dads with daughters - Dad of Divas

Film About Ruth Bader Ginsberg in Theaters Dec 25

November 13, 2018 by dadofdivas Leave a Comment

On the Basis of Sex tells an inspiring and spirited true story that follows young lawyer Ruth Bader Ginsburg as she teams with her husband Marty to bring a groundbreaking case before the U.S. Court of Appeals and overturn a century of gender discrimination. The feature will premiere in 2018 in line with Justice Ginsburg’s 25th anniversary on the Supreme Court.

Director: Mimi Leder (“Deep Impact,” “The Leftovers”)

Writer: Daniel Stiepleman

Producer: Robert Cort, Jonathan King

Cast: Felicity Jones, Armie Hammer, Justin Theroux, Kathy Bates, Sam Waterston, Jack Reynor, and Cailee Spaeny

Three ways to throw the best birthday party ever

August 10, 2018 by dadofdivas Leave a Comment

Parents come under a lot of pressure when it comes to hosting a birthday party for their children. No matter their age, the supposition is that you have to spend a fortune, hire expensive entertainment, and send the guests away with party bags stuffed with costly toys. This doesn’t have to be the case, and with the right planning, your child’s birthday could very easily become the most talked about event on the school playground. You don’t have to spend a fortune either. If you’re panicking about what to do for your child’s birthday party, here are the three main things to do that will ensure it becomes the event of the year.

Talk to your child

You should always discuss the party with the birthday girl or boy. After all, it’s their party! Having a chat with them about what they want and what they can have is a good way to establish boundaries and find out what they don’t want. If they’re hoping Harry Potter and the gang will show up, or a superhero will land mid-party game, they’re going to be disappointed. Instead, choose a theme between you, so that the party reflects their hobbies and interests. There are a wide range of decorations that you can get for both girls and boys party themes from Discount Party Supplies, and whether it’s space travel or their favorite TV show, having a central theme will make the event feel much more personal to them.

Get the right entertainment

You don’t need to hire magicians or clowns these days. Not only are they expensive, but there are also a lot more ways to keep the partygoers amused. One of the most special things that you as a parent can do is become an entertainer yourself! That doesn’t mean quitting work and setting up a new career as a balloon animal maker. Instead, set aside an hour each day in the run-up to the party and learn a few child-friendly magic tricks. Nothing will surprise and delight your child more than seeing dad pulling flowers from hats or making mom disappear (temporarily, of course). If that’s too intimidating, then rent or buy a karaoke kit, and let the children entertain themselves!

Deciding on the venue

If you want to keep costs to an absolute minimum, then hosting the party at home is always going to be the best option. However, if the budget allows for an alternate venue, then you have plenty of choices. You could hold the party at the local park (which will mean lots of space for running around and party games), and you can even decorate the park with balloons and streamers to make it feel extra special. It’s always worth doing some checking regarding prices for the local community center as well. These may be a lot cheaper than you think, and will also have facilities that can be used as well.

There’s no right or wrong when it comes to hosting a child’s birthday party. Just remember that it’s all about making sure that the children have the best time. Be prepared for emergencies, and remember to make life as easy for the other parents as well. That way, everyone at the event will have a good time, and will still be talking about it next year.

Vacation Ideas for Dads with Daughters

August 3, 2018 by dadofdivas Leave a Comment

Vacation Ideas for Dads with Daughters

If you’re a father with one or more daughters, you may have experienced the scenario where what you would like to be doing is very different from your daughters’ idea of a good time. Of course, making gender assumptions such as girls love shopping and men don’t, or men like sports and women don’t, is outdated and offensive. However, it is true to say there are fewer activities dads can share with their daughters that you will both enjoy. It is particularly true as your girls get older. When they are small, they’ll be happy to join in with whatever their parents get up to, but as time passes you might be grateful for a few good vacation ideas you can all enjoy.

