My son used to wear polos all the time. Now that he has got in that pre-teen stage, he is wearing more and more graphic and team t-shirts.   My wife gets so upset that he wears t-shirts more now. However, I say as long as he is comfortable.   I have always been a polo guy myself but I don’t see anything wrong with him wanting to wear t-shirts.

Luckily when picture day came he wore polo, so his mom would be happy.  His pictures turned out really good.

The years have flown by way to fast.   He recently made the 7^th grade basketball team and has his first big game Monday!  I don’t know who is more excited him or us.  He has played since he was 5 but it’s just something about playing for middle school makes it seem so much more real.   He has practice every day for the last 3 weeks 4-6 and even Saturdays 10-12.  He wasn’t used to that. The first couple of days all he wanted to do was eat, shower and go to bed when he got home.

My oldest daughter will be able to try out for basketball next year but she is already saying that she don’t think she can handle all that practice.  LOL. To Be honest I don’t see her doing it either even though she loves basketball.  I guess we will have to wait and see!

So My Question is if you have sons does he prefer t-shirts or polo’s.  I am trying to prove to my wife that it is normal for guy’s that age to wear a lot of t-shirts!

As a father, you know the importance of spending quality time with your kids. You may or may not realize it, but your time is the most precious gift that you can give to your children. It will be what they remember the most as they grow up and look back on their childhood from their adult years. Here are three things you can do to ensure these special times remain special in their memories.

Leave the Phone at Home
Children are very perceptive and they pick up on even the most subtle things. If they see you checking your phone every few minutes when you are supposed to be focused on them, they are going to notice. Don’t let the phone tempt you when you are spending quality time with your children. Leave it at home or in the car so you can focus on making this time extra special for your kids.

Get Out of the House
Spending quality time with the kids at home is great, but put some thought into it and take them out for the afternoon or for the evening. A picnic is always a good idea of the weather is warm and you have parks near your home. But something more fun and exciting is also good. If they are older kids, you can take them to a concert of their choice or a sporting event. Showing that you put some thought into the quality time can go a long way.

Go to Breakfast
If you are simply too busy during the week, plan a weekend breakfast with just you and the kids. Take them out to their favorite restaurant or try somewhere new. The important thing is spending time talking with each other and getting to know each other better.

Have you tried any of these efforts to spend quality time with your kids? If not, try them today and start building a deeper connection with your kids.

Few things strike fear into a dad as much as the thought of talking to your kids about sex. But if they don’t learn it from home, they are going to learn about it on the schoolyard. And with fewer and fewer schools including abstinence into their sexual education programs, do you really want to depend solely on the school system to teach your kids about sex? Use the following tips to relieve those jitters as you approach the subject.

Make the Discussion Age-Appropriate
Some kids will start asking questions as early as the preschool years. Keep the discussion as basic as possible without getting into the specifics of intercourse at this age. As your kids get older, you can use a little more detail as long as it is appropriate for their particular age. That’s a judgment call that you will have to make. Regardless of their age, however, make sure to emphasize that sex is something that should only be done in a loving relationship where two people respect each other.

Look for Teachable Moments
Don’t force the discussion about sex. Instead, look for “teachable moments” that allow you to segue into a sex talk. When your kids are asking about sex, that’s a good teachable moment. If someone mentions sex around your kids, that could be a teachable moment. But just randomly talking about sex is usually not the best way to have a productive conversation.

Own Your Feelings
As a dad, you are probably going to be uncomfortable or embarrassed about talking to your kids about sex. There’s nothing wrong with that. Make sure you tell your kids that this conversation could make you nervous. That will probably put them at ease because they will likely be nervous about it too. You don’t have to pretend to know everything. Just have an open and honest discussion.

Talking about sex doesn’t have to be the dreaded discussion that you are making it out to be. Just take the plunge and begin the conversation and it will actually be pretty easy once you get started.

First off I want to say that now my first born, my son will be 13 years old in January. Lately I just been reliving all those moments from the time I found out about I was going to be a father and to the time he was born. So I thought well you have a blog now and my wife constantly telling me I need to write more so hey, I’m going to share my experience from father to be to actually becoming a father.

