Category Archive

Dads, say you want buy a bunch of inexpensive same presents to give to people and you’re not exactly certain who’s on your list ( Aunts, Pastors, Second Cousins, Garbage man, Sunday School Teachers, Favorite Blogger).

Give them this:

Pros:

– Only $1.50
– More than a quarter pound. It feels big. The Recipient might say, “Are you sure you can afford this?”
– Everyone will Like it.
– Found at any grocery store.

Cons:

There are no cons. It’s chocolate.

Dads, now’s your chance while they’re in the stores. Buy some white Christmas lights. Put them up inside somewhere (on the mantle or around a window) and leave them up during the later dark month when you are a little less excited about winter. Leave them on 24/7.*

This works especially well for Mom’s who are up nursing in the middle of the night.

* Denotes the first time I’ve typed ’24/7′

Dads, this thanksgiving, as you talk with your kids about what you are thankful for – don’t forget the small things.

Carpeting, windows, Ice, blankets, 10 fingers, clean water. . .

And continually remind them (and yourself) to whom we are Thankful.

Dads, suppose you and your child are in a disagreement about something that they want to have happen and you have decided will not happen and the option of changing your mind has passed.

Perhaps you might have considered it, but your son or daughter has spoken disrespectfully or it is obvious that they are idolizing it.  Or it is simply an unwise idea.

So you have decided to stand your ground. Have you told them this?

“Son, you’re not going to win* this one”
“Honey, I’ve made up my mind on this.”
“Youngster, you need to realize that my decision in this matter stands and no attempt on your part will change it. Further pleas for a reevaluation will be seen by me as disobedience and you will be disciplined for it.”

There are two benefits here:  (1) It will help them see the necessity of letting it go, and (2) It will firm up your resolve, if it needed any firming up.

* I am using the term “win” lightly here.

Dads, Perhaps there are events that you and your wife are attending and you don’t know if it’s a dress-up or casual event. You’re afraid you’re going to get it wrong. Try this:  One of you dress up and the other dress casual.

Then no one will think: “Oh, they didn’t know.”

Rather, they’ll think of the one who is different “Oh, he/she’s a rebel.”

And in our culture, being a rebel is better than being ignorant.

Dads, never let there be a situation where your wife thinks that you will take joy in her failure.

Sometimes when I am pleased with what a child has done, and I say something to encourage them, I use a tone of voice that is (apparently) similar to when I’m upset with them.   So for the first few seconds of my excited encouragement they fear that I am about to reprimand them. This is not good.

I thought this might be true of other Dads, so:

Dad’s, when you are expressing your happiness with what a child has done, don’t start with their name, start with the encouraging word.

For example, don’t say, “Adelyn! I’m very glad to see you help Foster like that!”

Instead, say, “I’m very glad to see you help Foster like that, Adelyn!”

Do any of you other parents experience this?

Dads, ask yourself about each of your children:

Does he think I like him? Does she think I want to be around her?

If you’re not certain the answer is ‘yes’, fix it.

Dads – after giving your kids a bath, if they don’t like the process of getting their clothes put back on, distract them by making them laugh. This can be done with funny faces, funny sounds and moving their arms up and down.

This tip suggested by my son Barrett, who recalls me doing this to him and his brothers when I used to give them baths, and who now does this when giving his youngest brother a bath.