A study conducted by the NYU Child Study Center estimates that 59 percent of girls from grades 5-12 are dissatisfied with their body shape. Among the same group of girls, 47 percent felt they needed to lose weight so they could look as good as the models in magazines. By age 15, girls are twice as likely as boys to become depressed. These statistics are sobering.

It's vital for a young girl to know she is beautiful and talented no matter what. The changes she is going through are normal and natural. Fortunately, there are many subtle ways to help boost her self-esteem.

Educate her

Around the ages of 8 or 9 may be an excellent time to start talking to her about puberty. Knowledge is power and starting young is the best, according to kidshealth.org. It's not uncommon for girls to begin puberty around this time. If they know what to expect, you can head off self-esteem issues before they get serious. For more mature girls, talking to them about relationships with other girls, boys, and teachers, is also a helpful way to learn more about how to help them when they're having issues.

Show by example

It's important your daughter knows you have strong self-esteem. If you're constantly berating yourself or other people about how they look, it can have a negative effect on her. A self-confident parent can do wonders for a daughter's self-esteem and help her to feel good about herself. This can set her up for strong self-worth and confidence to handle the more difficult times in her life.

Show by love

Even in times when you're both ready to tear each other's heads off, you can show love; through a hug, smile, and the three little words, "I love you." When times are tough, be there for her. If she wants to talk, let her. If not, write her a note telling her you care. Sometimes, taking her shopping for a new summer or school outfit can help her feel better. The key is to boost her self-esteem, but not go overboard. When one of my daughters has a bad day or she feels ugly, we go eat ice cream. Sometimes she wants to talk. Other times, she doesn't. However, just being a shoulder to cry on can be all she needs.

Show her reality

Magazines usually show a stick-thin model looking flawless with no fat on her body, and perfect skin. There is a plethora of "role models" out there vying for your daughter's attention. It's up to you, as a parent, to give your daughter the real scoop. A model looks perfect because she has 10 experts and designers working on her. They airbrush flaws in her appearance. They apply large amounts of makeup to hide imperfections, and dress her in expensive clothes. The point is, tell her no one is perfect. Fashion models go home and deal with many of the same issues as other girls. The important thing for your daughter to learn is that beauty really comes from inside. A girl with virtue, integrity, individual worth, kindness, and who is service-oriented is not only beautiful inside, but precious in the eyes of everyone around her.

Involve Dad or other male role model

Girls need to hear from their fathers that they have worth. It's vital that they play a role in boosting their daughter's self-esteem by praising her accomplishments. Having a fun "daddy-daughter" date is a great way for a relationship to flourish. If there is no father around, a grandfather, uncle, or other male role model can help her feel self-confident and sure of herself.

Let girls fail

We all want our daughters to succeed. However, achieving too much with little effort can go to their head. Having self-esteem doesn't mean getting everything you want through pouting. Let them try many things, but don't coddle them if they're not perfect at everything. Sometimes, failure is inevitable. Yet through failure, growth happens, and she is better for the experience.

Self-esteem comes in all forms. Knowing how to help your daughter when her own self-worth is waning can help build trust and love which can develop into a lasting and healthy relationship.

The post I’m not perfect. I’m me and that’s perfect: Subtle ways to help your daughter boost self-esteem appeared first on FamilyToday.

Here are some tips to help teach them about accountability.

Start with the basics

Children's brains are developing. Because they haven't yet had real-world experiences, their definition of right and wrong may not be fully developed. Having a short lesson on right and wrong and the consequences - either forced or natural - is a good start. Sometimes, role-playing can help internalize the lesson better. Creating a scenario where kids can act out a situation can help them feel safe and yet teach them a valuable lesson.

Start when they're young

Little kids can learn accountability. Teach your kids that when they're responsible for something, it means they are accountable for it. If she has a favorite doll, it's her responsibility to ensure the doll is taken care of; not left on the floor where the dog can use it as a rag doll to throw around. Let her know that if she doesn't take care of it, there are consequences. If she fights with her little brother and pushes him down, she is responsible for her actions. If she knows there will be a consequence, she will learn not to do it again.

