For a second summer in a row, the pandemic is making it difficult for parents to plan for summer. Vacations, camp experiences, and other hallmarks of summer fun might be in limbo until we know what our kids can do safely. If you’re looking for options and want to start thinking about what socially distant…
Why Lighthouse Parents Are the Best Parents
This post is sponsored by the Center for Parent and Teen Communication Tiger moms, lawnmower dads, and helicopter parents. Many phrases describe the types of parents in the world. I’ve never felt that any of them describe me until hearing about lighthouse parents. What is a lighthouse parent? It’s the best parenting style! I’m the…
Why Goal Setting is More Important Than Ever & How to Help Our Kids
This post is sponsored by Classroom Champions For nearly 12 months, the pandemic has changed our lives dramatically. The way we work, shop, and socialize has been altered while our kids long for in-person school like they’re used to. Some days we’re thriving and other days we’re holding on by a thread, barely surviving. Our…
How We Can Teach Teens to Be Safe Winter Drivers
As I’m sitting here writing this post, sleet is hitting my window and instantly sticking to the sidewalks and roads. The below freezing temperatures and slippery conditions are not ideal driving conditions but serve as a teachable moment to teach teens to be safe winter drivers. Teens love the independence of driving but it can…
How Minecraft Teaches Kids About Social Justice Movements
First Minecraft’s Uncensored Library gave censored journalists freedom in the virtual world and then let kids vote on important issues through Build the Vote. Now through Lessons in Good Trouble, Minecraft teaches kids about social justice movements around the world. Lessons in Good Trouble aims to share how global social justice movements influenced positive changes…
How to Send a Last Minute Valentine Gift Instantly with Punchbowl
I used to be so organized and then the pandemic hit. These days I feel like I’m winning at life if I remember to pick up a card during my occasional shopping trips AND put it in the mail to arrive sort ofon time. I love being thoughtful but since I’m so forgetful these days,…
6 Ways Families Can Work Together to Be Internet Awesome on Safer Internet Day
This Safer Internet Day post is sponsored by Google It’s the first email I see in the morning as I open my inbox. It’s from an individual whose tone tends to range from passive aggressive to hostile. I take a deep breath and click to open it, not knowing if it will elicit an eyeroll…
How Small Business Owners Can Support Employees During a Pandemic
This is a sponsored post written on behalf of Premera Blue Cross. In 2008 when I started TechSavvyMama.com, I sought out to share my knowledge and expertise about technology and education for fellow parents. I knew how to write and had experience building websites but there were many other things I’ve had to learn as…
7 Ways to Celebrate Reading Aloud Together on World Read Aloud Day
There’s nothing better than coming together over a story, especially this year. The shared experience and connection of reading aloud is so needed because it’s more than just about reading books together. Today we celebrate World Read Aloud Day and the power of reading aloud. For 12 years, World Read Aloud Day has called attention…
7 Reasons to Celebrate World Read Aloud Day and the Power of Story
On cold winter days like the ones we’ve been having this week, my favorite thing to do with my kids when they were little was to gather a stack of books, snuggle on the couch, and read. The Going to Bed Book, Frog and Toad are Friends, The Napping House, and books by Jan Brett,…
