Setting Social Media Limits for Older Kids

Teaching your kids to navigate in today’s digital world is getting tougher and tougher. Kids, at least my kids, are becoming more and more tech savvy. While it was easy when my kids were little to completely monitor their online usage – how often they were online and where they went, as my girls grow into teenagers, I must admit it’s getting harder and harder. We have rules in our house about using social media. I know the passwords to every account they have. The computers are in a main area of the house and we talk about online safety all the time. It’s still hard to know where they go. My eldest doesn't need her computer to go online, she now has her phone. And it isn't really a matter of policing their accounts all the time – social platforms like SnapChat immediately delete their messages. In fact, I could delete my daughter’s email account and it wouldn't phase her at all. There are so many ways to connect with her friends.

The main things I try to stress is that what goes online, stays online. Forever. And Ever. And even longer than that. But even this is tricky because while my daughter always needs her friends’ permission to post a picture of them online, sometimes pictures of her with her friends are posted without her consent. That becomes a problem sometimes.

I definitely don’t believe in banning social media use. If I do, she’ll likely go online elsewhere and besides, I think that if she becomes knowledgeable of all the consequences, both positive and negative, it will help her as she grows to learn to use the Internet responsibly.

I try to keep the lines of communications open. I ask lots of questions and try to answer all of hers. I try to keep an open mind and be very calm and non-judgmental because I always want her to be able to come to me with questions or concern. I try but it is hard sometimes.

What are your house rules about using social media? Is it changing as your kids get older?

211: Helping You Find the Answers You Need!

Did you know that in Ottawa, there is a number parents can call to find out about the different community resources that are out there? Until it was pointed out to me, I had no idea. In order to access it, you just call 211. With information on more than 56,000 agencies and services, 211 Ontario can help you find the answers you need, quickly and easily. Their phone service is open 24 hours a day, every day of the year, and is available in more than 150 languages. When you dial the 211 hotline, you are connected with a Certified Information and Referral Specialist who has been trained to assess your needs, answer your questions accurately, and advise you about the services and programs that are best for you and your loved ones.

Here's some info about 211 - an amazing community resource too few people know about.

• 211 is the 911 for people's every day quiet emergencies.
• 211 has been in place for 5 years in Ottawa.
• 200,000 calls answered since then.
• Expanded to Eastern Ontario in 2011.
• Now available across all of Ontario, 24/7/365 in 150 languages!
• For families and moms, it's the place to call to get connected to breastfeeding support, daycare options, chess clubs, day camps, March Break camps, special needs activities, and so much more.
• For women in the sandwich generation, it's the place to call to get help for a parent who may have Alzheimer, a senior who may need non-emergency medical transportation, home care help, etc.
• You name it, they will connect you to it.

Have you ever called 211? We'd love to hear your experiences!

Canadian Museum of Nature 2013-2014 Season Preview

By Helene The Canadian Museum of Nature is largely defined by its impressive collection of prehistoric fossils, so with the 100th anniversary of the museum’s fossil gallery this year, it is a great time to visit. The museum celebrated the milestone at the recent launch of the 2013-2014 season. It has interspersed photos and short stories about the fossils on display, telling the story of how far they’ve come. The gallery easily impresses all ages; however, with primarily framed black & white images, this programming will mostly appeal to adults.

More intriguing for kids will be the live fossil preparation Saturdays from 1- 4pm only in November. The winner of last spring’s Dino Idol “Canadian Club” will be among the fossils to be prepared for study (right in the fossil gallery!). They have been sealed in large plaster field jackets since they were collected in Alberta about 100 years ago.

Other highlights this season include Farmers, Warriors, Builders: The Hidden Life of Ants, from the Smithsonian’s National Museum of Natural History, looks at how ants live, work and play through photography.

Also, the return of a favourite - Frogs: A Chorus of Colours, 25 Sept 2013 through 11 May 2014, was a highlight of my family’s visits to the museum in 2010. Finding frogs from around the world camouflaged in their “natural habitat” is fun for all family members. Hint: bring a stroller or folding stool as many of the displays are out of a toddler’s sightline. A number of hands-on activities such as frog mini-golf complete the experience.

Looking ahead:

For adults and children alike:

Creatures of Light: Nature’s Bioluminescence, from 3 May – 9 November 2014, focuses on organisms (from the typical fireflies to fish and mushrooms) that light up or glow in the dark and promises to be awe-inspiring. On view for the first time in Canada, it is organized by the American Museum of Natural History Museum in collaboration with the Canadian Museum of Nature and The Field Museum in Chicago.

For the culturally-minded:

Arctic Fest, 2nd Edition (April 2-6, 2014) and Arctic Voices (Nov 2014) First introduced last April, this festival aims to connecting Canadians young and old to Canada's northern heritage through fascinating stories. A collaboration with Science North.

For the science-buff:

X-rays of Arctic Fishes (Jan – June 2014) A small exhibit looking at the architecture of Arctic fishes.

For the explorer:

Passenger Pigeon – Extinct for a Century (June – December 2014) This once common bird in eastern North America became extinct with the world's last Passenger Pigeon dying in 1914.

For the visual:

Canadian Wildlife Photography of the Year, 6th Edition (May –September 2014) Award-winning photos from Canadian Geographic’s 2013 national photo contest.

For the movie buff:

3D movies Penguins 3D and The Ultimate Wave Tahiti 3D round out any visit.

A surcharge applies for entry to the special exhibitions, Frogs and Creatures of Light, as well as 3D movies.

What's Your Take on Halloween Candy

Every year, my kids go out trick-or-treating and get bucket-loads of candy. I think that half the time, it's not even about dressing up and having fun. It's about how much loot they can score. And that means Halloween is a bit of a dilemma.

After going out and getting all this candy, how much should I really let them eat (and not feel like a horrible mom)? On one hand, it's their candy and they should be allowed some treats; but on the other hand, do I really want them eating a treat every single day until June? I'm pretty sure I don't.

When my girls were little, the Halloween Fairy (or "Switch Witch") used to visit about a week after Halloween and trade the leftover candy for a small gift. That worked pretty well but now that they're older - not so much.

How do you navigate the Halloween conundrum with your kids? Do you take away their candy after some time has passed? Dole it out piece by piece? Or do you eat it all yourself? (like I have to try very hard not to do!)

This mama needs some new ideas.

Send Us Your Halloween Pictures!

Halloween is coming and there's nothing cuter than kids dressed up as monsters, ghouls, princesses, pirates and minions. We'd love to see pictures of your little monsters as they get ready to trick or treat. Send your photos to kidsinthecapital@gmail.com and we'll post them here!

Stay tunes for some cuteness.....