The Moms Code: YouTube Channels That Provide Child-Friendly Programming

Long gone are the days of kids asking to watch their favorite TV show since YouTube has become the new go-to place for kids who want to watch any video content. And with hundreds of thousands of videos being uploaded every minute to that site, there are plenty of channels out there for your little ones to watch.

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But as a parent, you want to make sure that whatever your children are watching is age appropriate and something you approve of. So keep reading to discover ten of the best YouTube channels out there you will be happy to have your kids watch.

THE HOUSTON ZOO

If your children love any kind of adorable animals, then you want to have them follow The Houston Zoo’s channel on YouTube. This channel releases new videos every week of the amazing animals they have at the zoo.

From videos of the zoo celebrating one of their elephants turning 50 to introducing their new baby Madagascar Big Headed Turtles and every kind of animal in between, there are endless hours of content for your kids to enjoy! Now you get to visit the zoo without even leaving home by watching The Houston Zoo’s channel.

SUPER SIMPLE SONGS

Get your kids to sing and dance along with the YouTube Channel Super Simple Songs. Have your kids explore new songs and nursery rhymes with adorable animation and puppet friends that the channel features.

These simple songs include “Sitting On The Potty” to “Here Is The Beehive” to teach kids in a fun and exciting way. And with over 15,000,000 subscribers, you know that this is a trusted channel for parents to use. Have your little ones enjoy themselves and be creative by joining in on the fun that Super Simple Songs provides.

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NATIONAL GEOGRAPHIC KIDS

The incredible National Geographic company has released a YouTube channel for young learners called National Geographic Kids. This channel features animals, cool science facts, and much more interesting content that is perfect for any child that is curious about the world and the creatures in it!

From craft videos, like how to make a t-shirt tote, to learning about lions, this channel has everything! And with over 43,000,000 views and new content uploaded twice a week, you know there will always be something for your little ones to watch. So let your kids have fun online while learning new things with National Geographic Kids!

BABY EINSTEIN

Baby Einstein’s YouTube channel is all about allowing your baby to grow by being curious. That is why their channel features many lullabies and nursery rhymes in classic tunes to get your child’s brain stimulated. There are also many great videos of fun and easy craft ideas for little ones to do and even creative ways for parents to track their baby’s milestones.

Baby Einstein has over 259,000,000 views from all of their videos so far, meaning that there have already been hundreds of hours watched by kids. So let your baby’s brain get the stimulation it needs by watching Baby Einstein’s videos.

NICKELODEON

A fan-favorite TV channel that kids love to watch now has its own YouTube channel. Nickelodeon releases new content every day on their account. And some of the content they are releasing includes full episodes of their shows as well as original content just for their YouTube channel.

Nickelodeon also releases exclusive web series for kids on their channel, with their popular shows including The JoJo & BowBow Show Show, Inside Nick, and Nia Sioux’s Slumber Party. Find all of your favorite Nick shows and more with their YouTube Channel.

SOURCE: https://www.moms.com/youtube-channels-child-friendly-programming/

The Moms Code: Safety Tips To Teach Your Children About The Pool

When summer finally arrives with warmer weather, one of the best activities to do is swimming. But this fun activity can be dangerous for kids if they don't learn how to properly behave around pools.

Pool safety is one of the most important things you need to teach your children about and remind them about every year. With many accidents that could happen to children in and around the water, it is our responsibility as parents to ensure our kids have the information they need. Keep reading to discover the top 10 safety lessons to teach your kids about the pool.

NEVER RUN NEXT TO THE POOL

It's easy for little ones to get excited about going swimming, but it's important for them to not run next to the pool. Since there's always going to be water that spills out of the pool, this causes the areas around the pool to be slippery.

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If a kid is running, they could slip and fall into the pool, injuring themselves. Being careful when walking in the pool area will cause less slipping and injuries. So let your kids be excited about enjoying the pool, but make sure they walk safely!

STAY AWAY FROM DRAINS AND FILTERS

Not only are there lessons to teach your kids about being around the pool, there are important lessons to teach your kids when it comes to being in the pool.

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Since pools have drains and filters, you need to teach your children that those pool functions are important for the pool to run efficiently and to not play with them. Pool drains and filters can be dangerous for kids if they play with them by having their hands or hair get stuck to them. Make sure they know that those are not to be played with.

USE SLIDES PROPERLY

Playing in a pool is fun, especially if you have a water slide attached to the pool. But the water side is not to be played around with.

