Thursday, May 24, 2012

The SHE said, MOM said segment: Social Media

Hi everyone! Here’s the special blog post I’ve been waiting for all week!!


But first, the winner of the $10 iTunes gift card is Debra! 
The SHE said, MOM said segment
So my mom and me will answer questions that you left in the comments about tweens and social media. We will have the same question but we will have MUCH different responses, so keep reading! J
1.)    How often should a parent monitor a tween social media account?
SHE: I say maybe like once a month randomly so your tween won’t expect it and if they are doing something negative with their social media site you will know. Like, my mom would kill me if I broke any of the laws that we discussed in the beginning (when I first got a phone).
MOM: I say daily or at least weekly.
2.)    What would happen if the tweens phone is no longer affordable?
SHE: I would say if the tweens phone is not affordable the tween should understand and be able to let the phone go. But you could let her have some other social media to communicate with her friends such as Facebook, twitter, or a Skype account. These options are free or cost very little.
MOM: Taylor did have to earn her phone and she knows that loosing her phone can always be a consequence for poor choices. Fortunately, we were due for an upgrade so she got my old iPhone and it only added an extra $10 onto our monthly bill. We did make a contract with Taylor and if any of the mom’s would like a copy of it, shoot me an email at: nicki@nickikoziarz.com and I will send it to you. I agree with Taylor that sometimes we have to make sacrifices as a family so if there came a point where we needed to end her cellphone for financial reasons, I would hope that she would understand.
3.)    Should you check your messages if your with people or friends?
SHE: Yes I feel that you should check your messages; this is because what if it is important or someone needs you. The person who texted you will think that you don’t matter or something like that you could just respond with a GTG (got to go).
MOM: Depends. If its something that is important or if they are just saying hi quickly to someone, I think its ok. But it is important that tweens and adults engage face-to-face with people so we should be focused on the person we are with. 
4.)    Should parents know tweens social media account passwords?

SHE: Yes just because they have the right to know. But this doesn’t mean that parents have to check whatever it is 500 times a day! If I were a parent I would trust my kid and know that they are not doing anything bad and only check when I think I need to.

MOM: Yes. There should be nothing to hide. Moms need to respect their tweens privacy but should always have access to everything that a tween is doing online or on their cell phone. 

So thanks for reading J (BTW I told you that we were going to have different answers!)
Leave a comment and tell me what you think of The SHE said, MOM said segment and if we should do more of them!

Sunday, May 20, 2012

SHE says, MOM says Q&A Giveaway!


Hi everyone! I just wanted say a special thanks to Melissa Taylor for promoting my blog! I’m really exited for all my new readers. I tried to respond to as many comments as I could but didn’t get to all of them. I did read each of them and wanted to say thank each of you for stopping by!

Ok so like I’ve been reading through all the comments from the Tweens and Texting post. This is a BIG topic and I was glad to hear all your feedback. So, then I talked to my mom and we thought it might be good to talk more about social media and tweens.  You know like twitter, facebook or skype.

Then we came up with this idea called:

The SHE says, MOM says Segment



On Wednesday my blog post will be a question and answer session with my mom. We will both have the same questions and will each write our answers for you to see. 

But, I need your help to come up with the questions. Here’s an example of the type of question I’m looking for:

“How old should you be to have a facebook account?”

I’m pretty sure we will have VERY different responses. Like, I would say NOW but I’m almost positive my mom would say like when I’m… 42. So it should get pretty interesting (if you know what I mean.)

PLUS, super excited about this… anyone who leaves a question in the comment section will be entered to win a $10 iTunes gift card. All comments must be in by Tuesday night at 12pm EST.

I will announce the winner on Wednesday.

So, if you’re a mom, tween, grandma, or if you have a tween in your life leave a question about tweens and social media (facebook, twitter, skype, texting, and etc.) and you will be entered in the drawing for a $10 iTunes gift card!

Who wouldn’t want free stuff? So leave a question! J

Wednesday, May 16, 2012

Tweens and Texting


Hi everyone!

The EOG’s were long and tiring as usual but I did survive them. I actually felt sick on the first day and ended up going home after the test was over. The second day I still felt pretty bad but I survived the whole day, and the third day was the shortest test (only 28 questions) I felt much better. The EOG's were hard, tough, and LONG but I finished in one piece.

Did you survive too? Leave me a comment and let me know. J

Now for a tween topic that I’m very passionate about:  tweens and texting.

I wanted a cell phone for a long time, mainly to text. A few months ago, I finally got an iPhone, so exciting! So grown up.

The first few days, I got everyone’s numbers and texted every spare minute I had. I thought it was so cool but then I realized that texting is (in a way) um… not so cool.

This people is how tweens text:

First, tweens will text you a MILLION times until you respond. Then until you respond, they will text you, “Text me!” (Which BTW, doesn’t make people want to text you back.)

Some tweens will text unnecessary stuff like: I <3 UNICORNS (which is okay until they text you that over and over and over).

And sometimes there are some mean things said about people through texting too. Like, believe me, I’ve heard everything like: omg she so ulgy and annoying.





Mean right? I don’t want people texting like that about me. Plus, if I gossip, most likely my mom will take my phone away for like… forever.

So, I have some solutions that have taught me how to deal with texting:

1.)  If someone texts you “Text me” just respond with a “Hey”. Maybe they just need a friend to text right then.

2.)  If someone talks behind someone’s back, change the subject or bring the attention to the good stuff about the person.

3.)  If someone texts you I<3 UNICORNS or something like that just say, “ok… so do I” and then change the subject.

4.)  Play the happy game. I made this up and my friends like this. You just text back and forth happy words like: giggles, pink, sparkles, or rainbows.  Anything you can think of that makes you happy, it gets people in a really good mood. You can borrow my game, it’s so gone global. J

Ok so, be the good person. Don’t say something mean or could end up losing your friend (or your phone). Use these solutions and tween texting will be enjoyable.

Texting can be annoying and can drive you crazy but it’s a good way to communicate with your friends. We can make it a positive way.

So what are your thoughts about tweens and texting? Leave a comment and let’s talk about this.

Sunday, May 13, 2012

EOG Survival

Hi everyone! I'm super exited this is my first blogpost! My plan for this blog is to write on Wednesday and Sunday every week about various tween concerns. I look forward to sharing my thoughts with you on those days.

Now for today's blogpost:

So tomorrow is the first day EOG's (end of grade testing). I feel that some of the rules of EOG's are kinda ridiculous such as......

1) After you are done testing you may not read, lay your head down, or draw.
 [And by the way if you are a quick worker you just sit there for hours...]

2) If one kid talks then your whole class has to start the whole 3 days of testing over, no matter what day you on.

3) We will have questions on the test that we have never even talked about.

So people, here's how we are going to survive the EOG's:

1) Take your time or you will be sitting there studying your fingernails.

2) Tell everyone "Nobody talk."

3) If it is a a question you don't know then use process elimination.


EOG's are rough and the rules are kinda ridiculous but we can overcome this!!!!

Check back Wednesday to get an EOG update and a new blog post. And that's all for today's TaterTots Thoughts.

P.S. I got the name of this blog from my mom calling me tatertot when I was little. :)