D A D B L O G S
A dad blog by a geek dad with two geeky kids.
Watching TV rots the brain! So, the saying goes. Unless you do not have a TV in your house, this could not be a possibility for you or for your kids. But not having TV these days is impossible particularly when you have kids around. I have to admit that wife and I sometimes use TV to keep kids calm and not bothering us when we have to finish some take-home work or chores at home. The solution to this would be limiting the hours kids spend in front of TV. Yes, this sounds very difficult. I, for one have to discipline myself in monitoring that my boys can only spend an hour a day on TV. So what do experts say on diverting your kids' attention away from TV? They say, give kids individual tasks that are interesting to them. These tasks must not include playing video games or doing things in the computer. Physical and mental activities that make them sweat and think are most likely to keep their brain cells healthy and working up to speed. Try biking, gardening, reading, math and outdoor sports among others. Do you remember the time when as a kid you would cry when mom takes you for a dental check up? Oh yes. I do remember those times when I would cry my heart out, scream and close my lips so tight in fear that the dentist might do something that could hurt me big time or even kill me. Growing up, I thought that those scenarios happened because of my wrong perception of dentists and anything related to them. My mom used to scare me that the dentist would pull out all my teeth if I don't brush my teeth! I don't want the same thing happening to my sons for I know now how difficult it is to have dental problems as an adult. So, I consulted my dentist about this. According to him, bringing a child for dental check up as early as one year old can arrest this dental fear that paralyzes kids and adults alike and hindering them from seeing a dentist. By seeing a dentist as someone who would care for their teeth, kids can trust them sooner than expected. Also, when kids get used to seeing tools in the dental clinic, they would barely think negatively about them. Needless to say, it is important to choose a dentist who can relate positively to kids as the dentist's character can easily turn a kid away from coming back for a check up. This is just a continuation of my previous post. 2) Understanding and Guidance Many say that kids think differently nowadays and they are more difficult to understand. By recalling the times you were a kid, you can be a father who understands every beat of your children's hearts. Don't just say no to everything they say or want. Listen, understand and guide them in arriving at the right decision. 3) Encouragement and Protection Learn what they do best and support them in that area. Refrain from making them strive to be the person that they are not. You can encourage them though to do their best in areas they are poor at - like improving their failing grades in Math, doing good in swimming and having new activities or friends. Positive words have power over their lives. As you encourage them to try new things, there will be susceptible to harm. Be ready also to protect them from hurtful situations and words from other people. If they can feel your protection over them, they will feel secure in your arms and they will trust your presence more than anyone else's. I have always thought that mothers are more important than fathers as my siblings and I have been brought up by our single mom. We managed to live without our dad's support who vanished in thin air but we could never imagine our lives then without our mom's care and love for us. I held onto the truth that apparent truth to me for years but not until I became a dad myself. As I have shared with my wife, I'm thankful that I grew up quite fine but deep inside me I realized that I had needs which only a dad, my dad can fill. Let me label those needs which I think my kids themselves need from me (from us dads) as well... 1) Time and Presence - It is difficult to make kids believe that they are important to you unless they see you while they are awake and get to touch or talk to you. Oftentimes, dads kill themselves working year in and year out - no breaks on weekends and holidays - just to ensure that all bills will get paid and the kids will have college funds. Spending at least a couple of hours (preferably more) to your kids reading books, cracking jokes or biking around will make them feel important as you made time for them. |
Hey there. My name is Jim. I'm a dad & I know some dad stuff & I like to write about them here. More about me.
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