Baking With Kids!

Mom Speaks

 

 

Wake Up and Smell the Sexting, Parents! by Kristen Thompson-Riley

I will get some criticism for writing about this, but it’s important for all parents to hear. And when I say "All", I mean ALL, even those with babies and younger children. You need to know what is in store for you, because it’s only going to get worse.

Sorry in advance, kids. To parents, you’re welcome. Listen up!

My boys would probably say I’m a bit crazy when it comes to their phones and iPods. Maybe not even "a bit", but just downright crazy. I have reason. I have multiple reasons. I have 4 reasons ranging in the ages of 10 to 19. While I try not to invade privacy, these are my children and I have the right to invade. Anytime. Anywhere. Anyhow. When they turn 18, I stop invading. Yes, my 19 year old is now breathing a massive sigh of relief, but it doesn’t mean he can act-a-fool without getting feedback.

Cell phones are a blessing and a curse. I grew up without one. My kids have a hard time believing that I made it until I was 20 before I had a cell phone. And then it was their dad’s bag phone. My first official cell phone was the monster that had a 20lb battery attached and looked like a VCR with an antenna stuck to the side of your face. I carried that sucker proudly around in my purse (leaving no room in my purse for anything else, mind you). And when I’d get a call, I’d excitedly heave it out of my bag, screw on the antenna, press on the green button 15 times to answer it and stand against a window for reception. Once the call started, I knew I only had a select few minutes to chat because cellular phone charges were highway robbery. I think my first plan was in-state only and it charged me per minute during the day, but it was free nights and weekends. By the evening or weekend, I was so tired from carrying it around, I’d just tell people to call me on my house phone anyway.

I’m almost 40 and have been active in the last 20 years of cell phone evolution. The plans are more reasonable, and the phones are small and lightweight, so one would say that it’s improved since 1993.

This "one" would say No, it hasn’t….

I’d like to rewind cell phone technology back about 10 years with, still, the better plans, but the simple flip phone. No texting, no apps, just calls. Remember that time where you actually used a phone to call people? There’s a concept, kids! I could go on a tangent about how much more personal and important it is to actually speak to a person, but this is not my rant today. My rant is focused elsewhere. I’m here to enlighten my fellow moms and dads on apps – these little things our kids say "Hey, Mom can I buy such-n-such for 99 cents?" And the parent busy with something else acknowledges and may or may not make a mental note of "Junior just downloaded the game, SnapChat". Guess what, mom. SnapChat is NOT a game. And, guess what else? Most of the "dangerous" apps are FREE!

I had a MySpace page before my kids even knew what it was. When my eldest turned 12, he asked to have one. His dad and I reluctantly agreed under several stipulations: We set it up with kid controls. We knew the password at all times. And we would be checking it. Weekly. Daily. Whenever we damn well pleased. Then Facebook came along and Myspace disintegrated into cyber air. Like the rest of the world, he migrated over to Facebook, as did I. Same rules applied. Then Twitter came along. Kids left FB in their dust. This mom opened a Twitter account. Instagram followed. Mom followed. Notice the trend? But then things got tricky. Some of the open forum format changed to apps that you’d have to be invited to, to apps that were just between two people, to apps that take a quick photo and within seconds it disappears in cyber space to never be traced. That app? Snapchat. While I could somewhat regulate social networks (and sometimes not successfully. Mom-stalking isn’t fool proof), these other apps had this mom stumped. While investigating on what I could see, I was dumbfounded by some of things kids were posting for the world to see. Where are these kids’ parents? Do they know? Do they care? Am I breaking a Mom to Mom unsaid law by not informing them? I WANT to know. You better tell me, fellow parents! I will knock a Mann kid out. Look, I’ve seen things my kids have posted that have made me go "Woah! Oh no he didn’t!!". They have had posts removed, comments removed, pictures removed, accounts deactivated, phones taken, iPods taken, phone service disconnected. Yes, we went there. They know what is acceptable and what is not. Simply put:

If you post something that you’d be embarrassed for your Mom to see, don’t post it." THAT’s my rule. Like or not, you break it, we’re going to rumble.

