LETTERSTOTHEEDITOR

Dear Bay State Parent, Super magazine! Where can I findyou in Weymouth? I'm due to give birth in August. I picked up a copy at the Boston Baby Expo. Can't wait for the next issue.

Jen Donnelly

Editor's Note: Congrats on your pregnancy! Glad you liked our 7th annual pregnancy & baby guide issue. Bay State Parent magazine can be found for FREE in more than 100 communities in Eastern & Central Massachusetts. Unfortunately we do not distribute on the South Shore, at this time. However, you can always read us online at www.baystateparent. com and visit our BLOG for even more info, including product safety recalls, bonus calendar listings, thoughts on parenting, & more.

Dear Bay State Parent,

Gina and I would like to tell you how pleased we were with Sue Lovejoy's story in this month's (April) issue of Bay State Parent (Special Needs Parenting).

During the interview, it was apparent during the first few moments that Sue clearly understood the message of our book and that message was beautifully expressed in Sue's article.

We believe that her story will generate both sales and new visitors to our Web site, which will result in a greater understanding of children with special needs.

We would like to thank you, Sue, and the staff at Bay State Parent for taking the time to listen to us.                                 Sincerely, Gina Gallagher & Patty Konjoian                 The Shut Up Sisters             www.shutupabout.com

Dear Bay State Parent,

We feel that it is important to warn you about a Disney movie called Meet the Robinsons that is now playing at many local cinemas. The advertising for this animated feature makes it sound like a great movie for any young child. Fortunately, one of our adoptive parents alerted us about the negative adoption messages in the story and the very unhappy experience she had with both of her children who were very greatly disturbed by the messages conveyed in this film.

As a result, I went to see the filmto decide if it warranted putting out an alert to our adoptive parent community. Indeed, I thought that the concerns raised were completely valid.

The movie is filled with extraordinarily inappropriate messages about adoption. The basic story is about an adorable baby whose birthmother leaves him on the doorstep of an orphanage. Portrayed as loving, sweet, extremely smart and overly appealing, he spends the next 12 years of his life wanting a family and being turned down by one family after another - in all, 114 couples refuse to adopt him. One scene shows a prospective dad losing interest in adoption because this very smart little boy is more interested in science than sports. The prospective parents leave the disappointed child in a huff when he accidentally splatters them with some liquid from his science project. This is supposed to be funny. Since no one else wants him, the child invents a time machine in order to go back in time to findhis birth mother. The "bad guy" in his time travel journey turns out to be his best buddy from childhood, once his orphanage roommate. Now an emotional wreck resulting from being left behind when the orphanage was closed and shut down, the once-cute orphan is now mean and devious. Another chuckle. Various monsters attack the child as he continues his birth mother search. You get the picture!

I found Meet the Robinsons to be both tasteless and totally insensitive regarding adoption issues. Please think very carefully before taking your child to see it, whether adopted or not.

I will write the Disney Corporation to let them know about my concerns about their flippant way of dealing with issues that are extremely important and not funny for millions of adoptees and their families in this country and around the world. Feel free to share this message with anyone who you feel might benefit from knowing about this warning.                   Vicki Peterson             Executive Director Wide Horizons For Children                           Waltham E-mail Your Letters To: editor@baystateparent.com