SingleDadBlogger

What parents should do when kids ask for new gadgets

Single Dad — Thu, 07 Feb 2013 14:43:42 +0000

Remember the days when every kid in the neighborhood wants to go out and play. Well those days are gone. Kids now are on the sofa, looking down, and tinkering on their mobile gadgets. That is the sad reality. Somehow this new habit of the youngsters tend to make family gatherings boring. Most kids do not want to tell their stories, sing for granny, or play with the cousins.

So what should parents do in case your kids ask for a new gadget:

Needs v Want

Most parents sees smartphones, tablets, and portable gaming consoles as mere wants but kids nowadays see them as a necessity. The different views about technologies may cause some tension but you should work with it instead of going against it. If they are too young, say below 5 years old, then keep these gadgets away and instead encourage playing with the family or other kids.

Balancing act

In case you cannot afford gadgets for each member of the family, then you can work on a schedule so everyone will have their time using it. There should also be a clear schedule when to study and when to play.

Play with them

Bonding time using the gadget is also a good way so parents will see how kids use the gadget. Guide them just like how you guide them while watching TV.

Age appropriate

Make sure the games they play and the sites they access are appropriate for their age and maturity. Constantly remind them of the rules that you both agreed on when using the gadgets.

Encourage them to keep in touch with relatives

Ask the kids to constantly stay in touch with grand parents, cousins, uncles, or aunts using their phones or tablets. This way you try to strengthen their ties with people that they can really count on.

Don’t text and drive

If you have teens who bring their own car to school or work, a constant reminder of driving safely and not using their gadgets while behind the wheels may help keep them safe on the road.

Parenting Tips: Sniffle-proof your family

Single Dad — Fri, 30 Nov 2012 16:49:20 +0000

As the Christmas season approaches, you can also tell that the germ season kicks in. Rudolph will not the only one with a red nose but a lot of us will be like him during the season. On average, adults catch up to three respiratory illness every year. Kids are of course always prone to catching a cold so as parents, how do we protect ourselves and the rest of the family from catching a sniffle?

It is common to hear to get enough rest, exercise, and eat right. You may also want to get a flu vaccine. Prevention does not stop there. Here are some practical tips that may be helpful:

Eat a lot of fibers

Fiber can help you feel full and can help you lose some extra pounds. It can also boost your body’s immune system. A recent study shows that veggies and fruits stimulate the white blood cells that help combat infection.

Have a good dose of vitamin D

Your body cannot get enough Vitamin D from the sun and you can only get a very limited amount of vitamin D from food. Experts say that individuals who take 2,000 IU daily of vitamin D is about 70% less likely to catch flue and colds. Long-term, it can spell lower risk of cancer, diabetes, heart disease, and other health problems.

Make love

A healthy sex life can actually lead to fewer bouts of colds. Doing the deed ups your antibodies by as much as 30%. Stay away though if your loved one is not feeling too well.

Avoid the worst spots with germs

It may be the most trivial thing to do but it can save you some headache and discomfort. The worst places with millions of germs include the elevator buttons, handle of grocery carts, keyboard, microwave, office fridge, among others. Make sure you regularly clean these things at home or use a sanitary wipe before using them in public.

How parents will know if her kid is being bullied or being a bully

Single Dad — Fri, 05 Oct 2012 08:20:40 +0000

Bullying is rampant and parents should do something about it. The first step is of course to know if your child is being bullied or being a bully. From there you should take the appropriate action.

Signs of being bullied

A child who is being bullied may display the following behavior:

When your child comes home from school with his or her books damaged, or clothes dirty or damaged.
No logical explanations for cuts, bruises, or scratches.
When the kid feels reluctant to attend school and complaining of stomach pains or headaches
His or her grades are suffering and loses interest to do school work.
Has unexpected mood shifts or appears to be sad or depressed.
May request for more money so the demand of a bully can be satisfied
Seems to be socially isolated.

