
“I’m not disappointed in you, I’m just emotionally exhausted,” Van Ness replied, adding that they are “scared of the vitriol that trans people face every day.”
Specifically about excluding trans children from sports, Van Ness said the “punishment is so far outweighing the reality.” Indeed, across the country, laws have been passed or introduced to ban trans children from playing sports in school. Laws that directly harm trans youth, while the benefits of sports for kids are plentiful.
“Because we’re scared of people in the Olympics,” Van Ness added, “now kids — marginal, terrible athletes — who just want to learn about communication and team-building and how to work together, they don’t get that opportunity.”
As Christmas approaches, my three kids seem to want it all. Their first drafts to Santa are uninhibited and unedited, often pages long and filled with circles, arrows, and exclamation points in a rainbow of colors. They know they won’t get everything on their list, but we all agree it’s fun to dream, and frankly, their excitement is adorable and contagious.
When my children can’t seem to narrow down their holiday lists, it’s a good thing Santa isn't the only one paying attention. By the time fall rolls around, I’m making my own lists of gift ideas they’ve offered up during conversations and beginning my favorite part of the holiday season: finding the best deals on quality gifts that don’t break the bank. Walmart helps me do this with an endless selection of affordable toys, so I can maximize my budget and get my kids the toys they really want.
As a seasoned parent of three, here are 12 of my top toy picks from Walmart for holiday gift-giving for kids of all ages:
Younger Toddlers
My kids are past the toddler stage, but they would have gone practically feral over this Choo Choo Train Ride-On Toy from Cocomelon. It comes with a train engine, two cars for hauling toys or snacks, and a train whistle, plus a working projector with 8 Cocomelon scenes and two songs. With a top speed of 1.5 mph, it’s the perfect blend of fun and safety for your little engineer.
Keep reliving Barbie memories of your childhood or introduce your toddler to their first Barbie experience with the Fisher-Price Little People Barbie Little Dream Plane. Lights, sounds, and imagination will keep your kiddo engaged and empowered for a long time.
Gabby’s Dollhouse Cruiseship is a holiday show-stopper for fans of this popular show. The set comes with over 18 pieces including a Gabby Girl doll and MerCat figure, plus tons of accessories and furniture to ignite your little one’s imagination as they embark upon on a magical seafaring adventure with Gabby and MerCat.
Melissa and Doug never disappoint. The Scoop and Serve Ice Cream Counter will engage your kid’s imagination and probably end up prompting more ice cream trips for the whole family. Everybody wins!
I know what you’re thinking: An indoor bumper car? Yes, but this Spidey and His Amazing Friends Bumper Car isn’t just any bumper car. It’s an easy-to-control, slow-moving, fully-assembled with a seat belt, spinning godsend that will keep your kid happy and busy while you get some tasks done or enjoy sitting for five minutes.
Your YouTube-loving gamers will also love the Lankybox Giant Foxy — a box of mystery merch. Don’t be surprised if they get out the ring light and turn their gift into their own unboxing event.
If you’ve got a kiddo who loves magic and mystery, the Magic Mixies Magic Genie Lamp will be a huge hit. This lamp features an adorable genie and spouts real mist in response to your child completing various magical steps, and even comes with a cute magic ring which, when combined with saying the magic words, causes the Genie to magically rise out of the Lamp.
Remote control truck becomes truck launcher becomes favorite toy ever. And when in launcher mode, the Hot Wheels Transforming Rhinomite connects to other Hot Wheels tracks, so don’t plan on seeing your kid open any other presents once they get this one.
The UNO Show ‘em No Mercy edition of UNO is sure to bring out everyone’s competitive side. Wild Draw 10 cards and Skip Everyone cards will keep everyone on their toes — or flipping tables.
The PopIt! Go Bubble Popping Sensory Game has three game modes, and the faster you pop the lit up bubbles, the more challenging the games get. This is the perfect game for killing time between classes or while waiting for a sibling to finish soccer practice.
With 20 different patterns of quick change lights, the Jetson Galaxy Kick Scooter will have your kid ruling the sidewalks — but it’s the practical features that make this scooter stand out. It’s made to support bigger kids and their bolder style of riding, with a wider, longer, grip-textured deck for larger sneaks and a rear footbrake for quick stops, plus you can adjust the height and fold the scooter for easy storage and carrying.
Creating memories with my kids is what I love most about parenting, and the holidays are a great time to do that. When it comes to seeing my kids open the gifts they want, I also love that Walmart helps make many of those memories affordable.
September’s not just about fall starting and school being back in session — at Target, it’s also Baby Month. During Target’s Baby Month, there’s deals as high as 30% off on all kinds of essentials for babies including clothing, gear, diapers, toys, toiletries and more. Considering how many baby-oriented brands Target carries — like Up & Up, Proudly, Cloud Island, Fridababy, Chicco, just to name a few — it’s seriously worth checking out what their rotating offerings are.
One thing to note is that different deals are offered each week, so what was on sale last Friday might not be today (the deals get updated on the Monday of each week).
These are Target’s Baby Month deals for the week of September 25:
20% off Frida Baby & Mom
Buy one get one off 30% on select bottles and diaper refills
15% off select bath toys & potty and 20% off select baby apparel
$20 gift card if you spend $100 or more on baby care items
Sound enticing? Keep reading to see our current picks for the best finds during the rest of Baby Month at Target (at the time this article was published).
Yep, all Frida Baby and Frida Mom products are all at least 20% off, which means now is the time to stock up on baby essentials like Windi gaspassers (which are on sale for $10.39, discounted from $12.99) and the ever-popular Frida Baby snotsucker is on sale for $13.59 from its original price of $16.99. You’ll see the biggest savings, though, when you buy their kits. The Bitty Bundle of Joy, which seems to have been on every single baby registry in the last decade, is $10 off at $39.99, and it comes with the NoseFrida, Windi, nail clippers, plus peri bottle for Mom.
If you’re stocking up on bottles or bottle nipples, select bottles are buy one, get one 30% off. If you’re exclusively bottle-feeding, experts recommend having at least a full day’s worth of bottles (8—10) in your rotation. Luckily some of the most popular brands, including Dr. Brown’s and Philips, are part of this deal.
This highly-rated high chair is easy to clean, compact, safe, and transitions from baby months into toddler years. When your child is big enough, use the included conversion kit to transform it from a high chair to a standard chair tots can get in and out of themselves. It also comes in a fleet of adorable colors to match your home decor.
It’s boogie season, and not the good kind. These unscented saline nose wipes will help keep your kiddo’s nose clean all throughout the cold and flu season. If you spend at least $100 on baby care items, you’ll get a $20 gift card.
This foldable pack-and-play, and essential for all parents of infants, It comes in a ton of cute patterns and has a bag so you can carry it from adventure to adventure.
Target will be having these baby deals for the rest of September, so if you need some baby supplies, gear, or maybe a gift for an infant you know, make sure to check out what they’ll have on sale at their annual Baby Month sale.
