Parent Tips Healthy Easter For Kids and Family

By

Beware Easter over eating.  Easter is expected to generate $1.82 billion in candy sales and is second only to Halloween in candy consumption. Dietitians warn that eating five candy Easter eggs (the average given to most children), plus the other candies usually included in the basket, could see youngsters doubling their recommended calorie intake for a week. You could see your child’s weight increasing by several pounds within days. The recommended daily calorie amounts are around 2,000 calories a day for an average 11-year-old boy and 1,500 for a girl, but many could be eating up to 10,000 calories over the Easter period. Plan your calorie burning kid play now.

<?xml:namespace prefix = o ns = “urn:schemas-microsoft-com:office:office” /> 

For parents worried that their children might eat too much Easter candy, some experts suggest adding non-edible items to Easter baskets: book, crayons, movie passes,  sports cards, kids' videos, colorful stickers, markers, chalk, stuffed animals or balls.

 

 

Children aren’t the only ones at risk. Easter candy can knock your healthy eating plans right off the bunny trail, too. Chocolate might be the biggest culprit, because it is so high in fat. For someone seeking fat loss this Easter season, perhaps the worst thing to find in their basket would be a chocolate treat like the Palmer Chocolate Bunny (2.5 oz.). The recommended serving size is 1 package (71 grams), which will cost an astounding 360 calories, 20 grams fat (31% Daily Value), 12 grams saturated fat (60% Daily Value), and 46 grams carbohydrate (15% Daily Value). And you face the additional challenge of eating only one.

 

 A healthy alternative to consuming chocolate eggs can be to join in the hunt for colored eggs. One solution this Easter is to join in the Easter egg hunt with the kids. According to calories per hour, a 170 pound woman will burn approximately 116 calories in 30 minutes of hiding Easter eggs, and another 154 calories in just 30 minutes of egg-hunting. So, hop to it. Have some active fun

Orgin Easter Traditions & Food Favorites

By

<?xml:namespace prefix = o ns = “urn:schemas-microsoft-com:office:office” /> 

  • Hot cross buns were among the earliest Easter treats, made by European monks and given to the poor during Lent.

 

  • Pretzels were originally associated with Easter. The twists of a pretzel were thought to resemble arms crossed in prayer.

 

  • Passover is celebrated with karpas (a green vegetable, usually parsley) and bitter herbs

 

  • The German word “to mourn” (grun) is very similar to the word for green (grÜn). So in <?xml:namespace prefix = st1 ns = “urn:schemas-microsoft-com:office:smarttags” />Austria, Hungary and much of Germany, Easter is GrÜndonnerstag: a day to eat spinach and salad.

Security Software Reviews For Parents and Teachers

By

Cyber Bullying Resource: Security Safety Software Reference

Proactive informed parents are the best deterrent. The security concerns have spawned an industry of touted “software solutions.” At best software tools are reinforcements for your personal child safety campaign. 

Software tools generally focus on two major tasks: tracking and monitoring internet usage and filtering or blocking certain forms of internet access.  The following chart provides a comparison of the features of some of the more prominent programs available but is not a Kamaron recommendation.


the more prominent programs available but is not a Kamaron recommendation.

Product/Price

Features

Evaluation

CyberPatrol from SurfControl
<?xml:namespace prefix = o ns = “urn:schemas-microsoft-com:office:office” /> 
$39.95 (12 month)
$59.95 (24 month)
Discounts for future subscriptions and for bulk purchases (5 or more licenses)

·         Records all web surfing activity
·         Sends email report.
·         Provides site and program blocking and time restrictions.2

·         PC Magazine Editor Rating of 4 (out of 5).
·         Reviewers note its susceptibility to overriding, especially on outbound IMs.

CYBERsitter
 
$39.95 for a single computer, with discounts for additional computers.  No subscription fees.

·         Records all web surfing activity and IMs.
·         Sends email report.
·         Provides site and program blocking and time restrictions.2
·         Blocks Social Networking sites such as MySpace and FaceBook.

·         Five time winner of PC Magazine’s Editor’s Choice Award.
·         Some minor Windows interface difficulties reported.

Safe Eyes
 
$50.00  per year for up to three computers.

