ML Interest Tag: build-relationships

11 of the Best Apps for Parents That Just Make Life Simpler

by Abigale Schreier

Families are so spread out these days that many of us have to get by with a little help from our friends—and our apps (it is the 21st century, after all). But with so. many. options out there it’s hard to know which are the best apps for moms and dads to help make our lives a little easier.

For new parents bringing home their first baby, it’s wildly overwhelming to know how to track feeding schedules, diaper changes, sleep schedules, and milestones (that notebook you were using at the hospital isn’t going to cut it—something I learned at our first pediatrician’s appointment when I couldn’t read my own exhausted handwriting). As your baby gets older, you’ll need to know where all the good playgrounds are, how to create the cutest photo books, and somehow find play inspo for your kid’s ever-changing age and stage. And let’s not forget that moms need to find mom friends to add to their village; there’s an app for that, too.

They say necessity is the mother of invention, and this list proves it. Here are 10 family apps that parents are using right now to make their lives easier.

Sharing photos and making baby books: Tinybeans

Tinybeans photo sharing app is one of the best apps for moms
Tinybeans

Some families have cities, countries, or even oceans between them and it’s a struggle to stay connected. If you’re looking for a secure way to share photos and videos of your littles with family and friends, look no further than, well, us! Not only does Tinybeans let you capture and share memories without any of the safety concerns of social media, but it’s also a handy milestone tracker and source of parental ideas and inspiration. You can grab your best posts and easily create beautiful photo books directly through the app. And don’t worry, Tinybeans prompts you to post if you aren’t a natural sharer, so we’ll keep those eager relatives off your back.

Cost: Free or paid (Tinybeans+: $74.99 per year or $7.99 per month) on Apple App Store and Google Play

Baby milestone tracking: The Wonder Weeks

Screenshots of the Wonder Weeks, one of the best apps for moms
The Wonder Weeks

Wondering why your happy babe is unusually grumpy or has suddenly become a stage-5 clinger? Enter The Wonder Weeks app, based on the popular book by the same name. What your baby is probably experiencing is called a “leap”—a period of rapid developmental gains that can throw your little one for a loop (there are 8 of these in baby’s first year). The Wonder Weeks app gives you peace of mind and information on how to best support your kid during these developmental leaps. All you have to do is tell the app your child’s birthday, and you’ll receive alerts prior to each leap and advice on how to handle them.

Cost: $5.99 on Apple App Store and $6.49 on Google Play

Feeding: Solid Starts

Screenshots of Solid Starts, one of the best apps for moms
Solid Starts

Starting solids is a game changer—a new activity to add to your routine, those adorable scrunched-up faces when baby tries new foods, and getting to drop a few of those breast or bottle feeds (bless!). But there are also so many questions when it comes to nutrition, safety, and which foods your baby should have based on their age. Solid Starts makes this entire process much easier for parents who are interested in baby-led weaning, putting everything you need to know about starting solids right at your fingertips. This includes information about more than 200 foods, including how to prepare them based on age and which are potential allergens, which you can access in the free version. If you pay, you can also keep a food log that records your baby’s progress, make lists, document reactions and sensitivities, and access a searchable database with more than 300 recipes.

Cost: $1.99 per month or $9.99 per year on the Apple App Store and Google Play

Sleep schedule: Huckleberry Baby

Screenshots of Huckleberry Baby, one of the best apps for moms
Huckleberry Baby

Your friends with kids have probably prepared you for how much time you’ll spend obsessing over your baby’s sleep. From wake windows to sleep cues and, later, sleep training, there’s so much to think about. Enter Huckleberry Baby, which takes the guesswork out of your baby’s sleepy time to help tired parents everywhere get more Zzz’s. The free version tracks your kid’s sleep and eating sessions, but parents who need more support can pay for Huckleberry experts to customize a unique sleep plan for each and every family. There’s no generic advice and no crying it out, per the app website. It helps you discover your “child’s natural rhythm” and takes the guesswork out of creating a sleep schedule that works for everyone involved, from newborns through three years old. No wonder it’s got thousands of 5-star ratings.

Cost: Free or paid (Huckleberry Plus: $9.99 per month or $58.99 per year and Huckleberry Premium: $14.99 per month or $119.99 per year) on Apple App Store and Google Play

 

Family organizer: Cozi

Screenshots of Cozi Family Organizer, one of the best apps for moms
Cozi Family Organizer

Choir practices and baseball games and gymnastics… oh my. If you’ve entered your glorified chauffeur era, you know how crucial it is to track where every kid needs to be whenever they’re not at school. And most importantly, all drivers, I mean parents, have to be on the same page. Cozi takes the guesswork out of family organization by offering a way to track the whole family’s activities in one place. Family members are color-coded so they know who needs to be where at a glance, and you can share the grocery list, to-do list, meal plan, and more—so it all doesn’t fall on one person (we know who that would be).

