How to Parent More Like a Man

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Go ahead dad, it is time to pitch in

The first day of school is coming up, if it already hasn’t. Summer is drawing to an end. This usually means an end to the frequent play days, late family movie nights and other fun activities. Typically these are dad led, or highly involved activities.

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Read the rest at Notes on Parenting.

2011 in Review: Top 10 Posts (Most Read)

I must, first and foremost, say thank you to all of my readers for making my blog such a success.  For the past six months, I have been averaging 75-100 views per day! That's  remarkable!  Thank you so very very much!!

The most viewed posts of this year are:

10. I Recommend: Julia Sheer, Jodi King, Sierra Noble, and Stephanie Mabey
9. Helpful Financial Websites
8. Differences Between Social Work & Family Social Sciences
7. Top 100 Graduates from the Faculty of Human Ecology/Home Economics
6. Understanding Why Your Child May Be Impatient
5. Essential Fathers, First Post (I should mention this project is now defunct and a part of www.parentsareimportant.com)
4. PowerSmart - "Two Chickens to Paralyze" - Without Electricity There Would Be No Internet
3. Transition to Fatherhood Course Post-Test Results
2. Lindsey Stirling has released an Album!

and..... The number one post for 2011 is....

1. Autism and the Family

DADD: Dads Against Daughters Dating

Turns out you can buy this shirt on Amazon.

Where are the fathers in times of need?

Ever since the result of the Casey Anthony case, there seems to be a flash flood of mothers making the news because of the harm they have caused their children, as if the media is trying to find a new love affair.

For example, there was the woman who used her kid as a weapon on a Toronto bus, another tried drowning herself and her child in a river, another woman locked a child in her custody in a closet, and a woman in Perth who flung her child into random objects. All of these are sick and disgusting acts, all of which I am sure is related to some sort of mental illness or chemical imbalance.

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Read the rest here at the Battleford's News Optimist.

No Transition To Fatherhood Course in 2011

I have noticed that my Transition to Fatherhood class posts have been getting serious attention.  I also have received phone calls.

So I must say again that I am not offering a Transition to Fatherhood course this year, 2011, for reasons stated in a previous post.

I do regret not being able to assist those who are seeking help.  Here are some helpful resources:

• Check out the Positive Parenting Program
• Consider reading The Everything Father-To-Be survival guide
• Talk to friends who have recently had children
• Talk to family who have had kids

It's always important and helpful to look to your support system while having a child (like your family and friends).

Fathers Day Gift Giving Ideas

I usually don’t write about gift giving ideas for Mother’s Day, because most people are aware of how to make this day work, and know what to give for gifts.  However, when it comes to Father’s Day, there is mass confusion, and a distortion in the media for gift giving ideas.

We are told to get dad the latest set of tools, a new computer, a car wash, socks, or the latest movie.  While these may be great gifts, it doesn’t provide the best gifts for Father’s Day.

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Read the rest of this column at the Battleford's News Optimist or at Notes on Parenting.

Fathers Day Gift Giving Ideas Clips on BTV

I was on CityTV's Breakfast Television the other day talking about Fathers Day gift giving ideas.  I had two segments on the show.

I must admit that the first segment, making crafts, I had my wife's help.  She pre-made the crafts, told me and showed me how to do them.  I am terrible with scissors, I should not have passed kindergarten with my lack of skills.  Nonetheless, here are the two clips from Breakfast TV!

• Homemade crafts for fathers day.
• Making a homemade movie for fathers day.

The Manitoba Association of Home Economists also came up with a booklet of 30 activities to do on fathers day.

Announcement: No Transition to Fatherhood Course This Year

After a great time and a lot of ground breaking last year in running my transition to fatherhood course.  I am, unfortunately, not offering the course this summer.

Just a couple reasons why:

• This year I am playing a bigger role in a Winnipeg Harvest food drive.
• I am taking a lead role in the changes occurring to Emmie Oddie's HomeFamily.net

I do plan on running this course in the near future.

I would like to thank CHEF for contributing to the course last year, and my mentor Debora for encouraging me to do it.

Remember to have Daddy-Daughter Dates

Spending time with your daughter enhances your relationship with her. As I mentioned in a previous post, it is not just about quality time, it is about quantity time. To make your daughter feel loved, and wanted, you need to spend time together. I, therefore, recommend daddy-daughter dates.

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Read the rest of the column here at the Battleford's News Optimist.  This was originally written on Notes on Parenting.

Dad, it’s okay to play video games – just include your daughter!

It’s a cause to celebrate! Especially for dad’s who still play or want to play video games.  After years of research indicating that video gaming has negative influence on an individual, Brigham Young University researchers have found a positive in video gaming.  It is a daddy-daughter thing.