Owner: The Parents Handbook URL:http://parents-handbook.blogspot.com Join Date: Tue, 25 Nov 2008 10:03:30 -0600 Rating:0 Site Description: A Fathers View; Sometimes Humorous, Sometimes Reflective and an Always Honest Perspective at Raising Children in Today's Day and Age Site statistics:Click here
How to Make Infused Oils - Cooking Oils 2008-11-24 14:16:39 Gardens and gardening can be therapeutic on many levels. They are a great way to spend a bit of time not thinking about anything but how your plants are doing. Recently I was tending my garden and I began to wonder about decorative and infused oils. You know, those fancy bottles that you see in the department and cooking stores about this time of year. My garden is primarily peppers and herbs.
Thanksgiving Center Piece Ideas 2008-11-22 14:33:23 In my many travels on the web I will occasionally stumble on to a pretty cool idea that get's the kids involved around the house. Recently I was searching for Thanksgiving
ideas on the cheap, I came across this video on a center piece for your Thanksgiving table. Personally, I think that anytime you can get the kids involved you should. Go ahead take advantage of it, maybe along the way you'll Read more:Center
Twins: The First Stressful Hours of Life 2008-11-21 16:31:37 Our twins were born pre-mature, taken by emergency cesarean section; Willy weighed in just over 4 pounds, Samantha, just over 2. Both were rushed away from the overly packed operating room, my wife barely had a chance to see them. Our twins were taken directly to the Neonatal Intensive Care Unit (NICU) and I was escorted out, exhausted from the pace of the birth - the day and from the worry of t Read more:First
, Hours
, Twins
Pregnancy and the Birth of Twins 2008-11-18 18:13:47 Also titled Samantha's story, but in order to properly tell you Sam's story you need to know about the pregnancy and everything that goes with it. Fifteen years ago my wife and I were blessed with the gift of pregnancy, this was our second together. We were still a young couple, energetic and moving up in our respective fields. My wife had completed college and received her Teaching Degree only Read more:Pregnancy
, Twins
Just Say No to Gift Cards this Christmas Shopping Season 2008-11-18 16:29:46 Cross Post from: Screaming at the TV!, The World Around Us:As the holiday shopping season is right around the corner and the world economy is doing that counter clockwise swirl down the drain thing, I was wondering what bargains are out there to be had... What I found wasn't what I was expecting:If you have gift cards for any of these stores, now would be the time to cash them in before they close Read more:Cards
, Christmas
, Season
, Shopping
Teens and the Sex Talk 2008-11-17 12:13:21 This is information that I have gathered over the years and from a variety of sources. I'd like to credit all of the sources but I honestly can not remember them all. This topic is important, it is one that needs our attention as parents. As a parent we vow to protect our children. The best method of protection is information and we all know information is knowledge and knowledge is power.Go o Read more:Teens
Gifts, Gifts, and Thanks 2008-11-14 17:13:41 It's here, the day of dread - Lord knows what this boy (man) will be up to now. So the birthday ideas that you provided were quite impressive. I must say that that you were pretty much spot on for an 18th birthday done right. Niko is as happy as any 18 year old can be :)The list as provided by the "Parenting Handbook" loyal (with some adaptations):From Midwest Mom: "... something uniquely mine Read more:Gifts
, Thanks
18th Birthday, A Gift from Dad 2008-11-14 17:09:58 "You will hear me, sometimes" I breathe because it suites me ... and I realize I must to existI act out therefore I am ...and I wonder where I will goI grumble at the human spirit ...and I am of free willI rage at the world's injustice ...and bear witness for I am hereI pout like a child ...and love with intensityI cry-out with contempt ...and wonder about all thingsI believe as I choose ...and w Read more:Birthday
Mylicon Recall - Due to Possible Metal Fragments 2008-11-13 23:51:48 JOHNSON & JOHNSON • MERCK CONSUMER PHARMACEUTICALS COMPANY ANNOUNCES URGENT VOLUNTARY NATIONWIDE RECALL OF INFANTS' MYLICON® GAS RELIEF DYE FREE DROPS (SIMETHICONE-ANTIGAS) NON-STAINING DUE TO POSSIBLE METAL FRAGMENTS Fort Washington, PA (November 10, 2008) – Johnson & Johnson • Merck Consumer Pharmaceuticals Company (JJMCP) is voluntarily recalling approximately 12,000 units of Infants Read more:Fragments
, Metal
, Possible