Cost: Free or paid (Cozi Gold: $19.99 – $39 per year) on Apple App Store and Google Play

Meeting other moms: Peanut

Screenshots of Peanut, one of the best apps for moms
Peanut

Those long, monotonous days of early motherhood can feel so lonely and the best salve is meeting other moms who are going through the same things you are. While some parents are able to wing it and make friends at the museum or the playground, others need a little help. Peanut is basically like Tinder for moms looking to make friends. You can search for your future bestie based on age, location, where they’re at in their parenting journey, and more. The app’s groups and communities let you build relationships with other parents who share your interests. And if you need a little mom advice this is an alternative to your Facebook moms group, which we know can be a tad…dramatic at times.

Cost: Free and paid (Premium features from $3.99 to $79.99) on Apple App Store and Google Play

Groceries and meal planning: Plan to Eat

Screenshots of Plan to Eat, one of the best apps for moms
Plan to Eat

When you have the Plan to Eat app, you’ll at least spend less time staring aimlessly into an empty refrigerator wondering what in the world you’re going to cook for dinner. This app is a quick and easy way to plan your grocery trips and meals for the week. You can choose and upload recipes from anywhere on the web and a shopping list is automatically created for you in the app with items sorted by store and aisle. You can also categorize all your recipes any way you want and you won’t be stuck searching Pinterest or your old handwritten recipe cards ever again.

Cost: Free or paid ($5.95 per month or $49 per year) on Apple App Store and Google Play

Music and audiobooks: Spotify

Screenshots of Spotify, one of the best apps for moms
Spotify

The Spotify app is a lifesaver that the whole family can enjoy, from impromptu dance parties and keeping kids occupied in the car to podcasts and audiobooks for everyone. Ever tried doing storytime without even picking up a book? On particularly exhausted nights, Spotify’s storytime podcasts do the trick—or you can search audiobooks from Dr. Seuss, Peppa Pig, Robert Munsch, and more. And oh the playlists you’ll make: a “bedtime playlist,” a “car playlist,” or, if you’re like my 5-year-old, a “Super Mario Brothers” playlist that features every Mario song known to man. The only downside of using Spotify to curate your favorite kid’s music is that it will kill your Spotify Wrapped, the app’s wildly popular and personalized year-end review. My most-liked song of last year was “Poopy Bum Bum.” You’ve been warned.

Cost: Free or paid ($16.99 per month for a premium family plan) on Apple App Store and Google Play

Play and activities: BabySparks

Screenshots of Babysparks, one of the best apps for moms
BabySparks

Sure your baby can very briefly entertain themselves by looking at shiny things, dangling toys, or just enjoying some tummy time, but if you’re looking to take your play to the next level and stimulate some brain development—or you’re flat out of ideas for how to play with your babe—the BabySparks app is a great place to start. The app features thousands of personalized activities and milestones for littles from infancy to three years old and a slew of virtual and on-demand parenting classes that cover nutrition, potty training, and discipline, plus 450 new articles added to the app every week. That’s a whole lot of info at your fingertips.

Cost: For 0-12 months, a one-time purchase of $7.99. Basic subscription is $4.99 per month or $29.99 per year and premium subscription is $19.99 per month or $119.99 per year on Apple App Store and Google Play

Tracking diapers, feeding schedules, and more: Baby Connect

Screenshots of Baby Connect, one of the best apps for moms
Baby Connect

Baby Connect is the ultimate tracking app for all the tired newborn parents looking to monitor their babies’ feeding times and amounts, diapers, naps, bedtime, milestones, and more. You can review stats by the day, week, or even since birth if you need to, and then share the data with your partner and nanny. The best part? Say goodbye to the dreadful task of explaining everything you just did to someone else before you can take that much-needed break.

Cost: $4.99 per month or $119.99 per year for the family plan on Apple App Store and $6.99 to $164.99 on Google Play

Finding the best parks: Playground Buddy

Screenshots of Playground Buddy, one of the best apps for moms
Playground Buddy

Once your baby is old enough to enjoy going to the park (and you’re ready to get out of the house more often) the Playground Buddy app is an invaluable resource that grows with your family. Perfect for toddlers and elementary-aged kids, this app provides a map of all the closest playgrounds, plus photos so you can see what they look like and what types of equipment they have (look out for baby swings!). You can also share the playground with others when planning playdates, even if they don’t have the app. You’ll have access to an encyclopedia of 400,000 playgrounds in 170 countries right in your pocket.

Cost: Free on Apple App Store and Google Play

Advertisement

Related reads

Advertisement

11 Things Tweens Think They’re Ready to Do, But Aren’t

by Shelley Massey

Playing video games created for an older audience is a hard pass

Tweens—those changelings who seem to grow in size and maturity seemingly overnight—can be hard to read. Sure, they know how to project confidence and street smarts (thanks, internet), but they still want to cuddle and can’t pass up a dive into the doctor’s office treasure box on the way out from an appointment. Knowing when to give them some independence and when to pull the parent card isn’t as cut and dry as when they were little. But we’ve done the research, and below, you’ll find a dozen things that tweens shouldn’t do and that we’ve totally got your back on saying no to.

