Writing Pad Dad Interviews The Cheeky Daddy!

I was recently honored to be asked for a Q & A interview for Justin Knight's "Blogs To Take A Shine To".



This is a great way to get to know some of your fellow bloggers through a funny and great dad contributor, Justin Knight (a.k.a Writing Pad Dad).

The interview starts:

1.  Please tell us all about your blog! Why did you decide to start a blog? What can readers expect when visiting your blog?

The Cheeky Daddy was a spin- off of The Wife's blog title. We may still collaborate in the future, but it started.....

 

 

You can check out the entire interview at Writing Pad Dad. Thanks to Justin for the opportunity to share and get to know more of my fellow bloggers.

J.

Ask A Dad - 10 Questions With The Busy Dad, Jim Lin

 



This is the first installment of "Ask A Dad". The inaugural interview is with Jim Lin of The Busy Dad blog. Jim is a hilarious father of two, with some great perspective on fatherhood. His humor is matched by his creativity, as there are some hilarious videos he's made. Thanks to Jim for taking some time so that we can get to know him!


1. What's the best part of being a dad?
Knowing that you matter. Simple as that. Your child's every smile, every moment of triumph, every tear -- what you do or don't do impacts that.

2 What has been the most challenging part of being a dad?
What I said above. The most rewarding things in life are the ones that scare you to death.

3. What's your "they never told me THAT" story?
Infants can spray poop up to 8 ft if on a changing table at the right angle. Yes, I measured.

4. What's one lesson you could pass on that you've learned about being a father?
Learn to laugh about it. Parenting is draining if you look at it from the perspective of trying not to mess up. But if you go into it knowing that things will never go as planned, you can at least chuckle and move on.

5. How are you able to find time for yourself, or as a couple?
Get the kids to bed as early s humanly possible. I believe all the great inventions of human civilization were discovered with a beer in hand, after the kids went to bed.

6. How have children altered life's game plan?
Although my son wasn't planned, having him didn't knock me off any trajectories. Maybe it's that I simply create really open ended game plans with endless contingencies. And maybe this should be my answer for the lesson I would pass on.

7.  Do you have any tricks for eating or bed times?
For eating, "put some cheese on it." I don't care what it is. Put cheese on it, and your kid will eat it. For bedtime, both our kids were able to sleep on their own through the night at 4 months. The Cry It Out Method (is that a thing? I don't know. Using initial caps makes it look official) is incredibly effective. At most, they'd have maybe a week of crying it out (just check on them every 15 minutes so they know you didn't abandon them). After that? Like clockwork.

8. What's your escape from the chaos, be it a hobby, tech gear, etc?
Up until last year, it was Muay Thai (been a martial artist 20+ years), but now with my new job and insane schedule, it's Jack Daniels and Netflix.

9. What lessons do you feel like you're passing on well,...and maybe not so well?
Like UFC in the old days, "the only rule is, there are no rules!"

10. Mini Van or SUV?
SUV, unless someone could give me a lifted mini van with flames and skulls painted on the side.


Thanks again to Jim Lin at The Busy Dad blog. Follow him for the latest advice and adventures!

J.


Be on the lookout for future interviews, Q & As, interrogations and so forth on:

 

Print Books vs E-Readers

(pic from Digital Book Reader)
"Men have become the tools of their tools." - Henry David Thoreau 

   While on vacation, I looked around the pool, serene bench areas, hammocks, etc., and saw a lot of books and a lot of e-readers. I know one day, we'll all have interactive hologram interfaces not unlike the super futuristic interfaces of say Minority Report or The Matrix. Right now, though, we're in an epic battle between tradition and the future.
   A Pew Research Center study said that "the number of traditional readers dropped from 72% to 67% from last year, while digital bookworms jumped from 16% to 23%." I read this on Mashable.com and it made me wonder it I'd ever get there. Sure, our family has a tablet, but I'm still an ink and paper guy. The children show more adaptability and can switch between the two seamlessly. I however, have noticed my eyesight changing for the worse. It makes me feel like I should be peering over my bifocals on my front porch at the kids in my neighborhood screaming, "Get off my lawn!"
   So the question is, who are you? Ink and paper, or digi-print? As eye look to get my eye checked and then fitted for my glasses, I think I'll be a hybrid of the two. I've played with the digital version a bit and I'll still be enjoying the smell of the traditional pages for some time. And hey, they make great table stabilizers in a pinch, especially if it wasn't that good of a book. So chime in and let me know what you're using!

J.
  
Next comes the question posed on Cnet: Tablet or E-Reader?

