#tsgsavannah

[tsgbatonrougelouisiana]

HOW TO TALK TO YOUR CHILDREN ABOUT ONLINE BEHAVIOR

Growing up in the digital age requires an entirely new set of rules. Some, as The New York Times recently noted, are created by the very kids who are navigating their way through the virtual world; others are established by parents and the policies set forth by the schools children attend. To help us understand how to set kids up for success in the time of Snapchat, we asked experts at three schools to weigh in on boundary-setting, starting a conversation about social media, and the anxiety children can feel when they must go offline. Here are their recommendations:

Set boundaries. Mandy Miller, the Upper School counselor at The Savannah Country Day School, recommends engaging in ongoing discussions with your child about his or her online activities before issues arise. For example, she suggests talking to your child about which websites, games, and videos are appropriate for them and why. If your child visits a site that’s not on the approved list, have a pre-determined consequence; if he or she asks if a site can be added to the approved list, discuss why it is (or isn’t) a good fit. Miller also advocates a “training wheels” approach to device usage, which lets parents gauge a child’s readiness for a phone with certain capabilities—and lets kids learn and make mistakes from which they can grow.

Serve as a role model. While talking about online etiquette is important, seeing good habits put into practice is invaluable. To that end, the experts at Jackson Hole Classical Academy in Jackson Hole, Wyoming, advise that parents need to model good behavior and set clear guidelines for children to follow. In addition, they caution that children need to be aware that everyone can see what they do online, and recommend talking to kids about what it means to present a public version of yourself on social media.

Discuss the differences between friends and followers. Haley Champion, the Lower School counselor at The Savannah Country Day School, stresses the importance of talking to your child about safety and connecting with people they know—not just trying to increase their number of followers. She also notes that children (and adults) can get caught up in the validation generated from receiving “likes” online, and offers this gentle reminder that social media users of all ages can benefit from: “There is more to us than our accounts, and our self-worth should be derived from the type of person we are in real life.”

Teach kids to consider the source. In an age in which the phrase “fake news” seems to be uttered with increasing frequency, The Savannah Country Day School’s Miller encourages parents to teach older children how to identify real vs. fake or satirical news sources. She suggests making a family game out of scrolling through your newsfeed and guessing whether an article is fake, satire, or legitimate, then checking the articles for signs of legitimacy and awarding points for correct guesses.

Establish time limits, and how to talk about them. Being offline or inaccessible can make children feel like they’re missing out, but it’s important to have rules regarding access to devices. For her Lower School students, Champion sees value in setting boundaries and being firm with time limits from the beginning, without explaining the ins and outs. Meanwhile, Miller recommends coaching older children on how to talk to their peers about why they can’t answer the phone at certain times. “For example, you may encourage your child to say, ‘My mom is so strict. I can only use my phone from 3 p.m. to 5 p.m., and 6:30 p.m. to 7:30 p.m.’” This allows them to save face, assure their peers that they are not ignoring them, and gain empathy from friends, she explains.

Know what your child’s school allows and offers. Different schools have different policies and programs regarding phone usage, and while it’s obviously important to understand the rules and restrictions, it’s also exciting to discover how schools are teaching children about the digital landscape and setting them up for success. For example, Oklahoma City, Oklahoma-based Casady School’s Upper Division students sometimes use their phones for Physics projects or to record a class to enhance their notes. In addition, the school has students who administer and populate several of the school’s social media accounts (students who post on behalf of the school or a sports team must participate in a training session on how to best represent the school online), and Casady has invited speakers to campus to talk to students and parents about digital citizenship and social media.

TSG Tip 197 from Jackson Hole Classical Academy in Jackson Hole, Wyoming; The Savannah Country Day School in Savannah, Georgia; and Casady School in Oklahoma City, Oklahoma.

For more TSG Tips click here! 

Parenting is hard. The Wellness Studio not only understands this but has a passion for walking alongside parents as they do their best to navigate rough waters. The Wellness Studio even has a specific room for Child Therapy. Click here to read more about their offerings and the way they open their doors “each and every day with the goal of helping others seek and sustain a positive quality of life with a holistic and healthy mental well-being.”

BE WELL! 

