5 Tips to Keeping Kids Safe Online

In today's modern world, technology is all around us and social media has become the hottest mode of communication. Kids are using the Internet for school work, entertainment, and to catch up with their friends. They are at risk of attacks by child pornographers and pedophiles, not to mention cyberbullying from their enemies. Parents need to know important tips about keeping their children safe online. Here are five tips to keep them as secure as possible.

Restrict their time online and monitor them closely

A good starting point is to limit the time children spend on the Internet. They can be given a block of time in the evening when a parent is home to provide close supervision, ensuring children are only going to suitable sites and are not getting in trouble. 

Limit texting

Parents can easily put a limit on their children's texting plans. As the account holder, parents also have full access to texts and can request transcripts in order to see everything that goes out and comes in on the phone. It's possible to block certain numbers. Charges can be pressed if there is any form of harassment or inappropriate content, such as photographs that display nudity. It’s probably a good idea to monitor most of your child’s cell phone usage. It also helps to give them a used or older model cell phone that may not have the most up-to-date Internet browsing capabilities. By limiting your child’s access you’ll have a better chance at keeping them safe when they go online.

Don't allow underage children to have social media accounts

Social media can open up a world of trouble for children and should not be used by children that are not in their teen years. Even teens can be limited. One of the best things a parent can do is have an open door policy in which they inspect their children's social media accounts on a regular basis. There should be no secrets.

Put filters on home computers

There are a variety of companies and software available to put filters on home computers. This will ensure that children cannot go to inappropriate sites. Windows 8, 7, and Windows Vista have parental controls where parents can block inappropriate sites. Parents can purchase great software as well, including WebWatcher, SpyAgent, and IamBigBrother as well. There are also kid-friendly search engines such as yahooligans and Ask Jeeves for Kids that will keep children away from dangerous sites. 

Set clear ground rules

Parents need to be very clear with their children about what is acceptable online. They should also make sure lines of communication stay open. Children should always feel free to tell their parents when there is a problem.

Having open lines of communication will be important throughout your child’s life as they grow into being an adult. Communication is vitally important if your child feels like they are being watched or followed when they interact with folks online. The internet isn’t going to go away and the ease of access for pedophiles is only growing. Help keep our kids safe!

Article provided by the Law Offices of David Michael Cantor of Phoenix, AZ. David and his team focus on Criminal Defense in Arizona.

Hello Kitty Girl

A good family friend of ours sent these Hello Kitty gifts for Ms. Burrito for her birthday.  Hello Kitty is such a  great brand for  little girls doesn't it?  I remember when we were traveling and my daughter  was wearing her HK outfit,  somebody told my daughter "Every  Girl's Best Friend is Hello Kitty."  

The Dias Family really knows how to tickle the soft spot to my daughter's heart.  She love the jewelry box and the  cupcake stand.

 

Thank you so much Tita Demcy, Tito Greg and Akesha for the   wonderful presents.

Rainbow Loom

Our  kind and thoughtful neighbor gave this  Rainbow Loom set to Ms. Burrito for her birthday.  Our neighbors never ceased to amaze  us with their   thoughtfulness, they are always  there for us , just like real family.  Thank you Howells family!

The kit includes 600+latex free rubber bands and C-clips.  There are  different patterns and designs to make  bracelet or ring.  The instruction sheet  is very easy to understand so I  if your child is into world of fun and creativity, this one is perfect to get.

Ms. Burrito love this kind of stuff so she was very thrilled.  She  still makes  bracelet out of this and giving it to her friends.  

She made  herself 7 different designs to wear each day.

Disclaimer:  This is NOT a Sponsored Post..

Ideas for a Mother's Birthday

Of all the people we have to buy birthday presents for, mums are often cited as some of the trickiest. ‘It’s fine, I have everything I want!’, ‘Ooh, I’ll have a think and get back to you’ and ‘Honestly, I’m happy with a card!’ are phrases that haunt us every year while we trawl through rails of cardigans, buckets of bouquets and divinely scented chocolate shops for the perfect gift. If you’ve exhausted all other options, fear not, because we have some inspiration for you.

What do you get the woman who has everything? We think that ‘experience gifts’ are some of the best, and what mother doesn’t appreciate a bit of time to herself to unwind? A spa break can be the perfect way to give her the rest she deserves, and she can get herself pampered and preened with massages, manicures, body treatments and a little dip in the pool, all with a chilled glass of champagne to hand.

