Safeguard Your Home against Burglars This Summer

When the weather warms up, crimes of theft tend to increase. The warm weather allows criminals to lurk outside in neighborhoods, and the tradition of family vacations means that many homes are left temporarily vacant during this time of year. To help safeguard your home against burglars this summer, here are some tips.

Shrubs and Other Vegetation

Having shrubs, vines, or other vegetation growing over windows and up around doors may be an invitation for thieves. The foliage provides a cover and allows them to go about their break-in undetected. Be sure to keep ornamental grasses, shrubs, vines, and other vegetation trimmed back from doors and windows.

Motion-Activated Lighting

A bright, motion-activated outdoor light may ward off a burglar as he approaches your house. Sources recommend mounting such lights in trees, where they are not easily detected. It’s also a good idea to have several, so if the thief ducks one, he may trip the other. Make sure they are bright!

While we’re on this topic, it’s worth noting that bright, widespread, exterior lighting is purported to be a burglar deterrent.

Mail and Newspapers

Burglars know a person is not home if newspapers and mail pile up. Call the post office and newspaper office before you go out of town and ask them to stop your mail, or ask a neighbor to bring them in.

Neighbor Check-in

Let trusted neighbors know you are going out of town, and ask them to keep an eye on your place. Ask one trusted neighbor to go into your home at random times during your absence to check things out and give the appearance of activity around the home.

Lock Doors and Windows

Even if you are just going for a walk or running a quick errand, it’s a good idea to lock windows and doors. Remember the garage door.

Home Alarm Systems

If you have a home alarm system, activate it even if you aren’t going to be gone long. Make sure you are familiar with how your system works.

Toys on the Lawn

Before going out of town, let the kids leave their least valuable toys out on the lawn. This gives the appearance of recent activity, especially if your handy neighbor visitor rearranges them on occasion.

Lamps and Timers

Putting your indoor lights on timers helps give the appearance of occupants in the house. Most timers have multiple on-off settings, so you can have the lamps going on and off at different ends of the house in patterns similar to what your family normally does.

Alarm Clocks

If you have a clock radio with an alarm setting, leave it on. If you have a television or other radio with a setting that allows you to have it come on and off at various times, use it. You can also use a lamp timer with a plug-in radio or TV, setting it to come on and go off at various times.

Staying Safe during Tornado Season – Top Tips

This coming spring and summer are predicted to be a very active tornado season. However, even if an active season is not forecast, tornadoes are notoriously unpredictable and can strike with little warning. The most sophisticated weather equipment still sometimes fails to predict tornadoes.

The best way to stay safe is to be informed. So here are some tips on how you can stay safe this tornado season.

Locate Shelters

Find out where your local shelter area is, especially if you do not have access to a basement or other safe area in your house. Locate it during clear weather or in the off-season, when it’s not an emergency. Ask about their procedures and make sure you are familiar with them. Find out if they accept pets in carriers – some shelters will accept pets only if they are in the proper containers (and some won’t accept them at all).

Watches versus Warnings

If you are not used to the way watches and warnings work, it’s a good idea to familiarize yourself with the terminology. A tornado watch means that conditions are right for a tornado to form – it’s a possibility, in other words. A tornado warning means an actual tornado has been sighted, either on radar or in the field. A warning is more urgent than a watch, but both warrant your attention.

Emergency Kits

Have a kit handy to take with you to a shelter or keep it in your basement. The kit should have water, a flashlight, non-perishable foods, a battery-operated radio and a change of clothes. If you have pets, your kit should include food and water for them, too, and collapsible water and food bowls. The kit should cover a minimum of three days’ worth of supplies. The kits should be packed in duffle bags or something similar that can be grabbed by each family member (ever family member should have his or her own kit).

Check Your Insurance

Before a tornado strikes, find out what your homeowner’s insurance policy or renter’s insurance says about tornado damage. Find out how much the insurance company will cover in the event of tornado damage, and expand your coverage if necessary and possible.

5. Get Together with Your Neighbors

Find out what your neighbors’ tornado preparedness plan is. If they don’t have one, encourage them to come up with one along with you. In fact, having your neighbors in on your plan can make a huge difference – it’s sort of like a neighborhood watch for weather. So try to join with others in your community, and find out what everyone can contribute (one neighbor may offer to let you take cover in his or her basement, for instance, if you don’t have one).

