Parent Teacher Conferences: Coming Soon

It’s that time of the year already.

Your first parent-teacher conference of this school year. Be prepared.

Parent teacher conferences provide parents with the opportunity to gain valuable insights about their child’s study habits, academic performance, and behavior at school. In many cases, your child’s teacher will be privy to information that even you aren’t aware of, simply because your child spends the bulk of her day with the teacher.

Preparing for a parent teacher conference isn’t always a high priority for busy parents, and many assume that the evening is little more than a school-mandated formality.
These ten tips can help you get the most out of the annual meeting with your child’s teacher so that you can better help her achieve her goals.

1. Talk to Your Child in Advance – When she realizes that a parent teacher conference is approaching, your child may give you a more accurate picture of her academic situation. Hiding certain aspects of her life at school seems simple to a child when she realizes that you’re not there to watch her, but understanding that you’ll be speaking with her teacher can give her a new perspective. If there are any problems that she’s been concealing, you may be able to get pertinent information about them from your child before you’re blindsided with them at a conference.
2. Prepare a List of Questions – In order to get the most out of the limited amount of time you’re allotted with your child’s teacher, you’ll need to have an idea of what subjects you want to discuss beforehand. Preparing a list of questions is an effective way of providing yourself with reminders about talking points, but it’s wise to forgo non-essential questions in order to hear what the teacher has to say if time is running short.
3. Consider Her Behavior at Home – While some children behave very differently at home than they do at school, you’re almost certain to have a basic idea of your child’s behavior based upon how she acts when she’s around you. If you know that she has a tendency to be unruly or that she struggles with paying attention, then you shouldn’t be upset to hear that same information from her teacher.
4. Share Important Information – If your child is being bullied, is dealing with the aftermath of a parental divorce, or has other difficulties in her personal life, your parent teacher conference may be the only opportunity that you have to share that information with her teacher. While it can be uncomfortable to disclose such things to a relative stranger, it’s important to keep the person responsible for educating your child in the loop about things that could affect your child’s classroom performance.
5. Be Open and Receptive – Every parent likes to believe that their child is an absolute angel all of the time, but this is very rarely the case. Getting an accurate idea of your child’s performance and behavior will require you to hear things that you may not want to, but it’s essential that you keep an open mind and do your best not to be offended.
6. Include Your Child’s Other Parent – It can be challenging to include an ex-spouse, especially if things are still tense between you, but for the sake of your child it’s important that you do your best to set any differences aside so that both of you can take an active role in her education.
7. Focus On Your Child – Questions about school policies that can be answered with a glance at the handbook or a call to the administrative office might not be worth the time you’ll waste on them if you approach them at a parent teacher conference. Remember that your appointment is likely to be quite short, so you should keep the focus of your questions on your child and her needs.
8. Take Notes – Carrying a notepad and pen with you to a parent teacher conference is wise because there’s a strong chance that you’ll be receiving quite a bit of information in a relatively short time. Jotting down important points for future consideration can help you remember them.
9. Take the Teacher’s Advice to Heart – If the teacher offers you some insight or advice regarding your child, you should accept it as gracefully as possible. It can be difficult to accept information about your own child from someone that you don’t know, but it can also help you determine the areas that your child needs assistance with the most.
10. Discuss the Meeting with Your Child – While a kindergartener might not have much interest in the happenings at a parent teacher conference, an older child is likely to be on pins and needles until she hears how things went. Discussing the meeting with your child in an honest but gentle way can help her understand that she needs to work on some things, and that you’re willing to help her do so.

Establishing a working relationship with your child’s teacher at the conference and maintaining that partnership throughout the year is one of the most effective ways to stay informed about what’s happening at school and how your child is reacting to it. A teacher who knows that you’re interested in playing an active role in your child’s education will make a greater effort to help you stay informed, so leave her with your email address or another method of contacting you and encourage her to use it if the need arises.

Source: Live in Nanny

It Starts At The Top: What Message Parents Are Sending To Their Kids

Do as I say - not as I do.

Yes, many parents are very good at this - however we are in a generation where this needs to stop.  Actions speak louder than words.

Are we sending our kids mixed messages?

What are you posting online that you would frown upon if your child decided to post?

We are trained and taught to monitor our children - but what many parent's forget is that our children are snooping on us!  Your keystrokes and photos matter!

The following video is provided by #TalkEarly:

#TalkEarly was created with a simple goal in mind: Empower parents to be confident about their own decisions regarding alcohol, model healthy, balanced behaviors and create a foundation for starting conversations with their kids from an early age. Follow them on Twitter and join them on Facebook.

Words Wound: Delete Cyberbullying and Make Kindness Go Viral

Order today!

"Everyone is looking for an answer to the bullying and cyberbullying problem. We know where it can be found: in teens themselves. We’ve met so many who are coming up with creative ideas, and running with them. They are spearheading movements and making a real, measurable difference. And here are some of their stories. Join them, and join us. Words wound, but words can also heal and help. We know it, and you know it - and so let's stop standing on the sidelines. Let's get in there and do something about it."

Justin and Sameer, creators of Words Wound 

Cyberbullying happens every day. Harsh words and damaging photos exchanged through texts, email, or social media can result in humiliation, broken friendships, punishment at school, and even legal prosecution.

In some cases, online harassment has contributed to teen suicide. Faced with this frightening problem, parents, educators, and teens are looking for information and advice. Many books have been written for adults about what cyberbullying is and what to do about it, but nothing has been written specifically for teens to help them to protect themselves and their peers.

