Just when you think you have everything down as a parent, I come along and tell you it might be time to take your child to his first orthodontist visit. Most orthodontists say it’s best to see children by age 7 to advise if treatment is required and the best time for treatment to start. Basically, the earlier any treatment is started, the easier it will be to correct problems in the long run. What better time than now – Dental Health Month – to schedule that first appointment?

There are many different reasons for kids to need orthodontic care, including overbite, underbite, crowded teeth or overlapping teeth. Some of these problems could be caused by things like thumb sucking, accidents or tooth decay or can even be inherited. Benefits of having straight teeth include: easier maintenance, which can prevent cavities; preventing wear on the surfaces of teeth; too much stress on supportive teeth bones and gum tissue; and problems with jaw joints which can lead to headaches.

Your child’s first trip to the orthodontist (who has 2-3 years more education than your family dentist) is nothing to be feared. At your child’s first visit (about 45 minutes in length), the pain-free examination will probably include digital photos, an X-ray and an evaluation. A mold of his teeth may need to be taken. Your child may end up needing no orthodontic care for a few years, if at all.

These days there are so many different options for orthodontic care. One mom says her 9-year-old son wears a “retainer that I can adjust at home myself weekly, which saves a lot of time going into the office. The goal is to get some teeth moved before he needs braces and might even prevent the need for braces.” Her 7-year-old son wears a permanent spacer to make it easier on him if he needs braces in the future.

Braces are, of course, a possibility, and they have come a long way. Your child can get clear, gold or tooth-colored braces instead of just silver metal. You can choose the color of the ties that hold the wire in brackets. You could even decide to choose Invisalign, which is like a set of clear retainers (changed about every 2 weeks) that can be removed for eating, drinking, brushing and flossing.

If your child does end up needing braces or some other device, she need not be limited. She can still play sports and musical instruments (may take a little practice at first), and can even have the occasional soda (brush afterward!).

While kids used to dread the prospect of braces, now many of them actually look forward to it. It’s completely worthwhile in the end when they see their beautiful new smile!

Foods to avoid when you have braces:

• Chewy foods like bagels, hard rolls, licorice

• Crunchy foods like popcorn, ice, chips

• Sticky foods like caramels and gum

•  Hard foods like nuts and candy

•  Foods you have to bite into like corn on the cob, apples, carrots

Helpful Web Sites:

Invisalign

American Association of Orthodontists

American Board of Orthodontics

Kerrie McLoughlin (TheKerrieShow.com) smiles at her kids all the time using teeth that used to don braces.

Image Credit: littlesmilebigsmile.com

Coaching Kids Through Spring Cleaning Chores

by Dr. Caron Goode

On the surface, coaching kids to do chores seems like no more than getting children to pick up around the house. Coaching kids to pitch in regularly with household maintenance instills important values, teaches life lessons and basic domestic skills. Each skill listed in this article has an affirmation for you and you child to put on index cards and read together each day to reinforce the team work of a family.

Children feel like they truly belong to their family unit. Having kids do chores helps a child feel connected to their family. Assigning chores allows each member of the family to share responsibility in the day-to-day operations of home life, which sends these messages:

• We value you as a family member.

• You matter; your contribution matters.

• You are unique and important to the overall success of the family’s day.

From teaching responsibility to encouraging independence, chores instill important values in children, such as:

1. Responsibility. Chores teach kids that they are responsible for their personal items like clothes and toys. If I don’t pick up my things and put them in their place I may lose track of them.

2. Teamwork. Chores teach kids that a group of people with a common goal can accomplish much. When everyone does their share of tidying up, the house gets clean quicker.

3.  Self-reliance. Chores teach kids that there are some things you must depend on yourself to do. If I want a neat bed and I don’t make it, no one is going to make it for me.

4 . Confidence. Chores teach kids to have an “I can do it” attitude. Completing age-appropriate tasks can be fun!

5. Community. Chores teach kids the importance of community living. If I know how to be an active member of my family community, I will be able to be an active member of my school or work community.

