As my kids get older they are always bombarding me with new movie titles. “Can I watch this movie?” or “Can I watch that movie?” If I say no then I get the argument that so and so friend was allowed to watch it.

I really can’t go by the standard ratings anymore. We are definitely beyond G, PG is usually ok (unless it is an older movie i.e: pre PG-13), and PG-13’s are kind of iffy. It is hard for me to make an informed decision if I haven’t already seen the movie.

The next best thing is a site called Kids-In-Mind: Movie Ratings That Actually Work. This site has an archive of alphabetical movie listings. Each movie is rated on a scale of 1 to 10 in three categories including disrobing, violence, and profanity. Following the scores is a description of the scenes in the movie that contain this content.

The site makes no judgements as to whether the movie is ok for a child to watch - it is up to the parents to decide. But, at least now we are empowered with the information to make our decision.

Am I the last to know that iTunes has radio? No, you can’t play it on your iPod but it plays on your computer. Open iTunes and in the left hand pane you will see a heading called “Library”, the last item under this heading is radio.

When you click on radio you get to choose from a multitude of genres like pop, classic rock, Reggae, you name it. From within each genre you select from a variety of stations.

I’ve been using iTunes so much more since I discovered radio - while I work on the computer, when I exercise, or just hanging out with the kids. There does not appear to be a genre for children but my kids will become 80’s pop converts soon enough!

Do you Upromise? Here is a parenting tip that will help you save money for college.

www.upromise.com is a site that promotes college savings. Basically, you save money for college while shopping for things that you need.

Online Shopping
Creating a free account is a snap! Then you shop through their links at major retailers like Lands End, LLBean, Bed Bath & Beyond and hundreds of other places where you probably already shop.

Plus

Local Shopping
By securely registering your credit card you will also save on participating grocery products, restaurant dining and certain purchases at local businesses that you frequent.

Equals

Savings!
A percentage of your purchase will then be deposited into your account. You then link this account to a qualifying section 529 account and Upromise will transfer your savings into your 529 account several times a year.

Visit upromise for a better explanation of what they do. Every little bit helps parents save money for college and this is an easy way to put a little extra money aside for your kids education.

Nowadays, a call to 411 (directory assistance) will cost you $1.99. Almost TWO DOLLARS to find a phone number! Here’s a little parenting tip that will save your a few bucks.Unless you have resorted to toting your yellow pages around with you, there appears to be no other alternative if you need to look up a phone number when you are on the road. (And parents chauffeurs are always on the road, aren’t they?)Now there is a choice. There is a service called 1-800-FREE411 (1-800-373-3411) that provides you with free directory assistance. Of course, if you call from a cell phone your carrier will still charge you for airtime. But there is no fee for using the service.

What’s the catch? - you ask. Well, it works a lot like regular directory assistance but before they reveal the number that you have requested, they will play a short, approx. 15 sec ad that you must listen to. To me, that’s worth the $1.99 savings - especially if I have more than one number to look up.

You can visit them at www.free411.com to see what they are all about.

Internet safety is a subject that concerns all parents. I have discussed internet safety several times. So many parents will be interested to know that there is a new search engine on the block called Quintura for kids. Quintura uses a tag cloud to make searching easier and more fun for children.

I learned about this site in an entry at a blog called Weary Parent: Parenting Tweens and Teens. Char has done a nice write up on Quintura and you can learn more about it there.