Written by the foremost experts in cyberbullying prevention and reviewed by teens, this book provides practical strategies for those who are being cyberbullied, seeing cyberbullying, or who just want to do something to help make their schools a safer and more respectful place. The book includes dozens of real-life stories from those who have experienced cyberbullying, including many who have risen above it to make a positive difference in their schools.

In short, "Words Wound" helps students to be the primary agents of change to "delete cyberbullying and make kindness go viral." Are you ready to join the movement?

Order on Amazon today!

Kids React to Controversial Cherrios Commerical

One of the most powerful and amazing 9-minutes you will watch. 

Resource links below for more information on racial equality:
http://www.adl.org/
http://www.hrw.org/
http://www.racialequitytools.org/intr...
http://itstopswithme.humanrights.gov.au/
http://www.standagainstracism.org/ind...
http://www.unitedagainstracism.org/

What's Your Brave? Lessons from Teen Girls on Everyday Courage

The What’s Your Brave?™ project shares the insights and acts of everyday courage of teenage girls from across the United States and eventually the world. What makes us different is that we are going to the real adolescent experts — that is, the teenage girls themselves. We are asking teen girls one “simple” question, “What’s Your Brave?”. In sharing their answers and the reoccurring themes we observe, our hope is to inspire parents to support their own daughters in finding their “brave” — the courage to be themselves even during their tumultuous adolescent years.

Learn more at www.whatsyourbrave.com. 

Teens and Phone Etiquette

Remember when phone etiquette simply referred to the rules regarding answering the home phone? Now that most people, including teens, have their own cell phones, phone etiquette has a whole new meaning. It includes courteously using a phone to talk, text and enjoy the other features of today’s smart phones.

Here are some rules to share with your teen to encourage him to be a responsible and polite phone user.

Turn off your phone when you’re having a face to face conversation with someone. The increased use of cell phones, tablets and laptops has taken a toll on personal communication skills. Many teens have a hard time putting their phones down and engaging in a real and sustained conversation with another person. It’s become harder and harder for parents, teachers, coaches and others to connect with teens in meaningful ways, and when they are able to it’s often cut short by technology. While being able to answer the phone every time someone calls is convenient, interrupting a face to face conversation for a phone chat is disrespectful.

Teach your teen to turn off his phone or set it to vibrate (and then ignore it!) when he’s involved in a face to face conversation. Help him understand that by giving someone his full attention, he’s sending the message that he genuinely cares about what the other person is saying. Imagine how great it would be to enjoy dinner with your teen without his phone ringing, beeping or vibrating every few minutes.

Remember that basic phone rules still apply. Although your teen will know most of the people calling him, he will still need to know how to correctly answer a phone call meant for another. Remind him to speak clearly, ask if he can take a message, repeat the message back to the caller and use “please” and “thank you.” As a follow up, he should get the message to the intended party as soon as possible.

Keep the volume down when in a public place. There are few things more annoying than someone loudly chatting away on a cell phone right next to you. Remind your teen that when he’s in a public place like a restaurant or movie theater, he’s sharing that space with a bunch of people who aren’t interested in his conversation. He should keep his voice lowered and step away from the crowd to talk. Some may still be able to hear him, but his phone conversation will be much less intrusive to others.

Keep it G rated. Teens often try out a wide variety of curse words and crude statements as they find their “voice.” Although it’s a natural part of the teen years, that doesn’t mean others should have to endure it. Let him know it’s unacceptable to use that type of language in any public conversation, especially if children or young adults are around.

Don’t talk or text and drive. Not only is this good etiquette, it’s also an essential safety measure. Talking or texting while driving continues to rise and continues to cause injuries and fatalities. Make this a clear and unwavering rule for your teen to keep him and others safe on the road. There are also plenty of hands-free options available today. Many newer cars are equipped with built in Bluetooth connectivity, which makes answering a call or text safer. However, it’s never a good idea for your teen’s attention to be anywhere but the road, so carefully consider if hands-free calling is well suited to your child.

Don’t take pictures or videos without permission. It’s easy to snap a picture or grab a video with today’s smartphone technology. But just because it’s possible, doesn’t mean it’s a good idea. Ask your teen to make sure she has permission from everyone she takes a picture or video of. Many people, including other teens, don’t want to be caught in what others might think are funny poses or situations. Posting inappropriate pictures and videos has become a signature of bullying, so it’s a sensitive topic. Even if your teen has the best intentions when using her smartphone camera, it could lead to problems.
It’s easy for teens to get off track when it comes to phone etiquette. They have fewer and fewer opportunities to learn and practice interpersonal communication skills in their everyday life, so it’s no surprise when phone skills fall by the wayside. A few quick conversations and limits around phone use can easily get your teen back on track.

Source: Babysitting Jobs

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Microsoft Safer Online Teen Challenge

Every parent worries about their children both online and off.

Who are they talking to online?  Are they chatting with strangers?  What information are they sharing?  Does your teen or child know the boundaries?

Let’s face it, you can never be safe enough or secure enough–there is always something new to learn!

Encourage your teens to participate in The Safer Online Teen Challenge by Microsoft!

The Challenge is an interactive contest where teens can teach others how to manage their digital lifestyle by creating a song, video, skit or other original work. It’s a perfect way for teens to put their own spin on how they navigate digital safety.

