Back-to-School with FiOS

I always loved back-to-school shopping when I was a child and I probably love it even more as a parent. There is something uniquely satisfying about filling a shopping basket with glue sticks, pens, rulers and Post-it Notes, and that’s before we start putting together the first-day-of-school outfits!

However, back-to-school shopping has changed over the last few years. Now, it’s less about notebooks and binders and more about laptops and tablets. While we may have some regrets that penmanship has given way to typing and swiping, there is no denying our kids’ need to be proficient with computers. Whether it’s participating in an after-school chat group or researching a history topic, the Internet is the new go-to resource and the ever-present homework helper.

And in the same way that smartphones and tablets have created an always-engaged work environment for parents, digital devices are rapidly blurring the boundaries between school and home for students. No longer is it possible to just rely on the computer lab and the school network to complete those projects and assignments. A fast and reliable home Internet connection is now an almost essential prerequisite for academic success.

This past Spring was a perfect example of how the home Internet plays such an important role in the life of a high schooler. As my daughter completed her sophomore year, there were countless hours of home-based test-prep, most of it done online and often with the aid of a FaceTime study group. In addition, we frequently hosted the high school debate team, with up to 15 debaters all logged on to the home network as they feverishly prepped for end-of-year tournaments.

How do you know whether your home network is up to the challenge of a new school year? One way to find out is by taking the Verizon Speed Test. If your home network isn’t delivering upload/download speeds of at least 50/50 Mbps then it may be time for an upgrade. (Yes – with all those chat groups and shared assignments, upload speeds do matter!)

So have fun with those late-August trips to the mall. Those pens and Post-it Notes are still going to come in handy. Just remember to add a fast and reliable Internet to the list – your back-to-school shopping won’t be complete without it!

The Online Mom LLC receives a fee for participating in certain promotional campaigns for Verizon.  

Helping Anxious Children with Back to School

By Tracey Dowdy

“My stomach hurts.” “What if I don’t make any friends?” “I hate the bus.” “What if my teacher is mean?” “What if I can’t find my classroom?”

If those statements and questions sound familiar or if you hear them more than once in the days leading up to the start of school, your child may be feeling anxious or stressed. It’s important that both you and your child know it’s common to feel anxious before a big change and transitioning from the carefree days of summer to the structured days of Fall is one of the biggest challenges a young child can face.

As parents, our first reaction is to protect our kids and help them avoid anything that causes them pain. But the key to helping our kids with back to school jitters is to be sure we’re equipping them and not rescuing them. Learning to manage emotions – even the unpleasant ones – is part of growing up and the more tools we can give our kids the more successful and emotionally healthy they’ll be.

If your child is anxious, the first step is to acknowledge it. Just as in adults, anxiety presents itself in different ways. Your child may seem irritable, sad, depressed or afraid. The key is to be honest about it. Open the conversation with something as simple as “You’re not yourself today. Is there something you’d like to talk about?” Be mindful that you might need to wait for your opportunity; the middle of a meltdown may not be the best time to address the issue. My kids often opened up at bedtime when I was tucking them in. There was something about the intimacy and the peacefulness of bedtime that made them feel safe enough to share their thoughts or fears.

Help your child to understand the difference between feelings and facts. When I was younger, I was terrified of sharks coming out from under my bed and I couldn’t sleep with a hand or foot hanging over the side. To my knowledge there are no documented cases of sharks lurking in pink shag carpeting but that didn’t make my fear any less real. Your preschooler’s fear of the loud, smelly bus or your fifth grader’s fear that they won’t make any friends feel very real to them, so it’s important to teach your kids that feelings can trick us and make us think things are much worse than they are. Worrying about the bus doesn’t make it unsafe and fearing you won’t have friends doesn’t mean you’re going to be lonely.

Teaching the 3 C’s can help them get those anxious thoughts under control:

  • Catch Your Thoughts – Think of your thoughts as floating in a thought bubble above your head like in cartoons. Now grab one of those thoughts as they float by.
  • Collect Evidence – Now that you’ve caught one – let’s say, “I won’t have any friends” – find reasons why that thought is or isn’t true. “My friend Carla is the same age and we’ve been together since grade one.” (Positive) “It’s a bigger school with more classes so we’ll probably get split up.” (Negative) “I made friends with Carla the first day of grade one.” (Positive)
  • Challenge Your Thoughts – Think of it like having a debate team in your brain. Take all the evidence you collected and weigh the good against the bad.