[tsgsavannahgeorgia]

SCOUT OUT || here's your teaser for tonight's festivities with the #LibertyLineup from @mlizjewelry. These chrysocolla earrings from their newest collection: I've got heart shaped eyes. I just read this about the stone : it is powerful to aid truthful and heartfelt loving communication, and was historically used by the American Indian people, to bring a strengthening and calming energy. Wouldn't that calming energy be a gift you'd love to get or receive? Stop by @mamieruth_mliz eat an @asquadbakeshop sweet and treat yourself! #tsgsavannah #scoutshops #mlizjewelry (at Mamie Ruth I M.Liz Studios and Boutique)

[tsghiltonheadsouthcarolina]

It's over, #SavannahSpeedClassic it's been fun! Here's one final look at our TSG tent and set up. See y'all next weekend for the @hhimotoringfest! 🏁 #tsglowcountry #tsgsavannah #grabaTSG (at Hutchinson Island Race Track)

[satchel-blog]

You know those absolutely beautiful, huge paintings that hang in our new shop?! Meet & greet with the very talented artist and our dear friend Shea Slemmer, @sheaslemmer, on the Scout Guide blog today! @tsgsavannah. #tsgsavannah #localartist #savannahartist #largescale #oilpaint #sheaslemmer http://savannah.thescoutguide.com/blog/

[tsgbatonrougelouisiana]

City Cheat Cheat: Savannah, Georgia

Live oaks, Spanish moss, beautiful architecture, and gracious streets perfect for strolling make Savannah, Georgia, one of our favorite destinations. Adding to the city’s inherent Southern charm is a thriving restaurant scene, shops that will appeal to everyone from the fashion-minded to foodies, impressive art institutions, and nearby beach access. Here, Savannah resident Alison Seeger, who has been transforming furniture for chic clients via her eponymous custom slipcover business for two decades, shares some of her favorite haunts for those considering a getaway to The Hostess City. “Savannah has so much to offer, it was difficult to narrow it down!” Seeger says. From antiques shops to walking tours to where to enjoy cocktails with a view, here are her recommendations:

WHERE TO STAY: The Brice (601 East Bay Street), a boutique hotel located in the downtown historic area, offers complimentary custom bicycles for guests, and the restaurant, Pacci Italian Kitchen + Bar, is delicious. Another great option is The Gastonian (220 East Gaston Street), a boutique B&B located in an Italianate-style mansion in the historic district, steps from Forsyth Park. Nearby, the Mansion on Forsyth Park (700 Drayton Street) offers upscale accommodations and boasts an on-site spa, art gallery, lounge, and two restaurants. For a riverfront experience, consider booking at the Bohemian Hotel (102 West Bay Street), a boutique hotel situated between Bay and River Streets with a lovely view of the Savannah River—especially from their rooftop restaurant and bar.

WHERE TO SHOP: Visit Satchel. (4 East Liberty Street) for custom leather handbags and accessories. (I’m super partial to this spot, because it’s owned by my sister, Elizabeth Seeger. She’s a SCAD graduate and has been in business for 10 years.) The offerings range from leather cuffs and beverage coozies to wallets, clutches, totes, and travel bags. The shop has in-stock merchandise, but you can also design your own piece or place a custom order. My studio is in the rear of the shop, so I get to see all the new leather goodies before they hit the floor!

Foodies will love Smith Brothers (535 East Liberty Street), a fabulous upscale butcher shop that sells local meats, fish, vegetables, bread, assorted prepared items, and has a great wine selection. My personal favorites are the smoked tuna and salmon spreads, pate, and fresh baguettes.

shopSCAD (340 Bull Street) has a rotating assortment of fine art, furniture, and accessories for sale created by SCAD students, faculty, and alums.

Number Four Eleven (411 Whitaker Street) is the go-to spot for monogrammed anything—linens, towels (my favorite), pillows. They also have wonderful home furnishings, accessories, and artwork, including pieces by Savannah artist Jessica O’Neill.

One Fish Two Fish (401 Whitaker Street) carries beautiful coastal home decor and accessories, original artwork—my favorites are the Lowcountry pieces by local Bellamy Murphy—coffee table books, jewelry, and clothing.

The Paris Market (36 West Broughton Street) has unique offerings with equally unique displays. Their seasonal window designs are fabulous! Stop by to peruse their vintage crystal chandeliers, candles, vintage China and glassware, specimen seashells, and large-scale original artwork by local artist Shea Slemmer.

For one-of-a-kind jewelry creations, go to Zia (325 West Broughton Street). I love their gold wire and semi-precious stone earrings and bracelets, and their gold and turquoise cuffs.

