For years I have been aware of COPPA and have seen a lot of websites change their policy so that only children under the age of 14 cannot register to use a site.

When I became a mother, I decides when my son was old enough to become curious about using the Internet, I would be there to guide him. It was when he was 5 years old, that he became interested in Webkins and games. Since then, I have made it my business to be there to see his Internet usage.

However, he is lucky I care. Recently, I talked to a gal on Facebook who said she was 12 and her mother was not even at the computer monitoring her activity. For me, I was going to brush it off as an online cop in disguise, but after some of her messages, I did believe she was 12.

I have been witness to listening on accident on teens going online and viewing things that they should have not. Regardless, even if Yahoo: Child Safety a Company Priority, children are still going online, even on Yahoo! It is easy to sign up and forge information.

What can I do? Probably nothing except post this blog. I hope parents are taking a more active role on their children’s Internet usage. My younger sister (middle one – I have 2 younger sisters) as a teen use to sneak online and conduct cybersex chat over Yahoo! Considering my father’s schedule with the military, I ended up dishing out the punishment by banning her from chat rooms and at that time, Cheetah Chat. (this was in the late 90s.)

Are you monitoring your children? Are you speaking to younger mothers on how important it is to watch their children even online?

When I was married, it was like all my single friends avoided me. I made myself available at times, but I guess taking about my son or my ex husband put a wedge. However, even though I am single now, my friends who are married, are the same.

It is quite confusing. Even being in a relationship with my boyfriend, some of my single friends I have met out here in Centralia have just faded into the background. It is kind of annoying since we hung out on the weekends.

Being in a relationship does not necessarily mean a person is on the backburner. It is a time to learn how to be a better friend. Of course, with being a mother, it might be hard to not involve talk about children. I have found it a touchy spot, and made sure my family life more brief and ask about my friend more. However, for me it is a challenge. Sometimes it is disheartening to not hear from one of my best friends for some time. I have felt a bit betrayed, but in the time I do get to talk, I try to ask about my friends.

I know from other mothers that this has been a big issue. It sucks when you think you are losing a friend. You might even think you were being used. However, it is not. Your friend is just unsure to approach the situation. Being single and being married or in a deep relationship is different. Even being married or deep in a relationship with children is much more of a difference then just being married or in a relationship.

What are your thoughts if you are single and have friends who are married? – married and have single friends…?

Angel’s birthday is December 3rd (which would make him 7 this year.) Considering money has been really tight this year, I find it a bit difficult to try to make a distinction with buying his Birthday presents versus Christmas presents. With me being divorced, Angel gets twice the Birthday party and twice the Holiday celebration.

While I grew up, I never had this issue as my birthday falls in September. My younger sisters also did not have birthdays anywhere close to Christmas.

Toys are never the issue, but usually clothing is where I have a problem choosing which occasion to give him those.

1. Do I split the clothes and give half for his birthday and the other for Christmas?
2. Do I give all the clothes on just one occasion?

All of his clothes have the characters he likes or the colors he likes to wear. He is pretty easy to please. This might seem like a dumb ordeal, but I would like to know how other mothers decide on issues like this for their children who may have a birthday near Christmas time.

Culture is something most parents would probably want to share with their children, whether it is community activities, national holidays, heritage, or for the sake of knowledge. Little Passports is one way to educate your children about different cultures. The fee is very affordable ($10.95 per month) and looks to be worth the money as each month you receive kits via postal mail with souvenirs and a letter from the mascots, Sam and Sofia. Also, there are monthly codes given so your child can play the games and activities on Little Passports in their section called Boarding Zone.

In a way it is like Toot & Puddle with more hands-on activities.

A portion of each sale with Little Passports goes to charities like SOS Children’s Villages and Ubuntu Education Fund. So, in a way, you are giving to some educational causes while educating your children too.