6. Independence. Chores teach kids that they are capable of doing some things on their own. As I get older, there are more things I can do without a grownup’s help.

Chores also teach kids important life lessons that are best taught in the safety net of home.

• Organization.  Chores teach kids that when everything has its place, it’s easy to find things.  When I know where things are I won’t have to waste time searching for them.

•  Structure. Chores teach kids that specific things must be done specific ways. When I do it right the first time, I won’t have to do it again.

• Prioritization.  Chores teach kids that sometimes we have to do the things that aren’t fun first. If I want to have a friend over, I need to pick up my play area first.

Chores also help teach kids life skills, basic domestic tasks that all adults must learn to master. Basic life skills that can be taught through chores include:

• Cooking. Chores teach kids how to prepare meals and snacks. I can make my own snack when I am hungry.

•  Cleaning. Chores teach kids how maintain a healthy home. When I see crumbs on the floor I should pick them up so that bugs don’t eat them.

• Laundry. Chores teach kids how to care for their clothing. My clothes don’t magically appear clean.

And the great thing about chores is that even the youngest member of the family can do their part.

Children as young as one can:  Help put small toys in a large bin for clean up, make a bed, put clothes in hamper, put cup on table when done.

Children as young as two can:  Clean up small spills, put books on a shelf, help sort laundry, carry small items from car to house.

Children as young as three can:  Help set the table, empty paper trash cans, fold socks, put spoons and forks away.

Children as young as four can:  Clear table, rinse dishes, help vacuum, dust.

Children as young as five can:  Set table, help prepare meals, make a bowl of cereal, help feed a baby.

So as you take part in the annual rite of passage we call Spring Cleaning, get your kids involved.

To motivate your children to do chores:

• Consider posting a Spring Cleaning chore chart.  Make a grid and list each family member’s name across the top and chores down the side. As a chore is completed, allow your child to place a sticker or check mark next to it. After the Spring Cleaning is complete, carry on with a weekly chore chart for the family. Here are some examples of chore charts from cleanorganizedfamilyhome.com that can get you started.

• Make chores fun. Have chore races or make up silly songs to sing as you do your chores. The cleanup song has been known to motivate even the most uncooperative toddlers to pick up their toys.

• Offer a family reward. Once everyone’s done their job, prepare a favorite meal, play a favorite family game or go on a family outing or adventure.

Spring Cleaning provides the perfect opportunity to introduce your children to chores. Seize the moment! You’ll be thankful you did!

Dr. Caron Goode is gifted with compassion in assisting others to effect lasting transformation through spiritual coaching, books, classes and seminars. Caron’s continuous education, experience in psychology and professional writing makes her a great resource for parents wishing to create and maintain a nurturing relationship with their children. She has positioned the Academy for Coaching Parents International (www.acpi.biz) at the forefront of the parent coaching movement to disseminate the coaching model of empowerment for parents. Read her newest book – Raising Intuitive Children by Goode and Paterson. Reach her at carongoode@mac.com.

Support Local Food Banks by Donating to Scouting for Food this Saturday, Feb 18th

by Mina Frannea

Scouting for Food is the largest door-to-door food collection effort in the Dallas-Fort Worth area benefiting more than 45 assistance agencies across the area. Cub Scouts, Boy Scouts, and Venture Crews in North Texas pass out yellow bags in their communities and then collect non-perishable donations the following weekend. Non-perishable items can include canned vegetables/soups/meats, pastas, boxed helper meals, peanut butter, etc.

Scouting for Food is the largest single-day food collection event in Dallas and one of the largest in the nation. The food that is collected is distributed to local food pantries across North Texas. Last year, Scouts collected 433,896 cans that were distributed to over 40 food banks across 12 counties.

Cub Scouts, Boy Scouts, and Venture Crews in North Texas dropped off yellow bags over the last week and will be out this Saturday, February 18th to collect non-perishable items for their annual food drive.

If you received a yellow donation bag on your door this past week, please place your items in the bag and outside your door before 10am (Scouts will be out to pick it up that morning).

