Looking for a good book?

Hello Friends!!! Let me first say I am having MUCH fun writing these fun little blogs. I also enjoy your comments whether you are posting them or emailing...thank you! I wanted to get something out today regarding the resources some of us have been talking about. There are a bunch of books out there....but I have a few favorites. Vicki Courtney is an author that has written many books on raising her children. Mostly girl related...until she wrote a book not too long ago called Your Boy. One of the first books I read that made me think yeah.. this is such good stuff that can actually help me in raising my sons. She gets it in my opinion and has a parenting style that helps us all learn to parent in today's world. I like her. Well, one of her newest books,

Logged On and Tuned Out

is perfect for learning about your kids generation. It covers everything from myspace to facebook and other online opportunities. She even talks about text messaging. I definitely recommend that one. www.loggedonandtunedout.com check that out when you have a few moments for more information on all of this!

If your child is going to have a Myspace or a Facebook - this pretty much means that the parent also has one. If they are posting things for everyone in the world to see, the parents definitely need to keep up with it too! We've told the boys that they need to represent themselves as Christian young men at all times. So, if we ever find anything that is to the contrary, they can lose all privileges. They are responsible for telling their friends the same thing. Meaning - if they have friends that insist on posting foul words, pictures, or anything we disagree with, they will be the ones to endure the consequences. We want them to feel responsible for telling their friends that offensive behavior will not be tolerated. We also tell them that nothing is private on the Internet so do not publish words that are hurtful or harmful about anyone. Even if they might be joking - you have to be extra careful because posted words are words that reach farther than you probably ever expect. If you wouldn't say it to someone's face....DO NOT TYPE IT!

A basic rule - that we figure our kids know...but a good one to check and brush up on is check the information that our kids are giving out. For example, Nick has used Myspace and Facebook for while now. We've been over the basics. Looking at his page about 6 months ago I guess, I found out what color hair he had, how much he weighed, his city, school, after school schedule etc. I was shocked! I told Nick if I was a predator, I would know exactly where to find him and what he looked like! He changed it, but to be honest with you, there is a part of Nick that thinks I am ridiculous when I bring up stuff like that...because he truly believes that could never happen to him. He is invincible remember.....aren't they all? So, that just means we have to keep thinking for them at times in situations like this and stay on top of what they are putting out for the whole world to read. Remember, its our job to teach them how to use it....they'll be out from under our roof soon enough and we have to make as much stick as we can.

Well, that is all for today - pick up the book - or at least visit Vicki's webpage on being logged in and tuned out! It's a good one.

And you know what? If your kids are always logged on..... log everyone off one night this week and play a game as a family! Laugh until it hurts....and remind them that they have fun parents!!!