Intro to PC Parental Controls

Lately my strong-willed 4-year-old has been driving me crazy over using the internet. She’s had her own educational software (a discontinued product by Sesame Street) since she was a toddler, so she’s really good with a mouse. Then last summer I introduced her to Tumblebooks to which she immediately became addicted. Then a couple of weeks ago Elmo or Curious George let it slip that there are cool games for preschoolers available at PBSkids.org. Now, she – the same child who forgets what she’s supposed to be doing almost as soon as I’ve told her – is badgering me with perfectly recalled web addresses. But Nick.com is a can of worms I’m not ready to click on yet.

So, I need to set up some Parental Control software for Windows XP (no, I haven’t upgraded to Vista – still waiting for more of the bugs to be resolved). I found a really useful site that describes how to set the Content Advisor (for Internet Explorer only) that comes with Windows (Note: the appearance of the icons has changed but the names are the same). So that would take care of light web usage, but would be cumbersome for managing heavy online browsing and completely useless for limiting computer time. For that, I plan to try Kids PC Time Administrator, one of several free 30-day downloads ($18.95 to keep after the trail period) available from PC Home Software. It claims that I can specify the times my child can use the computer, which is just what I need to end school-morning and bedtime battles. I know: keeping firm boundaries and a close watch does the same thing, but I’m tired of the arguments and grief.

Anyway, if the (free!) Windows’ Content Advisor and relatively inexpensive Kids PC Time software work well together, I should be all set to manage a preschooler’s blossoming internet habit (assuming I set a password on my grown-up no-restrictions user account! More on that later.). But if they don’t give me the control I need then I may have to shell out more cash for something more powerful like Net Nanny (a free 14-day trial is available, $39.99 after that) or BSafe Online ($49.95 for basic protection).

However, my plan is to wait until my child’s online skills are more developed before purchasing a more sophisticated internet filter. By the time I’ll need all the features included with those more expensive software suites, the same money will be able to buy a product that has evolved to handle whatever online dangers exist at that time. At least when it comes to software, I believe it’s better to save the money and buy only what you really need. Otherwise you waste money, disk space and start-up time. Just my 2 cents.

OK, I wish you and your family happy (and safe!) surfing until next time!

Tara

New digital camera features

For the past week I have been obsessed with two things: giving my daughter a fun Halloween and buying a new camera with which to capture the fun. And now that Halloween is over, I am able to pass on what I’ve learned about a couple of cool features now available on digital cameras: face detection and optical image stabilization.

Cameras with face detection distinguish human faces (sorry, it doesn’t work for pets) and adjusts the focus and exposure to bring them into focus. Image stabilization reduces the blurriness that results from hand-holding the camera by counteracting the motion of a moving image during exposure (Note: This is not the same as manipulating the shutter speed, which is sometimes misleadingly referred to an “anti-shake” or “anti-blur” function by some manufacturers).

Now, when it comes to digital cameras I have a few requirements. I carry my camera with me everywhere to take snapshots of my daughter. So I need a small point-and-shot camera, with good image quality (I wanted about 8 megapixels) and minimal lag-time between shots. Also I wanted to spend under $300, but still get face detection, image stabilization, and red-eye correction (a pretty common, but useful feature). So after a bit of research I narrowed it down to the Canon PowerShot SD850 IS and the Sony Cybershot DSCW90. I looked at a number of reviews, but here are two for the Canon – here and here. And there are two for the Sony – there (review of the W80, which aside from the megapixels, is identical to the W90) and there.

When it was all said and done, I ended up buying the Sony. I was intrigued by the Canon, but I had to face the fact that I am already invested in Sony technology. My last 2 cameras were Cybershots, so I’m already familiar with the series and own a large-capacity Memory Stick. Plus it cost $50 less than the Canon when I went to check them out at Best Buy. So it was kind of a no-brainer for me.

BTW, at least in California, Best Buy offers more service plan options in the store than they do online. The 4-year service plan offered for the Cybershot at BestBuy.com is $50 and covers typical wear and tear. But I was able to purchase a 4-year service and accidental damage plan for $80 (2-year plans are also offered in-store). So, if I drop or otherwise damage this camera within the next 4 years, BestBuy will replace it. Which is a source of peace-of-mind for me because my last two Cybershots were dropped to death.

Happy camera hunting!

Tara

Podcasts to keep you informed and entertained

During the past few months I’ve gotten hooked on several podcasts. They are all FREE and I’ve subscribed to about a dozen of them through iTunes (although you don’t need iTunes or an iPod – any MP3 player will work). Now I can get informed, improve my memory, or just be entertained while I get ready in the morning, prepare dinner, or clean up around the house. I think a few of them are really cool and thought I’d share them with everyone:

CNN News Update (about 4 minutes) – The latest news happening in the U.S. and around the world.

