“Parents will always have a lot to worry about,” says Tony Pham, vice president at Life360, a company that uses technology to keep families connected everyday and during emergencies. “But having a plan can really help families be prepared for any type of safety situation.”

Parents should consider the following tips when talking to their children about safety:

Emphasize Solutions Over Danger

Constantly warning your children, whether they’re 8 or 18, about all the dangers of the world, can do more harm than good by increasing anxiety and feelings of powerlessness. Instead, focus on presenting solutions to known threats.

For example, tell children that they have every right to yell, scream and kick if a stranger grabs them. More importantly, since the majority of abductions in the United States are by people children know, teach kids to check-in with you if their instincts tell them something is wrong. For younger kids, this may mean running back to you before doing something adventurous, while for older children this may mean sending a text message before heading off with a family friend.

Get Mobile Help

Advances in mobile technology are making it easier than ever to keep children safe. For example, Life360 has created a mobile app that allows family members to request a “Check In” from another family member, along with a GPS location update.  This simple technology proved useful during the tornadoes in the Midwest in early 2011, when thousands of families were able to contact their loved ones to share location and status updates even though phone calls weren’t going through.

But before it gets to that, make sure your family has a disaster plan in place. Kids and teens should know where to go in your home to stay safe during an earthquake, tornado or whatever disasters may hit your area. You should also agree on a meeting place away from your home (a neighbor or relative’s house or even a specific street corner) where you will reconnect if you were separated in an emergency.

Virtual Safety

Children need to know that strangers exist on the Internet, too. Parents should warn them about connecting with strangers or “friends” of friends on social networking sites. Children should also not disclose any personal information such as a home address, social security number or bank account without first checking with an adult.

For more information on how to keep your children safe in today’s busy world, visit www.life360.com.

Then get started on a plan that works for you and your loved ones — so you are ready when it counts.

Tips For Keeping Kids Safe is a post from: Staying Home with My Son

Daniel wasn’t doing well in school, and he was very busy. Every week, in addition to school, he had drum lessons, tennis lessons, chess club, swimming meets, religious instruction, and karate.

Not surprisingly, he was up to all hours of the night finishing his homework. Daniel’s Mom worried because Daniel kept having meltdowns and she didn’t know why.

Daniel wasn’t suffering from low confidence. He was suffering from having too much to do.

Keep in mind that school is your child’s most important activity. If your child is involved in too many outside activities, this constant running from one thing to the next gets in the way of school success. Help them choose two or three things they love doing. Even two is enough.

When kids have too much to do, they often appear to have emotional problems, learning problems, poor study skills or poor work habits. In fact they just don’t have the time to do their homework. They’re involved in so many activities and have so many chores that they end up with no time to play, relax and unwind. It’s as if these kids are attempting to squeeze school into their busy schedules.

Kids obviously do better in school and in everyday life if they aren’t stressed-out, too tired, over-scheduled and burdened with hours of homework.

When kids are overwhelmed, parents need to help monitor the amount of work and activities, in and out of school. It’s a parent’s job to protect their kids from having too much to do.

photo credit: chefranden

Strategies and Recommendations:

Together with your child, make a schedule of his day. Put in the activities he’s involved in or wants to be involved in. Include the time it takes to get to the activity and get home. Be sure to include dinner.

Now how much time is left? Is there enough time for homework? Does finishing homework mean he’ll have to stay up too late.

If you see that he has no time for homework or only time for homework when he should be getting ready for bed, talk about what can be changed. Let him decide what to drop and what to keep. Don’t insist that he drop an activity he loves, such as playing on a team, or practicing guitar.

Many children aren’t getting enough exercise. Physical exercise helps not only build strong bodies but also improves brain function. So it’s a good idea to encourage one activity that involves moving such as sports or dance.

The earlier in the school year, you and your child work on their schedule, the better. It’s easier to drop an activity early on than wait until your child is totally involved. Dropping something later can be more complicated and disappointing.

For kindergartners, 1st and 2nd graders, one scheduled activity is plenty. Even though they don’t have much homework, they need lots of time for playing. Playing is a learning activity.

