Archive for September 2013

Apple launches new Kids section in App Store but it is not tween-friendly

Apple launches new Kids section in App Store but it is not tween-friendly
Apple recently that it was launching a Kids App Store at the same time that it launched iOS 7. The store is separate from the education and games section and is broken down into age groups. Initially announced at its Worldwide Developer conference in June, Apple is likely taking this step as a result of... Read more »
By Shannan Younger,
September 30, 2013 at 9:46 am • 

Talking with tweens about fairness and countering cries of "It's not fair!"

Talking with tweens about fairness and countering cries of "It's not fair!"
“That’s not fair!” is a common cry among tweens. Tweens are very focused on fairness. But is fairness something you discuss as a family? In talking about fairness, parents may be able to help tweens come to grips with the fact that world is not always a fair place. That’s a tough realization for kids,... Read more »
By Shannan Younger,
September 27, 2013 at 6:35 am • 

Virtual Piggy makes money management understandable and shopping online safe kids

Virtual Piggy makes money management understandable and shopping online safe kids
Tweens have some serious buying power, with kids aged 8 to 12 spending approximately $30 billion of their own money each year, according to AdWeek. But instead of always heading to the mall, tweens are heading to their computer and shopping on the internet. But today’s parents did not have the option of shopping online... Read more »
By Shannan Younger,
September 26, 2013 at 12:27 pm • 
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10 pieces of advice for my tween

10 pieces of advice for my tween
ChicagoNow is hosting blogapaloozahour during which we have one hour to write a post on a prompt that is revealed at a given time. “Give advice to a person, place or thing.” I found this to be interesting because, in the past few days, I’ve been debating just how much advice to give my tween.... Read more »
By Shannan Younger,
September 25, 2013 at 10:00 pm • 

Why does hair color change during puberty?

Why does hair color change during puberty?
My child was a very bald baby but she morphed into a towheaded two-year old. Her hair stayed a beautiful blonde shade for years but it’s slowly been darkening. I noticed that it didn’t get nearly as light over this past summer as it did in the past. When she brought home her school picture... Read more »
By Shannan Younger,
September 24, 2013 at 6:09 am • 

8 facts about the Autumnal Equinox

8 facts about the Autumnal Equinox
UPDATE: In 2015, the autumnal equinox is on September 23 in the Northern Hemisphere. The examine moment is 8:21 UTC, or 3:21 a.m. here in Chicago, which is located in the Central Time Zone. This post was written in 2013 and the date and time is for that year. In 2016, the autumnal equinox will... Read more »
By Shannan Younger,
September 21, 2013 at 7:29 pm • 
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5 ways to celebrate World Gratitude Day with kids

5 ways to celebrate World Gratitude Day with kids
I just saw on Stop and Blog the Roses that today is World Gratitude Day. It was started in 1977 by the United Nations Mediation Group. The importance of an attitude of gratitude of often discussed. Michele Borba, oneof my favorite parenting experts, says, “Compelling research now proves that the happiest children are the ones... Read more »
By Shannan Younger,
September 21, 2013 at 10:22 am • 

How registering for parent teacher conferences pushed me over the edge

How registering for parent teacher conferences pushed me over the edge
Parent teacher conferences are drawing near and the school district had online sign ups for them yesterday. With two parents and two step-parents involved in my daughter’s education, this can be a tricky. We all like to be at conferences so we are on the same page with the teachers. Meshing 4 different schedules isn’t... Read more »
By Shannan Younger,
September 19, 2013 at 9:54 am • 

3 great websites for adolescent child development info and parenting tips

3 great websites for adolescent child development info and parenting tips
Even before birth, parents are often wondering if their child is normal and if they are hitting developmental milestones (or for those tracking such things in utero, whether the child is the size of the appropriate vegetable). That wondering doesn’t stop after you and your children have outgrown the What to Expect books. Parents of... Read more »
By Shannan Younger,
September 18, 2013 at 11:34 am • 
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4 favorite quotes from junior high parent night

4 favorite quotes from junior high parent night
Last night, my tween’s junior high hosted parent night to enlighten parents as to how this school for sixth through eighth graders operates. It was to run from 6 pm until 8:50 p.m. That’s right, they had nearly three full hours of information to convey to us clueless parents. While I was eager to hear... Read more »
By Shannan Younger,
September 14, 2013 at 6:46 am •