Give them consequences

Again, let him know that if he doesn't take care for his new fish, it will die. That may seem harsh, but it's a natural consequence. Teaching him that lesson before he gets the fish will help him put it into action. If you set the ground rules about owning a pet, he will take it seriously.

Set clear expectations

If the rule in your home includes not saying, "Shut up," set that rule and the consequences attached to it if the rule is broken. If she has a chore that isn't finished by the time she wants to go to the mall, remind her of the consequence. Then, stick to it.

Be consistent

Don't allow exceptions to the rule, unless it's very rare. If you're not consistent, he won't take his responsibility seriously. This can set him up for problems with a future boss, professor at school or a future spouse.

Don't bail them out

You love your kids. It's only natural to want to bail them out when they've made a mistake. However, doing so will only teach them that it's OK not following through with their responsibility because someone will bail them out. If the consequences are serious, it will be painful to watch that happen. However, it's also necessary for their learning and growth.

Set a good example

If he sees you following through with your own responsibilities and being accountable for your words and actions, he will mimic those actions. It's also a good idea to let him see when you've made a mistake then corrected it. That's a perfect time to use "teaching moments." When I've made a mistake, my kids knew about it. Sometimes they laughed and ridiculed me about it, but they saw that Mom wasn't perfect. It was also a time when I used teaching moments to say, "Don't do this."

Teaching kids accountability will help them live a moral life. When they have their own kids, these lessons will have a ripple effect that can last a lifetime.

The post Behind every broken window is a lesson learned: How to teach your kids accountability appeared first on FamilyToday.

Here are 15 tips to help parents with this transitioning time in a young adult's life.

Treat him like an adult

He's no longer a kid and is doing more important things such as going to college and working. He's not an adult and shouldn't be treated like one. He needs to feel like he can act his age and still have his independence.

Let her have her own rules

As a parent, this was the toughest thing for me to accept with my own 19-year-old daughter. If your son or daughter lives at home, let him set his own rules. This doesn't mean she can decide to just not do anything. It does mean giving her a chance to exert her independence by acting like the adult she is by controlling chores, curfew, and homework herself.

Keep him involved in the family

Young adults live their own lives, but because they still live at home, it's a wise idea to still include them in family events. He may have other plans, but it shows him that he's still part of the family.

Give her chores

If she lives at home, she's still part of your family, which means she has a room, uses the bathroom, eats in the kitchen and watches TV. Because of this, she should still be given chores. Sitting down and talking to her about her school or work schedule is a good idea, so you both know what she can realistically accomplish without overburdening her.

Encourage him

It doesn't matter why he's home, but praising him for a good work ethic or when he makes good choices is vital to his growth. Encouraging his progression into adulthood is a great way to instill self-confidence and self-esteem for when he does venture out on his own.

Don't let her take control

You are still the parent. If you don't want a bunch of college kids over until one or two in the morning, let her know. If she's at home, ensure that she has a job or is attending college and not just free-loading.

Don't allow him to be lazy

It is very tempting for a young adult to just not do anything - to just live it up on their parent's dime. However, you need to set the expectation right from the start that he will not be doing that in your home.

Loosen the apron strings

One day, she will be gone, but trying to keep her home because you want to control the apron strings can be detrimental to her growth. Your job, as a parent, is to raise her right and then let her fly off to create a new life - away from home.

Let him buy his own clothes and supplies

If he has a job, there's no reason why he can't buy his own things. If he was living on his own, he would have to purchase clothing, food, school supplies and other necessities. So, let him be responsible for them.

