I have two teens that commute by themselves to school here in New York City, so as we prepare for going back to school, I’m so happy we can stay connected via Verizon Wireless. I’ve been a Verizon Wireless customer since 1999 (which I’ve talked about many times) and it’s important to me to have that reliable service with my two teens, especially since they both commute without me to school (middle school and high school). Going back to school with Verizon Wireless is just smarter! At the end of this post, I’ve got a special offer for Back to School from Verizon Wireless that you don’t want to miss- Verizon Wireless has a buy one phone, get one free offer running just in time for back to school!

My son is almost 16 and has a lot of freedom – he bikes or walks to school and having good phone service from Verizon Wireless is essential for him. He also uses his phone for managing his Type 1 Diabetes. He uses a continuous glucose monitor called Dexcom, which then talks to his phone and displays his current blood sugar. We also set up and use the glucose monitor system using his iPhone.

His phone talks to my phone and lets me see his blood sugar levels. I can either quickly grab his phone to check his blood sugar when I’m with him (using the Dexcom app) or see it on my phone, thanks to my service with Verizon Wireless (when I am away from him). It’s a good peace of mind to be able to let him have the freedom to be away from me but still know what his blood sugar is. Verizon Wireless has never let us down with service outages. We also like the customer service. I’m always able to talk to a live person and their tech support is awesome.

My son has his phone and his Insulin Pump PDM with him constantly and I feel so secure knowing we have good service to be able to see his blood sugar numbers and be in contact with him to discuss treatment.

Plus when my son had a bike accident in June, he was able to reach me using his phone and I came to get him immediately. I used the Smart Family App to find him in our local park, which definitely saved us some time (he was upset and didn’t know exactly where he was. He was fine, but I took him to the Children’s ER to get him checked out.

As he healed from his bike accident and I drove him to school and back for the rest of June, I was so happy that he had his phone with him and could reach me if he needed me again.

Our Commuting Younger Teen

Our daughter got a phone two years ago when she started commuting 40 minutes from our home to get to her middle school at age 11. Since things are very different with the subway system now, she takes the bus each way, which is 55 minutes. As she is on a bus now, I can always check in with her. I can also see her location, which also makes me feel better.

We use the Smart Family app through the Just Kids Plan with both kids which helps me manage their internet usage. It gives me a savings each month and I like all the features for my children.

The Just Kids plan is a smartphone plan lets parents manage screen time, content and other great features.

• Unlimited 4G LTE / 5G Nationwide  data at a maximum speed of 5 Mbps 
• Verizon Smart Family Premium for parental control and location tracking ($9.99/month value)
• Unlimited talk and text with up to 20 parent-approved contacts
• DVD-quality streaming (480p)
  

We’ve also found some great apps to help her with her homework and explain the steps for her higher level math problems.

Since my son’s iPhone 8 is 2 years old now, I was considering getting him the iPhone 11 and upgrading my daughter’s phone from an iPhone 7 to the 11 also. With Verizon’s Back to School offer, that would be a no brainer!

Special Offer From Verizon Wireless

Buy One Phone, Get One on Verizon Just in Time for Back to School!

From now until 8/10. Make sure to go to the site below for details & restrictions.

Get it here: https://m.svnlnk.com/m/p/32024886/12452020/c?afsrc=1

#VZWBTS

The post Going Back to School With Verizon Wireless appeared first on The Mama Maven Blog.

To refresh your memory – 5G is the 5th generation of wireless technology. Its faster and more robust than 4G and it’s becoming available! 5G means quicker downloads, quicker streaming (we all know we watch so many shows via streaming now), more reliable network reliability, and access to information more quickly.

Super-connected autonomous cars, smart communities and more will all rely on 5G. 5G will provide data transfer rates that are super fast, with a high bandwidth and greater connectivity and reliability. It’s going to be around 20 times faster than what’s possible with 4G service. Over Verizon’s 5G network, lag times will be almost impossible to detect. It’s going to change being online from the way we know it now. Verizon feels very strongly about this – they will not call their 4G Network a 5G Network is customers aren’t getting the performance or capability upgrade that only 5G can deliver. That sounds pretty serious to me! 5G Ultra Wideband Capable Smartphones from Verizon Are Available Now!

Verizon started offering 5G Home, the world’s first 5G Network this past October in parts of Houston, Sacramento, Los Angeles and Indianapolis. Recently, Verizon announced the names of 20 more U.S. cities that will get 5G Ultra Wideband service in 2019: Atlanta, Boston, Charlotte, Cincinnati, Cleveland, Columbus, Dallas, Des Moines, Denver, Detroit, Houston, Indianapolis, Kansas City, Little Rock, Memphis, Phoenix, Providence, San Diego, Salt Lake City and Washington DC.

Now, you can get 5G Ultra Wideband phones from Verizon.

Check out the awesome phones available!

Samsung Galaxy S10 5G

Description from website:
“Stream movies and show off your latest photos on a nearly bezel-free 6.7-inch AMOLED Infinity Display.² A revolutionary 6-lens camera setup with Pro Assist uses multiple frames to clarify and optimize every shot. Go for longer with an all-day battery.³Then share your power with other compatible smartphones, wearable devices and accessories using Wireless PowerShare.⁴ Choose between 2 colors: Crown Silver and Verizon-exclusive Majestic Black (subject to availability).”  You can pick the 256 GB or 512 GB size. Buy Samsung Galaxy S10 5G. 

LG V50 ThinQ 5G 

Description from website:
“With the LG V50 ThinQ you get 5G Ultra Wideband¹ connectivity on a sleek device that’s nearly all screen with an LG OLED Fullvision Display. Take stunning photos using a 5-camera system well-suited for nearly any occasion. Or let the music surround you courtesy of a loud, electrifying Boombox Speaker. The LG V50 ThinQ 5G features a 4,000 mAh battery and Qualcomm® Snapdragon 855 Processor for maximum performance and reliability.” Buy LG V50 ThinQ 5G . 

5G Ultra Wideband Capable Smartphones from Verizon Are Available Now!

Motorola moto z⁴

Description from website:
“Say hello to the moto z4, Motorola’s newest 5G-upgradable smartphone. Snap unforgettable photos on a 48 MP camera sensor – their biggest yet. Then switch to the 25 MP selfie camera with special features like background blur and AI-based beautification. The moto z4 features an edge-to-edge Max Vision OLED display, integrated fingerprint reader and 3600 mAh battery for up to 2 days of use time per charge. Buy Motorola moto z4. 

So, which one catches your eye? I’m considering the Samsung Galaxy S10 5G!

 “My blog may contain links to other websites. I am not responsible for the privacy policies of those other websites. When you click on a link, your information may be collected by those websites so I encourage you to read their privacy policies. Any affiliate links are not associated with Verizon.”

#AD #Verizon5GFuture @Verizon

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My daughter leaves for summer camp in a few weeks and in her backpack will be the Canon IVY CLIQ+. Canon IVY Cliq+ from Best Buy is a small and fun instant camera and mini photo printer that can fit in your pocket so you can take it anywhere (like summer camp!). Plus, you can also save photos to an SD card! Make On-The-Spot Memories With Canon IVY CLIQ+ Instant Camera

I’ve been using a canon digital camera (I’ve had several versions of the Elph) for a long time, plus I also use a Canon DSLR. I was excited to test out the Canon Ivy CLIQ+ and let you know my thoughts.

It’s super simple to set up, just open the back and put in the ZINK paper. I took the camera to the park to test it out. 

It was so simple to use and the pictures I took just printed out instantly!

Instant memories for my kid to share with his friend of his playdate! That’s definitely worth it’s weight in gold. 

Then download the Canon Mini Print app (available in the App store and Google Play). Add in an optional (and sold separately Micro SD Card) if you want to keep digital copies of the photos you take. If you love selfies, just use the large selfie mirror with an 8 LED Ring Light to look awesome. 

Features:

Get your CLIQ+ at Best Buy.

The post Make On-The-Spot Memories With Canon IVY CLIQ+ Instant Camera and Mini Photo Printer appeared first on The Mama Maven Blog.

I love to listen to music when I work out because it really helps me center and get into my groove. I’m loving SkullCandy Push True Wireless Ear Buds available at Best Buy because they are so easy to use and can keep up with my workouts. They fit right in my ears and don’t fall out, plus they were so simple to set up. ‘Memba those days when you would fight with your mobile to pair your new earbuds to bluetooth? With the SkullCandy Push True Wireless Ear Buds, that is a distant memory. Plus they have a 12 hour charge!

I had them set up and paired in less than 30 seconds. I love the little case it comes it. It will charge the Push Earbuds (wirelessly) as well as hold them. I’ve lost so many pairs of earbuds that I appreciated that touch. 

The SkullCandy Push True Wireless Ear Buds have a great fit, cool color and work amazingly well. You can listen to up to 12 hours of music on a single charge. They use Bluetooth so no wires needed. Use a single button to control volume, music, and call control. They offer the secure FitFin gel ear tips to fit comfortably and they have a water-resistant design to withstand exercise and outdoor use. 

I love to listen to music when I work out because it really helps me center and get into my groove. I’m loving SkullCandy Push True Wireless Ear Buds available at Best Buy because they are so easy to use and can keep up with my workouts. They fit right in my ears and don’t fall out, plus they were so simple to set up. ‘Memba those days when you would fight with your mobile to pair your new earbuds to bluetooth? With the SkullCandy Push True Wireless Ear Buds, that is a distant memory. Plus they have a 12 hour charge!

The post The Perfect Wireless Ear Buds for Your Workouts appeared first on The Mama Maven Blog.

Chromecast is designed to make the most of the apps and entertainment already on your phone. Shows, movies, live TV, YouTube, photos and more. It’s all just a tap away from all of your family’s devices.

The post Should We Cut the Cord? Considering Google Chromecast appeared first on The Mama Maven Blog.

Update: The newest Ace is the 3 and it’s what I would buy for my child these days — link here: https://amzn.to/3AUdST9. As I’ve mentioned, my 12-year-old son has Type 1 Diabetes. Even though he has gained 20 pounds since diagnosis (he was underweight and sorely needed it), I am hoping to instill healthy food and health habits while he and his younger siblings are still young enough to listen to me. That includes making exercise a daily priority. Right now my oldest son is healthy and even though he has an autoimmune disease (which is what Type 1 Diabetes is) he needs to do whatever he can to make sure he stays healthy. I want to build habits that last into adulthood. The Fitbit Ace Activity Tracker for Kids is made for ages 8 and up and this showerproof wristband tracks steps, active minutes and sleep — and rewards kids for making their goals. While my son does exercise, he isn’t wild about it. However, he’s competitive and I was wondering if challenging him to do 10,000 steps would do the trick to get him to reach that daily goal. Did it? Read on for our verdict and the chance to win one for your child! Fitbit Ace Activity Tracker for Kids 8+  

Fitbit Ace is sized for kids. It fit my 12-year-old son’s wrist perfectly and was secure on his wrist (with a watch-like closure). Here are all the features.

