New Moon Opens Tonight, But Not All Parents Are Thrilled

CNN recently covered tween parent ambivalence about New Moon, and we wrote about this same topic earlier this week here. The movie opens tonight at Tyson's Corner here in the D.C. area. Did you attend the midnight show? Did your tween? Tell us about your experience!

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Mickey Mouse is 81!

The most famous mouse in the world made his debut in a short film called "Steamboat Willie" back in 1928. Today, he holds the title of "Chief Greeter" at all Disney Parks. For a great history of Mickey, check out the Disney Archives.

Many of today's favorite tween celebs got their start in the House of Mouse, including Miley Cyrus, Demi Lovato, Selena Gomez, Emily Osment, Zac Efron, and Vanessa Hudgens.

Photo: Crafty Confections

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Opting Out of the Twilight and New Moon Craziness?

While all the world is a-twitter about the release of New Moon (the second book and movie in the Twilight series), one would get the impression that this is ALL tween girls are talking about. While New Moon is on track to bust a few movie-going records and has been supported by a star-studded, all-out marketing campaign, a few tweens are opting-out. Miley Cyrus, a tween celebrity favorite, remarked this week during a radio interview that "I don't like anything about it [Twilight]." Ms. Cyrus doesn't believe in vampires and is frightened by werewolves jumping out from the screen.

Several parents have raised concerns about the overt sexualization of New Moon's stunning male leads, Taylor Lautner and Robert Pattinson, but there is little concern about the content of the story (although the fourth book, Breaking Dawn, is a bit more controversial). Dr. Wendy Walsh, who holds a Ph.D in Clinical Psychology, commented on this topic and writes that Twilight isn't over-sexualizing its stars as much as "keeping up with industry standards, for better or worse". She has used the books to start productive conversations with her tween about relationships, hormones and restraint. Dr. Walsh concludes that her own tween daughter's obsession with Jacob is simply an age-appropriate school-girl crush, and, as a parent, she takes solace in Twilight's teenage sex abstention message.

Is your tween Twilight-obsessed? Are you? Will you be attending opening night of the movie this Friday? Has the series sparked any conversations with your tween?

Photo: Getty Images

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Study Confirms: Tweens Today Are Headed in the Right Direction

In December of 2009, the Girl Scout Research Institute will release Good Intentions: The Beliefs and Values of Teens and Tweens Today. The study examines the ethical beliefs and values of young people today and how those have changed as compared to a landmark Girl Scout study on the same issue conducted in 1989.

Overwhelmingly, youth today:
• Are not prone to risky or inappropriate behavior:
- 62% say they would not cheat on a test (compared to 48% in 1989)
- 58% say they would refuse an alcoholic drink if offered one at a party (compared to 46% in 1989)
- 33% say they would wait until marriage to have sex (compared to 24% in 1989)
- 18% say smoking is okay if the person finds it enjoyable (compared to 27% in 1989)
• Are civic-minded and generous:
- 84% (compared to 77% in 1989) say they will vote in every election
- 76% (compared to 63% in 1989)say they will give regularly to charity
- 79% say they will volunteer in their community (question not asked in 1989)
• Value diversity:
- 59% say being around people from different racial and ethnic backgrounds is important to them (question not asked in 1989)
• Know their own minds and stand on their own two feet:
- 79% (compared to 72% in 1989) say they would express an opinion they knew to be unpopular
- 26% (compared to 34%) report feeling pushed to fit in
• Are close to‚ and respectful of, their parents:
- 94% say they have an adult in their lives who cares about them
- 92% of those who do say it is their parents
- Overall, 62% say their parents are the first people they turn to for advice

As parents, I'm sure you already knew this about your tween - but it's always nice to see a positive trend.

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Tween Voting Power and the People's Choice Awards

The entertainment industry is full of awards (VMAs, CMAs, Oscars, etc.), but it isn't too often that tweens get to vote. The People's Choice Awards are not age based - anyone can vote - and this year's nominees are stacked with tween faves including Miley, Taylor, and Demi. Tweens really could rock this vote - so go vote!

The show airs on January 6, 2010. Tween faves include:

Robert Pattinson for Favorite Movie Actor
Kristen Stewart and Anne Hathaway for Favorite Movie Actress
Emily Osment and Miley Cyrus for Favorite Breakout Movie Actress
Taylor Lautner for Favorite Breakout Movie Actor
The Harry Potter trio (Harry, Ron and Hermione) and the Twilight trio (Edward, Jacob and Bella) for Favorite On-Screen Team
Harry Potter 6 and Twilight for Favorite Movie
American Idol and Project Runway for Favorite Competition Show
Glee for Favorite New TV Comedy
Taylor Swift and Beyonce for Favorite Female Artist
Taylor Swift for Favorite Country Artist
Demi Lovato and Lady Gaga for Favorite Breakout Music Artist
Good Girls Go Bad featuring Leighton Meester and Cobra Starship for Favorite Music Collaboration
Taylor Swift, Katy Perry and Lady Gaga for Favorite Pop Artist

Who will you vote for?

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Got Milk? Demi Lovato Does

Growing bodies need good nutrition, and tweens need calcium. Tween star Demi Lovato is starring in a new "Got Milk" campaign in all of her rockstar glory. The ad photo is great, and it's nice to see tween stars guzzling something other Starbucks and Diet Cokes. Go Demi!

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Happy Birthday to HSM Star Monique Coleman!

The actress played smart, ambitious Taylor McKessie in the High School Musical series. She is 29 years old today!

We LOVED her prom dress in HSM3 but can't find a pic anywhere - please share if you have one!

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New Craft Kits For Tweens

The American Girl company (owned now by Mattel) is now making craft kits for girls. The kits are available at Michael's craft stores and coming in a range of themes including school, parties, pets, doll fun, and room decor. The kits are for
jewelry, sewing crafts, cards, scrapbooks, and fashion art among others.

We have not yet tried these kits, but they appear to be more complex and age-appropriate for tweens than the Alex craft sets. They would be cool birthday or holiday gift - or provide a welcome diversion during Thanksgiving holiday travel.

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Happy Birthday to Agent 99 - Anne Hathaway is 27!

To our favorite female spy and our favorite princess, a very Happy Birthday to actress Anne Hathaway! She always plays smart, cool, funny young women - be they ruling Genovia (The Princess Diaries), kicking some bad spy behind (Get Smart), saving the prince (Ella Enchanted), or righting fashion wrongs (The Devil Wears Prada) - we think she rocks as a role model for tweens.

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Zac Efron in D.C. Today!

HSM star Zac Efron was on Capitol Hill today to lobby Congress for more funding for the arts in public schools. He was joined by "Me and Orson Wells" co-star Claire Danes, and both actors are in D.C. to promote the new film.

Mr. Efron did tour the White House but First Tweens Malia and Sasha Obama were not there to meet the tween heart-throb in person.

Both stars were in Georgetown last night for reception at the Ritz Carlton and a screening of the new flick at the AMC Lowes Georgetown theatre. (Note: "Me and Orson Wells" is rated PG-13)

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