family Archives - Dad of Divas

Four Things You Need Before Bringing a Kitten Home

October 26, 2020 by dadofdivas Leave a Comment

Getting a kitten can be an exciting time for any family. Kittens make adorable pets and are sure to become a firm friend for your children throughout their lives. However, just like any pet, your new kitten will need a number of essentials in order for them to thrive. A healthy kitten who has plenty of things to do is a happy kitten who will grow up to be a happy and satisfied cat. So, what are some of the essentials that you need to have ready before you bring your new furry friend home?

Litter Box

Most kittens will come with the knowledge of how to use the litter box so unlike puppies, you don’t usually need to provide them with any toilet training. They learn this from their mother when they are very young and see her using the litter box, so as long as you show the kitten where their toilet is, they should start going there with no problem. However, it’s worth bearing in mind that cats, in general, prefer to have a clean toilet – who wouldn’t? So, investing in a self-cleaning litter box is a great idea to make your life easier and ensure that your cat is happy. Read this article from Kitty Reporter to help you find the best self-cleaning litter box for your needs.

Scratch Posts

Kittens love to scratch – it’s just a normal part of growing up for them and part of being a cat. In fact, even adult cats need plenty of things that are suitable for scratching, but it’s even more essential for a kitten with their little needle claws. Providing your kitten with scratch posts and pads will help you train them early in their life to scratch something more suitable than your furniture or your hands and feet when they need to get their claws out. Place them strategically around your home so that your kitten always has one in reach.

Collar and ID Tag

While it’s a good idea to get your kitten microchipped by the vet as early as possible, you should also invest in a collar and ID tag. A bell collar designed for kittens is a great idea as they can be very mischievous and often get stuck in tight spots around the home where you might not be able to find them. Wearing a bell collar means that even if they end up hiding somewhere, it’ll be easier for you to figure out where they’ve gone. And, some kittens can be little masters of escape, so an ID tag is perfect for helping them get back to you safely if they manage to get out.

A Comfortable Bed

While many cats and kittens sniff at their bed and decide to sleep on your feet instead, providing your kitten with a space that they can call their own is essential. Cats tend to like being inside tight, warm spaces, so consider a cat igloo style bed that they can curl up in.

With the right essentials, you’re on your way to a happy experience with your precious new kitten.

Playing With Fire – Available Now

February 15, 2020 by dadofdivas Leave a Comment

Playing with Fire

In Playing with Fire you find John Cena and others as fire jumpers showing a super masculine, organized atmosphere that gets turned upside down when they rescue three kids from a cabin fire. I can say that my family and I did not know what to expect in this film but we found that it was a fun family movie that was heart-warming, funny, action-filled and more. I loved the “family” that you see in the fire station in the movie and how this family embraces the kids, even when the kids throw their world into a bit of chaos. This is a really feel good movie and of course teaching a lesson, family even not blood related, can be just as happy as a normal family. And no this will not be a normal family which works for all of them. This is a great movie for the whole family!

About the Movie

Called “fun for the whole family” (Mark Pacis, Nerd Reactor) and “full of laughs” (Jamie Mariano, The Movie Elite), the hilarious family comedy PLAYING WITH FIRE debuts on Digital January 21, 2020 and on Blu-ray, DVD, and On Demand February 4 from Paramount Home Entertainment.

The Digital* and Blu-ray releases deliver even more laughs with wildly funny bonus content. Sit down with Captain Jake (John Cena) as he reads a bedtime story with an amusing twist; see what you missed in theaters with deleted scenes and laugh-out-loud bloopers; plus, enjoy behind-the-scenes featurettes with the cast.

When firefighter Jake Carson (John Cena) and his team (Keegan-Michael Key & John Leguizamo) rescue three siblings in the path of a wildfire, they quickly realize that no amount of training could have prepared them for their most challenging job yet – babysitting. While trying to locate the children’s parents, the firefighters have their lives, jobs and even their fire station turned upside down and learn that kids – much like fires – are wild and full of surprises.

