Father’s Day ideas from radio’s Ernie D

Usually, I don’t like to copy/paste reasons for doing anything from a manufacturer. However, these reasons just...

It’s almost always a good idea to shop used, especially for kid stuff, since they grow out of it so quickly. However,...

Editor’s note: THE FATHER LIFE is pleased to welcome David Paull to our pages.  You’ll find his column, Fresh Brood, appearing regularly right here at thefatherlife.com.  Leave David a comment and make him feel welcome! I’m one of those people for whom things are rarely simple. Don’t get me wrong, I like simple. I strive for simple. But the more I seek simple, the more things get complicated. My latest installment of “nothing’s easy” started with what should have been a simple-enough trip to the “big-box” store for my son’s first bicycle. I first considered trying to find one from a private seller online. Then I decided I didn’t really want to risk ending-up dismembered...

First, a disclaimer.  It seems the reactions to my family’s nicknames have been mixed from readers.  I respect my readers, and I also got the same feedback from a new friend, via this column, in Australia.  Isn’t the Internet amazing?  So, hereafter, I will dispense with the nicknames.  My wife is Loren, my older son is Will, and my younger one is David.  And I love them dearly. I’m sure you catch just a little sarcasm in the title of today’s column.  Patience has been and is my biggest personal struggle — with me, with others, with the world at large.  You’d think that having kids would moderate that poor characteristic.  And, I suppose, to some degree...

Boy, when you need laughter, go call up your grandfather.  He may be as rusty as a 1948 Buick Eight convertible, but his jokes will be as fresh and new to you as each pair of sneakers your mother got you for the advent of every school year. Boy, when you need guidance, go knock on your grandfather’s door.  He may be as traditional as a Swiss Army knife, but his words will resonate within you, like the very first time your father read you a bedtime story in his favorite rocking chair. Boy, when you need company, go walk right through your grandfather’s door.  He may be as outdated as a Johnny Mathis record, but his presence will inspire you. Was it not he who informed you that...

Juicy Gossip is a story about a girl named Jenna who is not to popular. She is the editor of the school news paper. When Jenna’s parents open a juice store at the mall and asks Jenna to help them she gets embarassed. But when the store opens, Jenna realizes she can hear all the secrets of the most popular girl in school! Soon after Jenna finds out that her school is drowning in a budget. Their about to cut the news paper when Jenna has the idea to write a colume that will be called ”Juicy Gossip.” Soon almost every body is going around buzzing about the school news paper. But then Stacy (one of the most popular girls)starts to get suspicious. Will Jenna be able to keep a secret...

Webkinz is a fun game for kids who are less than ten years old. I think Webkinz is better than Club Penguin. On Webkinz.com, you can buy more rooms, you can send packages, you can even chose your own wall paper and flooring and much more! Webkinz has more advantages then any other computer game. Webkinz, unlike Club Penguin, has another site that is good for kids who are just starting to read. Webkinz is a fun game for all children! By Hadley (age 9), owner of Julianna, a Webkinz Golden Retriever. Dad’s POV: Webkinz Jr. is for pre-readers so a lot of it is easier for them to do. As a parent, I’m kind of amazed that they have the motivation to play sorting games with little “wow”...

My Parents are Divorced, My Elbows have Nicknames, and Other Facts about Me is a new book by Bill Cochran that helps kids understand that living in a divorced situation might not be as weird as all the other idiosyncrasies a kid might have. This book, written for kids 4-8, is well-done with good and real examples of the complexity of living in two houses, and the frustrations of not having mom and dad literally on the same end of the soccer field.  It even treats the stepmom issue with grace (taking the side of the stepmother, of course). Not to be overly politically correct, I was disappointed that the parents got stuck in stereotyped roles. Dad can’t cook, mom can’t do math, and...

Cover of The Forever Dog The Forever Dog is a new book by Bill Cochran that tells the story of a young boy’s relationship to his dog Corky. Sadly, Corky dies early on in the book, so much of the tale is about the young boy’s stages of grief as he in turn is sad, angry, and finally happy about this important dog in his life. Adults will have a hard time reading this book without themselves feeling sad about their own personal losses, while kids who have not yet had to experience a death will be blissfully unaware of what the story means. It does, however, introduce concepts that are new for most kids, and could help ease them into what death means.  Be prepared to answer your child’s...

We recently tested the Dandelion Reusables. We’ve been tossing out all the plastic dishes in the house, for fear of any plastic leeching into the kids’ food. These non-breakable plates are made out of corn, so they are both petroleum free and made out of renewable resources. There are times when plastic just makes sense, so it’s nice to know there are more options out there for glass, stainless steel, and now corn-based products. About $25 get you 2 plates, 2 bowls and 4 spoons and forks. Now if they could just make a set with lids, I could throw out the last of the Tupperware.

Recently, I saw a really funny commercial showing a man leaping with joy as he pulled something down an aisle. It was revealed to be a couch, with his two sullen kids sitting on it, and the background music was the famous Christmas song which extols, “It’s the most wonderful time of the year.” It was a back-to-school ad and that dad was jumping for joy. It was very clever, so kudos to Staples. Yes, the kids are going back to school. We parents get our lives back–especially our evenings. The job of parent revolves around the school calendar. Our chauffeuring responsibilities are different during the school year than during vacation times. One of the big differences, from my...

I don’t know about other dads, but I get tired of carrying things: blankets, diaper bag, diapers, snacks – everything that a kid will need for an extended outing. Well, my hands are full enough with everything else and I can’t carry everything! The Kids Original Canopy Chair solves part of that problem (now if they could only create a robot like Rosie on The Jetsons, I’d be all set). The Canopy Chair by Kelsyus made day trips out to the park or picnicking a little simpler and, most importantly, safer too. The concept behind the idea is a folding canopy chair for children that’s easy to put together and easy to carry (for them, not for da-da!). I’m not quite sure how I grew up without...