Make sure your family knows where you’ll meet up, too, if you’re separated when a tornado hits.

Protecting Your Pets against Common House and Garden Hazards

Does your cat like to chew on grass-like houseplants? Does your dog like to snack on “people food”? Do you find that your pet bird likes being in the kitchen with you? Unfortunately, all of these situations and many more can set the stage for poisoning, injuring, or even killing a pet.

Here are some tips on protecting your pet against common hazards in the house and garden. Let’s start with the garden.

Ponds

Water features are a popular addition to many gardens and yards. However, dogs and cats should not be allowed near the ponds. They might lick up water that is contaminated with pond chemicals or fish food, and a puppy or kitten could drown. If you have fish in the pond, be aware of their safety, too.

Excessive vegetation and debris in and on the pond can suffocate your fish – so can a layer of snow on top of an ice-covered pond. Make sure to clear out vegetation and thin pond plants to avoid this, and clear snow away from the top of ponds. Also, break a hole in the ice to give the fish oxygen.

A good rule of thumb is to fence off a pond and any other water features, such as fountains.

Heat Stroke

All animals are susceptible to heat stroke. Never shut an animal of any kind in a car on a hot day, even with windows cracked. It only takes a few minutes for the heat in the car to get to dangerous levels. Animals need access to shade, too – don’t keep a dog or cat in direct sunlight on hot summer days.

Animals with heat stroke might go into a stupor, vomit, pant excessively, or even go into a coma. Make sure your animal isn’t panting and fidgeting and acting uncomfortable – if it is, these are signs that heat stroke could come on quickly.

House Plants

Keep all house plants out of the reach of cats and dogs. Hanging plant pots are good for keeping plants up and out of animals’ reach. The only exception is “cat grass,” catnip, or other plants obtained from your vet or pet store that are specifically for cats. If you have a pet bird, make sure it does not have access to house plants.

Home Renovation

When your home is undergoing a major overhaul or even just some improvement, your pets will probably find the disruption stressful. Make sure your pets are out of the way of any handymen, contractors, or other workers. Pets can get injured easily or escape outdoors during home renovation. Temporary confinement in crates and cages, while unpleasant to some animals, are the best solution for keeping them out of harm’s way.

Toxic Foods

Some people like to feed their pets “people food,” but be aware – some foods that are harmful or healthy for us can have quite the opposite effect on pets. Here are some foods considered toxic for cats and dogs:

* Grapes
* Raisins
* Chocolate
* Alcohol (such as beer or wine)
* Xylitol sweetener
* Nuts
* Coffee (animals metabolize caffeine differently than humans)

With some basic awareness and a few precautions, you can keep your pets safe this summer and beyond.

Preparing for Summer – Tips for Working Parents

Are your kids counting down the days until school is out? Is it making you panic a bit? To help you avoid getting caught off guard, here are some tips for working parents on preparing for summer.

Things to Consider

It’s good to start with the basics. Here are some things to think about first.

1. How many hours of child care will you need?

Get a solid grip on how many hours of child care you will need each day/week. Remember to factor in commute time and how your workplace views the presence of children. For instance, you can cut back on the hours needed for child care if your child care provider can come to your office and pick up your child, or if you can drop off your child at the caregiver’s on your way to work. Sit down with a calendar and figure out the number of hours you really need to have a caregiver.

2. What can you afford?

If you don’t already have a budget for child care, work one out on paper. If you don’t do this step first, you may end up frustrated as you spend time exploring various options that you end up not being able to afford. Determine what you can afford and go from there.

Where to Look

There are various places where you can look for child care options this summer. Here are some to check with.

1. Your workplace

Some offices and corporations actually offer summer programs for their employees’ children. Find out if your workplace offers such a thing, and if not, maybe you can start one up. You could also see if your company would be willing to “adopt” a local program, such as a day camp.

2. Your child’s school

School is probably the last place your child wants to be in summer, but it’s worth checking with his or her school to see if there are any programs or activities being offered. It might not be on the school’s campus, or it might be in an area of the campus that is not usually seen by your child. Also, your child’s school might have ideas about child care options in the area that are not necessarily affiliated with the school.