Features include:
Activity Tracking
Rewards and Badges
Step Challenges
Showerproof
Battery Life up to 5 days
Sized for kids
Sleep Tracking
Reminders to Move
Wireless syncing
Clock Faces
Clear Display
Fitbit App: Parent view
Fitbit App: Kid view

To set up:
If you have a Fitbit account, log into it on your smartphone to start setting up. You want to do this so you can then set up a child account and then set up your child’s Fitbit Ace.

Your child doesn’t need their own phone, but if they have a phone, you can set it up so your child’s Fitbit Ace can connect to the child account on their phone. The Fitbit app literally walked me through it and while there were several steps, it was super easy. Once you install the Fitbit app on your child’s phone, sign into your account and then go into your family account on your child’s phone. Select that child and then switch to “Kid View” and then set up your Fitbit Ace.

I do limit what apps I put on my child’s phone, but I want him to really get the most out of his Fitbit Ace, so I was happy to put it on his device.

Your child will need to have their Bluetooth on, as the app will ask to pair to it.

Your child can choose which wrist to put it on.

Then you add a nickname. I tend to leave my children’s names off anything that would be displayed, so I picked a name that he likes to use on social media. And no, this isn’t the name we really used for this, just an example.

What I’ve always liked about Fitbit is that you can customize – I let my son pick the way he wanted his clock face displayed.

It will let your child know the ways to access it. I did tell my son to be gentle, as I didn’t want a broken Fitbit Ace on my hands if he whacked it too hard.

The Fitbit Ace has reminders to move. This is great for squeezing it at least 250 steps an hour.

Keeping A Charge:

Let’s talk charging cables. This is the only thing I don’t really like about Fitbit. I want a universal charging cable. I lose cables and I need a cable that I can run out and buy from a big box store, not a special cable that costs $20 and I can only get online. I’ve owned several Fitbits over the years and I always end up having to buy extras, and the ones that I still have in the house aren’t compatible with the Fitbit Ace. Make it a micro USB Cable or something that is widely available. The good news about the Fitbit Ace is that you can charge around every 5 days. However, if you are going on vacation or maybe travel often, I would see about ordering another one to keep on hand.

My son challenged himself to reach 10,000 steps on day 2 of wearing his Fitbit Ace and has been able to keep that up daily.

The Fitbit Ace is certainly inspiring my son to move around more and in my opinion, this is something I can totally recommend. Buy here: Amazon

Related Posts:

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Danielle Cassagnol of the Consumer Technology Association gave us some terrific tips and product recommendations on how to use tech to make summer travel easier.

So, how can you get more out of your summer travels with your tech?

1. Use Smarter Travel Products

Did you know that “Roughly 40% of all U.S. air travelers arrive late?” (Source: Forbes). Plus, flights are not considered late by the FAA unless they are more than 15 minutes late. Make sure you are prepared.

We checked out the Modobag, which combines a suitcase with the innovation of personal mobility to create the world’s first rideable carry-on luggage. It was amazing! It fits in overhead bins, holds up to 85 percent of a typical carry-on, charges your electronic devices and travels at speeds up to 8 mph. It’s the perfect travel companion for road warriors and individuals with mobility issues who are looking for an efficient and safe way to get to their destination. Modobag is also fun, because we believe getting to your destination should be just as fun as the destination itself.

• Nanosafe Battery System complies with airline, FAA, TSA and IATA requirements.
• Travel range up to 10 miles on single charge at speeds of 5 and 8 mph.
• Stowage for personal items and padded compartments for electronics and mobile devices. Duel USB ports. Companion GPS.

Suggested retail price: $1,495.00

Get it here: http://www.modobag.com

2. Take Better Photos 
While we love our smartphones, digital cameras will take better photos.
Digital Cameras have:

– Optical zoom lenses, which capture far away objects with more clarity
– Better focusing technology, which enables them to track objects and people
– Larger image sensors, which capture more detail and richer colors.

Sony RX100 V premium 1.0-type sensor compact camera with superior AF performance

The RX100 V boasts the world’s fastest AF speed (0.05 sec.), world’s fastest continuous shooting speed (24fps) with world’s most AF points, 315 for a compact camera.2

• The RX100 V boasts the world’s fastest AF speed1 (0.05 sec.)
• The RX100 V boasts the world’s fastest continuous shooting1speed (24fps)
• The best-performing compact with 1.0-type sensor

Suggested retail price: $949.99
Get it here: https://amzn.to/2JQY90M

3. Protect Your Smartphone
Did you know that 25% of people have cracked their phone’s screen?
-Look for a case with materials that absorb shock.
Make sure there’s easy access to ports, buttons, and the camera.

Check out the Speck Presidio CLEAR for iPhone X. ThePresidio CLEAR is part of Speck’s slimmest, most protective line of cases yet with innovative new materials, drop-test standards and designs — all while offering 20 percent less bulk than previous Speck cases. The line includes Presidio CLEAR, Presidio CLEAR + GLITTER and Presidio CLEAR + PRINT, all of which showcase these brand new features:

• IMPACTIUM CLEAR: Presidio CLEAR’s soft, inner layer is made of IMPACTIUM CLEARTM, an innovative, dynamic shock-absorbing material that protects your phone against impact.
•  8-Foot Drop Protection: All Presidio CLEAR cases have been tested to withstand and protect a phone from 8 feet high, so you can be confident it will hold up to everyday drops.
• Stays Clear: Made with materials that resist UV yellowing and scratching, Presidio CLEAR cases are designed to stand up to everyday use.
• Lifetime Warranty: All Presidio cases come with a lifetime limited warranty.

Suggested retail price: $39.95-$44.95  Get it here:  https://amzn.to/2HPnMNr

Did you know that 90% of us panic about losing power on our phones?

4. Keep Your Tech Charged

myCharge can help. We loved the myCharge Pride limited Edition. 

The Pride Limited Edition power bank provides enough power (4,000mAh) for about 2x extra battery life for a smartphone. The power bank features convenient fold-out wall prongs so it can be plugged directly into a wall outlet for recharging, no extra cable needed. The Pride charger only weighs 0.42 lbs., making it the perfect lightweight power bank to stash in a bag or pocket for extra battery life while attending Pride festivities, traveling or everyday use. 5% of sales from the chargers will go to The Trevor Project, the leading national organization providing crisis intervention and suicide prevention services to the LGBTQ community.

• Pride Limited Edition is a 4,000 mAh portable battery that provides up to 2x extra battery life and features a USB port to charge a variety of devices.
• Features a built-in foldable wall plug for ultra-fast recharging and the battery pack serves as both a wall adapter and a portable charger
• 5% of sales from the chargers will go to The Trevor Project, the leading national organization providing crisis intervention and suicide prevention services to lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender and questioning young people ages 13-24.

Suggested retail price: $34.99

Get it here: https://amzn.to/2I1iKt8

5. Find the Right Headphones
When you’re traveling with your family, you don’t want to be distracting to the driver or fellow travelers by watching videos/listening to a song or a podcast without headphones.

– For in-ear models, check to ensure there are at least 3 pairs of ear tips to ensure a proper fit.
-If you’re using headphones for working out, make sure you get headphones that are rated IPX4 or higher to make them sweatproof.

Sony makes the SP700 N Noise-canceling True-wireless Headphones for Sport which are perfect for taking on any road trip or flight. This is the world’s first true wireless noise canceling headphones with a splash-proof design. It offers a cushioned fit and sweat resistance, and the Noise Canceling technology minimizes sound from noisy passengers and traffic, leaving you with just the music.

 

Get it here: https://amzn.to/2WxaDvO

6. Travel without Leaving Home

VR headsets deliver more than just gaming:

• Take Expedia VR tours of hotel rooms
  – Plan a staycation. Visit a different locale every night in VR.
  Hundreds of VR apps and games available.

 

Get it here: https://amzn.to/2WxaDvO

7. Stream on the Go
Need your Netflix fix on the road? Take your streaming stick with you!

The Roku Streaming Stick is a small, powerful and portable streaming device that you can pop in your purse. It features a quad-core processor and 802.11 AC dual-band MIMO wireless, performance is at the core of the Roku Streaming Stick. It has 50% more processing power than its predecessor. With its fast, smooth and responsive navigation, users can quickly access their favorite entertainment whether they are at home or on-the-go. Features such as Hotel and Dorm connect make it easy for users to take the Roku Streaming Stick with them while traveling, in dorm rooms or moving from TV to TV at home. The Roku platform provides streamers with access to 500,000 movies and TV episodes plus more than 5,000 streaming channels. Roku Search makes it easy for users to find their favorites across 500+ channels with unbiased results that are ordered by price.

• Hotel and Dorm Connect for easy connection to wireless networks away from home
• The Roku Streaming Stick and power cord plug into the back of your TV for a clutter-free setup.
• Comes with a voice remote with TV power and volume buttons.

Since I already have a Roku TV and a Smart TV, I gave this to my parents, who surprisingly don’t have a smart TV. Using a HDMI cable, I was able to connect the Roku streaming stick to the HDMI port and introduce Netflix and Amazon Video to my 80-year-old father. I plan on asking him to borrow it when we go on our two road trips this summer.

Suggested retail price: $39.99

Get it here: https://amzn.to/2K2xQU8

Thank you to Techlicious and the Consumer Technology Association for giving us a wonderful lunch and samples. No compensation was received. As always, all opinions are my own. This post contains affiliate links, it does not affect your purchase price.

Most photos are courtesy of Suzanne Cohen for Techlicious.

#CTATravel @Techlicious @CTATech

Make sure not to miss: 

https://www.themamamaven.com/6-ways-to-protect-your-digital-footprint-to-keep-you-and-your-family-safe-online/

 

The post 7 Cool Tech Products To Make Summer Travel Easier appeared first on The Mama Maven Blog.

Did you know that June is Internet Safety Month? The internet has become such an integrated part of our lives, that we don’t always stop to think about our digital footprint and how we may be compromising our own safety as well as our family’s safety. 6 Ways to Protect Your Digital Footprint To Keep You and Your Family Safe Online  

Leaving a digital footprint is something that happens when you’re least aware of it. For example, when you click on a website or when you buy something online, that’s leaving a digital footprint. Your activity on social media is especially vulnerable. You’re also leaving a digital footprint when you leave a comment on a social media platform like Facebook, when you check into a restaurant or when you post a photo from your vacation. The more activity you do online and the more information you share online, the more active your footprint. An active digital footprint can potentially require more protection.

