EDITOR’S NOTE: City Dads Group is working with longtime partner Dove Men+Care to create “how to” videos for the grooming products company’s “Dads Care” campaign. We will be featuring the videos and scripts our members appear in. This one features Devon Bandison of our NYC Dads Group, with a little help from his son, talking about teaching children about the impact of their words. My son and I often discuss the impact, good and bad, our words can have on others. Today, we want to focus on using our words to encourage yourself and others. Each night, we have a ritual. We stand in front of … [Read more...]
Sad the Kids are Growing Up? Here are Some Reason to be Thankful
Contrary to the popular opinion of most parents, I am very thankful my kids are growing up. Some many months ago when my wife and I were traveling, we had a chance to watch a family with their young children at the airport. I was reminded of the family trips we took just a few short years ago – pushing strollers, hauling large amounts of baby gear through airports, installing car seats in rental cars and making sure hotel rooms had cribs or pack 'n’ plays available. Now when we travel, our kids wheel their own suitcases through the airport. Heck, my wife and I even have even given them … [Read more...]
Child-Saving Vaccines of Past Worthy of Our Thanks During Pandemic
As Thanksgiving approaches, the COVID-19 pandemic has changed the calculus of what families might be thankful for this year. Those of us lucky enough to remain healthy and employed can focus on those two facts during this year’s feasts. But for many, it’s easy to feel there is little to be thankful for this year, given all that continues to be infected, affected or simply canceled — including many of those traditional feasts. In other words, cultivating a grateful mindset during this traditional season of thanks requires many us to dig deeper this year. For me, digging deep into history helps … [Read more...]
Support Your Pregnant Partner Better: Follow This Dad’s Advice
EDITOR’S NOTE: City Dads Group is working with longtime partner Dove Men+Care to create “how to” videos for the grooming products company’s “Dads Care” campaign. We will be featuring the videos and scripts our members appear in. This one features Marlon Gutierrez of our Orlando Dads Group talking about how to support your pregnant partner. My wife is nine months pregnant and she's due at any time now with our second baby. It's been a very stressful time to say the least. There's a lot of things that have happened (like COVID-19, my suffering a dislocated shoulder and more) that we could … [Read more...]
Military Service Made Me a Better, More Resourceful Parent
I was a major in the U.S. Air Force when children entered my household, and while I have memories of the 1990 TV show "Major Dad" featuring a Marine who tried to run his household like he ran his battalion, I was not that guy. After all, the six months preceding the birth of my now 14-year-old were spent deployed to Andrews Air Force Base in Maryland, where my greatest concerns were getting caught going AWOL to attend a friend's wedding in Florida or ensuring I visited all the Smithsonian museums before it was time to go home. I've never required 0500 PT sessions, spit-shined shoes, or … [Read more...]
‘When Good Fruit Goes Bad’ Aims to Teach Kids About Inner Worth
One bad banana in the bunch started Vernon D. Gibbs II on his journey to become a children's author. The New Jersey stay-at-home father of three, who is a contributor to our City Dads Group blog, said his son, Justin, was getting ready to toss out a bruised and overripe banana several years ago. Gibbs interceded, showing him that the brown and dented fruit would be a perfect addition to a smoothie -- which Justin simply ate up. "From there, a story grew about eating healthy, creating less waste and how we all sometimes struggle or don’t bother to try to find value in ourselves and each … [Read more...]
Study What You Fear to Gain Better Understanding, Overcome Ignorance
I had a conversation with a friend recently about the value of learning about what interests our kids. "If you don't know what they're interested in, then you’re not in a position to effectively offer them great counsel," he said to me. "You can't offer advice or insight in areas that you have zero knowledge in. Therefore, even if it's something you don't understand, it makes sense to at least explore the subject matter so that you can be a resource to your kids. At a minimum, you gain clarity on where you need to seek outside help.” This statement really made me think. Why do we, as dads, … [Read more...]
Arts and Crafts with Your Kids Fosters Creativity, Bonding, Fun
EDITOR’S NOTE: City Dads Group is working with longtime partner Dove Men+Care to create “how to” videos for the grooming products company’s “Dads Care” campaign. We will be featuring the videos and scripts our members appear in. This one features Brent Almond of our Baltimore Dads Group, with a little help from his son talking about how to get your children into arts and crafts projects. During quarantine — or anytime, really — it can be easy to plop the kids in front of a screen and call it a day. Coming up with non-screen activities can be stressful. Crafts are a tried-and-true way for … [Read more...]
No Matter Your Game, Sports Bring Families Together During Hard Times
I’ve been wrong about something. There’s not much unusual about that but, sadly, I was judgmental in my wrongness. I probably even judged you. First, a quick story - which for me is oxymoronic - but I’ll try ... The Cincinnati Reds are in the World Series and it’s the night of the fourth game. These are the 1990 wire-to-wire Reds and they are putting the whomp on the A’s. I am working tables at a high-end restaurant on the second level of a downtown Cincinnati hotel. Delmonico’s at The Westin, or Del’s as everyone calls it, has floor-to-ceiling windows that look down upon our lovely … [Read more...]
Physically Active Kids, Parents Can Beat Pandemic Quarantine Blues
EDITOR’S NOTE: City Dads Group is working with longtime partner Dove Men+Care to create “how to” videos for the grooming products company’s “Dads Care” campaign. We will be featuring the videos and scripts our members appear in. This one features Drew Bennett of our Boston Dads Group, with a little help from his son, Andy, talking about how to help kids stay physically active. When the COVID-19 quarantine happened, I became the de facto phys ed teacher for our family, tasked with keeping us healthy and physically active. Here's three important tips if you find yourself in the same … [Read more...]
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