Sorting through the infinite Internet can be a full-time job, and you don’t have time for this (which is not to say we all don’t get sucked into it from time to time). I’m offering up some of my favorite sites that are either written about parenting or by parents. Enjoy!

Parent Hacks - Who doesn’t need a few tips to make parenting easier? Submitted by parents, for parents.

Common Sense Media – This Web site features tons of sensible (parent-oriented) reviews of TV shows, games and movies for kids…

I’ve decided not to read my children’s emails, unless I have a reason to be concerned. Sometimes, invading the privacy of kids can have parents squirming.

Or more importantly, should you be your child’s Facebook friend? I know parents who’ve allowed their kids to be on social networking sites, as long as they can be friends (and oversee activity). I also know parents who have not made this requirement. Certainly, the decision should be based on the individual child–age, proven judgment, etc. And every parent has a different comfort level with social networking.
I do feel strongly, though, that if your child is on Facebook (or any social networking site), you should be too. There’s…

I have never given much consideration to children’s screen names and safety (except when my tween requested IM privileges with “CandyMan” — who, luckily, turned out to be a female fifth-grade friend and not the predator I’d conjured). So, I was all ears when a local Internet expert offered three great guidelines for safe screen names for kids:
1. Never use a name that indicates whether the child is a boy or girl. Obviously, this includes the child’s actual name.
2. Never use numbers in a screen name…

OK, I’ll admit it: As a parent, I get tired of saying no. That’s why I gravitate to plans or programs to help kids limit the length of time they spend in the front of the TV or on the computer, rather than the endless nagging: ”You’ve already used your TV time. (And this time I mean it.)” Here are some tricks that kids often find more palatable than a more straightforward “two hours per day” mandate.

photo credit: Tanya Ryno

I recently had to send this email message to my normally well-behaved 12-year-old:

Hey, Cheechooguy (or whatever your screen name is these days),

You seem to be circumventing (that means “going around”) parental controls lately by asking permission to add people to your instant messaging list, then signing into my email and giving yourself permission. This is NOT how parental controls are supposed to work. Please don’t do this anymore,

…

We have a new house rule: No scary movies for Alex after noon (he’s five). Otherwise, we all suffer. Trust me. It’s the same screen version of my own “No caffeine after 3 pm” rule. It may feel so good going down, but you’re gonna pay for it later. And we all need a good night’s sleep. So for now, we’re all agreed. Harry Potter is confined to morning in our house.