Here’s how you can protect yourself:

The easiest thing you can do is simply to periodically look up your name on search engines. You may find old tweets or blog posts that you do not want current friends, co-workers or even potential employers to see. If you “liked” an article on LinkedIn, for example, make sure it showcases your current professional and industry-related interests.

When it comes to social media, be careful not to overshare information. Don’t use your full name, avoid sharing your birthday and stick to the rule of thumb that the less information you share – the better. It’s always smart to set your social media to “friends only”, as opposed to sharing with the public. Potential employers do sometimes look at your social media if it’s available to the public, so you may want to either be careful what information you reveal online or keep social media accounts private.

If you tend to download lots of apps, using an antivirus app is a good idea, as it can protect you from potential viruses that come in the form of texts and emails that you never sent, or even apps that somehow end up on your phone.

Creating a password that’s not easy to hack is important. Use upper and lower case letters, as well as symbols and numbers. Even better – use an entire sentence as your password. Changing your password often is always a smart move. Finally, be sure to use different passwords for different accounts.

If you shop online you might consider installing an anti-spyware software in order to protect your payment information and avoid identity theft.

Unfortunately, kids can fall prey to online scams and may leave a larger digital footprint than you – without even knowing! If you have a child who is active online be sure to speak to them and explain consequences that may result in being active online, especially on social platforms, which are very popular among teens and even younger children. Kids should think twice before posting or commenting, as people can keep the post forever using screenshots, even though the post can later be deleted. They also need to be very careful about which photos they are sharing. It’s always a good idea for parents to know who their kids are communicating with online and the type of information they are sharing.

For more tips on protecting your online safety visit: Hidden World of Data

Want to find out the size of your digital footprint? Take this six-question quiz.

This post was written as part of the Allstate Influencer Program and sponsored by Allstate. All opinions are mine. As the nation’s largest publicly held personal lines insurer, Allstate is dedicated not only to protecting what matters most–but to guiding people to live the Good Life, every day.

The post 6 Ways to Protect Your Digital Footprint To Keep You and Your Family Safe Online appeared first on The Mama Maven Blog.

Let’s talk kids and mobile phones. We recently entered another phase of parenting for us — we got my 12-year-old son an iPhone in November. While we had been considering getting him a phone for a while because we wanted him to be able to be independent, we finally had to do it for medical reasons (he has Type 1 Diabetes and we monitor his blood sugar with a medical device). Plus, starting in September, our son will be commuting on the NYC Subways to go to middle school. However, we didn’t set things up correctly. I did have settings so my son couldn’t just download an app without my knowledge, but I didn’t count on other things going haywire. My son found out how to play games online on his web browser and used up practically all data one month because got the phone to work as a hotspot so he could go online at school on their non-internet computer. I’ve also caught him online at night, watching YouTube on his phone, when he’s supposed to be sleeping (grr). I simply trusted him and he wasn’t ready for that responsibility yet. I need to make sure, as a parent that he’s safe online and not using his phone when he shouldn’t be. So what can I do to make sure he’s still being a kid and not abusing his phone privileges? Keep Your Kids Safe On Their Mobile Phones and Devices

Here’s what I did:

I sat down and had a talk with him about what he should and shouldn’t be doing on his phone. Rules and boundaries are essential.

1. Schoolwork first! Homework should come first and he should ask if he wants to play a game or surf the web, because that’s a privilege, not a given. Texting friends (no one makes phone calls) is fine — but using Siri to help with homework is not.
2. Stay on Wifi! He needs to make sure he is on wifi at home and at school as to not run up my data. But even after talking to him about it, he’s still not exactly doing what I want.
3. Stay off the Phone at Home! His phone needs to be on when he’s not home so I can monitor is blood sugar. At home, I can just look at the medical device receiver that is always on him. He doesn’t need to walk around the house with his phone. Now, as he gets older, I may not be able to dictate this, but right now I can.
4. Mom and Dad are watching and Listening. I was open with my son and let them know that I would be monitoring what he’s doing. Since I pay for his phone and he lives under my roof, this is my right and I want to make sure he is safe. He’s going into middle school next year and I need to make sure that I know what is going on. I’ve told him that it’s not just him, I have to make sure I know who he’s talking to and the websites he’s using. While my son wasn’t thrilled at the idea, he agreed to it.

WebSafety is what I now use for Parental Monitoring. I had been looking for something to help me monitor my son’s mobile phone usage and WebSafety is perfect. This app helps parents, protects children and helps them to use their mobile phones and devices safely. I like knowing where my child is, what photos he’s sending to other people, who he’s texting or calling. I’m not using it to follow his every move online, I just want to make sure when he’s using his phone that he’s being safe. That he’s not surfing websites that are inappropriate for his age. That someone isn’t sending him inappropriate texts or photos. As a tween, there are a lot of things that his peers will be doing on their phones (like cyberbullying) and as a parent, I need to make sure that he’s safe in all areas of his life.

This video explains all about WebSafety.

WebSafety:

• Monitors text messages and social media use
• See what photos your kids are posting or interacting with on Facebook and Instagram
• Sends real-time alerts when they see dangerous activities or cross boundaries you set.

To set it up, go to your IOS or Android device, download the app and sign up for a free 30 day trial. Then once your account is confirmed and you install it, install it on your child’s phone.

It will walk you through exactly what to do and how to set it up. Customer service is very responsive if you have any issues.

I have the ability with WebSafety to block certain websites and set a curfew. I haven’t had to do either yet, but I may re-evaluate that if I need to in the future. I feel that WebSafety is perfect for helping me monitor what my tween is doing on his mobile device and keeping him safe.

Follow WebSafety on Social:

https://www.websafety.com/ 

@websafetyinc on Twitter

https://www.facebook.com/WebSafetyInc/ on Facebook.

WebSafety is available on Apple and Android devices, including tablets.

Free 30 day trial. After the trial it’s $5.99/month or $59.99/year.

The post Keep Your Kids Safe On Their Mobile Phones and Devices appeared first on The Mama Maven Blog.

I fight a constant tech battle in my house — as I try to find apps that will entertain my kids AND actually teach them something. Recently Kidomi asked me to see what my son Skylar (age 7) thought of their app. Kidomi brings together the world’s best kid’s learning entertainment content – all in one place. There are tons of puzzles to solve, adventures to read, inventions to build, creations to make and games to play from the top content creators that kids know and love including Care Bears, Thomas the Train, Toca Boca, The World of Eric Carle, My Little Pony, Crayola, Sago Sago, Highlights for Children and more; and new activities will be added every day. A brand new game or book seems to pop up every day we use Kidomi, which really delights my son.  KidomiApp Educates and Entertains Children With Help From Their Favorite Characters

But what I really liked? It had features that other apps didn’t have.

My favorite features were the Weekly Learning Chart (see an example below).

I could even set a daily time limit for all activities or choose a daily time limit by activity type (games and/or books).

I could also make a favorites playlist for my son or just choose activities by subject.

My son literally couldn’t run out of things to do and his big sister loved sitting with him and learning alongside. She’s 10 and I was happy to find some games and books that were appropriate for her age too.

My son has Strabismus (Lazy Eye) so he wears an eye patch during screen time to help strengthen his good eye.

Which was a win/win in my book.

Kidomi satisfies kids’ endless curiosity with thousands of hours of play, hundreds of activities and new content daily.

Your Kidomi subscription:
– Gives your child access to hundreds of engaging learning activities, robust games, and creativity platforms.
– Unlocks a new activity to discover and play every day
– Provides easy parent tools to manage screen time easily
– Kidomi gives insights to everything your child is playing and learning

Subscribe to Kidomi for $7.99 a month or $59.99 a year. Right now it’s available on Google Play and will be coming to IOS soon.

Follow Kidomi on social:

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/KidomiUS/
Twitter: https://twitter.com/Kidomi_US
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/kidomi_us
Website: https://kidomi.com

#KidomiApp

The post Kidomi App Educates and Entertains Children With Help From Their Favorite Characters appeared first on The Mama Maven Blog.

The Kodak PIXPRO AZ421 is really easy to use: simply point and click. For most of the photos that I took in this post, I simply used the basic setting (auto mode) and didn’t bother with flash. The camera, however, has many modes, such as videos, panoramic photo, and more. It also has a mode called SCN that allows you to choose from 12 scenes, such as a sunset setting, which I discussed below, that gives the photo a much more dramatic look.

The camera itself is pretty heavy, probably due to the big lens, so I suggest you put the strap on it right away. I also recommend downloading the user manual and saving it somewhere on your computer so you can refer to it when you want to use some of the special features.The camera comes with its own battery and charger (super easy, just hook it up to any outlet).

I went with my family to the Stamford Thanksgiving Parade, which was held several days before Thanksgiving. The Kodak PIXPRO delivered! I had such a blast taking photos of everyone participating in the parade and was amazed at how vivid the pictures came out!

Here are my favorite photos from the day, taken with the Kodak PIXPRO. Every single photo in this post is unedited. This is exactly how the photos came out. (The only change I made was that I cropped a few of the photos.) 

I decided to try the Kodak PIXPRO in a late afternoon setting and took some shots at the Holiday Market at Bryant Park in NYC.

As I mentioned, the camera has a sunset feature. Here’s a photo without the sunset feature turned on:

Here’s a photo with the sunset feature:

You can purchase the Kodak PIXPRO AZ421 at Amazon or Walmart.

I was not compensated for this post. I received a sample. 

Senior Reviewer Maytal Wichman writes for Little Spoon and has also written for The Huffington Post. She has been living in the New York City area for seventeen years and holds a Bachelor’s Degree in English Literature as well as a Law Degree, but blogging is her true passion. Maytal is a stay-at-home mom to three kids (ages 10, 8 and 5) and loves finding great products for her family. 

The post Take Gorgeous Photos with the Kodak PIXPRO AZ421 Camera appeared first on The Mama Maven Blog.

My seven-year-old son got good grades in math last school year. Excellent grades, actually — but when we would do simple math problems, he would often be confused. I’m honestly not sure where the disconnect is – but he can do any math problem that he can use a number line for, however, if I ask him to do a simple math problem in his head, he can’t. When Elephant Learning Math Academy reached out to me to work with them, I was intrigued, because I do believe that kids learn well through play and having fun.

