Texting 101

By Frances Gallup of Geek Squad

Curious what your kids or friends are “texting” to each other at warp speed? As those little fingers type a million miles per minute on cell phones everywhere, it may be a good idea for you to brush up on your understanding of the wonderful world of text messaging. After my son received his first cell phone, I spent a great deal of time trying to figure out what terms like ROFL meant (Rolling On Floor Laughing). I had no choice but to educate myself – and fast! Not only were my kids using texting lingo that I couldn’t translate, my friends were starting to do the same. And as you may already know, its simply exhausting to smile and pretend you understand terms like “BRB” (Be Right Back) or “IDK” (I Don’t Know) when you don’t have a clue. After one too many awkward encounters with texting, I decided to brush up on my skills, and you can do the same.

Quick Tip!

When you end up in the grocery store with your kids, stage a pre-emptive strike on the 'gimmes' by challenging them to find the one item in the store that they can't live without. And then, even if it's the most sugary cereal ever invented, buy it for them. They'll be too consumed with the delight of the game to be distracting, and it's not like you have to give them the cereal (or what's sure to be another disgusting item) for breakfast.

Why Children Fake Being Sick

By Stacy DeBroff 

Kids fake being sick for a number of reasons that may or may not be obvious to us as parents. Although your child may think that staying home is the better option, not addressing the reason for faking sick and missing out on schoolwork can be a bigger problem. Here are our suggestions for keeping your child in school where he belongs:

Your Child and Bullying

By Stacy DeBroff

Teasing and bullying occurs at all ages and can be traumatic to children. Understanding the situation and effectively helping your son or daughter can be tricky but is able to be resolved. Use these gentle suggestions to help your children through this rough patch of childhood.

• It is important to respond supportively if your child admits that he is being bullied. Send the message that you are there for him, you believe him, and that he is not alone in this struggle. Remind him that what is going on is not his fault, and that the blame belongs on the bully.
  
  
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Children and Teasing

By Stacy DeBroff 

A lot of what goes on today in schools counts as teasing, and many bullies will excuse their actions by claiming that they “were just teasing.” But teasing is meant to be amusing for both parties. When one child feels hurt or picked on, it’s a case of bullying and aggression.

The other child may not know that his actions are hurtful. Even the seemingly goodhearted teasing that goes on between good friends can leave one feeling upset. Kids often respond to hurtful teasing in the same way
they respond to bullying—by turning inward or lashing out, or putting up a host of defense strategies. Before the problem escalates, help your child to confront the issue.

Moms Guide

Choose Your Own Adventure: A Mom’s Guide

By Stacy DeBroff, national parenting expert and founder of MomCentral.com

Sssh! Top secret! A cheat sheet has arrived! Get insights into your child's critical decision making while watching Choose Your Own Adventure together. To help you gain insight into the decisions your child has to make along with way, as well as the dramatic plot consequences that follow, here is an insider's guide along with questions to ask your child as the adventure unfolds.