Using TV Parental Controls

July 19, 2011 by Leave a Comment

These days it seems like television programming is a minefield. Even seemingly innocent programming can be filled with language, images and references that are not suitable for your children to be exposed to. All too often, commercials for violent movies and video games will air during family TV time. What can you do to protect your child from these potentially harmful influences?

Luckily, a variety of good parental control technology is readily available. All you have to do is learn how to use it.

Since the beginning of the year 2000, the FCC has required most new TVs to have a built-in V-Chip. This technology uses the ratings information encoded in the program to block shows parents have deemed inappropriate for their children. The owner’s manual for your TV should contain directions for using the V-Chip technology.

You can also use additional program blocking features that may be built into your TV or offered by your satellite or cable provider. There are kid-friendly programs and packages from direct.tv that your family would be able to enjoy. With this technology you can block entire channels from view no matter the ratings of individual programs. Many home video game systems and DVD players also include forms of blocking technology, and can be programmed not to play games or movies beyond a set ratings limit.

Finally, filters offer another layer of protection. This technology in TVs or DVD players will block out inappropriate language or other content while you are watching, in essence creating an edited version of the program or movie.

While it may seem like quality family programming is difficult to find, by using this technology you can expand your viewing options and relax, knowing your children are protected.

Filed Under: Parenting, Teens Tagged With: , ,

Teens and Online Gambling

July 11, 2011 by Leave a Comment
gambling the future of a nation. 

Many parents permit their teenage sons and daughters to gamble online. Although, at first glance, this appears to be grossly irresponsible, they argue it is a way to keep them indoors and under their control. This attitude has been fuelled with the fear of them roaming the streets and becoming involved in under-age drinking, drug taking, or some sort of gang activity.

As a result it has now become common for teenagers to gamble online, even encouraged by some experts who claim it can be both educational and recreational. For instance Boston College psychology professor, Joseph Tecce, is on record as saying it is an effective way to obtain a reduction in stress while learning to focus in a sustained manner.

One of the biggest dangers in online gambling, however, is that for every legitimate site, there are dozens of scam sites. It is difficult to determine which site is a scam and which is above board. This risk has been lessened considerably with Online Casino Bonuses, a site that gives people a wide ranging insight as to what legitimate sites are offering.

A recent study has revealed the following:

  • 70 percent of teenagers between 13 and 17 have tried gambling.
  • There is a link between gambling, drug taking, smoking and alcohol abuse.
  • Gambling can become addictive.

Parents who allow their children to gamble should only do so when aware of the dangers involved. One way is to incorporate the use of Online Casino Bonuses as a protection against scams and the other is to practice responsible supervision.

 

Filed Under: Parenting Tagged With: , ,

Good Education Helps Teens Be Productive

July 2, 2011 by Leave a Comment
Distance education

Image by mcwetboy via Flickr

It can be a challenging time for parents: your “baby” is all grown up and just graduated high school, but isn’t quite ready to dive into university life. You’re afraid that the time off will inevitably lead to no higher education. Before your teen discards her college plans, sit down and talk about an online college. There are many ways online colleges can help her move toward her degree while still feeling in control of her time, life, and future.

Online colleges allow students to start when they are ready. Most classes have pre-taped lectures that students can plug into at their leisure. Online courses are flexible, allowing your teen to work on coursework at his own pace. There are a wide variety of programs online, some that may not be available at a nearby university. These are points you can use to entice your teen into considering an online bachelor degree, although taking online courses is not the easy avenue he may be imagining.

Online coursework is demanding and does require diligence and commitment. While it’s flexible and relaxed, students do have deadlines for coursework, exams and finals just as they would at any brick and mortar institution. Procrastination will still lead to cramming and panicking as deadlines approach. If you’re concerned that your teen will become a bum and live at home for the rest of his life, discuss online courses and degrees with him today.

 

Filed Under: Parenting, Resources, Teens Tagged With: , ,

Smartphones Revolutionize High Tech Parenting

June 27, 2011 by Leave a Comment
SEOUL, SOUTH KOREA - NOVEMBER 28: A woman hol...

Image by Getty Images via @daylife

Smartphone technology is the way of the future. Now, apps and gadgets are revolutionizing parenting. From your baby’s first days to communicating with faraway kids, smartphones and the technology linked to them provide parents with the resources they need to keep in touch with their kids.

