How to Prevent Your Car Battery From Draining

No driver wants to get into his or her car and find that it will not start. People may not think about their vehicle’s battery until this happens, but it is a crucial part of the car, as it sends power to numerous systems such as the sparks plugs, radio, air conditioning and lights.

Even the best car batteries can drain over the long run, and signs of this include flickering lights, a weakened alarm system and slow starting. However, there are certain circumstances that drain a battery quite quickly, and there are ways to prevent this.

Extreme Temperature

Many people understand that really cold temperatures can drain the battery quickly, which is why drivers who live in cold states plug their vehicles in if they are kept outside. However, temperatures that reach higher than 100 degrees F also drain the battery. This is because extreme temperatures cause the build up of sulfate crystals, and this can damage the life of the battery.

Prevention: Do your best to keep your car inside during hot or cold weather, and when you do start it, keep it running for awhile as the battery takes longer to charge. It is always a good idea to keep your battery in top-running condition so it can better handle severe temperature swings. It is also smart to carry the best car jump starter in the event your battery does die.

Human Error

Whether you are in a hurry, distracted or tired, there may be times you forget to turn the headlights off or completely close the trunk. As a result, the battery drains while you are away and, if left long enough, there will not be enough juice left in the battery to start the next time you get in.

Prevention: Take the time to ensure all interior and exterior lights are off and that everything is closed securely. Some newer vehicles also alert the driver when lights are left on, so listen for this warning signal.

Corroded Battery Cables

Another reason a battery may be drained of power is because the car battery cables and/or connections are corroded. When this occurs, the charging system cannot charge the battery when running. Loose battery cables also drain the battery because they cannot transfer the charge efficiently.

Prevention: Check your battery’s cables for signs of dirt or powdery blue or white corrosion. Use a toothbrush or cloth to clean off the connections and cables. If the connections are loose, tighten them.

Old Battery

Batteries age, just as people do, and this causes weakness over time. If you have not changed the battery in awhile and the car is having difficulty starting on a regular basis, it may be time for a new battery.

Prevention: Keep the battery properly maintained to extend the life of the battery. However, replacement is inevitable, and most experts recommend replacing the battery every three to four years.

Keep Your Car Battery Running at Top Performance

There are a number of things you can do to prevent gradual drainage of your vehicle’s battery. Make sure you have it inspected regularly so any potential issues can be fixed. 

OMG Peanuts Celebrates 70 Years With A Limited Holiday Collection Available October 1st

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

PEANUTS 70^TH ANNIVERSARY

HOLIDAY COLLECTION LIMITED EDITION

AVAILABLE OCTOBER 1, 2019

FROM WARNER BROS. HOME ENTERTAINMENT

FEATURES THREE ICONIC HOLIDAY SPECIALS

PLUS SIX ADDITIONAL SPECIALS

AND BRAND-NEW BONUS CONTENT ON BLU-RAY™

Four-Disc Collection Includes Nine Television Specials Packaged in a

Limited Edition Collectible Snoopy Doghouse Giftset

that Features Brand-New Bonus Content Plus Collectible Memorabilia

Including an Exclusive Snoopy Figurine and Charlie Brown Holiday Book!

BURBANK, CA (July 31, 2019) -- Good grief! The legendary Peanuts comic strip turns 70 and to celebrate the occasion, Warner Bros. Home Entertainment will release a gorgeous, collectible Blu-ray™ giftset comprised of three iconic animated holiday specials packaged in a limited edition Snoopy doghouse giftset! Titled Peanuts 70^th Anniversary Holiday Collection Limited Edition, this collection will be released on October 1, 2019 and will include It’s the Great Pumpkin, Charlie Brown, A Charlie Brown Thanksgiving and A Charlie Brown Christmas, as well as six additional Peanuts specials that are re-mastered/restored, plus brand-new special features. All nine specials will be released on Blu-ray™ with a digital copy. This must-own box set comes with two additional, keepsake collectibles, including an exclusive Snoopy figurine and a Charlie Brown holiday book. This is a numbered, limited edition set with only 25,000 total sets available. It’s the perfect idea for seasonal gift-giving! Peanuts 70^th Anniversary Holiday Collection Limited Edition will retail for $99.99 SRP ($141.00 in Canada).

