Simon Law Firm's online newsletter for August 2018
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august 2018
How to Balance Technology Use in Your Family
Anxiety, concern, conflict — parents and teens agree that digital devices are a source of all three of these, according to a study from the USC Annenberg School for Communication and Journalism. The comprehensive study compared digital device usage in the United States and Japan and how they have an impact on family relationships in both countries. “The patterns of daily life have been forever altered by the ubiquity of digital devices,” says Willow Bay, co-author of the study and dean of USC Annenberg College. “Clearly, our always-on media environment is presenting challenges.” So why do we still have these devices on us at all times, and how can we use them more responsibly? USC Annenberg’s study demonstrates that technology isn’t going away any time soon, and learning how to manage its usage is critical. Here are some tips that both parents and teens can learn from. Be the Example The study gave interesting insight into how we perceive our kids’ technology usage and how they perceive ours. It found that most parents think their teens are addicted to their mobile devices. Most parents also felt addicted themselves. Their teens are aware of this — 1 in 3 teens also believes their parents are addicted. Your kids learn from how you spend your time. As the parent, you are the No. 1 example your child has for any behavior. If they see you looking at your phone most of the time
they’re with you, they’ll likely start to do the same.
Set Boundaries One way to set an example is to limit screen time. This could take the form of an after-school “technology free” hour. It’s time that your family spends together without phones, only interacting with each other. Sound hard? Set the timer. Ask your kids how their days were. Try cooking together.
If you feel that you really are addicted and can’t quit your
When Is the Right Age? This is a question that’s kept many parents awake at night. When is the right age for an adolescent to have their own mobile device? There’s a lot to take in. Yes, it can offer some security; you’ll (theoretically) be able to reach your teen at any time, and they can reach out if they are in danger. But there are drawbacks. Phones cause distraction, which doesn’t pan out well for driving or sleep, not to mention homework. Talk with your teen to find out what’s right for them and your family — and not just via text. Keep the conversation going, and you’ll build a stronger relationship, whether you choose to give them a digital device or not.
device on your own, set up firewalls for yourself. Turn on your “do not disturb” signal during the nights and mornings. If you really want to take a break from your device, take a full day away from it, then reflect on how you felt afterward. Trim Your Apps When you open up your phone, does your busy screen overwhelm you? Do you really need that MLB app that you last used two years ago? Start by deleting apps that you no longer use. Then organize your remaining apps into folders. You might also try the same process with contacts, music, photos, and anything taking up space. In his article, “Tips to Declutter Your Phone,” Ryan Reed includes the automation app he swears by, If This Then That. It can link all your apps and services to streamline your life.
–Christopher Simon
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Transportation Safety Tips
PROTECT YOUR CHILDREN DURING THEIR COMMUTE
Kids on the Road
With the school year fast approaching, families are in preparation mode. Parents are busy buying new clothes and school supplies and thinking about the best way to get their kids safely to school. Keeping your child safe on their commute starts with knowing the transportation method that works best for you and the rules that accompany that method. According to the United States Department of Transportation, the school bus is the safest means of transportation to and from school. Buses are built to withstand a hit and distribute the damage throughout the vehicle, keeping its passengers safe and sound. Knowing basic bus safety will help kids be mindful when taking the bus. Before the school year starts, take your children to the bus stop and show them where they should stand when the bus approaches — a minimum of three large steps or 6 feet from the street. Tell your kids about the importance of sitting still and not standing in the bus while it’s in motion. Taking the School Bus
Whether your child is biking, walking, or even skateboarding, it’s vital that they know and follow the rules of the road. All children should practice road safety behavior, such as riding on the right side of the road, wearing helmets, stopping at stop signs, and watching out for cars. Internalizing these habits will help them stay aware of their surroundings when traveling to and from school. When school starts, the roads become even more cluttered than usual. On top of people heading to work, there are large buses making frequent stops, parents rushing to drop their kids off, and young kids biking or walking to school. With the added tension on the road, it’s important to be alert and move cautiously. Slowing down in school zones or around young pedestrians will keep you vigilant and could potentially save lives. Sharing the Road
Teach your kids to be prepared and safe on the road to ensure that they have a healthy and safe school year.
Georgia on My Screen ICONIC SHOWS ANDMOVIES FILMED ACROSS THE STATE
‘Stranger Things’ This Netflix megahit may take place in the fictional town of Hawkins, Indiana, but many of its real-world counterparts are located in the Peace State. The most instantly recognizable landmark is the “Hawkins National Laboratory,” the location fromwhich many of those titular strange things originate. In reality, the lab is an abandoned psychiatric hospital located on Emory University’s Briarcliff campus. And that massive cliff that the bullies try to make Mike jump off of? That’s Bellwood Quarry.
There’s a reason they call Atlanta the Hollywood of the South. Though even Georgia natives often don’t realize it, dozens of iconic shows and movies were (and still are) filmed right here in town. In fact, in 2016, Georgia surpassed California as the state in which most feature films are produced. Here are a few of the most prominent big-name Georgia shows and movies from the past few years.
story to anyone who will listen was placed there for filming on the north side of Chippewa Square. With the light streaming through the trees behind and an odd symmetry to the place, it made the perfect backdrop for Gump’s “Life is like a box of chocolates ...” line. ‘Avengers: Infinity War’ (and a bunch of other Marvel movies) The production of “Avengers: Infinity War,” like many of its Marvel predecessors, was based in Pinewood Studios, but locations all over the city were used in the massive superhero epic that bummed everyone out earlier this year. Though shots of the city were disguised as New York, keen-eyed city natives were able to recognize the bustling Atlanta downtown. One day, during filming, one downtown street was blocked off with cars burning in a massive blaze.