·         Records all web surfing activity and IMs.
·         Sends email report
·         Provides site and program blocking and time restrictions.2
·         Blocks P2P file sharing.1

·         Winner of PC Magazines Editor’s Choice Award
·         Some trouble with URL filters blocking legitimate sites.

Allume Sustems Spycatcher
 
$30.00

·         Beats others at detecting and blocking spam
·         Activate Parental Controls

·         Consumer Reports reviewed.
 

1Peer-to-peer (P2P) file sharing programs allow direct downloading between end user computers, without the safeguards of a mediating website.  P2P programs are used primarily to share music and video files, but can be used for any kind of computer data.

2Program blocking capabilities include both programs installed on the computer and programs accessed online (e.g., video games and gambling programs).  Time restrictions capabilities include both limiting the amount of time spent online in a given period (e.g., per day or week) and limiting access at certain times of the day (e.g., between 1:00 and 6:00 a.m.).

THE FIRST LINE OF DEFENSE

This seeming cornucopia of solutions may be deceptive, however.  CNet reports that the <?xml:namespace prefix = st1 ns = “urn:schemas-microsoft-com:office:smarttags” />US Justice Department cast doubt last winter on the notion that software alone is adequate protection.  And Anne Collier, editor of NetFamilyNews.org, argues on the StaySafe.org website that Web 2.0 (cyberspeak for the new generation of internet involving multimedia, mobile access, multidirectional communication, and user-driven content) defies control, and reliance on software to keep our children safe is a partial solution at best.

GetNetWise.org offers a helpful Online Safety Guide that provides general tips for kids, teens, and families, then breaks specific suggestions down into age groups with three-year spans. 

www.kamaron.org and Kamaron Resource Center

 

Parenting Is The World's Most Important Job – Humor

By

No task is as critical to the future as good parenting. Some days being able to keep your sense of humor and perspective really helps. We've collected some humorour thoughts on fatherhood, raising teens, being a working mom and more.

<?xml:namespace prefix = o ns = “urn:schemas-microsoft-com:office:office” /> FATHERS THEN AND NOW

 

1. In 1900, fathers and sons would have heart-to-heart conversations while fishing in a stream.Today, fathers pluck the headphones off their sons' ears and shout, “WHEN YOU HAVE A MINUTE..”

 

In 1900, a father came home from work to find his wife and children at the supper table.Today, a father comes home to a note: “Jimmy's at baseball, Cindy's at gymnastics, I'm at adult-Ed, Pizza in fridge.”

  

TEENAGERS

 

Raising teenagers is like nailing Jell-O to a tree.

 

BEING A MOM

 

You know you’ve turned into a mom when You find yourself humming the Barney song as you do the dishes.

 

Working mothers are guinea pigs in a scientific experiment to show that sleep is not necessary to human life.

 

 

Teen Optimistic About Innovation Science & Technology

By

<?xml:namespace prefix = o ns = “urn:schemas-microsoft-com:office:office” /> 

A new study done by the Massachusetts Institute of Technology, shows that teens are more optimistic than adults on what innovation will bring to our future. By 2015, 33% of teens believe gas powered cars will obsolete, as opposed to 10% of adults.

 

Teens were much more optimistic than the adults polled that innovations will solve a lot of the global issues. Such innovations teens thought would be solved: unclean water, hunger, disease and pollution. This was encouraging to those who conducted the survey considering the fact that the teens believe innovations in the areas of science and technology could solve these important issues.

 

But current trends are not likely to put many of these teens in the field of science and technology. Only 14% of the teens were interested in the field of engineering, and only 9% were interested in a career choice of science.

 

Keywords: innovation, science & technology, education

General Has Tough Mission: Building The Army

By

<?xml:namespace prefix = o ns = “urn:schemas-microsoft-com:office:office” /> 

The Army recruitment department is turning to video games, Websites, text messaging to cell phones, and helicopter simulators to draw more teenagers into the recruitment offices to sign up for duty. With goals not being met for recruitment, the Major General in charge of recruitment, turns to these and other innovations in order to attract those who have the aptitude and desire to be apart of the Army. He also has turned to commercials on the Food Network and sending recruitment officers out to NASCAR events to help persuade parents that Army service will be good for their children. There are currently 8,000 military recruiters, an advertising budget of $200 million, and a fleet of tractor-trailers that are outfitted to showcase the Army’s technology.