Older elementary school kids can usually manage two activities. For tweens and teens, three is the maximum and for some that’s too many. If teens are taking several AP classes and have lots of homework, two activities may be all they can handle.

When you’re helping your child fill in their schedule, remind them that school will include activities that take more homework than usual: doing a science project, studying for final exams, a senior project, a college-like term paper, studying for PSATs or SATs. When these deadlines come around, kids need to have the time available to do their best job.

Helping your child carefully select a couple of outside activities now gives your child time for homework, class projects and other things that pop up like birthday parties, family gatherings, going to their school’s football games and sleep-overs.

You’ll find more strategies on how to help your child in school with Dr. Linda’s FREE “School Success Tips.” Subscribe today at www.drlindasblog.com

With your subscription, you’ll receive the first chapter of “Why Bad Grades Happen to Good Kids.” This award-winning book, written by Dr. Linda Silbert and her husband Al, includes a preface by Al Roker, Co-host of NBC’s Today Show. And you’ll also get our mini-ebook, “Top 25 Homework Tips.”

Linda Silbert, Ph.D.
P.O. Box 68 Mahopac, NY 10541
845-628-7910
www.drlindasblog.com

Article Source: EzineArticles.com/?expert=Dr._Linda_Silbert

Stressed Out Kids – Too Many Activities Get in the Way of School Success is a post from: Staying Home with My Son

It is with much sadness and an extremely heavy heart that I let you know that my sister passed away on February 9th. She was a single mom and leaves behind two children. I struggled with whether or not to share the cause of death, and my family’s right to privacy in this difficult time. However, I also know that by sharing her story, it might save somebody else from going through what we are going through. I think she would have wanted that. If sharing our heartache saves somebody else, then I’ll do it. Basically, a couple of the medications she was taking for her Rheumatoid Arthritis, Fibromyalgia and a few other health issues decided to interact badly and took her from us much too soon. I’m not going into details about what exactly it was she was taking because bottom line is that it doesn’t really matter. Any medication has the potential of doing the exact same thing, apparently at any time. These are medications she’s been on for several years. Why it chose now to react badly we will never know. And it happened in an instant. I beg you to research what you are taking. Read the caution statements. Ask your doctor and your pharmacist if they need to be taken together or with time in between if you are more than one.

I have so much I want to say, yet at the same time, just writing this post I have tears streaming down my face. I’m having a hard time focusing so I’ll keep it at this for now. There will be many posts coming over the next few weeks and months as I deal with this and try to find the new normal to life.

Please keep my family in your thoughts and prayers as we adjust to life without her.

Goodbye My Sister, My Friend

Stephanie Smith

1974-2011

The Blog Post I Never Thought I’d Have to Write or Goodbye My Sister, My Friend is a post from: Staying Home with My Son

Indoor activities can be just as fun and educational as outdoor play.

(StatePoint) Outdoor play is great for kids, but what do you do on those cold, rainy or blustery days when Mother Nature seems to be conspiring against you?

“Most parents aren’t comfortable with the television or video game console acting as babysitter,” says Emily Kilpatrick. Vice President of the National Center for Family Literacy (NCFL), “but they also struggle to find indoor activities that really nurture their children’s minds.”

Parents can encourage their children’s natural curiosity by finding fun indoor activities that spark their imaginations while they’re away from the classroom.

To help, here are some of the most popular indoor activities from the NCFL’s new educational website, www.Wonderopolis.org, which features a novel “Wonder of the Day” daily for parents to explore with children:

