Guardians of Their Smiles
The NY Times article Guardians of Their Smiles looks into the debate of the pros and cons of posting photos of your children online. It begins with the story of a mom whose daughter’s picture was taken from Flickr and used on a Brazilian chat site.
It serves as a stark reminder to make sure that you are using privacy settings on social sites and blogs (just like you tell your kids too!) I go back and forth on using my kids names on sites like Facebook. I generally don’t on my personal blog. I don’t want some employer years from now looking them up and seeing their baby pics.
A grayer area is what about when someone else is posting a photograph of you or your child. What is the etiquette for this new social taboo?
Read the article. It is definitely worth thinking about.
Is your family ignoring each other?
A new report suggests that families are spending less time interacting and technology may be to blame.
The study by the Annenberg Center for the Digital Future at the University of Southern California polled 2,030 people ages 12 and up, found that
“28 percent of Americans it interviewed last year said they have been spending less time with members of their households. That’s nearly triple the 11 percent who said that in 2006.”
The study didn’t blame Internet social networking sites but the change has coincided with the rise of sites like Twitter and Facebook.
Of course, I know families who feel better connected because of technology and many parents who find texting with their children a great way to stay in touch with their day-to-day life.
What do you think? Has technology made your family spend less time together or more?
Feeling adventurous?
OK so maybe you can’t afford to travel around the world, but you can eat around the world from home with Destination Dinners.
This innovative company will send you a package with the authentic spices and sauces needed to cook up to four servings of international dishes such as
In addition each kit includes a shopping list for fresh ingredients, cooking instructions and cultural information about the place the recipe is from.
Current destinations include:
New Orleans, USA Creole Style Jambalaya
Boston Beach, Jamaica — Jerk Chicken & Shrimp Barbecue
Beirut, Lebanon — Kibbeh bil-Saneeyeh, Baked Spiced Lamb
Haifa, Israel — Falafel with Hellfire Harissa Sauce and Chickpea Croquets with Hot Sauce
Kyoto, Japan — Saikyo Miso, Black Cod in Miso Marinade
Tokyo, Japan — Katsudon, Pork Cutlet and Egg Rice Bowl
Dhaka, Bangladesh — Chicken Garam Masala, Chicken with Warming Spices
Bangkok, Thailand — Khao Ob Sapparod, Baked Pineapple Rice with Chicken and Cashews
Ayutthaya, Thailand — Kaeng Khiaw-Waan Kai and Kanom Tuay Foo, Green Chicken Curry with Puffy Cups
Seoul, South Korea — Bulgogi, Marinated Fire Meat
Destination Dinners recipe kits are $25 and are currently only sold online.
Cozi adds new features
In September I highlighted Cozi–an online planner for families on the go. They have recently added a few new features.
With the new year just around the bend, now might be a good time to start using it to keep everyone’s schedules in sync and more.
Google Flu Trends
I think we are just beginning to touch the power of Google. I heard a report on the radio a few months ago about the massive amounts of data that Google processes daily and what could be learned from it. Now it is starting to make small steps into reality.
Enter Google Flu Trends. Google did an experiment tracking the rise in flu-related search terms and compared to it to CDC tracking reports. The results were strikingly accurate. Not only that–they were 2 weeks ahead of CDC reporting. The idea is that the number of people searching for flu-related articles and information correlates with people who actually have flu or flu-like illness.
Flu Trends is part of Google.org’s Predict and Prevent initiative to support efforts to :
“identify hotspots where new infectious diseases may emerge, detect new pathogens and outbreaks earlier, and respond quickly to prevent local threats from becoming global crises. “
Now you can use Google’s power to keep an eye on flu trends in your state so you can keep you and your family healthier.
Kidzui
As promised–let me introduced you to another kid-focused Internet browser. Kidzui is geared for older children than the KidDesktop program I wrote about a few days ago. Best part–it’s free.
As parents, we are always looking for ways to help our kids stay safe on the Internet. Fortunately, we don’t have be alone. Kidzui is a parent-reviewed program that allows kids to safely browse more than 800,000 sites, pictures and videos.
An added benefit for parents is a weekly update of what your kids are viewing. The program does offer an enhanced version for a small fee that includes enhanced reporting and additional features.
System requirements include:
Wii can all Play
Odds are you’ve heard about the Nintendo Wii by now. If you’re lucky you’ve tried one too. It’s virtual reality meets you’re average at home gaming system. My favorite game so far is Wii Sports where you can swing your wireless remote at your television screen (using a safety strap around your wrist of course) to play your favorite sports like baseball, boxing, and bowling the digital way. So how has Wii improved gaming even more?
Besides the recent release of Wii Fit (an exceptional idea on the part of Nintendo to cross the gaming gap once again and make play not only family friendly but health conscious as well) Wii has taken a step to work for the greater good in a more specific way. The University of South Carolina is using the Wii as part of a research project considering how Wii games could help stroke victims regain motor skills.
Sure, I’ve heard snickers about “playing down” to consumers, but hard core gamers have other systems they can go to if the idea of their grandmother learning to play on a console is so repulsive. Me, I like it. I like not having to know twelve secret combinations and angles to pass one level, I just want to play. The fact that Nintendo is working towards available play for everyone despite age, experience, or ability is surely a far more commendable goal than graphics and complexity.
Make a memory on Memorial Day
While the holiday remembers those who have made the ultimate sacrifice, you can also use it to remember and record the stories of those in your family who have given years of their lives to help keep us free.
Spend some time this holiday interviewing loved ones about their time in service. Record it on your computer using a microphone or a webcam for posterity.
Ancestry.com has a very cool feature where you can record your interview by telephone–no computer necessary. You can also preserve audio and video recordings on your personal family tree on the site.
And, now through May 31st, you can access Ancestry.com’s military records FREE!
If you need some help coming up with questions, check out these suggestions from StoryCorps, which also offers online recording of interviews.
I truly salute all those who have served our country on this Memorial Day. My husband, his father, and his grandfather are all veterans. My own two grandfathers and even a grandmother have served in the military as well. A few years ago, we interviewed my great-uncle who served in World War II about his time helping in the search for Amelia Earhart. I can’t wait to show it to my son when he is old enough to know who she is.
Who knows what stories await in your family!