This leads me to alerting parents who are unaware of the unsaid convenience of, not only texting, but sharing pics, videos, etc.. I’m not aiming usage of these at just teens, but sadly preteens and children under the age of 10 as well. Many times they stumble upon something innocently, whether it’s their peer cursing, borderline inappropriate content, and even outright TRASH. My 10 year old has a texting app on his iPod. He is not allowed to have a phone, but we agreed to let him have an app to text me, his dad, his brothers, and his stepparents. If he wants to call a friend, he can use my phone. He also has an Instagram account where photos and now videos are shared. I can see who he follows and what they post. I’ve unfollowed a dozen or more of his older brothers friends unbeknownst to him, because of their inappropriate posting and language. I am THISCLOSE to deleting everyone but family and his 10 year old friends. My 13, 15, and 19 year olds have/had KIK, vine, snapchat, ooVoo and the usual suspects – Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram. At least if you’re going to let your children have these apps, be informed:


Facebook and Twitter are social networks. If you don’t know what they are, you need to be hit on the head with a hammer. Both social networks have Inboxes. Check them regularly, parents. Don’t assume your kid is making great decisions if you don’t see anything on their "Wall". Word to the wise, have them access Twitter from your iPhone and now ALL notifications come to you automatically, even inbox messages. Know their passwords. Always.


Instagram: Pros – fun place to share videos and photos. No inbox feature, so everything is "out there".

Cons – if you don’t keep up with who your kid is following, you’re being naïve. My 10 year old has 13, 15, 19 year old brothers who all have friends with Instagram accounts. The chances of him seeing or reading something above his 10 year old sweet, innocent brain are great. Know their passwords and check Followers and what they post. Regularly. Unfollow, delete, block, unfollow, delete, block. Repeat.


Vine: Don’t let the description "The best way to share life in motion. Create short, beautiful looping videos in a simple and fun way" mislead you. These looping videos can actually be a lot of fun to share. My oldest son has made some hilarious ones, but vine does not regulate Rated G vs Rated X. If your kid has a vine account or follows someone who posts vine videos, WATCH THEM. Vine doesn’t know or care if it’s a 21 year old adult or an 8 year old kid on the receiving end. And remember, even if they don’t have the Vine app, if the person posts them to Twitter and your kid follows them from their Twitter account, they can watch them there.


KIK: Instant Messenger. Basically if you don’t know a person well enough to know their phone number to text or call them, you can KIK them. My mindset, if you don’t know them "that well", you don’t need to chat with them about anything. Ever.

User Reviews on Google for KIK:

"This app is awesome and cool my kik is ________. Kik me no guys jst girls from Detroit. I’m 15. Hit me up." - I purposely did not post this person’s KIK name, but I can tell you if I see my 15 year old’s KIK name on FREAKING GOOGLE for someone to "hit him up", he’s going to get "hit up" alright. Hit right upside the head with his iPhone before I crush it into 10000 pieces. And who’s to say this is a 15 year old kid and not some 42 year old creep living in his mother’s basement preying on young girls? Yes, I may have watched one too many episodes of 20/20, but that shit is real, folks!

"Definitely a great app if you don’t like giving people your number. It’s just like texting someone. 27 year old woman looking for friends. KIK is _____________."

What if that 27 year old woman "looking for friends" is KIKing your 11 year old son?

I will say KIK isn’t horrible if you manage it and know who they’re talking to.


ooVoo: "ooVoo video chat gives you two things no one else can" (now THERE’s a wide open statement) "Free multistream video calls with up to 12 people at a time along with unsurpassed stability and quality." This is the equivalent to FaceTime for iPhone users, and Skype. Be the mom or dad peeping over from behind the dresser to make sure there’s a recognized person on the other end. And they are age appropriate. And clothed. Better yet, pop a squat beside your kid and say "What up, home dog?" While it may deduct a few parental cool points, it’ll start to deter the caller to have these ooVoo conversations for fear she’ll have to speak to your super embarrassing mother.