• Let It Snow: Whether you live in a warm or cold climate, almost all children are fascinated by snow. With the help of some pipe cleaners and a few other simple supplies, you and your kids can learn how to make your own ice crystals in a jar.
• Do-It-Yourself Aromatherapy: Recycling takes on a fun twist when you help your kids turn old wax crayons and empty soup cans into homemade candles. Add some scented oil or a few drops of vanilla extract to create a calming atmosphere in your home. Just make sure to never leave a lit candle unattended or in reach of small children.
• Create Virtual Biographies: Are your kids fascinated with a historical legend like King Tut or a children’s author like J.K. Rowling? If so, have them create a modern-day biography by researching them online. Then have some real fun by asking your children to imagine what it would be like to be Facebook friends with that person. What would his profile look like? What would she talk about? Would Jacques Cousteau like “Jaws” or “Titanic”?
• Go Stargazing: Not many people live far enough north to view the beauty of the northern lights. Even if you do, artificial light and inclement weather can make stargazing difficult. But the AuroraMAX Observatory in Yellowknife, Canada, conveniently broadcasts live video via Webcam every night, allowing viewers all over the world to experience the beauty of aurora borealis firsthand.
• Plan a Staycation: Is the economy putting a crimp in your normal travel plans this year? Check out the Wonder of the Day titled “What Would You Do on a Staycation?” to get ideas on how to get your kids excited about not going away for vacation. A basement camping trip can be just as fun as an authentic camping trip, while still enjoying the luxuries of home.

For more fun indoor activities to explore with your kids, visit www.Wonderopolis.org.

Remember, you can make learning fun for your kids and explore the world without ever leaving your family room.

Fun Indoor Activities for Kids is a post from: Staying Home with My Son

After we moved out of state, Mom would take us back to visit as often as she could. Usually we spent several weeks in the summer and sometimes we’d even get to go for Christmas.

After I had Andrew one of my goals was to make sure he got out there once in a while so he could create his own memories. And of course it was important to me that he got to meet these two people who were so important to me. While I wasn’t able to take him as often as I would have liked, I’m proud to say he does indeed have some great memories of the ranch and his great-grandparents.

I remember when I used to go back before, as a child and as an adult, I would feel this overwhelming happiness when we’d pass that “Welcome to California” sign crossing over the state line. I knew I was almost home.

It’s different now though. When I see the sign now my eyes well up with tears, and I feel sad knowing Grandma isn’t there anymore. I know she hasn’t been gone very long and the pain is still fresh, but California just isn’t the same without her, and I don’t think it ever will be.

Going back to Cali is a post from: Staying Home with My Son

My grandma is dying and it’s only a matter of time now. I’m trying to raise some quick cash to get Andrew and I to California before she passes. My reasons are two-fold. Obviously for myself and my child to have that closure, but also my mom will be there Saturday and I really feel like I need to be there for her. She’s not handling this well at all. Even though Grandma is in her 80s, it’s never easy to lose a parent. Even if you know it’s coming. Even if they’ve lived a long life. Even if you know they are ready to meet Jesus.

As most of you know, I work from home. You can check out my services here. My rate is $40 an hour. I’ve created a discount code for 25% off. You’ll be able to indicate the quantity desired at check out. If you want to contact me before check out and discuss your project so we can determine an estimate of hours, please use the contact form here. This discount also applies to any of the packages I’ve created as well as the Photoshop Tutorial Videos.

Use discount code Grandma at checkout.

Thank you for your help.

~ Shannon

UPDATE: For those who have emailed me wanting to donate, but not needing services, there is now a donate button below the blue tabs on the side bar to the right. Thank you!

Help me say goodbye is a post from: Staying Home with My Son

I Miss My Dad is a post from: Staying Home with My Son

Yesterday’s Wordless Wednesday was a mobile phone photo my sister Amber sent me of her youngest. She had stepped away for a moment and he jumped at the chance to take over. I love this photo because I immediately decided he was looking for me. You see, since I live in Utah and they live in Georgia, he seems to think I live in the computer and the telephone. So he’ll often point at the computer or the telephone if somebody mentions my name and tries to say my name. I like to think he was taking her absence as an opportunity to look for me. 

Tell Me Thursday is a post from: Staying Home with My Son

Wordless Wednesday – Veterans Day Version is a post from: Staying Home with My Son

BUT you still have time to sign up and get involved. Go here now and sign up.

Help your child be happier and more successful in school is a post from: Staying Home with My Son