The kitchen is usually the command-central of the home, and can get disorganized in a flash… particularly when there are toys, pacifiers, and kids’ dishes everywhere. In order to make more food at home, establish good routines and create order in your space, it helps to have this room set up well.
Our children are growing up in a digital world with technology right at their fingertips. They’re spending more and more time on the web — so teaching them to be safe and responsible online is critical. During the summer when there is less structure for our children is a critical time to address online safety. We’ve discovered a list of online terms every parent should know to get your conversations started.
As part of the discussion to educate parents, teachers and children about being responsible and safe online, NBCUniversal’s “The More You Know” Learning Series — in collaboration with NBC News — has unveiled Growing Up Online, a free, interactive eBook on digital literacy and Internet safety. Even the most experienced Internet user might have a few questions about all the technical language used in the online world. What exactly is a cache? What is your digital footprint?
Here’s a list of commonly used terms:
APP or application, is a software program typically used on a smartphone or mobile device. Apps may feel new, but the phrase “software application” has been around for over thirty years.
Instagram a free photo-sharing and social networking site on which people can take pictures and then share them with other members of the Instagram community.
Social Games games played online in which multiple players in different locations can play together or against one another. These players may or may not know one another online.
Social Networking Sites websites, such as Facebook or Twitter, on which people can share information and photos and play games together.
MMORPG a massive, multiplayer, online role-playing game. “World of Warcraft” is one of the most famous examples.
Digital Footprint the record, or footprint of everywhere you’ve gone online. This may include your visits to a web page or chat room, emails and uploaded videos. Some of this material may be publicly available to anyone searching for it and can be used in ways you might not want it to be.
Cache is a way your computer stores information, from either your own hard disk or online, so that it can be accessed more quickly. There is a record of your computer’s cache, and you can delete items from it if they link to objectionable sites. A related term, browser history, refers to a list of all the sites you’ve visited online in a certain time frame. Each browser lists these differently.
The more you know about how the online world works, the easier it will be to talk with your kids and that’s the best way to keep them safe.
(Adapted from the eBook, Growing Up Online by NBC Universal and NBC News).
To download a free copy of Growing Up Online and learn about digital safety and internet security, visit http://www.themoreyouknow.com/ebooks/ and start a conversation with your kids.
I heard a story last week about a phenomenal mom who allowed her 7 year-old son on a playdate. While the two boys were innocently searching for Lego on the internet, up popped an x-rated video that wouldn’t close with a simple click. She cried for three days and told me softly that she would never be ab;e to take back the images her son had witnessed. Horrific. Enter Kidoodle.TV. Launched for beta testing in Canada and set to launch across North America this summer, Kidoodle is made just for kids aged 12 and under. With increased parental controls, Kidoodle.TV makes programming safe for kids, with educational and entertaining content, free of nudity, profanity, violence and advertising directed at children.
They are offering a FREE one month trial during their beta test to get feedback from parents like you. Parents can sign up for this beta invitation on their site.
We love lazy summer picnics filled with giggles, soft blankets and sandwiches with crusts cut off. SO we’ve come up with a few inspired summer picnic tips to enchant your family as you lead them into the lazy days of summer.
1. Head to a fabric store and use pinking shears to make cloth napkins so the edges won’t fray. It’s great for the environment and you can design themed, beautiful picnics at a low cost.
2. Use individual jars for salad and dressings so you can shake and serve.
3. Don’t forget baby wipes and hand sanitizer.
4. We have lots of printables on our pinterest pages so you can do nature walks and scavenger hunts.
5. Bamboo plates always look stunning and are earth friendly.
6. Ditch the tech and opt for old-fashioned entertainment like cards, etch-a-sketch and throwing a ball.
7. Make a picnic playlist for every summer and your kids will have years of happy memories associated with the songs.
8. If you have little ones, include a few favourite dolls or stuffies with tiny dishes. Enchanted.
9. To help teach responsibility and respect, throw a garbage bag and some plastic gloves in the basket and do a mini garbage cleanup of the site when you are done. Picking up litter of others will instill many lessinons in your children.
10. Opt for tealights in mason jars for twilight picnics. It will be both safe and beautiful!
Enjoy – and don’t forget the bug spray! Add your ideas below!
Safety during Halloween extends to the entire family including pets. These safety tips from PetSmart will help ensure pet parents and their pets have a safe and fun Howl-O-Ween.