Be Dropped Off at a Public Venue

The reasons against dropping off your tween in a public venue that usually come to mind are different than what you might expect. Let Grow, an organization that believes in the power of enabling children to explore the world on their own, asked David Finkelhor, head of the Crimes Against Children Research Center at the University of New Hampshire, “Have you heard of any case where a child was taken from a parent in public and forced into the sex trade?” His answer—NO. Actual traffickers build relationships with young people they go on to exploit.

But when you’re an unsupervised tween with other tweens, social contagion behavior can be expected. As Dr. Jessica Baker notes, “Tweens are much more concerned with what peers think of them than with what adults think of them. When you put more of them together, if there is impulsivity, the impulsivity amongst the group tends to rise as well. This can lead to bad decisions.” This applies at home too, but in most circumstances, kids are supervised at home. When they’re dropped off, they’re tempted to exhibit new behaviors, and those behaviors will be duplicated.

Have Unchecked Social Media

We get it. First comes the computer, the tablet, or the phone because they have virtual school or use it to connect from home with friends or have late practices. But before you know it, Tic Toc, Instagram, Snapchat, and Be Real become the dominant reason your child is on the device. Research by Johns Hopkins University suggests that the more time spent on social media, the more likely your child is to experience cyberbullying, social anxiety, depression, and exposure to content that is not age-appropriate. “Tweens have shifted to a cognitive plane where they are more aware of those outside of themselves. This makes them extremely vulnerable to many parts of social media,” says clinical psychologist Jessica Baker, Ph.D., CED-S. So before opening the gate to the land of likes and shares, here are some guidelines that will help you ease into this new frontier of parenting.

Watch Mature Entertainment Content

There are a variety of ways that adult content—including sexual content, violence, or encompassing mature concepts—can impact children negatively. According to the American Academy of Pediatrics, “traditional media appears to influence youths’ “sexual scripts,” or shared societal-level beliefs about how people should act in sexual situations. The bottom line? The more sexual content kids see, the more likely they are to embrace sexual behaviors, and sooner. The more violence and aggression, the more likely they are to exhibit aggression. And exposure to adult concepts, such as family dysfunction, mature decisions, and ethical choices, needs context and conversation—two things kids are unlikely to get by just watching it on television.

Have a Smartphone with All the Apps

having a smartphone with all the apps is a thing tweens shouldn't do
iStock

 

According to Dr. Lydia Criss Mays, Educational Consultant and Early Childhood and Elementary School Expert, “Tweens aren’t ready to own smartphones—nor should they. Recent research shows that owning a smartphone younger predicts lower self-worth, motivation, and resilience. And for tween girls with smartphones, the higher the rates of sadness, anxiety, and depression. One of the best things parents can do for their tweens’ mental health is to keep smartphones out of their hands.”

Manage Money

If you watch the headlines, you’ll probably catch something that reads “Child Charges $1.4k to Amazon.” And while the big spends are kind of funny (and fixable), access to insta-purchasing on computers and smartphones means your tweens have no stopgap between wanting something and getting it. While the convenience of Apple Pay or other automated payment services makes a run to the concession stand by your child easier on you on game day, it does nothing to help them learn how to manage money. Other apps, like Greenlight—the company that launched a parent-managed debit card and app for children to teach money management skills and has just announced Greenlight Max, the first educational investing platform designed for kids—go the extra mile to make sure your tween’s first foray into financial decision-making is instructional, as well.

Be BFFs with Older Teens

According to Angela Herzog, Ph.D., and Clinical Psychologist, tweens are often not prepared to meet the emotional needs of their parents, “who can sometimes turn a blind eye when tweens try to appear mature or socially adept.” Sometimes, when a tween acts older than their age or hangs out with older tweens or teens, it reflects positively on the social standing of the parent. These affiliations with older kids can result in the tween finding him or herself in social scenarios that they are unprepared for, such as drinking or being around sexually charged exchanges—and the tween is simply unprepared to understand the repercussions of this, particularly when parents are giving implied consent to the friendship with older kids.

Decide to Quit

quitting sports is one thing tweens shouldn't do
iStock

 

Let’s face it: tweens are often a few years into a hobby or a sport or mastery of a musical instrument which may be getting just a little stale. However, in the long run, the years between ages 12 and 15 (or high school) are a sprint. Allowing your child to quit something they’ve invested in for years just before they can play or perform at the next level without at least understanding their motivations for quitting is short-sighted. If they ultimately decide to give up on something they’ve worked hard at, make sure it’s for reasons they won’t regret in a few seasons.

Wear a Full Face of Makeup

Chances are your 10-12-year-old tween is being exposed to a stream of products, tutorials, how-to’s, and “hacks” for a visual transformation. And the message they’re getting? Conform to another’s beauty standard and optimize your self-worth. According to the Cleveland Clinic, “There’s no right or wrong age, but the first rule of thumb is to have an open discussion about makeup as soon as your child expresses interest. Parents need to establish expectations, set limits, and understand the psychological and health impact of these permissions on them.”