Clutter (714 Mall Boulevard) offers a curated, hand-selected assortment of consigned furniture, home accessories, and art. The offerings come and go quickly, so it’s a different shop every time I go in. Many items in my own home have come from here; I bought a jewel toned-striped wing chair for my bedroom and slipcovered it in white denim, and my favorite purchases include a hexagonal-shaped Indian side table with mother-of-pearl inlay, a seashell-encrusted five-arm chandelier, and a pair of Egyptian King Tut stacking stools.

If you are a fan of fabric, stop by Sherry’s Honey Pot Fabrics (7901 Waters Avenue). They have a fabulous selection of designer fabrics and trims, with many bolts on site for ready-to-cut yardage, as well as a huge selection of custom order offerings. I love sifting through the stacks of high-end remnants, some of which are only big enough for a single pillow.

Find various antique dealers in different rooms selling furnishings, jewelry, linens, and more at 37th @ Abercorn Antiques (201 East 37th Street), located in a mansion in the Victorian district. I recently found a gold and crystal Venetian chandelier for the dining area of my new apartment here.

At Habersham Antiques (2502 Habersham Street), dealer booths are situated in an old meatpacking facility where you can hunt for antiques, vintage clothing, lighting, silver trays, and vintage linens. Some of my favorite finds include an antique camelback sofa that I slipcovered in white denim and an antique mirror with an ornate, white-painted frame.

Alex Raskin Antiques (411 Bull Street) offers three floors of antiques, large and small, in an un-restored mansion in Historic Downtown. Shopping here is an adventure, and even if you aren’t looking for anything in particular, it’s worth a visit. When I go, I’m usually on the lookout for carved gold-gilt picture frames with lots of patina and anything bamboo.

WHERE TO EAT: Circa 1875 (48 Whitaker Street) is a French bistro with a cozy bar and a stellar wine selection. Try the steamed mussels, Coquilles St. Jacques, and the burger—with a side of truffle fries.

For contemporary Southern fare, go to The Grey (109 Martin Luther King Jr. Boulevard), located in a renovated Greyhound bus station. I like to sit at the front bar and order several different varieties of raw oysters on the half shell with a crisp cold beer or champagne.

The Florence (1 West Victory Drive) has delicious Italian dishes and a great wine list. The restaurant is in a former ice factory, and on Sundays they show movies as part of their “Rooftop Reels” series. The summer showcase was James Bond, and it was fabulous!

If you’re in the mood for innovative Southern fare in a lively atmosphere, Cotton & Rye (1801 Habersham Street) is an excellent choice. My favorite items on the menu are the beets salad, mussels with grilled bread, pork shank, succotash, and macaroni and cheese.

If you’re seeking a bustling cafe, try The Collins Quarter (151 Bull Street), where the owner and staff make you feel like family. Sit inside the bright and airy interior or outside under an umbrella. My usual order is the Eggs Benedict over house-cured salmon, with a glass of champagne or a sake Bloody Mary followed by a latte or spiced lavender mocha. And maybe an affogato to share for dessert….

For a low-key meal, pay a visit to pizza joint Vinnie Van Go Go’s (317 West Bryan Street) and sit inside or outside. The ingredients are fresh, the crust is thin, and you can order an entire pizza or by the slice.

While you might have to stand in line on the weekends, if you’re craving real-deal Mexican fare, Tequila’s Town (109 Whitaker Street) is worth the wait. They serve Tex-Mex favorites as well as items usually only seen South of the border. Go for the delicious frozen margaritas, warm tortilla chips with fresh red and green salsas, fresh guacamole prepared right at your table, and Molcajete (a lava rock bowl filled with grilled asada steak, chicken, shrimp, onions, and peppers simmered in ranchero sauce and topped with melted Oaxaca cheese).

Drive or arrive by boat to The Wyld Dock Bar (2740 Livingston Avenue), a waterside, open-air restaurant and bar that offers dockside seating under umbrellas and shade sails. You may even see a dolphin or two in the water as you enjoy ocean-inspired dishes like shrimp ceviche and fish tacos.

WHERE TO HAVE A DRINK: Grab a cocktail and enjoy breathtaking views of the Savannah River at the Top Deck Bar located at the Cotton Sail Hotel (125 West River Street). While you’re there, take advantage of the tapas-style eats.

WHERE TO EXPLORE: Savannah is so rich in history and culture, consider taking a trolley tour—or, if the weather is nice and you have a bit more time, a guided walking tour—to take it all in. I recommend contacting Jonathan at Architectural Savannah to arrange a sightseeing trip.

