I know that I need to ensure that my kids behave. I use whatever means I have at my disposal. When the kids were little, taking a special toy away or not letting my child have dessert was enough to get the children back to acting correctly. But, my children are older and their special toys are cell phones and computer use. The kids know that I can take away the phone whenever I need to.

Some parents who are frightened to discipline their children would never take away their child’s phone. I worry about kids who have permissive parents. Sadly these are the same parents who will buy alcohol for a teen party to “keep the teens at their house and off the roads.” Shudder.

At the Cox Teen Summit on Internet and Cellphone Safety, @KeyInfluencer, the moderator, shared that in his house their are two kind of cellphones. I attended the summit a week or so ago. James Andres told the teens, moms, and dads in the audience, and special guest John Walsh that in his house the “cell phone with the bells and whistles” is for kids who behave and get good grades. The “cell phone that only makes voice calls” is the phone his kids get if their behavior is not what it should be. LOVE THIS IDEA!!!

Our kids’ cell phones were purchased as a way for the kids to contact my husband and I. If the kids use the phones to chat or text friends that is a bonus. The kids know that we are in charge of the phones.

Are you in control of your child’s cell phone or are they?

As a mom of a 7-year-old, 11-year-old, and 14-year-old I cannot avoid the internet. The big kids want to be online. Even my youngest clamors to be on the computer. It’s summer and when the kids are not outside or at the pool, the lure of the screen is huge. I monitor the TV shows they watch. I decide which movies are appropriate. So why wouldn’t I do the same for the internet?

Here’s an article from my blog: http://www.musingsfromme.com/spreading-the-news-about-yoursp…

Yoursphere is FREE. Sign up for free membership using code YSMC-0051. You don’t need the code, but if you use it you and I will both be entered in to a drawing for a gift card. YSMC-0051

You all know that I am passionate about online safety and I promote Yoursphere to everyone I meet. Yoursphere is a site where my teen can exercise her creativity by writing and getting her peers to comment on her writing…my tween can create spheres about subjects that she is passionate about, like Converse sneakers and Silly Bandz…and my kid can play a game where zombies attack vegetables. Yes, I said vegetables! He was roaring with laughter as he told me how the zombie tried to stomp on the broccoli. Yoursphere has a little something for every kid!

So about those two things…

1. The founder of Yoursphere — Mary Kay Hoal, mom of 5 and internet entrepreneur — auditioned for her own Oprah show. Yes, that’s right Mary Kay wants to strut her stuff on TV! Mary Kay’s idea for a show centers around finding ways for families to talk about online safety. As a mom, I know that my kids go the internet before they research a project, play a game, contact a friend, etc. I want to find ways to talk to my kids about staying safe on the internet. Mary Kay’s video focuses on conversations you could have with little kids, big kids, and the moms in your neighborhood about staying safe online. To vote for her to be chosen to have an Oprah TV show, go here.
2. If you want to learn more about Yoursphere, go here. Yoursphere is now FREE. That’s right…Free…no membership fees…no messages about “your account has expired”…just a FREE service for kids to play and parents to relax knowing their child is safe. I have a FREE code — YSMC-0051 — for you to use to get the FREE membership. You do not need the code to join, but if you use the code you will be entered in to a drawing for a $50 gift card. It’s a win-win…your child or children get a FREE service to play on and you get a chance at winning a gift card! Use Code YSMC-0051!

I wrote this review while participating in the Yoursphere Test Drive program by Mom Central on behalf of Yoursphere. I received a free lifetime Gold membership on Yoursphere.com, Yoursphere t-shirts, and a $50 American Express gift card to facilitate my review.

As a young mom I safety proofed my house, used car safety seats until the kids were 8 years old, held hands when we crossed a parking lot, and cut their food in to teeny tiny pieces. You might think that I would be relieved to remove the last door knob cover, but safety proofing doesn’t end when your child can open a door. Now that my children are no longer babies, toddlers, and preschoolers, why would I let down my guard?

When my oldest first asked to go online she was about 5 or 6. She had heard a commercial. She desperately wanted to go to Nickjr.com to play Blues Clues. I sat with her as she clicked around in the games. l taught her to stay on the Nick website.

