A dad's point of view - value, money, our kids and the real world

There is a reason that money is on that short list of things that couples argue about most. What are the other things? Sex, and the kids, of course. With the state of our worldwide economy being in such flux, money is a more pressing issue for couples and families than any other time in my life. Financial literacy for our kids and for us parents is more important than ever before!

As a baby-boomer, it's my unequivocal opinion that the only good thing 'My Generation' produced was some pretty terrific music. I blame our generation for the deterioration of the family unit; the decline in actual honest discourse at our campuses, and raising the most spoiled generation of children in human history. Oh, we're also responsible for tearing down many pillars of society, ruining the planet through resource overuse and creating a generation of over-30-year-olds who have never grown up and still behave like toddlers in tantrums during meetings at work.

Threats to Our Lifestyle

Inspire your kids with sky lanterns

On a recent trip to Thailand I picked up a "Sky Lantern" (mini hot air balloon / make a wish balloon) which is used as part of the new moon festival (Loy Krathong). During the festival the Thai sky is filled with millions of these sky lanterns - quite an impressive sight (see video below). But they are also quite impressive even when you just launch a single sky lantern with your kids from the backyard.
We lit up our sky lantern to Celebrate Chinese New Year ... but you can really do this on any day (as long as there's no wind). Most lantern are super easy to make (tissue paper, wire and a candle or rolled wax paper for fuel).

Check out the following video clips for instructions on how to make your own sky lantern, how to light one and where to get them from in the US / Canada.

Year of the dragon - make babies!

On January 23 the year of the dragon starts (according to the Chinese horoscope) - if you missed out on new year celebrations and rituals with kids on 31 Dec 2011, here's your second chance! Celebrate the Chinese New Year tonight!

Also if you're in the market for a new baby - get going with the lady of your life from today onwards. Babies born in the year of the Dragon are blessed with natural leadership abilities and the year in general is considered very auspicious. So tell your woman there's no better time for a bit of nookie then the next 12 months (or wait for another 12 years until the next Dragon year)!

Enjoy,

Stef

Drama class at home - movie transcripts

Here's a handy site for finding transcripts of your kids' favourite movies. If you want to study the script with your kids or put on a little play at home check out www.scifiscripts.com.

Among others, the sites has the complete scripts for: Aladdin, Alice in Wonderland, Anastasia, Antz, Aristocats, Finding Nemo, Who Framed Roger Rabbit, The Iron Giant, The Jungle Book, The Last Unicorn, The Lion King, The Little Mermaid, The Many Adventures of Winnie the Pooh, Mary Poppins, Never Ending Story, Nightmare Before Christmas, Pokemon, Shrek, Sleeping Beauty and Toy Story.

Check it out and turn the living room into a stage!

Enjoy

-Stefan

Some thoughts about ADD

One in 20 grade-schoolers is taking drugs for Attention Deficit Disorder - or ADD. Now, some of these children may really need medication, but experts recommend that you examine your child's lifestyle before you medicate. Is his diet full of sugar, caffeine and processed food? Is he getting enough exercise? Is he getting too much stimulation from video games and TV?

But, more importantly, does your family life have structure? Is he getting enough attention from you? Often kids will act out to get noticed.

So, why not take a one-on-one weekend trip with him, and use that time to really observe and talk about his behavior. And talk about your relationship. For you may find that this is where the real attention deficit has been.

Here are some tips on parenting an ADD child:

1. Be consistent in rules and discipline.
   
2. Keep your own voice quiet and slow. Anger is normal. Anger can be controlled. Anger does not mean you do not love your child.
   
3. Try to keep your emotions cool by bracing for expected turmoil. Recognize and respond to any positive behavior, however small. If you search for good things, you will find them.
   
4. Avoid a ceaselessly negative approach: "Stop." "Don't." "No."
   
5. Separate behavior, which you may not like, from the child's person (e.g., "I like you. I don't like your tracking mud through the house.").
   
6. Establish a clear routine. Construct a timetable for waking, eating, play, television, study, chores and bedtime. Follow it flexibly when he disrupts it. Slowly your structure will reassure him until he develops his own.
   
7. Demonstrate new or difficult tasks, using action accompanied by short, clear, quiet explanations. Repeat the demonstration until learned, using audiovisual-sensory perceptions to reinforce the learning. The memory traces of a hyperactive child take longer to form. Be patient and repeat.
   
8. Designate a separate room or a part of a room that is his special area. Avoid brilliant colors or complex patterns in decor. Simplicity, solid colors, minimal clutter and a worktable facing a blank wall away from distractions help concentration. A hyperactive child cannot filter overstimulation.
   