Here’s how it works:

• Teens ages 13 to 18 (where applicable), select an online safety topic from either the Microsoft Safety & Security Center or the “Resources” tab of the Safer Online by Microsoft Facebook page.
• They create their work of art (using one of Microsoft’s five categories: skit/presentation, video, story/cartoon, song, survey) and submit their entry by April 12 on the Challenge website.
• Then, Microsoft’s Safer Online Facebook fans will vote to select the winners of each category. Microsoft will post the winning entries on their website and the winners will receive prizes like tablets, gaming systems and more.

Follow the Microsoft Safety Team on Twitter.

30 Blogs About Keeping Kids Safe Online

Should you allow your child to watch the news or go on Facebook?  At what point is it okay and healthy for your child to learn about current events?  Could the media your kids watch be the cause of mass violence?  When it comes to kids’ exposure to the media, these questions are all ones that need to be considered.

In the following 30 blog entries, the bloggers go into some depth about studies and recommendations regarding the relationship between your kids and media exposure, and explore the possible pros and cons of your kids’ involvement with media.

Studies
Scientists play an active role in helping parents learn about how media affects kid’s health.  If you are looking for answers of your own, review these five blog posts to see what their studies revealed.

• Recently Added Studies on Children, Media, and Health
• Resources: Talking and Teaching About the Shooting in Newtown, Conn.
• More Homegrown Content Needed for Canadian Kids: Study
• New Gentile Study on Media Violence and Kids Could Have Applications on School Bullying
• Study: Media Literacy Education Helps Protect Children from the Harmful Effects of Media Messages

Use
How are kids using media these days?  You might be surprised when you read a bit more about it.  These five blog entries will shed some light on media use in kids.

• Teachers Say Media-Use is Harming Kids’ Performance
• 3 Tips to Schedule and Monitor Media Use for Your Kids
• Kids and Social Media: Cloud Resources to Consider
• Children’s Media Usage Skyrockets During Past Year [Study]
• Is Media Use Slowing Down Kids Intellectually?

Recommendations
What can parents do about how much time their kids spend using media?  How much time is appropriate?  These answers and more can be found on the following five blog posts.

• How to Negotiate Screen Time with Kids
• Setting Limits on Screen Time: Start Your Preschooler on a Healthy Track
• The Surefire Way to Limit Your Kids’ Screentime
• Setting Screen Time Limits for Kids, Age by Age
• 53 Ways to Beat Social Media Burnout

Pros
Here are five blog articles that have noted some benefits of kids using social media and blogging.  If you have concerns, you might want to read through the benefits that have been laid out by these bloggers.

• The Benefits of Social Media
• Parents See Benefits to Kids in Social Media
• Family Grapples With Kids’ Tech Time
• New Report: Social Media and Kids: Some Benefits, Some Worries
• The Benefits of Blogging for Kids

Cons
These five blog posts provide some details about why social media may be bad for kids, and outline some of the reasons that their usage is considered risky behavior. Once you’ve read these you can weigh the good with the bad and make your own decisions about media use.

• Debate: Is Social Media Good or Bad For Our Kids? Interesting Facebook Stats
• Some Blame Our Culture for Teaching Kids to be Violent
• Could the Media be at Fault for Creating Mass Shooters? Popular Figure Says Yes
• A Reason to Monitor Your Kids Social Media Use and Promote National Anti-Bully Month
• Are Kids Growing Up Too Fast?

Violence
Social media, news stories and violent video games have all been tied to violent acts by kids.  See what is being said about these events in these five blog entries.  The more information you have the better choices about media use you can make.

• Social Media ‘Stoking’ NI Violence
• Misogyny, Violence Highlighted in Online Video Game, Social Media Threats
• Violence and Technology
• Hickenlooper:  ‘Level of Violence in Media’ and ‘Video Games’ May Be Why Assault Weapons are Used in Mass Shootings
• Media Violence and Debating Effects & Influences

Sources: National Nannies

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Is Your Child Old Enough To Stay Home Alone?

With more and more households becoming two income households, the number of latchkey kids, or kids who are left home alone for a part of each day, is also steadily growing. According to NBC’s Today Show there are over 3 million children who are latch key kids today.

But before you decide to let your own child be a latch key kid, it’s important to evaluate if your child is ready for that responsibility. How do you know if your kids are old enough or responsible enough to stay home alone?

Here are some rules and guidelines that can help you make your decision:

Laws
Surprisingly, there are few laws or regulations on the books regarding what age a child can be legally left alone. Check out latchkey-kids.com to see if the state you live in has any age restrictions in place. According to CARE (Call Reassurance), law makers are considering adding regulations to the law books due to the increase in latchkey kids.

You can also contact CPS (Child Protective Services) in your area to find out what they recommend.

Guidelines
According to Safe Kids USA, children should be developmentally mature enough to stay alone around age 12 or 13. Since children develop at different rates, however, your child may be different. If your child is a dare devil, has impulse control issues, or doesn’t like following the rules, you may want to hold off leaving him alone until he’s older. On the other hand, if your 11 year old is very responsible and follows the rules well, he may be ready and capable of being a latch key kid. As a parent you will need to evaluate your child to determine if he is ready.

Lynn Yaney, a child welfare professional in California, has said that children under the age of 7 do not possess the ability to logically consider cause and effect, so they should not be left alone. Kids ages 7 to 10 are not considered ready to stay alone for an extended period of time because they need supervision to structure their day. However, if there is a structured routine in place, these kids could stay alone for a short time, like after school. Kids 11 and older should be considered on a case by case basis, but should not be left alone overnight, per Yaney.

