Dads who are looking for an enjoyable way to use their parenting skills to boost kids’ chances at success need only pick up a book.

A large body of research suggests fathers and mothers who read aloud with their little ones can nurture a lifelong interest in books as well as improving their academic performance.

Reading is also a great way to spend quality time together, whether you are single parenting or sharing the responsibility. Most kids love the opportunity to curl up with dad and hear one of their favorite stories read aloud.

According to nonprofit literacy organization Reading is Fundamental, there are a number of parenting skills that can be employed to help encourage children to read.

For example, seeking material closely aligned with your kids’ interests can be a good motivator. In other words, if your daughter is obsessed with dinosaurs or your son with pirates, make sure you choose books on these subjects when it comes time for your nightly bedtime story.

The group also suggests using movies as a way to pique children’s interest in a particular book. For instance, you may have already noticed that kids who love Harry Potter are eager to read, see or listen to anything related to the boy wizard.

The library can be a great reinforcement for your parenting skills when it comes to igniting children’s love of the written word. The majority of libraries offer story times on a weekly or biweekly basis – this could provide the ideal opportunity for a father-child bonding activity on a weekend afternoon.

According to a recent study by Hooked on Phonics, 82 percent of parents with kids under 9 say they read a book out loud to their children on a daily basis. If you are not already among this group, you could be missing a priceless opportunity.

James Dunsford is a single parenting and parenting skills specialist for greatdad.com.

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If you are looking for a great way to make sure your children are off to a healthy start, don’t overlook the importance of a nutritious breakfast.

According to the American Dietetic Association (ADA), when children are consistent about eating breakfast each day, they tend to consume more calories than those that don’t, but they are less likely to be overweight. Furthermore, not eating breakfast may predispose them to diets that fall short of providing enough calcium and fiber.

Another key component for fathers is what behaviors they are modeling. Children are quick to learn by watching others, so it’s important that fathers consider what type of example they are setting through their own eating and activity level.

According to the ADA, research shows that when mothers pressure their young daughters to eat more healthy foods, the children tend to do the opposite. They report that the most effective way to get them to eat more fruits and vegetables is to lead by example.

Children who see their parents frequently eat healthy food are more likely to do so themselves. Being overweight can cause a host of problems, creating difficulties in every area, from finding clothing that fits well to avoiding the school playground.

For young children, it’s especially troubling because they don’t yet have the ability to prepare their own foods or be much of an active participant in deciding what they will eat and how active their family will be.

Parents shouldn’t make their child’s weight a constant worry, but they should take it into consideration and check up on it with their family doctor.

Paul Banas is a founder of GreatDad.com. He writes articles on parenting styles, parenting, pregnancy and dads, parenting tips, baby names, pregnancy symptoms and many more topics related to dads.
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A five-year old boy made up his mind to save up 100 USD.

In the evening, his father came back after work. The little son asked his father:”Dad, could you lend me 10USD? I need it very much!” The father was busy with his work, and said:” Why 10 USD?to buy more toyes?” The boy looked down at the floor, and said nothing. Then, the father got angry and shouted to the boy:”Why you keep disturbing me in this way?I’m really busy! if you just want to buy some more toys, then definitely no way!”

The son came back to his room with tear in his eyes.

After finishing the work, the father went to his son’s room, and asked again:” Jason, could you tell me why you need the money?” The boy took out his money box, and announced his great plan:” I have already saved up 90 USD, if you can lend me 10 USD, then it adds up to 100 USD, so I can buy an hour from you!” The father tried to say something, but at a loss for words, just stretched out his arms and embraced his son tightly, tears filled his eyes.

Finally the father also made a decision: spare one hour for the family everyday!

Are you always busy with your work? and have no time to stay with your family members? or even to give a phone call?

It is true that time is money, but family is something more precious. You need to pay more attention to your family time, and make the best use of it to stay with your family members.

Life is a bar of chocolate, you never know what you will get next.
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So you fixed the baby’s room, decorated it with cool baby stuffs, assembled the crib, bought a baby mobile and packed enough photo and video equipment to document the arrival of the little angel in you and your wife’s life. But then first time dads will often wonder, what would I do if the baby is really now coming home? Will you be willing to pick up the baby when he cries? Changed his diaper when it’s soaked? I guess the said task are no longer a choice of whether you will do it or not but rather it is now a tasked incorporated in your title as the head of the family and being the partner of your wife.

