Kids

No matter how tired or fed up you are with how things are going at the office or store or school, or wherever you might work, if the person who signs your paycheck walks in, somehow there is a little reserve of goodwill saved up, just for him or her. From out of thin air comes a smile or a sudden lilt in the voice, or a very optimistic assessment of the absolute disaster … [Read more...] about Treat Her like Your Boss – Be A Better Dad, Tips on Father and Daughter Relationship

When I was only nine years old, and living with my mom and my brother in the Hollywood Hills of California, our traditional Sunday dinner was interrupted by the sound of screeching tires and a huge explosion. We raced outside to see that two cars had collided head-on in the middle of Franklin Avenue. Hubcaps were still spinning on the pavement as we ran over to see if we … [Read more...] about Once Seen, Never Unseen – Advice for Dads on How to Prevent Kids Watching Sad Things

The Nancy Armato Rule Antonina's mother, Nancy Armato, is the ultimate child greeter. She smiles and beams and bursts with pride at the sight of her three children and her six grandchildren. No child who enters her home has any doubt whatsoever that he or she is completely welcome-there is no room for doubt. Grandma Nancy's hugs, kisses, compliments, questions about new … [Read more...] about Smile When You See Them – Fatherhood and Child Development

Imagine that there is a tree growing in a front yard somewhere. Imagine that it is a tree born of one of the most magnificent oak tree strains in the world, the Kentucky black oak. But then imagine that the man who owns this particular house does not care for the beautiful oak. He always wanted an Australian acacia growing in his front yard. So he does not appreciate the … [Read more...] about Grow The Tree You Got – Important Parenting Advice for Dads

Getting in and out of the car - which happens a million times during childhood - can be dangerous for children if they are not paying attention, and especially as the car door is closing. This is often the precise instant that they reach for you, or push their sister, or drop a toy and go to rescue it. As you are about to close the door, call out "Fingers Fingers", and teach … [Read more...] about Fingers Fingers – Tips for Dads on Child Safety