3. Combine programs/activities

As you look around at various options, you can save money and get the child care you need by combining various activities. Most camps and programs last for a week or two, but not three months. And day camps might end before your work day does, so you will need after-camp child care as well, such as a babysitter.

Options for Summer Child Care – An Overview

As you consider summer child care, it helps to know what’s out there. Many parents don’t realize the options available, and they think that summer child care is invariably a babysitter in the home or some kind of daycare. These are options, but there are other ones, too. Here is an overview of the options available for summer child care.

Nannies

Do you associate nannies with really wealthy parents? Think again – the role of the nanny is more flexible than you think. The key is to go directly to the source, such as a website that lists the contact information of nannies, rather than going through an agency. Agencies add a significant cost to the price of a nanny.

Nannies are basically babysitters, and they might take your kids out while you are at home, watch them at home with you there, or stay with your kids in their home while you are at work. Often, it’s a combination of these. The main difference between a nanny and a babysitter might be training, level of pay, and experience.

Family

This is not an option for everyone, but if your family dynamic allows, see if family members can toggle child care. Maybe maternal grandparents can watch your kids for half a day, three days a week, while paternal grandparents watch them for two full days a week. Aunts, uncles, sisters, and cousins can get in on the act, too. As long as they are trustworthy and you have a relationship that allows for it, you might be able to have all your child care needs met through family.

Friends

Some working parents forget about this one, especially if their friends all work. But not every family has both parents working full time. See if friends have different work schedules, and maybe they can take turns watching your kids. In return, maybe you can watch their kids on weekends.

You might be able to combine friends and family, and have your whole week taken care of.

Volunteer Work

For older kids, some communities offer volunteer work during the day. Some options might be:

* Office work, such as making copies or deliveries
* Animal shelters
* Senior centers, retirement communities, or nursing homes
* Swimming pools (teens can assist lifeguards or help with swimming lessons and other activities)
* Environmental programs, such as local recycling centers or clean-up programs
* Local farms
* State parks

Depending on the program, your child may get credit for school. He or she also gets to explore various careers this way.

Day Camp

You probably won’t find one day camp that lasts all summer, but you can probably find multiple ones with different focuses. You can check with local museums, parks, boys’ clubs, girls’ clubs, sports facilities, and arts centers.

Safety Tips for All Kinds of Lawn Mowers

Lawn mowers are such common sight during the spring and summer months that you may forget that they can be dangerous. The fast-spinning blades of gas-powered mowers pose a greater safety risk than reel mowers, so if you can get away with the rotating, cylindrical blades of a reel mower, it may be a safer choice.

Here are some helpful safety tips for all kinds of lawn mowers.

An Empty Lawn

Pets, children, and toys should all be inside (or at least well away from the lawn) before you mow. Check the lawn for sticks and other objects before mowing.

Children

According to experts, children under the age of 12 should not operate a gas-powered push mower. And children should be 16 years old before they are allowed to operate a riding/driving mower. Lawn care is a popular money-earning chore for kids in the summer, but the under-12 group is the most likely to sustain an injury.

Experts also warn that young children should never ride on a riding mower in an adult’s lap or in front of/behind the adult operator.

Clothing

When operating any mower, don’t wear loose clothing that could get caught in the mower. Long hair should be put up in a bun or similar style, not tied back in a braid or ponytail. Safety glasses are important to avoid rocks and other debris that might get flung out of the mower’s spinning blades. Footwear should be sturdy and thick – no sandals or light sneakers. And finally, ear protection in the form of earplugs is another good idea.

Mower Safety Features

For maximum safety, consider the following safety features on your mower:

* Foot shield on the back

* “Operator presence” control – this is a thin piece of metal that runs along the inside of the mower’s handle. The operator has to push this piece of metal down when he or she seizes the handle for the mower to start. When the operator presence control is released, the mower stops moving forward.

Riding Mowers on a Hill or Slant

When using a riding mower on slanted ground, sources say you should drive vertically, or up and down the slant, not across it. If you ride across it, you run the risk of toppling over sideways, down the hill.

Gasoline

Because of its flammable nature, you should use a lot of caution when handling it. Never smoke while filling a mower, and be very careful to avoid spills. Always turn the mower off before filling it, and store gasoline away from heat sources (such as a hot water tank or the running mower itself).

