Cyber Prevention: Are You Checking Your Child's Phone?

Parents, how many moms and dads actually check the content that is on their children’s phones?  We fear, not so many :(  While, yes, there are plenty of us who confiscate our tween’s phones after realizing that they’ve had a little too much screen time, very few of us actually open them up and check our kids’ messages, apps and social media accounts to see what their kids are actually doing.

We need to be more vigilant when it comes to their children’s phone use. Here are some tips to check on your kids’ phones every day.

Text Messages

This one is critically important. There can be a lot of damage or digital drama that can be done through text messages. First and foremost, parents should tell their children that if they have something to say but wouldn’t dare say it out loud, then by all means don’t say it through a text. Also, there’s a very good chance that kids who are bullied are very unlikely to tell their parents about it. Before you scroll through your child’s text messages, be clear and upfront about it with your child first. Let them know that you are doing it for their safety and in some cases, you might be doing it for their mental health as well.

Social Media Apps

When it comes to ‘spying’ on their children and their phones, there are some parents who think that they have every right to do so because they pay for it. Others think that they are being intrusive by invading their child’s privacy. Quite honestly, both sides are correct. However, it is important to check and see what your child is doing, especially on social media. Just make sure that you are being honest and upfront with your child before you do so. The last thing you want as a parent is for your child not to have a reason to trust you. Of course, the same can be said about them.

Gaming Apps

Sure, there are a lot of parents who know that their kids are playing different gaming apps every day. But do you know what gaming apps your kids have? Also, do you know if their accounts are private or if they have access to in-app messaging services? Those are just a few things to look out for.

Yes, gaming apps aren’t exactly what you would call social media, but they do sometimes have similar functions. Little do parents know that strangers can reach out to unsuspecting kids on games like Minecraft and Roblox the same way they can reach out to them on Twitter, Instagram, and TikTok.


Their Photos

Another thing that many parents don’t do is check their children’s photos on their phones. Many parents often find themselves pretty surprised by the content that they find there. That’s not to say that kids are only taking inappropriate photos. But instead they often waste their storage space by taking photos of everything and anything. Also, discuss with your children the meaning of consent. They should always ask before taking someone’s photo or posting it online. The same applies to them. Make sure others have your child’s consent before posting their photo online, too. There are actually a lot of parents out there that don’t want their children’s photos online or on social media at all.

Internet Browser

While a lot of emphasis is usually put on social media and gaming apps, parents should also check out what their kids are looking at on their browsers. More often than not kids will have multiple browsers or tabs open in their phones. Moms and dads should have an open and honest discussion with their kids about the web sites that they frequent, the content that they either look at or read and overall online safety. While parents do everything they can to guard their kids in the real world, the online world poses many different risks at just one click of a button.

Check for In-App-Purchases

Last but definitely not least, also check your child’s phone for in-app purchases, especially if they have their own account. The last thing that you want is a surprise bill on your credit card, especially if it comes in the form of a gaming app or another app that unlocks hundreds of different selfie filters. Yes, a lot of parents can agree that these are a huge waste of money yet kids don’t see it the same way. If you can’t trust that your child will make the right decisions online, then simply deactivate their account or better yet, don’t give them your credit card details.

Source: https://www.moms.com/child-phone-check-safety-tips/

Would YOU Do it: Pros & Cons Of Letting Your Kid Play Hooky From School

Anyone who has ever gone to school in any capacity has likely played hooky at least once. And while your self-determined day off might not have been as exciting as Ferris Bueller’s in the iconic ‘80s flick, chances are it was for good reason.

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Ideally, kids who decide to skip school are doing so with their parents’ permission, and for a good reason, like to see the premiere of a hotly-anticipated movie (the latest Star Wars or MCU film, for example), to spend a beautiful day at the park with family visiting from afar, to take a long weekend trip, or to participate in a major sporting tournament.

For parents, though, there’s always a twinge of guilt. Should you let your child take a day off school to go to the theatre or a sleepover trip with their friends? Is that soccer tournament really important enough to warrant a day lost of schooling?

As we gear up for the first day of school, here are the pros and cons of letting kids take a day off (later in the year, of course!)