Skiing

This is perfect for dads and daughters, as even children who aren’t very interested in sports enjoy the feeling of being on skis – or maybe a snowboard. If your daughters are into fashion and the media, they will view skiing as a very desirable pastime, and ski resorts are seen as some of the most aspirational places to visit. Luckily there is no shortage of fashionable resorts all across the United States, so you won’t have to splash out on a trip to the European Alps to enjoy a luxury winter break! Colorado and Utah are hotspots for ski resorts, and of course, Canada has some of the best mountains in the world. For the ultimate in convenience, you could stay in one of the Whistler ski in ski out rentals, saving yourselves the hassle of walking down to the ski lift in the morning and trudging back home each night.

Boat trips

These could be an ocean or river cruise, or simply a tour around a lake, but whichever option you choose you will all have activities to keep you happy. The scenery is bound to be spectacular if you or your girls want to relax and watch the world go by, or do a spot of sunbathing. You’ll have restaurants on board for mealtimes, and on larger ships, there will be a range of activities and facilities to entertain all different tastes. Some boats will have spas and beauty parlors, so if your daughters prefer the idea of a pamper session to taking in the view, they won’t get bored. It’s also a perfect opportunity to just chill out together, have a chat and a laugh, and spend time being in each other’s company without the need to rush off somewhere else as there so often is in everyday life.

You might have a daughter who shares your passion for science fiction and would like nothing better than to spend her vacation at Comic-Con with you. Or you might have girls who enjoy going hunting and are happy to head off into the woods in their camouflage and orange vests. Fathers and daughters have a wide variety of relationships and connections, and the most important thing is to find the place where you will both be happy and enjoy being together.

Careers For Your Daughters To Consider

May 30, 2018 by dadofdivas Leave a Comment

As your daughter starts to consider their future education and the careers they are interested in while in high school they have to look at many different choices as there are many education programs available at colleges and universities. Depending on your daughters’ passions, she can easily find many career areas that will fit into these interest areas. Actually, there a huge number of careers that are new and were not even available five years ago. Since the use of technology continues to increase and is now dominating the daily lives of people around the world, careers in STEM fields continue to expand exponentially. To be clear, high paid jobs often require time and effort to be able to get credentialed or to be qualified for the field. For instance, a surgical technologist or what is sometimes called a scrub is a great career area, but one that not everyone is completely aware. Below you will find a list of careers that girls today should definitely consider as they are contemplating their future.

Coding

One highly recommended career I encourage my own daughters to examine is the field of coding. Our world is controlled by computers and the world will only continue to need highly trained individuals that will allow our computers and the infrastructures of the web and data interface to continue to grow and expand. Front-end developers and web designers are among some of the top wanted careers nowadays and as you look at future career trends, companies are showing that this need will continue to grow into the future.

Scrubs and Surgical Tech

The surgical technologist (or scrub) is a professional health ally that assists with all aspects of surgical care. Scrubs are often critical members of the surgical teams. The surgical techs have a deep acknowledge about the sterile and aseptic techniques and are also responsible for medical equipment such as C-arm fluoroscope and any other kind of orthopedics and angioplasty tools. The surgical technologist often works with other technicians in another field since their discipline can be found in any medical area.

Surgical Technologist careers are estimated to grow in the next few years. As the medical field is also highly affected by technology, the surgical technologists are going to be tasked to perform any assistance for laser and robotics too. The person that chooses to be a surgical technologist will surely have a bright future. As a matter of fact, the surgical tech salary San Diego and other cities is very competitive. Surgical techs in San Diego are making on average $44,330 per year or $21.31 per hour, and this is after finishing a two year program at a community college.

Data Analysts

Being a data analyst is in high demand. If you look online today you will find many jobs posted and in talking to professionals in this field, they have a very difficult time finding people that are qualified or that have an interest in this career area. Since the world is run by data the need for data analysts will continue to grow and expand. The analysis of data assists companies to making better decisions and to allow companies to achieve the outcomes that they set for their overall companies’ success. Companies like Google and Apple, among many others, need many data analysts in order to track their customers, analyze internal and external metrics, report to outside accrediting bodies and more. Data Analysts bring the best quality of services to their clients and this allows the company to achieve higher profits. Data analysts are well paid and the future of these kinds of jobs is astonishing.