Celebrate the holidays with Charlie Brown, Snoopy, Sally, Lucy, Linus, Peppermint Patty and the rest of your favorite Peanuts characters with this must-own, all-new collectors’ set. For 70 years, Peanuts have entertained fans with their heartwarming adventures. The first Peanuts holiday special, A Charlie Brown Christmas, which was produced by Lee Mendelson, directed by Bill Melendez and featured a catchy jazzy score by pianist Vince Guaraldi, won an Emmy® Award and served as the springboard for dozens of enormously successful television specials, which followed in subsequent years.

Created by Charles M. Schulz, one of the most influential cartoonists of all time, Peanuts, which focused on the lives of a group of young children, premiered in seven newspapers in 1950 and went on to become one of the most popular and longest running comic strips. At the peak of its popularity, Peanuts was published in over 75 countries and was translated into 21 languages.   Peanuts became one of the most powerful brands in entertainment, after taking a leap from the pages of newspapers onto television, film, books, music, merchandise, theme parks and much more.

 

“Peanuts is an enduring classic. After 70 years, it continues to be a favorite with fans of all ages due to its timeless messages and appeal,” said Mary Ellen Thomas, Vice President Family & Animation Marketing. She added, “Peanuts characters are recognized globally. They have influenced pop culture and continue to captivate the hearts of viewers of all ages. To commemorate Peanuts’ milestone, 70th anniversary, we created this unique collector’s item, which pays tribute to the beloved cartoon with three of its most widely- recognized television specials which are available fully remastered and restored on Blu-ray™, in this new, beautiful limited edition set.”

Peanuts 70^th Anniversary Holiday Collection Limited Edition features the acclaimed, legendary holiday-inspired It’s the Great Pumpkin, Charlie Brown, A Charlie Brown Thanksgiving and A Charlie Brown Christmas. The festivities continue with six additional, delightful seasonal specials including It’s Magic, Charlie Brown, Charlie Brown’s All-Stars, The Mayflower Voyagers, Play it Again, Charlie Brown, It’s Christmastime Again, Charlie Brown and It’s Flashbeagle, Charlie Brown. This year, the holidays will be merry and bright with the Peanuts gang joining in the celebration!

Peanuts 70^th Anniversary Holiday Collection Limited Edition Featured Specials:

* It’s the Great Pumpkin, Charlie Brown – This Emmy® Award-nominated special, finds the Peanuts gang outfitted in costumes, ready for trick or treating and crashing Violet’s Halloween party. Charlie Brown is in a ghost costume (with more eyeholes cut out than needed), Lucy dressed as a witch and Snoopy in a World War I flying ace costume. Linus decides to steadfastly hold vigil in the pumpkin patch as he awaits the Great Pumpkin. 

* It’s Magic, Charlie Brown – This special finds Snoopy putting on a show after he checks out a book on magic tricks from the library. With Marcie and Sally as his assistants, he performs many tricks (some that work and some that don’t) before an audience. The grand finale features the biggest trick of all, making Charlie Brown disappear.  To everyone’s amazement, Snoopy makes him invisible but doesn’t know how to bring Charlie Brown back. Will Snoopy find a way to reverse the trick?

* Charlie Brown’s All-Stars – Nominated for two Prime Time Emmys®, in this delightful special, Charlie Brown is faced with a difficult moral dilemma; should he accept brand new uniforms and give the rest of the gang a chance to be part of an official little league baseball team even if it means that due to policy, Snoopy, Lucy, Patty, Violet and Frieda must be kicked off?