The Ultimate Blog Party 2013 - A Bit About The Cheeky Daddy

 

 

   The ladies over at 5MinutesForMom.com have a fun looking event going on. My mother raised us four boys on her own, and I think she could have used a group like them. They've invited dads to participate in order to grow, network, and share. So here's 10 things about The Cheeky Daddy:

 

1. I have three wee little ones: 7YO girl, 3YO boy, 7MO girl (yes ladies, the seat is officially kept down).

2. I've been at this blog since the first of 2011.
3. As an art major, I love fresh art supplies, and have a hard time bringing myself to using them.
4. As a kid, I once climbed the freeway fence and crossed all six lanes on foot, twice.
5. My favorite post to date is still Cheerios Butt.
6. I'm a bit of a pack rat, but must have my art space clean (The Wife LOVES that...).
7. I was to be named Clint or Jason, they chose Jason.
8. It takes over 750 lbs of power to drop a heavyweight boxer, and only 3 lbs. from my son's fist to my crotch to drop me.
9. I enjoy movies, books, plays, theatre, chick-flicks, guy-flicks, and cry at a good story ending,....much to my brother's fun-making delight.
10. You could once hold my blog up to your ear and hear the ocean. Now it's more like a small dorm party.

I wanted to keep this brief, but if there's overwhelming demand (1 or more requests), I'll add another ten. I know, I know, enquiring minds want to know! What secrets will be revealed! Whatever,...this Ultimate Blog Party 2013 should be pretty cool.

J.

Does Counting To Three Work?

“Do not train a child to learn by force or harshness; but direct them to it by what amuses their minds,
so that you may be better able to discover with accuracy the peculiar bent of the genius of each.”
- Plato

   Having your parent count to three seems like a rite of passage for all of us. Don't we all remember the famed "Two and a haaaaaaaaaalf!"? As I look back, I remember not doing a single thing about the threat at the count of one, or even two. I snapped to it at 2.5, 2 3/4 and 3. There are a few experiences around the concept of counting that I'd like to share for consideration. 

   When The wife and I were first married, we had a Great Dane that we took to a short obedience class. The instructor watched a young woman give her Husky a command over and over. The instructor told us of a man she met who's dog would obey his commands, after some work, only after he said it three times. See, the guy was giving the command twice before giving it a third time and MAKING the dog obey. Hence the result. 

   While we are not canines and neither are our children, I see the same thing in principle all the time. I have seen parents close to me count to three many, MANY times, with no result. It's clear that without enforcing the rule, it's lost its effectiveness. I've read a few articles written by psychologists and child behavior experts and it's clear that counting to three may not be the best choice. While The Wife and I have used it out of tradition and lack of knowledge of other tactics, we ARE looking at alternatives, since it doesn't seem to be the best solution for our kids specifically. 

   The discussion with our little ones has recently been about choices. Our 'Lil Miss is old enough to get the concept, and our 'Lil Man is getting there. The more we discuss "making good choices/decisions", the more we get away from counting to three. It' not a cold turkey thing, but we're making the transition. Now we ask for a task to be done, and can give the consequence of not making a good choice. It seems to be working, and I'm not counting to three,...again.
   Everyone has a different style. I'm interested in yours. Please let me know what you're doing that works. Please? Don't make me count to three!

J. 

Old Movie Quotes Our Children Use

"Oh, good grief." - Charlie Brown

   Along with all of the newer cartons that our 'Lil Man watches in the morning, we've introduced our older two to the 'toons of yore. Samplings of the old Scooby-Doo, Casper, Woody Wood Pecker. Popeye, and so forth have all gone over well. I've also noted how much I enjoy the effects of Peanuts and the gang.
   The thing I noticed us there's about 90% less yelling than the talking underwater sponge. There's also about 80% less crazy action than most of the new stuff. So it shouldn't have surprised me that I chose "You're A Good Man Charlie Brown" the other night as a wind down tool when the kids were ready for bed earlier than usual. I had the typical requests for something with shouting and action to watch. Yet I instinctively chose an oldie instead. The results were obvious. Kids that were calm and quiet, all the way until their heads hit the pillow.
   There was one side effect. When we think on old movie quotes our children use, remember this story. We're currently on vacation on the Hawaiian islands. With my in-laws next door the kids have been all jacked up on excitement for the hotel experience. With our Lil Miss staying one night with the grandparents, our 'Lil Man was anxious to turn out the last light and hop into bed. We kept putting him off, not ready for that to happen yet. After the 12th inquiry, we both said no again to turning out the light. He took two steps toward the small table, rested his head onto folded arms upon that table, sighed, and exclaimed "Oh good grief!"
We both laughed out loud. He didn't get why. I must add that when I was young, any time I complained around my sweet grandmother, she would roll her eyes and exclaim "Oh good grief!" It's nice to have a timeless classic live on over three generations and make me laugh in turn.
So I'm dying to know, what old movie quotes have you passed on or been picked up on by YOUR little ones?

J.