Math Careers

Being an expert in math opens many doors for both scientific and non-scientific fields. So many of the systems that are required in businesses today require a degree of understanding when it comes to utilizing algorithms and mathematical formulas. Mastering mathematics will bring more opportunities to any person who wants to get involved in any technical field. Math can also assist greatly when talking about the future of businesses and companies.

No one can deny that young people do not have passions when it comes to looking at their future. This is the main reason why I encourage parents all of the time to have their daughters and sons start exploring career areas in middle school if possible. The more informed that kids can be the better decisions that they can make as they move along their own educational journey.

How to Teach Your Daughter Healthy Coping Mechanisms for Stress

May 7, 2018 by dadofdivas Leave a Comment

Wouldn’t it be great if we could filter out all the negativity in our daughters’ lives? If we could act like a sieve that captures all the bad stuff and lets all the good flow through. If only that could be reality…

Unfortunately, we can’t shield our children from negativity, and that means they’ll have to deal with their share of stress. It’s inevitable. What we can do is teach them how to cope with stress in a healthy way.

The importance of dealing with stress

If you’ve ever had a panic attack or known someone who has, you know how stress can cause an extreme reaction in the body. When it builds up over time, stress can cause even more symptoms including:

Headaches
Muscle aches and pains
Gastrointestinal issues
Heart palpitations
Nausea
Difficulty concentrating

And there’s another drawback to stress that doesn’t get as much attention as it should. When you’re dealing with all the symptoms of stress, you’re not equipped to make the best decisions.

When teenagers have trouble dealing with stress, they may self-medicate with drugs or alcohol. These substances seem to provide temporary relief, but they will inevitably make her problems worse in the long run. Not only will she end up without proper coping mechanisms, but she may leave her teenage years with a substance abuse problem.

Even though stress is a common nuisance that affects everyone, it can truly ruin a person’s life if they don’t have the proper coping mechanisms.

How to teach your daughter healthy coping mechanisms

Start talking to your daughter about stress at a young age. We may not realize it as adults, but stress affects people of all ages. Babies may feel a sense of stress when they’re separated from their parents. Toddlers feel stress when they can’t communicate their needs. It’s really never too early to start talking about how to cope with these feelings.

Of course, your conversations should remain age appropriate. When your daughter is very young, talk about taking a few deep breaths when she feels angry or frustrated. As she gets older, this is something you build upon to create stronger coping mechanisms.

Breathing exercises are effective for a few reasons. First, you’re taking the focus away from the problem when you concentrate on your breaths. Next, Slow and intentional breathing has a calming effect on the body. Regardless of whether you’re stressed at the moment, you can slow down your heart rate with breathing exercises.

How to invoke the relaxation response

The relaxation response is a technique that was developed in the 70s by cardiologist Dr. Herbert Benson at Harvard Medical School. There are six ways to invoke the relaxation response:

Focus on your breath

Take a series of long, deep breaths and focus on the air flowing in and out of your body.

Scan your body

As you focus on your breaths, focus on relieving tension from one area of your body at a time. Continue until you have relaxed the entire body. This technique helps with the mind-body connection.

Use guided imagery

Go to your happy place in your mind. Think of soothing places or experiences to help relax your mind and body.

Practice mindfulness meditation

Mindfulness meditation combines breathing exercises with a sense of awareness. To practice, sit in a quiet space and focus on your breaths without controlling them. Attempt to clear your mind by letting thoughts drift from your mind. Instead of trying to will them away, avoid following any wandering thoughts.

Practice yoga, tai chi and qigong

These techniques combine movement, breathing and mindfulness. To start your practice, find a yoga studio or look for a video-based program you can do from home.

Repeat prayers

This can be religious, but it doesn’t have to be. Choose a short verse that is meaningful to you and repeat it while focusing on your breaths.

While we can’t shield our children from experiencing life, we can give them to the tools they’ll need to handle anything that comes their way.