Wet Grass

Don’t mow wet grass – it can jam the blades and/or the grass deflector/chute. Wet grass can also cause you to slip and fall.

Push, Don’t Pull

Pulling a mower toward you can be very dangerous. If you slip, the mower could go over your foot.

Ladder Safety Tips

Did you know that ladders are one of the primary causes of accidents among homeowners? They are also prime culprits when it comes to occupational injury. Learning how to use one correctly can make them a less dangerous piece of equipment. Here are some ladder safety trips to help prevent accidents.

The Right Ladder for the Job

When you get ready to use a ladder for the job you want to do, it’s far safer if you have the right ladder for the job. Industrial, commercial, and household ladders are the three basic categories. Industrial ladders can hold the most weight (up to 250 pounds), whereas commercial ladders are a bit less sturdy and hold a maximum of 225 pounds. Household ladders only hold around 200 pounds safely.

Within those categories, there are step ladders and A-frame folding ladders. So height, load, and sturdiness of the ladder should match your job. If you are going to be carrying something heavy up the ladder, remember to add that weight to the total load. And if you find that you need to stand on the top step, you need a taller ladder. You should never stand on the topmost step of any ladder; sources say you should not go above the second rung.

Placing Your Ladder

Make sure your ladder is on a surface that is as flat and even as possible. Don’t put the ladder onto any object except the ground, even if that object is flat (such as cinder blocks or a wooden box).

Sources also suggest following the 1 to 4 rule – place the ladder 1 foot away from the wall (or whatever the ladder is going to be up against) for every 4 feet of height.

Tie It Down

Tall ladders can be unstable no matter how level the surface is. You can lash the ladder down or secure it to a solid object to prevent it from toppling.

Inspect It Closely

Look at your ladder carefully before using it, especially if it’s been in storage for a bit. Check for cracks and broken areas, and if you observe them, do not use the ladder.

Both Feet on the Ladder

Keep both of your feet on the ladder while working. Don’t brace your foot on another surface and leave the other foot on the ladder. This might upset the ladder’s balance and cause it to fall.

Put It Away

If you leave your ladder out and up, you might find that it proves irresistible to children. Climbing all over ladders is not a safe activity for children of any age! Make sure you don’t leave the ladder out to tempt your kids (or kids in the neighborhood).

Connecting with Your Family – Ideas for Dads

You may do things with your kids and still not really feel connected to them…or maybe you are not sure how to interact with them. For some dads, sometimes a little help is needed to feel that connection. Here are some ideas.

Know Your Kids

First of all, get to know your kids. You may think you already know them, but do you? Do you know what they’re passionate about? Spend some time paying attention to what your kids are into. What shows do they watch? Do they like to stay home and get buried in a good book, or are they always running around with friends? What makes them tick? Here are some things to observe as you get to really know your kids.

* Unscheduled time – Watch what your kids do during unscheduled time. What’s their “default mode”? When there isn’t anywhere to be, do they go watch TV, hang out on the computer, draw pictures, write creatively, work with clay? A lot can be gleaned about a person’s inner self by how he or she spends unscheduled time.

* Language – Listen to how your kids talk. What do they talk about? Friends, animals, celebrities? Listen for the subject matter they discuss the most, even if you are tempted to “tune it out” because you don’t relate to it. Speaking of not tuning out…

Listen…Really Listen

Nearly all of us can benefit from learning to listen better. For parents, though, it’s especially important. Try to avoid getting defensive or pointing out where your child is wrong. Instead, just listen – try to understand what he or she is saying without reacting to it.

Cultivate Your Relationship with Your Child’s Mother

Research has shown that dads are more likely to be connected to their kids if they have a good relationship with their child’s mother. A poor relationship with Mom can occur in married, divorced, or non-married couples, and the same is true for a good relationship. Regardless of your marital status, experts agree that it’s most beneficial to think of your child’s mother as the co-parent, and learn to work together in raising your child.

Share

Okay, so “sharing” may not sound like a manly thing – but it is! An important way to connect with your family is to share some of yourself – your time, your concerns, your personality. Just as getting to know your kids is important, getting your kids to know you is, too. Try to open up about things you enjoy doing, concerns you have, and thoughts on life. Your kids may respect you a lot more when they understand some of the reasoning behind your actions.