BONUS FEATURES ON BLU-RAY COMBO & DIGITAL*

Storytime with John Cena
Deleted Scenes
Bloopers
Lighting Up The Laughs
The Director’s Diaries: Read By Star Cast
What It Means To Be A Family
The Real Smokejumpers: This Is Their Story

The PLAYING WITH FIRE DVD includes the feature film in standard definition.

www.PlayingWithFire.Movie

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/PlayingWithFireMovie/

Twitter: https://twitter.com/PlayingWFire

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/PlayingWithFire/

Amazon: https://paramnt.us/PWFBlu-ray

iTunes: https://paramnt.us/GetPWFNow

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5 Tips for Setting Your Family Up For a Great Future

January 21, 2020 by dadofdivas Leave a Comment

It’s all good and well having an enjoyable present, but whether we like it or not, the future is coming. If your family is young now, you’ll need to keep in mind that the seeds that you plant now are going to bear fruit one day. Are they going to be fruits of joy or fruits of sorrow? While there are plenty of variables that will impact your family’s future, there are things you can do that’ll nudge it in the right direction. So how can you set up your family to have a thriving future? We take a look at some useful ways below.

Pexels – CC0 Licence

Look After Yourself

First thing’s first: while you’ll be working hard to ensure that your family has a great future, you shouldn’t sacrifice yourself trying to push things forward. Many parents think that their children’s needs should come above all else, yet while this is true in some respects, it’s the wrong approach in others. A parent that is physically and mentally well will be able to do more for their family than someone who is neglecting their self-care. So make sure that you’re physically, mentally, and spiritually satisfied!

Long-Term Investments

Money isn’t everything, but it is true that it can make things easier, and can help to propel your family forward. Contributing to your child’s college fund or buying them a car will help them immeasurably when it comes to their future. As such, it’s important that you’re thinking about the financial aspect of life, and find a way to build a long-term income. One smart way is to invest in a rental property. This can be easier than you think to get started, especially since visiolending.com offers real estate investment loans. Always have one eye on the future, and put money away: it’ll be an invaluable springboard later on.

Teaching Good Values

By far the best way to set your young children up for future success is to teach them good values. There’s no substitute for things like being kind, hardworking, and knowing how to enjoy life. They are traits that will make all the difference later on in life. Remember that you can’t just tell your children these things; you have to show them.

Invest In their Passions

While it’s the collective that is most important when it comes to family, you shouldn’t ignore the individual. We’re all different, and have varying interests and passions. So be sure to promote your children’s individual interests — it’s unlikely to be nurtured in school, and you never know where it’ll take them later on in life.

All the Love

Finally, remember the best thing that you can give your family: all the love in the world! A child that knows that he or she is loved and secure will always have better prospects than a child that doesn’t know that thing. Indeed, experts believe that this has a huge influence on various aspects that contribute to a good life, including self-esteem and ability to form relationships.

Summer Outside Ideas

July 7, 2019 by dadofdivas Leave a Comment

For many people, summer is the best time of the year, and they always want to make the most of it. This means getting outside as much as possible before the colder, wetter weather starts to creep in during the late fall and winter.

It’s good to have an idea of what you might do when you go outside so that you don’t waste a moment of the summer, but there are so many options you might feel somewhat overwhelmed. Don’t worry, though; read on to get some ideas of how to start your summer outside in the perfect way.

Go To The Beach

It should make no difference if you live close to a beach or if it will take a long car journey to get there; you should definitely go to the beach during the summer. There is something extremely relaxing about the waves breaking on the sand and the chance to sit back and do nothing as the sun shines (although you must remember your sunscreen and wear a hat). You can catch up on your reading, splash about in the sea, or listen to some music without a care in the world.

If you’ve got kids, this is the ideal place for them to enjoy as well. As long as you keep an eye on them, you can still relax, and they can play in the sand or run around to their heart’s content.

Play Games

No matter what age you are, playing games is always something that you should keep doing. It’s good for your brain and your body, and it’s a lot of fun.

You can play sports outside during the summer, but you don’t have to join in with something that is organized – you can just take a ball, bike, or even some hoverboards and make up your own games with friends and family, or by yourself. Use your imagination to have a lot of fun, just as you did when you were a child. If you’re feeling down or stressed, this kind of ‘game’ can help to relieve your problems, and you might even come up with a solution to it all when you’re thinking of something else.

Picnic

Eating outdoors always feel extra special, so why not make the most of a lovely summer’s day by packing a picnic of all your favorite treats and finding the perfect spot to eat it? If you’re on your own, you can enjoy your picnic in exactly the way you want to, but you might choose to invite friends and family along, or perhaps make it a romantic date with a partner. Kids love picnics too, and you may find that they will try new foods simply because they are outside in the fresh air and the excitement makes them braver.