I still remember when my future wife told me about her being pregnant I’ll be honest it seemed like my world stopped and so many thoughts was running through my mind. I was so happy and after telling her how happy I was and telling her I love her and seeing how she felt I later had some time to myself with so many thoughts running through my head from if my child will be a boy or girl, thinking of some of the things I would want to do with my child and just enjoying fatherhood. You also start thinking of the things maybe your parents done and how you would do them differently, which isn’t a knock on them.

So I remember the first few months she was pregnant she visited my house which I was still living with my parents seeing I was only 20 years old but I remember my mom talking to her seeing how she felt and she was saying she felt bad and of course mom is questioning her seeing what’s wrong, now at this time I haven’t told my parents yet that we were expecting and I know this may sound crazy but I was scared to tell my parents and didn’t want to hear there reaction. But a day later I’m taking my parents somewhere and my mom asks, Is she pregnant?…………I’m driving and nervous as hell, so I was like what you talking about, she says I know you heard me answer the question. Then I said yes ma’am she is and looked at my daddy and it seemed like this took forever when they stared at each other I’m thinking, “Oh My God” I’m in trouble she says I told you she was pregnant, see mommas know everything. That was just a standout moment during that time.

Now fast forward until my girlfriend was admitted to the hospital because of her being a high risk and she’s laying in the bed and I was staring at her hoping everything will be ok with not only our baby but her also. But I’m staring at her in amazement and I still regret to this day not telling her how amazed I was of her because a woman can actually carry another life inside them and guys please let them know because at times they may feel unappreciated when all the attention is on the baby.

Now she was under the doctors watch for a good amount of time and remember when she was getting closer because we were all the room watching the Atlanta Falcons and the Minnesota Vikings play in the NFC Championship game. I felt so bad because she was having alot of contractions and in so much pain before getting her epidural, which calmed her down immensely. So just a little while after having her water break and after a little while she dilated enough to move forward with the birth.

I remember when it was time the doctor asked me, Are you gonna be okay? I was like hell yeah then he said alot of guys have passed out during this, then I said let’s do this. So it was time and I remember seeing him come out and I tell you I was beyond happy and remember him coming out and he wasn’t crying, he just had that look like I do when I’m trying to figure something out or in deep thought and he looked like me. The doctor asked, Do you want to cut the cord? I was like of course. My reaction I remember was like man he has some big hands like his daddy. So the nurse put him on the table to clean him off and remember hearing him crying and the funny part was the nurse was having problems getting him cleaned off because he was knocking objects out of her hands so I had to help, which was cool. So he was cleaned off and was placed with his mom which was a cool thing to watch also.

After she held him then she asked did I want him and I was nervous at first because I didn’t know how I was going to react, so once I picked him up and we just stared at each other, it was like heaven and it felt like I was hovering about the room above everyone. I’m actually shedding tears now as I think about it but I remember talking to him and promising him that I would always be there for him and never let him down and that I’m going to be the best father ever. Also I wasn’t letting anyone hold him and I never wanted to let him go. It was crazy that night I got so upset at the nurses when they took him to keep him in the nursery to check him out and do all the things they do. I remember going down to the nursing desk about 4 times after they kept saying they were going to bring him so I know I got on there nerves but I was so excited. That night he slept in the room with us and kept checking to see how he was doing all night. To top that off a little less than 3 weeks later me and him watch the Super Bowl together which he stayed up until like the 3rd quarter watching it with me, so that was definitely a special moment.

Being a new father is one of the most exciting experiences you will ever have. But with this new experience also comes some changes. If you know what to expect after becoming a new father, you can embrace these changes rather than fear them.

1. Crying isn’t always a sign that something is wrong. Babies are going to cry for many reasons. They are hungry. They need changing. They are tired. But there will be times when your newborn will just cry. You might think it is simply to annoy you, but it’s just in their nature to cry a lot. Don’t freak out if you can’t get your baby to stop crying sometimes. It’s one of those things you’ll just have to get used to.

