Kristin Hill Taylor

Seeking God as the Author of Every Story

Tale of a teenager with a cell

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I’ve long told Cate, who turned 14 last week, she could get an old-school flip phone when she turned 16. Well, I changed my mind. After much discussion and thought, Greg and I gifted her with a Gabb Wireless phone for her birthday. 

When I thought about my concerns about handing my teenage daughter a smartphone, social media is the biggest no-no. I know, ironic, I blog and post on social media. Most days, I love social media. But I’m thankful I didn’t have to navigate middle school, high school, and college with social media. 

There were some reasons I wasn’t opposed to thinking about getting a phone for a teenager. I want to teach Cate phone etiquette and give her an opportunity to connect with her friends. I want to be able to contact her if I’m not with her. 

All of that’s why Gabb Wireless is the right fit for us right now. Gabb sells one phone that looks like a smartphone, but there are no social media apps or games. Cate can text and call her friends, take pictures, listen to music, set an alarm, and keep a calendar. I like that she can be more connected without being tempted by lots of other options on a more expensive phone. 

Cate’s review of the phone: She likes that she can text her friends even if she isn’t connected to the WiFi at home and listen to her favorite songs we loaded on using a mini SD card. She does wish the photo quality was better and would like a notes app. 

We have some boundaries in place already. The phone charges in the kitchen, is turned off at night, and isn’t really out when friends are over. Of course, my girl also has been reminded having a phone of any kind is a privilege and not a right. 

Meanwhile, I’m constantly re-learning how parenting is full of seasons that require new decisions and adjustments. Having an age requirement to have a phone, even a basic phone, isn’t as important as knowing the child and having witnessed responsibility and good decision making. So, here I am ready to see where motherhood takes me next. 

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This isn’t a sponsored post and nobody asked me to share my opinions on this product. This is just one mom to others about what is working for us. Of course, if you like the idea of a Gabb Wireless, I can save you $30 when you purchase the phone. Just use 2702936829 as the promo code at check out.  

Vooks improves screen time

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My youngest child has a vivid imagination, loves books, and somehow already knows how to work all the technology! Vooks is is a collection of virtual books that incorporates so many things my girl already loves. 

Vooks is a streaming library of ad-free, kid-safe animated storybooks, trusted by teachers and enjoyed by millions of children around the world. The titles can be streamed or downloaded. Each virtual book has printable lesson plans, activities, discussion topics, and additional resources related to the story. As a mom, I was truly impressed with the amount of content and resources available beyond each animated storybook. The service is $4.99 per month. 

With Vooks, kids are reading, strengthening their vocabulary, and learning about lots of different subjects. This is a productive use of screen time and fosters independent learning. That’s a win-win for parents and their kids. New titles are added weekly. 

My 5-year-old Rachel is looking forward to kindergarten in August had a fun time scrolling through all the Vooks choices. Of course, her first choice was a story about a unicorn and a horse. She later learned more about earth and loved seeing different animals. I haven’t printed any coloring sheets yet, but she’s pumped about that being an option. 

Rachel used Vooks on both my laptop and Kindle. I wish there was an app for the Kindle because using the browser on that device wasn’t the most convenient. I did download an app for my iPhone that is easy to use. I’m looking forward to streaming the virtual books from my phone to the TV when I want to offer an alternative to watching television shows. 

As a mom, I love when technology incorporates readings and learning so I don’t feel guilty for using screens to give myself a little quiet and a chance to regroup from noisy life. Generally, we limit screens — the bigger television, smaller Kindles, and personal phones — but Vooks is a great addition to how we use devices in our home. 

You can try Vooks free for 30 days! Go to VOOKS to sign up! I’d love to hear what you think about this modern take on books. 

Giveaway

One of you will receive a year-long subscription to Vooks! Use the Rafflecopter widget below for entries. You’ll see that following @vooks on Instagram or Facebook is one of the required entries. Rafflecopter will randomly choose a winner on Wednesday, April 28. 

Enter giveaway here!

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Many thanks to Vooks for providing me with a free year-long subscription to review and being willing to provide another year-long subscription for me to give away to one of you. Opinions are 100 percent my own and not influenced by monetary compensation. #VooksMIN #MomentumInfluencerNetwork #vooks #betterscreentime #vookspartner

Hope at home with Dolphin Island

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We were at home a lot in February, thanks to sickness, quarantine, and winter weather. We had school-at-home days for my kids, who are 13, 11, and 5. We pulled out toys the kids hadn’t seen in a while. We scrolled all the streaming services for something new to watch.

And we were thankful for a family-friendly movie I got to screen from the comfort of our couch. My husband, mother-in-law, and I may have liked it more than the kids, but we also were glad for some clean entertainment to share with the youngsters in the house.

“Dolphin Island” is a heartwarming feature film about 14-year-old Annabel who lives with her fisherman grandfather on an island paradise. They operate a nonprofit marine research and conservation center. She is surrounded by an extended family of loving but quirky neighbors and her best friend, a dolphin named Mitzy. Everything changes when her maternal grandparents arrive with a shifty lawyer to bring her back to New York. Annabel and her friends navigate these circumstances to prove that love conquers all.

My kids all reacted like anyone who knows them would expect: Rachel, who is 5, talked about how much she likes dolphins and asked about going to the beach. The 11-year-old Ben liked the action that came with the pirate-like barrister, which of course we had to define as an attorney for him. Cate, the resident teenager, wasn’t so sure about an inspirational film, but she periodically made comments about the main character.

About the movie

This 91-minute movie is available on digital HD on most video-on-demand platforms starting today (March 2). It’s a sweet movie with some adventure mixed in is a good choice for families who want to watch a new movie from the comfort and safety of their own home.

Learn more at IMDB.com and the movie’s website, which includes additional resources such as a downloadable family discussion guide to spark meaningful conversations about courage, forgiveness, and faith. You can also watch the trailer on YouTube. It’s also available to buy or rent at Amazon.

Giveaway

One of you can receive a free digital code for unlimited access to this movie! This giveaway is open to North American residents. Use the Rafflecopter widget below to enter to win through Monday, March 8. I’ll announce a winner the following day.

Enter Dolphin Island giveaway here!

PLUS there’s an additional opportunity to win VIP access to “Dolphin Island” directly from the filmmakers. (Enter that giveaway here!) AND everyone who enters my giveaway with an email address will get a screen link to watch the movie.

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Many thanks to Entertainment Squad for providing this screener link for my family to review the movie. Opinions are 100 percent our own and not influenced by monetary compensation. I did receive the screen link and digital access to the movie in exchange for this review and post.