Dad Blogs - Useful Parenting Tips for Dads » Opinion and experience

Dads in the Mix: Unintentional Prejudice?

Joshua Lewis Berg — Mon, 14 Sep 2009 22:56:25 +0000

Being in a mixed-race relationship and the father of biracial daughters, you would think I have experienced prejudice many times. However, I spent most of my life as a single white male and so am not really that accustomed to prejudice directed at me. Also, because I live in a very progressive part of the country, I still don’t experience it overtly all that often. So, when it does happen, even in subtle unintentional ways, it really shakes me up.

Top 10 Things Divorced Dads Need to Realize

Paul Banas — Mon, 27 Jul 2009 03:49:41 +0000

Below are, IMHO, the ten most important things divorced fathers should realize as they transition parentally from “Husband and Father” to “One-and-Only Dad”: 1) You divorced your ex, not your kids Many divorced dads disconnect from their kids when they separate from their ex-wives, but the divorce can actually be an opportunity to re-connect with your children — this time on your own terms. … He's the one who tells you when it's OK to let your son stay up late, when it's appropriate to be interrupted on the phone by a whining daughter, and whether a tense situation calls for stern rules or just an all-out, no-shoes family wrestling match. … 9) Your issues with the ex don't belong in your kids' lives Like the corn and mashed potatoes on your first-grader's plate, your parenting should be separated from any conflicts you have with your ex.

Dads in the Mix: Check Box

Joshua Lewis Berg — Fri, 10 Jul 2009 22:14:32 +0000

Although so may are working to eradicate it and progress is slow but positive, racism is still everywhere in our society. Health care, housing, employment, education, congressional redistricting (the issue du jour) and other societal resources and benefits are affected by past and current, personal and institutional prejudice. This needs to be made as visible as possible in order to combat it. That is why racial classifications exist, at least for the time being.

Dads in the Mix

Joshua Lewis Berg — Fri, 26 Jun 2009 20:45:58 +0000

Shifting the outlook and mindset of people is best accomplished through the education of children. That is why I am so excited to start a conversation about raising children of multiple backgrounds. I will bring to the table my experience from the perspective of a father of biracial children by addressing issues like racial identity, stereotyping, portrayal of race in children’s media, definitions of beauty, health, education and much more.

GreatDad welcomes new blogger, Joshua Lewis Berg, to write on raising mixed heritage kids

Paul Banas — Fri, 26 Jun 2009 18:05:20 +0000

It's my pleasure to announce that Joshua Lewis Berg has joined the GreatDad Dad Blog as a contributing author. Joshua Lewis Berg is a dad who lives and works in Los Angeles. He is an office manager during the week and am aspiring writer and children's entertainer on the weekends. Joshua is committed to being the best dad he can be by trying to always "wear the kids' shoes." ... To that end, he created his blog, Through the Eyes of Babes ( http://eyesofbabes.wordpress.com ), which features photos taken by children as a way to get a glimpse of the world as they see it.

New Dad bloggers wanted. GreatDad expands blog to include other dad blogs.

Paul Banas — Thu, 25 Jun 2009 21:11:48 +0000

Many many people have asked us to include their voices in the site but we felt we had to limit our contributors just so we could understand all of the content we were curating. ... For those of you, friends and family, who only want to follow my particular thoughts, recommendations, and observations on my kids, you can find the official GreatDad Blog at GreatDad.com/GreatDadblog. If you're interested in adding your blog RSS feed to the GreatDad blog, please let me know in the comments section and I'll let get back to you quickly.

Dad Tip #7 – Make out with your wife.

Paul Banas — Tue, 23 Jun 2009 22:34:25 +0000

Plenty of PDA that doesn’t get out of hand is good to show your kids. It’s important that they see what a loving relationship looks like, and that also includes supporting and helping your spouse in ways they can clearly see. Try to think of it in terms of the type of future wives and husbands you would want to see them become, or be attracted to.

Why do we hold dads to a lower standard than moms?

Paul Banas — Tue, 16 Jun 2009 05:35:02 +0000

A name like GreatMom would just remind them of what "horrible" moms they really are and how they never live up to a Mothers Day standard. Dads, as most of us know, can be considered "great dads" just by not coming home drunk and making it to a few class plays. ... It didn't take a lot to be a "great dad." Hopefully, mens' changing roles don't mean that we'll start feeling angry and resentful about society's expectations about us as men and as child-rearers, but a little higher standard wouldn't be too harmful, especially given the millions of homes that will allow Fathers Day to pass without a father present in the house.

Dad tip # 6: Create memories with your kids

Paul Banas — Tue, 16 Jun 2009 05:15:48 +0000

When you look back in your own life, many of your memories are likely things that you did with your parents over and over, like attending baseball games were celebrating Thanksgiving. Over the long haul, kids will remember less what you said to them, and the experiences you shared together. ... That does not have to mean an expensive vacation, but instead doing things together that have meaning for all of you.

Smile when you see your kids – Excerpt from Parking Lot Rules

Paul Banas — Tue, 16 Jun 2009 05:03:56 +0000

Grandma Nancy's hugs, kisses, compliments, questions about a new toy or shoes, recognition of a sterling report card, or her recalling a goal in a recent soccer game-all are part of her fabulous greeting. ... He is instinctively searching for the visual cues that tell him that he is welcome and a part of the family, that he is loved and wanted, and that he was missed while he was gone. ... When you see him, smile, and leave no doubt that at that moment he is the most important person in your world.