According to WebMD, tweens ages 11 to 12 may be ready to watch their younger siblings for short periods of time. To determine if your tween is ready consider the following questions:

• Is your tween scared about staying alone?
• Do you live in a safe area?
• Does your home have an alarm system?
• Would your tween know what to do in case of an emergency?
• Do you have friends or family close by who could get there quickly?
• Has your tween shown responsible behavior in the past, such as doing chores without being asked or completing homework assignments on time without being nagged?

After considering the answers to the above questions, you might feel ready to make a trial run on leaving your tween home alone. The next thing you should do is set some ground rules.

• Are friends allowed to come over? How many?
• Is it okay to answer the phone?
• Should he answer the door?
• What is okay to eat? Can he use the microwave?
• How long is it okay to watch TV or play on the computer? Guidelines about what can and cannot be watched or played should be covered.

Once you have established some ground rules, make sure that everyone understands what is expected of them. Create a list of phone numbers for your tween just like you would for any babysitter. Here is a suggestion of some numbers to consider:

• 9-1-1 (he may forget in an emergency)
• You and your spouses’ cell phone numbers
• Number for a neighbor or friends
• Poison control
• Police department
• Your family doctor or pediatrician

After you have prepared your tween for what might happen you should do some practicing or role playing. Have a neighbor come over and pretend to be insistent on getting him to open the door. Go over what to do if the fire alarm goes off. Make sure your tween knows where the first aid kit is kept and how to use it. Ask him what he would do if the electricity goes out. You may even wish to enroll your child in a local babysitting course or a course designed for latchkey kids. These courses help develop and hone self-care skills.

After you are comfortable that your tween is ready to be left alone it’s time to try it out. For the first outing, plan to be home about 30 minutes after your tween gets home from school. When you return, find out how it went. Next time you go out, increase the duration to 45 minutes to an hour. Make sure you can be reached on your mobile phone. Keep increasing the time until you have exceeded the amount of time the kids will be left alone on an average day. Create some way for your child to check in with you when he arrives home after school.

Allowing your tween to stay home alone or to watch a younger sibling is scary, but it’s also a part of growing up. Your tween will be learning responsibility and maturity. If all goes well, you might even be able to go out alone with your spouse for dinner.

Source: Aupair Jobs

8 Tips to Relieve Homework Stress

After a long and relaxing summer getting back into schedule can sometimes be difficult. Adding homework to that equation can be a bit stressful.

Here are 8 tips to consider before school starts to help your school year go smoothly:

1. Offer encouragement. Give your child praise for efforts and for completing assignments.
2. Be available. Encourage your child to do the work independently, but be available for assistance.
3. Maintain a schedule. Establish a set time to do homework each day. You may want to use a calendar to keep track of assignments and due dates.
4. Designate space. Provide a space for homework, stocked with necessary supplies, such as pencils, pens, paper, dictionaries, a computer, and other reference materials.
5. Provide discipline. Help your child focus on homework by removing distractions, such as television, radio, telephone, and interruptions from siblings and friends.
6. Be a role model. Consider doing some of your work, such as paying bills or writing letters, during your child's homework time.
7. Be supportive. Talk to your child about difficulties with homework. Be willing to talk to your child's teacher to resolve problems in a positive manner.
8. Involvement. Familiarize yourself with the teacher's homework policy. Make sure that you and your child understand the teacher's expectations. At the beginning of the year, you may want to ask your child's teacher these questions: What kinds of assignments will you give? How often do you give homework? How much time are the students expected to spend on them? What type of involvement do you expect from parents?

5 Basic Things To Teach Your Teen Before They Leave for College

Your teen is approaching the end of their high school career and they are heading off to college.

It is a fun and exciting time for the whole family, especially for your doe –eyed teen. Sometimes as parents we forget that sometimes our teens don’t know the basics once they flee the nest.

Here are five basic things you should educate your teen on before they go:

1. Budget money: Probably one of the biggest and most important things you can teach your teen before they head off to college. Teaching your teen the basics of money and the concept of budgeting will carry them into adulthood. Give your teen a good grasp on costs and expenses and how they are to spend and budget. Most college freshman are targeted by credit card companies once they get on campus, teach them the trials and tribulations of a credit card.
2. Basic safety: You aren’t able to keep track of your teen once they are off to college. Teach them the different dangers that they can experience as college students. Things like drinking and driving, drugs and date rape. Teach them to keep their personal information offline and that no matter where or what they are doing someone needs to know where they are, even if it’s just their roommate.
3. How to cook: Teaching them easy and healthy meals will keep your teen from spending too much money on those late night drive thrus. Be sure to send them off to college with basic cooking supplies like pots and pans and cooking utensils. Consider stocking their pantry and fridge with the basics, this will encourage them to cook at home more.
4. How to do laundry: Believe it or not, lots of teens do not know how to do their own laundry. Be sure they know how to operate the machine as well as what settings are needed on different loads. Don’t forget to show them how to clean the dryer vent.
5. Car maintenance: If your teen is going to college with a car, be sure that you educate them on what to do when it comes to renewing stickers, getting oil changes and checking tire pressure. It is wise that you tell them to contact you first if there is a car problem, some mechanics and tow truck people can target your teen and rip them off.

Prepare for phone calls and texts with questions and sometimes mishaps. It is also a sign if you do not hear from your teen about these things; make sure they are practicing what you have taught them. Be understanding and helpful; remember you were once that age too. Good luck Mom and Dad!

