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...]
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...]
A Shelf of One’s Own: Reading Print Books Can Help Children in Pandemic
Comfort is king when coping with a pandemic. Just look at the nostalgic family activities that have returned to so many homes: arts and crafts, card and board games, cooking and gardening. As we all continue to nest against our will, our Zoomed-out brains and bodies crave non-virtual, low-tech, familiar experiences. Fortunately, one of the retro family experiences that has been coming back (or at least holding steady) has been the pleasure of reading print books. Anecdotally, I can confirm this by the increased use of our family’s Little Free Library in the front yard. As a writer and … [Read more...]
Wants and Needs: Teach Your Children the Difference with These Tips
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 contributor Mike Dorsey and his children, Maxwell and Morgan, talking about the differences between wants and needs.
To start this process, you should have your kids define "needs" and "wants" in their own words. When you allow your children to do this, it helps them understand the concept in their own terms. For … [Read more...]- « Previous Page
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