Since the start of this site in 2008, I’ve made it my mission to publish holiday gift guides to make your holiday shopping easier. My 2024 Holiday Gift Guides are full of items my own kids (now a college freshman and junior) would love to receive. They also feature gifts I plan to give nieces,…
How to Nurture Mental Health to Keep Kids Safe Online
Nine years ago when I wrote Important Conversations to Have with Your Kids About Instagram, my 11 year old daughter had just entered middle school and gotten her first phone. Today she’s an almost 21-year-old college junior and we know so much more about how kids are impacted by online experiences. We also know it’s…
Reinforce Kindness in the Digital World with These 6 Questions
This post is sponsored by Google’s Be Internet Awesome When my daughter was in preschool, she used to come home with sand in her mittens. Each afternoon I’d wonder what she’d done to fill her tiny pink mittens to the brim with sand. She thought it was one of life’s great mysteries too! Tethered to…
Talking to Kids About Healthy Technology Use
This healthy technology use post is sponsored by The National PTA Ready, Tech, Go! When my kids were little, there was a time when they used to always ask “why.” Even when their curiosity felt overwhelming, taking time to explain the why behind their question always satisfied them. I learned that working with my kids…
5 Ways Teach Cyber Confidence to Prevent Cyberbullying
October is Cybersecurity Awareness Month which not only involves protecting our data but also protecting people from cyberbullying. While cyberbullying and cybersecurity are different, they both involve harm caused to others through technology. As adults, we understand this but the idea of harm through a digital device can feel very abstract to kids. Since October…
Cybersecurity Awareness Month: 4 Things to Do to Keep Yourself Safe
The connectedness of our world has both benefits and drawbacks. There is convenience in shopping online, using social media as a tool to stay in touch with friends and discover new things, and teleworking as long as we take steps to stay safe when using our phones, laptops, and smart devices. October is Cybersecurity Awareness…
Get Well Soon Care Package for a Sick College Student
It’s that time of the year when college students start to get sick. The adrenaline from the start of the year has worn off, they’re up late with friends, in the thick of studying, and forgetting that self care (like a good night’s sleep and staying hydrated) is necessary. Now is a great time to…
How National PTA’s Ready, Tech, Go! Teaches Healthy Digital Habits
This post is sponsored by National PTA Ready, Tech, Go! Parenting in the digital age isn’t easy especially since our kids often want digital devices before we’re ready for them to have them. Before we put cell phones, tablets, and computers in their hands, it’s important to figure out when they’re truly ready for these…
Visiting Casa Bonita: 10 Things to Know Before You Go
Casa Bonita is a legendary Mexican themed restaurant located just outside Denver, Colorado whose kitschy fabulousness makes it feel like a fever dream. It’s a place where you’re greeted by mariachis, entertained by cliff divers while you eat, can catch a show or two (magic or puppets!), and are encouraged explore at your leisure. Visiting…
7 Ways You Can Support the End of Childhood Cancer
I admit that I didn’t know a lot about childhood cancer until I visited St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital in Memphis in 2016. I had no idea that childhood cancer, or pediatric cancer kills more children in the United States than any other disease. I didn’t realize it is the leading cause of death by…
