Showing posts with label Dad. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Dad. Show all posts
Monday, April 4, 2011
When It is alright to let them decide?
Yesterday I took my son to the barber shop to get his back to school hair cut. As we sat in the barber shop, I reminisced over how much my son has grown. I remember the first time I took him to the barber shop, I had to sit in the barbers chair and have him sit on my lap just so he could stop squirming and get his hair cut. And now look at him, he walks into the barber shop as if it is second nature. True, I still have my moments when I stand by the barber’s chair, and oversee him and my son as they have their “man” talk.
But yesterday all that changed. As I went to the barber shop with my son, he ran over to the pictures of hair cuts on the wall and said “mommy, I want this one.” All of the guys laughed at him, jeering him “your mother is not going to let you get that son, not until your older.” But as I looked in Isaiah’s eyes, I couldn’t help it. I had to allow him to have this one decision. For once I was going to step back and let him decide on how he wanted his hair to look. As I swayed past the older men in the shop, to get a closer look at the picture, I couldn’t believe it! My son wanted to get a Mohawk with a spider man design on the side. As I turned around to tell him pick another cut, I remembered the look in his eyes and the excitement on his face as he marched up to the picture and pointed to it and said: “mommy, I want this one.” How could I turn around and tell him no.
As he sat in the chair, the barber looked at me, the older men looked at me, and Isaiah looked at me as if they were all waiting for me to yell: STOP, I’m not ready for this, he’s too young to make this choice!” But I just politely smiled and stared back at them and cheered Isaiah on.
As I watched him get his hair cut, I began to wonder, at what point do we let our children began to make decisions for themselves? When do we step back and let them take control? Sure this time it was something as minor as a hair cut. But later on who knows what it will be? How do we prepare them to make good decisions? Or to accept the decisions that they’ve made? As parents we always want to hold their hand, choose which path that we assume is the right path for them and watch themhappily march down it. We always want to be the ones who block the bumps, pitfalls, and cover up the spills, but when do we stop? Should we start teaching them decision making skills at at four, five, six? Or do we wait until they get older?
After Isaiah got his hair cut and I brought him home, he rushed upstairs to the mirror and looked at his hair cut. I couldn’t quite figure out what he was doing, so innocently I asked “what’s up?” As he turned around to answer me, he had... (read the full article at the link below)
Friday, November 26, 2010
Choosing
It is no secret these days that breastfeeding is best. This information comes at new mothers from every direction. Obstetricians, pediatricians, and parenting magazines all agree that breastfeeding is the way to go. So why are there so many different bottles on the shelves these days? Because not all mother’s are able to breastfeed and those that do, need an occasional evening away from baby. With all the choices out there, it can be difficult to decide which bottle is best. When making your decision you should take into consideration the cost of the bottle, your baby’s preference, and any health problems your child may have. Here is a brief description of the bottles on the market right now. This information should make your decision a little easier...(read the full article at the link below)
Saturday, May 8, 2010
Why Did We Start To Celebrate Father's Day?
Not many countries of the world celebrate fathers with their own official day. However, that is what is done in the United States every third Sunday in June. Father’s Day is a special day for dads when they are pampered by their children, given gifts, and even surprised with breakfast in bed!
There are many different stories as to the origins of Father’s Day. Some of the possible scenarios telling the story of the first Father’s Day are:
1. It started in 1908 during a church service in West Virginia.
2. Vancouver, Washington was where the first Father’s Day celebration occurred.
3. Harry Meek, president of the Lions’ Club branch in Chicago, created the first Father’s Day with his organization. It was celebrated in 1915 on the third Sunday of June, since that was a date very close to his birthday.
Even though we don’t know exactly when the first Father’s Day was celebrated, we do know who promoted this holiday with a great passion. Mrs. John B. Dodd, who resided in Spokane Washington, felt that her father was outstanding and deserved to be honored. He had fought in the Civil War and had raised six children on his own after his wife had died.
Mrs. Dodd spoke to her minister and other ministers around Spokane to see if they would have a church service that was solely dedicated to fathers. She wished this service to be held on June 5th, her father’s birthday. It was actually scheduled on June 19th however, since a June 5th date was not long enough for her minister to prepare such a service.
After that, the whole state of Washington began celebrating “Father’s Day” on the third Sunday of June. Children prepared special meals and desserts as a treat for dad. If they happened to live apart, children would make an effort to visit.
Other states and organizations now wanted an annual Father’s Day for the whole country. They began lobbying Congress to declare such a holiday. The idea of a “Father’s Day” was approved by President Woodrow Wilson in 1916, but it was not official until President Calvin Coolidge made it a national event in 1924.