PediaCast with Dr. Mike (about an hour) – I’d rather listen to this than read the medical information in my regular parenting magazines. Even if you disagree with his opinions at Arial (like his take on the HPV vaccine), it’s great information. I wish I’d known about this when my daughter was an infant.

Dr Mike is a board-certified pediatrician and Fellow of the American Academy of Pediatrics. He earned his medical degree at The Ohio State University and has over 10 years of parenting and clinical practice experience. Dr Mike can’t diagnose the ear infection or prescribe the antibiotic (unless you visit his office practice), but he can take the time to share his knowledge. And you won’t have to pony up a co-pay or spend precious time searching the index of another WHAT TO EXPECT EVERY DAY OF YOUR CHILD’S LIFE type of book.

BrainReady.com BrainCast (about 20 minutes) – My mind actually feels more “awake” after listening to these. Perhaps “Mom-brain” will soon be a thing of the past?

BrainReady is the revolutionary new way to turn back the clock on the damage that aging has already done to your brain & body. Whatever your age.

• “Start whipping your brain & body back into shape — by simply listening to our free, innovative audio brain exercise modules! Now available in downloadable MP3 format too, as well as Apple iTunes!
• As recently featured in Reader’s Digest magazine and numerous other publications: BrainReady’s audio BrainCasts let you exercise your brain while you’re busy doing what you’re already doing: eating breakfast, driving in your car, at the health club, going for a walk, whatever!
• Listen anytime, anywhere — On your iPod, MP3 player, right here on this page (see below), or put on a blank CD for your car!

4) A Prarie Home Companion: The News from Lake Wobegon (about 17 minutes) – I just love listening to these segments. Witty and full of imagery. I saw it live at the Hollywood Bowl a while back and am glad to be able to hear the show now whenever I’d like.

Listen to The News from Lake Wobegon wherever and whenever you want. GK’s signature monologue is now available as a free podcast, updated every Monday. Each week, Keillor shares with listeners the latest news and views from the little town where “all the women are strong, all the men are good looking, and all the children are above average.”

5) fitPod (varies) – — This is great music to listen to while running around doing mindless housework. Helps you get it done in next to no time!

fitPod.com is the free online community for everything fitness and iPod. It’s the place to meet others with similar interests, pick up fitness tips, discuss fitness and music, and share your favorite fitness playlists — what we call “fitLists.”

OK, that’s it for now. I’m subscribed to a few others, too. But they are all spiritual/religious/self-help in nature.

Ciao!

Tara

Easy Help For Slow PCs

I subscribe to a newsletter written by Ron Douglas, owner of RecipeSecrets.net, which specializes in copycat recipes for dishes at popular restaurants (e.g. Olive Garden, Red Lobster, Boston Market). Well, today’s message included a tip on speeding up your PC that I thought I’d pass along. They key is two handy-dandy tools that come with Windows. The first is the System Configuration Utility (msconfig.exe) with which you can select which programs load when your PC boots and reduce the number of icons that appear in the system tray (which is on the far right of the task bar). The second is the Disk Cleanup tool (cleanmgr.exe) which allows you to free hard disk space by reducing the number of unnecessary files.Before you begin make sure you are logged in as a User with Administrator access, then proceed as described:

. . . here’s a cool tip I recently learned when my computer began running slow. The reason it was so slow was because I had many different programs which were automatically loading and using up the PC’s resources whenever I started the computer. Once I configured my computer start up, these programs now only load when choose to open them. Here’s what I did to fix it (for Windows users). Disclaimer: this is only my experience and not to be considered professional or technical advice.
1) Click the Start button and then click Run
2) Type in msconfig and hit Ok
3) Go to the Startup tab to view the list of programs
4) Type the name of each item in Google to see what it is if you’re
not sure *
5) Uncheck any program that you don’t need to automatically load
upon startup
6) Restart your computer **
7) Go to Start/Programs/Accessories/System Tools and click Disk
Cleanup.
Run Disk Cleanup to Remove all temporary files That’s it – now you’re running more efficiently.

* I prefer to look up each program at processlibrary.com, rather than Google as suggested here. ProcessLibrary gives a description and recommendation for each program. And, yes. It’s free.

** Windows XP Note: If there is an HP printer or certain firewall or anti-virus software (i.e. ZoneAlarm, McAfee, or Nortons) installed on your computer, you may receive an error message that reads “An Access Denied error was returned while attempting to change a service. You may need to log on using an Administrator account to make specified changes.” If you are already logged in as a User with Administrator access, then don’t worry – your changes will take effect anyway. Click “OK” and restart the computer. Once the computer has re-booted and you have logged in again, you will see another, larger message box notifying you that “You have used the System Configuration Utility to make changes to the way Windows starts.” Check the box that appears to left of “Don’t show this message or launch the System Configuration Utility when Windows start” and click “OK.”

