If your teenagers are like most, they probably have their own cell phones. While giving your kid, 'tween', or teen is generally seen as a good idea nowadays, there are some obvious downsides to kids and teenagers having their own cell phones -- namely, it gives them a way to communicate with people, and sometimes access the internet, without your oversight. Fortunately, however, there are ways for you to keep tabs on your teens' cell phone activity if you feel you need to -- through cell phone forensics.
Cell phones, and the freedoms they give teenagers
Cell phones nowadays are not just portable mobile devices; most modern cell phones provide all-in-one phone, text, chat, video, photo, and internet browsing capabilities. With a relatively modern cell phone -- prepaid or otherwise -- your teen can be calling, texting, or chatting with anybody in the world, regardless of whether you approve of their activities or not. Unfortunately, unless you're controlling every facet of your teens' cell phone functionality and usage, there's a chance that this unfettered freedom could lead to unwanted problems in the near future or later on down the road.
Keeping tabs on your teens' cell phone activity with modern technology
For most parents, it should be relatively easy to find out the call history on your kids' cell phone. After all, the cell phone bill is probably in a parent's name, thus at least some of the cell phone activity will show up on the cell phone bill. However, when you need to find out details -- such as deleted text messages, deleted emails, and maybe websites being visited, or photos being stored -- a simple cell phone bill simply won't do. In cases like these, you'll need the help of a cell phone forensics investigator.
Cell phone forensics are based an older technology that has been adapted to work with today's digital devices. Not too long ago, recovering deleted files and 'hidden' information was reserved for computer hard drives, and it wasn't affordable for the average consumer. However, now these technologies -- which can be used to find information on basic cell phones to today's most complex mobile computing devices -- are more affordable, and quite frankly -- more in need than ever before.
Information available through cell phone forensics
Regardless of how your teen might try to hide it, there is a wealth of information available by a forensic scan of your teens' cell phone:
* Deleted SMS / text messages
* Deleted emails
* Deleted video / photos
* Detailed caller ID history
* etc.
If you implicitly trust your teenager, maybe there's no need to scan their cell phone for activities that you might not approve of. However, as you're reading this article -- you apparently think otherwise. If you want to know what your teenager has been up to on their cell phone, there's no better method available than through cell phone forensics services. Not only will you know what they're up to today, you'll also know what it is that they deleted yesterday as well.
By: Rick D. James
Cell phone forensics investigations are an affordable way to help protect your kids from today's dangerous situations. Visit our online investigation website or review EmailRevealer.com's popular services.
How To Get A Toddler Into The Bath Without A Tantrum
While some parents are lucky to have toddlers who take to water like a duck, for others, bath time often spells crying fits, temper tantrums and a traumatic time for all. Even if you are a parent with a child who loves playing in the bath, often the process of getting your autonomous child into the bath can present a challenge. Toddlers are learning lots of new things everyday and are often in a world of their own. Getting them to take a bath right this instant isn't quite as simple as saying, "Hayley, come take your bath now."
Until your toddler can respond to such requests willingly, here are some creative ways to get your toddler to take a bath. It might be worth noting that not all methods work all the time and sometimes a combination of approaches and some modifications are necessary. With a little trial and error, they should at least help to minimise the number of times that taking a bath ends up becoming a battle of wills.
1. Creative Suggestions
It's all in the marketing... Even little children respond well to creative marketing. Sometimes the way you phrase "bath time" can make all the difference between a toddler rushing to take a bath and one who steadfastly refuses to be "told what to do".
Here is an example: A toddler who enjoys Thomas and Friends might respond more eagerly to the phrase "let's go to the wash down so we can be a clean and shiny engine like James". Just in case you aren't familiar with Thomas and Friends, James is one of the engines who loves going to the wash down (the place where all the engines are cleaned), and he is also very proud of being shiny and clean.
Alternatively, rather than say "take a bath", you can talk about "playing with water" or even "playing with bubbles" because both suggest engaging in a fun activity that appeals to some toddlers.
2. Let's Play with Bubbles
All children love bubbles. Sometimes the mere suggestion of playing with bubbles is enough to bring a toddler running. If you can, try to entice your toddler with a bubble bath first. If that doesn't work, you will still have the leeway to increase the ante with more bubble fun.
