Say No To Bullying

Ever wonder why some kiddies today are too afraid to go to school? There could be a lot of reason why your child won’t step out of his room to go to school and one major reason is probably of bullying. It is not uncommon nowadays when you hear about this issue and your kid may actually be a victim of this act or worse, being the bully in his school. Say no to Bullying!

Not long ago, I never thought that a preschooler could hurt another kid and the idea itself sounded crazy, but when a close friend of mine who’s actually a pre-school teacher in an international school told me about an incident where two of her students quarreled like wild animals, I still didn’t believe it until I saw them with my own eyes. There was this kid crying out loud and he was one of the new kids in school. He was being chased by his classmate who was a girl at about five years old. She kept punching him on his back and the boy was running away from her. When they were sent to the director’s office, her reason was because he had a crush on her and she got really frustrated and told him that if she keeps punching him, his crush for her would go away. As she was explaining her side, she can’t help but laugh and thought that it was a silly joke. The next day the little boy got bruises all over his body and didn’t want to go to school. I thought to myself that they were just preschoolers and yet the violence was already present and though they may not know what they were doing, it was still inexcusable. Kids going to school nowadays is something questionable when it comes to safety measures.

Another incident was when one of my friends told me about her son’s situation in school. She noticed that her kid was seemingly thin yet it he eats a lot at home and she would even give him extra money to buy himself food in school. Her kid was physically fine except that he was slimmer compared to kiddies his age. One day her son went up to her and told her if she could just pack him lunch instead of giving him money because the bullies in his school would force him to give out his pocket money during recess time and would threaten to punch him if he didn’t comply. Right after this incident my friend transferred her son into a different school and although he’s going to be one of the new kids in school, at least she was somewhat relieved knowing that her son didn’t have to deal with those bullies again. But I asked her, do you think that there are no bullies in his new school? Do you think that you can ultimately stop this from happening when you transfer your son into a different school? Kids going to school is something all parents should face and these kinds of bullying cannot be stopped simply by transferring your kids from one school to another once a bully presented itself. There must be another way to stop them.

Bullying is the act of willingly causing physical, emotional, verbal or mental harm to others. It could be through name-calling another person, physical assault such as hitting, kicking, biting, social exclusion where they intentionally reject another kid to shame them or anything that would hurt another individual. A bully can turn something like lunch time or going to the bus stop a living hell for other kids and this can leave a deep emotional scar that sometimes traumatize other youngsters. This is something we can avoid and prevent from happening and the moment we learn that our kids are being bullied, we should act on it and stop it from ever happening, not just to our kids but to other helpless children as well. Bullies usually attack new kids in school as they want to exert territory or they want to show who’s tough. It is important for us parents to take bullying seriously and not just let our kiddies handle it by themselves and tell them that it is part of growing up. Kids going to school should not be a tormenting act for them, but instead, it should be a safe and fun place where they can learn new things and meet new friends.

In other parts of the world, bullying has contributed to many serious matters such as suicide, school shooting and kidnapping. Others take it to other forms such as posting indecent comments through social media or spreading out gossip on the Internet.

The subject of bullying is a long and elaborate discussion and I do not want to bore you as you may have heard about this issue a million times. The bottom line here is that we should know how to detect once our kids are victims of such act. This happens a lot to new kids in school and the only thing that can prevent it from happening is that we have an open communication with our kiddies. Technology is our may weapon in order to keep track of our kids’ welfare. Giving them a cellphone is a good way to know where they are, letting them create their own social media accounts is also a great way to help them express how they feel and maybe gain more friends. By handing them smart phones or tablets, they can easily install useful apps where they can easily contact their families, their friends or perhaps share their emotions through their own personal blogs. Our kids have their own battles and we, as parents cannot always be there for them whenever they need us and all we can do is guide them and hope that they turn out to be responsible individuals. Let’s not be afraid about kids going to school as it is nothing but normal and with proper guidance and the use of available tools that can strengthen your bond with your kid, you can be sure that you’re raising a responsible child who will someday become a role model to others. For more information about bullying or how you can raise a child in the digital world using the most innovated technology to keep them safe, CLICK HERE now!

When Is It Appropriate To Give My Kid A Cellular Phone?

In today’s digital age, having a mobile phone is indeed a necessity. Not only that it helps people contact you faster, it also helps to reach you anytime, anywhere especially in cases of emergency. I remember in the early ‘90s, only the rich and famous have new cellular phones and having one gives you such pride and joy. But today, everyone has cell phones and we can’t even count how many models are out there to entice us from buying one. Every year, mobile phone makers release high-tech models that have unique features that we can only imagine, but the real question is, since adults are almost required to have one, do we also need get our kiddies their own cellular phones?

