August 17, 2009
Sometimes it is really hard to be a dad. Sometimes it is hard to feel you are a being good dad because you just don’t know if you are doing what you are “supposed to be doing.” Father involvement with their kids is so important for the youngster’s well-being.
The Ad Council reports on their website: “More than 79% of Americans feel “the most significant family or social problem facing America is the physical absence of the father from the home.” Research shows that the lack of a father in the home correlates closely with crime, educational and emotional problems, teenage pregnancy, and drug and alcohol abuse.
In an effort to show dads the critical role they play in their children’s lives, the Ad Council has partnered with the National Responsible Fatherhood Clearinghouse and volunteer ad agency Campbell-Ewald to create a new PSA campaign that communicates to fathers that their presence is essential to their children’s well-being. The campaign provides fathers with the information they need to become better dads.”
The ads are great! I saw the cheerleader one at the doctor’s office this afternoon, which is what inspired today’s blog. Here is a whole set of ads – they are all good! I hope they inspire lots of Dads to stick around and be part of their kids’ lives. My dad left my mom and us three girls when I was 7. I was the oldest. I know what it’s like.
Like President Obama said in his recent Father’s Day Message, “even the smallest moments can have the biggest impact in a child’s life” – which is what Grandpa, Do It! I Do It, Too! is all about, as well. The National Fatherhood Initiative site has examples of things you can do. Hopefully my blog is full of ideas for you, too!
The FatherFactor blog sponsored by the National Fatherhood Initiative is awesome for thought provoking passages. You can check out and maybe join the Dads Club or the Fatherhood Programs.
Being a Dad should be a very special experience. Then when the kids are all grown and have their own children, you hopefully get to do all the fun parts again as Grandpa!
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People Who Make A Difference | Tagged: children, Dads, family, father, Father Involvement, grandchild, grandchildren, grandfather, grandpa, grandparent, kids | 
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Posted by mygrandmasue
August 16, 2009
There was an awesome news story on AOL tonight from parentdish.com about a 5-year-old boy who saved his 8-month pregnant mom’s life when she had a seizure because she had taught him what to do just in case! There are lots of pro and con comments about it (mainly about having a single 911 button versus having to teach the kids the 9-1-1 sequence), but it sure has saved lives! Here is the 911forkids.com website for you to check out the suggestions for home safety, creating a family Emergency Plan, and links for the answers for what to do when…
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August 14, 2009
Here’s a cute article by Beverly Beckham on the Grandparents.com site about a family vacation sunset experience on Cape Cod. It’s funny and true….
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August 13, 2009
Michael Josephson today spoke about the importance of family values or core beliefs and creating a Statement of Family Values for our children. Take the time to think about how you really feel about these 12 areas and put into words what you want your children to believe. It will be hard and will probably have to be done in many sessions, but it is amazing what you end up with!
The 12 areas that Michael Josephson listed are: Character/ethics, Faith/spirituality , Marriage/family relationships, Friendship, Education, Self-reliance, Attitude, Service, Success, Money/material possessions,
Drinking/drugs, and Premarital sex.
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August 12, 2009
Oprah has suggested 13 fun family activities for creating family memories as our summer winds down. If you need some ideas, be sure to check this list out! Some of the activities have already come up on my blog. Do enjoy!
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August 12, 2009
So, it will be a girl! Cyndi found out today that the baby is a girl! Austin already told her it was a girl! He is ready to have a little sister! Now to wait to see if she is a late December baby or an early January baby! 🙂
Congrats to Cyndi, Aron, and Austin!
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August 5, 2009
The Daily Breeze reports there are lots of Blue Whales off the San Pedro coast this year. Seems like lots more than in the past. The Aquarium of the Pacific has a Whale Watching 101 site about all the sealife in the San Pedro Channel. The Daily Breeze also has another 8/1/09 article by Sandy Mazza with photos and Blue Whale Fact Sheet. Here is a CBS News video.
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August 3, 2009
The Monterey Bay Aquarium sent a letter yesterday about the plight of the sea otters. Here’s the aquarium’s page on Southern Sea Otters. Check out The Otter Project, too!
The Sea Otter Research and Recovery Act (H.R. 556) passed in the House late Tuesday afternoon by a vote of 316 to 107. Now the bill moves to the Senate; we’ll be sure to let you know when the time is right to ask for support from your Senator.
Here is the aquarium’s on-line Sea Otter Exhibit page and another page about sea otters with a video and activities. Here’s another video, too.
1 Comment | Indoor Activities, Nature Activities, Places to Explore | Tagged: aquarium, child, children, family, fun, grandchild, grandchildren, grandma, grandpa, grandparent, kids, Monterey, Monterey Bay Aquarium, otters, Places to Go, Sea Otter Research and Recovery Act (H.R. 556), sea otters | Permalink
Posted by mygrandmasue
August 2, 2009
The Dragon Boat races have just completed in Long Beach, CA. I can tell from my office because I don’t hear the screaming and cheering from the crowds any more! I am just on the other side of our condo complex or I’d be able to watch the boats, too! The Dragon Boat Festival is part of the festivals within the Long Beach Sea Festival. Got that!
Here is a history of Dragon Boats. The Long Beach Press-Telegram had an article on Thursday and a shorter one on Friday.
1 Comment | Places to Explore | Tagged: children, Dragon Boat, Dragon Boat Races, fun, grandchild, grandchildren, grandpa, grandparent, kids, Long Beach, Long Beach Seafest, Marine Stadium, Mother's Beach, Places to Go, Seafest | Permalink
Posted by mygrandmasue
August 1, 2009
Grandparents.com has a great list of games to keep the kids occupied while travelling in the car, waiting in traffic in the car, waiting in line, waiting at the doctor’s office, or wherever. Grandson Austin loves to play the Bridge Game that I taught him while we are in the car in the city or suburbia. I learned it as a child from my grandpa.
It is part of the game to be the first one to say “Bridge coming!” to get the attention of the rest of the people in the car. As we get closer to the bridge – can’t be too far away – we time it with Ready, Set, and Wheeeeeee for as long as it takes to go under it. For tunnels we try to hold our wheeeeee to last as long as the tunnel.
Attention lags when there aren’t many bridges – except he came up with a variation on his own (He’s 3) on the last trip. He started pointing out highway/interstate/freeway sign ‘bridges’ that went over the road. As we went under , he said “Whe” short and sweet. It was too funny – and immediately became a variation of the game.
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Posted by mygrandmasue
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