* A Charlie Brown Thanksgiving – In this Emmy® Award-winning special, Peppermint Patty invites herself to Charlie Brown’s house for Thanksgiving dinner. Marcie and Franklin are soon added as dinner guests. Charlie Brown admits that his culinary skills are limited to “cold cereal and maybe toast.”  Snoopy and Woodstock transform the ping-pong table in the backyard into a dinner table.   As the guests arrive, they are each served two slices of buttered toast, some pretzel sticks, popcorn and jelly beans. Peppermint Patty is outraged at the meal and berates Charlie Brown until embarrassed and dejected, he leaves the table and goes back into the house.

* The Mayflower Voyagers – In this special from the This is America, Charlie Brown series, the Peanuts kids become pilgrims sailing to the New World aboard the Mayflower and endure the first hard winter on Plymouth Plantation.

* Play It Again, Charlie Brown – Nominated for an Emmy Award ®, this special focuses on Lucy’s undying and unreciprocated love for the piano playing child prodigy, Schroeder. In an effort to win Schroeder’s affection, Lucy, under Peppermint Patty’s advice, invites him to perform in a concert at an upcoming PTA meeting.  Schroeder accepts and immediately begins rehearsing.  Lucy, delighted with Schroeder’s acceptance, thanks Peppermint Patty.  Peppermint Patty however, mentions she forgot to tell Lucy that only rock music will be featured in the program and that Schroeder won’t be able to play Beethoven.  Lucy is left in anguish, knowing Schroeder will refuse to perform anything other than classical music and tries to find a way to break the news without his dropping out of the program.

* A Charlie Brown Christmas – In this Emmy® and Peabody Award winning classic, Charlie Brown is upset by how commercial the Christmas holiday has become. To coax him out of his holiday blues, Lucy suggests he direct the school’s Christmas pageant and decorate a glorious tree.  Charlie Brown concedes. The tree he finds however, is puny, prompting everyone to ridicule him.   

* It’s Christmastime Again, Charlie Brown – This is the second Christmas-themed Peanuts special since A Charlie Brown Christmas.  Holiday preparations include Charlie Brown selling wreaths door-to-door to make extra money, Peppermint Patty sweating out an important book report and the entire crew appearing in a Christmas pageant.

* It’s Flashbeagle, Charlie Brown – Originally broadcast in 1984, this special is comprised of several clever parodies inspired by popular early ‘80s dance trends ranging from disco to break dancing as well as a series of top 40 hit songs from the era.  It’s Flashbeagle, Charlie Brown earned an Emmy® Award nomination for Outstanding Animated Program.

Brand-new Bonus Content*:

• It’s Not the Holidays without Charlie Brown, Charlie Brown! (Featurette)

• Brand New Audio Commentary for It’s the Great Pumpkin, Charlie Brown, A Charlie Brown Thanksgiving and It’s a Charlie Brown Christmas.

*Bonus content may not be in high definition. Audio and subtitles may vary.

Digital

On October 1, 2019, Peanuts 70^th Anniversary Holiday Collection will be available to own in high definition and standard definition from select digital retailers including Amazon, FandangoNOW, iTunes, PlayStation, Vudu, Xbox and others. On August 3, 2019, Peanuts 70^th Anniversary Holiday Collection will be made available digitally on Video On Demand services from cable and satellite providers, and on select gaming consoles.

About Movies Anywhere

Movies Anywhere is a digital movie platform that enables movie fans to discover, access, and watch their favorite digital movies in one place. Movies Anywhere brings together a library of nearly 7,500 digital movies from Sony Pictures, Twentieth Century Fox Film, The Walt Disney Studios (including Disney, Pixar, Marvel Studios and Lucasfilm), Universal Pictures (including DreamWorks and Illumination Entertainment) and Warner Bros., and will continue to expand the consumer experience as more content providers, digital retailers and platforms are added. By connecting participating digital retailers that include Amazon Prime Video, FandangoNOW, Google Play, iTunes and Vudu, movie fans can now bring together their digital movie collections (whether purchased or redeemed) in one place and enjoy them from the comfort of their living rooms, and across multiple devices and platforms, including Amazon Fire devices; Android devices and Android TV; Apple TV; Chromecast; iPhone, iPad and iPod touch; Roku® devices and popular browsers. Movie fans can also redeem digital codes found in eligible Blu-ray™ and DVD disc packages from participating studios and enjoy them through Movies Anywhere. Movies Anywhere – your movies, together at last.