If you did not receive a yellow bag, you can take your non-perishable donations to your Tom Thumb throughout the entire month of February. Look for the Scouting for Food Barrels.

Scouting for Food is just one way the Boy Scouts of America works to improve communities across the nation. Scouts are actively cleaning up parks, building houses, gathering for the needy, and even helping with disaster preparedness. They need millions of volunteers to provide these opportunities for youth to learn and grow. Volunteering has a far reaching impact on kids so please consider how you can help support Circle Ten Council. Call 214-902-6794 or visit www.circle10.org  to find out how you can help.  Even just a few hours of your time will make a difference.

Mina Frannea is a freelance writer and a social media consultant. A Mom to eight-year-old twins, Mina enjoys writing about life in general, family friendly activities around town, favorite recipes and crafts that keep her children busy and happy. For more posts by Mina, visit her blog at www.themomsjournal.com.

Recipe for Success in School

by Minette Riordan

My daughter loves to cook which may be why she had such fun with this clever activity at school. She came home from school today with this Recipe for Academic Success and I thought it was so well-done that I wanted to share. What a great school activity. I am always impressed with the creative and crafty projects that she brings home. I don’t remember 4th grade being this fun or creative.

In case the picture is hard to read, here is what she wrote:

Ingredients:
1 gallon listening
1/2 gallon kindness
5 cups respect
5 cups creativity
3 cups responsibility
2 cups time management
1/2 cup patience

Instructions:
First, mix listening and kindness in a large school. Then add respect and creativity. After that, mix responsibility, time management and patience in a classroom. Add the mixes together and enjoy a happy life!!

Ask your kids to describe their recipe for success in school and share it in our comments below. I’d love to see what else they can come up with.

Do you have a child who is hard to wake up in the morning? Or a child who dawdles for what seems like hours? Or the child who scrambles to find her homework while you are already waiting in the car? Oops, forgot to brush her teeth, tie his shoes, can’t find his… The list goes on and on. Mornings can be a big challenge for many families and even in our house, where most mornings go smoothly, there are certainly days where everything seems to fall apart and we are late getting out the door for school and work.

My kids are 12 and 9, so it feels like we have been practicing for a while. It’s never perfect but I think we have managed the monster of morning chaos after some trial and error. Hint: We do not pick out clothes or make lunches the night before and we still have plenty of time in the morning. Here’s what has worked for us:

1. Get plenty of sleep!

This goes for mom and dad, too. It’s much easier to get up on time after a good night’s sleep. I know this can be a challenge for some kids and parents. One of my children is a night owl and will read until all hours of the night if I let her. I have learned to get her into bed earlier for reading time and to check under the covers for the errant flashlight!

2. Get up before your kids!

If I don’t have time for that first cup of coffee before my kids get up, the morning goes awry before it begins. I love my quiet morning time and need at least 30 minutes to wake up before I get them up. My friends are not surprised to get emails from me at 5am. It’s my best time of the day, because unlike my daughter, I am not a night owl and love to go to bed early. If you are not naturally a morning person and will do anything for that extra ten minutes of sleep, you may only want 15 minutes. I promise that getting up just a few minutes ahead of your kids will improve your own mood. Some moms I know like to get up and have their shower before their kids are up to help them wake up and ease the morning schedule. You have to do what works.

3. Establish a solid routine.

Wake your kids up at the same time every day. It’s a great idea to get your kids alarm clocks of their own. It makes them feel responsible for their own schedule. Do all of the necessary morning activities in the same order every day. If your kids are little, reward charts with pictures of activities can be a great help. Kids who are visual learners will appreciate the reminders. Practice makes perfect! Stick to your routine and remind your children daily what is expected of them, until you don’t need to remind them anymore (that might be when they go to college, but oh well!)

Here is what works for my kids: Wake up time is 6:45. They eat breakfast, which I try to have ready before they get up or at least started. After breakfast, they get dressed, brush their teeth and brush their hair, etc. Pack their backpacks with their lunch box, homework, any extras and a freshly-filled water bottle. We do put homework, projects or show and tell items in their bags the night before and they shower at night, never in the morning. They are not allowed to play or lounge about until they have finished their morning routine. Also, we found they had extra time in the mornings, so we added one chore that they could do in five to ten minutes like unloading the dishwasher or folding laundry. This gives them more free time in the afternoon, which they appreciate!