For instance those bubble solutions where you can blow bubbles with a special looped stick might just do the trick.
Alternatively, you can invest in a bubble gun that shoots high speed bubbles with a minimum of effort on your part. Your toddler, who hasn't quite learned how to blow bubbles will also find the bubble gun more interesting since it is easier for a child to press a trigger than to learn how to blow bubbles. The ability to make their own bubbles can be more appealing to toddlers who enjoy exerting their independence.
3. Bath Toys and Water Games
Special bath toys like rubber ducks or boats can add an extra dimension of fun to bath time. These days, there are a myriad of bath toys you can purchase to engage little ones in the bath. You can also buy bath books and interesting, colour-changing toys.
Returning to our earlier example with Thomas and Friends and the trains, one example of a water game would be to get your toddler to "take his engines to the wash down for cleaning". While your toddler is busy cleaning his engines, you can bathe him.
Alternatively, there are plenty of water durable objects around the house that you can introduce into the bath. A fun and educational activity is to offer your child cups and small bowls in the bath to practice pouring water from one receptacle to another. This serves to fulfill your toddler's desire to learn how to pour liquids in a suitable environment that doesn't require you to clean up after.
Another activity that some toddlers might enjoy is getting into the bath with a t-shirt on and later "washing" the shirt in the bath. One mother whose daughter hated bath time found that the only way she could get her daughter into the bath was to put her in fully clothed and slowly remove her clothes after she was in the bath.
4. Pictures in the Bath
Sticking plastic stickers onto the walls of the shower cubicle or onto the bath tiles, especially of characters that your child likes, can also be another way to entice your toddler to take a bath more willingly. If you don't have or can't get stickers, you can laminate pictures cut out from magazines, toy catalogues, CD covers, etc. Tell your toddler to "wash" his friends to keep him occupied while you get busy with soaping and rinsing your toddler.
5. Sweet Rewards
Rewards usually work better with older toddlers that understand the nature of a reward. Some effective rewards are stickers, small toys, and sweet treats, especially the normally forbidden ones. Sometimes the promise of being able to do a special activity after the bath can be quite effective, too. For instance, "After your bath, you can watch Mickey Mouse Clubhouse."
Initially, when you are introducing the concept of a reward, you might have to offer a treat as a "taste test" then promise another one after the bath. When you toddler gets a hang of the idea, you can reserve all treats for after the bath.
6. Giving Options
Sometimes the objection to taking a bath is not necessarily the activity itself but the feeling of being imposed upon. This is especially important to a toddler who is learning to express autonomy over self. By offering an option and letting your toddler make a choice, you can still achieve an amicable end result.
Here is an example of offering an option for taking a bath: "Do you want to take a bath with the yellow bubbles or the blue bubbles?"
Sometimes negative options can work more effectively than offering a reward. For instance, "Do you want to take a bath now and watch Mickey Mouse after, or do you want to play for another ten minutes and have lights out after your bath?" Most toddlers don't like the thought of having to go to sleep and will try to avoid it almost as much - if not more so - than taking a bath.
7. Cleaning Up After Getting Dirty
Some toddlers have a natural predisposition to dislike getting dirty, although that fact itself may not stop them from engaging in fun activities that require them to get dirty. Allowing them to engage in these activities prior to bath time can be extremely effective in getting them to hop straight into the bath right after. For instance, finger painting is a fun and dirty activity that most toddlers enjoy, and washing up afterward usually brings a cooperative toddler to the bath, especially one that doesn't like to stay dirty.
With toddlers who dislike getting dirty, sometimes merely taking them to the mirror and pointing out food stains on their mouths or t-shirts can work as well.
Summary
There are many other ways to be creative about bath time and get a toddler's full cooperation. These suggestions and ideas might even help you think of other, more creative ways that suit your toddler's interests and temperament.
Although there may be times when it seems nothing you do can convince your willful toddler to take a bath without a tantrum, using tactics like these will help to prevent the majority of meltdowns.
Shen-Li is a stay-at-home-mum dedicated to the pursuit of excellence in parenting. She has a formal educational background and former work experience in healthcare. If you enjoyed this article, visit her blog Babylicious at figur8.net/baby and follow her as she learns how to raise a happy, confident and successful person.
