The Angel Forever

Cell Phone Security for Children

Posted on July 11, 2013 12:00 am by TheAngelForever

My children are growing up before my eyes. It seems like yesterday they were both toddling around the house. Now I have an almost tween who will be a middle school student in a year. While I hope he is ready for the big change, I am not sure I am. I fear that before I know it NHL will be asking me for his own cell phone.

I have mixed feelings about an eleven year old child having a cell phone and have much I need to consider over the next year. Here are some items that I am thinking about in generic terms.

1. Rules need to be clearly established. – Even before the cell phone is purchased, these need to be written, read, and explained so that everyone understands the expectations of use. Think about when, where, and how the phone may be used. Is texting allowed, data use, and who may they call on their phones. Be sure to set up rules about not using at school during classes, and protocol once out of school and homework needs to be tackled. Think ahead and write down consequences for not following the rules. If these are done ahead of time, emotions are less likely to get in the way.

2. Does a middle schooler really need a cell phone? – This is a tough one. I think each family has to go over their rationale for a purchase. Looking ahead, my reason for possibly getting my son a phone has to do with safety. IF he needs to get to me in an emergency he can grab that phone and get to me, TechyDad, or another family member. Of course, setting up what an emergency means (see number 1 above) will be crucial.

3. Cell phones are a big responsibility, is a child ready for this? – While it is possible to get some regular cell phones, most children have smartphones because there are more options. Smartphones are pricey items. While you may be able to get a decent deal on it with your activation, a replacement will not be the same cost. Children need to be aware of the monetary values associated with the phone. They should have a safe holder for the phone to protect it and a location to store it during the school day where it will not be a distraction.

4. Knowledge of your plan is a powerful tool. – Along with being aware of the value of their phone, children should hear about your cell phone plan coverage. Share your bill with them. Allow them to see the cost of data use and what your carrier allows within your current plan. While they may not understand everything, it will be an eye opening experience that will help with the responsibility.

5. Set up safeguards to protect your child. – There are a lot of ways to monitor your child’s cell phone use. Rather than be sneaky, be upfront. Let your child know that you have items on their phone to let you know about their usage. This will encourage open communication, trust, and let them know you are helping them to make good online and offline decisions.

Verizon Wireless just launched FamilyBase to assist families with this. For $5 a month on your plan (the first month is currently free), parents can see how kids are using their phone, set controls and/or limits on data, calling, and text usage. There is a lot more that you can learn about on the Verizon Wireless page about FamilyBase.

Do your children have cell phones? If they do I would love to know how you have worked out use with them. If your children are too young, what do you think you will do as they get older?

It's Me

Disclosure: As a member of the Verizon Lifestyle Bloggers, I receive different devices to check out in my life. There is no other compensation. I am a long time Verizon customer, and all opinions are my own. I was not asked to blog about FamilyBase, but wanted to share this new feature with my readers since I am currently researching what we may need to do with our children as they enter middle school.

Categories:
parenting Phone Apps

Disney Storytelling at Enchanted Tales with Belle

Posted on July 10, 2013 12:00 am by TheAngelForever

There is always a story being told when you walk around a Disney Park. Of course, when the New Fantasyland opened in December they really took it to a new level. As you walk through the entranceway from behind Cinderella’s Castle, you can head up a winding path to Maurice’s Cottage. Once you enter the queue for Enchanted Tales with Belle, you can see the real magic begin. The story details are clear with items like a painting of Belle and her mother, the magical way we are transported to meet Madame Wardrobe, and eventually telling the tale as old as time with Belle. Photos of this gorgeous part of the new area seemed perfect to depict Disney Storytelling. Needless to say, this is a must do when you go to the Magic Kingdom with or without children.

Be sure to stop by Focused on the Magic by clicking on the button above to join in the Disney magic this week.

Categories:
Disney travel vacation

Tuesday Tales – When’s the Doctor?

Posted on July 9, 2013 12:00 am by TheAngelForever

I have a confession. I used to laugh at TechyDad when he would watch Doctor Who. While he would head off to watch that, I would concentrate on knitting/crocheting and catching up on something like Downton Abbey. Then something happened one day. I realized I was intrigued with Doctor Who. While the music annoyed me from a distance, the geek fest made me curious when other friends were into the show. Plus, it was a way to share something with TechyDad and still be able to avoid Hobbits and the like.

While TechyDad was able to convince me to watch the show, the boys were not interested. They would protest and resist. For Father’s Day I wanted to get something Doctor Who for the boys to give to TechyDad. While searching online, I found the When’s the Doctor book (illustrations by Jorge Santillan).

Yes, the book is basically a Where’s Waldo-esque seach-and-find book with Doctor Who references. While it was a juvenile book for TechyDad, I had an ulterior motive. In the back of my mind, I was wondering if this book could connect with our boys and get them interested enough to become Whovian. At first, the boys were oblivious and did not really care. Then, as we made less of the book they were more attracted to it. When the book went with us for the ride to the lake over the holiday weekend, NHL kept asking TechyDad about items within it.