Another effective way to manage anxiety is to teach your child to focus on “what is” not on “what if.” Tom Petty was right – the waiting is the hardest part. Much of our anxiety builds up while we anticipate what could happen and results in thinking “What if no one sits with me at lunch?” or “What if I give the wrong answer if I’m called on in class?” Instead, teach your child to practice mindfulness, focusing on the present. Simple breathing exercises can slow down those anxious thoughts and help your child relax.

Avoiding stressful situations makes anxiety worse in the long run. Instead, experts suggest practicing “laddering,” which breaks down worry into small manageable pieces by setting small, easily achievable goals. For example, if your child is afraid of riding the school bus, take a walk to the city bus stop and watch people get on and off. When your child feels comfortable, ride the bus to some place fun like a park. The idea is to help your child work their way up to facing the fear.

When you see anxious feelings taking over, teach your child to how de-escalate those anxious thoughts. Using a grounding exercise like naming ten things in the room around them, a deep yawn and stretch that interrupts rapid breathing, counting backwards from twenty, picturing a happy scene, or slowing down and focusing on slow, deep breaths all help to scale back the situation.

Most importantly, don’t be afraid to ask for professional help. Roughly 8% of children and teens struggle with anxiety disorder, with girls making up more than half of that number. If your child can’t seem to manage those feelings and he or she is left feeling overwhelmed or helpless, talking to a counselor can help. Most counselors will use a family system approach and help you as a parent give the best possible support to your child.

Tracey Dowdy is a freelance writer based just outside Toronto, ON. After years working for non-profits and charities, she now freelances and researches on subjects from family and education to pop culture and trends in technology. Follow Tracey on Twitter.

A+ Tech for Back-to-School

By Chantal Bechervaise

As a kid I always loved back-to-school shopping. I looked forward to new clothes, binders, pens and getting a new backpack. Things have changed a lot since I was a kid and there is much more to back-to-school shopping then regular school supplies. Students now need laptops, tablets and other tech items. Here is a round-up of some tech gear that definitely makes the grade.

Microsoft Surface 3

surface 3The Surface 3 combines the best of both worlds between owning a laptop and a tablet. It is lightweight and easy to carry around in a backpack. It has a built-in kickstand which makes it great for taking notes in class. Plus, there is an optional magnetic TypeCover keyboard or stylus pen for note taking or you can use your fingers to swipe and type like you would a regular tablet. Unlike most other tablets, the Surface 3 has a microSD port and a full-size USB 3.0 port. It also includes a 1-year Office 365 personal subscription, which provides access to the full range of Office Suite products: Word, Excel, PowerPoint, OneNote, and 1-terabyte of cloud storage via OneDrive. Starts at $639

LeapFrog Epic

leapfrog-epicIf you have little ones that are not quite ready for a laptop, the LeapFrog Epic provides children with their very own learning tablet. Epic is an acronym for “Explore, Play, Imagine, Create.” What makes this a great tablet for kids is that the content is age appropriate, does not contain any third-party ads nor in-app purchases. (So no surprise bills at the end of the month.) It is designed for kids aged 3 to 9 and the focus is on learning and creativity. The Epic also includes a safe LeapSearch Browser that only displays kid friendly websites and videos. It is powered by Android and has 7-inch screen. The Epic has more than 1,000 age-appropriate apps from the LeapFrog Store available for download and there are parental controls which let you set time limits and manage content as well. Due to be released in September at a cost $159.99

Flyp Duo

flyp-duoYou’re trying to plug into a USB port only to find you don’t have it the right way and have to flip it over.  The worst is when this happens to you and you are under a desk trying to fit it into a computer. Not anymore! The Flyp Duo plugs into your USB port the first time, no flipping or trying again. The patented design allows a USB connector to be plugged in any way you want. It is equipped with both Lightning and micro USB connectors so it is the ultimate cable for Apple and Android users alike. Perfect for charging, synching and transferring data such as music and video. Cost $24.99

Livescribe 3

livescribeYou’ve heard of smartphones and smartwatches, now here comes the smartpen. Many studies show that students remember more when they take notes and write things down by hand. The Livescribe 3 pen lets you write things down by hand but also has the advantage of being a great little tech gadget.  It records everything you write or sketch on special dotted paper (100-sheet hardbound journal included), and all your notes are then wirelessly sync’d to the Livescribe app installed on a smartphone or tablet (iPhone, iPad or Android device). The app also has the ability to record audio and sync it to your handwritten notes. Perfect for lectures and even office meetings.