And last, but certainly not least, SnapChat. Don't let that cute little ghost fool you. The official description says "The fastest way to share a moment on iPhone". Pictures/videos are created, an alert is sent to the receiver, they watch it and within 10 seconds it’s gone. No record, no trace. Parents, THINK ABOUT IT.

Snapchat is bad news folks. My advice is to delete the app if you see it. Period. If they have an iPhone and want to make a video, they can with the iPhone camera or now they can do it on Instagram, which has supposedly regulated their site not to post inappropriate videos. We shall see….

A new app is released quicker than you can blink. And I find that if weren’t for my parental stalking, I’d be completely clueless to all the new ways kids are connecting and sharing information. There are tons I did not cover, but these are the teen faves. The fiancé and I have 4 teens with smartphones, and 2 ten year olds with iPod touches. 6 multiplied by these apps equals A LOT to keep up with. (Ok, 5 since my oldest has graduated to a non-stalking mom. My eyes are still open in the public forum). In this day and age, we, as parents, have to look out for our kids and for each other. I seriously long for the day that my biggest parental concern was cars coming down the street while they rode bikes. I could see in clear view the danger. Technology blinds us to danger, a danger of kids growing up a little fast, knowing more than they should at a young age, and exchanging inappropriate information for it to only *POOF* disappear within a 10 second window and we are none the wiser. Don't be the parent who thinks "My kid would never do that."

Get wise.

I’m the unpopular mom who takes her kids phone and iPod at bedtime (even during the summer) and plugs them in my room. As recently as last night, I got the big SIGH when I asked my 13 year old for his phone. When he’s 18, he can vine, snapchat, tweet, and kik until hell freezes over. He just better hope it doesn’t cross a public forum that I see it. Just because they are bigger, doesn’t mean I still won’t knock a Mann kid out.

I now stand to be on the Most Hated list by kids because of this blog, but as I’ve seen many post on Twitter after saying something painful, but true:

#sorrynotsorry

Note: I have now started a series on Parenting and Social Media due to the increased interest in Kids and Social Media. Please keep checking back for weekly updates. Here is Part I:
http://bloodsweatcheers13.blogspot.com/2013/09/required-license-to-tweet-part-i.html

 

How was your morning?

My laundry room as of 7:15 am

 

Please note all of the things I have done wrong between 7-7:30 this morning--per my teenage daughter:

1) I did not wake her up (Why would I? She has an alarm clock AND her light was already on)

2) I did not find her a pair of socks

3) I did not grab her boots

3) I did not put her backpack in the car for her (I did make her lunch and put that in the backpack.  Thankfully, she will be at school when she opens it, and  not able to complain directly to me that I ruined her peanut butter sandwich.)

4) I did NOT throw all of the clean clothes from the dryer on the floor.  (She was kind enough to do that.)

5) However, it was my fault she did so, because I do not wash her clothes fast enough (3 loads a day is obviously not sufficient).  Nor did I take the clothes out of the dryer, fold them, haul her basket up to her room, and put them away for her.  Thus, she could not find the shirt she was looking for.

6) Apparently, at the bus stop I did not let her out at the exact spot she wanted me to, even though her "designated spot"  is where the bus parks.  Should I mention the bright flashing lights quickly taking over our car?

7) Last, but only because she's off to school, and definitely not least, I'm quite certain she believes it's my fault that I gave birth to her.  Because, without a doubt, I am responsible for giving her all the undesirable qualities she will possess today.  

Yes,  I still love her!
 

Crying Kids? Encourage it.

 

 

 

Well, maybe not always.   Crying for attention, show or just plain whining, isn't quite what I'm referring to.

