SacMomsClub.com

Jen (Dual-career mom of Jacob 6, and Caleb, 2): Do you remember life without computers?

 

Kelli (Stay-at-home mom of Logan 9, and Whitney 7): Is this a trick question, like when my son asked me if I remembered what life was like when dinosaurs were around?

 

Jen: Some days I do feel like a dinosaur seeing my six year-old expertly navigate the computer mouse, keyboard and software of his favorite game.

 
Kelli: My son showed me how to adjust the volume on my laptop the other day with an F-key. I’ve always been afraid to touch those F-keys and what they might do.

 
Jen: And isn’t it strange to hear your kids throw around terms like “download,” “webisode,” and “upload software” as part of their regular vocabulary?

 

Kelli: Definitely. I can still remember the first computer game I bought for Logan when he was nearly two. I just happened to see it in a clearance bin at CompUSA (now extinct) where I went for printer ink.

 

It was Reader Rabbit’s Playtime for Baby & Toddler. I was amazed at how quickly he learned to work the mouse and cursor keys to expertly play the different games. And then of course he was hooked, following me around asking, “Wogan pway Reebie Rabbit cd?”

 

Jen: Yeah, I'm keeping Caleb well away from the computer at this time. He'll have his turn but for now, I'm keeping him entertained with the help of Wonderpets. Jake's a different story - always wanting to go try Noggin.com and any other ".com’s" he’s heard mentioned on the news. He loves going to Playhouse Disney or playing the Max and Ruby game on the computer.

Kelli: Computer games are definitely a great way to introduce young kids to computers. After the Reader Rabbit series, we then moved to Jump Start Phonics and Kindergarten. If the kids weren’t learning something, we didn’t buy it. Clifford Thinking Adventures and then Reading were both good even before the kids could read, since it introduces phonics. Then, of course, there were the commercial tie-ins with Bob the Builder, Dora the Explorer and Blues Clues learning games.

 

The last CD we bought was SpongeBob Typing which has been great now that my kids use the computer more and more for school work. Lately though, they’ve become more interested in the things they can find on the internet and visiting popular websites.

Jen: Here too. With Jacob starting to progress into the “Webkinz” stage and wanting to log onto the computer to play, I've realized the importance of setting limits on computer time and talking to him about what's ok to do when you are online. And, of course, I sit with him the whole time. He needs to know from an early age that there are restrictions to when/how he goes online.

Kelli: It is so important to talk limits and set boundaries. I also check in on my kids as they visit sites like Disney.com, iCarly.com and Nickelodean.com. They are either in the den which is open with no door or on my laptop at the kitchen table. I also allow them to go on educational sites through the school district website. A favorite is Funbrain Arcade (funbrain.com) and another typing website www.bbc.co.uk/schools/typing.

 

Jen: We’ve come a long ways from the days of "Oregon Trail" I used to play on our old pc. It can be a bit concerning how easily our kids have adapted to the computer world. As parents, you HAVE to keep up with technology in order to keep your kids safe. Not such an easy thing to do when it seems our kids have an instant affinity for figuring this stuff out.

Kelli: Yeah, I’ve definitely stepped up my game. I got some street cred showing the kids I could really get SpongeBob flying through Bikini Bottom in his boat by typing sixty words a minute.

 

Jen:  In my job I tend to stay pretty up on technology - but the last thing I want to do when I go home is to spend MORE time on the computer.

 

As a working mom, I love being wired - and wireless. It allows me to effectively work in a global world as a full-time employee while also getting to be the mom I want to be to my kids. But, as a mom, I am worried about how much computers will be a part of everyday life.

Kelli: It’s true. When I started college, no one even had email. Or, if they did, they didn't do much about it. Now, it is a requirement for EVERYTHING in your kids' life - sporting events, school, etc.

Jen: I agree! The need for computer access has permeated everything we do. But, is it always a good thing? I don't think many kids today even know how to do research other than, "Hey, we should Google that."

Kelli: I know when my kids ask me a question I don’t know the answer to I find myself saying, “We should look that up on the internet.”

Jen: As parents it’s pretty unnerving that there is no way you can control what is put out on the internet. You can only try to control how, when, and where your kids access it. I worry that in their innocent Googling they will come across some not so innocent sites.

Kelli: Well, just add internet policing as part of the many roles of keeping our kids safe.

 

Jen: Another thing to remember as your kids get older is contrary to the belief of many teens and college aged kids, NOTHING on the net is secure or safe or anonymous. So, it’s important to remind our kids when they are tempted to post those not-so-flattering pictures of themselves on YouTube, Facebook, or MySpace, they need to ask themselves first if the person interviewing them for a first (or second or third) job will want to judge them by that content.

 

You'd be surprised how many people are offended when we have discussed their MySpace page in the interview.
 

Kelli: You know, the last time I interviewed for a job, I had my résumé on floppy disc. Or was it a hard disc? Or did I have it transferred to a CD-ROM? I wonder if I could upload it now? Or is it download?

 

Jen: Um, Kelli, you need me to send Jacob over for tech support?

 

Kelli: Yeah, is he available?

 

Jen: After his nap…

 

 

Kelli Wheeler is a Sacramento stay-at-home mom of two barely winning the race to stay ahead of her tech savvy tots.

 

Jen Hall is a Sacramento dual-career mom of two who loves using the internet to track down great shopping deals!

 

 

Tips for Keeping Kids Safe on the Computer

1. Have the computer in a central location in your house where usage can be easily monitored.

2. Educate your children on what is inappropriate communication on the computer.

3. Purchase software or search engine blockers that screen for inappropriate key words, phrases or web sites.

4. Chat rooms should be avoided unless monitored by an adult.

5. Set rules for computer usage and take away computer time if caught violating rules.

6. Limit time allowed on the computer to surf the internet.

7. Notify your internet provider or even authorities if suspicious activity or instant messaging is uncomfortable or alarming your child.

8. Encourage your children to share what they=ve come across on the internet and reward them for their honesty of it=s inappropriate.

9. Review downloads in Download Manager file.

10. Be an active participant in your child=s computer usage.