Kids in the Apple store

Love them, hate them, ignore them - you can say whatever you want about Apple stores but there is one thing they do better than most other stores (across the board) is provide some entertainment for kids while the grown ups are shopping. Case in point:

Every Apple store has a dedicated table for young children. The table is at the perfect height with small chairs or cushions to suit. On the table there are usually iPads with age-appropriate apps. Nice thought and makes a big difference for parents shopping with children in tow.

-Stef

DIYFather top 5 amazing transport videos

If you've got children who are totally fascinated by different types of transport ... check out our list of TOP 5 youtube transportation videos. We've compiled them here for easy access so you can watch them with the little ones and see how they react!

At number 5 - it's ... a high speed train coming out of a tunnel!

At number 4 - it's ... a truck convoy!

What to give children for Christmas

I'm mostly writing this little post for non-parents who are in a bit of a pickle this year. I.e. you've got to go visit friends or family with children but don't have any ideas for suitable gifts? Well - here's a few by age:

Children swallowing things - part 1: coins

I just saw a question come through on YEDDA from a mum who was worried about her 2 1/2 year-old who swallowed a coin. Sounds like something that could happen to me and my son ... so I thought let's check this out. It must happen a lot anyway. Over on Yedda there have been 3 responses so far - all of them basically say "watch out but don't worry".

After a bit of Internet research I found out that the swallowing of objects is indeed common amongst children. The main problems in this case are choking (rare) or the coin going down the wrong tube (even rarer) into the respitory tract. There is also a risk the coin gets stuck in the esophagus.

Dating and Young Children

It's an instant world: instant coffee, instant meals, instant communication, instant gratification on any level - and now, boyfriends becoming instant fathers. The family structure has taken a beating in the last 50 years (close to over 50% of marriages fail), and more and more women and men find themselves navigating their love life through a minefield of emotional baggage and upheaval, dragging their children through the debris.

Historically, and especially - prehistorically - men were not highly concerned about their offspring until those children were capable of doing something that would contribute to survival. I know. I sound like a Neanderthal. Well, I was one once, according to my DNA.

Your Final Lecture

What if you had one final lecture to give your children before you departed from this life? What would you say? Dr. Randy Pausch had this privilege.

and while you’re watching his story, reflect that any of your lectures could be your final lecture. Speak to encourage; not humiliate. Words well-spoken are like apples of gold in settings of silver.

Recycled Father

A term that has come up for father’s who are starting a family again.

NEWS FLASH! I am going to become a recycled father!

First; I’m excited, very excited about becoming a Recycled Father.
Second; I’m honoured to be having the chance to have a complete family.

The only concern I had was how will my three children feel about their father having another child, and not only another child but a child that will live with him, and have their father all the time.
So when it came to sharing the news with my children, I just came out with it “Kids, Andrea is up the Duff, your going to have a new brother or sister”. They thought I was joking at first, but their expression changed when they saw that I was not joking, they were each excited in their own way.

Nastassja my eldest daughter doesn’t hide her excitement, about having a new brother or sister
Christian my son, is excited also for the same reason