Category Archives: Parenting

Dad’s Guide To Supporting Everyone In The Family

Every good Dad wants to provide for his family, but it isn’t always easy. However, things become infinitely harder if you fail to focus on the most crucial factors. Over-complicating things is never the answer.

Quite frankly, simplicity is the key. Follow the simple four-step plan below, and you’ll be sure to regain control over the situation. Those “World’s Best Dad” mugs will be on their way to you in no time.

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Step 1: Look After Yourself

No parent is ever going to put themselves first. Nonetheless, it’s imperative that you learn to take care of yourself. Otherwise, it’ll be almost impossible to provide loved ones with the support that they deserve.

Without necessarily getting in the shape of your life, taking care of your body with nutrition and exercise is vital. Meanwhile, regular sleep patterns and maintaining a social life will bring an array of benefits. Physically and mentally.

A happier dad is a better dad for all the family. Not least because you’ll be able to offer greater support.

Step 2: Help The Kids Grow

As a loving Dad, bringing up your children in the right way is the greatest job you have. While many of those elements come naturally, building a winning plan of action is still crucial.

Promoting a healthy lifestyle at an early age is vital. Meanwhile, encouraging the kids to grow into brilliant adults is a responsibility that you cannot ignore. Life skills and social skills are just as crucial as the academic ones. Do not forget about it.

Financial support and similar items do matter. But nothing matches the importance of letting them become better people. That’s the greatest success of any parent.

Step 3: Work With Mom

Parenting is tough work, especially when you are juggling other life commitments. Nonetheless, you can make things a lot easier on yourself simply by working together as a team.

As a man, doing the house chores might not come naturally. However, helping out with a few jobs around the home can make life a lot easier. Give your partner some time to relax and recharge the batteries. When she’s happier, the whole family are happier.

Besides, you can use an array of technology to cheat your way to a tidier home. This will give both of you a better opportunity to spend time together as a family.

Step 4: Don’t Forget Nan & Granddad

Just like you’re trying to do your best for the kids now, your parents spent years doing the best for you. Now is the time to repay them by doing all that you can to make life a little more comfortable during their retirement years.

An array of aging in place services will allow them to maintain a sense of independence while getting older. When coupled with regular time with yourself and the kids, retirement will truly be the golden years.

Grandparents are crucial members of the family and should be cherished at all times. Do this, and you won’t go far wrong.

Happy 11th Wedding Anniversary, Kelley!

Yep, it’s our 11, yes, 11, year wedding anniversary today. Can’t believe I’ve been married to this beautiful woman for 11 years!

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Babe, I know we bicker often, but hey, like Abraham Lincoln said:

No matter how much cats fight, there always seem to be plenty of kittens.

Although we’re done making kittens meow. But I’d our 2 kittens are pretty cute! And, realistically, annoying at times. But just loooookkkk…….

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It’s been a long time since I actually posted life happenings here, but I had to make it known to the world (or readers of this post) that I am happy to celebrate 11 years of marriage with my wife. We have such an awesome little (but growing too fast!) family!

I love you, Kelley, always!

Hey Dad, Look After Yourself. You Owe It To Your Kids!

We all remember our former selves. That disorganized, feckless and self indulgent boy in a man costume. We remember how selfish he could be sometimes. The needless risks he courted. The way he could be so inconsiderate and ignorant. But his heart was in the right place. He never set out to hurt anyone and he only ever had good intentions. Yet, he never realized just how incomplete he was until he held his child in his arms for the first time. Fatherhood has a way of reawakening something in us. A primal hunter gatherer instinct and an unyielding need to protect the tiny fragile life in your arms. Parenthood actually changes your brain’s composition. And although this change will inevitably lead you to make life choices that favor your kids’ well being over your own, it’s still important to look after yourself.

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Warm up and cool down at the gym… It’s really important!

Despite the myriad time and logistical constraints of fatherhood you may well want to spend more time at the gym. You want to look good for your baby mama but you also want your child to grow up with a strong and capable father. And, if you’re honest with yourself, you want to be able to win any “my Dad could beat up your Dad” debates.

By all means pump that iron but exercise smart. Far too many people, especially men, don’t properly warm up and cool down before engaging in exercises like deadlifts and squats is just asking for a back injury. This in turn can lead to a spinal cord disability that could leave you with temporary or even permanent mobility issues. Warm up, cool down and remember the importance of proper technique over heavy weight.

It’s not okay to still be a veggiephobe well into your thirties

When you were younger and you did your food shopping you likely tried to incorporate all of your major food groups; alcohol,  sugar, fat and meat. But if you’re to remain a good Dad for decades to come, you need to start taking better care of your diet. This means loading each and every plate of food you eat with plenty of veggies. These contain the vitamins, minerals and phytonutrients for good health and a robust immune system, now and for decades to come.

Steer clear of beer for most of the year

Being a dad is hard. Emotionally, logistically and physically it takes its toll. As such we need to take opportunities to relax and unwind wherever we can find them. But of the only way you can do this is with a beer in your hand, you could find yourself facing health problems later in life. Try and find ways to relax that don’t involve drinking. Not only can a lifetime of drinking lead to fatal cirrhosis of the liver, it can slow your metabolism leaving you with a beer gut that’s virtually impossible to shift.

When all’s said and done, your health is the best gift you can give your kids. It will allow you to look after them and give them the love and support they need when they’re way older than you are now. Look after yourself, Dad. You owe it to your kids!