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In the never-ending and possibly futile race to keep up with our children’s technology, I am always looking for an advantage. Sometimes it is simply learning how to upload photos in new software, other times it is making sure my children understand their online responsibility and safety. In this case, one tool that can help is an educational app designed to simulate a social network, while teaching correct behavior and how to deal with online pitfalls.
‘BeSeen’ is a single-player game that simulates a social networking site where players create a profile and travel through a condensed school-year, with each game day equaling a fraction of a minute in real life. To earn awards, the player must make positive choices when presented with challenging social situations and solve puzzles along the way. The game is designed to help kids understand responsible online behavior such as securing their personal information, protecting their privacy and defending their peers against cyber bullying.
Best of all it is free in the Android market. ‘BeSeen’ was developed for Web Wise Kids in collaboration with The Wireless Foundation and Trend Micro Internet Safety for Kids and Family , with additional funding from The Verizon Foundation.
“Here at Web Wise Kids, we are thrilled by the opportunity to introduce our app ‘BeSeen’ to the Android Market,” says Judi Westburg Warren, president of Web Wise Kids. “Entering this exciting marketplace allows us to reach thousands of kids on the topic of online safety and digital citizenship.”
The free mobile app, ‘BeSeen ’ is now available for download in the Android Market here: https://market.android.com/details?id=com.cylab.BeSeen
It is also available for download in the iTunes App Store.
“Some of the best feedback we are hearing from parents is that they enjoy how ‘BeSeen’ is a way for their kids to take a ‘test run’ on a social network before going so far as to register on an existing website,” continues Judi Westburg Warren. “We are excited that this app allows us to prepare youths for the digital world in a responsible and fun manner.”
Check it out and let us know what you think.
 Ah, the first day back to school. The clothes to wear, the new lunchbox, the friends and rivals gone missing for three months. New classroom, new teacher, new school. These are just some of the things students stress over from kindergarten through the rest of their academic career. A child’s anxiety over these first-day details inevitably leads to stress for us as well. So what is the best way to deal with the nerves on both sides? Here are some of my favorite tips to make the transition run smoothly.
- Many schools have open house days before the school year begins. Take take advantage of these and take a tour with your children. Knowing where to go the first day is a big relief from that doe-eyed look when entering the front doors. If going into junior high, walk the classrooms with them. Show them how to work their locker. Walk into the bathrooms.
- In summertime we all let some rules slip, particularly around bedtime schedules. A week before school begins, start getting your kids back on schedule. Also make sure to get yourself on schedule–kids are fed, dressed and able to be at the bus or dropped off on time.
- When a child comes home from school hating every minute of it, instead of going into problem solving mode as fathers are prone to do, instead just listen. The best solution is to allow them solve the problem themselves. Ask them, “What do you think you can do to make this better?” Help guide them to the right answer. Part of school is learning about conflict resolution and we are an active part of teaching that process.
- On the CBS Early show, parenting expert Shannon Eis strongly recommended parents getting the paperwork taken care of early. “Parents have lots of to-do’s, and they often come in the form of paperwork from the school — so get organized early. Be sure to review the material sent by the school as soon as it arrives.” She suggested starting a file system to keep school paperwork organized.
These are some of the valuable tips I’ve picked up as I get ready for our boys first year of school. Now let’s hear some of yours.
Jennifer L. Jacobsen, director of PR and Social Media for the electronics review blog, Retrevo.com, has compiled some interesting statistics regarding how us parents use social media in our daily lives. The respondents in the study consisted of over 1,000 online individuals in June of 2011, compiled by an independent panel.
The study found:
- 18% of parents say they feel like they couldn’t stop using Facebook/Twitter even if they wanted to.
- 47% of parents of kids under 19 say they’ve used Facebook to learn more about their kid’s friends.
- iPhone owning parents (iParents) are twice as likely (28%) to get anxious when they don’t check Facebook/Twitter as most parents (14%).
- Dads are more likely (13%) to use Facebook to learn about their kid’s dates than moms (10%).
- - iParents are twice as likely to use Facebook to learn about their kid’s dates than Droid owning parents.
- iPhone owning parents are four times LESS likely to have under 50 Facebook friends.
- 32% of iParents have over 250 friends (compared with 23% of other parents).
Check out the full article here.
