HiTechMommy

eBayClassifieds on BigTent

OK, I love this. And it's not just because I work with eBay Classifieds, it's because it makes my life easier.  

If you're a mom who buys new stuff for your kids the second they grow out of the old stuff, which is all of you, then you know that using the moms in your area to look for used items is a great resource.  We trust these ladies.  We feel like if we're going to need a set of kid sized snow skis for the one time we're heading to the mountain this winter,  we're going to ask if any fellow moms have some for sale before we run to buy a new pair. 

This process of looking for the things we need just got even easier.  Bigtent, one of the largest group creation sites on the web, now has an eBay Classifieds tab on every page!  This means that now you can post things to buy/sell/trade among the group of people you're already interacting with online! 

Are you in a Bigtent group?  Will you use the feature?  Let me know!

PicPocket Books iPhone App

 

 If you're like me, and you have several kids in  the house that are learning to read, sometimes you need a way to occupy your child when you need a second. How great if you can buy a few minutes of entertainment that is educational, too?  This means everything to me and I've found that PicPocket Books offers really amazing looking kids picture books as apps, and you can feel good about handing your phone over.

Reading a book on a screen has the same educational, mind-opening benefits as reading a traditional print book: it increases vocabulary, improves concentration and focus, and expands horizons- so I'm all for it! PicPocket Books offers parents and their kids an alternative to flashy, and sometimes violent, fast-paced video games. The bookapps have some simple animations and/or interactive hot spots to encourage exploration and engagement, but generally, they place a priority on fidelity to the original picture book.

PicPocket Books is a big advocate of reading aloud to kids, and they say that bookapps are supplements, not replacements, for print books and the valuable time parents can spend reading with their kids. But if having kids books available on your iPhone means more exposure to stories and enthusiasm for reading for kids, then that's a very good thing!

Back To School

Yesterday I was on The TODAY Show talking about Back To School and today I was talking about more BTS tech all across the country.  Here's some of the great tech I talked about!

 
 
 

Did you know that 2/3 of parents say that electronic devices are increasingly becoming a part of the back to school routine. Laptops, digital cameras, iPods with learning apps on them all include items I've sent my kids off to school with at one time or another.  Two products you’ll need to keep your kids devices always powered up are the Duracell Instant Charger  and the Duracell my Grid.  The first is great for on-the-go power  with its slim size size and phat power capacity,  it provides up to 35 hours of reserve power and it’s small enough to throw in their backpack or keep in their desk at school. And at home, the Duracell MyGrid is great because you can charge up to 4 devices at once meaning no wires and no clutter. Mommy likes!  From cell phones to their mp3 players, you can make sure everyone’s gadgets are charged each night.

 

If you're running Windows on your kid's computers, a great FREE upgrade tip for parents is to make  sure they have the most up-to-date software to ensure they’re protected from harmful viruses and spyware.  A lot of parents don’t know what version of Windows they’re running so you can do a quick check on your computer then download the FREE upgrade if needed.  To see if you're running Windows XP Service Pack 3, which is what you want to be running,  this is what you need to do:  click the start button on the bottom left of your screen, click run, then type in “WINVER” ( this stands for "Windows Version").   Look for the text to read "Windows version XP SP3 or Windows 7".    If need be you can download the latest version online.  Each month, or as needed, Windows will now be able to communicate with your PC to assure it's emunie system is nice and strong!

   
 
 

Did you know that cyber-bullying is a HUGE issue that's affecting more than 40% of teens? It's quite upsetting but you can empower yourself if you know what to do.  You can protect your children with a service called SafetyWeb that works as an “internet cheat sheet” for parents.  You can monitor online interactions your teen are having based on their email address. This means anything they do  on facebook, twitter, and all over the web can be viewed by you which gives you the power to make the best decisions over you children's actions. This service is thurough, easy to use and is extremely valuable. 
 

 
Lastly, I have to admit, getting my kids to do homework usually involves some sort of negotiation.  Using video games is my secret weapon because they really get the kids to do what I need them to do !  The kids in my house love the Wii, and so do I,  so I feel like I win when we play something like Tetris Party Deluxe.  They're concentrating on putting together the puzzles instead of just mindless entertainment - and I like it.  It’s a great new twist on one of the world’s most popular games which has over 20 game modes and since I love it as much as they do, it’s a great way for me to bond with them after a long day of us all working hard.  This game is also available to love on the Nintendo DS. 

Back In The Day...

Here's a video of Jessica Corbin, Morgan Webb and myself back in the day on Call For Help talking about Online Karaoke. Check it out!

 

Am I a Bad Mom?

Why am I asking myself that?  Because I hear other moms say that they look down on parents who let their kids use iPhones, iPads, DSs and other devices when they're at a restaurant... and I do it. I totally do it.  I let Jack use my iPhone so that he'll sit still when we're somewhere I need him to just chill.  Yes, when he's playing he's not interacting with the rest of us but he's also not crawling all over the floor or begging to go home. 

If you're like me and you allow your kids to geek out when your out and about then you'll appreciate the family of apps below.

And to answer my own question, No, I'm an amazing mom and I'm doing the best I can which is pretty darn great! 

 

Maverick Software's Cupcakes!

This app allows little fingers to tap their way through all of the different steps you'd take to bake real cupcakes - and kids LOVE it. From the different liners and batter to the hundreds of goodies you can decorate them with, the experience is fantastic. If you have an iPad then get CupcakesXL.

Maverick Software's More Pizza!

Now that you've eaten your desert it's time for dinner! Pizza is pretty much as fun as cupcakes and kids enjoy it in the same way. You have so many great options of dough, sauces and toppings that kids tend to crack up the whole time they play.  Once you make the pizza you can eat it or send an image of it to friends.

Maverick Software's More Salad!

Like the Europeans do, let's eat our salad now that we're done with dinner and desert! If your child won't eat salad in real life this is a way for them to get a little more comfortable with their leafy greens.  Add regular or funny toppings, like gummy bears, different kinds of greens and then toss it all up.  Kids love the easy way they can customize everything so easily all the way down to the plates and table cloths.