Kickin’ It Home-school

We started our first (official) week of Kindergarten on Monday. I was a little worried that G would be less than thrilled about not going to “regular school” like everyone else, but she seems to be proud that she isn’t a “regular” school kid. When people ask her why she isn’t in school, she proudly answers “I’m homeschooled!”. She seems to really like the idea that she is lucky enough to not have to go to a regular school.

This year we decided we would enroll her into a virtual academy. I am still her teacher, but the academy provides the curriculum, a computer, and help with instruction. Socialization is always an issue when homeschooling, so the academy provides field trips and community activities as well as clubs and camps for the families and students to get to know each other and build lasting friendships. In October, we get to go to a three-day family science camp up North. This is way cooler than having to sit in a brick building all day long!

My baby is growing up so fast, and learning so quickly! Its hard to believe that just 4 years ago she was learning how to walk. Every morning she is excited to begin the days lessons, and she seems to be cruising through them at an alarming pace. I think that we may be able to get her into a gifted learners program very soon.

I am so excited to have the opportunity to go on this journey with her, instead of being on the sidelines, I get to participate in the experience and have a hand in preparing my baby to face the world one day.

August 12, 2010 · Jack · No Comments
Posted in: Kickin' It Homeschool

Internet Over-share…

With Twitter, Facebook and a host of other social networking sites out there we are more connected to each other than ever before. Strangers become friends, and old friends are reconnected. It is, to some people, an integral part of their daily life. However, with all of these great ways to share our lives with the world at large, there is also the risk of “over-share”.

I recently read an article about a marriage that broke up because of a Twitter and Facebook addiction. Yes, you read that right; Twitter and Facebook broke up a marriage. The reason: over-share. The wife was so obsessed with checking her FB and Twitter accounts that she quit communicating with her husband all together. Every bit of their marital problems was aired out on FB for her “friends” to weigh in on. Her Twtitter and FB “friends” knew about problems in the marriage that her husband had no idea about. What has the world come to when you tell FB and Twitter about your problems before you tell your spouse?

This brings me to the other over-share issues I see: telling everyone what you are doing all the time. When I first started my Twitter account, there were only about a few thousand account holders. It was cool. There weren’t celebrities and news agencies, no politicians or lobbyist organizations, just some regular people microblogging. Then it exploded. Now we have everyone on Twitter. Now we get to find out what our athletes are having for dinner, and what kind of cat litter Reese Witherspoon buys. Really? Do we really care about this stuff? There are even instances of celebs that have been sued for an “over-share tweet”. I am guilty of the over-share on Twitter and FB, myself. There have been times where I would constantly talk about my life on Twitter, and I realize how stupid that is. What made me think that anyone cared that I was making brownies or painting with my daughter? What makes any of us think that we are so important that anyone wants to hear every detail of our daily lives? Whatever happened to privacy? We have all read articles about people’s lives being destroyed because of identity theft or employers reading posts on FB and Twitter. I have had people get angry with me for commenting on something they have posted. Its like they don’t realize the internet is PUBLIC. Twitter and FB is like a huge bulletin board, and you can’t be surprised if someone says something you don’t like.

More and more we are leaving our mark via an “e-presence”. Some of us might be surprised what can be found about us with a simple Google search. Employers, colleges, and even banks are now doing Google searches on applicants. And here we are airing every detail of our lives and every grievance, sometimes with pictures and video included.

So, here’s my point: be careful what you post. Keep in mind that no one wants to hear about your marital problems or your sex life. No one really cares how often you poop or whether your kid used the potty for the first time. Okay, maybe some people will care…but do you want to hear about these things?

July 16, 2010 · Jack · No Comments
Posted in: Nerdy Stuff, Uncategorized

PG Key Review

Every time I hear another news story about a child being abducted by someone they met online, I cringe. While my daughter is only 5, she has been using the computer and internet since she was about 3. This is why I am always trying to find ways to make her experience safe and fun, as well as a way for her to be independent. I have used several methods from kid-safe browsers to hardcore monitoring software. So, far the PG Key has been the easiest to use and most cost effective ($59.95 USD). I’m not especially worried about my daughters internet usage at this time, but I’m happy that we’re getting in the practice of using the internet in a safe way. (It’s so much easier to continue with a practice as kids get older rather than try to introduce new habits later down the line!)

PG Key isn’t software, which can slow down your computer. Instead, it’s a key that you plug into your computer’s USB port. Parents can now watch, like a video, everything their kids have been doing on the computer. Since it monitors your child’s online behavior, PG Key creates accountability. Once kids know that their parents are monitoring what they’re doing, their online habits change. Also, hours can be set on PG Key to limit your child’s time online.

Once you’ve activated your PG Key, you can set it to notify you via email or to your cell phone when key words or phrases are used by your child or teen. This way you know in real time what’s going on. It will also send periodic updates with information on weekly time used and other data.

Finally, if you remove the key, Internet access is cut off. Not only is this a way of controlling your child’s online usage, but a great way to prevent a roommate, relative or your children’s friends from surfing the Internet on your PC without permission. The PG Key is, in my opinion, the best, and most cost effective method to filter and monitor your child’s online activities.

May 30, 2010 · Jack · No Comments
Posted in: Kickin' It Homeschool, Nerdy Stuff