We Are Raising a Tech Savvy Generation

If you are the parent of a young child you know how tech savvy they are. My two girls are 8 and 10 years old and they know their way around tech gadgets better than me.

But is this a good thing? Or a bad thing?





I am of the mind that it is really important to make sure my children are raised with all the skills required to compete in a digital age BUT I also believe in everything in moderation. I think parents need to keep the amount of overall SCREEN TIME children get limit. When I am talking about SCREEN TIME I include television, iPad, iPod and smartphones... anything with a screen that a child can park themselves in front of. I want my kids to be tech savvy but learn to balance how much media to consume.

It is essential we teach children about balance. There needs to be an equal amount of screen time and outdoor play time, family time, friend time, sport and activity time. As parents, I think we are responsible for making sure we are raising smart, kind, balanced and well rounded children who can move about the world.... a world that does include technology.

Finding Inspiration In Your Child's Books

I read an article today by Rebecca Eckler about adults turning to children's books and it got me thinking about some of my favourite children's books.


First, without question is the Dr. Seuss book Oh, The Places You'll Go!

There are so many amazing lessons in this book. It is a road map for life really.






Another great book is Where The Wild Things Are by Maurice Sendak!

And finally,  Love You Forever by Robert Munsch

I would love to hear your favourites. What children's books inspire you?

Halloween Party Fun

Greatness... it is in YOU!

It is true. 

It is... trust me. 

I know... I sometimes doubt it too! Sometimes I let that little voice inside my head tell me I can't, I won't, I am not great but it is a lie. Don't let that voice of self doubt sway you. 
 
We all have the potential for greatness. You just have to believe that it is in you and let it out! It can be hard to admit, accept and hold onto the idea we ARE great but if you let the idea of it sink in for a little while, silence that little voice of self doubt and embrace YOUR GREATNESS you will see it is TRUE! Show the world (and yourself ) your greatness! 

Did You Know?

Today is Clean Your Virtual Desktop Day !

I feel so bad ... I did nothing to mark this day. Did you?

I am always amazed at the days that are "celebrated", and I use that term loosely!


What did you do to mark Clean Your Virtual Desktop Day?


Oh and just in case you were wondering, tomorrow is Caps Lock Day

Wordless Wednesday - Apple Picking

Giving Thanks for Thanksgiving

I just want to say that I am thankful for Thanksgiving. I love this time of year; the colours, the turkey, all the tasty side dishes, family, friends and a day off from work. There is nothing better for my soul than family, food and a day to sleep in! That is just simply a battery charger!

It was a great weekend even though my husband was away until Monday. The kids and I spent some great time together. I had to take the car in for repairs so the kids and I walked to have lunch before heading to get the car. What a great time. There is nothing better to reconnect with kids than sharing a meal around a table. Sitting at the table with my girls was a perfect opportunity to hear about their lives, to find out how school is going and to hear all about their friends. Kids feel so comfortable sitting around the table and are more comfortable to share their lives (at least my kids do!). We walked to pick up the car, or rather I walked and the kids scootered. It was a beautiful warm fall day.


I am also thankful for TWO turkey dinners. The first was with family on Sunday. We filled our bellies full! Dinner number two was on Monday with just the four of us at home. My husband got home from New York early Monday morning and so missed all the yummy food on Sunday do the kids and I whipped up a delish turkey dinner with all the fixings, like stuffing, mashed potatoes, sweet potatoes, and of course turkey! It was a great meal!  For desert we had apple crisp, fruit of our labour - Apple Picking!

Wordless Wednesday - In Honour of the late Fluffy

This is our little Fluffy. He lived a long life. The kids miss him.

Thank A Teacher.... Today!

Today is  World Teachers' Day – a UNESCO initiative that celebrates teachers around the world. Since 1994, World Teacher Day is held annually on October 5, to raise awareness and address the issues pertinent to teachers while recognizing the contribution they make to education.


Teachers do so much for us. They mold young minds. They help us grow and see how great we can be. Teachers help us see the world and help us find out place in it. They help our imaginations soar and they give us the tools to reach for the stars.






Thank a teacher today... thank them for all they have done for you as a wide-eyed kid growing up. If you are a parent of a child in school, thank a teacher for all they are doing for you child.

I want to say THANK YOU to every teacher who took the time to help me, teach me, guide me, listen to me, laugh with me and talk with me. 

Mama Say What?????

 

So, here is the thing.....

There are a number of words we consider off limits in our house. All of the standard curse words are on the list....a@$, S*&#@, F*&%#, B*&%$@... oh you know all the good-bad words. There are also a few words that others might not think are bad words but we just feel they are rude so we don't allow our children to use them, that list includes, stupid and shut-up.

 OK, I just want to say one thing here....I can swear with the best of them. I do work in a newsroom after all BUT I don't think it is OK for my kids to do. I also don't swear in front of my kids. I work really hard to show my kids there is a proper way to talk. I fully believe swearing is lazy. It is easy to throw around curse words but much harder to actually think about what you are saying and choose words that are intelligent, thoughtful and thought-provoking. That is the main reason why I don't curse in front of my kids. Yes, when I swear I am being lazy! I am LAZY....I am the first to admit that.


SOOOOOOOOooooooooooooooooooooooo.... 

I am always a little put off when I hear other parents swearing in front of children. OK, not just any children but my children. Hey, I figure if you want to swear in front of your kids, go for it. There are lots of people who don't care, who don't think it is a problem and don't see anything wrong with it. More power to you. That is your right. I am uncomfortable with you doing it in front of my kids. Even my children are uncomfortable with it. They always give me a LOOK when they hear another parent swearing in front of them. The LOOK I mean is the "OH, you are in so much trouble because you just swore" LOOK. It has happened more than a few times while on the playground of the school.

But... how do I handle that? Just let it go? Or should I say something to the other parent?

Part of me thinks I should just let it go. I have had a conversation with my kids about it. I have told them not everyone has the same opinion/view about swearing in front of children. I have also told them even though some people swear in public I don't want them to think that it is OK for them to do it. 

What would you do? 

What do you think about swearing in front of your children? What words are OFF LIMITS in your house?

Wordless Wednesday - My Coffee Break Buddy

She is a sun lover!