I have mixed feelings about this. I’ve had the site bookmarked for quite a while but couldn’t decide what I think about it. I’m going to share it because it just may help someone.

BeNetSafe is an online service that claims to protect your kids on social networking sites like MySpace, Friendster, Facebook, etc. According to the site, they track your child’s internet activity and alert you when there is mention of sex, drugs or other things that are cause for concern.

The site claims to be totally discreet. It claims the kid won’t know.

If you are a parent who knows much less about your computer than your kids know, then maybe this is something that you would want to consider. I have to warn you though that the biggest danger in something like this is the false sense of security that you may get. You still have to watch what your kids do. You still have to be alert.

I’m not sure I like the idea of spying on my kids with this kind of software. I try to keep track of what they do online. They know that I know more about computers than they do so they arent’ going to fool me when I do look around their machines. Yes, I’d like to throw up a huge virtual canvas tent for the kids to play under while online, keeping them all safe and secure. But that isnt’ going to happen. Hopefully, I can keep them safe by staying alert. Others may want to try this type of service. If you do, please report back and tell me how it works. I’m interested to know more about it.

Don’t be offended. According to the Hey U.G.L.Y. website, U.G.L.Y. is the new beautiful.

U.G.L.Y. actually stands for Unique Gifted Lovable You and it’s all about helping teens to see their own beauty. Building self-confidence and learning to love oneself is the first step in preventing drug use, promiscuity and other behaviors that are harmful to teens. An adolescent with self-love and confidence has the courage to do the right thing no matter what others are doing.

Hey U.G.L.Y. has some really cool stuff like a self-esteem quiz and tips on dealing with stress. There are fun contests and cool U.G.L.Y. products.

My favorite part of the site, though, are the celebrity stories. It’s an entire page of quotes from some of the most beautiful celebrities around. These are the beautiful people that many teens admire and emulate. Their words speak to our kids about real beauty.
From Reese Witherspoon:

I have cellulite. I have stretch marks. I feel intimidated by Victoria’s Secret. Hollywood is one of those endless competitions, but it’s like running a race toward nothing. There’s no winning. You’re never going to win the pretty race. I just want to be the best version of myself that I can be.”

Source:TWIST Dec ’04

I know these are things we say to our kids all the time. I also know that they tune us out when we say these things. It’s the nature of adolescence that they would pay more attention to the words of an actress they’d never met than to the people who brought them into the world. Teens are funny like that.

If you know a teen or pre-teen, please pass this site on to them. Anything we an do to build our kids’ self-esteem and encourage a healthy self-love is worth the time it takes. Hey U.G.L.Y. is definitely a step in the right direction.

The great stuff I find on the Internet isn’t just about my inner geek. Some sites that have caught my eye are all about real life and the people who surround me here in this house. For those who haven’t read my About page or my other blog, I live with kids. No matter how many grow up and move out, others show up here and move in.

And for the record, I wouldn’t change that if I could.

Anyway. I love sites that show me how to do things better. Or easier. Or faster. When it comes to parenting, I’m always open to suggestions. It’s a tough, dirty job so give me some advice on how to make it all go smoother and I’m on it.

If you’re a parent I just know you’re looking for tips and tricks, too. That’s why you’ll want to head over to ParentHacks.com to gather the knowledge of the masses and share some of your own wisdom, too.

No matter what the ages of your children, you’ll find great ideas for making your parenting life better and solutions to problems that we all face. Kids always talk among themselves, which is why we often feel overwhelmed when we’re up against them in a power play. Well, there’s power in numbers so joining with parents all across the internet to brainstorm ParentHacks is really the way to go.

So rattle that brain and shake out all those ideas that you’ve used to make it through your child’s stages. Head on over to ParentHacks.com to share your wisdom and gather the gems that others have shared.

Then come back here and let me know what your favorite Parent Hack was!

I have quite a few gadgets and way too many office supplies to list here. One of my favorites has got to be my lable maker. Yeah, I’m just in love with that thing. Unfortunately, I really need a new one because “no one” cracked the slide-on thing where the lable stuff goes and now it doesn’t want to work correctly.

I first got my lable maker for my soapmaking but now I use it for everything. I picked up some inexpensive cardboard file holders and labled them with the kids’ names so they’d have their own personal Mailboxes. They put their school papers there so I can look at them and then give them back if they have to return them to school. It sure has made life easier around here.

My daughter has inherited my love of travel. She has been trying for two years to get me to take her on a one day shopping trip to New York. I’d love to go to New York but one day? Is that enough time?