Charge her rent

This is a touchy subject. On one hand, you want her to be on her own, living her own life. On the other hand, it's nice to have her home too. If a situation arises, such as she's not going to school, then this might be a perfect time for you to give her an ultimatum, according to Livestrong.com. Go to school and live at home free, or pay rent. If she isn't doing either, it might be time for her to move out.

Give him a deadline

If he has no desire to move out, it might be a good idea to set a deadline. After all, the goal is to help him be independent. Have him set a time when he is able to support himself, and when that time comes, stick to it.

Set limits

If she is using the family car, set time limits on when and for what reason she can use the car. If she has a job, ensure she helps pay the gas and maintenance on the vehicle.

Be patient

If your young adult is over 21 and still living at home, you may be ready to tear your hair out. Be patient. If you allow him to transition from being a kid to an adult at his own pace, he will be more ready to tackle the real world. Just don't let him stay for a long period of time.

Help guide her

If she hasn't moved out, maybe she just needs a friendly nudge. Talk to her about her fears and help alleviate some of them. Assure her that taking this step is the best thing for her.

Let him fly

If he's still living with you when he's 25, then maybe you, as the parent, should cut the strings and let him fly. If he is allowed to stay under your wing, he may never want to leave the nest. A gentle nudge from the tree may be the only way to get him out on his own.

The post 15 tips for parenting young adults at home appeared first on FamilyToday.

College is a time in a young adult's life that is filled with learning and experience. It's a good idea to prepare well ahead of their first day as a college freshman.

My daughter is almost done with her first year in college. We started preparing her long before she stepped foot on campus. Still, there things we didn't expect or foresee. Here are some tips to help your child prepare, so your child's college years turn out to be fun and rewarding.

Attend SEOP's

This very important meeting, which starts in 8th grade with his school counselor, is a great first step. Among the planning for the next four years, a last meeting at the beginning of his senior year will set him up for graduation in terms of:

• Goal planning for the year.

• College information, including scholarships, grants, financial aid, and course requirements.

• Online information regarding degree requirements and other useful information.

• Grade observance.

• Help with questions and concerns.

Having this valuable information will help him accomplish goals, so he can meet the requirements for high school graduation.

Choose classes based on interests

Visit college campuses

Depending on where he wants to attend college, this is a great time to see the campus, as well as talk to an admissions representative who can give you a tour and answer any questions. Plus, it helps to get familiar with the area if he intends to take classes there. If it's far from your hometown, ensure you take enough time to acquaint yourself and him with the area around campus, including dorm information and off-campus housing. Knowing the financial expectations for housing options will help in decision-making.

Prepare for scholarships

Because of an increase in college applications, it's difficult to obtain a scholarship. However, college admissions will award a scholarship to an individual who works hard and shows it. If she wants a scholarship, she needs more than just good grades. Colleges are looking for a well-rounded student who not only has the grades, but can show leadership, service, and intelligence. Doing volunteer work in the community is a great start. If she wants challenging classes, there are AP college classes as well as honor classes. Just be aware that doing too much can cause overload. In my son's junior year, he took AP psychology, chemistry, physics, and early morning seminary for our church. It ended up being too overwhelming.

Plan ahead for financial aid

Your son worked hard, but it wasn't enough to get a scholarship. A grant was out of range. Now, it's time to plan for the expense of attending college. My daughter had great grades and challenging classes, but the lack of volunteer service took her out of the running for a scholarship. At that point, we had to plan how we were going to pay for college. For many students, the availability of financial aid is the deciding factor in whether or not they will be able to attend college. Don't leave this application process until the last minute. Also, be sure your student understands this is a loan, which will defer until the student is no longer enrolled in school or graduates. While they need not worry about paying this loan for an extended time, this is not free money. They can expect a repayment plan as soon as they complete their college courses.

Utilizing these tips will go a long way in preparing her for the next phase of her life. Also, they will help you, as the parent, to provide the best head start possible.

This article was originally published on FamilyShare.com. Check out these other related articles: How to help your child prepare for college, Should my child pay for college? and Preparing your teens for college: It's never too early to think about college.