Home and Garden Safety – a Checklist

There are hazards in your home and garden that you might overlook. It’s good to take a fresh look at the home and garden and see what might or might not pose a danger, and how to keep your home and garden safe. Here is a checklist to help you have the safest home and garden possible.

Cleaning Products

Poison control centers receive thousands of calls every year from frightened parents whose children have ingested cleaners. A prime culprit is glass cleaners. Unlike other cleaners, glass cleaners are not required to print warning labels about their toxicity. Just because the label is not there doesn’t mean it doesn’t pose a hazard, though. Make sure all cleaners are kept out of children’s reach.

Decks

Decks are a wonderful way to enjoy the outdoors – but only if they are safe.

* Fences and gates – Make sure that access to your deck is restricted by appropriate gates and fencing. The edge of a deck should have a railing or fence that is strong and solid enough to prevent small children from falling off or through.

* Pressure washers – Many people use these powerful machines to clean their decks. But beware – they are very powerful, and you should exercise caution when using them. Gas pressure washers are reported to be the most powerful, but electric washers can still cause damage if used improperly. Make sure you do not aim the pressure washer at windows, siding, pets, or people. You could also injure yourself if you are not careful – pressure washers can take skin off!

Inflatable Pools

Inflatable pools pose a danger to small children – more so than hard plastic wading pools, although the latter can be dangerous, too. The reason is that inflatable pools tend to be larger and therefore hold more water, and their slick, soft, rounded sides make them easier to fall into and harder to climb out of.

Carbon Monoxide and Smoke Detectors

It’s a good idea to make sure you have both in your home, and that they are working properly with fresh batteries.

Fire Extinguishers

Make sure that all family members know how to use the fire extinguisher, and that it’s small enough for everyone to handle. Very small children, of course, will not be able to use one and the extinguisher should be out of their reach.

Glass Bakeware

Because it’s glass, such bakeware can break and pose a hazard. To use glass bakeware safely, make sure you do the following.

* Let food cool completely in the dish before putting it in the refrigerator.
* Allow the dish to cool completely before putting it in the sink or dishwasher.
* Do not pour liquid into hot glass bakeware.
* Avoid sudden temperature changes and direct heat.

Yard Equipment

Sharp tools should have their own storage place out of children’s reach. Lawnmowers and riding mowers should be used only when no children under 12 are present.

Fun Bonding Activities for Dads and Babies

It’s easy for dads to feel a bit left out as they watch Mom do so much of the baby care. If Mom is breastfeeding, dads may feel even more shut out. But it’s important for dads to bond with their infants, say experts, as this sets the stage for closer relations as the child grows. Besides, it gives Mom a break and may help dads discover their inner teddy bear.

Here are some ideas for fun bonding activities for dads and babies.

Super-Baby

This fun game gets baby laughing almost every time. Lie on your back and lay your baby on your stomach, baby’s stomach down. Pick baby up and hold him up over your chest and face, making fun flying sounds. Rotate baby with a gentle back-and-forth, up and down motion – don’t forget to make funny noises and faces at him!

Changing Diapers

Yes, this is not exactly the most fun thing, but it’s part of having a baby, and it’s surprisingly a good time to bond. You can sing to your baby, talk to her, and play fun games like bicycling her legs.

Dancing

Babies love to move, even when they can’t move on their own yet. Hold baby over your shoulder or on your hip, and move and dance around the room. Put on music and/or sing. This is also a good way for dad to burn some extra calories!

Patting

When you hold your baby, pat his back and rear. Babies like rhythmic patting, and you may find a secret dad activity that gets baby to sleep.

Take a Walk

Load baby in the stroller and take a walk in the park, neighborhood, or wherever. If you have a backpack or sling, you can take your baby on a walk or hike “off road.” Experts point out the healthy benefits of getting babies out in nature, even at a very young age.

Read to Baby

Yes, you can read to a tiny baby, and you may find that it establishes a pattern that you will love later. Research shows that reading aloud to babies and children helps them get a head start in reading later in life. And it provides some wonderful bonding time for dad and baby.

While we’re on the topic of things to do with your baby, it’s worth mentioning some things not to do. Sources agree that it’s just not safe to toss babies up in the air and catch them. Don’t run with baby or carry her while you’re riding a machine like a riding mower or ATV. Use your judgment, and don’t do anything that could cause harm to baby.