4. Always build in extra time.

When my daughter was younger, she needed extra time to get going in the morning. She is never grumpy, just slow to wake up, slower to get dressed and organized. She just needed time. So we would wake her up at 6:30 and let her have a few minutes to just sit at the breakfast table. As time has gone on, she can sleep a few extra minutes and still get out the door by 7:25 every morning. The routine has become a habit and as she gets older, she doesn’t need as much sleep. I am sure that will change again as she reaches her teen years!

5. No television, computer games or other electronic devices in the morning.

Most of our kids spend way too much time staring at a screen as it is. Do not let them get into the habit of watching t.v. or playing on the computer in the morning. This is a huge distraction and can cause a big battle when you tell them it’s time to move on. My son has always struggled with transitions and trying to get him moving quickly from one activity to the next is still a challenge. Just this week I found myself wondering why he hadn’t come to pick up his lunchbox in the kitchen and pack his backpack. Turns out, he was in his bedroom, buried under a pile of Lego and completely focused on something he was building and not paying any attention to his watch!

6. Set clear rules and expectations.

This is important for every aspect of your child’s life, not just mornings. Kids need us to clearly articulate what is expected of them, what the rules are and what the consequences are when they don’t follow the rules. Make sure you children understand exactly what you need from them and why your need their cooperation in the mornings. If you are a working parent, it can be frustrating to spend time trying to get your kids out the door and risk being late to work. Explain to your child what the consequences are of you being late to work and the consequences of her being late to school! Your kids may not be intentionally trying to make you late, they may just move at a different pace than you do.

Understanding your child’s personal style will go a long way towards taking the battle out of the mornings.Getting ready for school doesn’t have to be painful, you just have to figure out what works best for your family.

Bonus Tips! Some other organizational suggestions that might work for your family include making lunches the night before (especially if you are not a morning person yourself,) laying out clothes the night before, packing backpacks with completed homework and any extras, making sure shoes and coats are by the front door, planning breakfast the night before and keeping breakfast healthy but simple. For example, I want my kids to have some protein every morning, a bowl of cereal is just not enough to keep their brain going. If we are running late, they might have peanut butter on their toast or a slice of turkey breast with their bagel. Be creative!

by Lorraine Brock

As I was doing some cleaning and organizing last month, I came across various items that I knew I had not used in a long time, but still had not made the decision to purge.
There are a number of reasons why we hold on to things. Sometimes it is because we invested our hard earned money into them, and sometimes it is our heart that is invested. We think that time may change the fact that these items sit in our cabinets gathering dust. But more often changes in technology give us an opportunity to buy new and better things.

One particular discovery for me was a set of medical encyclopedias. I had referenced them many times in the past trying to determine what illnesses or infections my boys had when they were younger. Now I realize I have not used them in years and the large books are taking up valuable shelf space. Every mom needs a few hidden storage spaces, and giving up these books would open up some new space for me.

Another item that many of us have in our home is a Rolodex. In years past, between personal and my business contacts, I used the living daylights out of my Rolodex. Of course now all my contacts are stored in my phone. To make the transition easier, I sat down at my kitchen table and went through each and every card to be sure I had the information I needed. Then I trashed it.

My next cabinet clean out find was a phone book. While the book is up to date, I no longer let my fingers do the walking to find phone numbers. Now I go to the internet and enter the information in my phone. Using my phone for data storage and retrieval, I can get everything I want to know about anything at any time, and it takes up so much less space than a phone book.

The book purging continued as I contemplated the need for a physical dictionary. Another reference book that so many families keep on the bookshelf, this one was a little harder to let go. I tried to come up with a scenario when I would need an actual dictionary in my hands. The worst case would be if we found ourselves in a new age with no internet. I decided to take my chances and donate it.