I told her that a weekend trip might be better. Since it will be a mother/daughter thing, I thought a New York Bed and Breakfast would be really nice. I think Maggie would enjoy that experience.

I think I’ll make a list of places that Maggie and I can visit. After New York, I think we ought to go south. What do you think of Tennessee?

I’m trying to design a room for my two youngest sons that will accommodate their many technical interests. This is quite a challenge, especially since they have their own ideas of how the room ought to look. And these ideas do not take into account silly little things like electrical outlets and cable hook-up.

The room is 12′x14′, which is a pretty nice size for two twin beds. But they also have two desks with two computers, a 25″ TV, a PS2, two chests and two night stands. I’m running out of ideas here.

So, what do you think about getting rid of the twin beds and putting a sofa/bed in their for the kids bed? They could pull it out or fold it up according to whether or not they were sleeping or playing. Isn’t that a great idea? I wonder how the boys will feel about it….

I’m not one to look to the government for many useful things, least of all for my kids. I’m kind of a rebel that way. So when I find something for kids that our government has created, I’m naturally curious. And when that something is actually kind of cool, I’m impressed.

Such is the case with Crypto Kids™ from the National Security Agency. I love secret stuff, like codes and messages. I love trying to figure out the secret code or creating one of my own. I think most kids enjoy that.

Crypto Kids™ lets kids do that and more. First, it lets you choose between a flash site and a regular html site. If your child has an older, hand-me-down computer this option is great because it lets everyone use the site.

With just 5 links across the top of the page, you’ll find days worth of fun and learning. Not only can you play games but the Codes and Cyphers section teaches you how to create codes. I’m ashamed to say that I haven’t made it all the way through the site, though. I start to enjoy the section I’m on and never quite move on.

This site is that much fun! Share it with our kids.

I know a lot of gamers. In fact, I live with several. We’ve been through 3 PS2s and I’m asked daily about getting the new PS3. My kids each have their own computers, too, so they can load the games they want. Since getting our high speed internet service, the kids have been playing online. I confess, I never really understood the attraction.

Oh, I admit I’ve played video games. I loved the old Atari; I was really good at Pitfall! And back in the day, when I worked as a bartender, I was pretty good at Ms. PacMan, too. Just don’t tell my kids that.

Now I’ve found an online casual gaming site, Cafe.com, that both my kids and I are enjoying. I’ve already signed up for a free account and started playing some of the games. My youngest son saw me playing and wouldn’t stop asking questions until I gave him the URL to check out for himself. Of course, his older brother then had to sign up for an account, too. And the boys’ friend Josh after that.

I think part of the appeal, besides the free membership, is the clean look of the site, the ease of signup and the variety of games. I really like the 3D avatar app while the kids love the gold coin economy.

Since this is a multiplayer platform, I’m going to practice as much as I can before I challenge the kids to a match. I’m determined to prove to them that mamma is not to be messed with. Afterall, I may not get any time on the PS2 but this old broad started gaming with Pong back before any of them were even imagined. That has to count for something, right?

A lot of people are surprised to learn that my kids learn about evolution in their Catholic school. I learned about it in the same school. You see, Catholics believe that evolution can exist alongside Genesis.

When my kids were studying evolution last year, we found the Becoming Human documentary online. My kids were fascinated by it and ultimately did quite well with that science lesson.

The entire site is packed with great info but the documentary is the real treat. Since this past August, you can even download the documentary to your computer. Be sure to check this one out.

I love blogging. Apparently, many others love blogging, too. That’s great. It gives me more to read online. I’ve found some really interesting and entertaining blogs on a variety of topics. They do all have one thing in common: better than average spelling and grammar.

Unfortunately, a number of bloggers either don’t take the time or simply never learned how to spell or how to construct a proper sentence. I’m not talking about the occassional typo or momentary brain freeze; I’m pointing to those who need some serious help.

To that end, I have found two excellent resources.

First, Big Dog’s Grammar is exactly what it claims to be: A bare bones guide to English. Starting with Subjects and Verbs and working through the list to modifiers and pronouns, Big Dog steps yo through with an easy to understand text. Explanations and examples drive the lessons home. I actually go to this guide often, simply to verify my writing.

Next, an excellent source for parents, teachers and students as well as bloggers is Grammar Bytes. Not only are there Tips and Rules for quick look-ups, but Grammar Bytes also offers interactive exercises to test your knowledge as well as printable handouts in pdf format. Oh, did I mention that this is all free?

Whether you’re a blogger or just love the English language, these are two great sites. Absolutely worth a bookmark.