Personal essay about my Hubba Bubba-chewing, tall-tale-telling childhood babysitter -- Bloody Mary Babysitter

Thirty-nine children died of heatstroke last year, as a result of being left in a hot car. That’s thirty-nine deaths that could have been avoided; now, a teen and several dads have developed products to ensure that no child is left unattended in a hot car.

If you have a PS4 system at home, you may be concerned about your child’s gaming habits, and more specifically, the content and features to which your child has access. As with many other systems, the PS4 allows master account users the ability to restrict and filter the applications their children can access.

A short interview, focusing on my childhood as a military dependent, and how it shapes my adult life; article also features an excerpt of my essay "Like a Dandelion," published in Chicken Soup for the Soul: Military Families.

The best way to encourage your teen to make the most of their summer is to establish expectations and rules for summer internet usage.

Contributor to anthology; essay entitled, "Like a Dandelion," about my childhood as a military dependent growing up in Cold War Europe.

From restricting apps to content filtering, we’ll take you through setting parental controls on Android phone or tablet.

Contributor to anthology, including essays, letters and poems by women.

Parents should know that the best way to monitor your child’s online activity on Chromebook is to turn off the Guest Browsing feature and to set up dedicated user accounts.

With 300 hours of video being uploaded each minute, and over half of users watching on mobile devices, parents definitely need to know how to setup parental controls on YouTube! Imagine trying to police all of that content yourself; thankfully, YouTube allows parents to set controls to filter the content their children come across while on the platform.

What to include on a social media checklist for your babysitter.

Step-by-step guide to setting parental controls on Apple products.

Step-by-step guide to setting parental controls on Kindle Fire.

The pace and the extent of learning is greatly reduced when young children play apps without someone at their side guiding them, a new study from the Society for Research in Child Development contends.

It can be difficult to navigate the plethora of reading-related apps on the market, so we’re here to help! We’ve curated nine tried and true apps, based on the recommendations of fellow parents and teachers, to help you raise a reader.

If you’ve never blogged yourself, it can be overwhelming to guide your child, or even making sure they are staying safe while blogging online. Consider this a primer, in which we’ll give you a crash course in blogging platforms and what you need to know.

Faced with single parenting a daughter, Phil taught himself to style his daughter's hair; he now spends time sharing is knowledge with other dads, creating a unique bonding experience for fathers and daughters.

It takes an iron will to work without any electronic distractions these days. But how does this affect learning, or our ability to acquire new information and make inferences?

When sisters Macaulee and Kascha Cassaday developed a high school project together in 2009, they had no idea that they were starting a larger movement to bridge the digital gap between teens and senior citizens, and inspiring a documentary about their efforts.

An integral lesson of digital citizenship is understanding what an upstander is, and continually working towards being an upstander.

The rise in smartphone ownership and usage, paired with the number of children online on a daily basis, has contributed to the rates of cyberbullying tripling over the previous year.

There are scientifically proven benefits to gaming -- mental, social, emotional and educational -- but it's always good to remember that all things are good...in moderation.

Our kids’ smartphones, and more specifically the apps on their phones, are the gateway through which child predators get into their lives. The best way to protect your children is to arm yourself with information, so let’s take a look at some of the most dangerous apps for kids.

What may seem like innocent sexual exploration in teens can actually have long-term, negative and potentially devastating consequences.

If you’re not utilizing Twitter, Instagram or SnapChat, you need to make sure that someone your kids respect is modeling a positive social media presence for them.

It may seem great to be able to stream Netflix through your child’s Xbox, PlayStation or Wii, but that online capability could be putting your child in danger. Online games have featured chat rooms for years, but gaming consoles, with the ability to play both online and off, create an added security threat for concerned, and often unsuspecting, parents.

Let me tell you a little story, a story about the gift that keeps on giving. I know this is a hot topic in writing circles, so hold onto your seats, but there was a time that I wrote for free...

While Facebook remains the most popular social platform, most teens and tweens are only using Facebook for messaging capabilities and the ability to easily communicate in Facebook groups. Platforms such as Instagram, Snapchat, Twitter and Tumblr are where kids are spending the majority of their time on social media, so let’s take a look at the platforms where your kids are spending their time.

The C-section is over and you're ready to breastfeed -- but you have so many questions! Here are 9 things to know about breastfeeding after a C-section.

When you send your child off to school, you’re entrusting their care to educators; you also have the expectation that schools are safe havens. Wouldn’t it be nice to know that you’ve got backup when it comes to your child’s online and real-life safety? Let’s take a look at the interconnectedness of social media and education.

With Pew Research Center reporting 72 percent of adult internet users on Facebook, and 81 percent of teens using social media, you’re likely to find both teachers and students on Facebook. The big question, however, is whether students should be friends with their teachers on Facebook. The short answer? No.