 Review: Elephant Learning Math Academy

Here’s how Elephant Learning compares to Kumon or Mathnasium

To set up Elephant Learning was really simple — and exactly what I prefer when I work with technology. The first step is complete an initial evaluation (that determines your child’s “Elephant Age”. It’s the age level corresponding to the math and curriculum level your child is on. It may be more advanced than their age or less advanced. You shouldn’t worry about if it’s less than their chronological age, because if you keep working with Elephant Learning Math Academy, it should increase.

Once your child’s profile is set up and for the initial evaluation, your child chooses games (there are a bunch and more is coming) and plays. So simple and they don’t know they are being evaluated!

My son loved it. He chose Train and it kept his interest immediately.

He was able to do this by himself, with me next to him.

Right now my son’s Elephant Age is less than his age. I’m not surprised because he needs help with simple math problems. However, as he keeps working with Elephant Learning, he’s learning more and more. Elephant Learning is also giving him more confidence. Also – he pays attention to what the app says to him and completes the tasks that he’s asked to. It helps that they say his name and give him clear instructions. Disclosure — my son has some special needs, including ADHD, and this really gets him to focus and pay attention. In my book, that’s HUGE!

Games in the App

The games that your child will play in Elephant Learning are carefully designed and curated to ensure that learning happens quickly. Their system is able to navigate curriculum faster, and because of that, they are able to quickly detect gaps in understanding and fill those gaps with the right activity for each child.

Success Tips:

• Have your child play within Elephant Learning for at least 30-60 minutes per week. They recommend 10 minutes per day, 3 days a week.
• The games will seamlessly transition from evaluation to learning. Upon completion of the evaluation, you will receive an email to commemorate the initial Elephant Age.
• Look for emails from the Elephant Learning Academy with updated instructions, coaching, and more…

Here at The Mama Maven Blog, we can thoroughly recommend Elephant Learning Math Academy. I look forward to seeing how far Skylar can go and I believe that this will supplement his classroom learning tremendously!

To learn more, go here – Elephant Learning Math Academy.

The post Review: Elephant Learning Math Academy appeared first on The Mama Maven Blog.

Note: I also use backups at home, but I’ve had my kids unplug things and sometimes the power fails. With IDrive, I don’t have to worry about any of that. 

IDrive Features:

• Multi-device backup — with IDrive, users can back up all of their devices (laptops, desktops, phones, tablets) into a single account for one low fee, while competitors charge a fee any time a user want to add a device.
• Apps for iOS and Android — protect your mobile devices with apps for iOS and Android, allowing users to back up precious photos, videos, contacts, and more. Also, access your account through the mobile device so you can view and manage files.
• Online file sync — Your files and folders will be synced in real time across all the devices that you link using IDrive.
• Security and Encryption — transfer and store your files with best-in-class encryption using a user-defined key that is not stored anywhere on the IDrive servers.
• Facebook and Instagram backup — easily back up photos uploaded by you or that you’re tagged in on Facebook, as well as photos you share on Instagram.
• Share Anything — share your files/folders via email, Facebook and Twitter.
   

  

SPECIAL DEAL: Sign up at idrive.com through my link below and get 1TB of Cloud Backup + 1TB of Cloud Sync space for $13.90 for the first year. For subsequent renewal and upgrade, normal charges are applicable. https://www.idrive.com/idrive/deals/pdn/themamamaven

Follow IDrive:
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/IDriveBackup/
Twitter: https://twitter.com/IDriveBackup

I was not compensated for this post, but I will receive a small payment if you sign up for IDrive though my affiliate link in this post. 

The post IDrive is the Best Backup Solution for Your Computer and Tech Devices (+ Discount) appeared first on The Mama Maven Blog.

I like that the back is clear and I can actually see the back of my phone, plus the dual cameras are protected. The LifeProof case is lighter than other protective cases and offers amazing protection to the elements – it’s drop proof, dirt proof, snow proof, and water proof. While the iPhone 7 is waterproof, I still believe in protecting my phone. It helps me get good resale value because my iPhone looks brand new, even after 2 years, after I remove the case. 

Setting up the LifeProof Nuud Case is super easy. Included is a NÜÜD case, a microfiber cloth, a water test unit, a case key, and a LifeProof sticker. I did the water test to make sure it was really waterproof. Just pop it onto your iPhone and snap it together. 
However, the fact that my case is drop proof is what really makes me happy. I had jury duty last week and one of the court officers dropped my phone on the floor as he checked my things. My phone was fine, but it could have shattered on the marble floors if I didn’t have a good case on.

One thing I don’t like about LifeProof is that I had to wait from December to February to get my new case. I bought a case to last me the two months between that, but I was nervous that my new iPhone 7Plus would get destroyed in the meantime. But when the LifeProof cases are released, they really are great cases — just speed it up a little, LifeProof!

 

TO BUY (Special Promo Code) – good until 5/21/2017
10% Off All LifeProof Protective Cases And Accessories. Use Promo Code LFP10 During Checkout At LifeProof.com. Coupon Code: LFP10

If you want the LifeProof Case with the Alpha Glass — 

Product Exclusions:  This applies to ALL LifeProof products, including their most current models
Shipping:  FREE Shipping included on orders over $50

I was given a sample for an honest review. This post contains affiliate links — I get a small percentage if you buy through this blog post. So buy! Keep Your iPhone 7Plus Protected with LifeProof Nuud Case 

The post Keep Your iPhone 7Plus Protected with LifeProof Nuud Case + 10% Off Promo Code appeared first on The Mama Maven Blog.

Using the Share Your Photo app is super easy! All you do is download the app and register to create an event. Next, invite people via emails/text or just share your unique event ID with whoever you want. Finally, you can begin to share your photos, save photos from others (such as birthday party guests) and save your favorites to create prints and custom gifts, such as phone cases, magnets, photo books, etc. – all directly from your phone!

I love this app so much – it makes sharing photos a breeze! Instead of dumping all of my vacation photos on Facebook and sharing them with all of my Facebook friends, I can invite only people that I really want to view my vacation memories. For birthday parties, my in-laws can print and create custom gifts with pictures of their grandkids, without me having to email the photos to them and to other relatives and friends. The opportunities are endless and you can customize who can see which photos and avoid having random Facebook friends from seeing private photos they won’t really care about.

We’re excited to offer our readers a 35% discount on all custom prints and gifts. Use code MAMAMAVEN35 at checkout.

In addition, if you’re hosting an event for over 50 people, such as a baby shower or birthday party, you’re eligible for a FREE 20-page hardcover photo album. Click here for details.

Share Your Photos is available for iPhone and Android and can be downloaded FREE on the iTunes App store and Google Play.

I was not compensated for this post. I received a sample photo album.

Senior Reviewer Maytal Wichman has also written for The Huffington Post. She has been living in New York City for fourteen years and holds a Bachelor’s Degree in English Literature as well as a Law Degree, but blogging is her true passion. Maytal is a stay-at-home mom to three kids (ages 10, 8 and 4) and loves finding great products that make her family’s life easier. S

The post Use the FREE Share Your Photos App and Share the Love! (+Discount and FREE Photo Album) appeared first on The Mama Maven Blog.

Hello Fellow Strawberry Shortcake fans! I’m so excited to let you know that Strawberry Shortcake has joined Budge World. This app includes so many activities that promote creativity, learning, and fun. 

 Strawberry Shortcake has its own portal (just look for Strawberry Shortcake’s picture) with many activities. When you play, you can get access to new themed lands, new characters to collect, games, learning activities, and more! The app also inspires learning — kids can practice spelling and math skills (counting) in a fun and engaging way. Collect new characters and customize your world with prizes, stickers and more!

There are 10 Strawberry Shortcake themed activities that you can do.

My daughter basically grabbed my phone – she was so excited.She loved the Strawberry Shortcake Bake Shop. 

Subscribing to Budge World gives your family full access to all the content in the app for as long as your subscription is active. Every month, your family can enjoy brand new exclusive content! As an exciting bonus, some additional content only becomes available as kids progress in the game. Rewards and achievements unlock prizes, stickers and new Budge characters. Note: There are no ads or in-app purchases for subscribers. My little gal loved it!

Download Budge World today! http://apple.co/2mMwgGn

I am a Strawberry Shortcake Ambassador. I receive compensation and perks for my participation. As always, my opinions are always my own.  Berry Good News! Strawberry Shortcake Joins Budge World App

The post Berry Good News! Strawberry Shortcake Joins Budge World App appeared first on The Mama Maven Blog.

In today’s world, the iPhone in our life is an additional extension of our body. An entire market of accessorizing an iPhone has evolved with unique cases, special carrying pouches, and even the naming of an iPhone. Whether it is work for a client or an exchange with a family member, texting via the iPhone is taking over. Since we can message from literally anywhere, as high as 10,000 feet up in the sky or as low as the New York subway system, we are connecting all the time.
This connectivity has enabled us to message constantly, so why not mix things up a bit and add some fun to it? Let’s be honest, most text conversations are lacking in this area, but not with the Moosejaw sticker app. These stickers are dripping with wit and snippets of snark. In fact, when you totally have to remind your husband to take out the garbage or if you joke with your friend about if “you are what you eat, especially if you’re a cannibal”, this might come in handy:

That is what the Moosejaw sticker app hopes to bring to iPhone users everywhere. The Moosejaw sticker app makes your texts more interesting and fun because Moosejaw is all about fun.

Plan your next outdoor adventure with Moosejaw, and while you’re at it, use some messaging madness with the FREE Moosejaw Sticker app for iPhone only!

The post Moosejaw FREE Sticker App Brings More Messaging Madness to Your iPhone appeared first on The Mama Maven Blog.

How about a Samsung 4K TV?

Samsung UHD TV

 

Thinking about getting a 4K TV? The UHD TV offers amazing pictures and details. The entire TV has been slimmed down, no more bulkiness (‘member those big bulky TV’s??). The picture looks better, no more worrying about zones of your TV looking different. It also has Smart View – watch your TV entertainment on your mobile device –or your mobile media on your TV via the Smart View App.* Check out what’s on sale with 4K TV’s at Walmart.

Samsung Galaxy Tab E 9.6”

The Samsung Galaxy Tab E lets you watch shows, check on social media, take photos. This tablet is super easy to navigate. gives you just what you need to do what you love. The 7,300mAh battery keeps you going for all of this. Note: Wi-Fi connection required.  Expand your storage with a microSD card slot that can expand your tablet’s memory from 16GB** to up to an additional 128GB. We have the Galaxy Tab S from several years ago and I think it’s time to upgrade. Check out the Samsung Tablets at Walmart.

