Issue Date: March 12, 2006
Whassup with IM?
Nothin :-)
Concerned about your child's instant messaging? Take heart: A study led by Cynthia Lewis, a University of Minnesota professor of literacy education, concludes that IM'ing actually bolsters communication skills.
Lewis found that teens engaged in this "digital literacy" must think about the subject and tone of each message and use different styles for different friends.
Tips for parents from psychologist Susan Bartell:
Recognize that IM'ing is a significant part of kids' lives. Don't forbid it, except in extreme cases.
If your child is on top of schoolwork and engaged in other activities, he probably doesn't need much monitoring. But limit younger teens' IM'ing as you would their TV viewing and computer games.
Use IM'ing to communicate with your child. You'll be surprised how much she'll chat with you.
If your teen spends all his time IM'ing, look for signs of depression. Depressed teens may be unmotivated to engage in social activities that require more effort.
COMING SOON: Look for "A parent's guide to blogging" in an upcoming ParentSmart column.
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Homeowner scams
Spring is the season for sprucing up the home -- inside and out. If you need hired help, you'll want to find a reputable contractor, be sure you're not overspending, and avoid scams. Be wary if a business calls or stops by your home saying, "We've done work in your neighborhood before." Good contractors don't need to make cold calls.
Other scenarios that raise red flags:
DRIVEWAY: A contractor says he has leftover materials from repaving another drive and will charge you only the cost of labor to do yours, too. Later, when the work is finished, he raises the price. Tip: Always get a written contract that includes who, what, where, when and how much.
ROOF: A contractor offers a low price to replace your shingles, but he may be cutting corners by using substandard materials. Tip: Do some research at builderonline.com. Its "Product Guide," which rates builders' favorite brands, can help you better assess the bid. Also, make sure the materials come with manufacturers' warranties.
CHIMNEY: After a quick "inspection," a contractor warns of carbon monoxide dangers from a defective chimney. Scare tactics and pressuring you for an immediate response are common scams. Tip: Don't cave. Ask for references, then be sure to call them. Check with the Better Business Bureau and resources such as Angie's List (angieslist.com), which lets homeowners rate service providers in more than 30 cities, including New York City later this month.
Sharon Epperson is CNBC's personal finance correspondent.
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Plant an extra row to feed the hungry
Many of America's 70 million gardeners grow more fruits and vegetables than they can consume. If all gardeners planted just one more row of vegetables and donated the surplus to the needy, they could help eradicate hunger in this country.
Plant A Row (PAR) was started in 1995 when a garden writer invited readers to plant one extra row of vegetables in their gardens for those in need. There has been a bumper crop of responses: In 2005 alone, 1.4 million pounds of home-grown produce was donated to food banks and shelters, resulting in meals for more than 5.5 million people.
Plant A Row provides direction and support to volunteers who wish to begin local programs. For information on starting a campaign, finding an existing one or making an in-kind contribution, call 877-492-2727 or e-mail par@gardenwriters.org.
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"Attagirl" has big impact
Struggling through workouts? A little encouragement may be all you need. A study at Pennsylvania's Bloomsburg University found that women who were encouraged with phrases like "way to go" or "good job" felt their workouts were easier.
"When encouraged, participants felt they weren't working as hard when, in fact, their actual rate of exertion was higher," says Joe Andreacci, an exercise scientist at Bloomsburg. "If you work out with a friend and encourage each other, you'll not only work harder, but you'll feel like the workout is easier."
Every bit counts: An extra five minutes on the treadmill or pushing harder to burn a few more calories adds up over time.
Enlist a buddy, and bust the workout rut for both of you.
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