· Keep them happy. “Before having pets join in the Halloween fun, it’s important to assess whether your pet will be comfortable participating or if the festivities will cause undue stress,” says Dr. Simon Starkey, pet care expert at PetSmart. “Pets may be alarmed to find a ghost or witch at the front door so make sure there’s a quiet space away from all the activity in case your pet needs it.”
· Make sure treats are pet friendly. Many Halloween treats are not pet-friendly, especially those containing chocolate. Make sure to choose pet-safe treats to celebrate, such as GREENIES® Dental Chews, which also keep pets’ teeth clean and ensures their breath isn’t scary.
· Keep them safe. If you plan to walk your dog around the neighborhood in the evening, make sure they’re properly outfitted and at ease around strangers and crowds. An adult should always have control of the dog’s leash, and reflective leashes, collars or ID tags are essential accessories. Some pet costumes also offer safety features such as the glow-in-the-dark Martha Stewart Pets™ black Halloween skeleton costume.
· Decorations without danger. Halloween decorations can be scary, but should not be dangerous. Pet parents need to make sure curious cats and dogs are unable to reach lights, decorations, candles and other festive items.
Many a newly pregnant woman has several panic attacks when she realizes that pregnancy means changing some habits. What is safe during pregnancy? Can I dye my hair? Eat Sushi? What about nail polish fumes and second hand smoke? And the stress that all of these questions are causing. UrbanMommies has pulled together articles and advice from our medical experts to help you navigate the beautiful months while pregnant. Breathe, relax, and remember that moderation and instinct should always remain in the equation. As with anything, your doctor or midwife should be consulted if you are concerned about any issues you are having.
Severe heat can inhibit the safety of babies and children. With global temperatures on a slow march upwards, heat waves such as this are unfortunately likely to become more frequent than their previous once-in-a-lifetime occurence. Some people adore the heat, but babies and children as well as pets and elderly relatives are vulnerable to heat strokes, dehydration and other serious heat-related ailments. Here are some tips on surviving the heat.
Dressing up, wearing hats, makeup and funny hair is such a great time for children and parents, not to mention the treats that go along with this fun night. Though with all the fun and good times that are about to be had, it’s really important that safety be number one when getting your kids ready to head out with you to Trick or Treat. Urbanmommies.com has some simple Halloween trick or treating tips for tots that will keep the night fun and safe for everyone.
Trick or Treating Tips for Tots
- Ensure that your costumes are flame retardant and that they are loose enough to wear warmer clothing underneath.
- Masks can really obstruct a child’s vision face painting is a safer option.
- Wear reflectors, the Dollar Stores are great for the neon ones that form into necklaces and bracelets plus, your kids will love to wear them!
- Flashlights will help the children see and be seen more clearly
- Feed your kids an early nutritious meal and make sure they are properly hydrated for the walk, little legs get tired out fast so stick close to home
- We live on the coast people, it’s ok to carry an umbrella
- Keep to well lit sidewalks and always remember to walk not run
- Wear proper shoes, the princess shoes are adorable but clearly not a great choice for a long walk!
- Don’t let your kids eat any treats before you get home and have a chance to sample, I mean look them over. There is only a tiny chance that your candy has been tampered with but “when in doubt, throw it out”!
Decorating for holidays can be tricky when you have little ones around. Take a look at the tips below provided by Safe Kids Canada and remember HAPPY HALLOWEEN!!!
When decorating your home:
- Small children should never carve pumpkins. Instead, let your child draw a face on the pumpkin.
- Make your home safe for trick or treaters. Remove all objects around the outside of your house that could cause children to trip or fall. Turn your outside light on.
- Avoid using candles to decorate pumpkins. Small inexpensive flashlights can be used to light pumpkins safely.
- Keep lit candles out of children’s reach and away from curtains and other objects that could catch fire.
Summertime! The park! The beach! The campground! Uh oh! The bee sting! The sunburn! The knee scrape! Summer brings lots of outdoor fun but also the possibility of outdoor injuries. No need to keep the kids inside, just follow these environmentally-friendly tips. Recommended products are available at Whole Foods Market.
It’s time for back-to-school scrambling which usually includes shopping for brand new school supplies. But which school supplies are safe for your kids? Last year, a report was released by Environmental Defense and the US-Based Center for Health, Environment and Justice outlining guidelines for purchasing safe back-to-school products. Polyvinyl Chloride or PVC is found in many common school supplies and other children’s products and is of key concern in the report.