2. Changing diapers isn’t that bad. Many new dads shy away from the poopy or the wet diaper, but your apprehensions are not warranted. Sure, they may stink and seem gross. But changing your baby’s diaper is, believe it or not, a way for you to bond with your new baby. Jump in there and do it instead of always passing off that glorious job to the new mom.

3. Your sleep schedule is going to change for awhile. For the first few months, you and the baby’s mom probably aren’t going to sleep much. The baby will probably wake up crying a few times every night. But this isn’t going to last forever. If you both take turns getting up with the baby, it will help each of you get a little more rest. But after awhile, you won’t even remember that you only got a combined total of 12 hours of sleep during your baby’s first four months.

4. The mom is going to be hormonal. This is just a fact of life during and after the pregnancy. If she says something bad about you, your family or anyone else you like, don’t take it personally. Just smile and continue on about your life. She probably doesn’t mean it (or at least she doesn’t mean to say it).

Keep these things in mind when you bring home that new bundle of joy. It will help you get closer to your new baby and be the best dad that you can be.

With childhood obesity at record proportions, it’s important to help your child stay a healthy weight. If you start them early, they will learn eating habits that will be beneficial to them throughout their childhood, adolescence and into adulthood. Here are three ways that you can help your child maintain a healthy weight and stay in shape yourself, too.

1.  Turn off the TV. Did you know that the average child between the ages of 8 and 18 will spend four hours in front of the TV each day? Four hours may not seem like a lot, but when you consider that they are sitting in class for six or seven hours a day and then adding in the TV time, that means they are simply sitting around for the better part of their day. There are so many things your child can be doing besides just sitting in front of the TV screen. And the worst part is that this is when many children consume the most calories in their day because they are “munching mindlessly” while being completely inactive. Limit your child’s TV time to an hour or two each day to help them lead a healthier lifestyle.

2.  Encourage physical exercise. Exercise doesn’t have to be sit-ups, pushups, and lifting weights. Exercise can mean       taking walks together, going for a bike ride together or playing a sport like racquetball. Either way, encourage your child to get outside and do something other than sit around playing video games. Help them find a sport or activity they enjoy doing which will get them moving. Once they find something they enjoy doing, do it with them. They will get the exercise they need and you’ll also get some good quality time together.

3. Be a good example. As fathers, we tend to have the attitude that we can eat what we want and do what we want. But our children are going to model our behavior. If we can’t tear ourselves away from the TV, how can we expect them to do it? Be an example by being active yourself and eating better. Not only will it benefit your children, but it will help you stay healthier so you can be around longer.

Maintaining a healthy weight gets more difficult the older you get. And if you don’t have good eating habits now, it’s going to be more challenging to develop those healthy habits. That’s why it is essential to start your children on the right path as early as possible so they can develop good habits that will last them a lifetime.

Halloween is one of the most popular holidays for children, but many dads enjoy it as well. Seeing your child dressed up as the latest pop culture icon or in a classic Dracula or Cinderella costume makes it worthwhile to take them around the neighborhood asking for candy. But staying safe is the main priority for optimal fun and enjoyment. Here are four things you can do to help keep your child safe on Halloween.

1.  Make sure you have a light source. Going door to door after dark on Halloween is what it’s all about. But to stay safe, you should have a quality flashlight or LED lights to light your trail and make you visible to drivers. Replace the batteries in your light source before leaving for the night and bring along some extra batteries as a precaution

2.  Steer away from weapons. There are many costumes that children choose which involve fake weapons. If your child wants to be a pirate, a warrior or even a witch that carries a wand, take extra precautions. Make sure the weapons do not have pointed tips which can cause injury to other kids and make sure they are flexible as well. Also, make sure the weapons are bendable. If your child suddenly wants to “stab” someone with their pretend sword or other weapon, it should bend upon contact so it does not hurt anybody.

3. Check the candy. It may sound cliché to check your child’s Halloween candy before letting them eat it, but it never hurts to do so. Although it is unlikely that someone in your neighborhood has put something in the candy that they are passing out, there are still choking hazards, allergies and other things to think about.

4. Opt for face paint instead of masks. It may be easier to put on a mask for Halloween, but they can limit your child’s vision significantly. Face paint allows your child full vision so they can see where they are walking.