The last thing I found in the cabinet was an outdated Mapsco. This book was given to me by my parents in 2000 so that I could easily find my way around Dallas. My deceased mom had written in the front of the book: “If you get lost don’t call Mom, I’m bad with directions”. This item was not a monetary save, but more of a heart investment. So even though I do not use it or need it, I decided that in a future without the internet or GPS, knowing where I came from, where I am, and where I am going, is more important than spelling correctly. So I put the Mapsco back on my shelf.

The purpose of scheduling time to do home organization is to determine if we are using valuable space for items we no longer want or need. I realized that even when I make the decision that I have no use for an item, I still may keep it. But if I keep it, part of the organizing task is to find it an appropriate home.

Now that it has been a few weeks since my purge, I feel no sense of loss for the items I decided to throw out or donate. The bonus was that I used the extra space to create a spot for my mailing and shipping supplies. I also learned to trust that time and technology will provide us with new and better ways to do things and when that happens, it is time to let go.

www.youtube.com/watch?v=UaXwFxP8cmU

Lorraine Brock is a professional organizer, family coach, speaker, and founder and owner of Get Organized!. Get Organized! is a professional organizing company in the Dallas, Texas area. Get Organized! specializes in organizing and de-cluttering homes as well as implementing systems in the home for better family management. A popular media guest, Lorraine has appeared on Good Morning Texas, Good Day Fox, CBS 11 and has been featured on various radio outlets. Additionally she has been hallmarked in many local, regional, and national media, such as the Dallas Morning News, SheKnows.com, and Daily Candy Kids.  Most recently Lorraine Brock was featured as the local expert with stars from HGTV and the DIY Network at the The Great Big Texas Home Show. To get more information about Lorraine, visit www.GetOrganized.ws.

Dallas Blooms at the Dallas Arboretum from March 3rd through April 8th

This year marks the 28th anniversary of the Dallas Arboretum’s nationally acclaimed floral festival Dallas Blooms, presented by Capital One Bank. The festival begins March 3 and continues through April 8.

Dallas Blooms features 500,000 spring-blooming bulbs including tulips, daffodils, Dutch Iris and hyacinths, in addition to 100,000 pansies, violas, poppies and thousands of other spring-blooming annuals and perennials. During the festival, over 100 Cherry Blossom trees bloom for a ten day period. Then the finale of this spring celebration is the mass flowering of the garden’s collection of 6,000 azaleas that bloom through the end of April.

As part of Dallas Blooms – ‘It’s a Work of Art’, the Dallas Arboretum also launches its Small Houses of Great Artists exhibit.

During the Dallas Blooms celebration, ArtScape, a fine art show and sale, will take place in the garden over three days – Friday, March 16 through Sunday, March 18, featuring nearly 100 artists from around the country. The featured artists work in various mediums like painting, watercolor, pastel, drawing, photography, fiber, jewelry, glass, wood, sculpture and 2-D and 3-D mixed media.

Dallas Blooms events and activities include face painting, petting zoo, arts & crafts, Eddie Coker concert, photos with a live bunny during Easter weekend, and more. Visit the Dallas Arboretum website for more information.

Discount coupons for Tuesdays available at any Capital One Bank location. Senior citizens (age 65 and up) can get admission tickets for $11.00 and a 20% discount at the Hoffman Family Gift Store on Thursdays. $1 off admission tickets are available at all Tom Thumb stores.

Looking for Spring Break Camps for Kids in Dallas -- Fort Worth?

Check out our fun list of spring break camp options and be sure to tell them you discovered them on NorthTexasKids.com!