Tips for Finding a Good Child Care Provider This Summer

For working parents, summer can present a conundrum with regards to child care. Without school during the day, parents need to find some other way for their kids to be watched during the week. As you look for summer child care, you’ll want to make sure you find a good one, which involves exploring all your options. Here are some tips for finding a good child care provider this summer.

Turnover

Find out what the “turnover rate” is at the child care center you’re considering. Sources say that children feel more secure with the same caregiver for as long as possible. Also, a high turnover rate might indicate difficult working conditions and employee disgruntlement.

If you are looking at a home-based caregiver, find out if the caregiver has a lot of experience or not. An inexperienced caregiver might end up quitting after the first year (or before).

Group Size

Small groups are usually considered best. As you consider group size, find out the number of adults per number of children. For instance, a large group of 25 might be fine as long as there are at least 5 adults. That way, the group can be split into smaller groups for activities, and there are enough adults to handle a problem and watch everyone.

However, experts generally recommend a group of no more than 10, especially for very young children (preschool and younger).

Age Appropriate

Speaking of adult-to-child ratios, the age of the children makes a difference. So as you look at providers, consider this general information on ages and ratios:

* Infants: 1 adult for every 4 or 5 infants
* Preschoolers and early grade school: 1 adult for every 10 children
* Later grade school: 1 adult for every 15 children

Remember, experts agree that the more adults per child, the better. The ratio of adults to children is fine if the adult to children ratio is greater than the minimum recommended above, but not fine if the ratio of children to adults is greater.

Qualifications

Check on your prospective child care provider’s qualifications, and don’t be shy about it. Things to ask about include:

* Education level – not just in the past, but in the present. Child care providers who keep learning by attending classes and researching are up on the latest methods and insights.

* Training – how much have they had? Do they keep up with their training by attending workshops?

* Time spent as a child care provider (how long they’ve been doing this)

* Why they chose a career in child care, or why they have chosen that vocation

* Does the provider have certification in CPR and other emergency procedures?

Speaking of Emergencies…

Find out what the policies and procedures are in association with emergencies. Know what hospital they call, where the numbers are posted, and who handles what. Fire safety and an escape plan should also be in place.

Divorced Dads – How to Make the Most of Your Time

As a divorced dad, you may feel like you don’t get the time with your kids that married dads do. Or perhaps you are not sure how to make the most of the time you do have together. Or maybe you live with their children full-time, and between work and other responsibilities, you may not be sure how to make the time to be with your kids.

Being a divorced dad presents unique challenges, but they can be overcome. Here are some tips for how you can make the most of your time with your kids as a divorced dad.

Scheduled Time

Look at it this way – unlike some dads who are married to their kids’ moms, you have the opportunity to set aside time with your child and make it part of your schedule. Ironically, this may mean you get to spend more quality with your kids than married dads!

Being married is not a guarantee that a dad is engaged with his kids. So if you have a negative outlook about the time you get to spend with your kids, think positively – you can be more effective if you are an engaged, divorced dad than if you are a married, disengaged one.

Plan the Time

While it’s good to leave room for spontaneity, planning your time can help you make the most of it.

First, find out what your kids will have to do while they are in your care: homework, sport practice, Scouts, etc. Then you can plan for these activities and make use of them to engage your kids. For instance, you can help with their homework or plan activities that allow for homework time first; you can attend their sports practice or Scout meeting and help out. If it’s a regular activity, you can volunteer to help on those times.

You’re the Parent

If you only have your children for a day or two a week or several days a month, you may be tempted to be “Disney Land Dad” during these times. It’s wonderful to have fun, but experts note that you shouldn’t forget that you are still your kids’ parent. That means that discipline and teaching still applies. Ultimately, sources say your kids will respect you more if you really parent when you’re together instead of just throwing all the rules aside.

Think Beyond the Paper

The divorce paperwork is in place to prevent disputes, but if you and your kids’ mother are in agreement, then you don’t have to get too hyper about the paperwork. For instance, your divorce papers may say you get your children every other Thanksgiving; but your ex wants to take the kids out of town on your year.

