Parental Guidance to Social Networks

"It's 10 p.m. Do you know where your children are?" Remember that phrase from your own childhood? It's still a valid question, but now, it comes with a twist: "Do you know where your kids are-and who they're talking to online?" This is definitely going to be my dilemma 5 years from now. Knowing that my first born have a lot of knowledge about smartphones and laptops. 

Social networking sites are the hippest "meet market" around, especially among tweens, teens, and 20-somethings. These sites allow and encourage people to exchange information about themselves in profiles and journals, and use message boards, chat rooms, e-mail and instant messaging to communicate with the world at large. Unfortunately, while social networking sites can increase a person's circle of friends, they also can increase exposure to people who have less than friendly intentions. The Federal Trade Commission, the nation's consumer protection agency, offers tips for helping your kids use these sites safely:

• Keep the computer in an open area, like the kitchen or family room, where you can keep an eye on where your kids are going online and what they're doing.

• Use the Internet with your kids. Be open to learning about the technology so you can keep up with them. Look into their favorite sites so you can set sensible guidelines.

• Talk to your kids about their online habits. If they use social networking sites, tell them why it's important to keep their name, Social Security number, address, phone number, age and family financial information to themselves. Your children should be cautious about sharing other identifying information, too.

• Your kids should post only information that you and they are comfortable with everyone seeing and knowing. The Internet is the world's biggest billboard: Just about anyone could see their page, including their teachers, the police, a college admissions officer, or a potential employer. In addition, once information is online, it's there forever. 

• Warn your kids about the dangers of flirting with strangers online. Because some people lie online about who they really are, no one ever really knows who they're dealing with. Tell your children to trust their gut: If they feel threatened or uncomfortable by someone or something online, they need to tell you and then report it to the police and your Internet service provider. You could end up preventing someone else from becoming a victim.

• If you're concerned that your child is engaging in risky online behavior, you can search the blog sites they visit to see what information they're posting. Try searching by their name, nickname, school, hobbies, or area where you live.

A Visit to Malabon Zoo

Last time I was in this place I am with Mikyla, when she's about 2 years old. Now, I went back to visit this zoo again of course with Mikyla and now with Moirah who's turning 2!

Way back in 2008, the entrance fee here is just Php90.00 for adults and Php50.00 for kids. This year, it's flat rate of Php150.00 with discounts on Senior Citizen and students.

We had our small snack break at the small park/food area the zoo have. They had this small store with some snacks being sold. But it's better if you can bring your own food. :)

So much has changed from the last visit we had. I was expecting to see Marimar- the famous orangutan (she was a baby back in 2008). Unfortunately, didn't saw her this time around. She was already sent inside the house as the care taker informed us. Though there was still a photo-op with the orangutan.

I just feel sad for my bunsoy, she wasn't able to see those huge breed of monkeys. Mikyla also looked and asked for those orangutan.

Giveaway: The Wealthy Family Book

CHASE CHANDLER ANNOUNCES RELEASE OF NEW BOOK 'THE WEALTHY FAMILY'

Helping People to Break the Cycle of Financial Mediocrity

Nashville, TN, 01/15/2015 – CEO of Chandler Advisors and Author Chase Chandler (www.thefalloflogic.com) announces the release of his new book highlighting financial strategies focused on families, 'The Wealthy Family', available on Amazon.com January 30, 2015.

“What people know about money,” proclaims Chandler, “is categorically wrong.  In this book I set out to dispel the myths about money by dispensing financial advice that teaches people alternative financial strategies.”

The book incorporates inspirational and motivational content in order to encourage readers to make the changes necessary in their financial life that will help them to achieve their goals and break the cycle of financial mediocrity. 

Chandler knows the world of finance, having worked for years inside the traditional finance industry and watching American’s richest first hand as they managed their money.

“What I believe and what I teach in this book,” continues Chandler, “is that money and having it are not what life is about.  Money is just one resource to reach goals. And, if managed prudently, it can create massive opportunity to teach and help others.”

In this book, Chandler helps people make more prudent financial decisions so that they may properly integrate their financial life with their work and family life. It's about making smart decisions with the information available.

Founder and CEO of Chandler Advisors, LLC, Chandler was featured as a ‘Mover and Shaker’ in the Arkansas Business Journal in the summer of 2009.  After years working with one of the largest financial planning firms in the industry, Chandler took his method of holistic finance and founded Chandler Advisors.  Author of Amazon.com bestseller, 'The Wealthy Physician', Chandler has followed up with 'The Fall of Logic' and now 'The Wealthy Family'.

For more information, visit www.thefalloflogic.com.and join our giveaway too! You may find it here

Choosing Your New Kitchen Cabinets

Are you tired of opening up the same kitchen cabinets, every single day?  Although many homeowners love their kitchens, including their kitchen cabinets, there are some who are looking for a change.  If you are one of those homeowners, the ones who are looking for a change, you may want to think about remodeling your kitchen, particularly your kitchen cabinets.