Adventure Day Camps

Ages 4-13 participate in outdoor recreation such as archery, target shooting, kayaking, fishing, nature exploration, craft projects, obstacle courses, rock climbing, scavenger hunts, swimming, water balloons/guns, and more all on the shores of Lake Grapevine at Meadowmere Park.  We have an inflatable bounce house/water slide as well to enjoy!  Come for a day, week, or all summer -- discounts available for multiple kids and multiple weeks.  9am-4:30pm M-F with extended hours from 7am-6pm. Website: http://www.adventuredaycamps.com/

Aqua Fit Plano

Spring Break Swim Camp
March 13,14,15
11:30 to 3:30
Call for details: 972-578-SWIM (7946)

Website: http://aquafitplano.com/

We are going to have a “Whale Of A Time” at Aqua~Fit’s Swim Camp

www.youtube.com/watch?v=B-ZdIFIB-fs

Dr Pepper StarCenter

Ice Skating Spring Break Camps at the Euless and McKinney facilities. Activities both on and off the ice and all skaters will be supervised the entire time.

Spend Spring break on the ice with us at the EULESS facility! Parents  you can drop off your skaters at 12:15 and pick them up at 4:15pm. Camp offered Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday (March 12-14). Pick one day ($25/day) or do all three ($65/3 days).  This camp is for skaters ages 6-12 years. Don’t miss out! Call 817-267-4233 x0 to register over the phone. Email Darlene Cain at dcain@dallasstars.com for more information.

Spend Spring Break on the ice with us at the MCKINNEY at Craig Ranch facility. Camp times run 9:00am-12:30pm. Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday (March 13-15). Pick one day ($25/day) or do all three ($65/3 days). Ages 5-12 years old. Call 469-675-8327 to register over the phone. Email Lisa Cushley @lcushley@dallasstars.com for more information. Website: www.drpepperstarcenter.com

Half Price Books

Half Price Books believes that children become readers on the laps of their parents. And, there’s really no better gift to give a child than a passion for reading. Bring your half pint readers to your local HPB today to explore thousands of new and used children’s books, activity books, chapter books and young adult fiction. And when you have something specific in mind, our Bibliomaniacs are here to help you search and make recommendations. With 20 Dallas/Fort Worth area locations, Half Price Books is the bookstore for North Texas. Visit hpb.com for store hours, directions and more. What a great idea for a Spring Break getaway.

Kidokinetics

Kidokinetics is offering 2 Spring Break Camps in Plano. Keep your kids active over the break with these fun, fitness camps for kids. See ad below for all the details.

Kids ‘R’ Kids of West Allen

1223 North Alma Drive Allen, Texas 75013
214-667-7777
EMAIL: info@kidsrkidsallen.com

http://www.kidsrkidsallen.com

Take the CHALLENGE this Spring Break with our ULTIMATE SPORTS WEEK! Our K-5^th grade students will be heading to the park for a day of Team Challenges on Tuesday, and then touring the Dallas Cowboys’ Stadium on Thursday! Gym Station’s Fitness Adventures Field Day will be on Friday! We have added Drama with the Dramatic Difference on Monday as well! Join us for a week of fun and excitement!

PSA Plano

 PSA Plano is now registering for Spring Break Camps. Visit their website more information and details.

FlexiPass Camp, Basketball, Soccer, Martial Arts, Baseball and Softball Camps

Putt-Putt Golf

Great Spring Break Camps in Arlington, Hurst and Ft. Worth.
Camp Hotline is: 817-897-6996
Or visit us online: www.putt-puttgolf.com

Sci-Tech Discovery Center

We’ve got two new themes for young scientists to explore at Sci-Tech Discovery Center: “Get Your Game On” and “Splash”.

Visit our website for more information on these fun spring break camps: http://www.mindstretchingfun.org

SPLASH! -- 10:00am-12:00pm -- Make a Splash with our “SPLASH!” camp.  Prepare to get wet as we spend the week discovering the world of water. Make your own rain, figure out why oil and water don’t mix, and discover how some creatures really CAN walk on water! Through hands on experiments and demonstrations, you’ll see just how important water is to the Earth and what you can do to protect this most valuable resource

Get Your Game On -- 1:00pm-3:00pm -- Ready, set, go! Combining science with sports, we’ll cover the basics like gravity, energy transfers, and friction. You’ll design and build your own catapult to explore trajectory, test your balancing abilities, and try out some inertia activities. Whether you are a beginning athlete or an expert, discover the fun, exciting science behind sports.