Her Nick days faded when a friend told her about Club Penguin. Club Penguin was pushed aside when Webkinz hit Hallmark stores and everywhere. Webkinz were the Silly Bandz of 2008.

The pull of Webkinz faded for my daughter when she was about 10. She desperately wanted her own e-mail. She needed to start a web page. Had she heard about Facebook she would have wanted an account. I was not ready for all these new endeavors.

I let her have an e-mail in 6th grade. The web site was launched in 5th grade. But, Facebook was a no go. She begged. She pleaded. Apparently every 6th and then 7th grade friend was on Facebook. I held firm.

I discovered Yoursphere over a year ago. Yoursphere is a social network site for kids, tweens, and teens that is for kids only. No adults. Parents can sign up their kids for Yoursphere, but must go through an online security program. Here’s the link to Yoursphere’s safety policy.

Yoursphere was an alternative to Facebook. My daughter got to play on a site that wasn’t babyish, while I had the reassurance that she was in a safe environment online.

I recently became a Yoursphere Test Drive Mom. I am thrilled to let you know that Yoursphere is now FREE! I have a code for you to use if you want to sign your child/tween/teen up for Yoursphere. Use Code YSMC-0051 to sign up for a FREE membership.

You can sign up without the code, but… Anyone who uses my code  — YSMC-0051 — to register on Yoursphere.com will be entered into a weekly drawing to win a $50 gift card! The Yoursphere Test Drive Mom with the most referrals above 200 will win a $1000 American Express gift card!

I wrote this review while participating in the Yoursphere Test Drive program by Mom Central on behalf of Yoursphere. I received a free lifetime Gold membership on Yoursphere.com, Yoursphere t-shirts, and a $50 American Express gift card to facilitate my review.

I wrote about our homework struggles. While most of the country’s kids are skipping out of school, our county’s kids are “still going and going” — like the Energizer Bunny. I complained about how much time we spend at volleyball tournaments. I even wrote letters to my kids. The post I need to write is about our summer plans. So here goes…

Nine years ago we joined a swim club. Back then I had a 2-month-old, a 4-year-old, and a 7-year-old. When our name came to top of the waitlist I strongly argued to my husband that we NEEDED to join the swim club. He was very much opposed as our children were young and taking all three children swimming was a two-person job.

I prevailed. We joined the club. Even my husband agrees that it was the best decision. The year after joining the swim club, the older two kids jumped in to the swim team. Best decision #2. Our summers for the last eight years have been dominated by the swim team…in a good way.

Our mornings are all about swim practice. Our afternoons are a little more unpredictable. Some days we stay at the pool — my youngest loves this. Some days we stay at home — my oldest loves this. Some days we go on a excursion — kids’ excitement level varies! But, what do we do with the time when we are at home.

The kids would love to be plugged in all day long. Quite honestly some days I am plugged in all day long. So, I have prepared a plan…

The Musings from Me family plan for “use of anything with a plug.”

• Following on from the school year, there will be no TV before breakfast and swim practice on weekdays. On weekends, TV can be watched in the mornings.
• Once swim practice is over, kids will play outside or inside.
• If inside kids will ask permission for screen time only after summer workbook pages and reading have been completed.
• Chores need to be done before screentime or “use of anything with a plug.”
• In the evenings, kids can watch TV if we are watching as a family.
• If kids want to go online, permission will be needed from a parent.

Online use in our house could be PBS Kids, Webkinz, or Yoursphere. I find all three sites to be a safe place for my kid, my tween, and my teen. Yoursphere is a site that my teen used extensively during the school year. My tween is very involved on Yoursphere…playing games…racking up points…starting spheres or groups…and having a good time. My youngest is asking to join. I think I might sign him up this weekend.

Speaking of signing up for Yoursphere… Yoursphere is now FREE! Yay FREE!. Kids, tweens, and teens can sign up. Moms and dads when you are signing up your kids, be sure to use Code YSMC-0051.