Until your toddler can respond to such requests willingly, here are some creative ways to get your toddler to take a bath. It might be worth noting that not all methods work all the time and sometimes a combination of approaches and some modifications are necessary. With a little trial and error, they should at least help to minimise the number of times that taking a bath ends up becoming a battle of wills.
1. Creative Suggestions
It's all in the marketing... Even little children respond well to creative marketing. Sometimes the way you phrase "bath time" can make all the difference between a toddler rushing to take a bath and one who steadfastly refuses to be "told what to do".
Here is an example: A toddler who enjoys Thomas and Friends might respond more eagerly to the phrase "let's go to the wash down so we can be a clean and shiny engine like James". Just in case you aren't familiar with Thomas and Friends, James is one of the engines who loves going to the wash down (the place where all the engines are cleaned), and he is also very proud of being shiny and clean.
Alternatively, rather than say "take a bath", you can talk about "playing with water" or even "playing with bubbles" because both suggest engaging in a fun activity that appeals to some toddlers.
2. Let's Play with Bubbles
All children love bubbles. Sometimes the mere suggestion of playing with bubbles is enough to bring a toddler running. If you can, try to entice your toddler with a bubble bath first. If that doesn't work, you will still have the leeway to increase the ante with more bubble fun.
For instance those bubble solutions where you can blow bubbles with a special looped stick might just do the trick.
Alternatively, you can invest in a bubble gun that shoots high speed bubbles with a minimum of effort on your part. Your toddler, who hasn't quite learned how to blow bubbles will also find the bubble gun more interesting since it is easier for a child to press a trigger than to learn how to blow bubbles. The ability to make their own bubbles can be more appealing to toddlers who enjoy exerting their independence.
3. Bath Toys and Water Games
Special bath toys like rubber ducks or boats can add an extra dimension of fun to bath time. These days, there are a myriad of bath toys you can purchase to engage little ones in the bath. You can also buy bath books and interesting, colour-changing toys.
Returning to our earlier example with Thomas and Friends and the trains, one example of a water game would be to get your toddler to "take his engines to the wash down for cleaning". While your toddler is busy cleaning his engines, you can bathe him.
Alternatively, there are plenty of water durable objects around the house that you can introduce into the bath. A fun and educational activity is to offer your child cups and small bowls in the bath to practice pouring water from one receptacle to another. This serves to fulfill your toddler's desire to learn how to pour liquids in a suitable environment that doesn't require you to clean up after.
Another activity that some toddlers might enjoy is getting into the bath with a t-shirt on and later "washing" the shirt in the bath. One mother whose daughter hated bath time found that the only way she could get her daughter into the bath was to put her in fully clothed and slowly remove her clothes after she was in the bath.
4. Pictures in the Bath
Sticking plastic stickers onto the walls of the shower cubicle or onto the bath tiles, especially of characters that your child likes, can also be another way to entice your toddler to take a bath more willingly. If you don't have or can't get stickers, you can laminate pictures cut out from magazines, toy catalogues, CD covers, etc. Tell your toddler to "wash" his friends to keep him occupied while you get busy with soaping and rinsing your toddler.
5. Sweet Rewards
Rewards usually work better with older toddlers that understand the nature of a reward. Some effective rewards are stickers, small toys, and sweet treats, especially the normally forbidden ones. Sometimes the promise of being able to do a special activity after the bath can be quite effective, too. For instance, "After your bath, you can watch Mickey Mouse Clubhouse."
Initially, when you are introducing the concept of a reward, you might have to offer a treat as a "taste test" then promise another one after the bath. When you toddler gets a hang of the idea, you can reserve all treats for after the bath.
6. Giving Options
Sometimes the objection to taking a bath is not necessarily the activity itself but the feeling of being imposed upon. This is especially important to a toddler who is learning to express autonomy over self. By offering an option and letting your toddler make a choice, you can still achieve an amicable end result.
Here is an example of offering an option for taking a bath: "Do you want to take a bath with the yellow bubbles or the blue bubbles?"
Sometimes negative options can work more effectively than offering a reward. For instance, "Do you want to take a bath now and watch Mickey Mouse after, or do you want to play for another ten minutes and have lights out after your bath?" Most toddlers don't like the thought of having to go to sleep and will try to avoid it almost as much - if not more so - than taking a bath.