Ideal picnic foods include finger food such as sandwiches and wraps, fresh fruit, cakes, and chocolate. You can make the food at home or buy it ready to go from a store. Don’t forget to take drinks with you and dispose of your trash responsibly.

Raising A Healthy Family

July 6, 2019 by dadofdivas Leave a Comment

When you have a young family, you want to raise them in the healthiest way possible. No one wants their children to be unhealthy, unfit, and miserable. No one wants their children to miss out on all the chances life gives them because they are unwell or can’t physically do all the things their peers can.

Therefore, it is important to plan carefully when it comes to raising a healthy family. There are many things you can do every day that will show your kids just how important it is to stay fit and to make it happen. Here are just some of them.

Start With Fruit And Vegetables

Fruit and vegetables are a hugely important part of everyone’s diet, so it’s imperative that your whole family eat them regularly. When your kids are little, it is easier to get them to eat their greens – they will eat what you give them without complaint.

As they get older, their taste buds change, and vegetables can taste bitter, which is why (along with hearing other children say how disgusting they are) children have trouble with vegetables.

Rather than completely cutting fruit and vegetables out of their diet just because they say they don’t like the taste, try including them at every meal and encouraging them to eat just a little a day. Make it normal, and don’t try to hide the vegetables in sauces and other ways as this won’t help the psychological aspect of eating healthy food.

Get A Water Softener

Water is another vital element of being healthy, and if you want to make the water in your home the best it can be, installing a water softener will help you to achieve this goal. A water softener will remove the ‘hard’ elements in water (such as calcium and magnesium), leaving purer, gentler water behind. This soft water is good for the skin and hair, although it can’t be drunk, so a water filter should be installed in the kitchen, or you can drink bottled water instead.

As with any piece of household equipment, your water softener will need service regularly. This will ensure that it is working at its optimum level, and keep your family’s skin and hair healthy and clean. As a bonus, since there will be nothing in the water that causes limescale, keeping your bathroom and kitchen clean is much easier too.

Exercise Together

As well as eating healthily and using good water, exercise is another vital component of being healthy, and of raising a healthy family. It’s even better if you can all exercise together. This doesn’t mean that everyone needs to go to the gym or has to join an exercise class; there are many different ways to exercise altogether as a family, including:

Walking
Playing sports in your yard or local park
Cycling
Running around together
Swimming
Playing games

Pick an activity that everyone enjoys, and no one will even think of it as exercise. This is also a good way to help you achieve the work-life balance, as you will need to make time to be together in this way.

Dads in the Limelight – Aqeel Ash-Shakoor

July 4, 2019 by dadofdivas Leave a Comment

Our 876th Dad in the Limelight is Aqeel Ash-Shakoor. I want to thank Aqeel Ash-Shakoor for being a part of this series. It has been great getting connected with him and now sharing Aqeel Ash-Shakoor with all of you.

1) Tell me about yourself, (as well as how you are in the limelight for my readers knowledge)

Aqeel Ash-Shakoor is a native North Carolinian of Cherokee Indian/West Indian descent. Aqeel is a United States Marine Corps Veteran. Aqeel is a member of Omega Psi Phi Fraternity, Inc. Relocating to Michigan in 2013, it would be April 2015, after resigning from a job that he received a call for an agency to come audition. Two weeks later, Aqeel booked a principal role/his first acting role in a commercial for The Lee Steinberg Law Firm, “Call Lee!” In May 2015, Aqeel booked his first ever modeling job as he modeled for FSL Clothing line in the Walk Fashion Show. Since then Aqeel has filmed various commercials, feature films and short films, and print work.

Aqeel is highly inspired by God. He makes no excuses for his faith and strength in Jesus Christ. He is also the Pastor of Walking With Christ Ministries, which he and his wife planted in Lansing, MI, in 2014. Also in 2014, Aqeel and his wife were appointed Ambassadors At-Large to the United Nations. He has authored and published two books, “Follow The Leader (Resurrecting Men to Leadership (2010)” and “No More Chains! The Rule 2:22 Principle (2015).” Aqeel is also known as music producer, whose stage name is Phantom Barz @phantombarz

Education:

BS in Business Administration, Saint Paul’s College, Lawrenceville, VA

MS in Criminal Justice, Everest University, Tampa, FL

PhD in Ministry, Canadian International Chaplaincy Association University & Seminary, Houston, TX