The post Are you prepared for college? appeared first on FamilyToday.

Alas, there is hope in the guise of valuable tips that can help you overcome family tardiness and create and foster healthier relationships as result. Changing some key things can really make a difference.

Fast-forward your clock

If you are consistently five or so minutes late, fast-forwarding all of your clocks five minutes ahead will have you arriving on time. If kids have a bad habit of missing the bus because they just missed it by a few minutes, this can really be helpful. Also, five minutes can make the difference of walking out the door, rushed, but then forgetting something and being late. This one tip helped our family immensely. Kids were on time to school and hubby was never late to work.

Give yourself extra time

Another tip to changing tardiness habits is to give yourself extra time. If the party is at 6 p.m. and it's 20 minutes away, leave at 5:30, giving you an extra 10 minutes. This allows for traffic delays or other unforeseen circumstances you may get tangled up in. You can save yourself a lot of worry and anxiety over being late if you allow for that extra time.

Prepare ahead of time

There are some places you just can't arrive late. You have to be on time to the airport, or you will miss your flight. Preparing ahead of time ensures you will get there with plenty of time to spare. It may seem silly to leave two hours before your flight, but because of new security procedures, it can take upward of an hour or more before you even get to the terminal. This is especially true when you travel internationally. You never know what processing takes place at other airports around the world, so getting there early is paramount to not being stressed.

The day before your flight, check the airlines and make sure your flight is not delayed or cancelled, especially if there's bad weather. Check the traffic that day, and leave extra time in case of special events that could cause traffic congestion. Pack the night before, and leave out your outfit and travel bag. If you have a morning flight, you can leave early, if needed.

Change habits

If the constant tardiness is due to just one person, and that person is you, think about what it could be doing to your family. If your son or daughter is late to band practice because you were late getting them there, it can cause problems with them, their teacher, and their class. If you're habitually late to work, it could create problems with you and your boss and other co-workers. If it seems to be a lazy issue with the whole family, it's time for a family meeting. Sitting down and brainstorming about ideas on how you all can change the habit is a good start.

You may think it only takes three weeks to change a habit for good, but recent studies have stated that's not the case. Psychologist Ian Newby Clark takes a different approach. He states, "What would be the point of having a habit that didn't free up your mind to crunch on more pressing matters?" Habits are meant to be difficult to change." He suggests finding out why you have the habit and then changing it so it still fills the need, but with a different, healthier habit. This may take a few weeks to a few months or longer. The key is to work together to find the best solution for your family. Once the goal is achieved, reward yourselves.

Adopting these tips will hopefully get your family into a better habit of arriving on-time. If you all work together on reminding each other about trying not to be late. Be patient, the habit will change over time and you will be more peaceful in the journey.

The post Are we late again? Tips on overcoming family tardiness appeared first on FamilyToday.

When times are tough, here are a few things to help pull you through.

Prayer

This is the time to really communicate your feelings, fears, and desires of your heart. When life throws you a curve ball, prayer can help bring peace of mind when seemingly nothing else will. It doesn't matter if it's a formal prayer that takes 15 minutes, or a quick one minute prayer on your way to work. He is there and will listen. All you have to do is ask and then open the door to him.

Faith

After your prayer, comes your faith. After you've poured your heart out to your Lord, have faith he will answer you. It may not be what, when or how you expect him to answer, but he will never lead you astray. The question to ask yourself is why does he want me to do this? What lessons does he want me to learn? After being diagnosed with chronic pain syndrome and a balance disorder years later, I struggled to find the meaning behind my challenges. Why did he want me to suffer? Was I meant to have pain all the time? Would it ever go away? For a long time, I couldn't understand why I had to suffer as I did. Then, an interesting thing happened. I recognized I was in control of my healing. I had to accept that for me, inner tension and stress resulted in pain. I had to take a leap of faith and educate myself, knowing that I could overcome this trial and be happy.