When they’re Young

Ever dream of consolidating your baby monitor? Smartphones can help! Baby monitors, such as the Compro IP540, allow you to watch your baby from iPhone or Android phones. The monitor comes with a free smartphone app—you can even use your computer’s web browser to watch your child. Though pricey, this device has a secure connection and connects to your home’s wifi.

To go the less expensive route, check out apps for iPhone or Android phones. These apps let you set your phone near your child and will send text messages to another phone or call your home phone if your baby cries.

Communication Made Easy

Technology still helps parents once the kids get a little older. Skype allows you to make free voice and video calls, and it also calls landlines and mobiles with credit you put on your account. Beyond the computer, you can access Skype with a free app. Resources like Skype are perfect for traveling parents or kids studying abroad or at college.

The smartphone apps take Skype’s accessibility a further: you can truly contact your kids wherever you are. All apps may not support video calls, but the technology is invaluable. It’s free using wifi, but with smartphones, even without a wifi connection you can use the app any time to keep in touch.

Filed Under: Parenting Tagged With: , ,

Helping Teens Cope When Moving

June 18, 2011 by Leave a Comment

Moving is stressful for most people. A family uprooting itself to move out of the city or state can cause a lot of emotions and anxiety. For the teen involved in this process, it’s even more difficult. Going through the teen years is hard enough and having to start over can be very tough. Here are some tips to help your teen cope with the transition.

First, you must understand that at such an emotionally fragile time in their lives, they’re going to grieve the losses they’ll experience when they move. Allowing them to spend those remaining days with their friends and to express their sadness after arriving at their new home will help them process the emotion and move forward. Encourage them to stay in touch with friends from their old neighborhood. They can still be an important part of your teen’s life across the miles.

Upon arriving in the new place, you might be busy finding HOA management for your new home or your old home which you might be selling. However, make sure you take the time to engage your teen. They may be feeling alone. It’s up to you to help bridge the gap of their loneliness by taking them out and keeping them active. The more you learn about your new town the more comfortable everyone will feel. Encourage your teens to go out and interact with other kids their own age. The quicker they get comfortable, the better.

Moving is stressful for teens. They’ll need you for support. Give them attention without overwhelming them and with time, they’ll adapt to their new surroundings.

Filed Under: Parenting, Resources Tagged With: , ,

Talking with your Children about Divorce

June 5, 2011 by Leave a Comment

Divorce can be difficult for all members of a family. In particular, this challenging process can overwhelm or confuse children. When planning for divorce it is always best to think about how you plan to tell your children about it.

In many cases, couples have planed or thought about many aspects to the divorce before they proceed. This planning should also include how you want to talk to your child about the divorce, what a divorce will mean for them, and how you plan to approach parenting during and after the divorce.

Children can be overwhelmed or feel confused during this process. It is important for parents to consider how they will approach parenting, custody issues, and child support before they talk to their children about this process.

Additional aspects include discussing custody, what this means for the child, how they might feel about this, and how to help them through this. Also, have a plan for approaching decisions on the children’s future such as addressing behavior problems, educational decisions, financial decisions, and changes in either parent’s future.

Child support and child custody laws can change from state to state. You should be familiar with these and plan how you want to discuss how they affect your child. Florida child support laws are just one example of how these laws can be specific to each state.

When planning a divorce, it is best to discuss and prepare for talking with your children about the life changing event. Address the children’s concerns, resources they may need to help guide them through this process, and discuss how this will affect them.

Filed Under: Parenting, Resources Tagged With: , ,

Helping Your College-Bound Teen Find Student Housing

May 23, 2011 by Leave a Comment

One of the largest worries that parents of high school graduates face is their child going off to college. However, it is not only parents that worry about their child, children worry about going off to college as well. Living on your own is both exciting and scary so parents should help to make their teen find student housing.

When you are looking at housing options with your teen it is important to remember all of your options. While you may have enjoyed living the dorms as a college freshmen, your child may not feel the same way. Living in the dorms is not the only option that teens have anymore when it comes to student housing. Look at available off campus apartments online that your child could rent with friends or with fellow students. While you may think that your child will not be as successful in school if they are living with their friends, remember that it will take dedication and responsibility on your child’s part to get through school no matter where they are living.