Yoursphere has an exciting incentive for Musings from Me readers tied to my referral code! Anyone who uses Code YSMC-0051 to register on Yoursphere.com will be entered into a weekly drawing to win a $50 gift card. The Yoursphere Test Drive Mom with the most referrals above 200 will win a $1000 American Express gift card!

So, you can sign up for Yoursphere for FREE using Code: YSMC-0051 and we will both be entered in to a drawing for a gift card. Thanks for helping me have a chance to win the gift card!

I wrote this review while participating in the Yoursphere Test Drive program by Mom Central on behalf of Yoursphere. I received a free lifetime Gold membership on Yoursphere.com, Yoursphere t-shirts, and a $50 American Express gift card to facilitate my review.

My tween and teen were keyed up all week in anticipation of going to the volleyball tournament. The tween wanted to pack before I had done laundry. The teen wanted to pack her props — she likes to get her teammates to participate in skits/a variety show while at the tournament each year.

Suffice it to say, the girls did not get on Yoursphere much last week. With homework, projects, and preparation for our road trip to all-things-volleyball, I didn’t press the issue. I want Yoursphere to remain. Mom might be a Yoursphere Test Drive Mom, but the kids should play Yoursphere when they want to.

My tween did mention that she played a game in Our World. She wasn’t very specific…you know how tweens can be?! But, she liked the game. I asked her if she would play again. She gave it a thumbs up!

Yoursphere is FREE to join!! I have a FREE code for you to use should you decide to sign up your kid, tween, or teen: YSMC-0051. For everyone who signs up using the code I will be entered in to a drawing for a gift card. Remember, it is FREE to sign up for Yoursphere. You can sign up using code YSMC-0051.

I wrote this review while participating in the Yoursphere Test Drive program by Mom Central on behalf of Yoursphere. I received a free lifetime Gold membership on Yoursphere.com, Yoursphere t-shirts, and a $50 American Express gift card to facilitate my review.

A snooze would not be a good idea. Why? If I snooze…

• my teen will stay up late watching Glee, Secret Life of the American Teenager, and Make It or Break It.
• my tween will stay up and watch the Disney Channel with a detour to playing with my itouch followed by a short play on her DS with a dash of Yoursphere thrown in for good measure.
• my kid will stand over me and demand I look at his Lego creations. Sleeping through his monologue will be impossible. My ability to sleep through any and all noises will be sorely tested, but in the end I will be jolted out of my sleep. I will wake up groggy and disoriented to find that all three children are WIDE AWAKE.

So, my friends I will tear myself away from the computer, drag my son out of the bathroom, push my tween in to the shower, and wrangle my teen to clean up her room. With that I bid you adieu!

Bedtime was O.K. All are asleep now. The tween AND teen both made a valiant and entirely unsuccessful plea to be allowed to stay up and watch American Idol. Nice try kids, but g’night!

BTW, don’t forget to use Code YSMC-0051 to sign up for Yoursphere.com. Yoursphere is free. By using the code YSMC-0051 you will help me win a gift card. Squee!!

Giveaways galore!!

• BABW $25 Gift Card ends 5/31 at 11:59 p.m.
• Suave Body Wash ends 5/28 at 11:59 p.m.
• Avatar DVD Giveaway ends 5/27 at 11:59 p.m.
• and a giveaway ending tonight…Sweet and Salty Treat pack

My tween was at first reluctant to join Yoursphere. She might have been annoyed that I asked her to do something. I am the resident nag. Or, she might have felt that she didn’t want to try Yoursphere since her sister has a Yoursphere account. Who knows?

Last week I finally persuaded her to sign up for a Yoursphere account. Within a short period of time she was hooked. She played a few games…joined a few spheres…met a few friends…all in a safe environment. For the skinny on safety controls on Yoursphere, go here.

The tween was so excited about the spheres on Yoursphere that she started a few of her own. Silly bands? I’m sure if you have a kid in elementary or middle school you have heard of these silcone bands in the shape of animals, castles, dinos, and letters. The craze is sweeping my daughter’s grade at school. Apparently silly bands are the topic of conversation at lunch! My daughter and her friends trade the bands with each other.