These are just a few things dads can do to keep your child safe on Halloween. By taking some extra precautions, the entire evening can be a great enjoyment.

We as dads are kinda like superheroes to our kids, I mean we’re not scared of anything or never get rattled, at least not in front of them. Today I started jury duty so this morning so that meant my baby girl was going to have to ride the bus home this afternoon by herself I was so worried, which something she haven’t done because I’ve took her to school and picked her up all year. Last year when she was in kindergarten she had my oldest sister riding with her.

Today I’m sitting in the room with the other jurors just checking my phone, you know I’m worried but let’s add this is the first time I have ever been selected to be a juror. Well today we were released around 10:35 or 10:40 and after I got home I told my wife that I’m going to call the school and just tell them I would pick her up. But she told not to do it because we want to see how she do riding the bus just in case she have to do it again. So I didn’t let her know but once again I’m worried and upset but she did have a point so I let it be.

Well I’m in the living room waiting for her bus with the blinds open knowing her bus comes around 2:51 so around 2:45 I seen a bus zoom by the house and I go throwing on my shoes real quick and about to chase the bus then before leaving I ask more wife what number is her bus again, she told me. Well the bus that rode by and it was 1 number different than the one she’s riding. So sigh of relief and I’m relaxing again momentarily watching ESPN. Then I see the clock is around 2:55 and now I’m like what is going on and where is she but I’m staying calm so around 2:58 I see her getting off the bus, smiling also. She comes in the house and says she had fun and loved it.

Guys it’s that time of year again! The Holiday countdown has officially started! Women seem to stress way too much during the holidays!! And we all know what that means as husbands!  I keep seeing the mom bloggers posting tips for each other so i thought I’d join in the fun and make a list for us guys! Here is my 10 Holiday planning tips to help your wife relax and enjoy the Holiday season.

1. Don’t stress! I see so many people that stress out during the holidays. Holidays are meant to be enjoyable. Having a plan of action during the busy season allows you to enjoy it more

2. Delegate! Don’t let your wife do everything herself. If you have a big Holiday dinner and parties make everyone bring a dish. I used to watch my wife cook everything. Not anymore! She was spending all day in the kitchen and by the time our guest arrived she was too tired to even enjoy them

3. Create a budget and stick to it! Don’t overspend! We create a budget each year. We make sure all the kids in the family have a gift. If we have extra we start going down the list starting with Grandparents. Adults know times are hard!

4. Send Christmas cards! We personally love sending out personalized photo cards.

This is something that doesn’t get trashed like regular cards. You can find a big selection at www.storkie.com , This allows you to show your distant family and friends you are thinking of them the holiday season.

5. Declutter! Right before the Holidays, we usually get rid of everything we don’t need. We donate it to shelters. This is not only good for you it helps others in need.

6. Grab the kids and decorate. My wife used to get so stressed out when it came to putting up the Christmas tree. Now I get the kids to help and we do most of the work. (she changes a few things around but hey it’s a start)This allows her time to do other important task.

7. Help with shopping. Yea I get it men really don’t like to shop but let’s face it we rather have a happy wife. I usually will take care of my side of the family while she is doing hers. I am also out on Black Friday waiting in lines and taking orders. ( I have gotten pretty good over the years)

8. Make her take a break. Take the kids out for the afternoon and let her have the house to herself. This gives her some time to get things done alone. Plus this allows the kids a time to pick out gifts for her.

9. Don’t wait till Christmas Eve night to put everything together! I have 13 years under my belt. Trust me something always seems to still go wrong! (plus I admit I like playing with the toys myself before the kids get them)

10. Christmas Eve- Tire the kids out! So they will want to go to bed early. When they are in the bed relax and let Santa come and go back to bed! Don’t bother waking the kids up. Trust me they will wake up soon enough! Who wants grouchy sleepy kids on Christmas morning! (learned that the hard way)

So Dad’s Share me your tips!! As the years pass I learn more each year.

I wrote this blog post while participating in the Storkie holiday blogging program. I received compensation for my participation. All opinions are 100% mine.”