Levi Johnston to be a Dad Again

Author
Paul Banas

I won’t say anything more than that I hope he can be as good and present a father as he can be to both of his kids.

Round two of diaper duty for Levi Johnston!

After fathering son Tripp, 3, with ex-fiance Bristol Palin, the news-making Alaskan, 21, is going to be a dad again, his rep confirmed to Us Weekly on Tuesday.

[From Levi Johnston: Yes, I'm Going to be a Dad Again - UsMagazine.com]

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The Earpeace – noise reducing earplugs, but not yet for kids

Author
Paul Banas

I received an Earpeace, a pair of noise reducing earplugs a few weeks ago. The Earpeace are an addition to the field of earplugs for adults to cut down the noise while outside or at a loud event such as a concert. They attempt to lower the overall volume while not muffling sound the way foam earplugs do. Independent tests (Michael and Associates) put reduction of sound pressure at 75%. EarPeace delivers 11+ to 17+ decibels of protection. This means that 80% of people will get more than 11 decibels of protection and 20% of people will get more than 17 decibels of protection.

In my tests at a loud concert, I found that they do decrease volume, but to my ear, there was some loss of crispness in the sound though I was still able to enjoy the music and to relax knowing I wasn’t killing what is left of my ears. I wish they made these for smaller kids since we often take our kids to concerts in the parks where the decibel level is just really painful for young ears.

These make a thoughtful gift at $12.95.

You can find more details at EarPeace: http://www.earpeace.com/

For kids, you might consider the Peltor Kids Earmuff or a new one from BabyBanz. This is the kind of noise protection the pros wear at construction sites and the soundless headphones you often see kids wearing at concerts. They provide noise reduction of 22 and 21 Db respectively, but also importantly, are light enough to stay on a baby or small child who wouldn’t wear other earplugs.
I feel guilty every time we take our kids to a loud concert. It’s easy for adults to think it’s not too loud, while actually allowing damage to little ears. For $20-$30 you can protect your ears and theirs as well.
POSTSCRIPT: I went to see Mission Impossible, Ghost Protocol, last night. It reminded me that earplugs and noise reducers are not just for concerts. I’m going to start carrying them in my jacket so I have them when I go to the movie theater as well.

GreatDad.com Review Policy: The featured product for this review was provided to us, at no cost, by the manufacturer or representing PR agency for the sole purpose of product testing. We do not accept monetary compensation for reviewing or writing about products. We only review products that we have personally tested and used in our own homes, and all opinions expressed are our own.

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Count to ten – holiday stress

Author
Paul Banas

The kids are at home this week and next, and it is hard. As much as I’d like to believe in it, there are no “great dads” or even good dads. There are moms and dads who try every day to manage their own demons and stresses to be the best parents they can be. My wife often says I get too preachy about being a good parent, and she is somewhat correct. Because I have a work at home job, and can spend a lot of time with my kids, I do have the moral high ground in helping with homework, forcing them to eat daily carrots (their only vegetable) and keeping them at piano practice way longer than they want to. And I don’t have to do all that after 9 hours of working with a boss I can’t stand. Even so, on long holidays, even I can get testy with them, especially my younger boy who everyday is asking for more GoGo dolls or another LEGO because he’s bored (and this 4 days before he’s zooming in on the big Christmas score).

The big challenge for me is to keep reminding myself that a 7 year old isn’t the same as an 11 year old and neither are the same as an adult. Each person, toddler, child, teen, mom and dad are seeing the holidays through their own prism, expectations and rose-colored glasses. I have to kick myself several times a day to not yell, not get impatient, not be empathetic since they are not all Zen Buddhist monks with no worldly cares or wants.

But some days, all you can do it count to ten and try not to be the least mature of the bunch. That’s my personal goal for today, tomorrow, Saturday and Sunday. Then I can go back to trying to be supremely patient and understanding once the stresses or Christmas are over and all that is left is the glow, and the wrapping paper to toss out.

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Best iPad gifts I’ve seen this year

Author
Paul Banas

For the iPad lover in your life, here are some things that should be on his or her wish list:

1. SuiteGear Kit from Bracketron – this is just a simple package for protecting the iPad. It comes with a protective case that fits on the back of the iPad, as well as cleaning fluid, a microfiber cleaning cloth, and a stylus. A stylus is really handy if you need to present or show things on your iPad and don’t want it to be covered with fingerprints. Price right now is $9.99 (50% off MSRP!) on Amazon, making this a perfect companion gift if an iPad is already going in the stocking.

2. Verbatim Bluetooth Mobile Keyboard – We’ve reviewed this keyboard separately, but find, with a little use, that it works very well as a portable companion to the iPad. Prices on this have also gone down dramatically, and you can find them for less than $50 on Amazon.

3. Style-iT 2-in 1 Stylus – Another stylus from Braketron, but this one includes a pen. These styli come in bright, fashionable colors and brighten up a desk, again if you need to keep paw prints off your screen. Around $16 on Amazon.

4. Fling Game Controller – If you play a lot of games on your iPad, or even just have an addiction to Angry Birds, you need a little helper. The Fling Game Controller will give you an edge. It’s just a little piece of carefully designed plastic, but it gives you an edge because you have more control, but also because you keep your fingers on the controls even when you’re looking elsewhere. At $19.95, it makes a good stocking stuffer.

5. Toddy Cloth – The Toddy Cloths are brightly designed microfiber screen cleaners that are treated with a microbial shield that is supposed to help keep your iPad bacteria free. I don’t know about that, but they do have nice designs and are a good replacement for the hospital blue cloth that came with your bottle of iKlear. The only reason to really have one of these though is if you need to show things on your iPad. There’s nothing that makes a bad impression faster than handing someone your greasy, oily iPad. Actually, everyone’s iPad is greasy and oily, but no one like’s someone else’s greasy oily. The Toddy Cloth elegantly takes care of that.

6.

REV360 for iPad & iPad 2 (formerly known as the Handstand)

- If your iPad lover needs to hold on to his iPad for long periods, at trade shows, for example, he needs a REV360. The REV360 is an iPad holder that makes it easy to hold an iPad in your outstretched hand for long periods. Swing your arm around, and the iPad stays put and is far safer than if you have to juggle it or stick it under your arm while talking.

7. The

Mount Me

and

Ringo System – Both of these systems are designed to display or mount an iPad in a car or to a wall or cabinet. They allow you to easily affix the iPad in different situations, while making it easy to remove and take with you. The solution doesn’t come cheap though. Expect to pay over $100 for a starter kit. If your iPad lover needs this type of thing though, these are well-designed solutions that work.

Each i-device spawns thousands of accessories and cases. IPad users don’t need all of them, but some are certainly more fun or useful to have and make the i-device that much more useful.

GreatDad.com Review Policy: The featured product for this review was provided to us, at no cost, by the manufacturer or representing PR agency for the sole purpose of product testing. We do not accept monetary compensation for reviewing or writing about products. We only review products that we have personally tested and used in our own homes, and all opinions expressed are our own.

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I’m growing a mustache for men’s health!

Author
Paul Banas

It’s back…the moustache you remember me wearing up until 1991! But this time for a good cause; to increase awareness for men’s health care and to raise money for prostate and testicular cancer research.

Please support my growing efforts and the 33,000 men who will die of prostate cancer and the nearly 8,300 men who will be diagnosed with testicular cancer this year.

If you can, take a moment to support the cause at  http://mobro.co/GreatDad.

Okay, I’m not running a marathon or biking to LA, but it still has been a hardship on my family and itchy as hell.

Thank you!

http://mobro.co/GreatDad

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