7. Cleaning Up After Getting Dirty
Some toddlers have a natural predisposition to dislike getting dirty, although that fact itself may not stop them from engaging in fun activities that require them to get dirty. Allowing them to engage in these activities prior to bath time can be extremely effective in getting them to hop straight into the bath right after. For instance, finger painting is a fun and dirty activity that most toddlers enjoy, and washing up afterward usually brings a cooperative toddler to the bath, especially one that doesn't like to stay dirty.
With toddlers who dislike getting dirty, sometimes merely taking them to the mirror and pointing out food stains on their mouths or t-shirts can work as well.
Summary
There are many other ways to be creative about bath time and get a toddler's full cooperation. These suggestions and ideas might even help you think of other, more creative ways that suit your toddler's interests and temperament.
Although there may be times when it seems nothing you do can convince your willful toddler to take a bath without a tantrum, using tactics like these will help to prevent the majority of meltdowns.
Shen-Li is a stay-at-home-mum dedicated to the pursuit of excellence in parenting. She has a formal educational background and former work experience in healthcare. If you enjoyed this article, visit her blog Babylicious at figur8.net/baby and follow her as she learns how to raise a happy, confident and successful person.
How To Handle Your Toddler's Tantrums In The Best Way?
Most of the parents have absolutely no idea how to handle their toddler's tantrums, so their natural reaction is just ask the child to calm down, yell at him or any other way they think will make him stop screaming and crying on the floor! Well, it can work from time to time but in the long run it's just not really effective. This way your child will not stop until he is old enough. So I want to share few tips with you about what is the right thing to do as a parent when you see another tantrum! Let's start!
Distraction works excellent in these cases. When your child wants something and you can't give it to him from some reason – he throws a temper tantrum again! Well, you can always get his attention with something else he also likes and it's available right now! Important to say that it doesn't work with every kid…
If it's at home then the best method is just to let your child calm down because he probably will after 5 or 10 minutes! Just ignore him and let it pass on its own! This will teach him than he doesn't get any attention that way. After it passes don't punish the child – just treat him a little coldly for a few minutes so he will feel the consequences a little!
It's very important to stay calm during it and not to show any emotional reaction! It will take some time until it will stop completely, but just be a little patient! I hope I helped you and good luck!
By: Jackie Jhonson
Don't know how to handle your toddler's tantrums? Are sick of feeling embarrassed every time it happens and people look at you? Click here to discover the best method to stop toddler's tantrums once for all!
Distraction works excellent in these cases. When your child wants something and you can't give it to him from some reason – he throws a temper tantrum again! Well, you can always get his attention with something else he also likes and it's available right now! Important to say that it doesn't work with every kid…
If it's at home then the best method is just to let your child calm down because he probably will after 5 or 10 minutes! Just ignore him and let it pass on its own! This will teach him than he doesn't get any attention that way. After it passes don't punish the child – just treat him a little coldly for a few minutes so he will feel the consequences a little!
It's very important to stay calm during it and not to show any emotional reaction! It will take some time until it will stop completely, but just be a little patient! I hope I helped you and good luck!
By: Jackie Jhonson
Don't know how to handle your toddler's tantrums? Are sick of feeling embarrassed every time it happens and people look at you? Click here to discover the best method to stop toddler's tantrums once for all!
My Baby Won’t Sleep At Night, Top Tips To Help Babies Sleep
All the experts tell you that your baby should start sleeping through the night at about 3 months. But my baby won’t sleep at night, I hear you say. Babies are curious little creatures. They are like little sponges learning and observing all the time. As they get used to a routine, and things become more familiar, your baby could soon start to associate sleep time with time that mommy isn’t there. It’s called separation anxiety and it’s a normal part of development for many babies. But it can be especially trying for parents, as babies can be particularly strong-willed, especially about bedtime! The last thing you want is for baby to wake up regularly at night crying for you so often that it becomes routine.
You may be introducing some new baby foods around now, and this can help your baby feel sleepy as their bodies adjust to digesting food instead of just milk. Remember to introduce new patterns gently and slowly. If the baby isn’t going to sleep or keeps waking up and crying for you, then it’s time to teach yourself baby sleep techniques that you can use to break this habit and help baby sleep at night again. This also results in more sleep for you too!