Play Video Games Rated Teen or Mature

Similar to watching mature television content, playing video games rated teen or mature exposes tweens to images of violence, language, gender stereotyping, and sexually explicit content. Regardless of the game’s popularity, tweens have no business finding their entertainment from media developed for more mature audiences. You’re essentially serving them content they’re incapable of contextualizing, and it will in turn show up in their own behaviors.

Have a Steady Boy or Girlfriend

According to the American Academy of Pediatrics, kids start dating at an average age of 12 and a half for girls and 13 and a half for boys. But at ages 10-12, they are still developing their sense of identity, which becomes confusing when someone else’s identity is intertwined with theirs. While every child is different, most 10-12-year-olds don’t fully understand what it means to be in a relationship, how to respect other people’s boundaries, and cannot handle the emotional pressure of being in a relationship with another person.

Get Fewer Than 9-10 Hours of Sleep Per Night

The American Academy of Sleep Medicine recommends that children aged 6–12 years should regularly sleep 9–12 hours per 24 hours, and teenagers aged 13–18 should sleep 8–10 hours per 24 hours. A good night’s sleep is about getting to sleep, staying asleep, and getting enough good-quality sleep. Here is how a sleep expert establishes bedtime routines in her own home.

Advertisement

Related reads

Advertisement

Employers, Parents Don’t Want to Attend Work Happy Hour

by Maria Guido

Working parents don’t get enough time with their families as it is

I’m a mom who has been managing work and office culture alongside my own family’s needs and schedule for the last decade. Never in my life have I thought, I’m not spending enough time with my co-workers. The idea that there needs to be a culture of “fun” at work is the absolute last thing any working parent wants.

A French high court ruled in 2022 that workers can’t be forced to have “fun” at work after a man was fired in 2015 for what his employer’s called “professional incompetence” for not participating in work-sponsored extracurricular activities. These included things like weekend excursions and happy hours. The man claimed he was once made to share a bed with a colleague during a retreat.

No, thank you.

Every company I’ve worked for has hosted regular happy hours and events that are supposed to be enjoyable, like escape room excursions. Not even the pandemic could put a stop to it: mandated fun suddenly came in the form of virtual trivia, magic shows, and—you guessed it—more happy hours. I am not anti-fun. I love fun. I just don’t need to be forced to have it at work, and I’m guessing there are a lot of people who agree with me, parents and non-parents alike.

For one, there is a basic tone-deafness to using work time for “fun.” If you have a high-output job, you essentially need all your hours during your workday to complete that job. Expectations for building culture during company time inadvertently take precious time away from employees who need to be, well, working. A parent may desperately need to leave at 5 p.m. on the dot to make it to aftercare pickup. Or they may need to dip out during the day to make it to a school event, doctor’s appointment, or teacher conference. There are already so many things a working parent is juggling; adding another thing to that pile—even one that’s meant to be a good time—is just another thing added to the pile.

Companies love to talk about “culture,” but so many misinterpret it as how much measured “fun” their employees are having while working. That’s not what culture is. “Culture is the tacit social order of an organization: it shapes attitudes and behaviors in wide-ranging and durable ways,” explains Harvard Business Review. “Cultural norms define what is encouraged, discouraged, accepted, or rejected within a group.”

Keep your happy hour and give employees a manager who puts their school pick-ups on their work calendar. Keep the escape room excursion and give employees a workplace that lets them apply sick days to taking care of sick kids. Keep your weekend retreat and create a work culture that doesn’t advertise “endless vacation time” without actually pushing employees to take it. Foster a culture that understands that individuals may not want or have the ability to spend any time outside of work with their colleagues.

We spend approximately one-third of our life at work and most of our waking weekday hours there. We don’t need more time to build relationships with our colleagues; we’re communicating all day long. Rather than leaning into things like happy hours, employers should be cognizant of the transactional nature of employment and celebrate those boundaries.

“For managers, make sure to start the trend by taking your own time away from work to recharge and spend time on hobbies or interests. Employees will see you starting this trend and will feel comfortable to do so for themselves,” explains Harvard Business Review.

There are plenty of studies focused on working parent burnout, and although employers probably aren’t keen on regarding their “fun” events as extra stressors, they can be. Parents are already operating from a space where their attention is divided; missing out on extra events, even if they’re meant to be extracurricular, can add more expectations to an already full plate. No one wants to be regarded as not as committed to their job because they didn’t show up for a cocktail.

So maybe it’s time to really unpack what company culture is and realize its foundation isn’t built in a bar—especially for parents.

Advertisement

Related reads

Advertisement

Sesame Street Is Helping Kids Cope with Trauma

by Erica Loop

It’s tough enough for a grown-up to process tragedy; young children often have an even harder time when it comes to understanding and dealing with traumatic experiences. And that’s where Sesame Street is stepping in. The beloved children’s show has a video series that’s aimed at helping kids cope with trauma.

The free online resources include videos, books, activities and games that are available in both English and Spanish. The Sesame Street materials don’t just help kids to deal with major worldwide or newsworthy trauma, they also help them cope with experiences that are personally traumatic.