Meditation

When days are full of stress and you feel like you're drowning, get away from it all. Even if you only five free minutes, close your eyes and take your mind to a place you love, that makes you feel complete joy. Feel the air, smell the aromas, taste the sweetness, see the beauty, and hear the peaceful sounds. While you do this, take deep breaths in through your nose, while sucking in your stomach, then exhale, through your nose, while drawing out your stomach like a balloon being blown up. Doing this for just five minutes a day can help bring back inner peace and help you feel more calm and relaxed.

Friends

Sometimes, a shoulder to cry on or just a friendly voice may be all that it takes to help you. Friends are wonderful. They never judge you and will always be there when it's needed. If the week has been crappy, call up a friend and go dancing - a wonderful way to relieve stress - or just meet at a diner and have pie and ice cream. You can pay it forward when your friend is struggling.

Music

Listening to a favorite song or group can do wonders for your soul. Music can inspire, uplift, and transform our lives. It tells its own story - one we can relate to that can take us far back in the past or right here, right now. Close your eyes and listen to not only the lyrics, but the instruments, the beat and the beauty. Music truly can be a healing tool.

Pain and suffering is inevitable, but it doesn't have to drown us. Tomorrow is another day, a new beginning, a new fresh start to live, laugh and love.

The post When you feel like you’re drowning in life, don’t worry. Your lifeguard walks on water. appeared first on FamilyToday.

Infectious mononucleosis is caused by a virus

Just like with the cold virus, you can't take an antibiotic and have mono just go away. Treating the symptoms is the only thing you can do until mono goes aways on it's own. Mono is caused by the Epstein-Barr Virus, the same virus that produces chronic fatigue syndrome, and is a member of the herpesvirus family, according to MedicineNet.com.

Mono can be contracted through saliva

This is where it got the famous name, "Kissing Disease." However, if a child drinks out of the same cup as her friend, she can get it just as easily. If a member of your family has the disease, ensure they have their own cup - plastic is best so it can be thrown away. However, thoroughly washing a regular cup will work as well. This also applies to utensils.

The incubation period is 4 to 8 weeks

From the day you start the symptoms, mono can stay in your body upwards of 8 weeks and can be spread. Isolating anything that touches the mouth is key to not spreading the disease. Don't allow young children to kiss anyone on the cheek or put their fingers in their mouths.

Symptoms of mono include

• Sore throat

• Fever

• Swollen lymph nodes

• Fatigue

• Malaise

• Spleen Enlargement (sometimes)

• Inflammation of liver (sometimes)

It's very important to not participate in any vigorous, contact sport while the virus is active and upon recovering. During this time a hit to the spleen (although rare) can cause it to rupture.

Most adults have an antibody against mono

Up to 95 percent of adults ages 35 to 40 carry a mono antibody in their blood. This means that at sometime in their life, they will or have already contracted the virus in the U.S. (Centers for Disease Control and Prevention) The immune system produces antibodies that attack the virus.

Approximately 10 percent of children get mono

Of these children, most do not have symptoms, meaning they could get it and never know. As adults, they will be protected. The typical age of contraction is around 15 to 24 years, hence, the "Kissing Disease." The peak ages are 15 to 17. In children, the virus is usually less severe than in adults.

Blood tests can confirm the virus

If the antibodies are detected in the blood, a specific blood test, called the mono-spot test, can confirm the diagnosis. The Heterophile antibody test, another reliable confirmation of the virus, relies on the immune system that produces antibodies to attack and destroy the virus.

Mono can't be prevented, but it can be stopped from spreading by using excellent hygiene skills and keeping the infected family member away from close contact. One thing to remember is that mono can be reactivated in an individual, so be aware of the signs and symptoms. Sometimes, there are no symptoms, so it can be difficult to completely avoid the virus.

