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How safe is the internet for our children?

How Safe is the Internet

As a parent you would certainly not allow your child to hop on a train or bus unaccompanied and travel into unknown territory where they could encounter unsavoury characters and be exposed to potentially harmful situations. Then it may also be safe to assume that you would not allow your child to roam cyber space unsupervised? We cannot deny that computers and the internet have become part of our everyday lives but in the same breath we as parents need to be responsible for our children’s exposure to this technological world.

As a family we are quite computer or tech orientated but as with the monitoring of TV, it is our responsibility to ensure that our children are protected and aware of the potential dangers of exposing themselves to the digital world out there. I think that firstly you need to monitor the amount of time children spend on the computer and the internet, give them set parameters to adhere to and set consequences if these are not met. It is also important to encourage children to spend time outdoors, not just focused on a screen for hours on end! Most importantly, as with television, make sure that you have parental control software installed, on your home or child’s computer. Installing software like K9 Web Protection is essential and the best way to ensure your children are safe from potential online predators or exposure to unsuitable web content.

I feel that it is important to implement these measures early on, as soon as your children are computer literate. You will be amazed at how tech savvy children are, even from preschool age and just how easy it is to innocently stumble upon unsavoury content. In my mind the best policy is not to take any chances, install the necessary software and educate your children about the internet, as soon as they are old enough to understand. Making them aware of the fact that it is not safe to give out their personal details over the web.

According to stats from K9 Web Protection, one in four children have unwanted exposure to inappropriate pictures each year and nine of ten children aged 8-16 have viewed pornography on the Internet, often in the process of doing homework.

I also feel that exposure to Social networking sites, like Twitter and Facebook should be held off for as long as possible, young children are not mature enough to understand the potential threats that they may be exposed to by using these sites.

So most importantly, we as parents, need to beware of what our children are doing when it comes to internet and computer usage and keep the line of communication open at all times, so that they will feel free to ask questions at any time.

Source:©FAR Photography

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My Top 4 Bits of Parenting Advice

I have never really been someone who readily dishes out unsolicited parenting advice – I think I have been burnt once too often by the reaction you get from some people, so now I mostly just smile and nod knowingly! So rather than call this advice, we will file this list under the title of “I wish I knew Then, What I Know Now!”

My Top 4 Bits of Parenting Advice

First up – cut yourself some slack; you most definitely are not expected to be the perfect parent, especially the first time around! Just remember all children will eventually “eat”, “sit”, “walk”, “Sleep” – so don’t sweat the small stuff and do not compare your children with their peers or yourself with others parents (it’s dangerous). We all get there in our own time.

Let your children discover the “world” for themselves, try not to be a helicopter parent, calculating your child’s every move, constantly doing everything for them – it’s exhausting and they do need to find out stuff for themselves. Sometimes they need to “burn” themselves to find out that something is indeed “hot”! Which certainly does not mean you should not protect your child but be careful to not “over-protect” them.

Remember to look after yourself and remember to put yourself first sometimes. Nurture those relationships that are important too, especially your marriage. You are of no use as a parent if you are constantly stressed out, take time out for yourself, find a hobby, read a book, get a pedicure (yes even Dad’s!) – you get the picture!

Last but certainly not least remember to enjoy your children, laugh with them, talk to them, especially as they get older. Very often we are so busy with our own lives; we forget that our children are “people” too. Make time to share family meals, get to know your children, find out what makes them tick, what they like or what they don’t! You may not always agree or get along but that’s life. Just remember that someday they won’t want you around or want to talk to you and then it may be too late!

Walk A Little Slower Daddy

“Walk a Little slower, Daddy.” said a little child so small.

I’m following in your footsteps and I don’t want to fall.

Sometimes your steps are very fast, sometimes they’re hard to see;

So walk a little slower Daddy, for you are leading me.

Someday when I’m all grown up, You’re what I want to be.

Then I will have a little child who’ll want to follow me.

And I would want to lead just right, and know that I was true;

So, walk a little slower, Daddy, for I must follow you!!

~author unknown

Images: ©FAR Photography

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Motherhood – Words of Wisdom!

Words of wisdom for all mothers out there! As my darling hubby always says – “if it was easy everyone would be doing it!” So give yourself a break – you are doing the best darn job you can!

Have a happy Friday!

Image source: Pinterest

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All the Things Children Need!

AS my children are growing up I am realising more and more that it is so important to teach them how to be “little people”, all the material things in the world are not sufficient replacement for what we as parents – “big people” can teach them! It is a constant process and each day we are faced with new and different challenges, I think the most important thing is getting the basics right. Go back to old traditional values, teach them good manners, respect, loyalty, the list goes on – if we can get these things right, we can equip them for so much throughout their lives.

So at the end of the day it’s not about what we can give them but about who we can help them become!

Image Source: Pinterest

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In Our Home – Words to Live By!

I love this poster and I am sure I have posted it previously but I needed to revisit these words, for a bit of Monday morning inspiration! They are such challenging ideas – I would love my “Home” be like this all the time! I would love to believe that it could be like this all of the time but I do know that perfect is impossible and impractical, so maybe I can just try to achieve some of these ideals some of the time!

Source: Pinterest