Browsing Tag:

technology

Hibernate and Chill

Hey Alberta, it’s flipping COLD! And with COVID there is no escaping the frigid temperatures so I need to come clean.

I’ve become a binger. There is nothing I like better than escaping into someone else’s made up, or in the case of reality TV, escalated DRAMA. I thought I would share with you what I have been enjoying and maybe, you’d like to share as well!

By myself mindless escape

Bridgerton – I’m a crazy fanatic for the age this is set in. With the music and the naughty bits, it’s just divine. I’ve heard people say it didn’t live up to their expectations – so, go into it with only escape in mind.

Selling Sunset – I might have a small girl crush on Chrishell. It’s like a mix of the best real estate shows you’ve watched with the drama of Housewives.

Emily In Paris – Again, not the most titillating of story twists, but hey, it’s in PARIS.

Bling Empire – Have you watched Crazy Rich Asians? This one is just fun!

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5 Podcasts That Inspire Me As A Mom

Woman with headphones around her neck

I spend a LOT of time in my car. Driving to work, then from one place to the next and so, I have the opportunity to listen to things like podcasts. Specifically parenting-esque podcasts because who doesn’t like a little learning when it comes to this “job”. There’s no manual and you can take the advice or leave it. For me, I feel that I’m getting a free injection of optimism, point of view and some general tips. Often it’s even just knowing that other people have gone through a similar situation.

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Top Parenting Apps

As a bonafide app nerd I love all the different apps out there from photography and video trip planning and ordering pizza. I love me a good app. That being said, there are a LOT of apps out there for parents, so I’ve compiled my top parenting apps as well as some of the other Alberta Mama’s favourite apps that will help your life and not sit on your screen unused taking up precious storage space.

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Bringing Mindfulness to your Digital World

Meditate in the mountains

Mindfulness. The word itself brings a calming sense of comfort. But what does it really mean? According to Merriam-Webster dictionary, it means the practice of maintaining a nonjudgmental state of heightened or complete awareness of one’s thoughts, emotions, or experiences on a moment-to-moment basis. In every day terminology, you can think of it as noticing what you are noticing without judgement.

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Technology is just a Tool

By Alisa Taylor

Wayne Gretzky scored 50 goals in 39 games using a wooden stick. He was the best hockey player because of his skills, not because of the equipment he used. In order to achieve greatness, we need to hone our skills and commit to the goal. The tools we use to succeed facilitate that journey, but do not guarantee achievement.

If I want to become a faster runner, my new shoes and cute running shorts may motivate me to get outside, but will not get my legs moving faster. I need to put those shoes to the pavement and make some tracks. And I cannot just run once nor can I run 3 times a day everyday. Neither situation will get me the results I desire.

The same can be said for technology. If a child is given a device, their intelligence level does not suddenly increase. Downloading Minecraft or Tynker won’t turn them into architectural or coding geniuses, but perhaps it will get their attention and peak their curiosity.

Devices are tools and when used appropriately, act as a gateway into a world of creativity. They can open a door into endless learning possibilities and ignite that passion for exploring further. But, those tools, the devices, must be managed by parents. Children are not capable of navigating and managing technology on their own and rely upon their parents for guidance. It is no longer an option for parents to hand over the iPad and turn their heads the other way. By doing so, the child is unknowingly up against some dangerous vulnerabilities.

The American Academy of Pediatrics recommends consistent time limits placed on media for kids aged 6 and older. In addition, ensuring media is not replacing adequate sleep, physical activity and other healthy behaviours. So, if a child is spending endless hours on their iPad, is that the fault of the iPad? The iPad is the tool. It must be managed appropriately. Establishing time limits, ensuring age appropriate content and demonstrating good technology habits are parents’ responsibilities.

When managed appropriately, technology can spark an interest in creating and learning new content and ideas. Kids are comfortable with technology and so may appear to be capable of managing it themselves. However, if parents are providing the technology, they must also provide guidance and support. Empower your kids to access that world of creativity and watch the excitement as they conquer something new.