Signs of being a bully

A child who bullies other kids may display the following behavior:

Threats and forces his own ways.
Intimidates other kids in the community or even his own siblings.
Brags about his superiority or dominance over other kids
Is often hot-tempered, impulsive, or easily angered. The frustration tolerance is also quite low. A bully may also have a hard time following rules and tolerating delays or adversities.
Has a tendency to cheat.
Often shows aggressive behavior towards adult, defiant, and oppositional
hangs with the wrong crowd and tends to be antisocial or commits vandalism or stealing at an early age.

Parenting Tips: How to handle sibling rivalry

Single Dad — Tue, 03 Jul 2012 09:21:22 +0000

It is a bit difficult to put kids on the same boat if we are talking about discipline principles. Maybe one time or another, you also had that big brother or big sister that persecuted you while you were growing up. If you had this experience you might have this feeling that a younger kid has that feeling of being the victim. The older ones might have the feeling that they are less significant and do not belong as much because of the younger kids. Maybe the bigger kids feel that they can dominate the young ones to have them live in fear.

Now being a parent myself, it is not easy to sympathize with older siblings who bully their younger sibling. As a parent though, you have to balance things and put the two kids in the same boat. Treat them as the same and do not take sides. Here are some suggestions on how you can handle things positively:

Offer the same choice

Ask if they want to settle things and be in peace or do they want to have a line of choices.

Show some faith

Kids can handle the situation. Let them talk, identify what seems to be the problem, and let them suggest the solutions.

Leave

Stop taking sides. Regular chats with the kids will let them know that they are all important to you and they should be there for each other too.

Regular talks with the kids should emphasize that there should be no violence nor abusive language inside the home. Make sure that this rule is clear and implemented, and that they cannot get away if they break it. Start with respect for each other and everything should grow from there.

When is the perfect time to start with piano lessons?

Single Dad — Wed, 25 Apr 2012 09:33:30 +0000

My daughter wants to play the piano. She is so fond with the old piano at her grandma’s place. And earlier this week she asked me if she can take lessons so she can play it well. So, daddy has been reading a lot about piano lessons, looking for piano teachers, and how the process of learning the piano is. It is actually one of my frustrations not knowing to play a single musical instrument so I am glad my daughter is showing some interest.

Best age to start the piano lessons

According to what I have read so far, there are two things to consider :

No one is to old to start. This actually more applies to people like me or people who tried playing the piano and were just told that they do not have the ears for music. You can still take piano lessons even when you are old and think that you cannot anymore, and succeed. No one can be called “ unmusical” which explains that it might be problem with the teaching method not matching your learning style.

Kids can start piano lessons as early as 3-years old. Starting them young on piano lessons will also be helpful in developing their brain and other skills. But if the method is wrong, the piano lessons may cause some frustration on their part.

What parents should do

If you also have kids wanting to take piano lessons, here are some tips of experts:

Be involved and present as this will help your kids keep their focus.
Your presence will also help them behave well during the lessons.
Kids also do not have a concept of homework so learning with them will help a lot in terms of following up at home.

Mid-season breaks of TV shows are weird as…

Single Dad — Thu, 15 Dec 2011 10:34:08 +0000

I have a friend who does not watch television at all and just settles for her dose of movies and music over the internet. That is just my first sentence but do not want to live like that. I am normal and I want a normal life. I enjoy my popcorn and mixed nuts as I watch NCIS, Bones, Moder Family, Walking Dead, How I met your mother, and so on and so on. But don’t you hate it when your favorite TV series goes on a mid-season break or a holiday break?

You want to find out what will happen next, hoping that you will be able to watch it next Friday or next weekend, only to find out that the production goes on a halt and the next installment will be coming after two months or so.

Things get so exciting and then your favorite tv show goes pffft… Off the air for a while. I know there are a lot of people out there who share my sentiments. It is simply weird as…#*%###%!. Pure annoyance at its best. It must have something to do with advertisements. It must have something to maximize the share of viewers.
Oh well, I guess I cannot do anything about it. Cartoon channels with the kids, anyone?