Steps 1 – 6 took me about 15 minutes, plus the time it took to restart my computer. Steps 7 & 8 took less than 5 minutes to get going, but required quite a while to process. However it can run in the background, while you’re doing something else.

Good luck!
Tara

P.S. Check out The Secret Recipe Blog where you can score recipes to some yummy and familiar foods!

Morning and Bedtime Routines

 

Since school began my daughter has decided that she no longer wants to be late. She wants “to be on time” and frequently asks me about our timeliness. Which, of course, is great. However, anyone who knows me can imagine what an issue this new-found desire for promptness has become. But we’re trying and have made major improvement over the last week or two.

And, with the aid of her new Bedtime and Morning Routine charts (these are Word docs), she is doing her part. She actually helped choose the clip art and in some cases decided what order the tasks would go in. So, if she gets distracted, I ask her what’s next in her routine and that usually re-focuses her attention. We’ve posted two sets: one in the bathroom and one in the bedroom. That way she can see where she is at all times (her idea). Anyway, the charts have been such a big help that I thought I’d pass them along. I hope someone else can use them (with their child’s name inserted, of course).

Ciao!

Tara

Sunscreen just keeps getting better

Has anyone else tried Coppertone’s Clear SPF30 Continuous Spray No-Rub Sunscreen? It is sooo quick and easy to apply! It took less than 30 seconds to cover my daughter front to back and neck to toe! And since she sometimes strips down to her underwear at nursery school, I’m going to spray her down with it every morning before she gets dressed (which I imagine you guys are already doing to your kids). It seems that Coppertone makes an SPF50 but that one wasn’t available at the CVS I went to today. I also bought the WaterBabies SPF50 QuickCover Spray Lotion, which I thought would be good because you can see where it’s been applied. But it needs to be rubbed in, and I already have Banana Boat Kids Tear-Free Sunblock SPF50 Continuous Lotion Spray which is basically the same thing (but smells so much yummier!). So I think I might return it for the Coppertone KIDS Continuous Spray SPF50 (also clear and no-rub) and keep the regular SPF30 for myself.

Also, I’ve struggled with applying sunscreen to my duaghter’s face. We have the WaterBabies Stick SPF30 which is good for the major areas (nose, forehead, cheeks, etc.) but it’s awkward to apply it in creases and near eyes. And she turns her head and backs away while I use my hands to spread it around. So today I picked up a dozen round latex-free cosmetic sponges for $3 and used one to apply sunscreen to her face, ears, and neck instead. It’s pretty quick and for some reason She didn’t mind it as much. I plan to use a clean one each day and wash them with the laundry (being careful not to put them in the dryer). Perhaps this will work for someone else.

Just one more bit of sunscreen info, and then I’ll stop: My esthetician recommends Dermalogica solar defense booster spf30 (you can wear it alone or add 2 drops to your morning moisturizer) and total eye care spf15 for daytime wear. I haven’t bought the eye cream yet, but so far so good with the booster.

Ciao!
Tara

Ugly Afternoon, Cute Video

My daughter and I have had a tough afternoon. She’s trying to give up the nap, and I’m desperately trying to hold on to it! I was so tired and frustrated that the idea of tying the child to her bed occurred to me. But her jump rope is too short, and our spool of kite string didn’t seem up to the job either. (Just kidding!) Then I remembered the Rewards and Consequences CD by Noel Janis-Norton at calmerparenting.com, listened to it while my little rebel rampaged in her room, and ultimately gained her happy cooperation. My sincere “Thanks!” go out to the friend who gave me this CD: you have saved my daughter from a surely traumatic childhood experience and me from an unwelcome appearance on the evening news!

After all of that, I received an email with a link to this amusing 1.5 minute clip. Just thought I’d share.

Hope your afternoon has been better than mine!

Tara

Parent Movie Reviews & Charlotte’s Web

I’ve been thinking about taking my daughter to see Charlotte’s Web this summer. So I checked out Kids In Mind, which gives details about particular movie scenes and Parentstv.org, which gives an overview and opinion of the movie and it’s message.

Given this information, I don’t think that I’ll be taking her to see Charlotte’s Web after all. She is (over)sensitive to dirtiness, rudeness, and emotional tension. So between the scenes of animals covered in goo and slop, mild rough-housing between characters, and the issue of death, this movie may be pretty troubling for her. If I thought she could benefit from the larger message about the importance of friendship and family, then I might risk it. But she’s shown herself to be so impressionable that I think she’d just be upset or confused for much of the movie. So, I think we’ll stick with the Wonder Pets for our animal-centric entertainment, LOL!

Anyway, I think these sites are great tools for helping parents decide which movies would be good experiences for their kids.

Ciao!

Tara

Bizarre Phobias