“Technology is just a tool. In terms of getting the kids working together and motivating them, the teacher is the most important.” – Bill Gates

Alisa is a former Criminal Intelligence Analyst and has worked in law enforcement for the last 15 years. She is passionate about keeping kids safe and kind online and ensuring they thrive in our digital world. When Alisa isn’t online, you might spot her in the YEG river valley with her dogs, husband, and daughter or escaping the city for a weekend of camping.  You can follow Alisa on her blog The Lotus Pageas well as on FacebookTwitter, and Instagram

Camping Passport: The App You Need!

As most of you know, if you have been reading this blog for a while, I am the resident camping fanatic. As an Alberta Parks Ambassador, I spend a lot of my summer travelling throughout Alberta and visiting campgrounds with my family. When I learned about a new app that was just released this month for campers by a fellow mama from Alberta, I was pumped and had to download it right away!

What is Camping Passport?

A new app for campers is called Camping Passport!

Camping Passport is like a virtual notebook that I have in my pocket all the time. The app lets you create entries of all of your camping trips. You can start by entering the coordinates of the campsite to mark the spot on a map that will collect all the pins of where you have been. From there, you enter the basics like the dates you stayed and the number of the site you stayed in. Next, you can review the campground and make notes about all of the things you want to remember for next time like which sites have power or are closest to the playground. Then, you can choose a stamp for your “passport” and begin your memory collection of summer fun!

A new app for campers is called Camping Passport!

There is also a section where you can create lists for packing or things to remember that you need to do, like a repair on some gear that broke while you were in the middle of nowhere on your last trip. My favourite thing is that you can check it off the list when the item is complete. In addition to this there is a notes section.

A new app for campers is called Camping Passport!

What we love about Camping Passport:

Let’s face it- for better or for worse- I have my phone with me at all times. It’s my alarm clock, my camera, my stereo, basically my everything in one device. A notebook for me to scribble down that my trailer is out of toilet paper, ummmm nope. I love that I have everything camping related in one place. When I am aimlessly walking around Canadian Tire trying to remember what I need for our next trip I can just take a peek at my app.

Another truth bomb, my memory is awful! We have spent many times trying to remember what campsite we were at when X, Y or Z happened. Or what lake we were at when we saw the amazing Pelicans. Or even, what campground had the really good interpretive programs for kids. With Camping Passport I can easily enter all of these details under the correct date and site and I’ve got everything I need for future planning. You can even add photos and maps!

What number was this site again?

Like most families who enjoy camping, you likely have a few trips planned over the summer. For us it’s 7! To keep everything straight I have already set up my future trips in the app so that I can keep everything organized, including who we are camping with on each adventure.

Our camping trips for the summer are all loaded into the app!

 

One of the things that also makes Camping Passport enjoyable is the ability to involve your kids. You can let them choose the badge once the trip is over and they could also type in or dictate their favourite things about the campground. There is even pictures when you are adding the amenities of each place, and most kids would have fun with that too.

To check out all that Camping Passport has to offer, visit their website here. Or you can download it directly here from the App Store or Google Play.

Happy Camping!

Every Day Girl

*This is a sponsored post. As always, all opinions stated are my own.

Top 10 Tips for a Technology Free Road Trip

Hwy 13 - David Thompson Highway and Abraham Lake

Summer is almost here and for a lot of us that means spending a lot of time in the car driving to visit friends, family, and going on vacation. We have come up with our Top 10 ways you can avoid hearing “I’m bored are we there yet?” without using a TV or tablet as a distraction.

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12+ ways technology can get your kids outside

Updated May 9, 2023

Across the province, Albertans are celebrating the end of a long winter’s nap and relishing this much deserved warm weather. Kids, meanwhile, are still firmly attached to their devices. Did you know there are ways to turn that into an outdoor magnet?

While chirping birds and sprouting buds may be enough for parents to start summer dreaming and into nature but the same can’t always be said for our kids. But phones, cameras, and even some game systems have ways to encourage kids to get outdoors!

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