Asks if Parents Should Snoop on Their Kids

Are there parents who insist their kids text them as soon as they get on the bus and as soon as they get to school? Do parents download and install GPS-related software so parents know where their kids are at all times? familykenkel ask these questions and a few more to gauge if parents snoop on their kids.

Today’s children have many more possibilities to end up in danger than in previous decades.  The Internet and smart phones with Internet access make it easy for anyone to contact them. Social media accounts are also huge draws for the wrong kind of people to reach out and touch kids. So, we ask: should parents snoop on their kids? Do they snoop on their kids and how?  In earlier times, it was common for mothers to read their daughter’s diaries. Now both parents can see what their brood is writing on the Internet and in texts and can monitor it.

There are some products parents can use to keep track of what kids are up to: NetNanny, SafeEyes, and MamaBear to name just a few. Familykenkel asks why parents need products like these and the answer is this: more than three quarters of American kids age12 to 17 have cell phones, half of those devices has Internet access, social media and email access. In addition, a survey found that 40% of fifth graders have their own cellphones, 75% of teens aged 13 to 17 have at least one social media account, and more than two-thirds say they text every day.  Parents always want to be sure their children are safe. Snooping on kids is one way to find out if they are okay, happy, not being bullied, where they say they are and safe.

Why One Size is Not the Same across Name Brands

What’s in a size, anyway? Why are clothing sizes so different when they are the same? Familykenkel wants to know why one size is not the same across names brands.

If a woman were to walk into a department store and try on three pairs of jeans all in the same size, would they all fit the same? No, they would not. Many clothing manufacturers and designers use their own sizing specifications as a marketing ploy. If a size 12 from Lucky Brand fits great, a size 12 from Levi’s may not. 

An average women’s size 12 can vary as much as 1 to 3 inches in the waist of jeans, and to 3 inches in the hips. This is why it is important to find the right size in the right clothing line and stick to it. Sizing standards are specific to the brand and not to the standard size itself. Familykenkel knows that most of us have a favorite brand of jeans and know which size fits us best. We tend to be loyal to those, but occasionally want something a little jazzier for evenings out. This is when it pays to take the time to try on different brands.  Find one or two that fit and look the best and grab a few pairs in different washes. You’re good to go then.

The Powerball is Yours – Now What?

It is hard to resist playing the lottery and powerball lottery when the jackpots are high. Now let’s image that you wake up Sunday morning and check your tickets to see if you won and learn that you won it all. Now what?

Keep in mind that about 70 percent of lottery winners end up broke. We are assuming you filled out the back of the tickets and contacted the state lottery to let them know you won.

• Make copies of the ticket and secure it in a safe place.
• Ask friends and relatives for the name of a good financial advisor. This person should not be someone who will agree with you about investments of charitable giving.
• Start making investment so you will be paid every month until the day you die. If not, it is likely you might spend all of your money on yourself and everyone else before making the life change to the other side.
• Take time to think about what you want to do with all that money. Generally speaking, younger winners spend it all and soon are back to living paycheck to paycheck. Older winners do not. Familykenkel suggests talking it over with a trusted person in your life. Write the plan down.
• Be careful. Don’t trust everyone you know who suddenly wants to be your new best friend/financial advisor.
• Find something meaningful to do with your life. Go overseas and volunteer. Stay in the States and volunteer. Buy land and start your own private dog park.

Finding a Goldmine in the Public Library

We are midway through the summer. What can families do together that is affordable and fun? Where can they go to find something to do when the weather is not cooperating? Familykenkel suggests finding a goldmine at the public library.

Almost every city in the country has a public library. Some have shortened days but are nonetheless still open. Inside – a world of family entertainment can be found.

Many local libraries offer discounted tickets to local museums. Grab tickets for everyone and go exploring in another time and place.

Rent a movie or two that everyone will enjoy. Recent flicks are on the shelves as well as the oldies.

Search for ancestors, dig through old family records and photographs and find something new not known. Some libraries have telescopes in which members can use to gaze into the sky and see what’s there. Explore this new world.

Audio books are great to take on long road trips. They are also fun to listen to at home. Familykenkel suggests renting an classic and having a discussion about the characters and plot.

Sort through the variety of self-published magazines libraries have to offer for interesting topics. A favorite subject is pets and another is crafting. Pick up a flyer with groups meeting there or scan the list of classes offered. There are so many fun things in the local library. Why not see what they have to offer today?

Save Money on Back to School Needs

You know it’s almost time to go back to school when the sales start, discount codes arrive in email and school uniforms are on store racks. Familykenkel shares some tips on how to save money on back to school needs.

Shop early. Even if the school district has not sent out a list of needed supplies for the year, hit the discount stores early for the widest variety and the best prices.  Stock up.

If your state offers a tax-free weekend on school supplies, wait until then to stock up.

Do your kids need some cool new duds to start the school year? Go online and check out some of the fashion resale stores like thredup.com and moxiejean.com. Cool styles can be found for less than the department or boutique stores charge.

TheFamilykenkel also uses smart phone apps for favorite stores to find special sales, coupons and discount codes for back to school items.  

True fashionistas though will find creative ways to re-purpose clothing from previous seasons. Fashion is evolving and will come full circle with some modifications. Take advantage of scarves, hats, leggings and other ways to turn some cast-offs into something very cool. There are a myriad of ways to save money on back to school needs. Use all of them!

New Summer Treat

Ice cream is a summer staple for dessert or a snack when you get home from swimming.  To make it special, turn it into a sandwich. Familykenkel shares some of the new summer treats.

Ice cream sandwiches are a cool, creamy favorite any time of the day or evening. But there are some that are being made that are delectably delicious. While the below are made by ice cream stores, a unique ice cream sandwich is simply a figment of imagination turned into yummy reality.

Cookies used to be the main item for the sandwich. However, some eateries are using waffles, churros and donuts instead. Ice cream chefs are finding flavorful ways to blend cookies, ice cream and a sauce into one hard-to-put-down goodie.

Mix and match the flavors such as a red velvet waffle with cinnamon ice cream. Familykenkel learns that making them at home is just as easy as the ones that can be bought in ice cream stores. Just be creative. Also, be sure the cookie, waffle, donut, ladyfinger, etc is flat and even. Try different kinds of ice cream or whip up your own using a base flavor like vanilla and add flavorings. Don’t forget a special sauce to hold it all together. There are a myriad of choices to make or buy. Enjoy one in front of one of the fireplaces mentioned below.

Teddy Bear Portraits by Nationwide Studios

This week in the studio, Familykenkel welcomed the great people from Teddy Bear Portraits by Nationwide Studios. This company is highly respected by schools, parents and caregivers for taking the best images of pre-school age children.

Children’s portraits were taken years ago as a way to mark the passage of time, to record special moments and to celebrate holidays. They are indelible keepsakes handed down generation to generation as reminders of what we looked like in our youth. Familykenkel are welcome additions to family histories.

The Nationwide Studios photographers are held to very high standards and are professional, child-friendly and make the photo session as comfortable to the child as possible. They are industry leaders in the child portraiture business. The specially trained photographers from Teddy Bear Portraits are experts in capturing the child’s individual personality. After the photo session, parents and guardians have the opportunity to view the pictures and choose the ones they love, and take them home the same day. This is an added bonus most photo studios don’t usually offer.  Forbes Living TV is proud to feature Teddy Bear Portraits by Nationwide Studios, Inc. in an upcoming segment on “Mommy Must Haves”.