9. Do one thing at a time: Give him one toy from a closed box; clear the table of everything else when coloring; turn off the radio/television when he is doing homework. Multiple stimuli prevent his concentration from focusing on his primary task.
   
10. Give him responsibility, which is essential for growth. The task should be within his capacity, although the assignment may need much supervision. Acceptance and recognition of his efforts (even when imperfect) should not be forgotten.
    
11. Read his pre-explosive warning signals. Quietly intervene to avoid explosions by distracting him or discussing the conflict calmly. Removal from the battle zone to the sanctuary of his room for a few minutes can help.
    
12. Restrict playmates to one or two at a time because he is so excitable. Your home is more suitable so you can provide structure and supervision. Explain your rules to the playmate and briefly tell the other parent your reasons.
    
13. Do not pity, tease, be frightened by or overindulge your child. He has a special condition of the nervous system that is manageable.
    
14. Know the name and dose of his medication. Give it regularly. Watch and remember the effects to report back to your physician.
    
15. Openly discuss with your physician any fears you have about the use of medications.
    
16. Lock up all medications to avoid accidental misuse.
    
17. Always supervise the taking of medication, even if it is routine over a long period of years. Responsibility remains with the parents! One day's supply at a time can be put in a regular place and checked routinely as he becomes older and more self-reliant.
    
18. Share your successful tips with his teacher. The outlined ways to help your hyperactive child are as important to him as diet and insulin are to a diabetic child.

Huddle up and ask your wife tonight: Do you think our child has ADD? Do you think it's a lifestyle or medical issue?

Posted with permission from www.allprodad.com

A dad's guide to stain removal (... yes we are serious)

If you have a toddler or an active young person then changing their clothes 3-4 times per day might seem like the norm? Well apart from putting them in dirt proof clothes you're probably also doing a lot of washing and may wonder how to get some of those damn stains out ...

Well, fear not, as usual DIYFather boldly goes where no dad has gone before ... a recent investigation into why our clothes are getting ruined and how to get rid off all sorts of nasty stains has revealed this very valuable information below. This should actually be in ALL parenting books (and yes we will put it in the 2nd edition of Call Me Dad). The stain removal tips will hopefully help you save some of the clothes for round 2 or make for a presentable item on your next clothes swap event. OK - here it goes - make sure that you treat the stains ASAP and they actually come out (I tried!!!)

Adhesive Tape

A dad's point of view - how to stay cool

You want your kids to relate to you, right? You want to be cool, don't you? Maybe you should try to relate to them? Novel idea. Do you remember all the DUMB things your parents liked and did? Do you really think you’re any different?

Every kid swears he or she will be a better parent than his or her own parents. And, as a kid, we know exactly what we’ll do better plus: we’ll be cool! We’ll like the same music as our kids. We’ll not get crazy about a tattoo or little ol’ piercing like our parents did!

BUT, most of us turn into our own parents, whether we like it or not. These are some tips that might bring back that cool kid you used to be. Warning: Follow these tips at your own peril!

Txt

Tech dads and lullabies

If you are having issues with getting your little one to sleep why not try out some video lullabies like the one below. Set up your laptop or tablet computer in the nursery so your little one can hear the song and/or see the screen. Try it out (certainly put me to sleep ...)

There's heaps more on youtube - just search for "lullabies".

Enjoy,

Stef

A Baby Signing Story

Like many parents who sign with their baby, my initial motivation for teaching my son American Sign Language (ASL) vocabulary was to give him a way to express his wants and needs before he was able to speak. Joshua started signing at 9 months of age, and by the time he was 18 months old, he could use at least 80 words, a combination of spoken words and signs. He was able to communicate his needs and wants. He could request a cookie by signing COOKIE. He could ask for more fruit cocktail by signing FRUIT. He could even ask to have the family minivan cooled down in the middle of a heat wave by pointing to the dashboard and signing COLD WIND -- a better phrase, really, than air conditioner! Joshua's ability to make clear requests using signs delighted my husband and me.

Awesome toys - boomerangs

When was the last time you threw a boomerang around? OK be honest now ... it's been too long! Being a dad is a fantastic excuse to play around with cool stuff. A boomerang is a good example of a cool toy that you can pretend to buy for your kid but really you enjoy it just the same. There are all sorts of boomerangs available these days and they literally come in all shapes and sizes. You can even get indoor boomerangs! Most of them are available for less than $10 - so hopefully pretty doable for most families (you can also make them yourself if you've got some suitable wood and tools lying about at home).

Here's some instructions and inspirations to watch with your kid - then get yourself one and go outside to try it out!