Children and adults alike are caught in the Pokémon craze, and while the intent is to get people out of their homes and exploring, there are also dangers associated with game play. Here are a few pointers to keep you and your children safe while catching Pokémon on the go

Whether freelancing has been your plan from the beginning, or your blog is beginning to open doors for you, you’re now in the position to transition from hobby blogger to pro.

Perhaps the hardest technological decision parents make is when to purchase their child a smartphone. Technology studies mean next to nothing when it comes to your child; only you can accurately gauge when your child is ready for her own smartphone.

Perhaps the most difficult part of this is understanding how, and when, to factor technology time into your parenting efforts.

In the past, creative lighting consisted of recessed lights and a dimmer switch in the dining room for ambiance, and “high-tech” lighting came about with devices where you clap to make the fixtures turn on and off. Technology has ushered in new lighting trends, allowing homeowners to switch their old light bulbs for LED lights and automating home lighting systems. Here are some details on how you can make your lighting situation even better.

A house fire is a homeowner’s worst nightmare, but your smoke detector is only one aspect of fire prevention and detection. Luckily, you can take the next step in smart home technology by adding Vivint’s Firefighter to your home security system.

Whether your child is already on social media or not, it's time to practice some boundary setting with their social media use. Now is as good as any time to discuss online boundaries with kids.

Gone are the days of prank calls and exclusion from the lunch table; with the aid of technology, kids today contend with being bullied anytime and anywhere. Vigilant and informed parents are better prepared, so we’re sharing proven ways to stop cyberbullying, should your child ever become a target.

McDonald’s and Starbucks recently made the bold move to filter their complimentary WiFi to screen access to pornographic sites and related content, a move already put into place by popular restaurant chains, Panera and Chick-Fil-A.

A poorly-planned lunch that ignores the rules of etiquette leaves a lasting impression.

I was given an ultimatum — break up with your boyfriend or be cut off.

I was given an ultimatum — break up with your boyfriend or be cut off.

One of the main purposes of having a Vivint smart thermostat in your home is usability. Not only are you able to make adjustments remotely, it’s easy to reprogram your thermostat, especially when compared to a standard model.

If you’re wondering if it might be time to invest in parental control software for your child’s internet-enabled devices, the short answer is yes.

Life for today's children is very different from that of their parents, with almost every aspect infiltrated by technology. How do you determine if your child's technology use has crossed over into an addiction?

The internet has come a long way, with cloud storage coming on the scene in 2008. More people are converting to cloud computing because of its ease of use, low cost and added security. If you’re considering transitioning to cloud storage, read on to discover the benefits of cloud computing.

The best way to encourage your teen to make the most of their summer is to establish expectations and rules for summer internet usage.

With summer vacation leaving thousands of kids at home by themselves, now is the time to talk about home safety and security, and establish a protocol for your children’s time alone. Use these tips as a guideline for discussing the ins and outs of home security systems with your children.

I was cloth-diapered as a baby, so using cloth diapers for my own child wasn't an unusual concept.

When I tell you that my husband knows my body intimately, I don't just mean it in the sensual exploring-my-body sense.

A garden using no pesticides isn’t actually a garden under attack. Whether it be from critters with a taste for greenery or from insects eating, breeding and destroying your plants, home gardeners would be wise to devise a plan of defense. While pesticides seem to be an obvious solution, many home gardeners opt to keep their bounty organic and free from the array of chemicals in common pesticides.

This year is the year you do it. You know, the year you finally host a Cinco de Mayo party instead of planning a pub crawl. But, you need some creative Cinco de Mayo party ideas to throw an unforgettable get-together. Don’t fret, we’ve got everything you need to throw the perfect Cinco de Mayo celebration.

From small changes to complete overhauls, read on to discover seven gardening tips that’ll reduce your impact on the environment.

If you’re having difficulty getting to know your neighbors, a block party may be the perfect community-building solution. Here are eight tips to better organize a successful neighborhood get together.

You’ve decided to transition your household to reduce both your carbon footprint and energy bill. That’s great, but you need to have a plan to make it happen. Here are six things you can do at home to reduce your carbon footprint.

One of the best ways to update your home is to incorporate more light into the areas you use most. The kitchen is often the hub of the house, where families gather to eat breakfast or snacks, and where you spend time preparing healthy meals. If you have an older home, you likely have fluorescent lighting or light boxes in your kitchen. There are several ways you can incorporate LED lights into your kitchen redesign, providing an updated look and more energy-efficient lighting options.

Trampoline safety is the last thing on most kids’ minds, so it’s best to set some ground rules before installing a trampoline in your own backyard. Parents chimed in to share the rules they have in place for trampoline use at their modern homes.

My husband was paying over $450 a month for degrees he didn't earn while I was wracked with guilt for not contributing to our household financially.