So I haven’t been blogging enough…

Single Dad — Sun, 21 Aug 2011 10:49:44 +0000

I know, I know, I haven’t been blogging as much as I should be. Blogging is hard, and it’s been highly busy at work.

I can’t make any promises, but now that I can watch TV on my laptop (and I actually do that, new season of Breaking bad woop woop woop!), I am going to try and make an effort.

For now, all I can say is: turn on the television, switch it to Breaking Bad — it’s well worth it!

~~(Don’t let the kids watch it though, lotsa drugs and violence. Bad!)~~

Took a solo trip to Seattle

Single Dad — Sat, 02 Jul 2011 08:15:14 +0000

The Seattle Center, a 74-acre exhibition made in 1962 for the World’s Fair is a 605ft. space needle built for the “Century 21” exhibition. This is a very recognizable landmark in the city of Seattle and known throughout the world. The Experience Music Project, Science Fiction Museum, Hall of Fame and Pacific Center are also there. The Children’s Museum for the younger visitors, when designed, had this childlike imagination and energy in mind. Other enjoyable events in Seattle are the Bumbershoot, Folk Life and Bite of Seattle. These and other civic festivals are held here.

At the Pacific Science Center there are many exhibits that change but also many permanent. Some permanent ones include the Insect Village containing large robotic insects, Puget Sound Model and Saltwater Tide Pool, first alert weather center and Body Works with exhibits that you can test your reaction time. At the Scientific Playground children can be educated on what makes a motor engine work. There are also hands on displays such as lasers and holograms at the center, which consist of both indoor and outdoor displays.

Located right above the waterfront you will find the Pike Place Market. This farmers market celebrated 100 years of continuous operation back in 2007. For those who like people watching they will certainly be entertained by the vendors and tourists at this public market. At the market fresh produce, seafood and handcrafted items are all available at this exciting and busy market. There also are many restaurants and pubs to choose from when hunger sets in. There are many boats and freighters to watch in the bay below you and the variety of street performers. Seattle is also home to the first and original Starbucks Coffee.

Danica or Milka? Come on!

Single Dad — Sat, 28 May 2011 10:40:12 +0000

I love Nascar and I love Danica Patrick.

Here’s one reason why:

Life is good, right?

Took the kids to Vegas & LOVED the South Point!

Single Dad — Fri, 22 Apr 2011 08:23:31 +0000

Las Vegas has become more and more of a family destination. However, few of the strip casinos want families to come in and stay at them right now. Instead, they are marketing themselves more for an adult crowd. Luckily, certain hotels still want business from families. The families help pay for the hotels profits by enjoying the many amenities that are available. One of the hotels that is setup in this manner is the South Point Hotel & Casino. South Point is different from all of the hotels that are marketing beauty and glamour. Instead, it shows you how to have fun in Las Vegas.

Have you ever wondered where a hotel is that you can watch movies at a sixteen screen mega theatre? How about a hotel with its own 64 lane bowling alley? There are a number of restaurants within the hotel that provide an amazing amount of food that tastes just delicious. This hotel has wireless internet throughout the entire facility, whether you are at a restaurant or at the movies you can check your email from your iPod touch or laptop computer. Being able to be connected while on vacation throughout the resort is one of the features that makes South Point Hotel & Casino unique.

There is plenty of night life available for those who enjoy it. Whether you want to take in a show or party at a nightclub, the South Point Hotel & Casino has something to offer you. Sure, you might be able to go to a club at another hotel, but what other hotels offer you the wide range of amenities that the South Point offers to you on location? There are NONE in Las Vegas that can match the number of amenities that South Point offers.

Food and fine dining is another fun activity to take in while you are staying in any city. South Point has both fine dining restaurants, family restaurants, and everything in between. You do not have to dress up if you do not want to, but you can dress up to enjoy the luxury of the South Point Hotel & Casino Silverado Steakhouse.

When you are going to Las Vegas, you want to be able to enjoy your time as much as possible. Having to drive around for amenities can be a real pain in the butt. However, the South Point Hotel & Casino provides convenience and luxury for whatever you desire to do, they even hooked me up with special rates on the golf courses!