The Perfect Short Breaks for Dads and Daughters

April 23, 2018 by dadofdivas Leave a Comment

Bringing up daughters, every day can be an adventure, and every day can bring new joys for all the members of the household. The simplest of things can be a pleasure, such as watching a film together or baking cakes, but getting out of the home for a short family break offers even more opportunities for all concerned to have a wonderful time. With the warmer weather on its way, here are three perfect short breaks for dads and daughters.

Sprinkle Some Disney Stardust

Few people have done more to make childhood magical in the last century than Walt Disney. His films delight youngsters and adults alike, and his theme parks are guaranteed to bring a smile to the face of any child: girl or boy. With Disney parks now located across the globe, they’re more affordable than ever before, and easier to reach. It’s now possible to travel from Birmingham Airport to Disneyland Paris in an hour and three quarters, including the transport from Charles de Gaulle Airport. With regular flights and cheap Birmingham airport parking available, including a Birmingham Airport meet and greet service found at birminghamparking.com, you and your family could soon be having an exciting break in Disney’s magical kingdom.

Camping in Style and Comfort

If you were taken camping as a child, you probably remember a cold, draughty tent with little space to turn around in, or a caravan with dated décor. Thankfully things have changed and there are a number of luxury camping, or glamping, options available that are perfect for dads and their daughters. A camping break allows you to experience the wonders that your own country has to offer, from its stunning and contrasting countryside to exciting historical sites. A glamping break can be a great bonding opportunity for parents and children, as well as educational, and the best thing of all is that you no longer have to go without the luxuries that you love.

Soccer and Much More

The days of sporting stereotypes are gone, and now girls are as likely to love football as boys, so if you have a daughter who loves football then a weekend in Barcelona is a perfect break. Even if you can’t get a match day ticket to see Lionel Messi and his team mates, stadium tours of the world famous Camp Nou are sure to delight lovers of the beautiful game of all ages. Barcelona also has some of the world’s best shopping, centred around Las Ramblas, and is home to beautiful, golden beaches. It’s a city that has it all, including frequent flights to it from Birmingham Airport and beyond.

Short family breaks don’t have to cost a lot, even if you fly to exciting cities like Paris or Barcelona. They may last only a few days, but they can linger a lifetime in the memories of your daughters, and so make a perfect birthday present. A short break is also a great way to congratulate your children on a special achievement, such as an exam result, and whether you take one at home or abroad you’re sure to be able to find one that perfectly matches your daughter’s tastes.

Giving Your Teen Daughter All The Nutrients She Needs To Thrive!

April 22, 2018 by dadofdivas Leave a Comment

As a father of two girls, one of which is a teenager, I am always trying to make sure that my teenager is eating healthy and taking in the nutrients that she needs to keep up with the hectic schedule that is her life. This month alone has become even more crazy as she is balancing soccer, track and band competitions. This craziness not only takes a toll on parents like myself, but on top of this it takes a toll on my daughter and many times she is completed wiped out by the end of the week.

When I went to the recent Dad 2.0 Summit I re-connected with my friends at Smarty Pants Vitamins. You might remember that I have mentioned them in the past because I was really impressed with their story but also in how they are creating vitamins that are specifically made for people of all ages.

At the Dad 2.0 Summit I was excited to see that they had recently come out with both a vitamin formula for both Teen Girls and Teen Boys. As I started talking to the representatives from Smarty Pants Vitamins I was impressed to find that the Smarty Pants Vitamins Teen Girl Complete blend provides 19 essential nutrients, lutein and zeaxanthin to help protect her eyes from blue light*, biotin, and omega 3 fish oil, all in one vitamin package that is made to taste great.

What is great about this is that through taking the Smarty Pants Vitamins Teen Girl Complete she can continue to attack the daily schedule that she has for herself without feeling like she has to slow down and on top of this she can safeguard herself for her future as well.

This new Teen Girl Complete vitamin blend is something that gives me peace of mind as a father. I have no qualms at all in giving this to her and as you will see below in the video my daughter made, she likes the vitamin as well!