The Credits

About Peanuts:

Charles M. Schulz first introduced the world to the Peanuts characters in 1950, when the Peanuts comic strip debuted in seven newspapers. Since then, Charlie Brown, Snoopy and the rest of the Peanuts gang have made an indelible mark on popular culture. Peanuts animated specials and series air on major networks and streaming services, including ABC, Cartoon Network and Boomerang in the U.S., Family Channel in Canada, and the WildBrain network on YouTube worldwide. Fans also enjoy Peanuts through thousands of consumer products around the world, amusement parks attractions, cultural events, social media, and a daily comic strip available in all formats from traditional to digital. In 2018, Peanuts partnered with NASA on a multi-year Space Act Agreement designed to inspire a passion for space exploration and STEM among the next generation of students. The Peanuts characters and related intellectual property are 41% owned by DHX Media (TSX: DHX, NASDAQ: DHXM), 39% owned by Sony Music Entertainment (Japan) Inc., and 20% owned by family of Charles M. Schulz.

About Warner Bros. Home Entertainment Inc.

Warner Bros. Home Entertainment (WBHE) brings together Warner Bros. Entertainment's home video, digital distribution and interactive entertainment businesses in order to maximize current and next-generation distribution scenarios. An industry leader since its inception, WBHE oversees the global distribution of content through packaged goods (Blu-ray Disc™ and DVD) and digital media in the form of electronic sell-through and video-on-demand via cable, satellite, online and mobile channels, and is a significant developer and publisher for console and online video game titles worldwide. WBHE distributes its product through third party retail partners and licensees.

3 Adverse Childhood Experiences That Linger Long Into Adulthood

 

Adversity hits everyone at various points in adult life, whether it comes in the form of physical injury, sickness, loss of a loved one, loss of a job, a broken romance, financial problems, or a series of disappointments that don’t seem fair.

Many adults learn to adjust to adversity and become stronger from it. But how much harder is it for those who suffered severe events during their childhood? Medical professionals say Adverse Childhood Experiences (ACEs) — a term associated with a long study of traumatic experiences that occur to people under the age of 18 — have lasting negative impacts well into adulthood.

ACEs are estimated to afflict over 34 million U.S. children, and a comprehensive study published in JAMA Pediatrics found a quarter of adults had at least three adverse experiences in childhood, increasing their risk for heart disease, cancer, depression and substance abuse. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention report that ACEs have been linked to chronic health conditions, risky behaviors, low life potential and early death.

“The long-term damage of childhood adversity is real and tragic, sometimes affecting people for the rest of their lives,” says Jennifer Lynch, an educator, child advocate and author of the children’s book Livi and Grace(www.jenniferlynchbooks.com). “It can hurt them in every aspect of their adult life, cause them to be far less than they could have been otherwise, and make them view themselves negatively and the world the same way.

“We need to create hope for children who have been through these awful experiences, and further, we need to realize that millions of adults are still carrying these traumatic memories and feelings with them. They, too, need hope and support to overcome.”

Lynch goes over three of the most traumatic childhood experiences that can affect adults long into their lives:

Abuse. Numerous studies detail how child abuse and neglect can affect individual development — psychological, behavioral, and physical. “Emotion processing, which enables social competence, can be severely affected into adulthood and make one feel like an outcast or misunderstood,” Lynch says. “Being mistreated as a child, it’s a long road to feeling accepted and even to knowing how to treat others.”