Brita Ultramax Water Dispenser

britaMost people do not drink enough water – myself included. Buying bottled water can get expensive and is also not the greenest solution. The Brita Ultramax Water Dispenser is great for dorm rooms or home use. The Ultramax is a king size water dispenser with an electronic gauge which will tell you when it is time to replace the filter. It holds enough water to fill approximately 18 8oz size glasses. Cost $42.

CBechervaise67Chantal is located in Ottawa, Ontario. She is passionate about everything related to the World of Work: Leadership, HR, Social Media and Technology. You can read more from Chantal at her TakeItPersonelly blog or follow her on Twitter @CBechervaise.

11 Useful Facebook Tips and Tricks

By Tracey Dowdy

Seventy one percent of American adults use Facebook. That’s a whole lot of Online Moms. Facebook has been around for what feels like forever and, although most of us keep up with updates and changes, these hacks can make Facebook more secure, more customized, and lot more fun. 

Customize your Newsfeed

Facebook uses complex algorithms to track your “Likes” and clicks. To customize your Newsfeed even further, go to your Profile page and click on Friends. Anyone not a close friend will appear without a star. If you want to follow someone more closely, click on the friend’s checkmark and add them to your Close Friends group. Now when you go to your main Facebook page you’ll see Close Friends listed on the left. Click on a friend to see what they’ve shared and based on your comments and Likes, Facebook will intuitively learn what you like and over time will become more customized to your preferences.

Disable “Seen” Read Receipt

If you’ve ever been judged for not responding immediately to a post – not that that’s ever happened to me, ahem – you’ll be happy to know you can turn off the “Read Receipt.” Although you won’t be able to see when someone has read your message, by installing Facebook Unseen Chrome extension or Chat Undetected for Firefox and Internet Explorer they won’t know when you’ve read theirs either.

Search for Specific Posts

At the top of the page is a “Search” box. You can search for people, specific posts by keywords, or even check out restaurants, vacation spots, or anything else your heart desires.

Send Money

You can actually send your friends up to $10,000 a month and may I say if you’re in a position to do so, I’d like to be added to your Friend list. The feature works similarly to PayPal and Venmo, and by clicking on the $ icon in Facebook Messenger chats, Facebook allows payment via your debit card. Go to Settings > Payments to set up your account.

Download ALL your Facebook Data

If you want a complete record of your Facebook activity, you can download everything – and I mean everything, including photos, videos, posts, messages. Go to Settings > Download a copy of your Facebook data. Click Start My Archive and enter your password when prompted. Facebook will prepare the file and email you when it is ready for you to download.

Create a Reading List

If a friend posts a link to an article you want to read later, click on the arrow in the top right corner of the post and then choose Save Link. All of your bookmarked articles will appear under Saved in the left column or, in the mobile app, in the More tab > Saved.

Export Your Friends’ Birthdays to Google Calendar, iCal or Outlook

Once upon a time, I remembered birthdays but over time that information was replaced with how many cups in a pint and important medical advice like “Starve a fever, feed a cold”…or is it “Feed a fever, starve a cold” or  “Feed a dog, starve a cat”… never mind. To export your Facebook friends to your calendar, go to Events on the left side of the page. Copy the link for “Upcoming Events” or “Birthdays.” Open Google Calendar, click the down arrow next to Other Calendars > Add by URL, and paste the URL.

Turn off Chat Status

One of my responsibilities at another job is posting to the company’s Facebook page, so I’m on Facebook a lot at work. The key is I’m at work – I don’t have time to chat. To turn off your chat status: from the desktop open the chat window, click the gear icon in the top right corner and select Advanced Settings. Then, click Turn off Chat for All Friends to stay incognito or Turn off Chat for Only Some Friends and from here add friend lists or names of people you’d like to block from seeing when you’re online.

Block Game Requests

Is there anything more annoying than Game Requests? Well, maybe the music my dentist plays in her waiting room or a kid kicking the back of your seat all the way to Phoenix, but for me, Game Requests is right up there. In the Facebook app, go to More > Settings > Notifications > Mobile Push and uncheck Application Requests and voila, no more Candy Crush requests.