Pro: YOU GET TO SPEND EXTRA TIME WITH YOUR KID

Assuming the skipped day is for a family event, this means you will get to spend more quality time with your child, which can be few and far between for families with working parents. Typically, the only time you get to spend with your kids is evenings and weekends, plus any vacation time. So if there’s an opportunity to do something fun, even if it consists of a day goofing off with mom and dad, why not?

The lessons will still be there the next day, and one day of schooling isn’t going to negatively impact their education. Check with the teacher to ensure that no new topics or big tests are planned for that day. If not, go for it!

Con: THEY MIGHT MISS OUT ON IMPORTANT LESSONS: 

If you don’t time it correctly, you could let your child skip a critical day of the year when the teacher introduces an entirely new topic or equation that sets the course for the rest of the year. This could set your child back if they miss out on the initial lesson.

For kids who are already having trouble in school and aren’t good at studying on their own, this could be detrimental to their education. But checking in with the teacher first can alleviate any of these worries.

Pro: IT MIGHT BE FOR A WORTHWHILE EXPERIENCE

Sometimes, once in a lifetime opportunities present themselves during school hours. And to opt out of one because your child has to spend the day in a classroom seems ludicrous. You don’t need to make a habit of it. But it’s important for your child to know that while education is critical, there’s more to life than school. And outside-of-school experiences can have a learning effect as well.

Your child could get much more out of a great trip to the museum for a limited time exhibit, or a day with family visiting from another country than they ever could from one routine day in the classroom.

Con: THE TEACHER MIGHT LOOK DOWN ON YOU

Depending on who your child’s teacher is, they might look down on you for allowing your child to skip school for any reason other than a death in the family or illness. Some teachers are super strict and believe that education is everything, and missed days are missed opportunities.While you shouldn’t care so much what the teacher thinks because in the end, you are in charge of your own children, the side eyes you might get could be uncomfortable at the next parent-teacher interview.

Source: https://www.moms.com/pros-cons-kid-hooky-skip-school/

LOL - Things You Can Never Do Alone When You Have A Toddler

They say having kids changes your entire life. They say you will never know a love quite like it. They say parenthood is the best thing in the world and the reason why we are all here in the first place. However, what they don't say is that you will never experience life on your own ever again, or at least briefly anyway.

That's right, from the minute your children are born, they are attached to you forever, following you wherever you go, and never giving you one moment of peace. Yes, young children, and especially toddlers, can be exceptionally clingy and love to show this attitude by following you all over the place. Here are 10 things that you can never do alone when you have a toddler.

GO TO THE TOILET


Going to the bathroom is one of the most private things a person can do. Yes, sometimes it can be nice to spend those extra few minutes alone, thinking about the days gone by, and relaxing for a few precious moments before entering back into the world of chaos. However, once you have a child you can say goodbye to personal bathroom trips and hello to, "don't touch that it's dirty", "don't do that it's dirty" and "please just stand over there". In fact, it will probably be a good 7 years before you can experience sitting on the toilet alone again, so you might as well get used to it.

THE GROCERY STORE

Before becoming a parent, going to the grocery was a doddle, right? Sometimes you could get in and out within ten minutes, sometimes you would stay in there for hours, gliding down the aisles and looking at what is on offer. Sadly, this stops once having children, with the grocery store becoming your absolute worst nightmare.

In fact, the grocery store ends up being the most stressful place in the world, leaving you to keep putting it off until you and your family are eating instant mashed potato and chips. Yes, the grocery store is where toddlers really know how to be at their worst, screaming and shouting at every item possible, all while putting things in their pocket and walking out of the store with it.

SLEEPING

Sleeping used to be so much fun when you didn't have children; you could stay up late, spread out, and wake up whenever you wanted. However, sleeping after kids is actually a completely different experience. Firstly, there is no sleep, not until they are a little bit older anyway. Even then, you don't sleep much, with toddlers insisting on sleeping in your bed because there are monsters or other creepy things lurking under their bed. Furthermore, toddlers seem to take up a huge amount of space despite their tiny size, leaving you perched on the end of the bed with a foot in your mouth.