Extended Day Options -- 9:00-10:00am and/or 3:00-4:00pm

Chocolate Chip Cookie Pie Recipe from ChocolateCoveredKatie.com

Gluten Free Valentine’s Day TreatsThere are sometimes that being gluten free is more challenging than others, like Christmas and Valentine’s Day when everyone else is eating all kinds of yummy homemade baked goods. I love to bake for my kids and my husband and I usually don’t feel resentful that I can’t eat what I make, in fact, it helps me avoid eating too many things I probably shouldn’t eat.

But every once in a while, it’s nice to have a treat of my own.

A couple of my favorite gluten free recipes are:

Flourless chocolate cake (my 10-year old daughter made me one for my birthday, all by herself!)

Fudge, especially with lots of pecans in it. We made two batches yesterday to give to my daughter’s teachers for Valentines Day. Look at these cute boxes we found at Micheal’s.

Chocolate bark – I can’t wait to try this recipe. I love the crazy colors and collection of candy on top.

See the theme here, I love chocolate. Next to chocolate, I love cheesecake! My dad makes the best cheesecake in the world and we were both excited to find this recipe with a gluten free crust made from Lucy’s Gingersnaps. Delicious!

You can imagine my excitement when I discovered Chocolate Covered Katie last week while watching the evening news. Katie has a website full of healthy, alternative dessert ideas for people with food allergies who still love to eat dessert. This chocolate cookie pie is what she made on the news and it sounds very different but tasty too. So this is what I will be making for my family for Valentine’s Day tomorrow. With the ice cream on top of course! I will let you know how it turns out.

Internet Safety: Guidelines to Keeping Kids Safe Online

By Frances Archer

Like many parents with young children, I wondered how early and how often my young daughter should be on the computer. The advice experts’ offer was both surprising and reassuring.

1) It’s almost never too early. Although the American Academy of Pediatrics recommends no computer usage before age two, by age three many children are active on the computer.

2) Be first to introduce your child to the computer. Today preschools are using computers, so start positioning yourself early on as the authority over computer usage in your home. Kids also encounter computers during  playdates in friends’ homes. Every family has their own rules, so make sure your child understands your rules. You may, for example, want to tell your young children they’re allowed to play on a computer only if a grownup is in the same room.

3) Teachable moments. Use your computer to teach children boundaries. Setting time limits and making rules like always wash hands first and take turns help your children to learn to follow rules in any context, not just in regards to computers.

4) Together time. Placing your computer in a shared space like the family room establishes an early pattern of parental authority and allows you to monitor your children’s online activities. When your kids are young, interact with them by playing online games and visiting some of the many wonderful educational sites.

With older children, it’s important to regularly discuss the websites they’re visiting. Ask them to share their favorite ones with you. Discuss the accuracy of online information sources. Find common interests you can pursue together online. Be sure to make your full access to their accounts a condition of their joining social networks.

5) Become more tech savvy than your kids. If you’re not already computer literate, ask a friend to teach you. Or maybe there’s a teenager in your neighborhood who you could hire to tutor you. You can also find online tutorials. Learn how to use Facebook or MySpace before your kids do, so when they join these social networks, you can monitor their online social activities.

6) Online social networking starts earlier than you think. Those cuddly critters with codes attached? They’re your child’s first foray into online social networking. Some social networking sites geared to children—Webkinz, for example—don’t reveal names, emails or other personal information but others may not have as many safeguards. Get familiar with children’s sites before introducing them to your child.

7) Bullies and predators. The same guidelines that apply to protecting your children from bullies and predators in real life apply to cyberspace. Not surprisingly, online bullying may be the more common threat. Taking precautions like following your children’s online social networking and keeping in touch with the parents of your children’s friends will help keep you aware of potentially harmful situations.

Helping your kids stay safe on the Internet comes down to getting involved early and staying involved. You can find more information about parenting and computers online and also at your local library.

Sources:
Pbskids.org, Keeping Up with Your Tech Savvy Kids, Pluggedinparent.com.

Image Credit: http://kidproofblog.com