Gas and Go 2008-11-13 17:45:10 Being a male I get it. I understand why boys are so amused by the fact that the human body, while beautiful, can also be a source of grossness. Noises, gasses, and all kinds of other grossologies that boys find funny. What I didn't know is that there is an entire subcultural sport built around body fumes. It's called "Gas-n-Go" and is played at malls, shopping centers, grocery markets and othe
Refugees United: Children of Camp Shimelba 2008-11-10 10:15:06 As a Father I have the honor and privilege of raising children who will hopefully be good stewards for our earth and for those in need. I have the honor and the privilege of raising these children in a free country. A country that has recently given new life to the idea that "All men are created equal" and that you truly can grow up to be anything you want to be, even President.It is because of Read more:Children
, Refugees
, United
18th Birthday Ideas 2008-11-08 15:00:53 I struggle with this on so many levels and I'm not sure why - my eldest son is turning 18. I know, you've heard me say it before. I've probably yammered on more than necessary. I'd go in to all of the questions that haunt me; Is he ready? Will he be able to handle all that's out there? Have I prepared him well enough? and maybe I will in another post.Right now, I need your help with birthday Read more:Birthday
Bed Time for Bonzo 2008-11-08 14:48:56 Remember these days? Back when we didn't have to worry about making sure that everything was taken care of for the night, dinner, clean-up, laundry, last minute errands for those last minute school projects, kids all have all brushed their teeth, washed their faces and are tucked in to bed, then and only then, we finally get to sit down and have 15 minutes of the evening news or one of the late s
ADHD and Your Diet 2008-11-07 23:56:02 "I don't have ADD or ADHD. I don't know why my friends keep telling me tha... oh look a butterfly....."We've all seen the T-shirts and bumper stickers and they're funny enough, but what if you're living with ADD or ADHD - yes, they're still funny, but really what can you do to help yourself or a loved one? Conventional wisdom says medicate. Personally I hate that we are "dumbing down" our yout
Fantasy Football and Family 2008-11-07 23:53:11 Sunday's can be an adventure around our house. Who's favorite team is playing against who. Who's leading in fantasy football for the day? How many points does a certain player have over another... it can all get to be quite chaotic. Everyone in the house get's in to the fray. My wife spends a good hour or more each Saturday making sure that she's got the best fantasy football lineup that she Read more:Family
, Fantasy Football
, Football
Hockey; Practicing to be a Doctor 2008-11-07 23:50:49 Hockey Mom, Soccer Mom who coins these phrases? I'm a Hockey Dad, a Baseball Dad, a Football Dad, a Volleyball Dad. Sorry Mom's, but you ladies don't corner the market on this stuff.My middle Son, the boy that we call "Woo", I don't know why. It was just picked up somewhere along the way - Plays Hockey. It is my deal with my wife that I "handle" the sports aspect of our children's lives. Ever Read more:Doctor
Beatles film from '64 and Child Number 6 2008-11-07 23:47:57 Found in a drawer... footage of The Beatles
playing an unscheduled stop during their first tour of America. The film was recorded (naughty, naughty - we all know cameras weren't allowed in to concerts back then) in Kansas in 1964 and is believed to be the only recording of the 31 minute show.Why post this on The Parenting Handbook?1. My wife and I both grew up on the Beatles and are huge, huge f Read more:Number
Politics and an 18 Year Old 2008-11-07 23:44:04 Here's an equation for everyone with children. Solve the following for "Y"Politics + 18 + FatherDiscussion = Y30 Seconds, ready? Go.hmmm, hmmm, hmmm, hmmm... Have your answer yet?Answer: Disaster.I believe that my children should be active. Active in their community, active in their church, active in their family, active in sports, active. With this as one of my guiding principals for parentin
Halloween Trouble 2008-11-07 23:40:27 The eldest children, and their children are off to trick-or-treat. The middle of the six-pack have gone to help set up for their costume parties, at friends, girlfriends parents place or at church for the annual Haunted House. The baby, JP, has put on his Slipknot makeup ( to look like the drummer - Joey Jordison), wig and grabbed his drumsticks... of course he had to bang out a couple of songs Read more:Halloween
, Trouble