ALONE WITH YOUR OTHER KID

After having one child you have probably become used to the fact that you'll probably never have a moment alone ever again. Maybe you have come to terms with the fact that you'll never go to the bathroom alone again, or the fact that you will have to share your bed with a miniature person for the next few years. However, what you didn't expect was the fact that your firstborn will also want to be included in everything that your second born does. Yes, from changing their nappy to breastfeeding, your firstborn will be right there watching your every move.

To be honest, you won't actually be able to do anything alone once you have had children, from ironing to talking on the phone, your kids will be there looking at you, wanting your attention or just randomly shouting at you for no reason. However, although this might sound painful (and it is a bit) you also wouldn't change it for the world. Yes, having children can be extremely stressful but it is also one of the most rewarding jobs in the world, even if you do have a child staring at you while you are trying to do a number two.




SOURCE: https://www.moms.com/things-alone-change-toddler/

Things To Do With Your Kids Before The Summer's Gone

The summer always seems to come and go...as fleeting as our baby's first year. During these moments, they seem to go by slowly. We may feel lost as to what to do during the days, though in the blink of the eye, it's over.

Considering we (give or take) only have 18 summers with our children, we should take advantage and do what we can, when we can with them. If you've gone through your Summer To-Do List, we may actually have a few, added suggestions to add on. The summer's almost over, folks. So here are ten ideas for you and your child during the last few days of summer.

SLEEP IN THE BACKYARD

There's nothing more magical than watching the stars from your backyard. It's also more convenient than traveling to a campsite, using porte-potties and having to cover up dinner plates incase the bears sniff them out. Whether you have already taken a camp trip or not this summer, camping in the backyard is essentially great for any age. You're close to all amenities that may be needed through out the evening, so it's a low-risk and low-stress opportunity to enjoy the 'wilderness'.

ROAST A MARSHMALLOW

Did you just gasp? Hadn't you realized you've been meaning to have a campfire and actually indulge in a roasted marshmallow? Well, now's the time! Summer's end is around the bend, and we think it's time to find a solid excuse to roast a marshmallow.

JUMP IN A LAKE

...just bring the salt incase of leaches. Though, they're rare in many clean waters. Just ensure you bring an 'emergency leach kit' incase of the worst-case-scenerio that could occur. Now that you're induced with irrational anxiety, we welcome you to find a local lake and jump into it! Clothes optional. There's nothing like jumping into the waters of a lake. Whether it's off the dock of a friend's cottage or a local watering hole close to home, make sure you and your kiddos get a nice, refreshing soak before the summer ends.

GO TO THAT WATERPARK YOU'VE ALWAYS HEARD ABOUT


You know the one! The one that's likely an hour's drive, and you happen to have pulled every excuse in the book to avoid it this season. But, the summer's almost done. Your kids have heard numerous, exciting stories from the kids in school and it would be really fun for the adults, too. So, pack up a good lunch. Slather on that sunscreen. Ensure you leave at prime nap time and hit the road. It's time to finally visit (and splurge on emission) that big ol' waterpark you've heard about all summer long.

GO TO THE BEACH

This many seem mundane. This may even sound silly to suggest, but have you gone to the beach this summer? Perhaps just once, considering a beach trip with children isn't always as relaxing as you'd hoped. Maybe you should have consider small hacks like bringing a fitted sheet, filling the corners with heavy rocks, so sand will not enter it's surface as easily to get into your snacks. Yes- you're welcome for that one. Regardless, we think you should the beach mother than you have this summer.

TAKE A TRIP TO A SPLASH PAD

Whether your child is 2 or 12, a splash pad is always a great idea. Have you ever been, anticipating a boring experience, only to find you're giggling more than your small child? Well, that went for all of us! We've all been there. We've all experienced our second childhood in total glee, especially when water is involved. So pack up your stroller or car with the essentials: a change of clothes, snacks and sunscreen. Then hit the splash pad to run wild in the summer air for one last time this year!


