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Little things can make a day…kids helping clear the table, baby smiles, a shiny new header for your site 
Do you see? Look up. See!
Ok, it’s a little thing. But little things mean a lot. Especially when you are thinking about real estate and above the fold (no I’m not talking mortgages nor newspaper delivery).
A little header change and my day is made. I am low maintenance on the happy scale n’est pas.
Thanks to NW Designs.
THE WHAT: Ford Explorer
THE HOOK: Family friendly vehicle with space and neat tech features
THE FINDS:
THE REVIEW: Excellent vehicle experience. Comfort, safety, style meets tech world.
Comfortable to drive (easy for car seat installation too). Drink holders in front and back for the whole family. Seat warmer optional for front seat (great for chilly months!). Lots of space for a modern family. The one con is that visibility backing up is somewhat limited however the integrated camera is a smart Ford fix giving you a perfect view of what’s behind you (also has warning signals and visual indicators for backing up and parallel parking). Easy maneuverability. A very fine family car!
Yes, it does. A BlackBerry just makes life easier for Moms.
When I shared My Blackberry Back Story I confessed to texting around (i.e. trying out other devices) but home was always Blackberry.
I just like two thumb typing on a keyboard and touchscreen for apps. The newest Bold is the best of both worlds where I can “type” my tweets via the keyboard and “swipe” my pictures in the photo gallery.
And I’m one of those Moms who just needs simplicity in a device. I need auto on-off (because I forget to manually power off every night). I need an easy lock button (so I don’t pocket dial anyone). I need a camera with a flash (because I want to capture my kids’ moments without hauling a camera with me). I need something slim (because my diaper bag is exploding as is). I need e-mail (3 email accounts actually). I need social media apps (to support certain addictions). And I love being able to PIN my prince whenever I need to get a message off quick and easy.
On a scale of 1-5 (5 being the best) I give BlackBerry a 5+. Reliable, efficient and easy. The sacred trilogy to busy moms.
Moms are busy…BlackBerry makes busy easier.
Back story: my old, hand-me down, BlackBerry died in June. Le mort. It had a long and good life (years and years of life actually). And, I’ll be honest, this summer I cheated on RIM with some meaningless, other smart device, flings.
I tried an android (which wouldn’t work with my e-mail thus my summer of late replies). He was sleek but took forever to start up (and who wants to wake up with someone lazy?) #FAIL
I tried an i-phone (which didn’t have an auto off at night – battery was constantly low). He was good but his screen kept turning my “the” into “tge” which drove me insane. #FAIL
And in all my cheating…I kept comparing…and every new device kept coming up short. BlackBerry can you forgive me? I was wrong.
I know all those other devices had big apps (but sometimes a girl doesn’t need big she needs fast, powerful and constant. over. and. over.)
I went astray and in my cheating I realized what I need most. I need auto on/off. I need a keypad. I need vibration*.
*so not to wake the baby! obviously.
I’m ashamed to say I texted around this summer. But I’m back in bed with BlackBerry.
And if you want me to prove it – PIN me - I’ll vibrate – I mean my BlackBerry 7 will vibrate – obviously I meant the BB7
Just back from the She’s Connected Conference and shortly off to Blissdom Canada I have a few suggestions of what to take to a blogging conference. 5 to be exact.
Blogging and social media conferences are great events to network, learn, question and get inspired. These 5 things are my go-to tool box. And every girl deserves some good tools in her life 
Energizer Canada and Evergreen are partnering in a big initiative to help encourage little changes to improve our communities and environments. As a mom and writer and do-gooder, I wanted to participate in doing something little to help something bigger.
THE WHY: Both Energizer Canada and Evergreen are working together on their “Do Something Little, Help Something Big” initiative in which Energizer is proud to contribute $100,000 to Evergreen to make cities more livable. (for more information click HERE)
THE PARENT CLUB PARTICIPATION: here are 5 positive acts that we’re doing to make a big difference…
I encourage all of you, dear readers, to do a positive act everyday and should you choose share them over at Now That’s Positive Energy website http://bit.ly/qrnCEI (or comment below).
A little act can make a big change!
Disclosure – I am participating in the Energizer Canada & Evergreen “Do Something Little, Help Something Big” program by Mom Central Canada on behalfof Energizer Canada & Evergreen. I received compensation as a thank you formy participation. The opinions on this blog are my own.
How old is old enough for a kid to have a computer as a homework tool? Tough question when you think that modern days kids are growing up with computers, smart boards and tablets in an everyday use environment.
In my personal experience, gr. 5 computer assignments started rolling in (in addition – students were required to check class blog for homework and download google docs for assignements – I suppose this gave them computer experience, make homework a bit more fun being on-line as well has environmentally friendly as less paper was being used).
Now, I’m not saying every 10 year old NEEDS a computer.
However, should you be searching for a student tool or a family computer upgrade…here are a few shameless recommendations.
#1 Keep your kids on-line safe. On-line security is the Parent Club #1 tip for computers and kids. The internet has some shady corners! Parental controls, anti-virus software and making computer use manditory in a general area (like the kitchen where Mom can keep an eye on the computer surfing) are important.