Hockey Players, Equipment Care and MRSA 2008-11-07 23:38:11 Hockey Stink - it's inevitable, it's also dangerous. There's this really nasty little bug called Methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus or MRSA and it breads in your gear. In fact, it LOVES Hockey Gear. Taking proper care of your Hockey Equipment
is essential to keeping not only stink free but to keeping healthy as well. Recently one of the players in our league was diagnosed with MRSA, he Read more:Players
Leave Nothing 2008-11-07 23:34:13 Normally I wouldn't even talk about a TV Commercial, you know, other than to say; "Oh" or "Hmmmm" or "that's stupid". Occasionally though an Ad Agency gets it right. Not the slick "let me sell you something" - kind of right - but the "it has a good message" - kind of right. There is this series, I think it's two or three commercials now over the same number of years, that Nike does and it spea Read more:Leave
, Nothing
Parents Receive Award 2008-10-30 19:40:28 I would like to give a huge shout out to Papercages for recognizing "The Parenting Handbook" as Award
worthy.More on this later... right now I need to scoot off to the other side of town for to drop one off at Drum Lessons and the other off to Ice Hockey Practice... McDonalds or Burger King for dinner... it's always a tough choice!Thanks again to Tricia over at Papercages!Technorati Tags: Parenti Read more:Parents
, Receive
Jesus was a Woman! 2008-10-30 18:34:14 Just a bit of humor to start the day..... There were 3 good arguments that Jesus
could have been Black: 1. He called everyone "brother" 2. He liked Gospel 3. He couldn't get a fair trial.But then there were 3 equally good arguments that Jesus was Jewish: 1. He went into His Fathers business. 2. He lived at home until he was 33. 3. He was sure his Mother was a virgin and his mother was
Pumpkins and Carving and Candles, OH MY! 2008-10-30 18:24:06 The annual pumpkin carving, there's nothing quite like it. My youngest son's school traditionally has a "Fall Festival" - it's called that because we can't say Halloween any longer - even though it's held, every year, on the Friday before Halloween and they carve pumpkins, line the school's sidewalks with them. Light them, display them, have a carnival that evening that is designed around candy, Read more:Candles
, Pumpkins
Knights of the Oblong Table 2008-12-31 10:05:16 The Knights
of the Oblong table gather in our kingdom two to three times a year. When my daughters were at home it would have been a gathering of the Knights and Damsels of the Oblong Table
, but since they have long moved to lands beyond our castle walls to start their own Monarchies we only require the Knights to attend.The Oblong Table sessions are never wanted and always dreaded, but when they'
Roladen Tradition 2008-12-26 15:19:16 The presents have been opened. The hours of wrapping torn through like a Texas twister leveling a trailer park. The gifts have been tried on, put together, set on shelves and left lying around after hours of play time. The Turkey and Ham have been cooked and consumed. Football has been watched. The Roladen was carefully crafted in the time honored tradition of my wife's mother and hers before Read more:Tradition
Silver Bells 2008-12-24 15:31:01 Merry Christmas to all...Silver
BellsCity sidewalk, busy sidewalksDressed in holiday style.In the air there'sA feeling of Christmas.Children laughing, people passing,Meeting smile after smile,And on every street corner you'll hear:Silver bells, silver bells,It's Christmas time in the city.Ring-a-ling, hear them ring,Soon it will be Christmas day.City street lights,Even stop lights,Blink a bright r
And the Malls Were All Empty.. 2008-12-23 12:01:47 I'm not a mall person, never have been, never will be. Especially at Christmas. I hate the crowds, the bumping, the nudging, the rush from store to store. It is just not something that I can enjoy, even remotely. I do it though. I have to. My kids want to go and shop at the mall and I am their walking ATM so I go.This year I've noticed that I don't mind the mall as much, there is no bumping, no Read more:Empty
Gift Giving Balance. Is It Dollars or Sense? 2008-12-20 13:08:10 At our house we have an ongoing discussion about gift giving; do we give the same number gifts to each child or do we spend the same amount on each child. Making the two match is not an easy task with an age span of nearly 8 years between the youngest and oldest still at home. Let's say that our budget per child is $150.00. The oldest wants an item that cost $100.00, and has been going on about Read more:Balance
, Giving
, Sense
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