Safe Search Kids - Education, Parenting, Internet Safety for All

School’s out, and that means your kids have lots of time free to spend online chatting, making plans with friends, and posting fun summertime photos—sometimes without you there to supervise. If that gives you anxiety, fear not. Here are four steps that will keep keep your child safe online this summer.

Set Rules for Responsible Use

Sit down with your children and talk frankly about why you care about their internet safety, covering big topics like cyberbullying or identity theft in a way that matches their maturity level. Then work together to define clear, understandable rules for their online interactions. Here are a few basics to consider:

• Never post personal info like addresses and phone numbers on social media.

• Avoid location check-ins and photo geo-tagging, which can be used to track where you are as well as when you are away from home.

• Be wary of free games and other goodies, which can infect your devices with malware. Keep security software up to date and scan everything before downloading.

• Use secure passwords and protect them. There are several password managers out there that can generate strong passwords and store them all in one place.

Once you’ve agreed upon the ground rules for online safety, put them into a contract to be signed by everyone in the family.

Follow Your Own Rules

This is an important follow-up to the previous rule. You want your kids not to text or go online after 10 p.m.? Shut down your phone and laptop at the same time.

Don’t want them posting embarrassing photos of you? Let them veto pictures they may not be happy with you sharing on social media, too.

If you can adhere to the rules you and your kids built together, they will feel more inclined to do so as well.

Build Your Child’s Critical Thinking Skills

In a world abounding with fake news, help your kids think critically about any content they find online. Encourage older kids especially to fact-check stories before reposting on Facebook or commenting on Twitter.

Teach them to question their own motives as well. Just because a comment will generate a lot of likes, that doesn’t mean they should post it. Even one poorly chosen post can cause problems down the line.

The Family Online Safety Institute has also developed a checklist that includes reminders to remove and untag unwanted posts, and to “accentuate the positive” by posting upbeat content.

Let Your Kids Know You Will Still Monitor Online Usage

Finally, let your kids know that you may occasionally check up on their activity. Being upfront about your plans to look at their browser history and monitor their accounts will establish a sense of trust and keep them accountable.

Also, consider working with them to limit their time spend on social media during the many free hours that come with having a long school break.  

For young kids who need a bit more oversight, there are plenty of helpful apps available to let you keep an eye on them.

Older kids and teens may not need (or want) as much monitoring, so for them, you may be able to check in less often. To really emphasize trust, you can even ask them to put their passwords into a piggy bank for use only in an emergency.

The internet can be a great resource for helping kids learn and be social during their school-free summer months, and following the steps listed here will help them do so smartly, responsibly, and safely.

Sun Safety for Kids | How To Help Them Be Protected

Time to give your kids some knowledge of cooking to set them off on the right footing? It’s amazing how many children never really learn how to cook, and when they reach adulthood, they’re not able to make any sort of nutritious or healthy meal.

You don’t have to teach them every single aspect of cooking, and nobody is expecting children to be top-class chefs at the age of 10, but it is a good milestone in their development and a way for you to check that you’re imparting the right kind of knowledge to children. Besides, it’s just one of the fun activities kids can do at home as often as they like.

What Cooking Skills Should Children Learn?

Below, we’ve explained some of the crucial cooking skills that children should learn to start to understand their way around the kitchen, and most importantly, to stay safe.

Measure and Mix

Down to the very basics. Children should first learn to measure and mix food. This is great for adults who enjoy cooking and want to have that extra bit of help in the kitchen. You can recruit your children for help with the measuring, and you can handle the heavy-duty stuff like actually cooking the food.

Measuring and mixing can be the first steps in following a recipe, and this is a crucial skill for children to get to grips with. If you are able to follow a recipe, then it is unlikely you’ll go hungry due to not being able to cook, especially as we live in the age of hundreds of online recipes for baking and cooking all sorts of cuisines.

Basic Knife Skills

A lot of parents keep their children away from knives for as long as possible in the kitchen, and it is easy to understand why. It may make you very anxious when you see your child pick up a knife, and you should only start with specific safety knives to teach them skills but also remove any risk.

By making your child proficient with a knife and teaching them about the dangers, you are making it less likely that they will have any kind of accident in the future. Basic knife skills such as chopping and filleting are relatively simple to pick up. Make sure you use safe knives and don’t go straight in with potentially hazardous ones.

Baking Basics

Baking is a great way to teach your children about the world of food. For instance, they can learn about the role of sugar in baking and what makes all of those delicious treats taste so good, or they can learn about bread, what makes it rise, and how it has been part of human history for tens of thousands of years.

Baking basics don’t usually involve too much complex chopping, and you can cook things with your children that are great fun to make and fun to eat. Lots of parents love baking cookies or even bread with their children, turning it into a fun activity as well as an opportunity to learn about food.

If someone can bake to a decent standard, they are likely to always have a supply of delicious and potentially nutritious food, so it is a good skill to start teaching while children are so young.