Feelings aren’t exactly easy for a young child to understand. And when stress and anxiety take over, they aren’t always equipped to handle what’s going on inside. This series provides ways to calm down, handle frustration and learn how to feel safe when things get scary.

The videos are made for little ones to watch with their parent or caregiver. Not only can kids get an education in handling heavy feelings, but (by watching the materials with a caring adult) they can also build relationships. This adds to the nurturing effect of the videos and can help kids feel safe and secure.

Originally published Oct 2017.

Advertisement

Related reads

Advertisement

5 Fresh Ways to Tackle Summertime Boredom

By Joy Turner

The summertime season always holds so much promise and potential. Whether you’re a parent or a child, almost everyone has been looking forward to a couple of months of rest, relaxation and FUN. We want our children to have a memorable summer, too. However, without fail, most of us hit that summertime lull of boredom where we’ve exhausted almost every activity, playdate and local attraction.

National Anti-Boredom Month, which is conveniently celebrated annually throughout the month of July, is all about fighting that lull of activities and preventing boredom. It also sparks an opportunity to try some new activities with children that can help ease them into a learning mindset and boost confidence for the upcoming start of the school year. At Kiddie Academy, we pay close attention to the passions of children. It’s all about child directed play, encouraging them to take advantage of the curiosities and activities that catch their attention.

This can help get children out of the mindset that learning only occurs during the months of August to May and helps create a safe and open environment for children to ask questions and build on curiosity. So, here is a list of five easy activities that fuse together learning and fun to help celebrate National Anti-Boredom month and kick that summertime lull to the curb:

1. Practice Simple Yoga Poses
This is a great way to encourage low-key activities while being physically active. This can help children develop independent play skills while practicing mindfulness and body awareness. You can even have a short yoga session outdoors!

2. Host a Photo Scavenger Hunt
Introduce your child to the world of technology and curiosity. Give your child a digital camera, smartphone or tablet, along with a list of items, and challenge them to find and take a picture of each item on the list. Don’t forget to hide each item around the house and align the challenge of the hiding spot with your child’s ability to find things.

3. Create a Scrapbook of “Firsts” Together
Create a scrapbook with your child documenting his or her “firsts” or special accomplishments. Share the pictures and tell stories about how proud you felt seeing him or her do the things in the pictures. Boost your child’s confidence and self-esteem while exercising their creative muscles.

4. Build an Index Card Tower
For a fun STEM activity, challenge your child to build a tower using only index cards and tape. Encourage them to think of ways they can change the shape of the cards to provide strength to the tower! Who will build the tallest tower?

5. Cook a Family Meal Together
Invite your child to help with family activities like helping plan and cook a family meal. Children want to feel like a valuable part of the family! Allowing them to have a role in making dinner a success, they can develop teamwork skills and confidence in their ability to complete a task. What a great way to boost executive function skills!

Of course another way to combat boredom is checking out your local Kiddie Academy for free community events throughout the month of July. To locate and register at participating Academies nationwide, visit these sites: Storytime LIVE!, STEM Adventures and Music & More where we help build relationships and get young minds moving.

RELATED STORIES:

Joy has over 20 years of experience in early childhood education. As Vice President of Education at Kiddie Academy Educational Child Care, she oversees all things curriculum, assessment, training and more. Joy earned a B.S. in Education from Salisbury University.

Advertisement

Related reads

Advertisement

Why the Idea of Screen Time Is an Obsolete Concept

By Laura Higgins

Photo: iStock

Searching online for advice on kids and tech returns loads of articles about “The Dangers of Tech,” “How to Regulate Your Kids Online,” and “How to Limit Your Kids’ Tech Use.” Parents want to protect kids and make sure they are safe, but is it right that we start with the negative view of technology? 

The benefits of tech are many—we take basic tasks such as paying bills, shopping for groceries or learning online how to do something we don’t know how to do for granted every day. But being connected for all these activities equals screen time! 

You probably spend many of your 8 hours at work on a laptop, using your mobile, connected to the internet. Then you come home, read recipes off your tablet while you cook, then watch Netflix while casually scrolling through your social media. At night Hive turns your lights out while you chill in bed with your Kindle. How come we don’t worry about adult use of tech in the same way we do with children? 

There are lots of amazing reasons for kids to use technology—in class, many kids learn with tablets and smart whiteboards, they research facts, they watch tutorials, collaborate with others, build relationships. They gain new skills, play and have fun, and use creative skills. All of these involve a certain amount of screen time, the biggest debate (and concern) for parents in recent years. Can we reframe this issue so we worry less about time spent, but concentrate on helping make kids’ use of tech more meaningful?

On his “Playable” blog, Dean Groom, an Australian academic who investigates how families negotiate video games and game cultures, talks about the four ways kids interact with tech—passive consumption, interactive consumption, communication, and creation. He goes further; “In school, I’d argue that very few children would conceptualize their use of technology in the classroom in any of the four, but instead tend to describe themselves as ‘doing work on the laptop’ or ‘going on Google Docs’ meaning that they still don’t connect the activities they are directed (required) to do at school with any of the things they would choose to do if left to their devices.” 