In a similar vein, taking your mum for afternoon tea is perfect if she’s a sophisticated lady who is into her food. Treat her to a tower of tempting nibbles, including sandwiches, cakes, pastries and scones for a truly opulent afternoon, all washed down with lots of interesting tea blends and even more champagne. Lots of voucher websites offer deals on afternoon tea at luxury hotels, so you can really spoil her even on a budget.

If neither of you can find a suitable day to do something, a cheap but much appreciated gift is a photo book. You can create these on a range of simple programs online and see your digital images transformed into a sleek book which can be treasured forever. Include holiday snaps, photos of the children and pets and pictures from family gatherings to give her a lasting record of all of these happy memories.

If it’s going to be a milestone birthday, you could always discuss the idea of a weekend away with the rest of the family. It’s a great excuse for a little break, and it will make your mum feel really spoilt and special having the whole family around to celebrate her big day. This could be an overnight trip to a city she loves or even a surprise jaunt abroad for a couple of days in the sun.

Whatever you choose to do, don’t listen when she tells you not to worry. She’s your mum, and she will be delighted with whatever you choose! Now, if you’ll excuse me, I have a birthday cake to bake...

Claire Temple is a mother who enjoys being spoiled and offers her advice tot hose who may need gift buying inspiration!

Transform your Flip Flops, T-Shirts, and More with shiZZles

I received these  cute accessories from Shizzles.  Shizzles has different kinds of pretty designs of  accessories such as the one below that you can use to  transform your ordinary shirt or dress into  a fabulous ones.  Most of their items only cost $4.99, a very low and affordable price for those fashionistas who love to   make simple outfits into extra ordinary.

Warning:  Photo overload ahead.

 Little Crochet - $4.99

 Bright Blue Frayed Flower

Huge Pink Flower for $4.99 

My daughter had so much fun accessorizing her dresses with these.  Here we go.

Let me just say that I am the photographer only.  She decided which dress she   would wear and what poses  she likes me to snap.  I tried  suggesting that she should use some shirt to  accessorize  with these cutesie but she said, she  likes to use them on  dresses.

As you can see, there are so many different  things that you can use these pretty little things.  You can  use them for shirts,  flipflops, for your head bands or simply use them in your wrist.  My little model  is into these kind of stuff so it's fun to get them!

 You can find  Shizzles in Facebook and please like them so you can  access  at their deals and other promos.  Thanks again Shizzles!

Disclaimer:  The author of this blog  was NOT financially compensated in writing the review.  The products mentioned above were given for FREE for evaluation purposes.

Trendy Dresses from ThredUp

After some technical issues that I run into   from making my order at ThredUP, I finally succeeded after learning that  the  email address that was registered on my account  was wrong.  I don't know how it happened but glad that it was  straightened out.  Anyway, I  got my daughter two  dresses from the site.

She loves this Iz Bryer  dress as it  fits and hugs her body perfectly.  My 8-year old daughter  wears a size 6, such a petite girl for her age.  This dress only cost $8.49, it is originally priced at $31 so I saved  73% off the retail price.

This special occasion dress from Gap has a retail price of $51 but I got it for only $15.49, a great savings of 70%.  She  wasn't fond of this one as it was a bit bigger for her size but I told her that I will alter it or she can wear it using a belt.

ThredUP is a great site  if you want to save money in buying your  children some name brand  dresses.  You can also sell or donate clothes of your children that they don't need or use anymore.  What I like about the site is that, you can start a group for fund raising to help your community or  your children schools by donating unneeded clothing.  You can ship it for free, just  request for their "clean out" b bags and  drop it off from  their designated places in your area.  I also like the fact that you can buy new clothes for low prices.  Check them out and start saving money in buying clothes for your kids at ThredUP .  Oh, before I forgot, they  just added  line for women and juniors too!

Dog Experience

When I was about  9 years old , I  had a horrible experience being chased by a dog.  I was passing by their house when the dog started  chasing me.   The owner thought it was funny but I was terrified as the dog was not  playing but he was ready to bite me.  It's very sad to know that there is no law against dog owners like that in my country.  If that would have happen here, you can hire any  san diego dog bite attorneys to represent your case.   I was really exhausted and almost passed out when the owner finally called  their dog.  It was  an experience I will never forget.