DAV- Soundbar 

The Samsung Bluetooth Soundbar 2.1ch 130W WirelessSubwoofer (HW-KM36/ZA) helps you to enjoy cinematic sound, featuring TVSoundConnect to make it easy to set up with just one push of a button. The Bluetooth design means that you can connect wirelessly. This TV soundbar uses 3D SoundPlus, a feature that makes 3D movies more incredible by analyzing the depth of the images as they appear, then synchronizing to what’s onscreen for making the illusion of three dimensions even more powerful. It has 130 watts, which deliver volume, bass and power. It’s 2.1 channels of sound allow for stereo sound. You can use the Samsung Audio Remote App from your smarphone or smart device to control your home theater. How cool is that?

Straight Talk GS7 GLTE Prepaid Smartphone

There are many pre-paid Samsung smartphones at Walmart and I think I would choose the Straight Talk Samsung Galaxy GS7  4GLTE Prepaid Smartphone for my son. It’s back in stock and retails for $599. The Straight Talk Galaxy S7 G930VL LTE is the smartphone that’s big on screen and slim on profile. It has an IP68 rating that protects it from spills, splashes and even dunks, just wipe if off and keep going. It has the world’s first dualpixel smartphone camera makes capturing low-light photos a breeze. It also offers fast wireless charging, the Straight Talk Galaxy S7 powers up from 0 to 100 percent in no time. With expandable memory, you can add up to 200GB of storage. So if 32GB⁴ isn’t already enough, you can add an additional 256GB with a microSD card.⁵ No clouds, no hard drives.

Features:

• 1Water-resistant in up to 5 feet of water for up to 30 minutes.
• 2Samsung wireless charging pads sold separately.
• 3Compared to Galaxy S6 edge+ and Note 5. Battery power consumption depends on factors such as network configuration, carrier network, signal strength, operating temperature, features selected, vibrate mode, backlight settings, browser use, frequency of calls, and voice, data and other application-usage patterns.
• 5 SD card sold separately.

Get the Straight Talk Galaxy S7 G930VL LTE at Walmart.
What are you spending your tax refund check on?

Follow Samsung on Social Media

• Samsung Facebook Page: https://www.facebook.com/SamsungUS 
• Samsung Twitter Page: https://twitter.com/SamsungUS

• † Samsung Protection Plus℠ sold separately

The post Got Your Tax Refund? Get Great Deals at Samsung at Walmart appeared first on The Mama Maven Blog.

We put the Screen Time App on my daughter’s Android Tablet and my oldest son’s iPad Mini. While my daughter was fine with it over this past month, my son wasn’t as happy. We had sat down with our kids and discussed it. We had even signed a pact. But kids are kids and he’s a sassy 11-year-old. After some behavior we weren’t pleased about, I took the tablet away for 3 days. I had just given him his tablet back when my son did something I was shocked about. He tried to dismantle the Screen Time App. While I’m not exactly sure what he did, he did something. But before he could come and yell for me to help him, the Screen Time app on my iPhone let me know that he compromised it. I got this message. 

I kept my cool. After I reminded him of the family pact we agreed to and told him that I didn’t want to have to take his tablet away again, he agreed to keep it on his iPad Mini and follow our digital rules. Because he had earned it back by having a better attitude at school and at home, I agreed to let him continue to use his tablet. 

With Screen Time installed, I could let him go on his tablet and know that he only had the time I gave him or longer if he completed some tasks (like being kind to his siblings or cleaning his room). We still spend plenty of time outside and doing other activities, but whether I like it or not, my kids love to use their tablets. There has to be a balance – activity + screentime. 

I wasn’t sure how long to let an 11 year old be on his tablet, Screen Time recommends an hour for kids between 2-5, but he was 11. I had made it 1 hour and 32 minutes, provided that he did his homework, chores, and practicing his musical instrument. It also had to replace TV time if he used the full time of 1 hour, 32 minutes. While I’m still not sure if that’s too much time per day, it’s pretty rare that he actually gets to use it that much from Mondays to Fridays. On the weekends, it’s different, there’s just more time. I’m also more relaxed on a weekend and I would give him tasks and chores and increase his time if he did them. 

This is what Screen Time can do: 

The post Can You Strike a Digital/ Life Balance with Your Kids? Screen Time App Can Help appeared first on The Mama Maven Blog.

I love that my children embrace technology, as it’s opened up new worlds for them. They love looking up musicians on YouTube (I’m looking at you Sing Movie), Google Earth, as well as Minecraft and Angry Birds, and educational apps. I do believe that kids’ lives can be enhanced with technology, but it’s important to not overdo it. Technology helps with developing social skills like empathy, coordination, reaction time and language skills. However, too much screen time can diminish real-life discovery and make my kids downright anti-social! We do try to manage our children’s screen time, but with three kids and a busy life, I can’t always watch how long they are on their tablets and what exactly they are doing. That’s why I’m excited to partner up with Screen Time app, to make things better in my house. Screen Time  is a device-management app that helps parents like me ensure their kids are balancing their use of technology with real-life adventures and activities.

Built by parents for parents and launched in 2013, Screen Time includes features such as daily time limits (yes!), a pause-and-play button, app blocking, online monitoring and more. With over one million downloads worldwide, Screen Time offers a free 14-day trial and is available for iOS and Android wherever you get your apps. 

How much time should kids actually be on tablets and mobile devices? Here’s the formula, according to Screen Time. 

My husband and I sat down with our kids and we signed the Our Family Screentime Pact that Screen Time provided us with. While my kids weren’t entirely happy about it, we explained that as parents, it’s our job to care. We have to make sure we are making sure they aren’t on their tablets too much and while we have a rule that tablets aren’t to be used from Monday to Thursdays, we hadn’t been really monitoring what they were doing on Fridays to Sundays. Somehow, 20 minutes would stretch into 35 or 40 minutes and it has been getting out of control. Luckily it’s not like last year, when we found out that my oldest son was in chatrooms on Minecraft. We took away the WIFI from him and really tried watch what he did on his tablet. He still isn’t allowed to go in the chatrooms, but we recently let him get a private instagram account, which we monitor. My daughter is easier, she has only the apps that I’ve put on, but if I don’t monitor how long she’s on her tablet, she won’t get off. Also, both my husband and I are guilty of being on our phones a little too much. This pact will help our family and I am excited to report in a few weeks how we do! 

We’ve installed the Screen Time‘s App on our children’s devices and I am really pleased. I am using the Premium Account and I get a daily report in my inbox of what apps my children are accessing and for how long. I’m excited to see how this can help my family get a handle on our screentime. Note: we did try a screen time monitoring app before and while it was okay, I feel that Screen Time is different and more comprehensive. Plus, it was super easy to set up and the reports in my email inbox make it much easier for me to check what’s going on as I’m on the go. 

Check out the features of Screen Time below.

Screen Time Features:

Free 14-day trial for Premium service

Basic Account is free and you get:

• Remote device monitoring
• Web and search history
• One device per child

• Premium Account is $3.99/month and you get:
  • Daily web and app use reports
  • App download approval
  • App blocking
  • Time limits
  • Bedtime and school time restrictions
  • Pause & Play to pause a device or reward with bonus time
  • Homework and task lists with parent notifications for completion
  • One account with unlimited devices
  • Remote management
  • Multiple administrators
  • Uninstall prevention

Now, we haven’t started using the bedtime or school restrictions yet or rewarding with bonus time, but I expect we’ll start to very soon. I love that I can award time for chores and good behavior — which is a proven incentive in my house. 

For more information on Screen Time:

Website: https://screentimelabs.com/
FAQs: https://screentimelabs.com/help-center/faq-home/
Screen Time Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/ScreenTimeLabs/
Screen Time Twitter: https://twitter.com/screentimelabs

Screen Time isn’t all bad, but I feel there are benefits and drawbacks  — parents should be informed. 

Benefits of Screen Time:

• Screen time can help develop some physical and cognitive skills (Psychology Today)¹
  • Playing with tablets and iPhones can help develop coordination, hone quick reactions, and sharpen language skills¹
• Electronics can be used as supplements for learning enhancement (Phys.org)²
  • “The benefits of technology depends on the way children, parents and teachers choose to use it to enhance learning. When used well for educational purposes, the latest technology can help create opportunities for more active and meaningful learning experiences.” – Professor Mark Brown, director of Massey University’s (NZ) National Centre for Teaching and Learning².
  • Moderate use of electronics facilitates digital literacy, a valuable 21^st century skill².
• • Those who spend more time on social networking sites and who instant message more often are better at dispensing “virtual empathy” and social support³.
  • Practicing virtual empathy leads to increased ability to express real-world empathy³.Use of social networking and messaging sites can provide outlets for developing social skills and relationships (Rosen, 2012)³

Downsides of Excessive Screen Time:

• A large amount of screen time can impede the development of cognitive and physical abilities (Psychology Today)¹
  • Between birth and age three, the brain is building the permanent foundation for later brain function.¹
    • A child needs specific stimuli from the outside environment in order for their brain’s neural networks to develop properly. These stimuli are not found on electronic screens.
    • “The ability to focus, to concentrate, to lend attention, to sense other people’s attitudes and communicate with them, to build a large vocabulary – all those abilities are harmed [by excessive screen time].” – Dr. Aric Sigman¹
• Less time for play
  • Studies have demonstrated a negative correlation between amount of screen time and amount of physical activity (Anderson et al., 2008)¹⁰.
• Loss of social skills
  • Screen time can inhibit children’s ability to gauge the emotions of others (TIME)⁹.
    • Researchers at UCLA found that children who were deprived of screens for five days got significantly better at reading people’s emotions than children who continued using screens⁹.
• Behavioral problems
  • Excessive screen time can lead to irritability and mood dysregulation in children (Psychology Today)⁸.
  • Screen time can induce hyperarousal and a demand for constant stimulation^8.
  • Obesity
    • A 2013 longitudinal study by Mitchell et al. found positive associations between screen time and body mass index for adolescents (International Journal of Obesity)⁶
    • Lowering screen time could contribute to reducing the prevalence of adolescent obesity⁶.
  • Irregular sleep schedules and shorter duration of sleep
    • As screen time increases, sleep time decreases at the current time as well as longitudinally (Barlett et al., 2011)⁷
  • Sleep also functions as a mediator between screen time and negative health outcomes.⁷ Excessive or poor-quality screen time can lead to the following negative health/behavioral outcomes (Mayo Clinic)⁵:

Benefits of Non-Electronic Play

• Unstructured playtime is more valuable for a young child’s developing brain than electronic media (Mayo Clinic)⁵.
  • Children younger than age 2 are more likely to learn and remember information from a live presentation than they are from a video⁵.
• Play allows children to use their creativity while developing imagination, dexterity, and physical, cognitive and emotional strength (Shonkoff et al., 2000)¹¹
• Imaginative play is vital in the development of capacity for a child’s cognitive flexibility and creativity (Psychology Today)¹²
  • Make-believe games are precursors for the capacity to self-regulate, including decreased aggression, civility, and empathy¹².
  • Taking on different roles in imaginative play allow children to learn social skills such as communication and problem solving¹².
• Outdoor play for children provides a wide variety of benefits, such as (Early Childhood Learning & Knowledge Center, a subsidiary of the US Dept. of Health & Human Services)¹³:
  • Becoming fitter and leaner
  • Developing stronger immune systems
  • Lowering stress levels
  • Encouraging active imaginations and creativity
  • Developing respect for themselves and others.

