— Ariela Basson/Scary Mommy; Getty Images When a show has been around as long as Top Chef, the fanbase tends to be… passionate. So, when news broke that longtime host Padma Lakshmi was leaving, it wouldn’t have been surprising for people to have ~thoughts~ on her replacement. It was hard to imagine a person who could fill Lakshmi’s shoes in a way that both honored such a beloved predecessor and felt new and fresh — but that’s precisely what Kristen Kish has done. The fan-favorite Season 10 winner slid into the hosting role earlier this year for Season 21, Top...
How To Keep Your Tween Or Teen Gamer Safe From Internet Threats
— Alistair Berg/Getty Images The world of online gaming can be daunting — and downright scary — for parents. How do you know what your tweens or teens are talking about or where they’re hanging out online? And how can you tell if they’ve stumbled into a situation that could potentially be predatory? While your kid could go their entire life without landing on the wrong side of the internet, the reality for parents today is that online gaming safety is something we have to consider. Sure, you keep a watchful eye on your tween or teen’s social media use...
A Parents Guide To Online Gaming Spaces For Teens & Tweens
— Ariela Basson/Scary Mommy; Shutterstock Exuberant cheers are coming from my basement. I hear the teenage verbal equivalent of high-fives (“Let’s go!”) and know that my 13-year-old son and his best friend just won the Battle Royale. If you had said things like “sandbox” and “squad” to me two years ago, I would have thought you were talking about a playground and maybe the cops. But look at me now, the mother of a teenager who has come into possession of an Xbox. (I once called it “the” Xbox and was met with a host of snickers). Playing video games...
Trust In The Digital Age: 6 Tips For Raising Kids Who Listen To Their Instincts
— Tatevosian Yana / Shutterstock I’m pretty sure when my parents talked to me about safety in the early ’90s, they were only thinking about unsafe situations I could encounter when I was away from them, newly navigating my way through the big, uncertain outside world. Once the streetlights came on and I was home, they could rest easy, assuming I was safe. For kids and parents these days, things are a bit more complicated. Kids exploring the online world can find themselves in unsafe situations without ever leaving their rooms. Whether it’s dealing with strangers, encountering harmful content, or...