As our babies get older and become toddlers and pre-schoolers, I've noticed that a lot of the really cool bits of parenting come down to providing the little ones with new experiences. Stuff they haven't done or seen before. It's just magic to watch their faces when they experience something for the first time. So my tip of the day is to take your little one to a Sushi bar with one of those Sushi trains. A useful age to really "get" the experience is probably when they are about 2.5 - 3 years old.

Isn't it fantastic to watch the little plates of Sushi go by and work out what they are etc. A trip to a Sushi restaurant may also involve another few "firsts". Eating with chop sticks ... or perhaps trying Wasabi / Soy sauce for the first time. Of course most of the dishes may be firsts too (perhaps even for dad). So it's just a great activity all round - AND you eat healthy food at the same time! Go Sushi!

Enjoy

-Stef

Guys - check out the following video (and read on):

Go to http://en.tackfilm.se (it takes a while to load)
Customise the movie by uploading a photo of your child / children / partner. Then, send them the link to the movie! Done.

As they say ...
Creating a video for your kids or partner: 5 minutes of your time
Being a super dad in their eyes: priceless

You're a hero! Enjoy :-)

-Stefan

If there's one thing I know about what works with kids it's keeping a routine. I remember someone telling me a few years ago that kids really love routine. Without knowing all the ins and outs of the psychology I guess they feel safe and secure in routines because they think mum and dad have life under control.

If they only knew!

So a few months ago our son starts staying awake later and later at night. Regardless of putting him to bed every night at 7.30pm he started staying awake longer and longer till finally hes dropping off at around 11.30! Ok he's happy enough reading, and playing cars and generally turning his room upside down.

The other night when asked why he wasn't sleeping this cute four year old says “Daddy I cant sleep because there is dancing in my head”. Talk about a conversation stopper?!? "Dancing in my head!" has he all of a sudden caught ADHD. I'm told by his mum don't worry most parents at some stage think their kids have ADHD.

Very powerful ad with an important message ... well executed and great to watch! Well done.

-Stef

As we all know, reading books to our children is one of the best ways we can spend time with them. Children love to be read to, it fuels their imagination and helps them develop language and comprehension skills. And of course it's lots of fun! What with all the reading kids books to your children you may feel like you are missing out. Or perhaps you've spent your entire book budget on children's books ... well there is a way to read books for free. We've just come across a site that offers free books and even better free book for dads: libertary.com. Check out "Best Things Fathers Do", or you may find other books on there that you like. It's all free. Cool.

Enjoy,

Stef

Here's the annual serving of dad friendly parenting ads from the US National Responsible Fatherhood Clearinghouse (who seem to be changing their name every year ... if only they came up with something that's more meaningful). Their first campaign last year was a good start but had a few dubious spots in there. This year's offering is better (quite subtle but real) despite the slightly corny voice over.

Here's my favourite spot:

Our friends at MakeItRuby.com have been busy putting up new activities for dads and daughters. What we like best about their material is that all ideas are aimed at encouraging dads with daughters to get into simple do-it-yourself projects for at home arts and crafts. Best of all - every project focuses on the 3 R's of reusable, renewable and re-purposed materials. The projects are also easy on dad's wallet ... you'll probably find most of the basic materials in your house anyway.

How about you give this one a go: "Sweet Puppy Keepsake"

Here's what you need: empty tissue box, puppy photos, scissors, all-purpose tacky glue, sticky letters, stickers, silk flowers

Step by step
1. Repurpose a tissue box to make this sweet puppy keepsake. Print 4 photos & glue one on each side of the box.

2. Decorate each side with words & themed stickers.

If you are interested in teaching your children to look after their money well you will like the following activity suitable for children 3 years and older (or whenever you can be sure they don't swallow stuff unexpectedly). If you haven't already got one, get your little champ a savings box (or make them one) - make sure you can get the coins out without having to break the box. Go to the bank and get $10 in various coins. Toss the coins on the floor or a table and get junior to put them in the savings box. Once they are all in, open the box and toss them out again, etc. This activity is great for practising counting and for introducing the concept of money (i.e. you can use "this coin" to buy a ball in the $1 shop). You can also use the coins to get your child to group them by colour or size etc.

Here's a cool idea for your child to make some $$$ on St. Patrick's Day this year! Get your DIY trousers on and make a Leprechaun Pot with your child to hang for St. Patrick's Day. So when the Leprechaun comes round *HINT HINT* your child will end up with some chocolate gold coins or real coins in the pot on St. Patrick's Day morning!


Things you will need:
1 Felt Sheet, brown or black
1 Felt Sheet, green
Scissors
Pencil
3 Pipe Cleaners of different colors, 12 inch length
Craft Glue
Hole Puncher


Step by step:
1) Take a sheet of brown/black felt and fold in half lengthwise.
2) Draw a shape of a pot onto the felt half. (Helpful Hint: Use a lid or bowl as a guide for the circular shape.)
3) Cut the pot shape out of both halves of felt.
4) Line-up the two felt shapes on top of each other.
5) Punch a hole at each corner of the pot through both felt shapes, about 1/2 inch from top.

"All by myself" - have you heard you little one say this over and over again when you want to do something for them, or they have seen you do something? This sentence represents a huge step in their development and their long journey to complete independence. Whether it is putting food on a plate, getting dressed, jumping off a bench or tyring out a new toy. As dads we've got a great opportunity when they reach this stage (typically between 2 and 3) to encourage our children to do things all by themselves (perhaps with a bit of assistance in the end ... but still). It's a huge confidence boost to the little ones if they can perform a task that dad used to do by themselves (give lots of praise). It's also a sign that your little princess is beginning to assert herself. So it's also important to keep this natural desire for independence and control in balance so she doesn't end up "all by herself" in the playground because she doesn't know how to take turns or ends up dominatinating play.

And since it's Friday I thought I might as well include the most appropriate song on this topic ...

Enjoy,

Stef