This guest post is contributed by Debra Johnson, blogger and editor of nanny babysitter. She welcomes your comments at her email at jdebra84@gmail.com.

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The Great Debate: Do Kids Need Cell Phones?

A debate that can depend on the child?
A debate that can depend on the age of the child?
A debate that can depend on the maturity of the child?
A debate that can depend on the family and their beliefs?

The debate regarding the necessity of mobile phones for children continues to rage on as kids demand cell phones at younger and younger ages. Many parents, however, believe that cell phones are a non-essential luxury that can be reserved until a certain age; others feel that in this day and age, mobiles are an important asset for everyone, children included.

In this article, we’ll look at 10 reasons why your kid can do without a mobile:

1.  Children shouldn’t be any place where there isn’t responsible adult supervision – Any time children aren’t within the care of their parents there should always be someone old enough to watch the kids with them. There is no need for them to carry their own personal phones when they and their parents adhere to this simple common sense policy, which has worked for centuries.
2.  What children actually use phones for varies greatly from why the phone was initially bought – Children are using these phones for everything but the emergencies that parents use as a rationale for equipping them with mobiles in the first place. Facebook won’t help in an emergency, and neither will Angry Birds. And who texts an emergency message anyway?
3. The phones being purchased for emergency situations are coming equipped with the latest technology – Most parents who argue that the phone is a safety measure for their child wind up spending a bundle on web access and texting service for their kids’ phones, both of which are totally unnecessary for their supposed purpose.
4.  Cell phones are becoming less a help and more a hindrance – Kids spend time on their mobile phones that could and should be spent more productively. Given the state of education in this country, the time is past due to eliminate distractions rather than hand them out to our kids.
5. Cell phones open gateways to trouble – Most of the dangers to their kids that parents are dealing with are related to the fact that their kids are in constant contact via cell phones. Cyber-bullying, sexting and other such issues are far more likely to put your child at risk than not having a cell phone.
6.  Having the world at your fingertips can be a dangerous distraction – Cell phone use could in fact put your child at risk to the sort of perils that parents envision when they buy the kids phones to begin with. Think about it: your child is too busy texting, surfing, or playing games that she becomes otherwise oblivious to her surroundings.
7.  They cause a dependence on constant connection – It isn’t healthy for kids to remain so dependent on constant connectivity in order to function. Kids need to develop independence and the capacity for responsible decision-making without supervision.
8.  They have a negative influence on productivity and learning – Kids are frequently using their cell phones, to their own detriment as well as others, at times and in places at which there is no need for them to have one, such as in school. Some schools, for this reason, have taken steps to ban them.
9.  Cell phones encourage superficial relationships – Cell phone use inhibits social development. Kids become more reliant on their devices to communicate and spend less face time with friends and family as a result.
10.  They make kids grow up too fast – Kids should be allowed to be kids. There will be plenty of years ahead when they will have jobs and responsibilities that might necessitate their having these electronic leashes. We should let them enjoy this time in their lives while they still can.

 Source: Land Line Phone Service

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Parenting Today's Kids

Recently I discovered a great new educational sites with articles and information that can benefit parents of kids, tweens and teens today!

Parenting Today's Kids

Fact.  Parents Need Help at the Intersection of Technology and Kids

At ParentingTodaysKids.com, we recognize that technology impacts how kids are growing up.  It can play a very influential role in the choice they make and the people they become.

We Are Parents Too

We are parents.  We get it.  If parents can understand technology today and learn how kids embrace consume and social using it, we increase our chances of protecting our kids and positively influencing them.

Our Goal

We spend so much time protecting and guiding our kids in the “real world”, but most of us can do a better job parenting in the virtual world and protecting our kids online.

Our goal at ParentingTodaysKids.com is to educate parents and to help them close the technology gap that exists between parents and kids in order to better protect them.

That’s why we’ve put together an expert panel focused on raising kids today, ranging from an attorney to a holistic parenting life coach.    Check out the Author’s section today to see the great experts who are here to help you better understand your kids and how they are using technology.

Join them on Facebook and follow them on Twitter.

National Child Abuse Prevention Month is April

Sex crimes - sexual molestation - and kids!
A scary and horrific combination!

Stacey Honowitz, a regular on HLN, CNN, Fox and MSNBC is also a leading state prosecutor with over 17 years dedicated to the Sex Crimes and Child Abuse Unit.

However most importantly one of her accomplishments is her two educational books that serve to help parents, children, advocates and others to finally talk about this difficult subject in a manner which is comfortable for everyone.

April is Child Abuse Prevention Month.  Stacey Honowitz answered a few questions for me:

Q)  What changes in a child's behavior should raise a red flag for parents?

Stacey:  Some behaviors in small children are nightmares, bed wetting, a constant need to be with you, a fear when you go to change them, and a general fear of staying alone with the person after they never had a problem before. I don't like to generalize, because some of these behaviors are indicative of other issues, but sometimes a decline of grades in older kids, and a lack of enthusiasm for things warrant a discussion. It might not be abuse, but certainly if something doesn't sit right with you, make sure and ask if they feel uncomfortable about something and want to share it.

Q)  What sorts of behaviors from an adult should raise a red flag for parents to prohibit that adult from ever spending alone time with their child?