You can find this great vitamin on Amazon and also through the Smarty Pants Vitamins website!

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4 Ways to Indulge as a Dad

March 12, 2018 by dadofdivas Leave a Comment

Reminiscing on the joys of youth, it’s not uncommon for dads to feel a certain nostalgia for times past, reflecting that they’ve lost a freedom to indulge in their passions since having children. Obviously, children bring their own unique and wonderful freedom and energy into life, but if you’re one of those dads that fancy recapturing little tastes of that freedom, this article outlines four easy ways to bring your own passions and interests back into your life alongside the pressures and wonders of fathering your offspring.

Find a Little Privacy

TV shows, films and popular myth tell of secret lairs in which men with children find time for themselves – whether it be a shed full of DIY kit, a cellar converted into a bar, or even the confines of your car on a pleasant drive. Between work, household chores and keeping up with the kids, there’s also an important section of time you should devote just to yourself, indulging in the little things that keep you being you – whether that’s painting models, coding websites, or watching your football team with a couple of cold ones.

Update Your Habits

Some habits from youth are best discarded or adapted when you become a father. If you smoke, check out the e-cigarette options at Mt Baker Vape so you don’t smell of tobacco wherever you go; if you enjoy a drink, take this outside the house with friends so that your children never see you under the influence. Whatever the habit, it’s also best to scale it down and moderate – it’ll still be a treat and a moment of escape, but as a father, you’ll need to build some responsibility into your life with your children.

Introduce Your Kids to Your Passions

Every father wants to build bonds with their children – things you have in common that you both enjoy and get something from. These mutual hobbies will last into your kids’ adolescence and adulthood, remaining something you both indulge in together throughout your lives. Of course, this is dependent on your passions – perhaps you love your local sports teams, you practice art, you’re into folk music, or you love tennis – whatever you enjoyed doing in your youth, you’re perfectly able to build into your parenting life with the added benefit of getting your kids into it too.

Take Your Family Away

There is nothing quite like organizing a stress-busting get-away for your family – booking time off work and school, getting your affairs in order, and flying out to somewhere special to spend quality time with your nearest and dearest. If you have some disposable income, this is where it should be disposed of – you’ll introduce your children to new and fabulous locations, increase the romance in your relationship, and be able to indulge in the things you miss at home, like good food, relaxation time, and exciting newness!

The responsibilities of being a dad can sometimes threaten to eclipse the little indulgences that can make life so full of joy; hopefully, these tips will serve as pointers to building in your own enjoyment into fathering your children.

4 Ways A Dad Can Help His Daughter Plan Her Big Day

February 23, 2018 by dadofdivas Leave a Comment

Your daughter is getting married and you want to help her plan the big day. “Father of the bride” is a role to be proud of, and it’s one that comes with many responsibilities. As her dad, you’re instrumental in her wedding, and you will feature largely in her memories of the event, so you need to take your role seriously and be prepared to chip in.

Despite what a lot of people believe, there’s more to your role as a dad than merely handing over your credit card and walking your daughter down the aisle. Here’s how you can help your daughter plan her nuptials and prepare for the big day.

Help Financially

These days, there is less expectation on parents to help pay for their child’s wedding, but you still might want to support the couple financially. Talk to your spouse about whether you can afford to chip in and work out how much so that you’re ready for the conversation when it arises. The newly engaged couple might be planning to pay for the festivities themselves, and it is their wedding after all. So don’t panic if you can’t contribute financially – there are plenty of other ways you can help.

Help Practically

Weddings are a lot of work, and too much stress in the planning stages can ruin the big day for a bride. Whether or not you’re helping financially with the wedding, you should also provide practical help wherever it’s needed to relieve some of the strain. Offer to help the couple look for venues, and don’t worry too much about the cost; UK Wedding Savings can provide budget-friendly venues wherever you are.