#2 Best Buy is a great destination for research as well as purchasing. Why? Because the sales representatives are not paid on commission so they’re advice is not driven by extra $ or sales quotas. In my experience, the reps there can you give solid advice based on your present and future needs (see shameless recommendation).
#3 What kind of computers do your kids need? Check out the Parent Club investigation of Tablets for Tots and Tablets for Tots – Part Deux where we did a side-by-side hands-on comparison of the BlackBerry Playbook, Apple Ipad, Samsung Galaxy and Mortola Xoom in terms of family use. Maybe a portable device works best for your family? Maybe a laptop? Only research will tell.
And finally, keep to the 20-20-20 rule for to ease eye strain during computer use. For every 20 minutes of sitting in front of a computer - take a 20 second break - looking at an object that is 20 feet away.
In the Parent Club Tablets for Tots post we presented a break down of the benefits of Apple ipad, Blackberry PlayBook and Samsung Galaxy Tablet specifically for family (and tot) use.
The folks at Motorola didn’t want to be left out (and why should they?) and offered a hands-on experience of the…
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| Motorola Xoom |
The Motorola Xoom is the perfect size for gaming and watching movies. Definition is great. Kids can easily maneuver the screen to change between applications (better than I really).
It looks lighter than it is. The off button is at the back so little hands won’t mistakenly power off. Definitely a grown up tool that is kid-friendly. Favourite apps on this android were piano and drawing.
Note: being an android device you need a google gmail id to set-up.
The tablet market is full of great devices for mobility, entertainment and education. Now…just to find an organization app to schedule it all in…
I was recently invited for a Tablets for Tots luncheon (hosted by Best Buy, the Geek Squad and reps from RIM) to munch and meander the opportunities for kids and tablet devices.
Confession: I have a tablet – a Samsung Galaxy Tablet and no I do NOT let my kids touch it (thems got sticky fingers)
Take-away: the Geek Squad is solution based so if it takes them 10 minutes or 10 hours they will work dedicated to your problem until its solved. (recommend bookmarking the online support feature)
During that Tablets for Tots discussion, my opinion of kids and tabs did open up. We talked about how mobile tabs are family friendly (one device = your library, camera, movie player, social network, e-mail and game system). We talked about how tech savvy kids are and that learning how to manipulate a tab can be part of their education. We also talked about the cool apps (not Angry Birds…despite the fact that my kids think it’s pretty cool) out in the free and paid markets which can keep kids entertained (and bonus if they have educational quality).
We also discussed “screen time” and most of the invitees agreed that screen time should not be limitless. (chez nous it’s 30 minutes) Nor do screens replace books.
On our lunch table was every tablet imaginable and I thought it might be prudent to share a quick run-down for you dear readers.
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| ipad |
The ipad was the biggest tablet on the table (PlayBook and Samsung are half the size). The biggest fail on the ipad is that it can’t play flash (which means when there is a video on a website – it just shows a blank area). Amazing amount of apps. Good video quality. My research tells me ipad does not have a built in camera – can anyone confirm this?
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| PlayBook |
The picture quality of the PlayBook* is fantastic! From pictures to games to video the imagery is the top amongst this tablet listing. It’s a smart device with easy one finger swiping. With this, dad can check e-mail using the blackberry bridge, mom can surf the internet and kids can watch videos and play movies (think of it one vacation, one device and only one cable to pack!). Yes, it has a built in camera. And it plays flash.
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| Samsung Galaxy Tablet |
I received the galaxy tab for my birthday and at first I thought it was just a toy. But after extensive testing (ok daily use really) I have found it’s a really COOL tool. It is my hand-held go-to for twitter, facebook, web searching and camera (do you notice a trend of the importance of camera to me? multi-purpose devices are my thang). Android operating system. Plays flash. Extensive app market (my new fav is talk-to-tape where I can audio record interviews – great for a writer-type like me).
Disclosure: I received a PlayBook at this luncheon for hands-on experience. Moment it came into the house the family was all “Can I have it?” “Can I have it?” “Me!”
FOR THE KIDS
FOR HER
FOR HIM
FOR HIM OR HER (just not the kids)
iPod Touch/iPhone Cases from Belkin
I remember a boy, in elementary school – a grade above me, who was bullied. Really badly bullied. Like jacket ripped bullied. Like moved to tears bullied. Like isolated from the whole school bullied. He must have gone through hell.
Parent Club recently had the opportunity to interview Shawna Ginsberg, a counselor, at Kids Help Phone to discuss bullying & kids. No one ever wants to see their kids being bullied…but if it happens perhaps this information can help.
Parent Club: What is a parent to do when they see their child bullied at school?
Shawna Ginsberg:
Things to remember…
I don’t know what happened to that boy in elementary school. As a grown up, looking back, I feel so badly for him. He must have felt so powerless. So alone. No child should have to feel that way about going to school.
KidsHelpPhone.ca is a FREE Canadian service for counselling for kids & teens with options to speak live with a counsellor, ask a question on line or read their articles. Open 24/7 and bilingual it is a great resource for kids (and Parents – you can “get-in-the-know” on their site too).
This post is NOT sponsored – we really feel that Kids Help Phone is an important service to share with the Parent Club.