Bake Something Sweet

This is definitely a way to keep kids interested, too. Teaching them how to bake something sweet can be really joyous and great fun for everyone involved. Why should it always be boring food that we teach children to cook?

They might not be excited at the prospect of boiling an egg, but you can definitely get kids more involved if you incorporate sweet treats into the baking. When it is somebody’s birthday, why not get your children involved in the preparation of a cake, or even let them bake a cake of their own design?

These sorts of activities are a great way to build some of the most important kitchen skills without it becoming a chore for kids.

Handling Raw Meat with Care

Another one of those skills that may not be the most glamorous or fun to learn, but it is definitely important. If you are going to have your children around the kitchen, then they really need to learn about meat safety and what can potentially spread disease.

Handling raw meat with care, and properly cleaning up wherever raw meat has been, is a crucial lesson to make sure your kids learn straight away when you are trying to teach them how to cook.

Clean Up, Pick Up, Put Away

You’re probably asking your kid to clean up and put things away all the time anyway, right? Well, in the kitchen, it is even more important.

A poorly managed kitchen that doesn’t have a good level of hygiene and organization can be a hazard as well as make your life a lot more difficult. Though this isn’t always an easy lesson to teach children, it is important to get them involved with all of the cleaning, picking up, and putting away of food and drink to make sure they know how vital it is to keep everything in the kitchen clean.

It’s not a fun job, and we’d all rather the cleaning happened magically without us, but this is never going to be the case, so it is a good idea to learn this early.

About the Author:  Jordan River is an experienced baker, along with an event management specialist. She went into a marketing and customer care role working with JB Cookie Cutters to educate and share her experience. She has had her fair share of kitchen and cooking tools and knows exactly what works best and why.

Before she started writing and customer care, Jordan got a graduate degree in marketing and communications. She is a mom of two, so when not writing, she loves cooking and testing new recipes, improvising in the kitchen, and creating unique things that turn into family events.

Learn more about healthy ways to feed your kids and get them involved in the process.

Your child’s birthday is fast approaching and you want to make it extra special this year. So why not try a game-themed party? It’s sure to be a hit with all the kids. It’s also a great way to get them off screens and interact with each other. Here are 6 easy steps to follow to ensure your game-themed party is a success.

1. Visit a party store

This is the first step in ensuring your game-themed party is a success. You need to purchase decorations, plates, cups, and utensils that all fit the theme. Don’t forget to also pick up some party favors for the guests. You can even find a discount party store that specializes in game-themed party supplies. Additionally, you can check online stores or party sites for game-themed party decorations. If you have the time, you can even make some of the decorations yourself. Pinterest is a great resource for finding DIY game-themed party ideas. It’s important to get all the party supplies you need ahead of time so you’re not scrambling at the last minute.

2. Choose the right games

The key to a successful game-themed party is to choose the right games. You’ll want to have a mix of active and inactive games, as well as indoor and outdoor games. It’s also important to consider the age range of the guests when choosing games. If you’re not sure what games to choose, ask the staff at the party store for recommendations. They should be able to point you in the right direction. You can also find game ideas online or in party planning books. Additionally, many game companies offer party planning services that can help you choose the right games for your event. It’s important to have a variety of games so that everyone has a chance to play and there’s something for everyone.

3. Set up the games ahead of time

One of the most important steps in hosting a successful game-themed party is to set up the games ahead of time. This way, when the guests arrive, they can start playing right away. It’s also a good idea to test the games out beforehand to make sure they’re working properly. No one wants to play a game that’s broken or doesn’t work right. Additionally, you’ll want to make sure there are enough supplies for all the guests. Nothing is worse than starting a game only to realize there aren’t enough pieces. This step is especially important if you’re hosting a large party.

4. Have plenty of food and drinks

When hosting any type of party, it’s important to have plenty of food and drinks for the guests. This is especially true for a game-themed party, as the guests will likely be working up an appetite while they’re playing. You’ll want to have a variety of snacks and drinks available, as well as some main dishes if you’re serving dinner. It’s also important to make sure there are options for guests with dietary restrictions. You don’t want anyone to go hungry at your party. Additionally, you’ll want to make sure there’s enough food for seconds and leftovers. No one likes running out of food at a party.

5. Keep the games going throughout the party

One of the best ways to keep your game-themed party going strong is to keep the games going throughout the event. This can be accomplished by having a few different game stations set up around the party area. This way, guests can move from one game to another as they please. Additionally, you can have a few staff members or volunteers on hand to help run the games. This is especially helpful if you’re hosting a large party. You don’t want anyone to get bored or feel left out. Keep the games going and the guests will be sure to have a good time.

6. Send everyone home with a prize

A great way to ensure your game-themed party is a success is to send everyone home with a prize. Everyone loves winning, so this is sure to be a hit with the guests. You can purchase prizes at the party store or online. You can also make your own prizes if you’re feeling creative. It’s important to have a variety of prizes so that everyone has a chance to win something. You can also give out prizes to the winners of the different games. This is a great way to add some competition to the party and make it even more fun.