2026. Two-zero-two-six. When I signed paperwork in 1995, commencing what would become a series of student loans to take me from undergraduate through graduate school, I had no concept of what that number would mean to me. 2026 was more of a lock combination than the year my students loans would be paid off.

Energy-efficient toilets have come a long way, and homeowners now have multiple options to choose from. Read on to discover what you need to know in deciding whether energy-efficient toilets are the right choice for your home.

It doesn’t matter if you’ve only grown plants in containers on your apartment balcony, these tips will show you how to plan your first garden, what to plant and when to plant it.

Celebrated across the world, St. Patrick’s Day may just be the only heritage-based holiday that’s celebrated by people with absolutely no Irish ancestry. Whether you’re celebrating your Irish roots, St. Patrick himself or just want to a reason to plan a get-together, ditch the green drinks and try something different.

What do you get when you gather 150 mom influencers from across the nation and include them in a conversation about our children? You get a trending hashtag and a message spread across the Internet: Let’s Move!

Whether you’re looking to make a statement, increase your heating and cooling efficiency or add to the value of your home, purchasing ceiling fans is a little more involved than simply walking into a store and selecting the first fan you like.

Whether you’re looking to make a statement, increase your heating and cooling efficiency or add to the value of your home, purchasing ceiling fans is a little more involved than simply walking into a store and selecting the first fan you like.

With the technological evolution of dating, from websites to phone apps, it stands to reason that the nature of dates should evolve as well. The reality of “dinner and a movie” is that it’s unoriginal and awkward. You sit across from a stranger, trying to make small talk in a forced situation and then go into a dark theater for two hours of no interaction with this person. That’s weird, right? If you want to make an impression and really get to know your partner, consider volunteering on a date!

Whether you’re a new homeowner or you just need a little help with where to begin, these simple tips and tricks will have you well on your way to a warm and cozy winter at home.

A penny saved is a college education earned, or something like that. Try these money-saving hacks to save up for your next family vacation or put towards your children's college fund.

Schools and daycare centers are closed, but don't panic! These tips will help both you and your kiddos have productive snow days.

Adding a pet to your family is a big decision. Here's everything you need to know to decide if adopting a shelter dog is right for you!

Etiquette experts weigh in on the most important lessons your children should learn, in order to become a kind and compassionate member of society.

Looking for something different to read? These stories for kids are easy to read, easy to remember and sure to become classics in your home.

When you grow up in the military world, full of protocol and procedure, your childhood experience is vastly different from your civilian counterparts’.

If your kitty seems skittish around the litter box, it may be time for a trip to the vet. Urinary tract infections aren't fun for anyone!

These wordless picture books are sure to get your child's imagination running and promote an interest in reading.

These dog-friendly hotels not only cater to your pup, they roll out the red carpet!

Here's everything you need to know about kidney failure in cats, from the symptoms to the available treatment options.

Finding blood in the litter box is alarming for any cat owner. Find out what to do and the possible causes of finding blood in cat urine.

A combination of the internet and smartphone technology has drastically changed how consumers shop, and how eaters dine. We have reviews available at the touch of a button, maps showing exactly what we’re looking for (restaurants, specialty retail stores, etc.), and the ability to preview menus before we even step foot inside a restaurant.

Who cares which group you belong to (or don’t), just enjoy your precious time away this summer.

Is your cat constantly shaking his head or itching his ears? He may have cat ear mites. Find out what they are and how to treat them.

Worried that an autoimmune disease will disrupt your pup's routine? Treatment options are available to improve your dog's quality of life.

Holidays are a fun time to engage your customers, prospects and team members via social media. With little planning, you can conduct a July 4th social media campaign to draw in new clients, as well as engage your existing customer base.

Sleeping Babies, Adventurous Eaters and Patient Tots

Stumped by the many choices on the market? Try one of these recommended toys for 6-year-old boys!

Your eyes are itchy, you're sneezing and wheezing -- could you be allergic to your cat? Find out how cat dander causes allergies and what you can do to manage your symptoms.

From swaddling to night feeds, here's what you need to know about your sleeping baby.

If your little one's bedtime routine is a flurry of tears that leaves you both exhausted, it's time to consider baby sleep training. Here's how to start.

You've bought the cutest cloth diapers you can find and have them ready to go. But how do you get them on your wriggly baby? Follow these tips for the best fit.

Here's what you need to know about keeping your child safe online.

Leading sleep consultants offer their best tips for getting a baby to sleep at bedtime, nap time and while traveling.

Simplify your cloth diaper-laundering routine with this how-to.

If your baby is crying before, during or after feedings, it could be reflux. Here's what experts say.

Your 7-month-old baby is mastering his muscle control, sitting pretty and gaining dexterity with play. But how can you help?

Just weeks after suffering my second miscarriage in seven months, I was in a horrible state of depression and well on my way towards feeling suicidal.