 

This is perhaps the argument that most parents have in their minds whether they should give their kids a new cellular phone or not. Some say they won’t know how to use them, while others feel like they might abuse the use of it and it would reflect on them in the future. But let’s slowly take it one step at a time and see the pros and cons of getting your kiddies a mobile phone:

 

Pro – Letting your kid have one is like putting a walkie-talkie around them and knowing exactly that you can contact them anytime, anywhere.

Con – Kids like to feel the freedom when they start to learn new things and as much as possible, they want to step away from their parents and discover new things on their own.

Pro – When your kids have their own cell phones, they can easily call you in cases of emergencies.

Con – When kids try to use these gadgets to explore adult stuff that we don’t want them to see.

Pro – Texting is a great way to bond with your kids where you can send silly jokes to one another and at the same time, stay in constant communication with them.

Con – Wrong use of cellular phone plans such as bullying another kid or harassment could lead them off track and be misguided is they use their mobiles incorrectly.

 

Technology is indeed confusing sometimes but it doesn’t have to be as long as you everyone is well informed about its pros and cons. Both parents and kiddies can benefit from it if equipped with proper handling and information. Giving your kids a new cellular phone is not a bad idea, in fact, it helps family ties stronger. It also teaches our kids about responsibility. For us parents, we should always remember that we are our children’s first teacher and everything they need to know in their early mental development should come from us. Handing them cellular phone plans should come with rules and limitations they need to follow. It shows that we trust them and we expect that they obey our policies in using these communication devices.

 

Letting your kiddies have a cell phone is a tough decision. First you have to know if they are mature enough to handle one or if they are too young to even know how to use them. Now, your question might be: what is the right age to give your kid his or her own cell phone? There’s no right age on when you can entrust your kiddies with this gadget because every child is different and their mental development always vary. But weighing to give your kiddies their own mobiles would depend on how much they would insist or how much they are separated from you may it be for school or other occasions. Letting them own one would mean constant communication with you and tracking them using the GPS system would let you worry less knowing that you are aware on their whereabouts. Entrusting them with these gadgets would also show them that you are letting go of their leashes and letting them be responsible with their call usage and text restrictions.

 

If you’re worried or thinking twice about giving you kiddies a new cellular phone because they might overuse their mobile plans or they might go running around the city, there are ways you can do to keep them from a total misuse. Telecom companies have different plans that you can choose from and some of which are customizable depending on your needs. You can apply for the most suitable cellular phone plans for your kiddies and explain to them their limitations and restrictions. Also, when picking the right mobile phone for them, make sure you get those models that can be installed with useful applications such as LIFE360 where you can track your kid’s location anywhere anytime via GPS, Google Latitude where the whole family is traced on a map and you can instantly see where everyone is, MobileKids where you can monitor your kids’ phone usage whether they are texting or calling someone at night, MamaBear is also a great app that detects your kid’s social media feeds if there’s any bullying or crude language that is not appropriate and a lot more. There are so many applications available today to keep your kids safe in the online community.

 

So giving your kiddies their new cellular phone is really up to you whether you think they are responsible enough or they might really need it for emergency purposes. Just keep in mind the pros and cons of having one and you need to make sure that you explain it all to your kids until they fully grasp the information. For more tips about parenting in the digital world, CLICK HERE.

Kids and Fashion

Do you think that the way your kiddies dress up has something to do with any mental development or they just grabbed the first clothing they see in their closet, put them on as fast as they can and go outside to play? This may be the case for toddlers and kiddies below 11 but for those who are beyond this age, the urge slowly disappears and they become interested in other things such as noticing the opposite sex, developing a hobby, getting more into sports and for some, showcasing their fashion statements.

 

At the early stage of childhood, kids grasp information easily from what they hear, what they touch, what they see and what they notice around them. As they mature, they develop an eye for detail and weeding their likes and interests into a narrow scope. Don’t fret because this is only but natural to create favoritism among their activities. Their minds develop, their bodies mature and so as their emotional side. Some kids tend to focus more on sporty activities like basketball, tennis and badminton while others like to express themselves through clothing. Majority of this happens to young girls as they are more aware of the physical changes in their bodies. As changes occur, the emotional part of their brain creates a certain brand of identity that tells their personal interests. For girls who like dressing up and beautifying themselves, they tend to watch more girly shows like kids fashion show where they  look up to the models, copy their style and eventually create their own identities.

 

Although this happens to pre-teens and teenagers, there are cases where younger kiddies become more inclined to these kinds of things at an earlier age. Watching kids-fashion-show brings out their creativity in forming their own identities. They carefully select what color compliments their skin tone, the kind of shoes they wear, the brand of clothes they fit into and they become more concerned about their physical structure. And because kiddies nowadays can easily access everything through the use of Internet, this is where good parenting should come in.