Vacationing With Kids - Preparation (Part 1 of 3)

(image from Iinspoinspo)

"I'm writing a book. I've got the page numbers done." - Steven Wright

   Don't we all feel like that when we travel, especially with kids? We've got grand plans, and we WILL be prepared WELL in advance. Then, we only get so far and it's a mad dash to be ready on time. Thus begins our three part series entitled "Vacationing With Kids". I recently read "Why traveling with kids SUCKS ASS" by Karen Alpert, and laughed my own hind quarters off. She had one heck of an experience, though I find myself continuing to load the suitcases for departure in 12 hours. So onto the prep work.
   Packing needs to be started earlier than the night before, plain and simple. There is a fairly complete packing list available at TravelSmith.com. I didn't see much that I'd to the list as a basic start to the process. It'll vary depending on person, family, location, crisis, etc. That all being said, we're still up 'till midnight no matter the trip. With one kid it was procrastination. With three kids, it's finding the time to even get to the packing. We're lucky that we're not headed out with backpack each, consisting of toothbrush, underwear, a compass, duck tape, and floss. Hmmmm,.....interesting.
   As for the kids, prep work is in the hands of the creator. We have the power to dump it on them in one fell swoop with video cameras at the ready. We can also drop hints to keep it interesting. It's been a good carrot to dangle when behavior takes a nose dive. It's also been a great motivator for things like picking up rooms, finishing dinner, and so on. A big trip is so infrequent that they do need to earn it a bit. Or a lot.
   I read a decent 10 Tips For Making Spring Travel More Fun, at Eileen's Blog that addresses making the most of your trip for families with kids a little older than mine currently are. After reviewing a few other lists, here's my 5 tips and lessons learned in preparation for our 7 day adventure with a 7YO, 3YO and 6MO:

1.  Check your stress at the door. I tend to have high expectations that lead to stress, irritability, let down,....oh the list can get long. The last couple of bigger trips, I've tried to let that go. By having fewer expectations, I seem to have a better time. We plan a few things, but with a family as young as ours, we  try to just enjoy our surroundings and each other. It's worked nicely, and I'm not such a butt head.

2. A stitch in time saves nine. In other words, plan ahead. I'm talking everything you've slapped yourself upside the head for in the past. Packing is the big one. Then there's calling the hotel for a pack-n-play or high chair. Oh, and don't forget to keep your kids on something on a schedule leading up to the trip with dinner and bedtimes. If these things aren't thought of in advance in preparation, it just adds to the stress (see #1).

3. Take pictures, a LOT of pictures. Start early in the trip. I realized a long time ago that you can ALWAYS delete. You can never create. These days I never hear myself saying "boy, I took WAY too many pictures..." I certainly have, however, found myself saying, "Crap, I didn't take any pictures." A good time is a good time, but as we have more kids, it's inevitable that we take fewer pics. I've seen it in our family of 9 siblings/in-laws and 25 kids/cousins. So it's a conscious effort, but worth it in the end.

4. Mind the clock. I've admitted to The Wife that I'm not good a SEVERAL things. Packing for the kids is a joke. Getting the toiletries together is shameful. I don't reason well with the kids at times. Blah, blah, blah. I AM good a time. My mother drilled punctuality into the four of us brothers like we were in the Army. So I'm here to tell you that it's nice to be a little early and have time to breath as opposed to racing through the airport till you can hardly breath. Do it with kids and you'll see your relationship tested to its limits,.........trust me.

5. Remember, you're traveling with children. If you're a rookie, ask around. If you're a veteran, you should know better. Travel light, like me, who's packing for half the week and will be doing laundry. Take one book, and use the rest of the space for the kid's entertainment and snacks. Do NOT forget each child's favorite stuffed buddy, blanky, binky, bubby, or whatevertheheck. You forget, you pay. I once saw couple that made about a dozen emergency packs for the people around them on the plane that consisted of sandwich bags filled with candy, earplugs, and a note indicating that it was their first time on a plane with their child.

   I'll be posting again mid-week with Part 2 of 3. We'll check in to see how I did following my own advice for prep work. We'll also look at some tips for enjoying the trip with you children. Stay tuned for the finale. Part 3 of 3 will be a good one!

J. 

Time To Baby Proof The House

"Danger gleams like sunshine to a brave man's eyes." - Euripides

   Recently, our Wee Lass made the jump to light speed,...I mean crawling. Doesn't it feel like hyperspace when you realize the amount of debris out there for you little ones to get into? One day she was doing baby yoga and remaining stationary. The next day she was army crawling toward what she wanted. By day three, she had the crawl down and was off to get into all kinds of hijinks. With the two older ones laying out toy and food "breadcrumbs", Wee Lass just follows them to certain danger. Thus it's time to baby proof. 