Instead of insisting that the papers be followed to the letter, think about what would be best for the kids – would they enjoy going out of town? Can you ask for extra time at Christmas in exchange for giving up your Thanksgiving time? It’s a good idea to be flexible and remember it’s about your kids and what’s healthiest for them.

How Dads Can Invest in School-Aged Kids

When it comes to school-aged kids, sometimes dads aren’t quite sure what activities to do with them. Other dads enjoy the gradeschool age more than the younger ages. Regardless of where you are on this, there are some key things to remember and consider if you want to really invest in your school-aged kids. Here are some things to think about as you get involved investing in your school-aged kids.

Investing versus Entertaining

It’s easy to make the mistake of thinking that, as a dad, if you’re entertaining your kids or just “holding down the fort” until Mom gets back from the grocery store, that you’ve done all you need to do. But while Mom may greatly appreciate your babysitting efforts, just entertaining the kids is not the same is really investing in them.

When you invest in your kids, you make a point of teaching them things that will positively affect their future. Investing implies an eventual return, both for you and your kids. It’s about equipping your kids to make a good life for themselves which, in turn, makes for happy parents!

How to Invest – Tips

So what does it look like, exactly, to invest in school-aged kids? Here are some tips.

1. Father-son/daughter fitness

Getting fit is all the rage these days. Why not take advantage of this trend to start a fitness program with your kids? This is an investment, and the rewards are significant – a healthier, happier child and healthy, happier dad! You’re teaching your child healthful habits that will last into his or her adulthood.

Without badgering them about weight or appearance, make it a point to take some time each week to do a fitness activity with your gradeschooler. Biking, hiking, walking, backyard sports, etc. all make great activities. Try to tie it in with your child’s interests so that he or she will be more likely to stay motivated and enjoy it.

2. Be affectionate

It’s not “un-manly” to be affectionate. It’s pretty important for men, actually – research has indicated the importance of fatherly affection on childhood development. Once again, this is something that will have a positive effect on your kids’ future. Showing affection helps your kids realize they are lovable, and it satisfies their need for closeness with their dad. There’s no need to get excessive or stifling about it; but just don’t be afraid to hug or scratch a back.

3. Read together

It’s so fun to bond over a book. Read a chapter a night or whatever works for your schedule. Gradeschool kids sometimes need help with reading, and getting them interested in a book with dad may boost their reading skills and overall performance in school.

Whatever you choose to do to invest in your gradeschool kids, just remember that you’re sowing seeds for the future. And don’t forget to have fun!

Dads in School – Tips for Getting Involved in Your Child’s Education

It can seem like school involvement is the realm of the mom, which probably springs from the days when it was almost invariably the mom who was home during the day. Things are different now, though, and many moms work. Even moms who don’t work outside the home might like to see their kids’ dad get involved in the kids’ school.

Benefits to Paternal Involvement

Regardless of where Mom and Dad are during the day, and whether or not Mom and Dad are divorced, there are distinct benefits to paternal involvement in kids’ education. Here are some of them.

* Better academic performance – Did you know that educators have found a positive academic trend among students whose dads are involved in their education? Kids with involved dads do better academically.

* Extracurricular activities – Research shows that kids with involved dads participate more in extracurricular activities.

* Better behavior and emotional health – Kids whose dads are involved in school tend to be emotionally healthier, have fewer problems with behavior, and enjoy school more.

How Dads Can Get Involved

You may be wondering how dads can get involved in school. Here are some tips.

* The child’s mom – Regardless of your relationship with your child’s mom, keeping it civil with her is just one less stress for your child to have to deal with. Your child might feel awkward, embarrassed, stressed, anxious, and a host of other negative emotions when you and your ex have a bad relationship. This is not conducive to your child’s academic success. Try to get along with your child’s mom and agree to attend school events, even if you both have to attend at the same time.

* Attend meetings and events – When there are parent-teacher conferences, go. The same is true for any meetings and conferences that are held at your child’s school, whether it’s about special education or the upcoming school year. Make your presence known, and your name and face will be associated with your child.

Events vary throughout the year, from school plays to after-school activities on the school’s campus. Try to attend as many as you can, and maybe suggest some of your own (like Lunch with Dad Day or some such).