Citations:

1. https://www.psychologytoday.com/blog/behind-online-behavior/201604/is-what-screen-time-really-does-kids-brains
2. http://phys.org/news/2013-01-technology-essential-children-success-professor.html
3. Rosen, Larry D. iDisorder: Understanding our obsession with technology and overcoming its hold on us. New York: Palgrave Macmillan, 2012.
4. https://www.aap.org/en-us/advocacy-and-policy/aap-health-initiatives/pages/media-and-children.aspx
5. http://www.mayoclinic.org/healthy-lifestyle/childrens-health/in-depth/screen-time/art-20047952
6. http://www.nature.com/ijo/journal/v37/n1/full/ijo201241a.html
7. Natalie D. Barlett, Douglas A. Gentile, Christopher P. Barlett, Joey C. Eisenmann & David A. Walsh (2011): Sleep as a Mediator of Screen Time Effects on US Children’s Health Outcomes, Journal of Children and Media.
   2011. Link: http://www.drdouglas.org/drdpdfs/BGBEW_JoCaM_2011.pdf
8. https://www.psychologytoday.com/blog/mental-wealth/201508/screentime-is-making-kids-moody-crazy-and-lazy
9. http://time.com/3153910/why-access-to-screens-is-lowering-kids-social-skills/
10. http://bmcpublichealth.biomedcentral.com/articles/10.1186/1471-2458-8-366
11. Shonkoff JP, Phillips DA, eds. From Neurons to Neighborhoods: The Science of Early Childhood Development. Washington, DC: National Academy Press; 2000.
12. https://www.psychologytoday.com/blog/beautiful-minds/201203/the-need-pretend-play-in-child-development
13. https://eclkc.ohs.acf.hhs.gov/hslc/tta-system/teaching/eecd/nature-based-learning/Benefits%20of%20Nature%20and%20Outdoor%20Play/outdoor-play-benefits.pdf

The post How to Manage Your Child’s Screentime Easily and Without Tears with Screen Time App appeared first on The Mama Maven Blog.

Planning a road trip over the holidays? It can be really busy on the roads and stressful, so you will want to be ready for your road trip –and making sure you get cash back on gas, grocery stores, and restaurants can be a big savings help. We’ve got some great ideas for holiday travel planning that may help you get some peace of mind and some money! These tips will rock your holiday road trip!

The Best Road Trip Tips

1. Know your route – while we love our Google Maps or Apple Maps app, make sure you know where you are going. Either go old school and consult a map or plan your route ahead of time and email yourself a copy. You can still turn on navigation in your vehicle, but this way you have a backup.
   
2. Have a charged mobile phone – in case of a roadside emergency, you’ll be happy if you’re at least 80% charged. If possible, carry a charged portable battery charger just in case you need to charge and you can’t turn your car on to do it.
    
3. Minimize distractions while driving – i.e. make sure kids are occupied with games, snacks, iPads, etc. You don’t want to be a referee while you need to concentrate on the road.
   
4. Make sure your vehicle is road trip ready – make sure you have enough gas, you’ve had your oil changed recently, and take your car in for tune-ups when it’s time. Do everything you can to make sure you’re safe on the road. 
   
5. Save money using the upside app – upside is a free cash back app that benefits both consumers and businesses -users can earn up to 25¢/gallon cash back on gas and food. When you sign into the app, it will tell you the cash back deals at gas stations, groceries, and restaurants right near where you are, so you can save some $$. Use New “Check In” and skip the receipt to upload.
   
   Just check In to redeem your offer at this station and any other locations that have a Blue Badge. No need to upload receipt. upside uses the last 4 digits of your cards from recent purchases to verify your purchase.
   Tap the “Check In” button when user is at business and select which card they’re using – no receipt pic needed. upside users earn up to 25¢/gallon cash back on gas, up to 45% cash back at restaurants and up to 30% cash back at grocery stores.
   Over 25 million consumers are earning cash back every day with upside and over 25,000 merchants are using upside to drive more business to their locations and increase profits.
   
   Plus there’s a referral program – users can earn a 15¢/gal bonus when they refer friends and give friends and family a 15¢/gal bonus. Referrers also earn 1¢/gal every time their referee gets gas using
   
   

   

   

   Top Image by Jan Alexander from Pixabay

   The post Tips to Rock Your Holiday Road Trip appeared first on The Mama Maven Blog.

   ]]> https://www.themamamaven.com/tips-to-rock-your-holiday-road-trip/feed/ 11 https://www.themamamaven.com/tune-out-outdoor-noise-with-lucid-audio-amped-bluetooth-neckband-headphones/ https://www.themamamaven.com/tune-out-outdoor-noise-with-lucid-audio-amped-bluetooth-neckband-headphones/#respond Thu, 10 Nov 2016 06:00:57 +0000 http://www.themamamaven.com/?p=50261 Now that it’s cool and crisp outside, I like going for walks around my neighborhood and listening to music helps me stay motivated. What I don’t like is having to hear trucks, lawnmowers and construction work when I walk by. I always have to turn up the volume and if I’m talking to someone on...

   Read More »

   The post Tune Out Outdoor Noise with Lucid Audio AMPED Bluetooth Neckband Headphones appeared first on The Mama Maven Blog.

   ]]> Now that it’s cool and crisp outside, I like going for walks around my neighborhood and listening to music helps me stay motivated. What I don’t like is having to hear trucks, lawnmowers and construction work when I walk by. I always have to turn up the volume and if I’m talking to someone on the phone, forget it. I typically have to wait until the noise is gone. With Lucid Audio’s AMPED Bluetooth Neckband Headphones I don’t have to – the sound adjusts automatically for me!

   

   First things first – Lucid Audio is a subsidiary of Hearing Lab Technology, a company which makes hearing aids. So they know a thing to two about sound. Lucid Audio has incorporated a patent pending technology to allow people to have a customized listening experience. This technology simply eliminates outside sounds and shuts down noise that can be harmful. It also turns up the conversation sound so you hear only what you want to hear!

   

   This incredible technology can protect your ears form harmful noises, such as in concerts and sporting events. The headphones have two built-in microphones on both sides and ultra-cool retractable ear buds – just press the button and they retract back – no tangled mess.

   

   The neckband comes in white/gray or black and has a rechargeable battery that lasts for 10 hours. After 4-6 hours of use the headphones will automatically shut off to a low power mode, but can reset if you press any button. It comes with multiple earbud tips in various styles and sizes and also includes a pouch, an AC wall adapter and a USB charging cable.

   CYou can purchase right on their website or on Amazon. Price is $129.

   

   I was not compensated for this post. I received a sample.ta: Delicious Lentil-Based Healthy Pasta (+ Walmart G.C. Giveaway) Pasta

   ———————————————————————————————————

   Senior Reviewer Maytal Wichman has also written for The Huffington Post. She has been living in New York City for fourteen years and holds a Bachelor’s Degree in English Literature as well as a Law Degree, but blogging is her true passion. Maytal is a stay-at-home mom to three kids (ages 9, 7 and 4) and loves finding great products that make her family’s life easier. Christmas gifts gifts Tune Out Outdoor Noise with Lucid Audio AMPED Bluetooth Neckband Headphones 

   The post Tune Out Outdoor Noise with Lucid Audio AMPED Bluetooth Neckband Headphones appeared first on The Mama Maven Blog.

   ]]> https://www.themamamaven.com/tune-out-outdoor-noise-with-lucid-audio-amped-bluetooth-neckband-headphones/feed/ 0 https://www.themamamaven.com/easy-ways-to-save-your-family-money/ https://www.themamamaven.com/easy-ways-to-save-your-family-money/#comments Wed, 02 Nov 2016 19:52:37 +0000 http://www.themamamaven.com/?p=50363 This post contains some affiliate links. While you may not get excited over talking about financial advice, it’s important to get a handle on it. Burying your head in the sand isn’t going to pay your bills or balance your checkbook — if you even have a checkbook anymore! Technology improves our lives in new...

   Read More »

   The post Easy Ways To Save Your Family Money appeared first on The Mama Maven Blog.

   ]]> This post contains some affiliate links.

   While you may not get excited over talking about financial advice, it’s important to get a handle on it. Burying your head in the sand isn’t going to pay your bills or balance your checkbook — if you even have a checkbook anymore! Technology improves our lives in new and offbeat ways. Did you think 10 years ago that you’d tap your phone and you’d get a car right at your door ready to whisk you someplace? Why wouldn’t we use tech to streamline our personal finance routines? Digitizing your life can have a bonus effect on your wallet. Saving your family money is always a good thing. 

   Did you know that Cable price hikes have averaged 5.9 percent a year since 1995, according to the FCC. Recently we cut the cord and get our internet service and then use an antenna, plus Netflix and Prime Video.

   Check out financial expert Katie Linendoll’s Top Financial Hacks to Help You Save Money

   • Trade in your old tech for cash. Have some old phones and tablets lying around? They could be worth a couple hundred bucks. Many internet trade-in sites and retail stores will offer gift cards and even free shipping for your old tech through something called “recommerce,” aka reverse commerce. If you can make money off old things lying around, do it!  
   • Cut the cord. The average cable bill per household is around $99 per month, and most people only watch a handful of those channels. A one-time purchase of a media streaming device costs about the same as a single month of cable. Subscribe to your favorites and you can save around $1,000 a year*. *SOURCE: An annual survey by Leichtman Research Group
   • Make your home smarter. Strengthening your financial IQ begins at home. Enhancing your home life with smart products can save you time, energy and money. By switching to a smart thermostat, which can turn on and off when you need to, you’ll save up to $145/year.* *SOURCE: Nest
     
   • Take charge of your spending (and saving). Many Americans struggle to come up with emergency expenses, which makes having the flexibility to bank more ways all the more critical. Find a bank that offers you perks!

