Responding to Criticism Without Being Defensive What can fathers do when their parenting is criticized, especially by their partners or their own children. Guest author Sharon Ellison offers some insights into dealing with criticism without being defensive. Equal Parents Week Each year, the Childrens Rights Council sponsors Equal Parents Week to send the message that The Best Parent is Both Parents. Find out more about Equal Parents Week, participate in local events, and use this tool to advance the cause of joint parenting. Talking to Your Children About September 11 Anticipating the annual retrospectives on the September 11 attacks, fathers need to do some thinking and preparing to talk again with their children about terrorism, homeland security and personal safety. Danny and Bambis Story Recently in our community, a young mother died from complications from a rare heart ailment brought on by pregnancy and delivery. Bambi Thomas was awaiting a heart transplant when she died of an aneurysm. Now Danny is left to raise baby Ellie alone. Find out more about Bambi and Danny and about postpartum cardiomyopathy and how dads and moms can help. So Does a Stepdad Have any Rights at All? The story of a step father in Florida who finds custody rights a battleground with his stepdaughter's biological father. Your Family and the Internet Keeping your family safe on the Internet can be a challenge in our era of connectivity. How can dads and moms set boundaries and appropriate limits for our children on the Internet? Boundaries Why Are They Needed? Using the concept of setting boundaries in the teaching of discipline, parenting experts Derek and Gail Randel offer reasons for boundaries and recommendations on how to set them effectively for children. Dating for Divorced Dads So, it has been a while since the divorce and you are anxious for some female companionship. Dating is more difficult after a divorce than when you were single the last time. How should a divorced dad go about finding and dating women? And what do you say to the kids and when? Keep Close To Home After a Divorce A recent study published in the Journal of Family Psychology documents the need that children have for access to both parents after a divorce. The evidence is clear and convincing: keeping both parents close by is critical for children to survive a family breakup. Why You Should Consider Full-Time Fatherhood Thinking about taking the plunge into full-time fatherhood? Find out how dads choose to be the principle caregiver for their children, how to work out the details, and the questions you should ask when deciding to be a stay home dad. Affair Proofing Your Marriage Extramarital affairs more often than not destroy a marriage, whether or not a divorce follows. This article offers advice and direction on how to avoid an affair and keep your marriage strong and healthy. Gardening with Your Kids Looking for a good way to spend time with your kids and teach them something about values such as work, nature and the environment? Plant a garden and work with them to grow vegetables and flowers. Sharpen your gardening and parenting skills. Helping Children Learn to Work One important role of fathers is teaching their children the value of work and responsibility. What do children learn from work and how does an effective dad get the message across? Getting the Most Out of Your Childbirth Class Expectant first time fathers need to consider taking a childbirth class with their partner to learn about the pregnancy process and what to expect. Find out how to make the birthing class a good experience and to be better prepared for the childbirth experience. What You Need to Know About Child Support Many fathers have lots of questions about child support: how it works, how it is calculated, and what happens if you fall behind or want to change the arrangements. This article reprinted from the 'Lectric Law Library offers answers to the most common questions about child support. Storytelling Made Easy Children love and need stories. And any dad can construct a winning, tailor-made tale using these basic building blocks. The Effects of Divorce on Children and How to Cope Children are the innocent victims of parents who divorce. Recognize why children are at risk emotionally, understand the danger signs, and find ways to cope. |