If you or a member of your family contracts mono, the best things are rest, avoidance of sports, plenty of fluids, medications to treat the symptoms, as well as Vitamin C to boost your immune system. After recovery, take things slowly until full health is restored.

The post Kissing it better not suggested: How to deal with mono in your family appeared first on FamilyToday.

Here are some tips to help you process the bad experiences and enjoy the good.

Learn lessons from bad experiences

When I was seventeen, I wasn't paying attention and ran a red light. A truck T-boned me going 50-miles an hour. Luckily, nothing was broken, because I was wearing a seat belt, but my ribs became dislocated. I had a concussion and front and back and bi-lateral whiplash. Because of my stupid mistake, I ended up with consequences that to this day, I still live with. Granted, I learned a very valuable lesson: pay attention! Since then, I have been a very careful driver and have never been in an accident again. Yes, lesson learned the hard way. Still, learning from our mistakes creates growth, particularly when we don't make them anymore.

Enjoy the good experiences

Life is a roller coaster and there may be experiences that test your very will and there are some that you want to cherish and never let go. It's in these times you should focus on the good, instead of the bad. Taking mental notes about what made those experiences good can help you when bad experiences happen, and can maybe even prevent them, if you learned a lesson the first time. I love when a perfect summer day with my family can get me through a cold winter day without them. Being a writer, I love when I have a good experience with an article I have written, or when I hear from readers that I somehow touched them or helped them with a problem.

Some things I have learned about regret may help you with your own experiences or knowledge, also from psychologytoday.com.

• Regret is rarely found in young children younger than seven. Small children relish all of their experiences because they are still oblivious to the world around them. When they get older, their awareness develops and their conscience takes over.

• In order to feel regret, you have to recognize the consequences of what you did or didn't do. Be introspective and patient to know whether an action not taken was a poor choice.

• Most regrets concerning inaction are less bothersome to us. They still upset us, but not as much as the action already taken.

• Regret exists because it is useful. Because we feel guilty and embarrassed by what we did, we learn from our mistakes. We try to undo wrongs done and make better choices in the future.

Remember that all choices create experiences, whether good or bad. Our job is to recognize them for what they are, enjoy the good and learn from the bad. This way, learning fosters growth.

The post Never regret. If it’s good, it’s wonderful. If it’s bad, it’s experience appeared first on FamilyToday.

Involve the kids

Kids want to do something they helped plan. A few years ago, we wanted to get away for Spring Break, but we couldn't take very many days and it had to be inexpensive. We gathered the kids up and had a family meeting. We asked them what would be fun, yet also inexpensive. It took some creativity and brainstorming, but we finally settled on going to Moab, Utah, about four hours south of where we live. I just wanted warmth after a cold winter and the kids wanted an outside adventure with a nice hotel and dinner thrown in. Involving the kids in your vacation planning will get them excited and looking forward to the time.

Encourage your teen to save vacation money

If teenagers have their own money, they feel a little bit more in control of the vacation. When they can pay for their own souvenirs, it can make the experience more memorable.

Let your teen do some of the driving

This is a great time to teach your 16-year-old the rules of the road. Let him drive for an hour or so to give you or your spouse a break. He will love this and it can be a great bonding time.

Let your teen bring a friend

If you only have one child, allowing her to bring someone can bring much peace to the vacation. She will have someone who she can relate to, and chances are, she will be much more friendly and fun to be around. She may even hug you and say "Thanks!" Just remember to set clear rules and keep the parents up-to-date with everything you will be doing.

Plan ahead

Write down everything you think you might need or want to do, as well as where to stay and where to eat. Find and print directions to your stops. When you arrive, you won't be driving all over looking for your stop. Once you have your plan in place, make notes on what to take. It's good to anticipate any kind of weather. Also write down when you would leave and arrive. Once that is in place, you're ready to go.

Expect the unexpected

Things happen, and so even if you don't know what might happen, it's a good idea to plan for the unexpected. Even if you're going to the Bahamas, it still can rain. If it's pouring down rain, hang out at your hotel and go swimming indoors or order in room service and watch some movies together.

