Thanksgiving is upon us and most parents are scrambling to find things to do while our kids are out of school for the next few days while cooking a meal to satisfy both their meat-loving uncle and vegan cousin. Others are preparing to hunt for deals first thing Friday morning (or even Thursday night) from retailers promoting Black Friday sales. For our family (and for many others like ours), Thanksgiving is about something else; as second and third generation immigrants, it is about giving thanks and giving back to this great country. Thankfully, the last couple of years has brought us a … [Read more...]
Public Transit and #VoteYesOnM in Los Angeles is for Our Kids
Ever since Measure M was announced as the ballot initiative for traffic reduction in Los Angeles County on the November 8 Presidential Election, I have been excitedly talking about it with friends and family. While most are supportive, a few people have candidly told me that they believe they will never see the benefits of Measure M in their lifetime. I get what they are saying. Completion dates like 2029 and beyond seem far away, even for someone in their early thirties. In reality, however, local returns to all 88 cities in LA County will mean immediate road repairs, and recently … [Read more...]
Join Us in LA for the Biggest Baby Show in the Country!
We have all been there--that moment when you realize you are about to become a parent (by adoption or birth) and have no idea what you are doing! Well, have no fear dads, the biggest baby show in the country is coming to Los Angeles the weekend of November 5th and 6th. It is a family-friendly, expo-size jamboree of top brands, great speakers and seminars, big giveaways, and lots of learning, support, bonding, and fun as you make your way into parenthood at the awesome Magic Box at the REEF in Downtown LA (near LA Live). And guess what! As part of our LA Dad community, you can enter the … [Read more...]
Good Stuff Kids Podcast Interviews LA Dad Eli Lipmen
I recently spoke with the Good Stuff Podcast creator Mike Mason about the LA Dads Group and City Dads Groups across the country. Good Stuff Podcast is a great listen for both parents and kids...and my kids love listening to Mike and his kids talk and sing songs while we are driving in our car! We talked about how I became a stay-at-home-dad, how I got involved in LA Dads Group, and what it means to be a dad in the modern world. We also touched on the Dad 2.0 Summit and getting free stuff like carriers, car seats, etc. as a member of City Dads Group. You can listen to my interview starting … [Read more...]
The Goldbergs and Dr Ken
I got to join a few pretty cool blogger moms as they toured Sony Studios earlier this week. We were invited to tour the sets for both The Goldbergs and Dr Ken as well as enjoy a few minutes of questions and answers with some of the cast, crew and others.
The Goldbergs: In the 1980s, geeky Adam uses a video camera to document his family's crazy life. His mother, Beverly, is overprotective and lacks boundaries, while his dad has a hot temper and finds it difficult to parent without screaming.
I was born in the early 70's, so … [Read more...]
Hitting a home run
I love being a stay at home dad for my two boys. I have been asked multiple times if we are going to try to have a girl. We are not, two is enough and we are very happy. I have also been asked if I think I would raise a daughter differently than I would my boys. No! If I had a daughter I would do exactly what I am doing with my boys. I know I would have a different relationship with a daughter (as with every child they are never the same), but I wouldn't change the way I parent. I allow my boys to choose what interests them and allow them to try things even if it may not be "fit for boys". … [Read more...]
It’s that time again–the ? and? of back-to-school
It's that time of the year again. Back to school. As a stay-at-home dad, this is a sad and happy time for me. Sad because I won't be spending as much time with my boys, happy because I won't be spending as much time with my boys. There really is such a thing as too much together time. My ears ring even when they aren't with me from them screaming and yelling so much. Then again I honestly can't believe how fast summer came and went.
In all seriousness, this is a time of heighten emotions, new experiences and most of all changes. As a parent, in an attempt to … [Read more...]
A Lesson in How Toys Are Made and Tested
One of the great things about the City Dads Group is the opportunity to partner with awesome organizations and companies to learn about what they do…and have some fun! Last week, we had the change to visit the Mattel Imagination Center. This is the place you always dreamed existed as a kid—like hoping that Willy Wonka’s Chocolate Factory is a real place—because this is where the toys are thought up, designed, and then tested. While it wasn’t a room full of chocolate, it was pretty darn close. The Imagination Center is located at Mattel’s El Segundo Headquarters and is a series of rooms … [Read more...]
Planting seeds
There are so many times as a parent, I talk to my boys and they just don't listen. I know this is common. The worst is when they are staring you right in the eyes, but you know they are off on another planet. It gets frustrating. However, there are those rare times when just the opposite happens.
The other night was one of those times. Our whole family was coloring on the floor listening to music. I have a couple of adult coloring books that my boys prefer to their own. My son's choice that night had, "Can we all get along" plastered across it. How appropriate!
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The Challenge of Being a Father of a Daughter
Being a stay-at-home dad with a daughter has particular "challenges." Don't get me wrong—I love my daughter. She can be the sweetest, most compassionate, caring, and loving person. I cannot describe in words how much I love her hugs and kisses. While I love spending time with her, as she grows older certain things have become…interesting. For instance, which bathroom does she use? Every time we are out, I always pause before deciding what to do. She knows which is the "boys" room and which is for "girls." And she always wants to go into the girl's room. Do I just let her go by herself? … [Read more...]