Homework 2.0

I have a secret that I don't share with many people: while I am immersed in technology for business and social networking, I only introduce technology to my kids on an "as requested" basis. I believe when kids are ready for technology, they will ask for it. Then the first step is to provide safety education. The second step is to set up automatic limits (internet safety software) and time limits (one hour per day). The third step is called "hope", hope the education and limits work.

That being said, I may have gone too far with my waiting game. Gaming consoles and handheld technologies were the first things my kids asked for, and seemed safer because internet access was not included. Access to learning games, iTunes and YouTube were the first online requests.  Now my son is in fourth grade - and his school life has been completely transformed.  He does not like to write, luckily his classroom has a smartboard and laptops. Some homework can be accessed online then emailed back to his teacher. School basics go way beyond a pencil and paper, my son needs a home computer, internet access, digital camera, printer and USB flash drives.

The one task I should not have waited on was typing games.  By the time he is in middle school, most homework will be done on computers. Struggling with cursive may be a thing of the past.

Beth Blecherman is Co-Founder of the Silicon Valley Moms Group and has a personal blog on technology & parenting called "Techmamas.com".