Great websites to check out

Today I have some excellent kid-related websites for you to check out. They are all filled with great information that I know you'll use and enjoy.

www.kids-in-mind.com
This site lists thousands of movies (including the very newest releases), and objectively rates them based on their content. This allows parents to decide for themselves - based on their own family values system - whether or not the movie is appropriate for their children to watch. The movies aren't just "kid" movies either. Most adult movies are included as well.

Movies are assigned a numerical rating (0 - 10) in each of three categories: 1) sex and nudity, 2) violence and gore, and 3) profanity. The higher the numerical rating in a category, the more sex, violence, or profanity you should expect to see. Detailed descriptions of the scenes that contributed to the numerical rating are included as well.

A really nice feature they include for each movie is the section on discussion topics. These range from issues that your children may have questions about, to ideas/lessons/values you may want to discuss with them after watching the movie.

Here's a link to the review on Bedtime Stories, which is currently in theaters. This will give you a good idea how the system works.

www.kidzaustin.com
For parents in the Austin, Texas area, this site will be listed in your Favorites very soon. For the purposes of this site, the Austin area includes Austin, Bastrop, Buda, Cedar Park, Dripping Springs, Georgetown, Pflugerville, and Round Rock.

It includes information on literally everything you could think of related to raising children in our part of the state. It covers camps, indoor activities, outdoor activities, sports, party places and suppliers, great deals, schools, camping spots, links to blogs and articles, and more.

Probably my family's favorite section is the www.kidzeatfreeaustin.com. It lists all the restaurants where your kids can eat for free, by day of the week. Fabulous resource - especially in this wonky economy. There's also a monthly e-newsletter you can sign up for that has very timely news and updates to their standard offerings. We use this ALL the time.

That's it for today! I hope you check out these great sites - I know you'll love 'em!