Be patient with each other

It's inevitable that someone will not like something and start an argument. Be patient with each other, especially when you're in the car for a long time. Take frequent stops, even if it's just to get out and stretch your legs.

Don't take away their phone or iPod

Yes, you heard right. Why? Because your vacation will turn into the worse vacation ever. Now, that doesn't mean your teens can just tune you out the whole time. We let our kids use them on the drive and in the hotel room. When we were sightseeing, they put them away unless they were taking pictures. Phones were also off limits at meals. Our teens were fine with it and we got what we came for - bonding time.

Vacationing with teens can be fun and memorable, it just takes a little extra planning and compromise. Make the most of it, knowing that these precious years you have with them are drawing to a close.

The post How to enjoy a family vacation with teens appeared first on FamilyToday.

I am a victim of identity theft. I lived in Arizona at the time with three young children, who sometimes forgot to close down the garage. My purse would hang on a hook inside my laundry room, off of the garage and thieves, who had been basically casing my home, came into that room and took my purse. Within twenty-four hours, they had raked up over $10,000 on my credit card. This led to a three-year nightmare of gaining back my identity, not too mention my safety and that of my family.

I learned some things on this nightmare of a journey that unfortunately, I had to learn the hard way.

Lock all of your doors - even when you're home

If I would have kept the door locked from my garage to my home, the thieves wouldn't have been able to get in. Ensure you have deadbolts on every door. Also, keep your garage door down at all times, unless you're working in the garage and need ventilation.

Ensure your credit and debit cards are fraud-protected

Most banks and credit unions have fraud protection, but make sure. Ask what kind of protection they have. We were lucky. As soon as I found out my identity had been stolen, I cancelled all of my cards and contacted my credit card companies and credit bureaus, Equifax, Experian and Transunion to report the fraud. They were quick to act and helped with the process of getting back my identity.

Make copies of everything

Copy your birth certificate, driver's license, social security card and any other important information for proof of identity.

Try and keep your important cards in a not-so-obvious place

This could include a metal card container that kind of looks like a jewelry box, or even a container you would never think of putting your credit cards or license, such as an used tissue package or even a feminine liner wrapper. The key is to be creative.

Report any suspicious activity

Be aware of your neighbors and neighborhood. If you see the same car going up and down your street, several times a day, slowly looking at the homes, it could be a sign someone is casing your neighborhood. It may turn out to be innocent, but you never know. There were construction workers across the street from my house. Because I wasn't aware or didn't think there was a problem, they took advantage of me.

Never give out important identity information online

Unless you can be assured your information will be safe, don't do it. Sometimes it's easier to have companies keep your credit card information, but if they get hacked your identity is at risk. It's best to be safe than sorry. Also, never give out personal information on a social media website. They can sell your information without you even knowing it.

Invest in a shredder

From identitytheft.org, shred all of your old financial documents, pre-approved credit card applications and other credit card receipts. Believe or not, thieves will rummage through garbage cans looking for these documents.

Be careful at ATM's

Thieves have gotten creative. "Shoulder Surfers," can access your pin number just by the way they observe you, so ensure no one is looking over your shoulder or is to the side of you looking at you putting in your pin number. The same goes with phone cards.

Don't let mail pile up

If possible, have checks deposited directly into your bank account, not sent to your home. Also, if you go on vacation, ensure someone you trust picks up your mail every day.

Cancel all old credit cards

If you haven't used your credit card in six months, cancel it. Thieves use these very easily as a prime target.

Since my identity was stolen, I am very careful about protecting my teenagers, especially since they are also prime targets for thieves. Educate them on how to protect themselves.

There are many more things you can do to ensure you and your family's identity is safe. For more information, visit identitytheft.org

The post How to avoid getting your identity stolen appeared first on FamilyToday.