Parents need to teach children to only go down the slide properly (i.e. on their butts) and tell them not to run up it or use it in a way it was not built for. Water slides are slippery by nature and any goofing around can lead to injury. Make sure your little ones know how to properly use the water slide.

ONLY PLAY SAFE WATER GAMES

There are lots of fun games for children to play in the pool, but there can also be dangerous games that your kids want to play without knowing it can be risks. Some of these games include seeing how long they can hold their breath underwater or to try swimming the full length of the pool when they are still new swimmers.

These are not the type of games you want your kids to be playing. Instead, encourage them to play games like Marco Polo and other games that do not require them to hold their breaths!

ALWAYS BE WITH A BUDDY

One important lesson you need to teach your kids is to always go swimming with a buddy. When they are still little, this means having another adult present when they are in the water. And even when they grow up, they should always go swimming with a friend. You want to teach them that even if they are a good swimmer that something could happen and they want to have someone next to them in case they ever need help. So teach them while they are still young to make sure to never go swimming by themselves.

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WEARING FLOATIES IF YOU DON’T KNOW HOW TO SWIM

If your children don’t know how to swim then it is necessary for them to wear floaties in the water. Nowadays, floaties are not like what they use to be.

Of course, there are plastic floaties that need to be blown up, but now they even have swimsuits that have a flotation device built into the outfit. These types of floaties in bathing suits are great to allow your children to have fun comfortable in the pool without them even needing another type of flotation device. So make sure to take your time shopping to see all of the different flotation options they have now!

ALWAYS ASK PERMISSION TO ENTER THE WATER

When it is hot out, all your kids are thinking about going into the water. But they need to learn that they always need to ask permission to enter the pool. And yes, that means even if you told them today is a pool day, they need to know that unless they ask you or another adult, they must stay out of the water until you give them the all clear. Doing this will allow you time to clean out the pool of any bugs and to make sure someone is present when they go in.

The Moms Code: Get Your Kid Ready For Their First Sleepover and to Prepare Parents

Pretty much everyone can agree that sleepovers are a big deal. They are definitely an important part of growing up, and many people have fond memories of what they did while staying at a friend’s house during their childhood.

Nevertheless, the first one can be a learning experience for both children and parents. Despite how awesome sleepovers can be, there are some downsides to them.

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So, that is why parents and children need to prepare themselves before being involved with one. Preparation is key. Here are some tips for parents who want to prepare themselves and their child for his or her first sleepover.

DON’T WORRY ABOUT YOUR CHILD’S AGE

Naturally, moms and dads spend a lot of time worrying about their children and one of those common worries is whether or not they are old enough to host a sleepover, or attend one that is being held at a friend’s house.

But the truth is that there is no particular age for this that is right for everyone. Every child is different from the rest, which means that some kids are ready for sleepovers earlier than others, and it does not actually have much to do with how old the child is at the time, contrary to what some mothers and father believe.

TEST THINGS OUT FIRST

One great way to prepare a child for a sleepover is to host a play date for them and one of their friends. This can be something that lasts a few hours, or the friend can stay for a longer time. This is a pretty big deal for kids. It gives them a chance to strengthen the bond they share with their friends, and it is also a great way to give them a little independence while they play. Do this for dinner or close to bedtime, to get them used to having friends around at this time of day, so it doesn't feel so strange during a sleepover.

GIVE THE OTHER PARENTS A CALL

Moms and dads worried about what the rules are going to be, or if they can trust the other parents can ease their minds by getting to know the parents who will be watching their child while they are gone. It's as simple as just calling up the other parents and speaking with them, as well as making them aware of anything they should know. Talk to them about rules, bedtimes, and how bad behavior might be dealt with, as well as anything medical or emergency related - medication, allergies, emergency contacts, etc.



PREPARE TO STAY AWAKE

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One great thing parents can do in order to prepare themselves for their child’s first sleepover is to get some extra sleep beforehand. That is because they should stay up a little later while their child is gone, just in case they call and want to come home. Sometimes being away from home all night is a bit much for some children.

That's not to say that parents should pull an all-nighter, but you may not sleep well even if you try, and getting some extra naps in will help prevent too much exhaustion the next day. And make sure the phone ringer is turned up, so if your kid does call, you'll hear it in bed!

KNOW THAT IT MIGHT NOT WORK OUT THE FIRST TIME

Sometimes a child’s first sleepover does not go as well, and that is okay. Moms and dads need to be sure they are prepared just in case something does not work out. But at the same time, they also need to remember that they can try again at a later time. In addition, if a child’s first sleepover does not work out, then it is a good idea for mom or dad to help them come up with a game plan to make sure the next time is better - figure out what went wrong, and then go from there.