Groom is convinced that ‘screen time’ is just “a term used to demonize children’s use of technology by a cadre of adults including parents and teachers who, for their own reasons prefer children simply did what children are ‘supposed to do’ with technology.”

Kids need to have fun and to play, spend time with their friends. Technology gives them the opportunity to do all these things—sometimes at the same time. In a recent survey of U.S. teens, the majority (72%) said they played for the fun of it, over half (51%) said playing online helped them relax when they were stressed out or upset, and for over a third (34%) online is where their offline and school friends are, so it’s an opportunity to meet and play. They also need to learn, and many games involve creation or basic coding skills. Think broadcasting on a video platform is easy? It also entails production, editing and presenting, not just staring at a camera and talking.

One of the top experts on children and media—“Mediatrician” Dr. Michael Rich, Director of the Center on Media and Child Health at Boston Children’s Hospital/Harvard Medical School—summarises it perfectly:

“Screen time has become an obsolete concept in an era where we are surrounded by screens and move seamlessly between the digital and the physical to use them in virtually all human endeavors—learning, interacting, creating, having fun. It is how we choose to use screens and to pursue non-screen activities, it is the content we consume on screens and the contexts in which we consume it that affects our well-being.”

In today’s realities, the important role for parents to play is helping young people choose meaningful screen time that involves learning and creation, helping them understand that technology is a tool, rather than an extension of themselves. Parents can also encourage kids to find balance and build a healthy relationship with tech. A sign of an unhealthy relationship, for example, is not taking physical care of themselves—not eating or drinking while glued to the screen for hours, or consistently choosing technology over family dinners and personal interactions. 

Most importantly, parents are role models whose habits kids will mirror, so here are a few DO’s and DON’Ts for parents to keep in mind:

DO:

  • Set a timetable for different activities to ensure a good balance of work and playtime.

  • Limit checking social media accounts to a couple of times per day (with a set time limit per check)—this should help avoid endless scrolling through posts.

  • Put your phone down at dinner time if you expect kids to do so, but also remember that their screen time is no different than your Netflix time, all in moderation!

  • Buy an alarm clock (so there’s no excuse to keep your phone next to your bed as an alarm) and set a firm “no phones at bedtime” rule that includes parents.

  • Consider adopting a family contract with additional agreements that kids might contribute to.

DON’T:

  • Constantly check social media accounts (and if you see kids doing that explain why follower numbers, likes, retweets or shares don’t validate a person and aren’t worth chasing).

  • Scroll unconsciously through platforms.

  • Check your phone late at night or wake up to check messages.

 

As Director of Digital Civility at Roblox, Laura Higgins leads the company's groundbreaking initiative focused on providing the community with the skills needed to create positive online experiences, in partnership with the world’s leading safety and industry organizations. Higgins has over 20 years of experience building proven safeguarding, online safety and civility programs. 

 

Advertisement

Related reads

Advertisement

Read This Before Moving Your Family Abroad

By Madeleine Nicholas

Moving a family to a foreign country is no easy task. Traveling with kids is enough of a challenge as it is, let alone making the adventure a permanent change. Not only are there new cultures and languages you may have to adapt to, but there are also different laws and regulations that you must learn and follow. 

If you’re moving to a foreign country for work or any other reason, your mind is probably bogged down with endless to-do lists and worries. Luckily, you’re not the first person to take your family on a global experience, and you definitely won’t be the last. If you’re a parent currently considering moving abroad, make sure you do these things before you make the trek. Any parent knows how tough travel, alone, can be with kiddos—moving internationally is a whole other ballgame!

1. Secure an International Work Visa 

Chances are, you and/or your partner will want to secure a job in the place where you’re going. Unfortunately, it’s not as simple as moving there and handing out resumes—you’ll need a visa. Obtaining a work visa is easier and quicker in some countries than others. Research the different work visa laws in some of the major countries across the globe to see what you and your family will need to do.

From interview and background check requirements to how long your visa will be valid, different countries have different processes and policies. You can expect to wait anywhere between 4 days to a full year before your visa is processed making you eligible to work abroad. This means you should look into applying for a visa as soon as you know you’ll need one so that nothing delays your departure. 

2. Start Adapting to a New Culture 

If you or your kids have only ever lived in one place, relocating can lead to serious culture shock. This, on top of missing home, can make for a very difficult adaptation process. Instead, do your research before you jet off and have conversations with your children so they know what to expect. Start introducing the new culture into your life, even if it’s as simple as introducing typical cuisine at meal time so that your kids are less overwhelmed with different menu options. With adequate preparation, your family will feel at home in your new country as soon as you land. 

3. Meet People on Similar Adventures 

Simply talking to someone who understands your situation can be extremely comforting. There is something soothing about talking face-to-face with someone who has been in your shoes and knowing that they survived. This alleviates some of the uncertainty of leaving your homeland that you know and love. 

