Tuesday, January 17, 2006
The potential possibilities of any child are the most intriguing and stimulating in all creation. ~Ray L. Wilbur
Hmmm. Well, I guess this calendar is just asking for my opinions. Most of you know that I have 5 children and usually I downplay how hard it really is to be a parent to 5 children. I do, however, find it so very cool that they all have their own little personalities. There are certain things I am adamant about and other things I let slide.
I grew up during the whole Adam Walsh abduction/killing thing, and I totally understand why my mother would not let me off my front porch until I was 10 years old. I am beginning to feel the same...But maybe in a different way.
I have internet issues. I make the choice to not let my children play on the internet unless I have the time to stand over them and watch. There are just too many sexual predators out there and they are going to have a hell of a time getting to my kid! My eldest has an email account through gmail, but her emails all get forwarded to one of my email accounts for review and she has to earn the right to respond to and read her email. (Sorry Katy, her attitude has stunk lately. She did get your email and as soon as she is respectful again, she will respond) Some people find that I am too strict, but you know what, it will be my fault if she is found dead in a mall parking lot...There will be no one to blame but me. I think that I will moderate the comments to this post, just because my parenting has been attacked on someone else's blog and it's my right to moderate the things in my life.
Ending note: Please cherish those potential possibilities if you have children!
Comments:
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I don't think you're out of line at all to be strict with your kids and the internet. I worked at a community center a few years back, and I was often shocked by the poor judgement of the kids. It wasn't that they weren't bright, but they were extremely trusting. And it's got to be tough to decide what to do with kids and the internet because, short of watching over their shoulder, no method or firewall or rules seem to cover all of the possible problems.
Is there a way on g-mail to only approve certain senders? That way you could only let her talk with people she knows, but you wouldn't have to read her e-mails? I don't think there's anything wrong with reading her mail as long as she knows you're doing it, but this is just an idea.
Is there a way on g-mail to only approve certain senders? That way you could only let her talk with people she knows, but you wouldn't have to read her e-mails? I don't think there's anything wrong with reading her mail as long as she knows you're doing it, but this is just an idea.
# posted by 
: 9:04 AM, January 17, 2006
: 9:04 AM, January 17, 2006
I agree with you 100%. When I was in high school my best friend was kidnapped and killed. I'm a very paranoid mother. I read my kids email and their IMs (which are blocked to anyone but their friends). No chat rooms. The world is full of freak jobs and it is our responsiblility to take care of them. I can't even begin to think about the day they move out. You are doing the right thing. :)
I've really been enjoying your quotes each day, I used to have a quote of the day calendar and each morning it was like waking up to your own little piece of inspiration, to be interpreted anyway you want.
When I was young, the internet had yet to really take off so I never had email accounts or IM until I was late HS or college. I was actually very suprised that younger kids have email now! What happened to video games? =) It's very scary out there what people are capable of doing, stalking or hurting children. I think the way you protect your kids is admirable, you never know where these predators are hiding. They do have software out there that protects kids from going to certain sites and even scans their email for inappropriate words and flags the messages and sends it to your email box. It may make your job a little easier. =)
When I was young, the internet had yet to really take off so I never had email accounts or IM until I was late HS or college. I was actually very suprised that younger kids have email now! What happened to video games? =) It's very scary out there what people are capable of doing, stalking or hurting children. I think the way you protect your kids is admirable, you never know where these predators are hiding. They do have software out there that protects kids from going to certain sites and even scans their email for inappropriate words and flags the messages and sends it to your email box. It may make your job a little easier. =)
I don't think you're paranoid about the internet at all. My boys aren't anywhere near 'Net browsing age (3.5yrs and 1yr), but DH and I have already decided that there will be no computers in their rooms. Any browsing will be done on a 'puter in the family room and we will monitor *everything*. DH is a computer consultant and has dealt with some really weird stuff on his clients' computers that involved kids/teens. He is all for key-recording programs!
Some days I wonder if I should even post my kiddos' pics on the net!
Some days I wonder if I should even post my kiddos' pics on the net!
You're a good mom Christine =)
I totally agree with you. You can never be too careful when it comes to the Internet and young kids. There are just too many bad things and bad people in this world. That wonderful cloud of childhood innocence doesn't last forever, but it should be preserved for as long as it possibly can be. I think you are absolutely doing the right thing =)
*hugs* to you and the munchkins =D I love you guys!
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I totally agree with you. You can never be too careful when it comes to the Internet and young kids. There are just too many bad things and bad people in this world. That wonderful cloud of childhood innocence doesn't last forever, but it should be preserved for as long as it possibly can be. I think you are absolutely doing the right thing =)
*hugs* to you and the munchkins =D I love you guys!
# posted by : 8:49 AM, January 18, 2006
: 8:49 AM, January 18, 2006<< Home