Make Calls

If both you and your friend have Facebook Messenger installed, you can make free calls to one another. Open Messenger and find the friend you want to call. Open the chat window and then tap on the phone icon in the top right corner. Calls use Wi-Fi or cellular data but not minutes.

Share Your Post with a Select Group

If you want to share a post with a select group, next to the Post button select “Who should see this?” the select Custom and choose who to share with or who to exclude.

Tracey Dowdy is a freelance writer based just outside Toronto, ON. After years working for non-profits and charities, she now freelances and researches on subjects from family and education to pop culture and trends in technology. Follow Tracey on Twitter.

Apps to Help Students (and Parents) Manage the School Day

By Tracey Dowdy

I love the TV commercials that show a smiling family sitting around the breakfast table, laughing together as they drink freshly squeezed orange juice and politely eat their healthy breakfast in a sundrenched kitchen nook. All that’s missing is the unicorn the children will soon ride to school because for many parents and kids, that tableau is just as imaginary.

Getting everyone out the door in the morning may never be as blissful as the TV commercials but it doesn’t need to be an epic battle or mad dash for the bus. Getting organized the night before and having strategies in place that meet your family’s unique schedule and needs is simply a matter of planning. These apps can help start the day off right and wrap it up in a positive way at the end of the day.

The Night Before

I’ve written about family organizers before and Cozi (Free – iOS, Android, Amazon) is always at the top of my list. It’s invaluable for parents and caregivers juggling the family schedule and will help you keep track of everything from your appointments to your grocery list, so you never find yourself out of bread when it’s time to pack lunches or forget when that science project is due.

Choiceworks (iOS – $4.99) is a visually based calendar that enables younger kids or those with learning disabilities to grasp the concept of time. It’s designed to be used by caregivers and kids alike and, along with preloaded pictures and audio cues, users have the options to customize their calendar by uploading their own images and audio. It’s user friendly, easy to navigate and offers a countdown feature to help children learn planning strategies, e.g. “Three days until my book report is due,” so they can lean to manage their time.

In the Morning

Here Comes the Bus (Free – iOS, Android) has been implemented by many school districts to connect students, parents, and administrators with their GPS-equipped vehicles. Whether you’re live in a rural or suburban area, you can appreciate the value of not standing outside when the weather is less than ideal or knowing you have time to run back to the house to grab forgotten homework. Users can also get push notifications if there’s a schedule changes or when the ride is five minutes away from the bus stop. Plus, caregivers can simultaneously track multiple children on different busses.

Swiftime (Free – iOS) spares you the frustration of yelling the morning countdown – “Fifteen minutes til we’re out the door!” “Ten more minutes!” “Five minutes ‘til we leave!” – by counting down for you from 60 minutes. The app offers 12 different alarm sounds, updated weather information, tips on what to wear and users can receive push notifications even if the app isn’t running.

Homework

Once the kids are home from school, it’s time to tackle homework. myHomework help (Free – iOS, Android) uses a color coding system to organize classes, assignments, projects, and tests by tracking what’s due and when. The app syncs across all platforms and supports time, block and period-based schedules. It also sends homework reminders and allows users to connect to your teacher’s Teachers.io class and automatically download class information, assignments, files and announcements.

If like me you had to tap out after 8th grade math, Kahn Academy (Free – iOS) offers free online classes for almost any subject you can think off. Take advantage of lectures, quizzes and exercises with step-by step hints that will not only help you remember 10th grade algebra formulas so you can help with homework but can also help your student if there’s any area he’s struggling with and may need additional instruction. It’s like having your very own tutor on-demand.

Simple things like checking backpacks when they walk in the door after school, laying out clothes and packing lunches the night before, or setting your alarm so you have adequate time to accomplish the myriad of tasks to get your family out the door in the morning won’t mean there will be days you’re tempted to give up and dive back under the covers, but it can mean there’s fewer of them.

Tracey Dowdy is a freelance writer based just outside Toronto, ON. After years working for non-profits and charities, she now freelances and researches on subjects from family and education to pop culture and trends in technology. Follow Tracey on Twitter.

