Without a Trace

I watch "Without A Trace." I can't help it. It scares me, but I love the drama...and the lessons I learn. Tonight I am watching an episode about a boy who was tricked into thinking that he had found his birth father by an online predator. It is television, and there was a happy ending, but it is not far from the truth...

Think your child is too young? Think it can't happen in your home or your school?

Think again.

This is what was sent home in my kindergartner's newsletter today: "Parents can help protect their kids by becoming aware of the risks related to online communication and being involved in their kids' Internet activities. Using Internet communication tools such as chat rooms, email, and instant messaging can put children at potential risk of encountering online predators. It has come to our attention that some students are getting involved in risky behavior involving the Internet and email."

This is a K-5 school. Your kids are not immune. Don't get lured into a false sense of security.

I recently found a great site http://www.saferinternetforkids.com/ and I can't recommend it enough. Your kids may not be old enough to surf the web...but that day will come sooner than you think. This site will equip you with the tools you need to protect your children from online predators, while keeping the Internet safe and educational...the way it was meant to be.

Keep your kids safe. Be smart. Stay informed.

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Raising Confident Kids

Here is a new article, just added to The Toddler Tamer. We all want to raise happy confident kids, but sometimes we do things that work against this, often times without even realizing it. This article explores seven simple things you can do to build confidence in your children...

7 Ways To Build Your Child's Confidence

Here's one of the best bits of parenting advice you'll ever find: "a confident child is more likely to be a success in life, more likely to be liked in life, and more likely to be happy in life".

Isn't that what you want?

Here are 7 parenting tips to build up confidence in your child:

1 - Always praise your child for the things she does right. Even if they are little things, make them important and let her know that she did well.

2 - Let your child do things. Even if she is not quite ready to do certain tasks, help her make a start and don't worry if it doesn't turn out right...

To read more, go here:
7 Ways To Build Your Child's Confidence

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