Don’t change your nighttime sleep routine for your baby. You can still start out with a warm bath, a good feed, and a bedtime story. Rocking and snuggling, singing or reading – these are all important bonding times for mother and baby, and can help baby sleep at night. If baby doesn’t fall asleep right away, try putting her in her crib with the rocker or glider right next to the crib, singing or reading to her. You can sit by the crib and rub or pat her back.
In a week or two, move your chair a short distance away from the crib, so the baby can still see you, but you are starting to edge towards the door. You should continue to talk or read or sing. If she cries for more than 10 or 15 minutes, then get up and comfort her, but put her back down in the crib and go back to your chair.
In another week or two, move your chair even closer towards the door. Even these small changes could be upsetting for your baby, so be patient and be prepared to take a small step back towards the crib for a day or two before edging towards the door again. This is a time that can be spent productively. You can fold her laundry and put it away, sort out bath towels, or pair the families socks together, talking to her all the time, so she’s aware of your presence, but your attention isn’t focused totally on her. This way she can get used to the idea of separation gradually.
If you find these tips helpful, and they work for you, then great! Well done you! But if you find this advice is not working, or just seems to be taking too long to accomplish, then there are many more techniques you can learn for making baby sleep through the night.
By: Sophie Bright
If you find your baby still wakes at night, teach yourself baby sleep techniques that worked for me on my son. Click Here! Or read more of my tips here: Sleep Routines For Babies Wishing you a good night's sleep, Sophie x
You may be introducing some new baby foods around now, and this can help your baby feel sleepy as their bodies adjust to digesting food instead of just milk. Remember to introduce new patterns gently and slowly. If the baby isn’t going to sleep or keeps waking up and crying for you, then it’s time to teach yourself baby sleep techniques that you can use to break this habit and help baby sleep at night again. This also results in more sleep for you too!
Don’t change your nighttime sleep routine for your baby. You can still start out with a warm bath, a good feed, and a bedtime story. Rocking and snuggling, singing or reading – these are all important bonding times for mother and baby, and can help baby sleep at night. If baby doesn’t fall asleep right away, try putting her in her crib with the rocker or glider right next to the crib, singing or reading to her. You can sit by the crib and rub or pat her back.
In a week or two, move your chair a short distance away from the crib, so the baby can still see you, but you are starting to edge towards the door. You should continue to talk or read or sing. If she cries for more than 10 or 15 minutes, then get up and comfort her, but put her back down in the crib and go back to your chair.
In another week or two, move your chair even closer towards the door. Even these small changes could be upsetting for your baby, so be patient and be prepared to take a small step back towards the crib for a day or two before edging towards the door again. This is a time that can be spent productively. You can fold her laundry and put it away, sort out bath towels, or pair the families socks together, talking to her all the time, so she’s aware of your presence, but your attention isn’t focused totally on her. This way she can get used to the idea of separation gradually.
If you find these tips helpful, and they work for you, then great! Well done you! But if you find this advice is not working, or just seems to be taking too long to accomplish, then there are many more techniques you can learn for making baby sleep through the night.
By: Sophie Bright
If you find your baby still wakes at night, teach yourself baby sleep techniques that worked for me on my son. Click Here! Or read more of my tips here: Sleep Routines For Babies Wishing you a good night's sleep, Sophie x
10 Cheap Family Activities For Every Parent
If you're looking for family activities to do with your children, and don't want them to cost a fortune, then why not consider some of these exciting things you can do.
1. Just spending time with your children playing board games, or dressing up, or reading with them, will be very rewarding. Perhaps you don't get the chance to spend as much time with your children as you'd like to, so why not do something they like doing?
2. Going for walks can be great exercise for all the family, as well as fun and educational. Why not go to the countryside and see what wildlife you can see, or find out more about the area where you live, or put on your wellies and go out in the rain, and jump in some puddles or find some mud to play in!
3. Maybe your children love going to the park, so why not take them more often? You could take a football or a frisby, as well as playing on the slide and swings. Letting your children run around with others their age is a great way for them to make new friends, and also to let off steam.
