Archive for the ‘Mike’s Blog’ Category

04
Apr
2012

What Do Dads Want for Their Birthdays?

Shopping for a dad on his birthday may be particularly difficult, especially if he is a man that seems to have everything. However, there are many things that dads like to receive on their special day. By keeping these tips in mind and setting a budget prior to shopping, it can be easy to find the perfect gifts for dad each and every year.

Many men like receiving electronics as gifts. Whether it is a new tablet computer or the latest smartphone, technology gifts are extremely popular. For those on a budget, buying a nice phone case or their dad’s favorite DVD, Blu-ray movie or TV series will ensure that their dad gets a gift that he truly enjoys.
For the fashion conscious dad, nice clothing is always a great option. A nice polo shirt or jacket is appreciated by men who like to look their best. Although it may seem cliche, those who work in the professional world may also like to receive a nice tie that they can wear with their business attire. A high quality watch may also make the perfect gift for a fashionable dad that likes to be on time.
Some dads like to work around the house. For these dads, new tools to help them fix everything are a great birthday gift. Tools come in a wide variety of price ranges, so they are perfect for any budget. Power tools are also popular gifts for many men, so buying dad a tool that he does not have already have will give him something that he will use.
Those who are still stuck on gift ideas can always purchase a gift card or gift certificate. These can be purchased for almost anything. Gift certificates to a restaurant or for a round of golf will make any dad smile on his birthday. Gift cards for specific retailers can also be purchased so that he can buy whatever it is that he wants. The tech-savvy dad would appreciate a gift card to an electronics store, while some dads may like gift cards that can be used like a credit card at almost any retailer.

Although it may be difficult to find a gift for dad’s birthday, it can be made easier by keeping in mind what he likes and what he’s like. By doing so, anyone can be sure that they purchase a gift every year that their dad absolutely loves.

Posted in Mike's Blog

29
Feb
2012

March Calendars ready for Spring and Spring Break!

Here are the calendars for both schools and early childhood environments. Hope YOUR calendar involves a Spring Break for you and your kids. (Or away from your kids if you are an educator!)

March 2012 Early Childhood Calendar Eng-Span

March 2012 Check In Calendar Eng-Span

Posted in Calendar, Calendars, Mike's Blog, News, Resources for Professionals, Tips for Dads

18
Oct
2011

Bob Smiley-A Funny Father

We recently had the opportunity to interview Bob Smiley who is a Christian, a Comedian, and a Father (not always in that order). He answers some questions for us and then we were able to interview him on our radio show as well.

Check out the podcast of part of his interview.

Posted in Mike's Blog, Strong Fathers Radio

12
Oct
2011

Kids can leave their mark on a dad- If he lets them.

We know as dads that our kids leave an indelible mark on us. But what about when you let them REALLY leave a mark on you, that is PERMANENT? This is a great dad who has started a great tradition with his daughter that she couldn’t forget, even if she tried.

Author’s Note:

I met Tyler several years ago. I work with the Head Start in Greeley and we had tried to do something together there in Weld County a couple of times. We have also attended the same conference a couple of times. When I found out about his tattoos I was inspired and jealous. My kids are teenage boys with a wicked sense of humor so I will not give them the same chance. Thanks Tyler for sharing your story with us.

Read the rest of this entry »

Posted in Mike's Blog

10
Mar
2011

Opening Books to Fathers and Children

Strengthening Children’s Literacy

When most people think about parent-child reading activities, they likely picture a mother quietly reading to their children. Very few people would envision a reading event for just fathers and children. Even fewer would envision a reading event where these same fathers and children are acting like donkeys, elephants, and gorillas. That is exactly what happens, however, at a Dad and Kid Reading Night sponsored by Strong Fathers-Strong Families.

Dad and Kid Reading Night encourages and teaches fathers to read to their children. The program’s effectiveness is derived from using the inherent strengths of fathers. Instead of teaching men to read in a softer, more feminine way, these events model a more lively, no-holds-barred approach to reading and interacting with their children. In this activity men and children are settled into the floor together and a facilitator reads to them in a typically masculine way with lots of excitement, crazy voices, and noises. The books are carefully chosen both to reflect the father-child dynamic and to facilitate lively activity between the child and the father. To make this event effective, a Dad and Kid Reading Night must be interactive, relational, and focused on child outcomes.

Read the rest of this entry »

Posted in Mike's Blog, Reading, Resources for Professionals, Training and Tips

08
Mar
2011

Working On Mars: Building Strong Father Involvement Programs by Understanding the Culture of Fathers.

