Have some swashbuckling family fun with Captain Fearless Fickletummy and Jigsaw Family Services at a free pirate show celebrating Dads this Fathers Day, Sunday 7th September at Capital E! in Wellington.

The fun begins at 10.30am when children can draw pictures about their dads, then at 11am catch the free pirate show. ... read more >>

My daughters, all of two and three years old, think it's the height of comedy to walk up to me, point at my face, and insult me. Really. I'm getting insulted by pre-schoolers, and I blame Bill Cosby.

The girls like to watch Little Bill, a cartoon that Bill Cosby created (and, coincidentally, my cousin Shauna animated for. Shauna was the talent behind those beautiful pictures of Clara and her toy trains last year.) In one particular episode, a new kid who likes to toss around insults comes to Little Bill's school. He walks up to Little Bill and says, "You're a peanut-head!" As an objective observer, I'd have to agree that Little Bill's head is shaped just like a peanut, but that's neither here nor there. Little Bill gets his feelings hurt and his dad shows him how to deal with mean kids. ... read more >>

How did they get the little kid to do this on set? I just check IMDB and it turns out they used twins for this (Spencer and Bradley Pickren). I wonder how their language skills are now? I hope they developed into normal kids and the "Meet the Fockers" experience hasn't had any lasting damage ... because ... man it was funny in the film.

Thanks Spencer and Bradley - you made us laugh!

-Stef

Im sure there are lots of women out there who have had a rough pregnancy and thought I wish you could just understand what it would be like to endure pregnancy, well now we can. Scott Baio is pregnant. A stunt I know to see who is the “hotter” pregnant celebrity but at the end of the day let me know what you think guys?? Would you trade shoes with your partner/wife to have your child. To be honest I don’t have a very high pain threshold so probably best if I pass on that. The nine months were terrible and I guess I would find it hard to do what my wife did. I would obviously give it a go but would prefer not to.

So do you think we should look at the question of “Would you prefer to have your child or would you prefer that your wife/partner did”? ... read more >>

Today, the passing of Sir Edmund Hillary marks a sad event for New Zealand - perhaps more than any other Kiwi in recent history, Sir Ed epitomises what New Zealand stands for: humbleness, determination and David vs Goliath like triumphs. After becoming the first person to climb Mount Everest in 1953, Sir Ed has been regarded as one of the key roles models for Kiwis. I'd like to think of him as the father of a nation.

Although the relationship with his son Peter is often portrayed in a negative light we salute Sir Ed and pay tribute to a great man and father with one of his famous quotes:

"It is not the mountain we conquer but ourselves." - Sir Edmund Hillary.

-Stefan

Greetings! Someone asked famous British playwright Oscar Wilde what the difference was between a professional and amateur author. He answered, “Professional authors write even when they don’t feel like it.”

Are you someone that effectively fathers even when you don’t feel like it? Remember that it’s not about whether you “feel like it,” it’s about doing what’s right.

Case closed.

Warmly,

Mark Brandenburg

Mark Brandenburg MA, CPCC
mark@eqnow.org
www.markbrandenburg.com
www.eqnow.org
Phone (+1) 651-766-9976
"Helping Men Succeed" ... read more >>

"I love that he's funny, he's entertaining and he's always there when I need him most. I'm proud to have a dad like that, who takes on conservation issues around the world."

"I love him very, very much." - Bindi

Steve said his daughter had inherited his love of animals: "The most important thing in Bindi's life is that she's grown up in a zoo. Bindi's passionate about animals, but she's also into singing, dancing and dress-ups, like any other little girl.

"I'd do anything to spend time with my daughter." - Steve (Dad)

Loving words from Bindi and loving words from an INSPIRATIONAL Father ... read more >>

ABC’s hit parenting show SUPERNANNY is looking for Dads in need of advice and tools to help their kids behave. Your house could be the next home America’s #1 Nanny, Jo Frost visits.

To apply to be on the show or for more information, go to www.Supernanny.com or call 877-NANNY-TIME!

SUPERNANNY is searching for families who want help. And we would like your help in getting the word out. Would you or someone you know love to get hands-on advice and parenting tools from Jo Jo? Families who have been on the show say it's like a fresh start; the show gets there and addresses what you find challenging as a parent . . . it's a chance to step back, make some new choices and get back to enjoying your family!

Well it’s a good gig if you can get it – why not – If I had to sleep with my nanny I would be in a whole lot of trouble why?? – It’s me!!
Have women ever wondered why young nannies are being chosen and why would you choose an “older homely nanny”??
Tell us about your nanny if you have one – HOT or NOT???
Also tell us why you have one in general??? - Scott

Ethan Hawke has been secretly dating his children’s former nanny for two years, according to friends of Hawke. The nanny, Ryan, looked after his kids while he was still married to Uma Thurman.

“They are incredibly in love,” one friend of Hawke’s told us.

A second pal said: “Yes, they’ve been keeping a lid on this for some time.”

“She had nothing to do with the divorce, and they started seeing each other after she was no longer the children’s nanny,” says the friend. ... read more >>

Mel Gibson’s son – Edward has checked into rehabilitation to fix his substance abuse problem. It must be very trying for not only a father having an alcohol problem but also a son who has a substance abuse problem also.

I guess the old adage of “like father like son” rings true in this case. Children are very strongly influenced by their parents behaviour and in this particular case, fathers need to stand up and take responsibility if they have problems they need to make sure they don’t let their children do down the same path also!

Children are a mirror of their parents and especially their fathers.

Mel Gibson is just another celebrity dad in the list of line ups of fathers who really should be helping their children move forward rather than helping them to progress backwards!

- Scott