   

   My Tips: 

   • Google Docs! Make a monthly budget in google docs for you and your partner to both have access to – plan out monthly expenses and have a tab where you set aside a “weekly allowance”. If you buy something online or with your credit card, make sure to deduct that expense from your allowance so you know how much you have left. You can also take the cash out of the bank and do what you want with it. But if you are a heavy amazon prime shopper, like I am, know what you can afford to spend!
   • Turn off electronics when you aren’t home. I try to turn off electronics that use a lot of power when we go on vacations or weekends away. This is not a big saving money tip, but by shutting off your internet router, tv’s, stereos, laptops, etc. when you aren’t home, you’ll save a little money and it will also help you be greener.
   • Save Money on Online Shopping !  Speaking of online shopping, I always check Rakuten (used to be called ebates )or Honey (which finds me the best prices on Amazon and other stores right in my Chrome Browser) to make sure I save money as a shop online. Both Rakuten and Honey comes up right as I online shop, so I don’t even have to think about it. I also look for promotional codes on Retail Me Not and Coupon Cabin. I bought a winter jacket recently and checked around for coupon codes before I bought and saved over $20! I tend to only buy when I’m on my laptop, if you use your phone for shopping, Rakuten also has a mobile app. 
   • Cartwheel from Target Clips Coupons paperlessly! I am a huge Target shopper and I use the Cartwheel app to clip coupons when I’m at the store (okay, it’s my happy place). I can scan what’s in my cart and Cartwheel will search to find me a match or suggest something that is on sale. I saved $30 on my bill last week. Now they have Target Circle for even more ideas. 

    

    

   Read more tips by Katie here: http://www.katielinendoll.com/blog/financial-hacks-to-help-you-save-1

   What are your best financial hacks to save money? 

   9 Financial Hacks To Save Families Money

   The post Easy Ways To Save Your Family Money appeared first on The Mama Maven Blog.

   ]]> https://www.themamamaven.com/easy-ways-to-save-your-family-money/feed/ 3 https://www.themamamaven.com/stay-connected-during-an-emergency-with-the-talkabout-t480-two-way-radio/ https://www.themamamaven.com/stay-connected-during-an-emergency-with-the-talkabout-t480-two-way-radio/#comments Fri, 02 Sep 2016 03:44:10 +0000 http://www.themamamaven.com/?p=49260 I’ve lived through both hurricanes Irene and Sandy, plus the NYC blackout and luckily I was fine. With three kids, though, you kind of start thinking about possible scenarios and as a mom I feel the need to be prepared for anything that can possibly happen in our area. In a real emergency, it’s crucial...

   Read More »

   The post Stay Connected During an Emergency with Motorola’s Talkabout T480 Two-Way Radio appeared first on The Mama Maven Blog.

   ]]> I’ve lived through both hurricanes Irene and Sandy, plus the NYC blackout and luckily I was fine. With three kids, though, you kind of start thinking about possible scenarios and as a mom I feel the need to be prepared for anything that can possibly happen in our area. In a real emergency, it’s crucial to be connected so that you can get help, if needed, or find out what is happening, whether you’re in your own house, on a boat or on a camping trip. I came across an incredible tool that features multiple products in one and can be a huge help in an emergency.

   

    

   The Talkabout T480 two-way radio from Motorola is a state-of-the-art device that is always charged and ready to go, so if power is out or if a cell phone tower is down you can count on it to keep you connected. You can get weather alerts from NOAA weather radio. The two way radio has an emergency alert button to send out distressed calls. It is compatible with all other FRS/GMRS two-way radios, regardless of brand so you can communicate with your community. It has up to 35 miles range in mountain to valley region, up to 6 miles in open water and up to 1 mile in the neighborhood.

   

   It includes FM radio, a built-in flashlight that turns on automatically when unplugged and rechargeable batteries (it can also be used with 3 regular AA batteries). It’s weatherproof and can be used in rain or snow and is eco-smart due to low energy consumption. Click here to see a video with all of the features.

   

   I was not compensated for this post. I received samples.

   ———————————————————————————————————

   Senior Reviewer Maytal Wichman is the owner of Mama’s Bites and has also written for The Huffington Post. She has been living in New York City for fourteen years and holds a Bachelor’s Degree in English Literature as well as a Law Degree, but blogging is her true passion. Maytal is a stay-at-home mom to three kids (ages 9, 7 and 3) and loves finding great products that make her family’s life easier.

   The post Stay Connected During an Emergency with Motorola’s Talkabout T480 Two-Way Radio appeared first on The Mama Maven Blog.

   ]]> https://www.themamamaven.com/stay-connected-during-an-emergency-with-the-talkabout-t480-two-way-radio/feed/ 2 https://www.themamamaven.com/picture-keeper-giveaway/ https://www.themamamaven.com/picture-keeper-giveaway/#comments Sun, 07 Aug 2016 04:08:14 +0000 http://www.themamamaven.com/?p=48593 Giveaway is closed – It happens every time my family and I go on vacation: at some point, usually about halfway through our vacation, we realize that we’re running out of space on the phone (we typically use my husband’s phone to take pictures because of the quality). So we start deleting pictures and eventually...

   Read More »

   The post Save All of Your Smartphone pictures with Picture Keeper Connect appeared first on The Mama Maven Blog.

   ]]> Giveaway is closed – It happens every time my family and I go on vacation: at some point, usually about halfway through our vacation, we realize that we’re running out of space on the phone (we typically use my husband’s phone to take pictures because of the quality). So we start deleting pictures and eventually have to delete apps because they take up too much space. It’s frustrating and annoying but luckily I found a solution: Picture Keeper Connect.

   

   Picture Keeper Connect is a backup for phones, tablets and computers. It allows you to backup photos, videos and contacts from your device, no matter where you are (it skips duplicates). It’s easy to use: just download the free Picture Keeper Connect app, and use the USB connector or micro-USB cable that are included to plug in to your device. You can plug the USB end to a PC or Mac and backup the pictures. You can also restore photos, videos and contacts from the drive to a new phone, tablet or computer. And the best part? No need to sort through pictures that have been already uploaded – it will only upload new or modified images.

   

   The Picture Keeper Connect is made for iPod, iPhone and iPads, but also works with most smart phones and tablets.

   Visit the website to learn more.

   

   You can purchase the Picture Keeper Connect here for $79.99 at 16GB. You can also get 32 and 64 GB here.

   Use this exclusive code for 30% off: TheMamaMaven30

   a Rafflecopter giveaway
   

   I was not compensated for this post. I received a sample. Save All of Your Smartphone pictures with Picture Keeper Connect (+ Giveaway)
   ———————————————————————————————————

   Senior Reviewer Maytal Wichman is the owner of Mama’s Bites and has also written for The Huffington Post. She has been living in New York City for fourteen years and holds a Bachelor’s Degree in English Literature as well as a Law Degree, but blogging is her true passion. Maytal is a stay-at-home mom to three kids (ages 9, 7 and 3) and loves finding great products that make her family’s life easier.

   The post Save All of Your Smartphone pictures with Picture Keeper Connect appeared first on The Mama Maven Blog.

   ]]> https://www.themamamaven.com/picture-keeper-giveaway/feed/ 35 https://www.themamamaven.com/galxyz-announces-digital-partnership-with-popular-science-to-introduce-science-concepts-to-kids/ https://www.themamamaven.com/galxyz-announces-digital-partnership-with-popular-science-to-introduce-science-concepts-to-kids/#respond Sat, 06 Aug 2016 10:10:26 +0000 http://www.themamamaven.com/?p=48679 Galxyz, the developer of the leading elementary science adventure game Blue Apprentice, today announced their first ever kid-focused co-branded microsite (Galxyz.com/vids) in partnership with Popular Science. Galxyz’s (pronounced “galaxies”) video site features Popular Science articles and offers exclusive video content geared towards children ages 6-12. Recently, we got to check it out. The microsite and...

   Read More »

   The post Galxyz and Popular Science Partner To Introduce Science Concepts To Kids appeared first on The Mama Maven Blog.

   ]]> Galxyz, the developer of the leading elementary science adventure game Blue Apprentice, today announced their first ever kid-focused co-branded microsite (Galxyz.com/vids) in partnership with Popular Science. Galxyz’s (pronounced “galaxies”) video site features Popular Science articles and offers exclusive video content geared towards children ages 6-12. Recently, we got to check it out.

   

   The microsite and the associated weekly newsletter for subscribers will feature videos starring animated Galxyz Blue Apprentice characters inspired by Popular Science articles, and will be marketed to the brand’s audience. The microsite will also feature the latest news, breakthroughs and discoveries emerging in real time in the physical, life, Earth and space sciences, communicated via both brands’ signature educational, approachable style.

   My almost 6 year old really liked it. He needed help with directions (he doesn’t read yet). I would say this was for kids that are a little older — a lot of the science concepts didn’t register with him.

   

   Galxyz’s intergalactic science adventure game, Blue Apprentice, which allows kids to solve problems covering over 45 science topics and will be available for download on all mobile and online devices.

   

   A subscription to Blue Apprentice unlocks dozens of episodes of gameplay in story mode, multiple sandbox levels where children can freely explore science topics, and a customization and crafting tool based on the Periodic Table of the Elements. Subscribers also receive access to all new game content, which will be continuously added by the Galxyz team.

   

   Some notable features of Galxyz’s Blue Apprentice include:

   ● iPad and Mac/Desktop browser compatible

   ● A combination of Pixar animation and cutting-edge learning design.

   ● Lessons in Physical, Life, Earth and Space Sciences.

   ● Text-to- speech feature helps early readers enjoy the story

   ● Evolving gameplay that changes with the decisions made by the player.

   ● Currently, the game takes approximately 38 hours to complete.

   We were not compensated for this post. Galxyz and Popular Science Partner To Introduce Science Concepts To Kids

   The post Galxyz and Popular Science Partner To Introduce Science Concepts To Kids appeared first on The Mama Maven Blog.

   ]]> https://www.themamamaven.com/galxyz-announces-digital-partnership-with-popular-science-to-introduce-science-concepts-to-kids/feed/ 0 https://www.themamamaven.com/epson-expression-e-2550-ecotank-all-in-one-printer-review/ https://www.themamamaven.com/epson-expression-e-2550-ecotank-all-in-one-printer-review/#respond Wed, 01 Jun 2016 04:31:10 +0000 http://www.themamamaven.com/?p=47515 When I first heard about Epson's new Expressions ET-2550 EcoTank  All-in-One Printer (MSRP $299) and how it came with up to 2 years of ink in the box, I was surprised. I have been going through ink cartridges like crazy for years. Would I really not have to keep several ink cartridges in stock in my closet? I've...