In order that first time daddies would not be lost in translation and in the oblivion of how to’s let me share some few pointer in taking care of that little angel.

First of all, it will all begin with the search and meeting the baby’s pediatrician. Such task should be done even before the baby is born so that you can start establishing a good relationship with the pediatrician. Through thorough consultations, identifying high risk situations in your wife’s pregnancy will be known and thus, it will be easier for the first time fathers to handle the situation.

Secondly, during the birth of your angel, do not fret over uneven color spots on the skin, the funny looking head with soft spots and the puffy eyes. They are all normal. There is no need to be alarmed inasmuch as the baby will soon transformed into that perfect angel looking kid that you and your partner dreamed of.

Thirdly, first time daddies should remember that picking up baby is not a hard thing to do. One of my friends told me that her husband never picks up the baby because her husband is too scared that he may broke the baby’s neck or bones. Holding the baby is like holding a sack of potato. You just have to make sure that the baby’s head and neck are supported. In that way no breaking of the bones, necks or other parts of the body is done. There is one more important thing, never shake the baby. That’s it, easy.

Fourth, the biggest dilemma of all: the choice of whether you will use cloth or disposable diapers. Well the answer is really up to you, but when counting costs, you may also consider the water and the soap that you will need to wash those clothes. Expert says that the best choice is to choose both, combine and alternate using disposable and cloth diapers to let the baby’s bottom breathe after being covered with an elastic material for hours. Diaper rash however may be seen if the baby’s sensitive skin is constantly soaked with wetness from his urine and dirt from the baby’s stool, adding more is the heat from the diaper. Thus, in order to prevent diaper rash, a father who is in charge has to clean the area very well with mild soap and water and drying them up first before changing the diaper. Anti-diaper rash cream may also be used.

Remember that these are the most common dilemmas in fatherhood when it comes to taking care of his new born child. Expect a lot more though. But never fret and take each day at a time. Consider them as happy activities, activities that will surely help you and your partner in life grow together.

James Brown writes about Baby Browns promo code, BunnyburyBaby.com web code and Old Navy web code
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Would you swap a few beers in the pub with the guys for a night at home changing nappies, cleaning up sick and singing nursery rhymes?

For me, in the not too distant past there would have been no competition but how things have changed.

In a short space of time life has been turned upside down.

Everything is different. 

A Trip to the supermarket has become a logistical nightmare, restaurants are selected based on facilities for kids and trips to the cinema……..well, whats a cinema?

The thing is though life is better than ever.

Being a father is an honour; a little bundle of joy looking to you for unconditional love. Being a father is enjoyable, tiny faces looking at you to talk in a silly voice or pull a funny face. It’s more than just being a father to the children though, it’s about being Dad. 

Welcome to the world of fatherhood.

At www.superdads.co.uk you will find all sorts of information that will men make the transition into fatherhood and beyond.

Our “At the hospital” article below depicts how it all begins. This is obviously not the absolute start of fatherhood, as in essence that starts nine months earlier but for now we’ll start here:

I challenge any man to find a moment in their life that will prove more memorable and emotional than the moment their child is born.

Even the strongest of men break down and weep at the pure joy of seeing those tiny fingers and toes for the first time.  So what actually happens during the moments that will stay with you forever.

It really depends on what your partner has on her birth plan but in the majority of cases, where the birth is natural, the babies head will appear and you, as dad, will be overcome by feelings of excitement, joy and anticipation of what will happen next. Moments later your baby will be born and you will be smiling from ear to ear as can now see the little star that you have waited to meet for the last nine months.

Now, if you have elected to do so, will be your moment of glory……cutting the cord. Having experienced this myself I can assure you that it is not at all like it is portrayed. I for one, was against the idea of cutting the cord as I thought it wouldn’t be a pretty site but believe me it is nothing of the sort. The cord is like a purple/blue rope and cutting it with the surgical scissors is a proud moment. I cannot recall the number of people who asked me “Who cut the cord?” but what I can recall is the proud manner in which I responded “I did” every single time.

So now you’ve done your bit, what next? Well baby is placed in the arms of mom for the very first time and the emotions are now overflowing again. It truly is a magical moment. It’s a time for bonding. Jut remember though that it isn’t all about mother and baby….dads need to bond too.

Now’s a good time to get the camera out. make sure you get shots of not only baby but of Mother & baby, you & baby, plus a picture of you, with your partner and your baby.

You are a dad !!!!

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