Disney's Bizaardvark: Survival Tips for Set Parents (Part 6 of 6) -- Set Crybabies

Here is a big secret. Everybody cries on set at some point – every child actor and every set parent. So, at some point you will cry. Yes, big sloppy tears will fall down your face. All the pressure, angst, and emotions build up and then an incident sets the water works in motion. For me, always at least once a season, and usually twice I’ll sob and look like a big fat crybaby. I’m not talking about ‘acting’ crying either, I’m talking about full-on distress-triggered sobbing. It’s actually very human and makes the set more personal.

In my case, one crying episode usually involves missing something for one of my other kids which triggers massive, uncontrollable mom guilt. Last summer, my older son, who is working an ESPN internship in Utah, was feeling quite ill. He went to Urgent Care and they tried to send him home, but he insisted something was wrong. He was diagnosed with acute appendicitis. He got himself to the hospital and had to undergo an emergency appendectomy. I was on facetime with him feeling powerless, worried and massively stressed. My sister, a nursing PhD, was on the phone with him, advising him. Since I was not there, he went through this alone and woke up alone. I was inconsolable but trying to appear ‘normal’. The sacrifice at that moment was crystal clear. My son went through a surgery alone; I was on the phone with him as he anxiously made his decision (really no decision to make). He was scared and he wanted his mom and all he got was a facetime phone call. My husband was at work back in Honolulu. In that moment, I felt like the worst mom on the planet. The next day, since the surgery was over, I stayed in LA and went to set as usual. I must have looked like a wreck because the AD asked me if I was okay. I stood there unable to answer as tears started leaking out. The leak turned into a flood; I could not stop crying. The cast parents and show runners could not have been nicer and it was truly genuine. Multiple people offered to watch Ethan and keep him overnight if I wanted to fly to Utah.


Has anything like this ever happened to you – where you felt like, despite your best efforts, you were a terrible mom?

The other inevitable crying episode will involve something about the show. One time, one of the set crew made a comment that my son was not listening to the female guest director’s (who was actually our dialogue coach) instructions and notes to make adjustments in a scene. She said that this was a big moment for the guest director, and that we needed more female directors! I should step in and tell him to do a better job. That ‘everyone’ expected more as he is a strong actor. I felt like someone kicked me in the stomach. My mind went there immediately - he probably was not listening enough! Earlier in the day, he had a huge chemistry honors midterm and the warehouse fire alarm would not stop going off. His castmate was having a really rough day so he had to leave the school room and take this massively hard (and timed) test in a dressing room sitting on the floor with loud clanging noises going off repeatedly. I went in search of my son ready to criticize him. I was so stressed and upset; I was envisioning everyone talking about how disrespectful my son was to a female director (who was also our show’s dialogue coach). When I found him, he had a bloody nose, a huge physical indicator of his stress level. I felt overwhelmed but didn’t have the heart to say anything as he stood there trying to halt the bloody nose and not bleed on wardrobe’s shirt. I hugged him instead.

I walked to crafty to make myself a a cup of tea and yes, those dreaded tears pushed their way out.  I was trying to hurry and get back to the safety of Ethan’s dressing room where I could cry alone. The executive producer walked by and was very alarmed to find me in tears. I told him what happened, and he said, “That is not true at all. He’s doing a fantastic job in the episode. That was inappropriate. If I saw anything like this happening, I would talk to Ethan myself. Ridiculous. Let me handle it.” He was very angry which made me less upset. Someone had my kid’s back. ‘Everyone’ was not talking about Ethan at all. Of course, I told the set parents who are my friends and we all collectively agreed (as a pack of mama bears) that sometimes balancing everything on set is really tough and we have to be the ones that remember that our kids are just that, kids.

New cast members and new set parents tend to cry the most. So, go on rookies, have a good cry. I’m not advocating for fake crying or manipulative crying! But a real, true cry is cleansing, and it makes us all human.

This dovetails into my last point. Production can’t care about your schedule. Your family trips, friend’s birthday parties, major life events, spring breaks, academic peaks and testing have to be invisible. If they happen during the shooting season, you and your child are not going. The show/series has to be shot as budgeted. It’s a business. But despite this fact, production will still care about your child and strive to protect their emotional well-being. And they will absolutely care when you (or your child) cry.

Thanks for coming back again to read the blogs! More tips and insights forthcoming on balancing academics. Have a great week.



With Aloha,

Eileen