Bullying. Some young adults who were bullied as a child could have a greater risk of ongoing depression due to a mix of genetic and environmental factors,  according to a study from the University of Bristol. “As a result of bullying, depression, lack of confidence, and isolation can strike hard in the teen years, but certainly it can get worse over the long haul if the bullying experiences are buried,” Lynch says. “And then there’s evidence that those who were bullied as youths become bullies themselves as adults.”

Separation from parents. This has become a big topic due to migrant detentions on the U.S.-Mexico border. “It’s been shown time and again, and especially now — separating kids from their parents is detrimental to their health, mentally and physically,” Lynch says. “A parent who’s routinely there for a child buffers them, but separate the parent and child for a prolonged period and the child’s brain is in danger of not developing properly. They’re vulnerable to depression, substance abuse, and anxiety.”

“These unfortunate things that happen to so many children can cause them to live in shame and to do so for the rest of their adult lives,” Lynch says. “But the past does not define who they are or who they can become.”

About Jennifer Lynch

Jennifer Lynch, author of the children’s book Livi and Grace (www.jenniferlynchbooks.com), is an educator and child advocate who serves as a guardian ad litem, a person appointed to represent a child’s interests in a court case. She has worked as a special education teacher for an elementary school and as a preschool teacher. In addition, Lynch created the You Are Good brand of T-shirts and other products for sale and for donations. Thousands of the shirts have been donated to children and teenagers in the system. She holds a bachelor’s degree in psychology from Texas A&M University. 

Bookbinding Made Easy + A Giveaway

ATGLEN, PA - Schiffer Publishing, Ltd. would like to introduce Introduction to Bookbinding & Custom Cases: A Project Approach for Learning Traditional Methods  by Tom Hollander Cindy Hollander The high quality of traditional bookbinding is renowned, and while apprenticeships are difficult to come by today, this step-by-step guide by expert hand-binders is the next best thing. Teaching you valuable beginning- and intermediate-level skills, using their trademark hands-on approach, the Hollanders explain the basics of the craft, then guide you through five projects. Detailed instructions and photos help you to success. You’ll master the pamphlet book style, the flat-back book, the round-back book, and the construction of slipcases and clam shell boxes for decorative book protection. Along with formulas to help you navigate making your own custom-size books, an extensive glossary of bookbinding terms and a list of resources offer ongoing support. A gallery of the authors’ handmade books and boxes provides inspiration. I have wanted to do bookbinding for at least two years now and watch so many You Tube videos on how to get started. Slowly but surely I have started getting some of the supplies necessary and collecting books so I can use the covers. I am also organizing my signatures so I know how large of  book I need for each project. I still need a few more items but this book makes me feel like I shouldn't be afraid anymore. Just go for it. The book is full of step-by-step instructions from covering your books, to stitching your signatures and the best way to size your pieces. I love that every section has a colorful photo. I learn by watching so this really is helpful to me and probably why I feel like I got this! I cannot wait to post my first book. I am full of ideas and motivated to get started. I hope to do at least one Junk Journal, and a Book of Cards for my husband and children featuring cards they received for their birthday's. If you are interested in learning more visit Schiffer Publishing Supplies I have to get:

Enter to win by 8/20

Entry-Form

Disclaimer: I received a complimentary product for my honest opinion. No monetary compensation was offered.

Will An Apple A Day – Along With Checkups – Help Keep Tooth Decay Away?

Eating may be a necessity, but when it comes to your teeth and gums, all that munching also can lead to quite a battle raging in your mouth. 

Some of those foods – especially the sugary and starchy ones – act like invading forces, feeding the bacteria that cause tooth decay and gum disease, even as the saliva in your mouth fights back as best it can, trying to ward off the detrimental effects of the acids and enzymes.

“Tooth decay can be a problem for people of all ages – children, teenagers and adults  –  and yet it’s completely avoidable,” says Dr. Seth Newman (www.asktheorthos.com), an orthodontist and co-author with Dr. Steve Giannoutsos of Giving It To You Straight: Everything You Ever Wanted To Know About Orthodontics But Were Afraid To Ask.