If you’re interested in an art-focused excursion, the SCAD Museum of Art (601 Turner Boulevard) features art, photography, and other mixed mediums. Currently I’m planning to visit to see “Refined Irreverence,” which is focused on fashion icon Carolina Herrera. The contemporary Jepson Center for the Arts (207 West York Street) has wonderful rotating exhibits as well. Right now “Elvis at 21,” a photographic exhibit by Alfred Wertheimer, is on display.

Watch the waves roll in from the Atlantic on Tybee Island, just 20 minutes from downtown Savannah. I like to grab a chicken salad from Chu’s and then head to any public access boardwalk to the beach to have lunch with my toes in the sand. In addition to the beach, my favorite Tybee destinations are the Tybee Island Social Club (1311 Butler Avenue, Tybee Island), the Tybee Island Fish Camp (106 South Campbell Avenue, Tybee Island), The Breakfast Club (1500 Butler Avenue, Tybee Island), and the Seaside Sisters gift shop (1207 Highway 80 East, Tybee Island).

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[tsgsavannahgeorgia]

SCOYT SWEETS || @elyrooney gets me with these beautiful, handpainted flamingo cookies Perfect for a welcome the flock bridal or baby shower! #tsgsavannah #eatlocal #scoutsweet #decolorescookiesymas

[tsgsavannahgeorgia]

SCOUT SUNSET || gorgeous view from the bar at Pearl's Saltwater Grille after celebrating with @paprikasouthern at @cohensretreat tonight. Happy to see my people: @flourishcollaborative, @cme_art_life, @cluttersavannahshop & @galerie124! A perfect end to a wonderful Friday! #tsgsavannah #eatlocal #savannahsunset #marshview (at Pearl's Saltwater Grille)

[tsgsavannahgeorgia]

SCOUT STAYS || can't recommend the @21chotels Durham enough. I loved the attentive service, the fun fuschia penguins and the amazing art collection. Great scouting @thescoutguidenc! #tsgsavannah #21cmuseumhoteldurham #scouttravels #scoutstays (at 21c Museum Hotel Durham Nc)

[tsgsavannahgeorgia]

SCOUT STYLE || I just love the soothing colors and dotted containers of these candles from @my_lilybay. Which is your favorite: 💜💚💛?? #tsgsavannah #scoutstyle #lilybay (at Lily bay studio + bazaar)

[tsgsavannahgeorgia]

SCOUT ART || I have a wall of black and white art in my house and I'm dying to add this piece from @shopscad artist JenMarie Zeleznak. #tsgsavannah #shopSCAD #scoutart #jenmariezeleznak (at ShopSCAD)

[tsgsavannahgeorgia]

SCOUT BELIEVES || we believe in creating a beautiful, simple, well curated life. #tsgbelieves #meetthescoutguide #tsgsavannah #tsgbelievesnumber1

[tsgsavannahgeorgia]

SCOUT EATS || this is leftovers for lunch when you subscribe to Local Farmbag! Locally grown zucchini, yellow squash, green beans, rainbow carrots, onions and green bell peppers! #eatlocal #tsgsavannah #scouteats #eattherainbow (at The Scout Guide Savannah)

[tsgsavannahgeorgia]

SCOUT SCENES || great day on the boat tooling around Beaufort, Lady's Island & St. Helena Island. Preceded by an excellent brunch at Saltus in downtown Beaufort. #tsgsavannah #onaboat #luvbft #happymothersday #scoutscene #scoutandabout (at Beaufort, South Carolina)

[tsgsavannahgeorgia]

SCOUT DAYS || "I got to grow up with a mother who taught me to believe in me" - Antonio Villaraigosa. Happy Mother's Day to all those mamas out there! Especially my mom @drljhl! 💋#tsgsavannah #happymothersday #scoutcelebrates

[tsgsavannahgeorgia]

SCOUT SITE || new national website! You got to check out The new mobile friendly site and national directory leading you to all the best in local no matter where you are! Get yourself to thescoutguide.com now! #tsgsavannah #thescoutguide #scoutsite

[tsgsavannahgeorgia]

SCOUT SCENE || happy Friday to you from @shopscad. How are ewe enjoying this weekend?!? Don't forget to tag your local adventures with #scoutandabout to be featured! #tsgsavannah #shopscad #savannahart (at ShopSCAD)