City Dads Group

Navigating Fatherhood Together

Neverland a State of Mind Parents Should Strive to Keep Alive

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Tuesday was one of those days. My smile was a facade, it was there, but wasn't as wide, or bright or authentic, as it usually is. At one point, my daughter even asked me why I wasn't goofing around as much as I usually do.

I was grumpy. I had a bad case of the grown-ups.

I'm not going to trouble you with the details, partially because I'm not sure what the particulars actually were, but I was stressed and fixated on things both in and out of my control. And at one point, I started getting stressed about … [Read more...]

Filed Under: growing up, parenting advice, play, work-life balance Tagged With: ,

Parents: Build A Summer Survival Kit

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For busy parents like us, it helps to have a toolbox we can take with us wherever we go. This is why I put together my "Summer Survival Kit." All the products below can be thrown in a bag and taken wherever you go. I have personally tested them and found they have saved time, energy or just made my life easier. I have included links to find further info on the products and where to buy them. A Parent's Summer Survival Kit Dad's Book of Awesome Science Experiments by Mike Adamick. Have this book ready to cure those long days when the kids are complaining they're bored. This book … [Read more...]

Filed Under: education, entertainment, gear, parenting advice, play, travel Tagged With: , , , , ,

Independence Day Comes Early for Toddler without Patience

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“Wanna do it SELF! Wanna do it SELF! Wanna do it SELF!” She thrashes like an angry crocodile caught in a net. “Sienna, calm down!” I say, my frustration near boiling over. “You can’t change your diaper by yourself!” Poop leaks everywhere as she flails. I take a deep breath wishing to skip potty training (which we haven’t even started yet) and go right to whatever craziness comes next. We might be a couple of days away from the Fourth of July, but my daughter's in the throes of a sudden independence streak. She wants to do everything herself: open doors; use silverware (if I can … [Read more...]

Filed Under: at-home parenting, parenting advice, toddlers Tagged With: , ,

Good “Wisdom For Dad” – Twitter style

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While some advice in Wisdom For Dad may not resonate with all Hugh Weber’s book has enough material to educate a new dad and teach an old dog, like me, some new tricks. Father’s Day is our celebration day. It’s when we grin at the makeshift mugs our kids created and the promise of a day of relaxation. However, Father’s Day should really be a day for us to embrace our roles in our children’s lives, which includes instilling wisdom in them to help them become good citizens and helpful members of society. Now, try dispensing that wisdom in 140 characters or less. Hugh Weber, a staple of … [Read more...]

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Lessons Moms Learned from Their Dads, Part 2

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Editor’s Note: To celebrate Father’s Day, we asked some moms we dig what was the greatest lesson their dads taught them that they abide by in raising their own children. Here are the second batch of lessons moms learned; the first series of responses ran on Tuesday. Lessons Moms Learned: Be present, be kind, listen My father has always been there for me, no matter what. His genuinely unconditional love taught me how to accept children for who they are.  Value them as individuals.  That means hiking with one, cooking with another.  He taught me that being kind and being there to listen … [Read more...]

Filed Under: holidays, moms, parenting advice, parenting styles, relationships Tagged With: , , , ,