It’s also a good idea to network with people who may be living close to you abroad so you feel less alone after your move. If you are moving for a job, try to build relationships with co-workers who are also making the move. This is especially beneficial for your children so they feel like they still have a strong group of friends and family in a new place. 

As a parent, taking your child from the place they’ve always known can seem like a very risky move. But it can also help them grow exponentially as a person, improving their cultural and adaptability skills. With the right preparation, moving abroad doesn’t have to be as stressful as it sounds!

Madeleine Nicholas
Tinybeans Voices Contributor

I'm a Los Angeles-based mom of two. I'm passionate about personal finance and love getting to know other parents! If you love dogs, you're a friend of mine (and and kids).

Advertisement

Related reads

Advertisement

Best Elementary School Principal Ever Reads to Her Students—at Bedtime

by Shahrzad Warkentin

One elementary school principal believes reading time is so important, she reads bedtime stories to her students every week. Every Tuesday night students at Homer Drive Elementary in Beaumont, Texas can cozy up in their pajamas and tune in to Facebook Live where they’ll find their principal, Dr. Belinda George reading a story to them.

Anyone who visits the school’s Facebook page for Tucked-In Tuesdays, can watch live as she reads, complete with animated character voices and humorous commentary. She sometimes accessorizes for the book as well, like donning ladybug wings for a reading of Ladybug Girl. As word has spread, families across the country have also joined to check out the weekly story time.

Before she begins, George announces the reading grade level of each book and her students can take an optional quiz about the book the following day. George says she often has students come up to her and inquire where they can find the book in the school library.

George explained to The Washington Post that 94 percent of her students come from economically disadvantaged homes and last year’s literacy tests showed an average of just 55 percent of her third, fourth and fifth graders were reading at or above grade level. In her first year as principal implementing changes like this online story time, the school has already seen growth in the student’s literacy achievements.

Besides her weekly readings, George also has school dance parties twice a week and does home visits with students to give them praise and assistance to stay on track. “Anything I can do to build relationships,” she said. “If a child feels loved they will try. There’s no science about it.”

—Shahrzad Warkentin

Featured photo: Ben White via Unsplash

 

RELATED STORIES

Here’s Why This School Keeps Its Bus Stocked with Buckets—of Books

This Teacher Made Art Inclusive for Her Classroom in the Most Unique Way

World’s Most Dedicated Teacher Goes Above & Beyond for Her Student & Baby

Advertisement

Related reads

Advertisement

5 Questions That Can Save the World & Make Kindness Trend Again

By John Pavlovitz

You look tired lately and for good reason. It’s exhausting to give a damn isn’t it?

To be a person of compassion, in a time when compassion is in such great demand; to wake up every day in days like these and push back against predatory politicians and toxic systems and human rights atrocities and acts of treason and Twitter tantrums—the volume and the relentlessness of the threats can be wearying.

You may have noticed this stress and weariness in your body. You’ve likely felt the steady accumulation of stress that regularly resides in tensed your shoulders, your clenched jaw, your elevated heart rate and in the knot in your stomach, that returns every morning when you wake up and you check Twitter or turn on the news or step out into you community or walk into your kitchen—and you see how much feels wrong in the world.

When life feels chaotic and unstable, most of us make the mistake of looking for hope somewhere off in the distance; a politician or religious leader, a musician or social media celebrity. We’re all prone to waiting for someone extraordinary to appear on the horizon and save the day when things go sideways. But the truth is, if you’re looking for heroic stuff, you may want to check the mirror.

You’re already fully qualified and perfectly positioned to be exactly what this world needs and five seemingly elementary questions, can help you inventory your abilities and unearth a plan.

1. “What can I do?”

You have practical, tangible gifts; talents to create, write, cook, build, fix, develop, etc. Right now there are places those precise skills are in short supply and there are people who could benefit from them in countless ways. Find these places and these people and begin making your mark in the small and the close.

Within arm’s reach, there are people who can’t do (even with great effort) what comes naturally to you.

2. “How do I think?”

The ways you solve problems, resolve conflict and approach challenges, are all completely unique to you and to the never –to-be-repeated arrangement of gray matter inside your head. Your mind works very differently than that of anyone around you (or who has ever walked the planet for that matter) and for this reason you can generate ideas and refine systems and build relationships and respond creatively, in ways no one else is capable of.

Think about the way you think, because it’s a game-changer.

3. “What are my resources?”

You have access to a treasure trove of valuable raw material that you can leverage in the cause of goodness: financial capital, availability, buildings and gathering spaces, business partnerships and equity of trust in the community. Your time, money and influence are all capital you have access to.

How can you spend or share that very specific wealth to fill in the gaps you see in the world?

4. “How am I wired?”

Think about your personality; all the particular quirks and idiosyncrasies that make you who you are. Are you gregarious or thoughtful, bold or gentle, fearless or cautious? Do you naturally take the lead or thrive behind the scenes? Either way, these attributes uniquely qualify you to do what no one else on the planet can do. There is a need for crowd-gathering extroverts, deeply relational conversation starters and quiet shadow laborers.

You, in all your glorious differentness—are a perfect fit.