 

It is normal for our growing kids to express themselves in their own ways. It is important that we let them discover themselves and be comfortable with what they are and their choices in life. We should never forget to guide them and help them flourish naturally. As they mature, their bodies undergo sudden changes that may affect their social skills. In many cases, dissatisfaction on physical appearance amongst kids can often lead to teasing, bullying in school and emotional stress. It is vital that we stand alongside them and always encourage them for a positive outlook and to make sure that we address their needs. Although watching programs such as kids fashion show doesn’t seem like it has a lot of value, it actually motivates them and inspires them to look better. This is where they get inspiration to look better, to look good, not just for themselves but for others to see.

 

As parents, what we can do is redirect our kiddies to appropriate content about kids-fashion-show and guide them in creating their personal identities from emotional development to their social skills and even to identifying self-expression. We can search videos on Youtube showing what interest them or perhaps check out Pinterest to see the latest trends on the fashion world and a lot of other things that can be found on the Net. There are also websites today where you can let your kiddies shop online and let them choose their favorite designs. All of these necessary applications are easily downloaded through your handy tablets or your smart phones. You can also check them out using your personal computers or your laptops.

Self-expression is part of growing up and letting your children create their own identity is important in their early childhood development. By understanding and knowing their wants and needs, it is easier to avoid conflicts and address current issues. For more interesting ideas and tips about us parents in the digital world, CLICK HERE.

TV and Movies: Are they harmful for our kiddies?

The recent movie Frozen was such a success that almost all kids know the song “Let It Go” and “Do You Want to Build A Snowman.” Don’t think that because the lead characters were girls, only girls can relate to the movies because the truth is, ALL kids loved it, even my nephews sing those songs while in the shower. But have you ever wondered what benefits ours kiddies get when they watch such movies or TV shows? There are many common and negative beliefs about children’s prolonged TV exposure such as it makes them lazy, seeing violence and it hampers intelligence. Despite these misconceptions and negative feedback surrounding TV and movies, our kiddies actually benefit from them in a lot of different forms depending on what they see and how often they watch it.

Children love cartoons. The color vibrancy attracts their visual senses and the audio makes them excited. But what really makes them enjoy cartoons are the funny and likable characters. One good example is Dora the Explorer. She has a sweet voice, a friendly personality, a charming look and a likable character that even parents adore. This is why children enjoy watching such TV shows because they tend to look up to these characters and wanting to be like them. Another fun cartoon character is Diego. You’d find him in the TV show called Go, Diego, Go! He’s Dora’s cousin and his series originated from a spin-off of Dora the Explorer. He’s a young Latino-American who dwells on rescuing animals and saving the environment. Kiddies who love animals surely enjoy this show as they get to see tons of different breeds from the animal kingdom, teaching how to nurture them and why it is important to care for these beautiful creatures. Another personal favorite that I have is the Backyardigans. It is pre-school TV series about five animal children who see their backyard as an adventure place where magic happens. They all have different personalities that your kiddies will surely love. Their imaginations are fun, exciting and always creative and you will always see them fascinated in different adventures. As our kids watch these animated shows, what they don’t know is that we use these things “learning for children” method.

Like the TV shows mentioned above, there are certain movies or television programs that can teach our kiddies social skills such as sharing, manners and etiquettes. They can learn how to interact with others positively and politely, greet others or even argue to express themselves. These films can also teach kids about morals, values and life lessons. Although it is vital to teach our children these important things, it has become an effective learning tools 4 kids to know the basics.

 

Educational movies or TV shows enhance kiddies’ learning experience and for some who have difficulty to be motivated in school may have an easier grasp when watching such animated programs. Because there’s a wide variety of TV shows today that air regularly, children develop interest and learn what will inspire them to do more. They can discover many interesting subjects like art, animals, sports, science, history and hobbies which they will eventually nurture away from TV. Learning for children is never easy but as long as you keep them interested on what they are seeing or doing, then there’s a bigger chance for them to find it irresistible.

Older kids on the other hand may watch international channels, historical TV programs, documentary shows and movies based on real events to teach them about cultures and other parts of the world. These types of visuals can lead them interested to knowing more about the government, fashion, art, religion, music, society and education. And for those parents who are having a hard time answering deeper questions and issues can use education videos to explain the topic. This may be a bold move or a sensitive approach but it opens opportunities for an honest opinion and discussion and is considered great learning tools 4 kids who always ask questions as they mature.

Let us not forget that our focus is to let our kiddies have a fun way of learning and TV shows and movies are great ways to provide them with entertainment, relieve stress, offer relaxation and it’s also a great quality time for the family to enjoy as they get to bond while watching and talking about the shows afterward. Watching movies and TV shows are made easier today as you can easily download them through your computers, cellphones, tablets and other multimedia devices. Now you can watch their favorite TV shows, anywhere and anytime with just a few clicks from your gadgets. For more informative tools and tips about good parenting, CLICK HERE.