We just went through the swine flu with our older son, Will. We didn’t panic or allow the hysteria of the msm (mainstream media) to scare us. His first reaction was simply, “Darn, I’m going to miss Halloween.” I believe our media have become hysteria mongers, as well as all too often focusing on their agenda vs. objective reporting. They devote way too much time to subjects unworthy of so much coverage, such as the balloon boy or the tragic deaths of celebrities.

With the swine flu, we’ve been deluged with scare reports from the media, ignoring the fact that each year tens of thousands of Americans die of the regular flu. As with AIDS, the panic is over-wrought and generalized to scare everyone when the reality is there are more at-risk groups for just about every such illness.

Beautiful short film to watch with your children (watch it first by yourself to see if you think it's suitable).

Enjoy,

Stef

After years of holding down steady jobs many fathers these days take a leap and start their own business. Why do they do it? Perhaps because having your own business allows you to control your destiny, get paid what you're really worth, work flexible hours, do what you've always been passionate about and so on. However these days many dads also have a desire to spend much more time with their Children. Self employment, on the face of it, offers fathers flexibility and time to spend with families and children.

My children and I love to make crafts using our hands and feet. This turkey for Thanksgiving is a creative way to use your hands and feet shapes. You can make this turkey into a sort of seasonal decoration to bring out every year for Thanksgiving by framing it or by gluing it onto an art canvas.

Things you will need:
3 Sheets of Colorful Felt
1 Sheet of Brown felt
Scrap Orange Felt
Googly Eyes
Scissors
Marker
Craft Glue
Note: Paper can be substituted for the felt

1) On the brown felt, trace with a marker the right and left foot with the toes together.
2) Cut the two feet out of the brown felt.
3) On the three colorful felts, trace with a marker the right and left hands with the fingers spread.
4) Cut out all six hands.
5) Using scrap felt, cut a small orange triangle about 1/2 X1/4 inch in size for the beak. Also, cut two identical orange triangles about 1 1/2 X 1 inch in size for the feet.

If you've been looking for an excuse to take your kids to the movies - here's a good one. "Where the wild things are" is out! Based on one of the best loved books for children by Maurice Sendak - the adaption of Where the wild things are is a classic in the making! Check out the trailer and make it a grand day out with the kids ...

Enjoy

-Stefan

Sitting in Starbuck’s the other day, waiting for my car to be serviced, I sat next to a mom who shared a “dirty little parenting secret.” Her kids, and she and her husband, have “favorites.” She gets along better with their younger child while her husband gets along better with the older child. I believe that this is natural, ubiquitous, and something most parents are ashamed to admit.

The only thing to be ashamed about is if one’s actions show overt favoritism. I am a firm believer that actions speak louder than words, though I know some religions believe that what is in one’s heart is what matters most. I strongly disagree with that philosophy and believe that what is in our hearts or minds only matters if we act on it. We all have occasional thoughts of doing something that we shouldn’t. When we hold those in check, we’re being responsible.

If you feel like you're losing your hair over looking after the family - check out the following clip.

By Kotulas.com

Enjoy,

Stef

Here's another great gift idea for your child’s grandparents, god parents/guardians or perhaps even for yourself. Zumyn allows you to create a mosaic photo of your child using your entire collection of baby photos. The web site's photo upload tool compresses your pictures before uploading (saving you plenty of time), and the clever Zumyn software will then arrange your photos to represent any particular picture you choose. It's free to use, but you can pay for prints on photo paper or canvas if you like the results.

Yes, yes, yes - it's that time of the year again when Turkeys all around the US are feeling a bit anxious. Thanksgiving is just around the corner ... so use the spirit of the moment to enspire your kids with some homemade turkey (of a different kind). Basically all you need is a bunch of pipe cleaners and you're all set. Here are the instructions.

Things you will need:
1 Pipe Cleaner, light brown 12"
3 Pipe Cleaner, dark brown 12"
5 Pipe Cleaner, any color 6"
* Scissors
* Pencil
* Googly Eyes

Step by step:
1) Take a single dark brown pipe cleaner and twirl it around the pencil, then slide it off of the pencil keeping the spiral shape.
2) Twist the two other dark brown pipe cleaners together to make a thicker one (same length).
3) Twirl the thick dark brown pipe cleaner around the pencil but twirl back over itself to create the body. Slide it off of the pencil keeping the spiral shape.

In every marriage, spouses face an inevitable choice between their children and their spouse. It is a classic dilemma that confronts every couple and one that is inescapable and difficult. It is especially true in second marriages, like mine. I have to admit, it is an ongoing issue in our home and one I’m trying to figure out with the right amount of love and respect shown towards everyone.

Some therapists advise that the husband/wife should always come first. Others, like Dr. Laura, advise to always put the kids first. As with much of her advice, I think it’s too cut-and-dried and doesn’t take into consideration the grays of life. In my case, I was raising my boys alone for several years and the bond we had was deep, plus the hurt from their mom abandoning them was deep and different for each of them.