Newman and Giannoutsos say that there are plenty of ways that what’s in your diet affects not just your weight, but also your teeth and gums. 

“Most people know that sugar and processed snacks can lead to tooth decay, even if they don’t always avoid those foods,” Giannoutsos says. “But there are other foods that also can be troublesome, and many people may not realize that.”

He and Newman provide a few tips for making sure your diet isn’t harmful to your oral health:

• Watch out for bread – and chips. Chomp down on a candy bar and you might think to yourself that you better brush soon, lest the sugar go to work on your teeth before you can head it off. But the same thought might not occur to you when you’re eating breadsticks. Yet, foods that are high in carbohydrates and starches – such as bread, chips, pasta and crackers – contribute to the plaque acid that attacks tooth enamel. 

• Braces come with extra concerns. Beyond the usual dental care, there are additional dietary worries to consider when you have braces. People wearing braces should avoid foods that are too hard, sticky or chewy, Newman says, such as gum, nuts, corn chips, hard taco shells, hard candy and popcorn, just to name a few. 
• my son uses a cordless water flosser since getting braces which helps so much.
• Develop good food-choice habits. When you’re grocery shopping, always check the nutrition labels. “Selecting snacks that are low in sugar can help combat tooth decay,” Giannoutsos says. “If poor nutrition continues, your oral health will decline, potentially resulting in gum disease and tooth loss.” Fruits and vegetables that are rich in fiber are a good choice for improving your oral health. Examples are apples, carrots and celery. In addition, milk, cheese and other dairy products are excellent options because of the calcium, phosphate and vitamin D they contain. Finally, drink fluoridated water as much as possible. If your tap water doesn’t include fluoride, check with your dentist for a fluoride supplement.

Ultimately, more is at stake than your teeth and gums. Left untreated, Giannoutsos and Newman say, oral-health problems can have a detrimental effect on your overall health, contributing to such conditions as heart disease and diabetes. That’s an additional reason why regular checkups – along with brushing and flossing – are so critical.

“It’s hard to resist your inner sweet tooth, so I wouldn’t say that you should never indulge in treats,” Newman says. “But when you do, brushing your teeth as quickly as possible afterwards will help decrease the risk of decay.”

About Seth Newman, DDS

Dr. Seth Newman (www.asktheorthos.com) is an orthodontist and co-author, with Dr. Steve Giannoutsos, of Giving It To You Straight: Everything You Ever Wanted To Know About Orthodontics But Were Afraid To Ask. He owns orthodontic practices in the New York City area. Dr. Newman completed his dental training at Stony Brook School of Dental Medicine, where he was a member of the National Dental Honor Society. He was a clinical instructor of the Invisalign system at the NYU School of Dentistry.

About  Dr. Efstathios “Steve” Giannoutsos 

Dr. Efstathios Giannoutsos, or “Dr. G.” as he is commonly called, was born in Astoria, Queens, just outside of New York City. He graduated from St. John’s University in Jamaica, Queens, with high honors and a BS in Biology.  He is also the co-author with  Dr. Seth Newman of Giving It To You Straight: Everything You Ever Wanted To Know About Orthodontics But Were Afraid to Ask (www.asktheorthos.com). He completed his dental training at NYU, where he graduated with a Doctor of Dental Surgery (DDS) degree. He was also accepted into NYU’s highly competitive orthodontic residency program. During that time, he also discovered a passion for treating children and adults with facial deformities. Coinciding his passion, his research thesis to attain specialty certification involved children with cleft deformities. 

5 Tips To Help Your Children Prepare To Head Back To School.

Summer is flying by and pretty soon school will be back in session. Is your child ready to get back into the daily scholastic routine?

The folks at Brainly — the world's largest peer-to-peer learning community of students, parents, and teachers— asked 600 American parents whether they feel their children are ready to jump back into the daily grind of school. Nationwide 56% of parents say they think they're children are prepared to go back to school.

