Dear Lego: Why Do Boys Have All the Adventures?

Welcome to Mom's Happy Hour, in which we sort through the latest news about parents, parenting and pop culture so you don't have to.

If you’re going to make them pink, at least make them exciting

A seven-year-old girl recently reached out to LEGO, asking why the company couldn’t kick up their girl-oriented playsets a notch. “All the girls did was sit at home, go to the beach, and shop, and they had no jobs but the boys went on adventures, worked, saved people, and had jobs, even swam with sharks,” she wrote.

What? No adventure? I’m on the edge of my seat when Emma has to choose between a strawberry smoothie and a mango smoothie at the LEGO Friends Heartlake Juice Bar. Then, OMG, one time the hair dryer shorted out at the Heartlake Pet Salon and Olivia had to towel dry Mr. Fluffy before his pedicure. Take that “boy” LEGO fire engine and Batmobile!

Granted, while the “girl” LEGO sets leave much to be desired, parents can help balance the sugar and spice aspect. We’ve tried to steer our girls toward the LEGO Friends farm and vet office as opposed to the rock star stage and mixed in “boy” LEGOs. But the important thing to remember is, LEGOs are open-ended. There’s no reason the Dolphin Cruiser can’t morph into a spaceship if you throw out the instructions and let your daughter use her creativity.

I’m a Barbie girl in a not-so Barbie world

It’s happened in Hollywood for decades. The older, more distinguished star gets pushed out for someone younger and hotter. We’ve seen it with TV anchors, Rayna Jaymes and Juliette Barnes, Jay and Jimmy. Now it appears Barbie is facing a similar fate since scoring her AARP card.

Sales of Barbie fell 13 percent over the holiday season, resulting in a sales drop of 6 percent for all of 2013. On the other hand, sales of Mattel’s other girl-oriented dolls, including Disney princesses, Monster High and American Girl have seen their popularity soar. It’s as if big breasts and an unattainable waist size get you nowhere anymore.

Another reason for the decline? Girls are spending more money and time on games and apps, choosing a Kindle over a Ken doll. While children need non-tech toys like Barbie to spur their growth and imagination, I won’t deny the nerd in me wasn’t a little excited to hear little girls are leaning toward the AV club as opposed to the cheer squad.

Miley Cyrus doesn’t like kids and that’s ok

Miley Cyrus got a lot of flak this week for stating in a W magazine article that she – oh my stars – doesn’t like kids. “I don’t love them because, I mean, I think I was around too many kids at one point…They’re so f---ing mean.” She is especially annoyed when she sees a child being disrespectful to his or her parents, wanting to “smack then” herself.

Anyone should understand Miley was being glib and not actually sanctioning the smacking of one’s child. That said, she’s 21 years old. It’s ok if she doesn’t like kids. It’s ok if anyone doesn’t like kids. When I was 21, I would literally get hives around children. Red, blotchy, itchy hives because kids can be loud and chaotic and antsy and rude. Now I love my kids. I love my friends’ kids. But if I hear some obnoxious 13-year-old cussing with his friends at the movie theater, my hives start wagging their imaginary fingers at the little smarta**. Like Miley, I just flat out don’t like that kid. I may even twerk in solidarity.

Are Millennials more satisfied parents than Gen X’ers?

It’s always great to see parents who are confident and comfortable with their parenting skills. It’s a trait we don’t feel often enough, especially on those days are kids are particularly crabby and frustrating.

But overall, the news is good for Millennial parents. In a study from BabyCenter.com, 96 percent of moms and dads ages 18 through 32 consider their parenting style “loving” while 92 percent say it’s “supportive”. When compared to Gen X parents like me, Millennials tend to think of themselves as more laid-back. The report also they’re more relaxed, aspirational and forgiving than us old people.

It’s wonderful to see parents worrying less and loving themselves more. Even though the study makes me feel like an uptight hag. Wait until you’re up all night working on your kid’s science project, Millennials!

Girls call up a tall order for the boyfriend of their dreams

In a cute note posted on The Huffington Post, two 9-year-olds outlined 30 traits for the perfect boyfriend – and their criteria are right on. There are the more shallow reasons, such as taking the lady to fancy restaurants and giving them nice jewelry, but also more cerebral and emotional traits, such as finding someone who “respects different religions” and “respects you.” It’s a list adult women should take a gander at when they find they’re dating a scrub.

My list at age 9 would have had only one requirement – “Be Jon Bon Jovi.”

_{Images: YahooShine, BabyCenter}