A Different Planet

In the early Nineties, John Gray wrote a book called Men are from Mars, Women are from Venus. I am sure that not everyone would agree with John Gray’s book, but most of us feel like men and women are from different planets. The differences that seem to attract us to the opposite sex are also the things that also drive us crazy. As we as a culture have worked for equality it seems that we have forgotten to also celebrate the differences between us. As well, we have forgotten to see those differences as strengths.

In the past several years there has been a tremendous amount of research about the actual physiological and psychological differences among males and females. Even though the research is there to back it up, some folks cannot believe that men and women are so different. The importance of understanding these differences is not only important in order for all of us to live together but it is also important for PTA leaders in order to improve how they work with both male and female parents.

Read the rest of this entry »

Posted in Mike's Blog, Training and Tips

09
Feb
2011

Dads Teach Through Play:guest blog post

I recently had the opportunity to write a blog post for the great folks at KaBoom.

Go to http:SF-SF.me/KaBoom to read and COMMENT!

We would love to know what you think about the article.

Posted in Mike's Blog

04
Feb
2011

Strong Fathers-Strong Teachers

Part 5: Why Fathers Count in the Education of Their Children

Although a discussion of fatherly traits that are required for the positive development of our children is necessary, it is also critical to see why those traits make a difference in the education of our children. The father’s own masculinity and engagement with his child, high or low expectations of his child, and ability to teach and challenge through play are three important traits in helping children become educated learners. When fathers become involved in the daily lives and education of their child, they can make a huge difference in the outcomes for that child. Long observation, anecdotal information, and a strong and growing body of research evidence over a period of almost 50 years confirm the value of fathers’ involvement in the education of their children. Researchers have done a tremendous amount of work to show us how fathers continue to count in the education of their children. To illustrate, I have chosen to highlight a few key research findings regarding the influence of father involvement on school readiness, academic performance in the classroom, and social behavior. Read the rest of this entry »

Posted in Mike's Blog, Tips for Dads, Training and Tips

03
Feb
2011

Strong Fathers as Strong Teachers

Part 4: Fathers as Visionaries for Their Children

Fathers enter a child’s life from outside the sphere of the mother. Fathers thus take on the role of one who prepares a child for life outside that same sphere. A father tends to look at a child not only as a small, helpless human being but also as one who will not always be helpless and small. Fathers have expectations for their newborn babies as well as tangible hopes and dreams for the child and adult they will become. Even as a father may dream of his child becoming a sports star or astronaut, he also envisions the type of toddler he wants this newborn to become. For example, he may envision his child as a bright-eyed baby, an inquisitive toddler, an early reader, a high school honor student, or a successful, educated adult. Fathers who become active and engaged in the life of their young child usually do so because of a vision they have developed for their child. This vision may change as time passes, but by simply having a vision the father begins to develop in his role as the one most likely to help that child flesh out that vision. Read the rest of this entry »

Posted in Mike's Blog, Tips for Dads

02
Feb
2011

Strong Fathers as Strong Teachers

Part 3: The Father’s Role in Education

As fathers take on a collaborative role with the school in teaching children, a father’s role can be defined by certain qualities and behaviors associated with being a man and a father. Three key components of a father’s role in the growth and learning of his children include the actual quality of being a man and a parent, his expectations regarding the future path for his children, and the way in which he teaches and engages his children through play and interaction. These elements help to define a father’s role as a teacher of his children and a strong supporter of their formal and informal education.

Fathers, Masculinity, and Learning in the Outside World

Fathers exert a significant influence on children simply by virtue of their masculinity and the interactions they engage in that frame a child’s encounters with the larger world. Fathers and mothers come to their experience with a child some- what differently, in the beginning, simply by virtue of their gender.

From the time a child is conceived, it begins its life in the body of the mother (stop me if you have heard this before) and even from the moment of conception prepares to move away from the mother for the rest of his or her life. The father, who had a role in the conception of the child, primarily has only to wait and furnish support while the child is formed inside the mother. At the birth of the child, the mother typically has a very strong bond and a profound basis for a relation- ship with this child: it is of her and from her. Mother and child have spent a significant amount of time physically together that has contributed to this tremendous personal bond. It is arguable as well that the mother acts as she does and bonds as a parent because she is feminine and has gone through the incredible physical, chemical, emotional, and perhaps spiritual change of childbirth. The father has a more limited basis for his relationship with the child to begin with, as he has been waiting on the outside of the two bodies that were joined together. Read the rest of this entry »

Posted in Father Facts, Mike's Blog, Resources for Professionals, Tips for Dads