 

 

Keyords: Sci/Tech, Parenting, Business

Margaret Ross and Success Class TV Program

By

A joint production of Kamaron Institute and Comcast Inc. and hosted by Margaret Ross, Success Class is a weekly, news magazine format show of “how to” KC3 case studies, real life application of values and citizenship. New Positive Parenting segment is being added to show line up.

<?xml:namespace prefix = o ns = “urn:schemas-microsoft-com:office:office” /> 

Each show shines the spotlight on what's right and what works in business, education and community.

 

“We focus on the facts, the how to steps, and the real life stories of Amazing people who are increasing quality teaching time, making businesses, schools and buses safer, happier and more productive places,” says Success Class host, Margaret Ross.

 

“The same skills that help an adult have a successful day at work, help students have a successful day at school,” adds Comcast's Andy Macke. “We focus on those facts and the role models in business and in education,” adds Ross.

 

 Success Class is fast-paced edutainment. The modular, multi-media, news format that builds on the language and story characters of the Casey book series by Margaret Ross and the teacher tested lessons and activities of the Kamaron KC3 Positive Label Programs for school and business.

 

The KC3 TV Good Finder News Team goes behind the scenes of area schools, organizations, and companies who are making a positive impact.

 

 

The programming focuses on bringing good news to the community and features four segments each episode: Learning It; Living It; Community Connections and Every day Heroes.

 

Positive Parents: Practical tips from Margaret Ross for raising happy children.

Learning It: helps to reduce unkind behaviors such as bullying, and as a result, increases teaching time in school

Living It: connects the dots between business and education

Community Connections: a segment profiling a non-profit organization in the community

Every day Heroes: profiles an individual that models positive relationships skills with their family and community everyday

Cyber Bullying Solutions Schools Home

By

Daily, half of <?xml:namespace prefix = st1 ns = “urn:schemas-microsoft-com:office:smarttags” />America’s school children, approximately 12 million, are impacted by bullying on the bus and in school.  Cyber bullying is in addition to this larger problem that impacts the quality of student education.

 

A partnerships with school, home, transportation, and community is required.

<?xml:namespace prefix = o ns = “urn:schemas-microsoft-com:office:office” /> 

The number of kids using the Internet makes it the preferred way to communicate. The Pew Internet & American Life Project reports that approximately 17 million kids aged 12 to 17 use the Internet.

 

Teens have embraced IM—74 percent of teens IM, compared to only 44 percent of adults. IM  is the preferred cyber bullying medium of teenage girls.

 

Cyber Bullying incidents tracked at 6 percent in 2000 are now estimated in range of 18% to 42% of students in grades 4 through 8, say they have been bullied online.

 

Less than 20 percent tell their parents that they have been cyber bullying victims our of fear of loosing internet access.

 

It’s a cycle. Half of cyber bullying victims also display cyber bullying behaviors. 

 

Cyber bullies sometimes leave their “electronic finger prints” behind. Electronic messages such as IM’s and emails leave “fingerprints”—nine-digit numbers recorded with your ISP (Internet Service Provider).

 

 

Cyber Bullying Preemption and Prevention In Schools

 

Launch a proactive, preemptive program that replaces the natural name-calling, bullying, taunting bullying behaviors with a positive focus.  Re-norm what is considered cool at school

 

Kamaron Institute has successfully done with the KC3 Positive Label Program, which has proven to decrease bullying behaviors by 50 percent.

 

Make sure ethics and character as bullying preemption should be included in any computer instruction given at your school.

 

Partner with your PTA for a parent briefing on all cyber bullying as well as bullying on buses and in school.

 

Encourage your school district to develop a clear, comprehensive bully preemption and cyber bulling prevention policy on acceptable computer use, both on and off school property.

 

The policy should spell out what constitutes cyber bullying, and list consequences.

 

Establish a bullying prevention relationship with your local police department, perhaps inviting “cyber cops” to your school to speak to parents and kids on proper Internet use.