Now, we celebrate Father’s Day every third Sunday in June!
There are many different stories as to the origins of Father’s Day. Some of the possible scenarios telling the story of the first Father’s Day are:
1. It started in 1908 during a church service in West Virginia.
2. Vancouver, Washington was where the first Father’s Day celebration occurred.
3. Harry Meek, president of the Lions’ Club branch in Chicago, created the first Father’s Day with his organization. It was celebrated in 1915 on the third Sunday of June, since that was a date very close to his birthday.
Even though we don’t know exactly when the first Father’s Day was celebrated, we do know who promoted this holiday with a great passion. Mrs. John B. Dodd, who resided in Spokane Washington, felt that her father was outstanding and deserved to be honored. He had fought in the Civil War and had raised six children on his own after his wife had died.
Mrs. Dodd spoke to her minister and other ministers around Spokane to see if they would have a church service that was solely dedicated to fathers. She wished this service to be held on June 5th, her father’s birthday. It was actually scheduled on June 19th however, since a June 5th date was not long enough for her minister to prepare such a service.
After that, the whole state of Washington began celebrating “Father’s Day” on the third Sunday of June. Children prepared special meals and desserts as a treat for dad. If they happened to live apart, children would make an effort to visit.
Other states and organizations now wanted an annual Father’s Day for the whole country. They began lobbying Congress to declare such a holiday. The idea of a “Father’s Day” was approved by President Woodrow Wilson in 1916, but it was not official until President Calvin Coolidge made it a national event in 1924.
Now, we celebrate Father’s Day every third Sunday in June!
Friday, March 5, 2010
6 Popular Gift Ideas For Father's Day
Father’s Day is a special day for any man who is a dad. Handmade cards by little ones and his favorite home-cooked meal are not all you can do for him, though. There is a wide variety of popular gifts for Father’s Day that you can choose from to surprise him with. Some easy ideas are:
A gift card to Home Depot, Lowe’s, or his favorite hardware store – I have learned from years of experience with my husband that hardware stores truly are a man’s “toy store”. Any man can make twelve trips to a hardware store in one week and never get tired of it. Not only will he appreciate the gift, but you will get something done around the house or yard!
Fun electronic gadgets – Think digital camera, MP3 players, wide-screen TVs, DVD players, laptop computers…anything electronic. Many of these popular gifts for Father’s Day can be pricey, so make sure you save up.
Personalized gifts – Picture frames, plaques and figurines can commemorate a particular Father’s Day. You can also purchase mugs and t-shirts with photos and special messages.
A gift certificate to a hobby or specialty shop – Whether dad likes golfing, photography, woodworking, or wine, there is a specialty shop for that! Get him a gift certificate that he can use however he would like.
A gift certificate to his favorite restaurant – Most restaurants offer gift cards or certificates in many amounts. Choose dad’s favorite restaurant and get him a gift of a meal. To make it extra special, plan the whole night out on Father’s Day and treat him to a meal there instead!
Apparel – Dads can always use work clothes, casual clothes and chore clothes. Find out what area of dad’s wardrobe is lacking the most and fill in the gaps. Trick dad by taking him to the mall and finding out what colors and styles he likes before you buy.
Other popular gifts for Father’s Day are, of course, the crafty items you can make with your children at home. Anything from the heart will be popular with dad!
A gift card to Home Depot, Lowe’s, or his favorite hardware store – I have learned from years of experience with my husband that hardware stores truly are a man’s “toy store”. Any man can make twelve trips to a hardware store in one week and never get tired of it. Not only will he appreciate the gift, but you will get something done around the house or yard!
Fun electronic gadgets – Think digital camera, MP3 players, wide-screen TVs, DVD players, laptop computers…anything electronic. Many of these popular gifts for Father’s Day can be pricey, so make sure you save up.
Personalized gifts – Picture frames, plaques and figurines can commemorate a particular Father’s Day. You can also purchase mugs and t-shirts with photos and special messages.
A gift certificate to a hobby or specialty shop – Whether dad likes golfing, photography, woodworking, or wine, there is a specialty shop for that! Get him a gift certificate that he can use however he would like.
A gift certificate to his favorite restaurant – Most restaurants offer gift cards or certificates in many amounts. Choose dad’s favorite restaurant and get him a gift of a meal. To make it extra special, plan the whole night out on Father’s Day and treat him to a meal there instead!
Apparel – Dads can always use work clothes, casual clothes and chore clothes. Find out what area of dad’s wardrobe is lacking the most and fill in the gaps. Trick dad by taking him to the mall and finding out what colors and styles he likes before you buy.
