A Podcast hosted on International Dad featuring show hosts Scott Lancaster and co-hosts Eric Mooij and Stefan Korn from DIYFather.com.

Today guest is Eva-Maria Salikhova


How can parents and teens understand each better? Based on her experiences as a “teen mentor”, 17-year-old Eva-Maria set out to approach this subject from the perspective of a teen and write a book called “You Shut Up! Re-defining Teenager”. Eric and Stefan find out from Eva-Maria what makes her book special and how she is planning to transfer 1 million teen-parent relationships in 2008. Check out www.youshutup.co.nz for more information

An article that I came across of which rings true for me? IT was in the Sunday Times –South Africa, I guess what is important is Dads far and wide all seem to react the same when their little girl starts dating. The subject of asking if their boyfriend can stay over seems to be one that all fathers agree on – I think the term is “No” “I don’t think so” and a few other words that cant be repeated.

Please read I have another 17 years to go and counting – yay!

- Scott

Daddy's little girl

By Mike Wills

"Dad, this is my boyfriend." Some of the hardest words for a father to hear and a trigger for one of the biggest psychological gearshifts we will ever have to make.

No matter how many books we've read or theories we've spouted, I know of no father who doesn't break out in a cold sweat at the mere thought of any boy so much as laying a finger on his cherished little girl, let alone indulging in something more intimate. ... read more >>

For many young girls, a stable family life is one key factor to avoiding a number of serious health problems. New research by researchers at The University of Arizona and the University of Wisconsin, Madison, indicates that girls who grow up with supportive parents who themselves have a strong relationship are more likely to delay the onset of puberty.

Bruce J. Ellis, an associate professor in the Norton School of Family and Consumer Sciences at the UA, and Marilyn J. Essex at Wisconsin, are reporting their research in the journal Child Development. Ellis was the lead author of the study.
Early puberty in girls is already known as a risk factor for a variety of health problems, including mood disorders, substance abuse, adolescent pregnancy and cancers of the reproductive system. Understanding these risks are also essential as a means to develop effective early intervention and prevention strategies. ... read more >>

Now that I have two young teenagers, it has dawned on me when is a good time to start earning money, at what age should they start working?

I believe it is very important for our young to learn the value of money and to appreciate that time and effort is put in earning that money, as well as there are possible smarter ways to make money. I also believe that it is possible to teach them when young that ‘what you do with your money’ is more important than the amount you earn. ... read more >>

This time of year my 3 children all age a year, first off is my young teenage daughter she will be 14 next week and I have no idea what to buy her, I have no idea what she likes.

It’s tough enough for full time parents to think about gifts for their children, let alone a father like myself who doesn’t live with them!

I have just got off the phone with her, with a clear intention to find out what she would like. Easier said than done, getting any information out of this young teen is like getting blood from a stone.

Time to get creative and attempt the near impossible, ‘get into her world’, I think about what she may do everyday, school, home, friends, sleep… she doesn’t offer much of an opening, so I go through everything, what she wants, needs, craves, dreams about… absolutely nothing to work with. ... read more >>

The following information has been published with kind permission from Barnardos (taken from Information Sheet No. 37).

One of a teenage males biggest fears can be getting a girl pregnant. What do I tell my friends and family? How will they react? Do I want to continue to be involved with the mother? What’s the story on child support? How can I afford it? What about sport, further study, future career, my mates and all that stuff?

Being a father means there are a lot of issues to sort through and many conflicting demands to balance. You may be unsure if you are the father. Or you may be thinking seriously about what your responsibilities actually are, whether you want involvement in your Childs life, whether or not you want to commit yourself to a long term relationship with the mother and so on. ... read more >>

If we're honest, most of us would have to admit we have assumptions and beliefs, but little in the way of real knowledge about young fathers. Anybody who wants to actually know about men who become dads in their teens – how they see themselves, the challenges they face, and how they feel about their children - should watch "Believe in me!/Je suis là!". This ground-breaking new DVD chronicles the work of FIRA's Young Fathers Cluster, led by Annie Devault, professor of social work at the Université du Québec en Outaouais. Believe in me!/Je suis là! is the first Canadian film to provide a window into the lives and, more importantly, the minds of a group of young dads. The 26-minute documentary, made by Tamás Wormser, of Artesian Films, gives young fathers a voice: a chance to talk about their aspirations, their frustrations, their mistakes, their pride in the children and also the enormous obstacles they face if they want to
be involved in their children's lives. ... read more >>

A study in both US & NZ shows a very strong link that teenage girls in these countries engage in sexual activity and also get pregnant without a father present.

Studies from psychologist Bruce J. Ellis of the University of Canterbury in New Zealand and his coworkers in the May/June Child Development state "These findings may support social policies that encourage fathers to form and remain in families with their children, unless the marriage is highly [conflicted] or violent,"

Prior studies have shown early sexual activity and teenage pregnancy among girls who grow up from infancy without a father. However, scientists have generally assumed that precocious sexuality results from a mix of adverse influences, including a father's absence, divorce, poverty, and the lack of parental guidance. ... read more >>

My 3 children (13, 12 and 11) will all be teenagers next year!!! I count myself lucky that my 2 girls are really down to earth, and prefer to wear track pants and read books than look like Brat Dolls, in tiny little outfits trying to look like Paris Hilton or Nicole Richie. In some way I think my girls are rebelling from the girly look, and at their age I'm not complaining.

I do however find myself less concerned about my boy, who will be going to High School next year and will be 13 latter this year, he plays sports and music and does his school work, overall a very good boy. I have no cause for concern. But even thou I have no real need of concern with my daughters I can't help but I have some concern for my daughters as they go into their teenage years, I have heard some horror stories from other parents of their teenage children. ... read more >>