   I'd like to be open and transparent and admit that I suggested to the wife that we invest in the baby fighting octagon (you know, like the Summer Infant Secure Surround Play Safe Play Yard. Boy that's a mouthful). After referring to it as Thunderdome and chanting "two babies enter, one baby leaves!" I was vetoed for the manual version. That is me taking my turn running interference and ensuring there's no unauthorized ingestion of foreign contaminants. We've done the electrical outlet safety plugs, cabinet locks, etc. It's all worked. There's one or two things we've learned after the first two. 

   Leave one of the lowest drawers or cabinets unlocked and fill it with the tupperware. It gives them something to get into without being as bad as a pit of snakes. Clean up seventeen times a day will get old, but it worked for us. Also, baby proofing is not a baby proof solution. Our 'Lil Man was a freakin' Houdini. It was like, how'd he get THAT open? Depending on your child, the baby proofing stuff will either work like a Harry Potter charm (en-lockium totalius!!!), or it will only act as a temporary deterrent until the child figures out how to get the goods. 

   Yes, we've found that when it is time to baby proof the house, a collective sigh is expressed throughout the home. It's a necessary task, for the greater good. Even then, they will get into stuff and even hurt themselves. My little sprogs are proof of that. So wish me luck, and same back at 'ya. Now where's my screwdriver? 

J. 

Daddy Chores

"Learning the role of a father in a child's life and the many things
dads can do is important to becoming a good father." Amy Davidson, eHow Contributor

   I don't recall my father participating in the day to day of us children. Granted, he was gone at work a lot, but part of me thinks he preferred it that way. Given that situation, how was I to know what to do as a father of little ones? Since me and The Wife waited awhile to have our little ones, we participated and observed family and friends around us. I not only picked up on the little things you do to take care of your mini-me, but also how much a father participates these days. Not every dad does, but I think we all see more of it.

   My initial concept of marriage and parenting dates back to the 50's, where I'd go to work and come home to a warm meal, children bathed, and The Wife in a kitchen apron asking how my day was. My world was firmly tipped upside down when I married my sweetheart and realized a few things. She made a better salary than me, got home later than me, and we didn't have kids for several years. So I tried to adapt and help out more with taking turns at cooking 'n such. It was evolving when we decided to have a family. 

   When our 'Lil Miss came along, I was still fuzzy as to my role. The Wife did a lot of the care giving. Most dads have admitted to feeling a bit un-needed in the early phases. At around 6 months, I was asked to start contributing, so I got my feet wet with bathing and eating times. When my world didn't implode, I got more confident. 

   These days, I'm a part of every facet of their lives. Beginning with the night before, we BOTH participate in dinner, jammies, brushing teeth, washing face, stories, night-nights, wake ups, breakfast, making lunch, carpool, homework, and all the stuff in between (diapers, nail clipping, etc.) It's no longer a oddity for me to participate. I can't imagine it any different. When I think of husband chores, I know I'm taking out the garbage, changing a light bulb, driving to the store, etc. When I think of daddy chores, I get me tissue, clippers, rash cream and so on. 

   What is the one daddy chore YOU never thought would be on your "to-do" list? 

J. 

Multitasking With Children

 

"Multi-tasking arises out of distraction itself." - Marilyn vos Savant

 

   Over the weekend I was fortunate enough to get to some projects moved along. The Wife and I have found a decent balance so that we both get some time for ourselves. That being said, we also sometimes are so into our projects, that it's hard to stop once on a roll. Case in point: this weekend's art project.

   I've recently had a good start on some wood pallet art on my small but growing Etsy shop. The only issue I've had is "the zone". You see, "the zone" is that place you go when you're SO into the project at hand that you lose track of time and block out everything else. Let's just say, it's tough watching my older two out front when I'm in the garage and "the zone" hits while working on a project.

   So Saturday afternoon, The Wife has a make an Easter run, and I'm watching the two older sprogs out front, Wee Lass asleep in her crib. Halfway through a wood pallet piece (Pictured above, and please excuse the mess. Artist on board.), the baby wakes up and I have to make a decision. Pack it in, or multitask. Que the Ergo Baby and we're back in business! At first she was looking up at me, staring me in the eye with amazement and wonder. Oh, if only all the girls did that. Then she watching me paint like "awwwweee, yeahhhh,..now THAT'S a mess I can get on board with!" By the time she'd had enough, The Wife was home and took over while I finished the piece.

   Not every opportunity is suitable for multitasking with children. There are a few that work out seamlessly and I found one this weekend. Granted, I'm still looking for the other two kids (KIDDING!). Actually, The Wife and I have noticed that the kids are into projects more, now that they've seen us in action working on the art pieces and Oreo Pops. So I guess it's rubbing off on them.

   I wonder if any one's had similar experiences. I'm always on the hunt for ways to pull of more in the same amount of time. Ideas?

 

J.