4. Your children might benefit from going to museums and art galleries, especially if they're studying something specific in history or art at school. You could help them learn more about a certain period of time, or artist, and help them with their schoolwork at the same time. You might enjoy visiting a museum or gallery you haven't been to in a while too.
5. Are your children too young to appreciate your favourite sports? Why not see if they'd like to go to a football or rugby match, or maybe they've been inspired by watching tennis or motor racing on TV.
6. Does your gym have children's classes? Remember that if you don't take your health seriously, and watch what you eat, you can't be surprised if you're children are unhealthy. Instead of watching TV, or spending time on the computer, why not suggest going for a bike ride, or swimming?
7. Getting your children interested in cooking from an early age, can promote healthy eating, and ensure that they understand the importance of eating good quality fresh produce, and get their five portions of fruit and vegetables a day. If you eat a lot of fast food, or unhealthy snacks, your children are likely to want to as well.
8. Don't forget to encourage your children to spend time with their friends. Maybe your children could invite a couple of friends round for tea, or to play. Why not see if you can become friendly with their parents, and they might repay the favour?
9. An afternoon doing arts and crafts is a great way to spend time with your children. Why not encourage them to be creative and artistic? Perhaps they'll enjoy colouring pictures, or making collages, or following instructions to make a model, or create something useful and practical.
10. Gardening can be fun for all the family, so if you've got green fingers, why not let your children help you with your gardening ideas and plans? They could have their own area of the garden, or plant pots, and grow their own seeds, and see how they do.
Now you know what sort of things you can doe with your children, and that they don't have to be expensive, what other family activities can you think of?
Discover a wide range of Family Activities you can do with your children, and amazing seasonal Gardening Ideas to make the most of your garden. If you're a parent, then you'll love Candis magazine. Find out more at Candis.co.uk today, and subscribe online. You'll be glad you did.
1. Just spending time with your children playing board games, or dressing up, or reading with them, will be very rewarding. Perhaps you don't get the chance to spend as much time with your children as you'd like to, so why not do something they like doing?
2. Going for walks can be great exercise for all the family, as well as fun and educational. Why not go to the countryside and see what wildlife you can see, or find out more about the area where you live, or put on your wellies and go out in the rain, and jump in some puddles or find some mud to play in!
3. Maybe your children love going to the park, so why not take them more often? You could take a football or a frisby, as well as playing on the slide and swings. Letting your children run around with others their age is a great way for them to make new friends, and also to let off steam.
4. Your children might benefit from going to museums and art galleries, especially if they're studying something specific in history or art at school. You could help them learn more about a certain period of time, or artist, and help them with their schoolwork at the same time. You might enjoy visiting a museum or gallery you haven't been to in a while too.
5. Are your children too young to appreciate your favourite sports? Why not see if they'd like to go to a football or rugby match, or maybe they've been inspired by watching tennis or motor racing on TV.
6. Does your gym have children's classes? Remember that if you don't take your health seriously, and watch what you eat, you can't be surprised if you're children are unhealthy. Instead of watching TV, or spending time on the computer, why not suggest going for a bike ride, or swimming?
7. Getting your children interested in cooking from an early age, can promote healthy eating, and ensure that they understand the importance of eating good quality fresh produce, and get their five portions of fruit and vegetables a day. If you eat a lot of fast food, or unhealthy snacks, your children are likely to want to as well.
8. Don't forget to encourage your children to spend time with their friends. Maybe your children could invite a couple of friends round for tea, or to play. Why not see if you can become friendly with their parents, and they might repay the favour?
9. An afternoon doing arts and crafts is a great way to spend time with your children. Why not encourage them to be creative and artistic? Perhaps they'll enjoy colouring pictures, or making collages, or following instructions to make a model, or create something useful and practical.
10. Gardening can be fun for all the family, so if you've got green fingers, why not let your children help you with your gardening ideas and plans? They could have their own area of the garden, or plant pots, and grow their own seeds, and see how they do.
Now you know what sort of things you can doe with your children, and that they don't have to be expensive, what other family activities can you think of?
Discover a wide range of Family Activities you can do with your children, and amazing seasonal Gardening Ideas to make the most of your garden. If you're a parent, then you'll love Candis magazine. Find out more at Candis.co.uk today, and subscribe online. You'll be glad you did.
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