If your child is interested in living in the dorms, make sure that you help them to determine what type of roommate they would want. Your child will have to live with this person for almost a year, so when the housing department asks about your child’s preferences, be honest. If your child works nights, see if they could be matched with another student who has a similar schedule. After your child has been assigned a roommate encourage your teen to communicate through email, internet, or over the phone that way living together will seem more comfortable.

Filed Under: Economy, Internet Tagged With: , ,

Helping Your College Bound Teen Find Student Housing

May 20, 2011 by Leave a Comment

Sarah Long loves her son Steven and wants him to have a wonderful time at college, while getting a good education. However, she remembers her succession of wild college roommates and wants him to live in a quiet apartment, alone.

Steven wants to live as close to campus as possible with as much freedom as possible. He does not want to waste these precious college years living with too many restrictions.

Parenting an older teen can be like walking a parenting tightrope: granting just enough freedom for the young adult to grow into a responsible individual while providing enough protection to ensure the child’s safety. Sarah turned to the Internet for advice and found several sites that described suitable apartments in Atlanta, even for an single college student with a limited budget.

Sarah and Steven checked out several Atlanta apartments and found a one bedroom flat close to Steven’s school, with covered parking, internet, furnished, and affordable. Sarah was thrilled it was in a safe neighborhood and close to shopping; Steven was happy it was within walking distance of a couple of famous college haunts.

Using technology, the Long family found a place for their student to live that met his mother’s desire for his health and safety and his desire to be close to campus and student life. His new apartment should give him the opportunity to explore the fun of campus life when he wants excitement and still give him peace and quiet when it is time to buckle down and study.

Filed Under: General, Teens Tagged With: , ,

Playing Poker on the Internet and at Home

May 17, 2011 by Leave a Comment
Poker set.
Image via Wikipedia

 

Poker has been a game that many people will play for fun or to kill time. Many parents who are raising teens find it’s a wonderful way to relax and let go of their stress. The popularity of the card game is growing, and it won’t be slowing down anytime soon.

Many people even spend quite a bit of money to buy professional poker tables so they can play at home. If you’re considering setting up your own poker games, make sure you know all you can about the game.

The best and easiest way to master the game is to play online. There are many different websites that offer free online games. Decide which table you want to play–there are many different games going at once online.

Find websites that are the best for playing free online poker. Many websites will have a mini forum where you can chat with people while you are playing. The people there can help if you have any questions.

Once you’ve mastered the game online, you’ll be ready to host your own games at home. Consider inviting other parents who have teenagers for a weekly game night. This can be a great way to socialize and gain new friends who are sharing some of the same challenges as your family. You can share parenting strategies that have worked (and ones that haven’t). You may be surprised to see the bonds that will form as you enjoy an engaging game of poker with other parents.

Filed Under: General Tagged With: , , , , , ,

Treat Your Child to a Fun Friday Party

May 16, 2011 by Leave a Comment
Halloween Spooktacular Costume Party

Image by Rapid City Public Library via Flickr

When your child is working hard in school, one of the ways that you can reward him or her is to throw a fun Friday party. This is a great way to help your child unwind after a long week. You can invite your son or daughter’s best friends over for a theme party or a sleepover. Since you have the entire weekend ahead of you, Friday is a great time to throw such a party. Here are some hints for throwing such a special event for your child:

  1. Choose a theme for the party. A costume party would be tons of fun, for example. There are such a wide variety of costumes available, that each child can come dressed differently. This will give each child an opportunity to put their creativity and personality on display. There are a variety of different themes that you can employ to make the party more fun and exciting.
  2. Have a plan for the party. Make sure that everything is planned out ahead of time so that there are no snags or surprises during the party.
  3. Plan ahead for the best results. Impromptu parties are fun, but planning means you can insure that all invited guests are able to attend. Plan the party out ahead of time, even if it is a secret for your child, ensuring at the very least that all the parents are aware of your plans so they can prepare accordingly.

It is really not difficult to throw a fun, casual party for your child on a Friday. Just make sure you have a plan that you can follow along the way.

Filed Under: General, Parenting Tagged With: , ,
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