Baton Rouge Parents Magazine

Service Feature

"How Can You Say That? What To Do When Your Child Says, 'I Hate You!'," Jacqueline Rupp, writer; Theresa Payment, associate publisher; Amy Foreman Plaisance, publisher

No parent wants to hear "I hate you" from a child, but the information in this story might help take a little of the sting away. The writer does a good job "translating" the perspectives of psychologists by selecting effective quotes.

Investigative Reporting

"Can We Talk? From Texting to Sexting," Amy Foreman Plaisance, publisher; Theresa Payment, associate publisher; Christine Belaire, writer

This article provides an in-depth look at how kids are using cell phones to send each other racy and possibly unlawful photos and text messages. The writer does a great job showing how impulsive teenage behavior can lead to criminal charges. The article provides details about the laws and what's going on in local schools.

News Feature

"New Law Could Curb Child Consignment Businesses"  Amy Foreman Plaisance, publisher; Theresa Payment, associate publisher; Jacqueline Bodnar, writer

This article offers unique insights into how environmental concerns over contaminated toys and clothing affect second hand businesses while making parents' shopping choices more complex. The author managed to seamlessly connect the ripple effects of product recalls, their effects on neighborhood entrepreneurs, and the potential dangers to children in a revealing, well-investigated story.

Column: Editor's Notes

Theresa Payment, associate publisher

This column is like getting a peek into the editor's life, with true emotion carrying the reader along.

Feature Layout/Color

"Slow to Speak," Amy Foreman Plaisance, publisher; Theresa Payment, associate publisher; Julie Templet, art director

The use of typography and adorable illustrations in the headline is creative and engaging — and also tells the story perfectly. Readers have to pause just a minute to read, and the effect rewards them for stopping. The color use throughout helps unify the package.

Ancillary Feature Writing
BR Baby

Amy Foreman Plaisance, publisher/CEO; Theresa Payment, associate publisher and writer

Photography is the only art form accessible to nearly every person, its manageable technology making the act of picture taking simple. What this article does is help soon-to-be-parents learn to create images of their deliveries and newborns that rise above the mere snapshot.

Website General Excellence

Amy Foreman Plaisance, publisher; Theresa Payment, associate publisher; Season Gomez, graphic designer

BRParents.com is a deep, content-driven Web site that has a lot to offer for parents. Of note is its content from partner magazines, including ones devoted to parents of special-needs children and another to parents of infants. The design is simple, but effective, and doesn't get in the way of content.

Special Section
within a Publication

"Ninth Annual Unscientific and Unofficial Toy Guide," Amy Foreman Plaisance, publisher; Theresa Payment, associate publisher 

This toy guide adds a bit of twist by allowing children and their families to rank the toys after spending some real time playing with them – or not. It's a fun, easy-to-read resource that helps holiday shoppers make those last-minute decisions.

Interview

"Slow to Speak: When Parents Should Worry," Amy Foreman Plaisance, publisher; Theresa Payment, associate publisher; Lynn Castille

Sometimes a mother's instincts are her child's most valuable asset. And for children suffering from hearing and speech disorders, those instincts can change their lives. This story illustrates how a mother's strategies can complement doctors' to ensure her son overcomes a physical challenge.

Ancillary Overall Writing
BR Baby

Amy Foreman Plaisance, publisher; Theresa Payment, associate publisher

This publication provides a lot of useful information to parents of infants. The stories and short bits of information connect not only with mothers but also dads.