Missouri parents led the pack with 85% saying that they thought their kids were ready to head back to school. Virginia followed with 80% saying the same and the top three was rounded out by Arizona at 69%.

Brainly has put together a list of 5 tips for parents to help their children prepare to head back to school.


1. DEVELOP A SLEEP ROUTINE NOW
Getting up early for school can be jarring for middle and high school students who have been used to sleeping in all summer. 62% of parents said they are worried their kids will have a hard time adjusting their snooze schedules during their first week back to school.

Brainly’s tip? Start a routine a few weeks before term begins so that your kids can get used to their new schedule.

2. ESTABLISH SCHOOL ROUTINES
In a similar vein, students should get used to the hours of work (and homework) they will be expected to do during the school year. 92% of parents said homework is the biggest school-related stressor for their families.

Brainly recommends developing a routine to help them manage their time and setting up a dedicated homework space so they aren't caught flat footed in September.

3. AVOID THE SUMMER SLUMP
School-aged kids can revert by nearly a month's worth of instruction over the summer. In fact, 82% of American parents believe their kiddos experienced at least a mild to moderate amount of summer learning loss.

The best way to circumvent this issue is to keep their skillsets fresh and mind's sharp over the summer. Consider doing this through platforms like Brainly where a community of students can help other students and users earn points for answering questions.

4. GET YOUR SCHOOL SUPPLIES
This may seem obvious but students gonna need pens, pencils, and a handy dandy new Trapper Keeper (kids still use those right?) if they’re going to succeed this semester.

Pro tip: get those things early while they are on sale.

5. GET YOUR KIDS (AND YOURSELF) ORGANIZED
Nothing adds heaps of unneeded stress to and an already stressful time than not being organized. Only 22% of U.S. parents said they currently feel organized for the start of the new school year, and a mere 10% of parents said they remain organized throughout the entire school year.

Brainly advises creating a plan for before and after school for your kids and yourself and sticking to it. Routines are important for everyone.

Organization For Back To School:

Helping Your Teen Practice Sensible Internet Use This Summer

The summer break is a good opportunity for teens to unwind and relax after a tough year of school,
and a welcome break from all the high school angst that they deal with. But it’s easy enough for you
teen to spend too much time relaxing and choosing to spend all day online instead of going outside
or making other plans. Finding a balance is important, and it could be time for you to step in and make
sure they remember to live in the real world.

If you want to help your teen practice sensible internet use this summer, take a look at the following
tips.

Image Credit: Unsplash under Creative Commons

Give them some chores to do

While the summer break is a time for teens to relax, they shouldn’t be allowed to let all of their
responsibilities slide over the next couple of months. Giving your teen some chores to do each
day can help make sure they take a break from the screen while also being helpful in the house.
You could even withhold the wifi password until you know they’ve done everything they need to
do - it might seem harsh, but it’s a good way to teach them some responsibility.

Help them get out of the house

If your teen is out of the house, they’re less likely to be spending all of their time online. The summer
is a good time to take a break from education, but they might want to still think about their future.
Helping your kids find volunteering opportunities can be a great way of getting them some useful
work experience that could benefit them in the future. It can also help to teach them some
responsibility and show them that there’s more to life than Instagram or Netflix.

Put parental controls in place

Sometimes your teen will need a helping hand to use the internet safely. Having parental controls
in place is a good idea to help your teen avoid any dangerous content online. You can also
safeguard your kids with Family Orbit, a tracking app that can help you monitor their online activities.
Some teens find it difficult to open up to their parents about what’s going on in their lives, so having
this added protection can alert you to any issues they might not have told you about.

Set a good example yourself

Are you guilty of using your phone or laptop too much in the evenings? Perhaps it’s time that you set
a better example. If your kids see you using your phone constantly, they’ll grow up thinking this
behavior is normal. Try avoiding your phone between certain times of the day, and if you’re all
having dinner or watching a movie - agree that everyone puts their phones away. It can be fun for
you all to have a digital detox together, and focus on spending better quality time together as a family.