Friday, October 2: Apps for a More Organized Life

VERIZON INSIDER TWITTER PARTY

#VZWBuzz

When: TODAY, Friday, October 2, 2015
3:00 – 4:00 pm ET
12:00 – 1:00 pm PT

‘Apps for a More Organized Life’

Join @TheTechDad @RobynsWorld @TheOnlineMom and friends TODAY at 3 pm ET (12 noon PT) as we chat about Apps for a More Organized Life!
Are you’re struggling to stay on top of an increasingly busy lifestyle? Don’t worry – your smartphone or tablet can help. Join the VZWBuzz team as we uncover the apps that can make us more organized and productive!
RSVP and attend the party for a chance to win a Mophie Powerstation portable charger or a HTC One M9 smartphone!
And join Monica Vila and special guest on the Video Recap right after the chat for another chance to win a HTC M9 smartphone!

(Click here to learn more about our Twitter chats. You must RSVP and attend the party to be eligible for a prize.)

To RSVP:
  1. Email RSVP@theonlinemom.com (subject line: VZWBuzz) and include your Twitter ID.
  2. Spread the word and RT this link on your Twitter feed: http://ow.ly/SLSFn         
  3. Join us on TweetDeck or HootSuite (#VZWBuzz) today between 3 – 4 pm ET
  4. Tell your Twitter followers!
PRIZE WINNERS will be announced during the Party!

(The Online Mom LLC receives a fee for participating in certain promotional programs for Verizon Wireless.)

Friday, September 25: Preparing for Emergencies

VERIZON INSIDER TWITTER PARTY

#VZWBuzz

When: Friday, September 25, 2015
3:00 – 4:00 pm ET
12:00 – 1:00 pm PT

‘Preparing for Emergencies’

Join @TheTechDad @RobynsWorld @TheOnlineMom and friends on Friday, September 25 at 3 pm ET (12 noon PT) as we chat about Preparing for Emergencies!
With more frequent health scares and weather-related incidents, it’s important for individuals and families to be prepared in case of an emergency. We look at the important role mobile devices can play, and how they keep us in touch with loved ones, allow us to share information, and help us be ready for any eventuality.
RSVP and attend the party for a chance to win a Mophie Portable Powerstation or a Microsoft Lumia 735 Smartphone!

(Click here to learn more about our Twitter chats. You must RSVP and attend the party to be eligible for a prize.)

To RSVP:
  1. Email RSVP@theonlinemom.com (subject line: VZWBuzz) and include your Twitter ID.
  2. Spread the word and RT this link on your Twitter feed: http://ow.ly/SiH90        
  3. Join us on TweetDeck or HootSuite (#VZWBuzz) on Friday, September 25 between 3 – 4 pm ET
  4. Tell your Twitter followers!
PRIZE WINNERS will be announced during the Party!

(The Online Mom LLC receives a fee for participating in certain promotional programs for Verizon Wireless.)

Wednesday, September 2: It’s OK To Be A Gamer!

VERIZON INSIDER TWITTER PARTY

#VZWBuzz

When: TODAY, Wednesday, September 2, 2015
8:00 – 9:00 pm ET
5:00 – 600 pm PT

‘It’s OK To Be A Gamer!’

Join @TheTechDad @RobynsWorld @TheOnlineMom and friends TODAY at 8 pm ET (5 pm PT) as we chat about Mobile Gaming!
Conventional wisdom suggests that time spent playing smartphone games is time wasted. But wait a second – haven’t studies consistently shown that the benefits of video gaming far outweigh the perceived negatives? The truth is, there are some very good reasons why it’s OK to pick up your smartphone and spend a few minutes matching up pieces of candy or playing Words With Friends. Join us as we take a deeper look at those reasons, boast about some of our high scores, and celebrate why It’s OK To Be A Gamer!
RSVP and attend the party for a chance to win a MOGA ProPower Wireless Controller or an LG G4 smartphone!
Join Monica Vila and special guests on the Video Recap after the chat for another chance to win an LG G4 smartphone!

(Click here to learn more about our Twitter chats. You must RSVP and attend the party to be eligible for a prize.)

To RSVP:
  1. Email RSVP@theonlinemom.com (subject line: VZWBuzz) and include your Twitter ID.
  2. Spread the word and RT this link on your Twitter feed: http://ow.ly/R6oVL       
  3. Join us on TweetDeck or HootSuite (#VZWBuzz) today between 8 – 9 pm ET
  4. Tell your Twitter followers!
PRIZE WINNERS will be announced during the Party!

(The Online Mom LLC receives a fee for participating in certain promotional programs for Verizon Wireless.)