Stacey:  This really goes back to the first question that you asked. Sometimes a person will pursue a child by engaging in behaviors that the child will enjoy. Constant gift giving, a relationship based on "being friends" and "don't be afraid to tell me anything" coupled with an opportunity to spend "alone" time with them.

Red flag number one, the person calls and communicates with the child by phone or computer without you being present, and constantly asks you if they can "take your child" out for the day, or that they would love to babysit while you do what you have to do. Most parents are thrilled to have an adult take such an interest in their child, but they must realize that many times there is an ulterior motive.

Q)  If a parent is suspicious of an adult's behavior, what steps can the parent take?

Stacey:  If any parent believes that another child is being abused please do not feel like your are intruding by trying to help. Most parents later on say "I thought something was happening but it was not my place." It is your responsibility to alert either a family member, school authority or protective services if you suspect some type of abuse either sexual or physical. If you have a relationship with that child there is nothing wrong with you questioning the child, and asking "is everything okay" or "do you need my help with anything going on at home." Better safe than sorry is a motto that really holds water.

For more information, order Stacey's books:
Genius With a Penis, Don't Touch!
My Private Parts Are Private

Learn more about Stacey Honowitz on her website and follow her on Twitter and Facebook.

10 Quick Travel Tips With the Kids this Holiday Season

Some families stay home for the holidays.
Some families will go the distance.
Some families will venture out and go the long distance to visit relatives!
What will you be doing?


Traveling is one of those things that, in theory, sound like a great idea every time it comes up.
Think of all the places you can show your kids… all the historical monuments… the theme parks…. And all the different states and countries they could see. Think of what a great childhood that would you would be providing them!  This time you will be celebrating holidays and possibly visiting distant relatives!

And then you start to pack. And suddenly that weeklong trip with the whole family gets a little less exciting and a little more stressful. Seeing 18 different suitcases lined up by the front door with all the clothing and knick-knacks that just have to come along is enough to send any parent into a whirlwind.

The good news is that you can take just about everything you need while maximizing space and minimizing items.

1. Make a list - Be realistic when you’re making your list. A lot of times people tend to over-pack when they’re getting clothes and shoes together to go out of town, taking things that they may need just in case. But let’s be realistic – how often do you really end up using half the stuff you bring along? Seeing what items you need in writing will help reduce this. Instead of just throwing items into a bag, prioritize the things you absolutely need and realistically evaluate what you, your spouse, and your kids will really use on the trip and what is being brought as an afterthought.
2. Make multiple outfits from the same pieces - Instead of picking out a separate outfit for each day for each person in the family, cut back on clothes by putting together staple pieces that can match different outfits. This way you’ll cut back on how much you’re bringing with you, but you won’t be stuck wearing the same exact thing day in and day out.
3. Roll your clothing - Next time you go to pack nix the folded clothes and roll them instead. This will not only save on space but will allow you to fit more clothes into odd spaces and help keep things from getting creases in them from being folded during their stay in the suitcase.
4. Remember there are convenience stores in every city - Before you start to pack all the miniature toiletries that you’ve bought to fit the regulation size, remember that just about everywhere you travel there will be a convenience store that you can buy these items at if where you’re staying doesn’t already provide them. This is an easy way to save on space and you’ll probably spend just as much in another city on those miniature toiletries as you would in your own. Plus you’ll be able to throw them away when you’re leaving so you won’t have to pack them on the way home either.
5. Figure out what you can buy when you get there - Before you pack two weeks’ worth of diapers and formula for your baby, do some research and locate different stores in the city or town you’re travelling to where you can pick up these items. It’s unlikely that you won’t be able to find these necessities and taking ten minutes to do some internet research ahead of time will save you having to lug around a bunch of unnecessary items.
6. Limit the number of toys you bring - As much as your kids may want to bring seven different toys with them, they are just going to take up a lot of space that could be utilized for more pertinent items or space that could be completely eliminated. Let them pick two of their favorite toys and then let them pick out a new toy wherever you end up travelling to so that they have some variety without taking up a lot of room. The same goes for books – you may want to bring two or three to read, but you don’t need to bring nine different ones.
7. Put shoes to use - Instead of rolling up belts and socks and putting them into one of the luggage pockets, stuff them inside of shoes so that you don’t waste that empty space and you leave room for other things that need to be packed. Most people overlook this space, but it’s ideal for smaller items, including jewelry and bottled items like lotion or makeup remover.
8. Reduce all extra items to two carry-ons - This is a good way to weed out what you need and what you don’t when you’re flying. Designate one bag for you and one for your spouse and then fill one with the different electronic devices you may want to take along such as iPods or tablets and one with books and magazines for reading and snacks you can pull out in a pinch.
9. Ship before you leave if you need to - If you’re going skiing or hiking or something that requires a lot of gear, but you’re flying out there so you’re more limited on what you can bring with you, you may want to consider shipping some of the bulkier items ahead of time so you don’t have to worry about checking them or carrying them on.
10. Do laundry while traveling - It may take a little extra time during your trip, but it will drastically cut back on the amount of clothes you need to bring with you if you stop and do a load of laundry here or there. Instead of bringing two weeks’ worth of undergarments you can limit it to three or four per person and just wash them at different points when you reach your destination. The same goes for shirts, pants, socks, etc.

Travelling with kids for an extended period of time doesn’t have to mean that you need to pack up your entire household to take with you; it just requires a little extra planning before you head out.
By condensing items you’ll not only save space but you’ll also probably cut down on transportation costs too since you’ll be able to carry more stuff around with you and utilize public transportation instead of hailing a taxi or renting a car on your adventures. And all that extra money means you can buy more souvenirs, of course!