Help Emotionally

Between talking to vendors, planning the wedding party and dealing with guests, wedding planning can be incredibly stressful. Getting married is also an emotional time. Your daughter is bound to shed a few tears at some point – whether out of frustration, disappointment or just plain overwhelm – so be there to offer a shoulder to cry on when it all gets too much. Your role as a father doesn’t stop just because your daughter is getting married. Remember, no matter how old your daughter gets, she still needs to know that her dad is on her side, so be there to pick up the pieces when things get tough.

Help By Listening

Listen to what your daughter wants from her wedding, and find out what your role should be. She will probably want you to say a few words on her big day and walk you down the aisle, but she may not. Try to set your personal feelings aside and let her make the decisions. Resist the temptation to influence her and just listen to what she wants without getting offended if you don’t share the same vision. It’s her wedding day after all, so it’s important she remembers it as a special time free from any sort of conflict.

How to Keep Your Teens Safe From Alcoholism and Addiction

January 17, 2018 by dadofdivas Leave a Comment

During our child’s teenage years, our involvement and influence in their lives have a tremendous impact on their ability to confront and handle uncomfortable situations and emotions. In the future, they may experience exposure to drugs and alcohol. It is imperative we equip them with not just the knowledge of substance abuse consequences, but with the emotional tools that can steer them away from that path all-together.

We have the ability to keep our teens safe from alcoholism and addiction, and here’s what to do:

Bring awareness to the subject

Alcoholism and addiction are not happy and comfortable subjects to talk about. Rather, they are issues that need to be treated seriously and spoken about often. Inform your teen about the short and long-term consequences of drugs and alcohol. What may seem like a simple experimentation can turn into a lifelong addiction. Furthermore, a majority of addicts had no intention of becoming addicts in the first place, and your teen is no different nor can they convince themselves that one drink or smoke won’t hurt; many recovering addicts can testify against that with their own experiences.

Introduce them to healthy coping mechanisms

High school is going to be overwhelming for your teen. They’re stressed because there are countless exams to study for, piles of homework, college plans to consider, after-school activities to keep up with, a social life to maintain, and they need to maintain their own personal well-being in the midst of all that! This stress may cause them to act irrationally, such as taking dangerous drugs to help them study for a test or cope with anxiety by turning to a substance that temporarily numbs their body. Encourage your teen to discover new hobbies and emphasize that expressing stress through a creative or healthy outlet is not only healthy, it’s fulfilling for their self-esteem and confidence. In conjunction, learn new ways to deal with stress together such as relaxing in mindful and silent solitude or taking slow, deep breaths. By directing your teen towards healthy and reliable activities and coping mechanisms, you won’t have to worry about what they are doing on a bad day without your supervision.

Communicate daily and often with them

Try to be your teen’s friend. Now, you don’t necessarily have to talk about serious or deep things with every moment alone with them! To put it simply: get to know them. Be consistent with asking how their day has been or how they have been feeling. Acknowledge their feelings and validate what they share with you. Gradually, it will become easier for them to communicate freely and honestly with you about any subject. Evidently, your teen will undeniably want more of your involvement in their life! Genuine communication builds a foundation of trust between the two of you and solidifies to them your intention of being caring and concerned, not interrogative or intrusive.

Set an example with your own actions

Be someone you would want to admire and respect. That will unquestionably illustrate itself to your teen. Don’t be a parent that speaks negatively about drugs and alcohol but uses them yourself. Being hypocritical not only sets a bad example for your teen – you will have no credibility in their eyes whatsoever for anything. Why would anyone, especially your own child, want to trust you who does the exact opposite of what they criticize?

Our teenagers are wonderful and unique people and we always want to trust them to make the right decisions, but everyone faces an unexpected and negative roadblock that can consequently impact their life sometimes. Because we are parents, we have a responsibility to positively influence our children and guide them the best we can. While alcoholism and addiction are uncomfortable topics to talk about, they are important to confront. But by sitting down and bringing awareness to the subject, our teens will gain awareness, learn of healthier alternatives to express their emotions, and hopefully seek to attain fulfilling lives that do not include drugs or alcohol.