The internet is a great thing, but it can easily become addictive for teens. Put solid rules in place
and help your teen practice sensible internet use so that you know that they’re safe when they
go online.

Barnes & Noble Names Books for Summer Kids’ Book Hangout® - AUGUST 10th

Stores Nationwide Will Welcome Kids August 10 to Talk Books and Play Games & Activities

All Young Reader Books Will Be 20% Off 2 PM to 5 PM August 10

New York, NY – July 30, 2019 – Barnes & Noble, Inc. (NYSE: BKS), the world’s largest retail bookseller, today announced this summer’s “Kids’ Book Hangout” in stores nationwide on August 10 at 2 PM. The popular seasonal event is a nationwide program for young readers ages eight to 12 to experience the joy of reading as they discover and talk about books while playing fun games and activities. The Kids’ Book Hangout will highlight four exciting titles, giveaways and promotions, while supplies last. Kids do not need to have read the featured books, but should come ready to find out about new characters, stories and genres.

“Summer is a great time for kids to explore new books and genres, and we’ve designed our summer Kids’ Book Hangout for exactly that purpose,” said Stephanie Fryling, Vice President of Merchandising, Children’s Books at Barnes & Noble. “With four books full of adventure and mystery, young readers will be transported to new and exciting worlds at this summer’s Kids’ Book Hangout.”

Barnes & Noble has teamed up with Disney Publishing to highlight five unique books for young readers across genres and reading stages. With these titles, young readers can travel all over the world—and universe—through these exciting adventures:

• The Isle of the Lost (Descendants Series #1), by Melissa de la Cruz
  Twenty years ago, all the evil villains were banished from the kingdom of Auradon to the Isle of the Lost - a dark and dreary place protected by a force field that makes it impossible for them to leave. But when four kids raised on the island go on a quest, they begin to realize that just because you come from an evil family tree, being good ain't so bad.

• Serafina and the Black Cloak (Serafina Series #1) by Robert Beatty
  A brave and unusual girl named Serafina lives secretly in the basement of the grand Biltmore Estate amidst the splendor of the Gilded Age. Serafina's Pa, the estate's maintenance man, has warned her to keep herself hidden from the fancy folk who live on the floors above, but when children at the estate start disappearing, Serafina and her friend Braeden Vanderbilt must work together to solve a dark and dangerous mystery.

• Shipwreckers: The Curse of the Cursed Temple of Curses - or - We Nearly Died. A Lot, by Scott Peterson and Joshua Pruett
  When Dani and her big brother, Mike, find themselves aboard the ill-fated river expedition of careless adventurer, Captain Kevin, they must work together to save themselves and the captain from all manner of deadly trials and traps.

• Twinchantment (Twinchantment Series #1), by Elise Allen
  Princesses Flissa and Sara are even closer than most twins. In fact, most of the kingdom thinks they're the same person. But, with a case of mistaken identity, a wickedly powerful exile out for vengeance, and time running out for their mother, the twins might just need to make their own magic to save the day. 

During the Kids’ Book Hangout, Barnes & Noble booksellers will host activities related to the books, as well as give participants book-related giveaways to take home, while supplies last. Barnes & Noble will also make all Young Reader books 20% off from 2 PM to 5 PM on August 10, including chapter books, graphic novels, fiction and nonfiction. In addition, Barnes & Noble Cafés will be offering a free Mott’s® juice and cheese stick with any Café purchase. 

The Kids’ Book Hangout is held seasonally and adds to Barnes & Noble’s other offerings for young readers, including the Kids’ Club and weekly, nationwide Storytimes. Customers can sign up for the event and find out more on BN.com.

They can also join the conversation on Twitter, Instagram, Pinterest, Snapchat (bnsnaps) and Facebook, using hashtag #BNHangout.