 

 

However, crying emotional tears (genuine frustration, anger, sadness) is very healthy and important--even for boys!  Your moody teen?   The perfect example of someone who should be allowed to cry--and often.  (Just think back to your pregnancy and those wacky fluctuating emotions.)

Research shows emotional tears release harmful chemicals and stressors from our bodies. They also contain natural endorphins, painkillers and antidepressant chemicals.   For more detailed information visit: Go Ahead and Cry

How 'My Plan to Teach My Kids Responsibility' is Working:

Sadly these are NOT before pictures.

They are AFTER.

If by chance, you would like to try this method….or more likely just want to know what I’m referring to, click here. 

Or here, for the simplified version.

Why Can't I Just Shut Up?

 

 

You'll see a lot of articles in this site about parenting, written and researched, by me.  I even try REALLY hard to practice what I preach.  I even believe I'm exceptionally patient (on most days, of course) with my family. 

However, despite following some of the basic rules you'll soon see in this website: such as "You Don't to Yell to Get Your Kids to Listen;" "How to Improve Your Listening Skills;" and even an article on how to get kids moving the first time you tell them to; I admit I often fail.  And not just a little, but BIG time. 

My daughter described my reaction as an analogy to a popular kid's game with a hungry pig who loves hamburgers.  Kids take turn stuffing hamburgers down the pig's throat.  Five hamburgers.  Ten. Fifteen.  I'm not really sure what the maximum is, but that's the whole point of the game.  Eventually the pig's belly explodes and all the hamburgers come flying out.  It usually takes a lot of stuffing, before the major pop.  That's ME.

So, last night, I popped, EXPLODED, then popped and EXPLODED again.  In fact, I think I did this for a good hour.  

I have really great kids, really great!  (Don't we all?)  But lately, they don't hear me speak, even when I follow all the rules of the parenting articles I create,  like looking right into their eyes when I talk, having them repeat my instructions, etc.  

I must sound like the parents on Charlie Brown. Surely this is what they hear: WAH, WAH, WAH, WAH, WAH, WAH.   
(And why didn't any of those parents ever have a real voice???)

But, I digress.  Well, one wonderful daughter in particularly, a high achiever, perfectionist, etc.  really doesn't like chores. Yeah, I know, who does?  She will do anything to get out of them: procrastinating, forgetting, suddenly feeling sick, begging for  more time, misunderstanding our request, you name it.  However, she is so consistent in this matter, my husband and I own a crystal ball.  

The hamburgers went flying!  Unfortunately, instead of remaining calm and simply getting down to business with a brief explanation and a reasonable consequence.   I gave her every chore I  could think of, including cleaning her sister's room (gross), and any attitude gave her another full chore.  That consequence, hey, I'm okay with.  But unfortunately, I followed her around repeating myself, in a VERY loud voice, how angry I was.   Easily for an hour (gulp).  That's the sad part.  

That type of behavior on my half is not constructive, nor is it a positive teaching method.   So, I must try harder the next time to squeeze my lips tight before a single hamburger gets shoved into my mouth; make my request; and if it's not fulfilled grab a seat on the couch and relax, while the offender cleans up the mess.

FYI:  One of her consequences: folding all of her sister's clothes and fitting them back into the drawers.   Honestly, looking at her sister's room, that probably was punishment enough.   

 

Truth Be Told

 

I once told my lovely 10-year-old that she looked just like me when I was her age.   Oh, how pleased I thought she'd be.  After all, I was seeing a part of me blooming right in front of my eyes, bringing forth memories of my own childhood.  

 

She didn't quite agree, however.   In fact, despite my love for her, and motherly need to protect my offspring, I almost (extremely briefly) considered opening up her car door (yes, we were driving) and giving her a--well, a SHOVE to the gravel (in my defense we were moving very slowly, and the dirt was relatively soft).

 

 

Why my reaction?   Not only did her face turn sour, she also made a statement, and I quote:

 

 

"But, I don't want to look like you! 