SOURCE: https://www.moms.com/end-of-summer-parent-child-activities/

Best Educational TV Shows For Toddlers

Kids are great at soaking up new information, which is precisely the reason that we need to insert positive influences into their lives early on. While it's true that too much screen time isn’t good for your toddler, there’s no reason they shouldn’t enjoy some fun-packed educational shows every once in a while. Just be sure to monitor what kinds of shows they’re being exposed to. The last thing you want is for them to pick up on foul words as their first sentences! Keep reading for a list of great shows packed with imagination and learning opportunities of all kinds! You’ll see a few nostalgic long-time classics on here mixed in with the fancy new cartoons.

SESAME STREET

We’re kicking off today’s list with an old-time favorite. Introduced in the 1960s, Elmo and his friends on Sesame Street have influenced the childhoods of generations of kids, and they’re still airing the classic on your local PBS stations. Not only is this show great for your child’s imagination, but it also covers a vast area of learning topics.

From numbers and math with Count Von Count to learning about everyday activities and objects in Elmo’s world, Sesame Street could be described as the preschool to actual preschool. The show also ties friendship and good behaviors into their fun, interactive lessons, making it extremely beneficial for your toddler in every way.

DANIEL TIGER

Next up, we have a relatively newcomer involving playful animals and a colorful, imaginative cartoon world. Daniel Tiger’s Neighborhood is actually based on the kindness and social-emotional aspects of Mr. Roger’s Neighborhood.

Using the same kind of theme and inspiring tone, the little cartoon Tiger will teach your toddler everything from sharing their toys to eating on their own. Each episode has its own lesson in the form of a short, catchy tune perfect for toddlers just starting to talk. Furthermore, Daniel Tiger is full of heart-warming friendships captured in a colorful, eye-catching cartoon style that your toddler is sure to love!

SID THE SCIENCE KID

Sid the Science Kid is unique in that the show uses big words in understandable ways for young children to understand. Its early childhood classroom setting and the young characters are perfect for 3- to 4-year-olds preparing to enter preschool. Not only will your toddler learn about a specific science topic every episode.

Nice Teacher Susie and her students are sure to settle any nerves they may have about the idea of preschool. Furthermore, there are predictable patterns and songs for every topic, which is perfect for teaching your toddler about routines at school. Although the show is technically about science, its playful atmosphere and abundance of mini-games are sure to grab any toddler’s attention!

Fun And Ingenious Ways To Display Your Child's Artwork At Home

One of the sweetest things about being a parent is seeing your child be filled with joy about things they create. And let's face it, they can create a lot of art projects between home, school, daycare, and other activities. While this is great, it can lead to the problem of parents not quite knowing what to do with all of those finger paintings, popsicle stick figures, and paper plate rainbows.

Sure, you can tack it up on the refrigerator, but there's only so much space. Plus, this can get a bit messy and cluttered fairly quickly. So what's a parent to do? Get creative yourself!

We've found a few fun and ingenious ways to display your child's art around the house without it becoming too much to handle!

TURN IT INTO PLACEMATS FOR THE DINNER TABLE

Perhaps one of our favorite and a more ingenious way of incorporating your child's artwork into your home is to turn it into a placemat! This can be done in a couple simple ways, such as investing in a laminator machine (this can be found on Amazon, of course!) or using self-adhesive contact paper.

Either way, this is a fast and easy project to not only prolong the life of your kid's artwork, but also to enjoy it at every meal! One of the great things about this display is the fact you can make as many placemats as you want, store them in a drawer for future use, and won't clutter your walls. It's a great solution for parents and children alike!

MAKE IT INTO A BOOK

Much like turning your child's artwork into placemats, creating a book allows you to both display their art and keep your home clutter free. Of course, not all of their works of art can go into a book, but paintings, drawings, and other paper-based items can be glued onto the blank pages of a book. This creates a whole new art piece you can proudly display on your living room table for guests to flip through. Just imagine how delighted your little ones will be seeing their art turned into this creative exhibition!

USE IT AS HOME DECOR

Perhaps one of the more creative ways to show off your kid's art is to actually use it to decorate your home. Sure, not all works of art will double as decor, but it's fun to upcycle those pieces that do.

Rainbows, flower pots, stained glass, and ornaments are not only fun projects for your kids, but also make fun decoration items to put on a colorful display in your home.

