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?

I was reading Worrywart, Yep That’s Me by Musings From Me and I can connect with her about how I worry about my own son.

I wonder when if he is happy and what he is doing when he is not with me. I wonder if he is safe. I think for a lot of dedicated parents, it comes as a natural instinct. I do not want Angel to suffer. I had as a child and my family still has episodes where the past comes haunting at odd times.

I think I am lucky with Angel. I have seen some kids his age (he is 7) and they are just in a nasty disposition. Angel is zany, and literally happy. I think sometimes he might be spoiled when he is with his father, but with me, I try to get him to appreciate the simple things. Too many people expect things to go their way and that is not always how life works. For those who learn the hard way, it is a rough reality to adjust to.

All I can do is help him learn what he needs to do, make sure he has his basic necessities, and show him all the love he deserves. However, even though I know he has everything, I will still worry. It is just natural. It shows that I care.

What do you think? Do you worry about your child(ren)? What do you worry about in particular about your child(ren)?Do you think it is a natural instinct?

I was recently reminded of a peeve I have: kids with cell phones. I do not mean 15, 16, and 17 year old children, I mean those 14 and under. Why do they need a cell phone? Who do they talk to and what do they talk about?

As a parent myself, I just do not find a reason that giving my son a cell phone at his age is necessary. It is an extra bill to pay, and the phone, even if I went with a cheap charlie cell phone, I know my kid would lose it or damage it. How do I know? He already did it to my own. It was okay though and no harm done. It is just a phone.

Some of the phone services out there are trying to promote kid safe cell phones with GPS tracking. I understand the concept, but as much as it is safe for my kid, it is not safe for my wallet. Is it really necessary to give a child a phone?

I grew up fine without a cell phone. In fact, I did not have my first cell phone until I was 26! When I was in high school, beepers were all the rage. And those were also not allowed in school. By my senior year, cell phones were included on the banned list (I graduated in 1999.) I just do not see a point. There are so many other necessities and it is just another distraction. I keep hearing how someone’s daughter or son drive up the phone bill, or someone cannot pay the bill.

They are really only necessary for those who choose not to have a land line telephone at home, or people on the go. If children are given phones, then that makes me wonder who is watching them? The phone cannot.

What are your thoughts?

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…?