Other popular gifts for Father’s Day are, of course, the crafty items you can make with your children at home. Anything from the heart will be popular with dad!
Friday, January 1, 2010
Fathers Day Tribute - Scarred For Life By A Special Dad
Always remember to say what you feel while they are here because remorse you will carry forever.
The story we all loved to hear as kids was the one about dad that would explain why his face was covered in what we as kids saw as millions and millions and millions of tiny dents and scars of which I will tell you all about nearer to the end of my tribute to the greatest dad a daughter could ever have had. His death at the early age of fifty four came as a shock especially when his appointment for the hospital was to have a plaster cast removed only to have him drop dead in the waiting room.
Even though the parting of the ways was sudden the fondest of memories has still held a strong presence in my thoughts over the twenty six years where I was proud to call him my dad. If I could turn the clock back - I would tell him how sorry I was for the times I took him for granted but unfortunately that remorse will be carried to my grave where I know being the good man that he was will be waiting for me at the pearly gates with open arms full of forgiveness.
They say the good die young and that is what has helped to ease the resentment I felt towards the man up above for taking dad so soon.
Why are dads special - why is my dad more special than all other dads, simple because people see the word special in many different ways. So what do I see different in dad that makes him so special.
Dad served 34 years in the army but trouble was brewing up on communist day in Hong Kong where dad was stationed. It was the sound of alarm bells that set the evacuation into motion for the families living outside the barracks to return to the camp immediately.
Eight of us were bundled into the back of a 3 ton army wagon with pillows for protection and ordered to keep our heads down of which we obeyed - the Chinese riot mobs were appearing up from the trenches that lined the road back to the barracks fully armed with allsorts of killing tools - twenty one rocks entered the wagon on the journey back to camp.
The convoy of trucks that followed behind and stopped - now stood burning wrecks.
If a barrage of boulders were hurtled into the back of the wagon - just what kind of state was the front of that vehicle in and that of the driver. There were no medals of bravery awarded to the driver when recognition was delivered by the army superiors for his act of heroism. The reason why was because he should not have been driving at the time, so all the pats on the back went to the wrong man sitting up front.
I often wonder today this day would we all have got out alive if the boot was on the other foot if those drivers did not break the rules.
The result of that fearful day was a truck with no windscreen a driver with no face and eight living bodies that lived to tell the tale - so now you have the ending to my story why those millions and millions and millions of dents and scars, scarred us for life with special memories of dear old dad.
The story we all loved to hear as kids was the one about dad that would explain why his face was covered in what we as kids saw as millions and millions and millions of tiny dents and scars of which I will tell you all about nearer to the end of my tribute to the greatest dad a daughter could ever have had. His death at the early age of fifty four came as a shock especially when his appointment for the hospital was to have a plaster cast removed only to have him drop dead in the waiting room.
Even though the parting of the ways was sudden the fondest of memories has still held a strong presence in my thoughts over the twenty six years where I was proud to call him my dad. If I could turn the clock back - I would tell him how sorry I was for the times I took him for granted but unfortunately that remorse will be carried to my grave where I know being the good man that he was will be waiting for me at the pearly gates with open arms full of forgiveness.
They say the good die young and that is what has helped to ease the resentment I felt towards the man up above for taking dad so soon.
Why are dads special - why is my dad more special than all other dads, simple because people see the word special in many different ways. So what do I see different in dad that makes him so special.
Dad served 34 years in the army but trouble was brewing up on communist day in Hong Kong where dad was stationed. It was the sound of alarm bells that set the evacuation into motion for the families living outside the barracks to return to the camp immediately.
Eight of us were bundled into the back of a 3 ton army wagon with pillows for protection and ordered to keep our heads down of which we obeyed - the Chinese riot mobs were appearing up from the trenches that lined the road back to the barracks fully armed with allsorts of killing tools - twenty one rocks entered the wagon on the journey back to camp.
The convoy of trucks that followed behind and stopped - now stood burning wrecks.
If a barrage of boulders were hurtled into the back of the wagon - just what kind of state was the front of that vehicle in and that of the driver. There were no medals of bravery awarded to the driver when recognition was delivered by the army superiors for his act of heroism. The reason why was because he should not have been driving at the time, so all the pats on the back went to the wrong man sitting up front.
I often wonder today this day would we all have got out alive if the boot was on the other foot if those drivers did not break the rules.
The result of that fearful day was a truck with no windscreen a driver with no face and eight living bodies that lived to tell the tale - so now you have the ending to my story why those millions and millions and millions of dents and scars, scarred us for life with special memories of dear old dad.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)