Source:  AuPair.org

Remember: It is your 'presence not presents', that count during the holiday time!
Merry Christmas, Happy Holidays and Safe Travels!

TV Show Ratings: What Parents Should Know

Households are now capable of receiving hundreds of different channels with the advent of cable and satellite TV. This is an overwhelming number of television shows for concerned parents to monitor. How could they possibly filter out inappropriate viewing for their young children while still being able to watch the more mature shows they enjoy after they’ve gone to bed? In 1997 TV Parental Guidelines were implemented to help parents filter out television programs they don’t want their children to watch.


Here are 10 good reasons parents want TV show ratings.

1. Helpful tool – Even though these TV ratings are less than perfect, they are a helpful tool for parents to use. By examining what the different ratings are and what they stand for, parents have a starting point to work from when determining which shows they will allow their children to watch.
2. Watchdogs – The TV Parental Guidelines Monitoring Board are the ones determining how the various shows are rated. This means there is a panel of watchdogs reviewing these programs for the parents. The panel consists of experts from the television industry and public interest advocates and are available to receive complaints from concerned parents who may not agree with their ratings.
3. Volume of shows – The sheer volume of shows available on television make it impossible for parents to review them all. The ratings system helps to sort through a multitude of programs by age group. For instance, any show with a rating of TV-MA means that it is intended to mature audiences only and not appropriate for children.
4. At a glance – Once parents are familiar with the various ratings, they can tell at a glance whether the show should be safe for young children to watch or may need further review.  The ratings appear in the upper left-hand corner of the TV screen at the beginning of the program and again after each commercial break.
5. Saves time – The TV show ratings system saves precious time for busy parents. As mentioned before, nobody wants to take the time to review the massive number of shows available. The ratings are visible at a glance and whole groups of shows can be blocked using the V-Chip technology built into most television sets.
6. V-Chip – Since the year 2000 television sets have been equipped with what is called V-Chip technology to help parents filter out programming they feel is inappropriate for their children. The V-Chip receives and understands the different ratings and on screen programs can be used to block whichever ratings parents choose.
7. Can’t always be there – Since parents can’t always be there when their children are watching TV, blocking adult programming gives them some control even when they’re not at home. Although the system isn’t perfect, it can be improved with monitoring and adjustments.
8. Can be used for discipline – Parents can even use the TV show ratings as a form of discipline. The various ratings can be used for either punishment or rewards. Parents can block violent shows for kids who get into a fight or unblock them as a reward for staying out of trouble.
9. Flexibility – The seven different ratings and the five different content labels give parents a wide range of flexibility when determining which shows may or may not be appropriate. Each family has different values and concerns. What may be considered taboo for some parents could be ok with others, so these ratings take that into account.
10. Peace of mind – Parents who are diligent about using the TV parental guidelines can have more peace of mind about what their kids are watching even when they’re not being supervised.

Many television and movie producers use violence, explicit sex and foul language to compete with each other. Parents need to have some form of control to limit the amount of this content their children are exposed to. Very young children are simply not capable of making good distinctions between what is real and fantasy on TV. Although some kids may not be happy about how their parents are using the ratings system to control their television viewing, it’s a valuable tool for families to use.

Source:  Cable TV Providers

More College Grads Moving Back Home

The number of college graduates who move home is at an all-time high, according to a poll by the consulting firm, Twentysomething, Inc. The survey found that 85% of college grads will return to Mom and Dad’s nest after graduation in hopes of finding a job and saving money. Moving back home and turning to your parents for financial help has become the norm and it really pays off for some.

Although living with Mom and Dad again may not sound very appealing, boomerang kids have the opportunity to save money, learn good personal finance habits, and become more financially secure before moving out on their own. If you’re one of the thousands of college graduates who is moving back with your parents, take advantage of this grace period and start saving and investing wisely.

1. Save money

   The No. 1 reason kids move back home after college is to save money. Living with your parents allows you to save the money you would normally spend on rent and put it in the bank. Whether you pay the bills or live rent-free, saving is much easier when you live cheaply. The more money you can save while living at home, the better your finances will be when you move out.

2. Develop good money habits

   Living at home can expose you to good personal-finance habits. Whether you want to obtain a credit card or start investing in a retirement fund, your parents can help you achieve financial freedom and develop good money habits for life. While at home, observe your parents’ financial habits and ask questions to get a good idea of how they spend their money and invest.

3. Learn the value of money

   Many college students have misconceptions about money and enter the real world with a lack of personal financial knowledge. All graduates, including those who took out loans to pay for school, could use a refresher in the value of money. Living at home can help you learn the value of money because you’ll have less of it to spend and will appreciate the cash you do have.

4. Financial security

   College grads who live at home have the financial security of their parents to help them stay afloat until they can move out on their own. Some graduates will get a free ride from Mom and Dad, while others will have to pay their dues for living at home. Either way you look at it, you’re getting a good deal. Having the financial support of your parents makes transitioning from college to the real world much easier.

5. Invest sooner

   Moving in with Mom and Dad after college can make it easier to invest sooner. College graduates can save tons by living at home and the money they don’t spend on rent can be invested into a savings plan. One of the smartest financial investments graduates can make is to start a retirement plan, such as a Roth IRA. These investments will help you manage your cash flow and prepare for the future.
   