   Read More »

   The post Epson Expression E-2550 EcoTank All-in-One Printer Review appeared first on The Mama Maven Blog.

   ]]> When I first heard about Epson's new Expressions ET-2550 EcoTank  All-in-One Printer (MSRP $299) and how it came with up to 2 years of ink in the box, I was surprised. I have been going through ink cartridges like crazy for years. Would I really not have to keep several ink cartridges in stock in my closet?

   I've been playing with the printer for a few months and I haven't run out of ink. My 10 year old prints a lot, I print alot — and we haven't had to do a refill. ​I love the compact size and how easily I can scan or make copies. 

   The Expression ET-2550 EcoTank wireless all-in-one printer comes loaded and ready with up to 2 years of ink in the box (based on printing 150 pages a month). That's enought to print up to 4000 black/6500 color pages (actual ink yields will vary considerably for reasons including images printed, print settings, temperature and humidity).

   Filling the tank can be messy, but wear gloves and it should be fine.

   Check out my video:

   This printer also has built-in wireless and easy printing from iPad®, iPhone®, tablets and smartphones. You can also copy, scan and do photo printing from an SD Card.

   
   Get it here: http://amzn.to/1VuvjB6

   Epson Expression ET 2550 EcoTank All-In-One Printer Review 

   The post Epson Expression E-2550 EcoTank All-in-One Printer Review appeared first on The Mama Maven Blog.

   ]]> https://www.themamamaven.com/epson-expression-e-2550-ecotank-all-in-one-printer-review/feed/ 0 https://www.themamamaven.com/netgear-nighthawk-x-4-smart-wifi-router-review/ https://www.themamamaven.com/netgear-nighthawk-x-4-smart-wifi-router-review/#respond Fri, 11 Mar 2016 17:14:03 +0000 http://www.themamamaven.com/?p=45205 We go upstate to my in-laws’ house often. Usually both my husband and I are both working remotely or I’m working on this blog (you didn’t think that content just pops up by itself…). Add in two kids and my father-in-law using tablets to play games or surf the web, iPhone use from both my husband...

   Read More »

   The post NETGEAR Nighthawk X-4 Smart WIFI Router Review appeared first on The Mama Maven Blog.

   ]]> We go upstate to my in-laws’ house often. Usually both my husband and I are both working remotely or I’m working on this blog (you didn’t think that content just pops up by itself…). Add in two kids and my father-in-law using tablets to play games or surf the web, iPhone use from both my husband and I, and Netflix streaming? That’s a heavy demand on any WIFI network! The router I had bought for my father-in-law just couldn’t handle our needs. I’m a NETGEAR ambassador, so I turned to them to find a router that could. Did NETGEAR’s Nighthawk X-4 Smart WIFI Router ($169) deliver? Read on. NETGEAR Nighthawk X-4 Smart WIFI Router

   

   The Nighthawk X4 was pretty easy to unpack. Take it out of the box, and then screw on the 4 antennas.

   

   My husband, who does work in IT, and my father-in-law quickly hooked it up.

   

   

   

   I was able to get back on our WIFI enabled devices easily (like my laptop and my smartphone), but I had a little trouble getting my father-in-law’s PC back online with the router. Via my laptop, I was able to connect via computer chat to a wonderful rep at NETGEAR who quickly sussed out the issue and told me what to do. It was a simple fix – I had to plug in an ethernet cable into the router from the computer and we were easily online. The NETGEAR Genie software (which I love) let me know I was connected and it was all set up.

   NETGEAR offers Quad-Stream X4 Architecture, delivering the single fastest WiFi connection available, up to 1.73Gbps, with a combined speed of 2.33Gbps. Watch NETGEAR’s Video to find out more info.
   

   

   Features of the NETGEAR Nighthawk X-4 Smart WIFI Router: 

   • Quad-Stream AC2350 WiFi – up to 2.33Gbps (600+1733 Mbps)
   • Next generation Wave 2 WiFi
   • Fastest available 1.4 GHz dual core processor
   • Dynamic QoS bandwidth prioritization by application and device
   • Twin USB 3.0 and eSATA ports to connect external storage and enjoy fast, wireless access to high-capacity hard drives
   • Four high-performance external antennas and Beamforming+ for maximum range
   • NETGEAR genie software helps you manage your home network

   

   We’re super pleased with the NETGEAR Nighthawk X-4 Smart WIFI Router. If you have multiple devices running on your home internet or gamers, this is the router for you.
   BUY: Amazon.com for $169

   I am a NETGEAR Ambassador and received this router for free. As always, this is my honest and unique opinion. This post contains an affiliate link, which means we get a tiny percentage if you buy through our link. 

   The post NETGEAR Nighthawk X-4 Smart WIFI Router Review appeared first on The Mama Maven Blog.

   ]]> https://www.themamamaven.com/netgear-nighthawk-x-4-smart-wifi-router-review/feed/ 0 https://www.themamamaven.com/phorus-ps5-speaker/ https://www.themamamaven.com/phorus-ps5-speaker/#respond Fri, 04 Mar 2016 03:21:40 +0000 http://www.themamamaven.com/?p=45600 by Senior Reviewer Maytal Wichman I was not compensated for this post. I received a sample. This post contains affiliate links. I love listening to PANDORA on my cell phone when I’m in the kitchen – I turn up the volume and it’s been working well for me. What I never realized is that I...

   Read More »

   The post Stream Your Music with Phorus PS5 Speaker (+ 20% off ) appeared first on The Mama Maven Blog.

   ]]> by Senior Reviewer Maytal Wichman

   I was not compensated for this post. I received a sample. This post contains affiliate links.
   

   I love listening to PANDORA on my cell phone when I’m in the kitchen – I turn up the volume and it’s been working well for me. What I never realized is that I don’t have to listen to music through my phone – I can easily connect it to a speaker with an amazing quality and enjoy the music even more! The Phorus PS5 speaker not only gives me incredible sound from my cell phone, it’s also compatible with practically every device I have!

   

   The Phorus PS5 speaker has premium DTS sound, along with advanced dual-core DSP and Class-D digital class amplifiers so you get the most pristine sound, regardless of the size of the room you are in. In addition, the Phorus has a variety of apps compatible with iOS, Android and Windows. The apps give you access to dozens of music libraries and radios to stream music from.

   

   This state-of-the-art speaker has built-in Dual-Bank Wi-fi connectivity so you can stream music using two different wireless bands, which can offer uninterrupted sound even you have a cluttered home network environment (such as cordless phone, microwave and radio controlled toys). Another cool feature is the Play-Fi technology, which is licensed to other premium audio companies so you can build a whole-home audio systems to fit your taste and budget.

   

   I received the Phorus PS5 for review and loved the compact, sleek and elegant look. Set-up was quick and easy, even for someone technically-challenged as myself. The sound was way better than what I had before from my little phone and I’m excited to try out all of the other features this amazing speaker has to offer!

   Purchase it on Amazon.

   ———————————————————————————————————

   Senior Reviewer Maytal Wichman is the owner of Mama’s Bites and has also written for The Huffington Post. She has been living in New York City for fourteen years and holds a Bachelor’s Degree in English Literature as well as a Law Degree, but blogging is her true passion. Maytal is a stay-at-home mom to three kids (ages 9, 6 and 3) and loves finding great products that make her family’s life easier.

   The post Stream Your Music with Phorus PS5 Speaker (+ 20% off ) appeared first on The Mama Maven Blog.

   ]]> https://www.themamamaven.com/phorus-ps5-speaker/feed/ 0 https://www.themamamaven.com/top-tips-for-keeping-kids-motivated-for-school/ https://www.themamamaven.com/top-tips-for-keeping-kids-motivated-for-school/#respond Mon, 21 Dec 2015 17:51:09 +0000 http://www.themamamaven.com/?p=44257 by Senior Reviewer Maytal Wichman I distinctly remember the beginning of the year when my kids were really psyched to go to school, happily did their homework as soon as they got home and even spent time writing in their book logs. Now that the first half of the year has passed the excitement has...

   Read More »

   The post Tips for Keeping Kids Motivated for School appeared first on The Mama Maven Blog.

   ]]> by Senior Reviewer Maytal Wichman

   I distinctly remember the beginning of the year when my kids were really psyched to go to school, happily did their homework as soon as they got home and even spent time writing in their book logs. Now that the first half of the year has passed the excitement has died down a bit. Monster, the world leader in high-performance personal audio has partnered with Kellogg’s to empower kids and keep them motivated to learn. Here are some tips for packing your kids’ backpacks with items that are sure to keep them excited about school again.

   
   1) Keep them satisfied. Whether they’re sassy and savory or super and sweet, pack them a smart snack to suit their personality and get their juices flowing. Smart snacks are baked, low in fat and available in pre-portioned, smart-sized packets.
   2) Creative catalyst. Inspiration can strike anywhere from the bus to the playground. Give your kids the tools they need to capture it with a small sketch pad and a supply of colored pencils. Keep a compact set of supplies in their backpack so they put every idea to paper every time!
   3) Music motivation. It doesn’t matter if your style is hip-hop, alternative or country, nothing defines your style and gets you moving like music. Monster N-Tune on-ear headphones brings your favorite music, movies and games to life with unmatched clarity and depth; hand-tuned with precision and bass designed to blow you away. Their compact sleek colorful design completes any style and will fit perfectly in a backpack.
   4) Stylish security blanket. Every kid has it, that one piece of clothing that makes them feel like a king or queen. Put that shirt, scarf or hat – whatever it is – into their backpack so they can easily sport it whenever they need an extra confidence booster at school!

   Kids can color themselves loud on Monster social media networks: Facebook and Twitter and use the hashtag #ColorItLoud.

   

   I received a pair of N-Tune headphones for review and loved the crisp sound. It’s heavy on the bass, which I like, and the headphones are lightweight, snug and comfy to wear. I love the vast array of dazzling colors that they come in – from shiny, bright colors that pop to soft pastels to matte colors to neutrals (for a total of 20).

   You can purchase a pair at Walmart for $69.95.

   I was not compensated for this post. I received a sample.
   

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   Senior Reviewer Maytal Wichman is the owner of Mama’s Bites and has also written for The Huffington Post. She has been living in New York City for fourteen years and holds a Bachelor’s Degree in English Literature as well as a Law Degree, but blogging is her true passion. Maytal is a stay-at-home mom to three kids (ages 8, 6 and 3) and loves finding great products that make her family’s life easier.

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