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Homeschooling, internet safety

Safe Child YouTube App: Internet Safety News from Enough is Enough

Heloise "Lois" Ridley, MBA, MA —  April 7, 2015
Enough is enough
Kid Safe YouTube App News from Enough is Enough

Hello hello hello parents and caretakers!!!

I know it has been a long while since I last posted since I went back to graduate school. Lots of late nights studying after the minis go to bed. Anyway, I just opened up my inbox and email from Enough is Enough. I count on Donna Rice Hughes and her organization to keep me informed on the latest in internet safety for families. The have extensive internet safety data at  internetsafety101.org

Their latest is that we have good news from Google. We parents and caretakers now have a safer option for our children who enjoy the rich free video content available on YouTube. As a homeschooler, I love to show my kids educational videos on the topics that come up. I have been often frustrated by the slimy content that has popped up at the same time.

Have you? Yuck!

Well now there is an option for us caregivers available for free on Google Play or the App Store to filter what their children are exposed to and better yet, set parenting controls.

Enough is enough shared a few tips from Google on their YouTube new parental controls from the Google Blog… go there for details:

“Family-focused content

… Now, parents can rest a little easier knowing that videos in the YouTube Kids app are narrowed down to content appropriate for kids, You can browse channels and playlists in four categories: Shows, Music, Learning and Explore.”

“Parental controls

We realize every family is different, so we’ve built options into the app that help you control the experience for your kids:

 

  • Timer: Let the app be the bad guy with a built-in timer that lets you limit kids’ screen time. The app alerts your child when the session is over, so you don’t have to. (You’re welcome ;-))
  • Sound settings:  Sometimes you need a little peace and quiet! You have an option to turn off background music and sound effects, so your kids can keep watching while you catch a breather.
  • Search settings:  If you’d rather limit your children to just the pre-selected videos available on the home screen, you can turn off search.
  • Product feedback: Our goal is to improve YouTube Kids all the time, so we’ve included for you to give us your feedback.

I am not sure how you feel about YouTube for your children. I know a lot of parents who do not trust the website. Now, they have a new opportunity to reevaluate YouTube. I for one am grateful…

So we can look up more cool educational facts.

Like “How does an astronaut eat and go potty mom?”

Enjoy & Blessings,

-Heloise

What do you think about the new YouTube app? 

 

In Internet Safety, Parenting ,
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The Iron Jen Show Podcast

The Iron Jen Show Review: Awesome Podcast For Your Courage & Strategy

Heloise "Lois" Ridley, MBA, MA —  October 22, 2014

Iron Jen Show-podcast

 

 ” Be inspired, motivated and encouraged to discover how build resiliency and iron focus in order to leverage adversity to reach your potential”

-The Iron Jen

 

Often, I find many people have things in their heart they want to accomplish, yet they are discouraged and afraid. Some feel too tired to try since they have many obstacles to overcome.

A starting place for them to change is by renewing their minds and gain courage to go forward even when they may feel like quitting or giving up on their family, hopes and dreams.

I always encourage them to pray and read their Bible if they are people of faith.

The Word of God is stuffed with helpful verses that give courage and strength :

“That is what the Scriptures mean when they say, ‘No eye has seen, no ear has heard, and no mind has imagined what God has prepared for those who love him.”

1 Corinthians 2:9 (NLT)

After those bases are covered…. I cannot say enough about The Iron Jen Show podcast. Iron Jen’s honesty and transparency keep me hooked on the show.

I listen to it regularly from the podcast app on my iPhone. You can listen on Android and on Blog Talk Radio on your computer. You can subscribe to automatically receive new episodes.

The background story is a family that has worked hard to climb out of massive debt, compete in triathlons, manage their busy lives with four children including one son who unfortunately has serious health issues for God to heal.

The podcast is designed for people from all walks of life who need encouragement and support. Iron Jen tackles life’s tough issues with her guests who help listeners overcome everything from writing a book,  starting or expanding a business, to climbing out of depression or helping a child conquer substance abuse.

 

Some of my favorite episodes from The Iron Jen Show Podcast are:

Dr. Stephen Taylor –  NBA Speaker on Helping Our Kids Overcome Chemical Addiction

John Crudele – Making Sense of Adolescence: How to Parent from the Heart

Dan Miller –  Wisdom Meets Passion

Karen Putz – Unwrapping Your Passion

Jen McDonough – How to Get Out of Debt 

Jen McDonough – How to Be an Empowered Parent

Chris LoCurto  – Simple and Easy Tips for Entrepreneurs

Kent Julian  – How to Become a Paid Speaker

Kathleen Crandall  – Personal Branding and How It Can Help You Build Your Platform

Ramsey County  – Keeping Our Kids On Track

There are many more listed on The Iron Jen Show website

You will be glad you did. Take Courage!

In what areas do you struggle and need the most encouragement? What do you do when you need more courage?

In Encouragement, Parenting ,
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John Maxwell Quote

Are Our Fears Stopping Us?

Heloise "Lois" Ridley, MBA, MA —  October 15, 2014

“The greatest mistake we make is living in constant fear that we will make one.”

-John C. Maxwell

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Stressed Parenting Video

Heloise "Lois" Ridley, MBA, MA —  April 23, 2014

This week is a little different. As a Parent Coach and mom of 6 children plus many godchildren I love… I am feeling like it’s regrouping time. I was a really STRESSED OUT PARENT today. Hopefully we can regroup together and I can help you.

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Funny Friday: Mommy Speaker Cartoon by John McPherson

Heloise "Lois" Ridley, MBA, MA —  April 11, 2014

funny cartoon about a mom speaker by McPherson 160kb

I just received a picture of this hilarious cartoon from a friend who wrote “U at ENOCH”

She is referring to me speaking at the ENOCH NJ Homeschool Convention coming up in May.

This funny cartoon was created by John McPherson at http://CloseToHome.com

He has a new Close To Home funny on the http://www.gocomics.com/closetohome everyday.

Ironically, this cartoon is easy to relate to at times with our 6 kids that we homeschool.

Moms juggle a lot to get things done!

LOL

In Parenting, Speaking , ,
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