You're old!" 

 

SO..............

 

Never ask a child if they like your outfit, your hair, your makeup.  Don't ask if you look old.  Don't ask if you embarrass them.  Don't ask if they enjoyed the song you sang to them.  Don't ask them for a kiss. Don't ask anything if you don't want their version of the truth. And if you don't believe me, try it.

 

 



My Floor

A little help around here! PLEASE

I'm tired of picking up after my  kids.  What mom isn't?    Every day, it's six pairs of dirty socks on the floor (we don't even have that many feet in the house), old school work strewn about, dirty clothes,  hairbrushes, "artwork," blah, blah, blah.  We all know the drill.   Like most moms (well, I hope I'm like most moms) I've tried everything: no TV, canceled invites, double chores, screaming, swearing (yes, I've resorted to the "shock therapy," although it really isn't shocking at all for a teenager).  Of course, nothing works.  
 

I do not want to try the strike method.  You know, where the mom stops doing EVERYTHING, and four months later the rest of the family finally notices?Effective or not, it's gross.  Who really gets punished when dishes are piled to the ceiling and the laundry room smells of mildew?   Believe me, kids don't care that much.  

I do have one more idea.  It's bold, brash, daring, actually more than anything it's probably pointless.  We'll see.  I'm going to do what I always do: CLEAN UP AFTER MY KIDS.  Why?  Because I want a clean house. I don't want to be invited on a hoarding show; I don't want to climb over rat-attracting piles to get from my bedroom to the kitchen. I don't want to see, hear, breathe, walk on or touch filth!
 
Don't worry, I'm not giving in.  There is a catch. Instead of putting my kids' clothes in the washing machine, I will throw them on their bedroom floors.  Old papers?   Bedroom floor.   Jacket?  Floor.
Books, hair ties, trinkets, toys, gadgets, etc., all on the bedroom floor.  Then I will close the doors tightly.   Everyone will think my house is neat and tidy.  

I have no idea if my kids will even notice. Like the blogger who went on strike, only time will tell if this method proves effective.  I can guarantee I will get blamed when they can't find any clean clothes--or their bedroom floor!  I do promise this: I won't help them find what they're looking for.  Let them finally have to sort through their junk.

 

Breast Cancer VACCINE!

Approximately one in eight (1 in 8) women will battle breast cancer.  This number is higher if you have a family history of breast cancer.   BRCA is a gene mutation that greatly increases a woman's chance of getting breast cancer (as well as other cancers including cervical and ovarian).   If you carry the gene, you can pass it on to your children--as can fathers.  (Note: this is the same mutation that caused Angelina Jolie to undergo a preventative mastectomy.)
 
Sadly, I'm somewhat familiar with this gene, as it runs in my husband's family. His mother had breast cancer, as well as his grandmother and thirty-year-old cousin (passed through her father).  His aunt had cervical cancer.   All are survivors except for his grandmother.  My nieces and two daughters are at risk.   Eventually we will have them tested for the gene.

However, a wonderful new opportunity may be available for women in the future, including BRCA carriers.   Dr. Vincent Tuohy (PhD), and his colleagues at the Cleveland Clinic are working on a vaccine that has shown promise against breast cancer in mice.  In addition to successfully reducing existing tumors in the mice, the vaccine appears to prevent the mice from getting breast cancer in the first place--including BRCA mice!

The vaccine probably won't be available to the public for another ten years.   Still, it's an incredible step toward these awful disease.  Even more exciting, this study could lead to protection against other forms of cancer.   

See the links below for information on the vaccine, as well as links to BRCA information and gene testing.

Breast Cancer Vaccine Cleveland Clinic
Prevention article on vaccine
BRCA information and gene testing

There is also a vaccine (NeuVax) that has successfully prevented the recurrence of breast cancer in survivors during trial phases.

NeuVax vaccine for breast cancer survivors

'Renew' receives no compensation from these links.