It's been a year that I've been contemplating on putting some added features on my kitchen's hanging cabinets. But there are still questions on my mind.

When it comes to kitchen remodeling, there is a common misconception that is mistakenly believed by many. That misconception is exactly what kitchen remodeling is. Many assume that to remodel a kitchen you need to change everything, from the light fixtures all the way down to the floor tiles. While a large number of homeowners do choose to remodel their whole kitchen, there are others who only choose to remodel small portions of it.  Whether you are looking to remodel your whole kitchen, all at once, or you if are only looking to remodel a part of it, there is a good chance that you may be in the market for new kitchen cabinets; they are one of the most commonly remodeled parts of a kitchen.

Although choosing a new set of kitchen cabinets may seem like a fairly easy task, it is one that you shouldn’t make on an impulse.  Since you will be stuck with these new kitchen cabinets, at least until you move or decide to remodel again, you will want to make sure that you get your first choice.  There are a number of different ways that you can do this. For the best results, you may want to visit your local home improvement store.  When visiting one of your local home improvement stores, you should find a collection of kitchen cabinets on display; in fact, you may find a fairly large number of them on display. Viewing each of these kitchen cabinets is a great way to decide which cabinets would look great installed in your kitchen.

In addition to visiting your local home improvement store, you may also want to examine kitchen cabinets online. Although the shipping for kitchen cabinets is often considered quite high, you may be able to find exactly what you were looking for online.  It is advised that you find either an online home improvement retailer or an individual who specializes in making their own kitchen cabinets.  In fact, if you are looking for a unique set of kitchen cabinets, a set that you cannot find anywhere else, you may be able to order a custom set of kitchen cabinets. The cost may be more than what you intended on paying, but, as previously mentioned, it is important to get what you want, especially when remodeling your kitchen.

When searching for the perfect set of kitchen cabinets, for your next kitchen remodeling project, it is important to keep a number of things in mind. One of those things is what you will be using your kitchen cabinets for.  What you are using your kitchen cabinets for may have an impact on what you can and cannot have.  For instance, if you will be using your kitchen cabinets to store your food or your dishes, you will need to make sure that you purchase cabinets that can offer you the most space. While decorative kitchen cabinets are nice, they are sometimes limited on the storage space that they have. You may want to visit sites like ovis online to check on ideas. 

In addition to the size of the storage space, it is also important to examine the size of the kitchen cabinet itself.  In the United States, most home improvement stores sell kitchen cabinets that are not fully put together, but they are often precut to size. It may be possible to change the measurements, but you may find it to be difficult and costly to do so.  Although you may be more concerned about the color or design of a kitchen cabinet set, it is important to remember the basics.  Even the most beautiful kitchen cabinet set will not do you any good if it cannot be installed in your kitchen. 

By keeping the above mentioned points in mind, you should be able to go out and find the kitchen cabinet set that you were looking for.  Once you have found the kitchen cabinet set of your dreams, the remodeling can begin. Whether you choose to install your own kitchen cabinets or you let a professional do it for you, your cabinets could be installed in as little as a day or two.

Hobbies are Healthy For Your Kid/s

My eldest, Mikyla loves to collect dairies, journals or simple notes where she can write her daily activities,  Added to that, she also loves to collect books, pocketbooks. Her recent favorite are books written by Roald Dahl. 

Hobbies benefit children in many ways. It gives a child an opportunity to express themselves, and it allows them to discover themselves and build self-esteem. They are also great educational tools. A child interested in rock collecting learns about geology and science, and a child in writing stories learns about sentence structure and proper grammar. Hobbies teach children to set and achieve goals, solve problems and make decisions.  They can also set the course for what your child becomes later in life as they often turn into lifelong interests or careers.  

Children who have hobbies are usually following in their parents footsteps, so set a good example by pursuing your own hobby.  Your child will need space for their hobby, so find an area designated specifically for his hobby so he can work on it. Realize that hobbies can sometimes be quite messy, so be at the ready for messes as they come with the territory. 

Be available to your child to provide guidance, support and encouragement.  This is a great time to teach your child strong work habits, such as following directions closely, setting goals, and proper planning and organization.  Show them that nothing worthwhile is ever easy, especially when they begin to become frustrated with their progress.  It's also a good time to teach them about personal responsibility and show them how important it is to properly care for their work area and their 'tools of the trade.' 

Children will be more encouraged to work on their hobbies if activities like watching television or playing video games are limited.  It's been noted by experts that by age 15, the average child has spent more time watching television than sitting in a classroom.  Again, here's where setting a good example is crucial.  Instead of watching that four-hour football game on Saturday, turn the TV off and work on your own hobby.  Your child may want to join in or work on their own as a result. 

Hobbies are rewarding and enriching parts of our lives, so encourage your child to explore his own interests and find a hobby of their very own.