By following these six easy steps, you can host a successful game-themed party for your child. Just remember to have fun and enjoy yourself. After all, it’s not every day you get to throw a party for your little one. It’s sure to be a day they’ll never forget.

Discover creative ideas to make a boys balloon themed birthday party.

If your child has a dental emergency, it’s essential to stay calm and act quickly. This guide will help you understand what to do in the event of a dental emergency, how to find a dentist, and what to expect during treatment.

What is a dental emergency?

A dental emergency is an oral injury that requires immediate medical attention. Common dental emergencies include chipped or cracked teeth, knocked-out teeth, and objects caught between teeth.

What to do in the event of a dental emergency

If your child has a dental emergency, the first thing you should do is call their dentist. You can contact an after-hours emergency dentist or take them to the nearest emergency room if it’s after hours. Once you’re at the dentist, they will assess the situation and determine the best course of treatment.

What to expect during treatment

Treatment for a dental emergency will vary depending on the type of injury. In most cases, the dentist will numb the area before starting treatment. Once the procedure is complete, your child May need to take over the counter pain medication to help with any discomfort.

If your child has a chipped or cracked tooth, the dentist may recommend bonding or a dental crown. If they have a knocked-out tooth, they may be able to replant it. The dentist will remove the object and clean the area for things caught between teeth.

After a dental emergency

Once your child’s dental emergency has been treated, it’s essential to take care of their teeth and gums. This means brushing twice a day, flossing daily, and visiting the dentist regularly. If your child has a chipped or cracked tooth, they may need to avoid hard foods and chewing gum.  Of course, regular oral care is recommended to maintain healthy teeth and gums at all times.

Identifying dental emergencies in kids

As a parent, you know your child best. If you think they may have a dental emergency, trust your instincts and call their dentist right away. Treatment for a dental emergency is critical because infection, difficulty breathing, swallowing problems, and further damage can quickly occur.

A permanent tooth is knocked out

If it is knocked out, it’s essential to act quickly. Find the tooth and pick it up by the crown, avoiding the root. If the tooth is dirty, give it a rinse with water. If a permanent tooth can’t be saved, restoration is usually considered later when growth is complete. If you can’t replant the tooth yourself, put it in a cup of saline solution and take it with you to your dentist for implant-based tooth replacement. You can also place it in a cup of milk.

A tooth is chipped, fractured, or displaced

A chipped tooth may not seem like a big deal, but it can lead to more severe problems if it’s not treated. If you see a chip or fracture, call the dentist right away. If a tooth is displaced (out of alignment), try to gently push it back into place and contact the dentist.

A harsh blow to the head or a jaw fracture

If your child has a head injury, it’s essential to watch for signs of a concussion, such as dizziness, headache, nausea, or vomiting. If they have a jaw fracture, you may see bruising or swelling. Either way, it’s essential to call the dentist or take them to the emergency room.

There is facial swelling

If you see facial swelling, it could be a sign of an infection.  Call the dentist right away.

There is uncontrolled bleeding from the mouth

If your child is bleeding from the mouth and you can’t control it, call the dentist or take them to the emergency room right away.

Your child is in pain, and you can’t figure out why

If your child is in pain and you can’t figure out the cause, it’s best to err on the side of caution and call the dentist. They can help you figure out what’s going on and provide treatment if necessary.

When to contact an emergency pediatric dentist

If your child has a dental emergency, the first thing you should do is call their dentist, one that is able to book emergency appointments. You can contact an after-hours dentist or take them to the nearest emergency room if it’s after hours.

Once you’re at the dentist, they will assess the situation and determine the best course of treatment.

Tips for picking an emergency pediatric dentist for your child

When looking for an emergency dentist for your child, it’s essential to find one you trust.

You should also ensure that they’re experienced in treating children and have a suitable bedside manner. Finally, you’ll want to make sure that they’re located near you in an emergency.

Choosing the right emergency dentist for your child is an important decision. You’ll want to find someone you can trust and who has the experience to treat your child’s specific needs. When it comes to dental emergencies, time is of the essence. That’s why it’s essential to have a trusted dentist nearby who offers emergency dental services. Having quick access to professional care during dental emergencies can make a significant difference in relieving pain and preventing further complications.

The Bottom Line

Dental emergencies can be scary, but they don’t have to be. Your child may already have a fear of dentists.  However, with a little bit of knowledge and preparation, you can handle anything that comes your way and support your child fully through the experience. And if you ever find yourself in over your head, don’t hesitate to call the dentist or take your child to the emergency room. They’ll be glad you did.

Related Reading

• Learn about wisdom teeth removal: Why your teenage child may need their wisdom teeth removed.

• Dental implants verses bridges – which is right for you and do children ever need them?