Plenty of Sleep = Good Behavior

OK, we all know that. But this time I’m not talking about the kids.

It’s the moms that need the sleep.

As we find more and more things to fill our days, we start to burn the candle on both ends, so to speak. Go to bed late, wake up early.

If I get enough rest, I find that my kids are happier - and, yes, I behave better!

Sherri Caldwell at The Rebel Housewife (also co-author of Rebel Housewife Rules: To Heck With Domestic Bliss) is holding a contest where you can win a copy of Anita Shreve’s latest novel entitled Body Surfing: A Novel. Click over to Sherri’s site for entry rules, enter as often as you like - the deadline is May 23, 2007.

In addition to reading Sherri’s book and Sherri’s blog, Body Surfing: A Novelcould make for some good summer reading!

Cell Phones for Kids: Should your child have a cell phone?

The latest item on my fifth grader’s “need to have” list is a cell phone.

Many of his friends already have one. In the past I always felt that cell phones for kids was a luxury, but as he becomes more independent I can see that it is a necessity.

The main benefit of having cell phones for kids is knowing that you can reach your child and he can reach you at any time. As my son enters middle school he will be spending more time away from home (activities, spending time with friends, etc.) And, let’s face it, because of cell phones - pay phones are nowhere to be found.

Some secondary benefits of cell phones for kids are access to 911 should they need it and the GPS capability of some cell phones so that parents can keep tabs on where there children are.

Of course, with the pros come the cons. As with anything, there need to be ground rules. In addition to making and receiving calls, cell phones come with a large menu of other services from text messaging and cameras to music downloads and internet access. Naturally, these services are not free and if you don’t watch out - your cell phone bill could rival your mortgage payment.

Phone insurance should also be considered. Cell phones for kids are easily broken or lost.

An alternative to purchasing a full featured cell phone for kids is using a cell phone created especially for kids. These phones offer some parental controls ranging from limiting the phone numbers that calls can be made to and received from. But these phones can be difficult to program and are often not viewed as “cool” by middle schoolers, although they may be ideal for younger children. New cell phone companies, like Kajeet which was recently reviewed by washingtonpost.com, are cropping up to meet the needs of tweens and are offering more grown up type phones.

Clearly, this is an area that I must research further. I know that my cell carrier offers family cell phone plans that I can take advantage of. A cell phone could make an excellent fifth grade graduation gift.

Thankfully, I am only facing fifth grade graduation and the minor issue of cell phones for kids. For those of you facing high school graduation, Char at Weary Parent offers a review of a book humorously called Naked Roommate: And 107 Other Issues You Might Run Into in College, 2E.

My kids love to use the computer. They constantly ask to visit “cool” websites that their friends have recommended. Online gaming is fun and they want to get in on the action.

However, I do not have the time to preview all of the sites they want to visit. What is a parent to do?

The answer arrived via email. Tiger Electronics, a division of Hasbro, Inc., has developed a safe, online gaming system for tweens called Net Jet. Given my past concerns over online safety for kids, the company wanted to know how I felt about their new system. So they let me try it for free.

The Net Jet is basically a game controller that plugs right into the USB port of your Windows computer and a key (sold separately) that contains a feature game and 3 “choice” games.

When you plug the Net Jet controller into your computer you are immediately connected to a closed system or a gated environment, so to speak. For a parent this means that as long as the controller is connected, your child is playing on the computer in a secure environment. He/she cannot leave the site and no one can bother him/her while on the site. There are no pop ups and no ads.

The games themselves are engaging and fun. I tried out Mission: Paintball and Kool Kart Racers. Other interesting titles include Super Soaker Water Fight and Sponge Bob Square Pants - Sponge Bob’s Pizza Toss. Each feature game key also allows you to choose 3 choice games from a list of about 30 choice games. So each game key really contains 4 games to keep your child occupied.

Set up is easy as long as your computer meets the minimum technical requirements. A broadband internet connection is also recommended. Net Jet does not work on Mac.

Net Jet is the right answer to my online gaming concerns! I give the children a limited amount of computer time. Net Jet gives the kids the satisfaction of using the computer and gives me peace of mind knowing that they are in a safe online environment.

Net Jet is currently available through Hasbro Toy Shop. The controller is $24.99 - it comes with a demo key that allows 15 minutes of play on each available feature game. Each game key is $14.99 and contains unlimited game play for the specified feature game and 3 choice games.
The Net Jet system will be available from main stream retailers by mid-August.

The tradition in our house on mother’s day is this: the children bring me breakfast in bed and as I eat they give me handmade cards and wonderful presents that they have created in school. I have always delighted in the excitement on their faces but never fully appreciated their desire to please me on this special day.

Until today, I did not realize how quickly the magic fades.

All week, my three younger children brought home their hand wrapped creations and hid them away. Every day my first grader repeated how much he couldn’t wait until Sunday, with an enthusiasm usually reserved for a birthday or Christmas.

This morning my third grader set his alarm on his own and quietly woke up his dad to make coffee for me to go with breakfast.

My three year old has been running around with her gift all week.

But silent through all of this was my fifth grader. I remember, in years past, the eagerness and anticipation that he used to show. When he was in first grade, he had me open his gift the day he brought it home. I still have that beautiful, hand painted flower pot with the memories attached.

Today, that same little boy, slept a little late, through the breakfast preparation. And in a manner more reserved, gave me card he had made at home (no more school made gifts this year).

Now, I am not being selfish, I do appreciate this increased level of maturity, but I do miss that darling little boy of years past. And I will cherish the lavish attention of the younger children until they, too, prefer to celebrate in different ways.