Ages & Stages

Resolve to be More Involved
Resolve to improve the relationship you have with your kids in 2002. Kids say they want these things from Dad and Mom.

• Listen To Me Please -stop, look them in the eye, and listen. If we don't, they will simply stop trying.
• Teach Me to Cook. Get messy in the kitchen with a real recipe, real ingredients. No microwave pre-packaged stuff!
• Please Stop Smoking. They worry about your health and their own. "The other kids say I always smell bad."
• Stop Being So Busy. When tempted to say, "Just a minute . . ." or "Hold on . . ." Stop, look and listen, again. Let your work wait.
• Read To Me: We tend to think that once a child can read, our job is done. Actually, kids want Mom or Dad read a chapter book TO them each night.
• Hug Me More. Don't underestimate the power of nurturing touch. It's good for physical and mental health - yours and theirs!

Source: "All I Want for Christmas...Parents, You May Be Surprised" by Linda Sharp

Violent Good Guys Worse than Bad Guys
Kids learn from people they admire. When the "good guys" use violence to solve problems and don't experience the consequences, kids learn that aggression is acceptable.

Kids watch and learn from good old dad most of all. Be a good example. Point out the bad examples of the "good guys" in your child's TV shows and video games. Then turn them off and do something else together.

Links
Impact of Media Violence (pdf)

Quality Time, Quality Books

Dads help kids develop their sense of compassion and humor. Try these books out with your children.

97 Ways to Make a Baby Laugh
By Jack Moore, Photographs by Penny Gentieu, Workman Publishing, New York, 1997.

A baby's laughter is infectious and addictive. Dads are especially adept at inciting a riot of fun. Try out any of the 97 silly, sometimes stupid but effective ways to make your baby laugh! It includes "Peek-a-Boo 101" and "Advanced Peek-a-boo". Several suggestions are rated "high risk of looking stupid" for the parent. Sample a few:

* #2 Disappearing noodle. Suck a long strand of cooked spaghetti into your mouth. Sauce makes it funnier to all observers.
* # 30 Lie on the floor, faking sleep and snoring loudly. Each time baby touches you, sit up in surprise. Your catnaps are now officially over if you use this technique to get a giggle.
* #92 Use your noggin. Attach a suction cup toy - like the one on the high chair - to your forehead.

Daddy and Me: A photo story of Arthur Ashe and his daughter Camera
Photographs and words by Jeanne Moutoussamy-Ashe, New York: Alfred A. Knopf, 1993.

This true story, filled with great happiness and great sadness, traces the life of a young girl who must cope with her famous tennis champion father's illness with AIDS. This book might be used to discuss life-threatening illnesses with your child. Children might benefit from the realization that despite the great sadness and pain that accompanies life-threatening illnesses, there still is joy, happiness and love in the last days of an individual's life. It is very important that you read this book with your child, so that you may address their comments, questions and concerns. Be prepared for multiple questions.

Me & My Dad Activities

• Take lessons together - tennis, piano, etc.
• Lay on the floor on your back. Have your child lay his head on your stomach. Say "ha ha ha ha." Have fun laughing together!
• Go to the library together and select books you can read out loud to each other. Start a book tonight, taking turns reading.
• Take your child with you to help a neighbor with yard work or errands.