‘Forrest Gump’ Leave it to Savannah to frame one of the most picturesque, iconic, idyllic scenes in all of cinema. The bench from which Forrest rambles on about his
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FINISH THE SUMMER WITH A FAMILY CAMPING ‘TRIP’ Journey to the Great Backyard
WORD SEARCH
Summer is drawing to a close, but there’s still time to make some great memories. Camping trips are a summer staple. Fortunately, you don’t have to drive hours into the mountains to find the perfect campsite. Your backyard is right there waiting for you! Here are a few tips to help your family say farewell to summer with a perfect backyard camping trip. Pack for an authentic experience. Your back door is literally a few yards away, which can be great in the event of an emergency. But if the kids are running in and out of the house all night long, they might end up deciding they’d rather be inside playing video games after only an hour. Be sure to pack everything you would need if you were really going into the woods for the night so no one is tempted to go back inside. This means tents, sleeping bags, flashlights, pajamas, books, binoculars, a compass, water bottles, and a cooler of food with snacks and dinner. Treat this like a “real” camping experience right from the beginning! Figure out the campfire. Don’t have an in-ground fire pit? No worries! You can still enjoy hot dogs and s’mores with a charcoal grill or a store-bought fire pit. If you have enough room in your backyard, you could even try building a bonfire. Just make sure to check your city ordinances and get any necessary permits first. You can find advice for building the perfect campfire at REI.com/learn/expert-advice/campfire-basics.html. Remember: It’s okay to call it a night. For kids, the most exciting part of camping in the backyard is getting to sleep in a tent — that is, until they actually have to sleep. After stargazing, some kids will want to stay up all night whispering and giggling in the tent, and that’s great! But other kids might decide they’d rather sleep inside, and that’s okay too. Your camping trip isn’t a failure because everyone spent the night in their own beds. It’s not about where everyone sleeps; it’s about how much fun your family had together before bedtime. The best part of backyard camping? It doesn’t take a lot of planning. Just grab your gear and your family and hike out into the great backyard.
Par Birdie Driver Green
Stroke HoleInOne PGA Caddie
Swing Putter GolfCart DrivingRange
SummerGrilledHalibut
If you’re tired of grilling hamburgers at this point in the summer, try using your grill for something a little different. This easy halibut recipe is a great change of pace. INGREDIENTS
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4 boneless, skinless halibut fillets, about 5 ounces each 1/4 cup olive oil, plus extra for drizzling
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2 pounds mixed tomatoes, sliced
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1/2 cup hearts of palm, drained Basil leaves, for garnish Kosher salt and black pepper, to taste
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• •
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1 lemon
DIRECTIONS 1.
Lightly oil grill grates and heat grill to medium. 2. Grate 1 teaspoon lemon zest onto halibut fillets. Drizzle with olive oil and season with salt and pepper. 3. Grill halibut, turning just once, for about 5 minutes on each side. 4. In a mixing bowl, combine tomatoes, hearts of palm, juice from lemon, and oil. Season with salt and pepper. 5. Garnish salad with basil. Spoon salad over grilled halibut. Serve.
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After July 1, you will get a ticket for holding a cellphone in your car, even at a stop light! Georgia will be strictly enforcing the new law starting July 1! You can only hold your phone if legally parked, not just stopped in traffic. You must use an earbud or Bluetooth device to use the phone in a car. Be careful out there and stay safe!
i How to Talk to Your Teen About Cellphone Use 1 Keep Your Kids Safe on the Way to School
Georgia on My Screen 2 Summer Grilled Halibut
The Best End-of-Summer Activity 3 Safe Sailing This Hurricane Season 4
Book a Caribbean Cruise
Safe Sailing This Hurricane Season
After last year’s devastating storm season, would-be tropical travelers are undoubtedly hesitant about purchasing those discounted plane tickets to the Caribbean Basin. No one wants to face a possible evacuation during their vacation — or worse, be forced to weather a hurricane at a beachfront resort. If you want the most bang for your buck while enjoying the turquoise waters of the Caribbean this fall, consider booking a cruise. be more magical than a floating hotel room where you fall asleep in one country and wake up in another? This charming mobility is also what makes cruise travel the safest option for visiting the Caribbean and the coast of Mexico this time of year. Safety and Savings Much like resorts and airfare, cruise lines discount their Caribbean fares significantly Cruise-ship travel is a fun and adventurous way to explore any time of year. After all, what could
during peak hurricane season, from August to October. However, unlike a traditional hotel, these massive ships have the luxury of navigating out of a storm’s path with ease. For all their ferocity, hurricanes move slowly across the Atlantic and have relatively predictable trajectories. Meanwhile, modern cruise ships carry the most sophisticated weather-tracking instruments, allowing them to bypass even small storms and inclement weather. Flexibility Is a Must The flipside of this ability to dodge storms is the fact that your ship may not be able to stick to its original itinerary. You may have to anchor at an island you weren’t expecting to or miss out on seeing a port you were supposed to visit. If you have your heart set on seeing a specific location, cruise travel this time of year may not be for you. But if you are simply looking for a safe, affordable vacation to a beautiful region, then it doesn’t much matter which white-sanded beach you wake up to next.
While unpredictable weather will always be a concern for any vacation, the safety and variety cruises offer make them great options for anyone looking for a Caribbean getaway before the holiday season. So if you have a flexible schedule and a healthy sense of adventure, it’s time to call your travel agent, pack your sunscreen and bathing suit, and head to paradise!
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