NHL and JSL were curious why we always say “Don’t Blink” when we see statues. They liked to pretend to talk like a Dalek, but they had never seen them in an episode. Well, my experiment may have paid off. While JSL (6) has said for a while that he was interested in watching Doctor Who, NHL (almost 10) was holding out. That was until the other morning when he told me he wants us all to sit down and watch the first episode of Doctor Who together.

Yes, we will go back to visiting the Ninth Doctor with Christopher Eccleston from 2005. The kids will get to meet Rose, Casandra, The Face of Boe, Daleks, and many more Doctor Who staples. Of course, if we are lucky they will work their way slowly to meet the Tenth and Eleventh Doctors. Not only will they see David Tennant and Matt Smith as The Doctor, they will get to experience other companions like Martha, Donna, Amy, Rory, and Clara.

Have you ever used books get your children interested in something that you enjoy? As always, Tuesday Tales is all about sharing our love of books. Please let me know what you have read recently. Be sure to link up to your book posts in the comments below. Include something you read on your own, with a child, or someone else.

Categories:
books television Tuesday Tales

Granny Square Rainbow Afghan

Posted on July 8, 2013 12:00 am by TheAngelForever

Have you ever wanted to learn to do a craft and just never been able to accomplish it? For the longest time, that was learning how to crochet for me. I have been knitting since I was in elementary school, but the lure of the hooking kept me going back and trying every so often. I bought books and even had several people try to show me how. Then, YouTube videos really made everything click. Since early March, I have hardly held my needles, instead a hook has been in my hand most of the time.

After making one cloth with some cotton yarn, I jumped into trying to make crocheted granny squares. I used colors from a project I was recycling and then slowly added more colors. When I wrote my last post about the project at the end of May, I had used seven yarn colors and was debating what to do. Since that time, I used two additional colors. By July 1, I had finished making 81 granny squares in nine colors. Each square has ten rounds and are rather large, especially after a border round of black was added.

When the squares were finished, I brought them to Nana and Papa’s house to spread them out on their floor. I was not entirely sure how large the afghan would be. I had measured it on our queen sized bed, but it was a guesstimate.

As you can see, I placed the squares in a rainbow like pattern to begin. This was the easiest way to go. After that, I changed it up a little. With TechyDad’s help, we moved them around and came up with a second option. Both of these can be seen below.

In the end, TechyDad and I both liked the more funky pattern. As I mentioned before, this is my crochet project of any size really…and it is huge! Putting this together scared me a little since I have never done anything like it. Thanks to the crochet tutorials on YouTube from The Crochet Crowd, I was able to watch Mikey explain how to single crochet connect them. Before I knew it, I had four rows finished. I took it over to our couch to share a sneak peak of the afghan.

More work continues and I hope to finish soon. Then, I really want to finish the afghan that I was knitting. I’m not sure what I am going to do after that, but no doubt I will figure something out.

If you have any favorite crocheted projects, I would love to know. I am always looking for new items on Pinterest, Ravelry, and other locations.

It's Me

Categories:
arts and crafts crocheting me moments

Yay or Nay to the Beach

Posted on July 5, 2013 12:00 am by TheAngelForever

Growing up, my family would often go to Ocean City Maryland for a week during the summer. While I loved the time with our extended family, I was not a fan of the beach. Do not get me wrong, I love sitting by the water and listening to the waves and sounds. I am just not a fan of being in the sand and blazing sun. I burn easily and do not tan no matter what, so give me a book and some shade and I’m good go. If I want to cool off in water, I prefer a pool and chlorine as well.

On Independence Day, we had a magical day at Saratoga Lake with family. It was a gorgeous day. The sun came out, there was no rain (finally), and even the humidity was not too bad once you were on a boat. The wind in our hair and the views of the lake were amazing.

When we got off the boat, we promised the boys we would go to the beach. Please insert Twilight Zone music here. I told TechyDad that I would head down with him, but I had no plans to put my bathing suit on and would prefer just to be a spectator. He knows why and was fine. So I found a chair, plunked myself down, and watched the boys. They were laughing, splashing, and having a wonderful time swimming in the lake. I sat there in the sun enjoying the view of the boats, water, and my boys smiling. I did wander over to the water a few times to get some photos and to cool my feet off.

Here is the view from my perching location. Please excuse the toe nails that are not pretty (need to do that one day) and the do not look directly into my pale legs.

So my question to you this week is inspired by our sandy visit:

Are you a fan of the beach or more of a pool person? I would love to know which one and why you feel this way.

It's Me

___________________________________________________________________________ Thanks to Kailani at An Island Life for starting this Friday fun. These days, Pamela at A Renaissance Woman is reviving the fun Friday Meme. Head over there to link up and join in the fun.