 Ah, the elusive parent workout. How do we stay motivated with shifting schedules and the obvious distractions that children bring? How do we get it in without feeling that we are sacrificing time with our children? Without nearby family or choosing childcare to give us some free time, one of our biggest workout challenges as dads is when the kids are within earshot or closer.
The first option is the home gym. It is available right when you need it, perfect for the unpredictable schedule. Before wake up, during nap, after bedtime, it’s there. And it can take as much or as little space as you’d like. An entire core workout can be built around a Swiss Ball and some hand weights. The challenge with the home gym is you have to maintain a focused mindset to get a daily sixty-minute workout. I know how it goes. How often do we buy a new piece of exercise equipment with the best intentions only to have it shoved in a back room and used as a coat rack six months later? Staring at the same walls day after day is a motivation killer. Forming a routine and setting health goals is essential to staying motivated. Lay out a workout schedule plan before you lay down the dough for a treadmill. Add other tasks to your workout for variety. Catch up on the news. Answer your texts. Make it “your time.” To further help your motivation, put your workout clothing on when you get dressed in the morning. It will remind you of your commitment, and lets you get right to it when the opportunity comes.
And just because children are awake doesn’t mean you can’t get in a little strength training. Try a few push-ups with a little one on your back. Almost always they’ll encourage you to do more. Do bicep curls with a barbell and let your child model you with a rolling pin. This way you get your workout in and also teach them how to enjoy exercise.
Because workouts can be spaced through the day, it is important to document all your exercise to stay excited about your accomplishments. There are some software options to track your exercise but I’ve always preferred hand writing my workouts in a notebook. One of my favorite tools is the Body Minder Workout and Fitness Journal. Each “day” consists of two pages with an organized, easy-to-use layout for recording workout details…from equipment & settings, to reps & sets, to difficulty level, to heart rate, to muscle groups, and more. There is also space for listing the details of other (non-gym) exercise…from walking the dog, to playing a sport, to dancing. In addition, each day’s meals can be recorded as well as any vitamins or supplements taken.
I feel the most important motivator is the community of fellow parents also trying to stay in shape. There are local groups throughout the country to give you inspiration and great online resources for finding them. Many can be found on the site Meetup.com. Just type in your zip code and search whatever type of exercise you are looking for. For more of a party atmosphere sign up for a local event. Don’t be afraid of the word, “Race.” You don’t need to consider yourself an athlete to be welcomed. It is simply a gathering of people with a positive attitude about sport. You’ll see and meet plenty of parents pushing their children in double strollers to the finish line. Active.com lists local events by zip code, everything from kayaking to Ironman Triathlons. It has great training tips and you can sign up for races directly through their site.
So with spring arriving, it’s time to concentrate on getting our bodies tuned up for the summer. Develop a plan that works for you. And be sure to share your successes and challenges so we can help motivate one another!
Children the world over share some common loves. Chicken nuggets and french fries. Bipedal talking livestock. And let’s add one more–Butts. The first time I used the word “butt” with one of my sons, he giggled uncontrollably repeating the word to himself for the rest of the day. It was as if it were hardwired in his brain, somewhere between “Mama” and “More“. Of course it is not the most productive concept to be able to identify the derrière of every living and inanimate object on the planet. Many parents understandably choose to shoosh the behavior altogether. Now there is a place to channel all that untamed observational skill. Children’s author Artie Bennett has captured all-things-butt in his charming children’s book, The Butt Book.
As a parent, I was immediately struck by the kinetic, engaging illustrations provided by Mike Lester. But as I’ve learned in the past, colorful artwork alone doesn’t guarantee a child’s interest. Fortunately, the story in The Butt Book is just as engaging. The rhyming narrative is well-formed and sets a good rhythm for parents to follow. It delves into the who, what, and why of butts without sinking into anything close to offensive.
In our field test, our twin three year old boys sat fascinated. They jabbed at the illustrations, and laughed at the animated storytelling. They giggled together repeating the word, “Butt!” between one another. They sneak this book off the bookshelf to read it to themselves. The Butt Book reminds us what a good children’s book can do–tap into a child’s interest without ever seeming like it is coming from the adult world. This has quickly become one of their favorite books, and I suspect will become the same for many others.
Click here for reviews & pricing on Amazon.
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