HANG IT ON CURTAIN RODS

This effortless method of showcasing creative work is trendy and straightforward. It provides your child with a space of their own to display their master pieces without having them take over the house. Using a few curtain rods also provides ample room for your kid to make their projects visible to everyone, while also allowing them to switch out artwork easily.

SOURCE: https://www.moms.com/best-ways-to-display-child-artwork-at-home/

The Moms Code: 10 Life Skills for Back To School

Parents love to put school-aged children in different sports and activities to help them grow and develop their social skills and become well-rounded individuals. But, alongside these extra-curricular activities and basics like potty training, tests to teach basic dexterity, and lessons about behaving in an appropriate manner, there are some life skills that every child should be taught.

Some of these skills are critical, others simply provide children with useful tools they’ll need when they get older and have to enter the real world or interact with others beyond their inner circle.

Some kids have a harder time learning certain skills than others. Yet, it’s up to the parents to engrain good habits in kids from an early age and make teaching their kids some important life skills high up on the list of lessons.

Here are life skills every school-aged child should have or be working towards.

WHAT TO DO IF APPROACHED BY A STRANGER

Kids, especially ones who are particularly social, are naïve, and they might not realize the concept of “stranger danger.” Kids should be taught from a young age what to do if they are approached by a stranger while playing at the park, or even on their own front lawn.

This goes along with other basic safety tips like never to open the door for strangers, especially if mom and dad aren’t home or upstairs or are in another room, how to find an employee if they are lost in a public place, never to take food from strangers, and to always find a trusted adult.

HOW TO TIE THEIR SHOES

Kids wear Velcro shoes for much of their toddler years, and maybe even through kindergarten. But, once they get older, it’s time to buy them shoes with laces and teach them that old bunny ears method of how to tie them.

There are toys and activities kids can use to practice the process of tying before they tackle their runners. Alternatively, you could have them play games which reinforce these concepts so they have it down pat in time for taking their snazzy new shoes to school in the new school year.

UNDERSTANDING MANNERS

Knowing when to say “please” and “thank you” and not chewing with your mouth open seem like a no-brainers, but it’s amazing how many children lack these basic life skills. Being polite and having manners will take you far in life, both for kids and adults. So, teaching kids repeatedly to say these words early on will make it second nature to them.

Teach them not only to say these words to others when out and about, but also at home. Whether it’s to a brother who passed the potatoes at dinner or to mom for helping them with homework, good manners are always appropriate.

RIDING A BIKE

Every child should, at some point, be taught how to ride a bike. Beyond the benefit of exercise and being able to go out independently with friends and family for rides, riding a bike teaches kids much more. They learn about perseverance, facing fears, and that they can do anything if they put their mind to it.

Learning to ride a bike is a milestone in many kids’ lives, and the sense of accomplishment both they and their parents feel once the child is finally able to remove those training wheels and ride freely down the sidewalk or trail is worth every minute of patience invested in teaching them this skill.

BEING ABLE TO SWIM


Learning to swim might take years of lessons, while some kids have a natural aptitude for it. Nonetheless, learning not only how to swim, but proper safety measures, as well as how to help someone who might be drowning, are important skills that kids should be taught either in lessons or by their parents.

If you don’t have a pool at home, or even if you do, consider enrolling the child in lessons at the local community center, or just take them there during public swim hours and teach them the basics. The more familiar kids get with being in water from a young age, the more comfortable they will be in water. Plus, being able to survive in water is a critical life skill.

HOUSEHOLD CHORES AND HANDY WORK


It’s amazing how many kids get to college and don’t know how to do things like separate, wash fold clothes, make eggs or boil water, or hammer a nail. Kids should be taught these basics at as young an age as possible.

Maybe these things aren’t part of their own list of chores. Still, it's a good idea to have them nearby while you do them so they can learn how to separate whites from colours and delicates from regular loads, how to properly cook pasta, and the right way to boil or fry an egg. They’ll thank you when they’re older for teaching them these basic yet important life skills.


Source:  https://www.moms.com/school-aged-child-skills-work-toward/