* Meet the teacher – Get to know your child’s teacher and show him/her that you are involved and want to stay engaged. The teacher will then be more likely to give you information and contact you about relevant school matters.

* Be aware – As you get more involved and plan more involvement in your child’s school, remember that other kids may not be so lucky. Be careful that you don’t leave any kids out as you plan for dad-child events, and be ready to “fill in” for kids who need an adult male to support them.

Dads and Toddlers – Ideas for Games and Activities

Sometimes, dads need a little help in coming up with things they can do with their toddlers. But the time you spend bonding with your toddler can go a long way toward your relationship together. Here are some ideas for games and activities dads can do with their toddlers.

Outdoors

Toddlers have a natural love for the outdoors. There are various outdoor activities that dads can enjoy with their little ones, such as the following:

* Water play – The possibilities for this one are practically endless, depending on the time of year! In warm weather, playing in the garden hose or sprinkler can be a blast. You can also use kids’ pools (no more than a few inches of water in the pool, though, and supervise at all times).

In cold weather, you can spread a tarp on the floor and set up a water station either on the tarp or on a table placed on the tarp. Various plastic containers filled with water, watering cans, and other toys are fun for toddlers.

* Walk in the park – Take your toddler for a stroll in a park, whether it’s a city park or the forest. Look at leaves, trees, and bugs. Toddlers love to learn about the world around them, and everything is new!

* Playgrounds – Toddler playgrounds can take a whole afternoon. Bring a snack and drink, and have fun on the slides, swings, and other toddler-appropriate playground equipment.

Indoors

You can certainly have fun indoors, too. Here are some ideas for dads.

* Read – Read to your toddler; you will not only enjoy it, but you’ll be contributing to your toddler’s reading readiness. You might make it into an outing – take your toddler to the library and check out some books, and then enjoy reading over a snack in the afternoon.

* Games – There are lots of indoor games you can play with your toddler. You can keep it simple by just putting on music and dancing, or you can break out the alphabet blocks and build things. Mom might like a “clean up game” where you toss toys into bins. Toss a soft ball back and forth, or roll it down the hall to knock over bowling “pins” made from empty plastic water bottles.

Try patty-cake, follow the leader, or ring-a-round-a-rosy (yes, you can play that with two people!). Wooden puzzles with big pieces are fun for toddlers, too.

There’s no reason why dads can’t get in on the toddler act! Your family will thank you for this bonding time.

Creative Solutions to Summer Child Care

Have you looked into various options for summer childcare, and none of them are a good fit? Does your family and/or children have special needs or extenuating circumstances that make traditional summer child care difficult if not impossible? In that case, it’s time to get creative!

Summer child care is intended to prevent boredom, provide learning opportunities that you don’t have during the school year, and, in many cases, to allow the parents to work during the day. Your family might have a combination of these reasons for seeking out child care, or entirely different reasons. Regardless, sometimes you need to think outside the box.

Here are some ideas for creative solutions for summer child care.

Trading Families

It’s probable that, if you discuss your summer child care needs with other parents, that they have child care needs, too. Even if they don’t, you could still propose something. For example, maybe your friend would do a “day camp” type of thing at his or her house for one week, and then you could do the next week. Or if that doesn’t work, maybe your friend would keep your kids during the day for a week and you could have them over for dinner the following week.

Another idea with other families is to get together and let your kids play together while you socialize with the parents or get some work done on site. The point is to mingle the families so that kids get some good play time and adults can do what they need to do.

Summer “School”

While enrolling your children in summer workshops and classes is an option, an outside-the-box idea is to hold a summer school yourself.

Have you thought about teaching kids art, music, science, reading, or something else during the summer? It might be a way for you to earn extra money, especially if you have to scale back on your work during the summer months due to lack of child care. You could also suggest that someone in your family, church, or circle of friends start up such a “school,” and you can drop your child off with them. If you can’t afford to pay them, perhaps you can trade child care and watch their kids another time.

Play Dates

Have you thought about play dates as child care? They aren’t the typical child care option, but if you think about it, play dates can be a chance for your child to play with another kid which frees up some time for you to get housework or paying work done. And of course, dropping your child off for play dates frees up time, too. Talk with parent friends about setting up regular play dates during the week and you can alternate.

These are just some suggestions to get your creative thoughts flowing. You might come up with a really innovative idea!