   6. You can learn from your friends’ mistakes

      Living at home allows you to learn from your friends’ financial mistakes. Many college grads jump the gun on moving out because they want their own space and independence. While some friends may live within their means and have no financial problems, many end up overspending and have to move back home. When you live at home, you can be a spectator and learn from your friends and determine the right time to move out.

   7. Pay off student loans

      Living with your parents after college makes it easy to start paying down your student loans. Living at home allows you to save tons, so you can afford to put more money toward student loans. Chipping away at these pesky loans will help you pay them off in a timely manner and free you from debt.

   8. Incentive to find a job

      Considering the current state of the economy and the rising unemployment rate, finding a job is a difficult and often demoralizing task for college graduates. Moving home may be the only option for graduates, but it may also be the ticket to getting a job. Depending on your situation and your parents’ expectations, you may not have a choice but to find work right away. Pestering from Mom and Dad may be just what you need to get serious about job hunting and finding a job. Once you secure a job and get them off your back, you’ll feel relieved and more financially independent.

   9. Build and/or fix your credit

      Living at home allows graduates to establish or fix their credit. It’s important to build good credit or fix a damaged credit score before you move out because many apartment owners and even employers conduct credit checks. If you’ve never had a credit card or form of credit, now is the time to do so. If your credit score is less than stellar, then you can use this time to improve it.

   10. Budget for the future

       It is far easier to budget for the future when you don’t have rent going out the door each month. Use this time at home to set a budget that will help you achieve your financial goals. Budgeting will also give you a better idea if you can truly make it without your parents and how much it’s going to cost you when you move out.

Sexual Abuse: Know the Signs - Be an Educated Parent

Sexual abuse can be a single incident or many acts over a long period of time. There usually are subtle signs along the way that can be overlooked. Here are a few possible warnings of sexual abuse. Look for a change in your child’s normal behavior that last or become more intense.

Of course, there could be another explanation but any of these signs should be addressed. If you have any suspicions or a feeling something is wrong, seek help of a mental health professional.

Physical Signs: Bloody, torn, or stained underclothes; pain, bleeding, burning, or itching in genital area; difficulty walking or sitting; frequent urinary or yeast infections; STD or pregnancy
Psychosomatic Signs: Stomachaches, headaches or marked mood swings; nightmares or trouble sleeping; sudden changes in appetite
Sexual Behavior Signs: Uses adult-like sexual knowledge, language or behavior; writes, draws or plays out sexual-type images; frequent use of masturbation
Emotional Signs: Resorts to aggressive behaviors: thumb-sucking, bed-wetting; sudden clinginess; depressed
Behavioral Signs: Shrinks away or seems threatened by physical contact; excessive bathing, poor hygiene; or talks about self as dirty or bad; trouble focusing; seems distracted or distant at odd times; overly protective and concerned for siblings, assumes a caretaker role; talks about a new, older friend; jumpy if the phone rings, a text or email comes in; suddenly has unaccountable money, gifts, toys or mail; runs to mailbox

If there was something your child said or did that made you concerned, ask. Do know that a child may not admit or deny the abuse usually due to fear, humiliation, guilt or shame, but studies show that if asked, kids generally will tell a trusted adult of their abuse.

Special contributor: Dr. Michele Borba

Building Self-Esteem with Teens and Tweens

It is that time again when Dove reaches out and helps inspire young girls to make a difference in the world.

Join the Dove Movement for Self-Esteem and Help Us Create a World Where Beauty is a Source of Confidence, Not Anxiety

Everyone Has the Opportunity to Make a Difference in a Young Girl’s Self-Esteem

Dove_® is committed to inspiring all women and girls to reach their full potential by caring for themselves and each other. The Dove Movement for Self-Esteem invites all women to join us in creating a world where beauty is a source of confidence, not anxiety. There are many ways in which women can take simple actions that build self-esteem in girls. It could be as simple as inspiring the next generation with words of encouragement, spending an hour on a self-esteem building activity, or supporting self-esteem education in her town.

When women join the Dove Movement for Self-Esteem at dove.com, they will become part of a community committed to this vision and will receive regular updates on a variety of ways to get involved. Currently, women can participate in the Movement in the following ways:

• Join the Movement: By adding their name to the Dove Movement for Self-Esteem women can join us in creating a world where beauty is a source of confidence, not anxiety.

• Tell Us “Who Inspired You?”: Our newest effort will celebrate the efforts of women who are leading by example to inspire the next generation to reach their full potential. We invite women to answer the question “Who Inspired You” on Dove online channels: Facebook, Twitter, and Dove.com, to honor the positive impact someone had on their life. When women share their story, Dove will make $1 donation to support self-esteem education in the U.S.*
  

• Download our Tools: Visit dove.com to access free tools to take simple actions to build self-esteem in young girls. We have reached over 7 million girls so far, and have set a global goal of reaching 15 million girls by 2015. Together with experts, and key partners we have created self-esteem building, educational programs, and activities for girls, moms, and mentors.
  

• Join us for the Second Annual Dove Movement for Self-Esteem Weekend in October: Dove encourages women everywhere to commit to spending one hour on a self-esteem building activity with a girl in their lives during the Dove Self-Esteem Weekend taking place from October 21 – 23.

About Our Partners: In the United States, Dove supports The Girl Scouts of the USA, Boys & Girls Clubs of America, and Girls, Inc. with after-school programs, self-esteem building events and educational resources. Dove also supports the Alliance for Women in Media.

Learn more at www.DoveMovement.com.

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