5. “What is my circle of influence?”

Your friendships, business networks, social media platforms and family relationships all form a unique imprint. If you could engage all of those people for a cause or a movement, what would it be? What would you ask of them, say to them, invite them to do? When you have an answer to that question—ask it, say it, invite them.

So, yes, you may look around at the state of the world or the state of your marriage or the condition of your family and feel as though the situation is dire. From where you’re standing it all might well appear to be a complete and unprecedented mess. But that fact isn’t worth dwelling on (unless, of course, you determine yourself capable of spinning the planet backward and undoing all the already-done stuff).

Ultimately, the only question worth entertaining when faced with the daily disasters and dumpster fires outside the window, on your news feed, in your home or in your head is, “What am I going to do about it?” 

Answering that question has destiny-shifting potential. Without any hyperbole whatsoever, whatever you decide to do has never before been done in quite the way you will do it, with your unique set of experiences, your particular set of tools and your specific amalgamation of gifts. However you choose to respond to everything that feels wrong out there, it will be a historic occasion.

So spend a little time today figuring out what burdens you, what you have to work with—and go save the world.

 

RELATED STORIES
70 Simple Kindness Acts Kids Can Do Any Day
13 Fred Rogers Quotes about Kindness That We Need Now More Than Ever
I’m Raising My Kids to Be Upstanders because The World Needs More Kindness

John Pavlovitz is a writer, pastor and activist. His blog, Stuff That Needs To Be Said, has reached a worldwide audience of millions and he is regarded as a leading voice in progressive faith in America. He is the author of A Bigger Table (2017) and Hope and Other Superpowers (2018).

Advertisement

Related reads

Advertisement

National Account Director / New York City

by Jacqui Boland

The Company:

Red Tricycle is a fast-growing digital media company that provides local, community-based content to a growing online audience of parents in key markets nationwide. Their content connects with parents in an authentic and genuine way through a variety of multimedia touchpoints. As a result, Red Tricycle helps brands start conversations and build relationships in an organic, well-timed and relevant context.

Current clients include Microsoft, Amazon, Old Navy, Disney, IKEA, TIAA-CREF, Blue Shield, Paramount, Dreamworks, WholeFoods and GAP.

This venture-backed start-up has been called “the Daily Candy for Moms” and has a devout following among hundreds of thousands of playground moms as well as mommy influencers, including Randi Zuckerberg, Jessica Seinfeld and Pink.

Red Tricycle is looking for a few bright, creative, and totally awesome people to help deliver on our mission to help parents have more fun with their kids. 

POSITION: National Account Director

LOCATION: New York, NY

Job Description

Red Tricycle is looking for a dynamic, strategic, savvy Media Sales Professional to join our sales team in New York City. This role will primarily be responsible for the generation and growth of online advertising revenue for Red Tricycle focusing on Ad Agencies and national brands.The ideal candidate has a proven track record in online and/or traditional media sales at a top publisher or media site, with experience in the family market. Responsibilities include meeting target revenue goals in the defined region. We’re looking for an energetic self-starter with a consultative sales approach who is pro-active in driving revenue and increasing client base. You must be results-driven, have strong analytical skills and be committed to creating new business opportunities.Responsibilities

  • Proactively Prospect, Qualify, Grow, and Maintain a regional territory account list
  • Hit target revenue quota (quarterly)
  • Develop and cultivate deep relationships with client and agency teams. Engage and strategize with senior level executives at client companies to demonstrate how Red Tricycle can drive revenue to their business
  • Pitch new business to advertising agencies and direct clients. Proactively manage performance oriented accounts to drive incremental revenue
  • Proactively provide smart client research and industry specific information Identify and understand trends within client markets and industries

Minimum Job Requirements:

  • Candidates must have a deep understanding of the Parent/ Family market with a strong client and agency relationships
  • Proven track record of consultative selling, managing long-cycle projects, and driving revenue through the development of long-term strategic relationships
  • Excellent communication, analytical, time management and presentation skills
  • BA/BS Degree

Preferred Job Requirements:

  • 5 + years of Media Sales experience
  • Relationships with top marketing decision makers at traditional companies and agencies
  • Demonstrated track record of structuring and managing negotiations to successful closure, delivery, and renewal
  • Understand how technology works and the ability to explain in ordinary terms

Good to Know:

  • This job is ideally suited for a candidate in search of a really fun job that will change the world, make you feel good about what you’re contributing to the community. It’s a gig that you won’t be able to stop talking about among your friends and family (to the point that it’s secretly starting to annoy them? Shhh! You didn’t hear it from us).
  • Yep, start-ups are risky, but with big risk comes big reward. Do you dream of a weekend home, private school, an extra bathroom or early retirement? With your talent and our brand, we can make it happen.
  • This is a job for a Maverick, so throw those corporate handcuffs out the window. If your client can dream it, and you can sell it, we can make it happen – custom content, sponsorship, native advertising, event marketing, their logo on every baby bottle in NYC – the sky’s the limit.
Advertisement

Related reads

Advertisement