So how did my tween combine her love for Silly Bands with her new love for Yoursphere? She started a group for Silly Bands on Yoursphere! On Yoursphere groups are called SPHERES.

Her other passion Converse sneakers! Yep, she started a group called Colorful Converse as well!!

I wrote this review while participating in the Yoursphere Test Drive program by Mom Central on behalf of Yoursphere. I received a free lifetime Gold membership on Yoursphere.com, Yoursphere t-shirts, and a $50 American Express gift card to facilitate my review.

I assured that her that Yoursphere was fun. She didn’t believe me! Her older sister told her that Yoursphere is fun. She decided to give a whirl.

The tween is 11, but tends to play on Webkinz and Club Penguin. I love both sites. No complaints from me about the tween playing on either site. I wanted to let the tween play on a site like Yoursphere where she could do a variety of activities rather than just one activity.

Yoursphere is now FREE to join. No membership fees at all! If you want to check out Yoursphere, go here. If you decide to sign up your child, would you consider using this FREE code YSMC-0051. If you use this code, I will be entered in to a drawing for a gift card!

My tween logged on to the site one evening. The next day she was abuzz with the points she had earned for playing games…the photo she uploaded of herself using the webcam…and the friends she had met online. I was thrilled for her. I think she was glad she joined. Not that she said anything to me!

I was thrilled that she stepped out of her comfort zone to try something new. I was excited that she was excited about doing something new. It’s the little things with kids, isn’t it?

This week I asked her what was new on Yoursphere. Since she is 11, I have allowed her to set up her own account. I stepped in to complete the parent part of the signup process. She makes all the decisions for her time on Yoursphere. I monitor the parent page from time to time.

I have found with my girls that doing a weekly/daily check in about what they are doing online works. The tween and teen know that I need to know who they are talking to — with Yoursphere I know that all kids online ARE kids.

I wrote this review while participating in the Yoursphere Test Drive program by Mom Central on behalf of Yoursphere. I received a free lifetime Gold membership on Yoursphere.com, Yoursphere t-shirts, and a $50 American Express gift card to facilitate my review.

My teen is extremely web-savvy. She was a tiny 18-month-old when she played on the computer for the first time. I worked from home back when being a “WAHM” was unusual. I spent many afternoons with her sitting on my lap playing JumpStart Toddlers. I can tell you that after I had worked solidly on the computer for 3-hour nap, the last task I wanted to do was “play on the computer” with my child, but it kept her quiet!

In early 2009, I clicked on a ad calling for Mom Advocates for Yoursphere. I was intrigued. At the time I had one child who was almost of a teen. She was clamoring for a Facebook account. She was only 12. Facebook terms of service ask that users not sign up for Facebook accounts if under 13.

By the time my daughter asked me for a Facebook account, I had already been friended by a couple of her friends. I ignored the friend requests except for one. I friended someone who I thought was the mom…it was my daughter’s friend. After reading one too many profanity laden updates, I unfriended her. My mind was made up. No Facebook account for my almost teen. She was upset with me. She understood my reasons, but that didn’t stop her from complaining that all her friends had accounts.

Yoursphere.com was perfect for her. She was able to create an account for herself on Yoursphere with minimal help from me. It is her account. I let her manage her own account. She met some kids on Yoursphere who she enjoyed hanging with online. She wrote some stories for Yoursphere. She played games.

She was happy and so was I.

I am thrilled to report that I am a Yoursphere Test Drive Mom! I am looking forward to sharing Yoursphere with my readers through the experiences of both my children: my teen and now my tween.

Yoursphere is now FREE!!! Yes, that’s right, your child/tween can now sign up for free. I don’t know about you by I love free!! When you sign up, use code: YSMC-0051. I’m trying to win an AMEX gift card, so the more moms/dads and their kids who sign up the better!

I wrote this review while participating in the Yoursphere Test Drive program by Mom Central on behalf of Yoursphere. I received a free lifetime Gold membership on Yoursphere.com, Yoursphere t-shirts, and a $50 American Express gift card to facilitate my review.