2) Tell me about your family

Other than God, my inspirations are my wife, Tanesha M. Ash-Shakoor (Western Michigan Thomas Cooley graduate May 2015), their three children, daughter, Jaylah (20 yrs old) Northwood University, and two sons, Jibril (24 yrs old) 2018 UNC Charlotte graduate and Ji’Ri (15 yrs old) High School Sophmore; and my parents who still reside in Murfreesboro, NC. All of our family family members are actors/actresses and models. We have filmed roles in a comedy series titled My StepKidz which is airing now on Sunday nights at 7:30 pm on youtube. Ji’Ri just completed a lead role in a film titled, “Coachable,” featuring NBA celebrity Alan Houston.

3) What has been the largest challenge you have had in being a father?

My largest challenge in being a father has been to ensure that I properly lead by great example. My wife and I together ensure that we guide our children with God, love and support for them to not limit themselves in anything they engage. Though it may appear to be easy being a father at times, when your children are excelling with no disciplinary, educational, or life problems, you can sometimes miss that your children still suffer from identity crisis and a bit of low self –esteem. There my largest challenge has been learning that each child requires and has very different needs from a father. I grew up partially in a single family home since age 6 yrs old, before my mother remarried. My father, which I’ve never called him my “stepfather,” has never missed a major event in my life, except one which was the day after my sister’s funeral in North Carolina and my wife and I were receiving our Ambassadorial At-large appointments the very next day back here in Lansing, MI. I would say, “That is pretty doggone good as a father!” So, my challenge is to ensure I give my children every aspect of God, guidance, love, respect, and support that my father has given and still gives me to date.

4) What advice would you give to other fathers?

I never give advice. What I do say to fathers is, I share my experiences with you in hope that you may find at least one nugget to greater build your capabilities to be a successful father. Do not be afraid to make mistakes. Have an open ear and heart to your children. Allow them to express themselves emotionally and spiritually without judgment. Ensure them that they have your support in all they do in the way they have been trained up. When they believe something stand on it and have a credible reason why they stand for what they believe even if may not be the best way.

This teaches them that they have a voice, they are to be respected for the decision, and it teaches them that although we may make an informed decision with substantial reason, you still may have to face consequences for you actions and choices. I truly believe that takes the limitation off their creativity and ability to excel. Conduct regularly scheduled family meetings where everyone gets to voice concerns and/or good news. This is our time to discover issues and visit problems, problem solve, and come up with healthy resolution for all parties in the family. Lastly, we pray the session in and pray the session out. Oh I must say this one we personally created and use it often. It has also become a moment revisited for family laughter. The person that has an attitude or has displayed a negative behavior must pray as we all hold hands. Try leading prayer when you’re the one with the attitude problem. What a lesson that is in itself.

Eat together with no electronic devices and have meaningful dialogue.

5) How have you come to balance parenthood and outside life?

This is just as simple as it gets. Having a great wife that is also organized. To tell the truth, we are both have OCD personalities. It sounds chaotic, however, we compliment each other. My wife introduced us all to a FAMCAL application that we all are able to log our events and important dates, as well as messages for the rest of the family to be abreast of. We also keep personal calendars on our mobile devices that are linked with the children and some linked between my wife and me. It may even seem like over kill but we still use the stone age, write it on a paper calendar, post the print out on the refrigerator, and we also cover all events during our regular family meetings.

6) What have you learned from the fathers that you have interacted with?

What I have learned interacting with other fathers is everything I have discussed. We talk about “What works and what doesn’t work.” It’s a time of father reflection. It doesn’t mean you do exactly what they do, because all of our families are different, but it does provide some insight that maybe sometimes it’s just “you” that is off-beat with the family. This is when you really grow as a father.

7) What else would you share regarding your experiences as a father thus far?

From the start, I have always guided our family in taking personal responsibility for that which you are in control of and always handle your business. Teach your families that each person is responsible for uplifting the family name. The family is also your brand. Never do anything that will tarnish your personal character, not the family’s name. What we do personally can and will affect the entire family.

8) What have been the most memorable experiences that you have had thus far as a parent?

My most memorable experiences have been each and everything I’ve seen my children accomplish. I’ve learned not to minimize what things we may consider small. Small accomplishments mature to greater things. Our daughter, Jaylah is our first family Early College graduate from Lansing Community College-Early College Program, as she was an Eastern High School graduate and will graduate from Northwood University, MI next December with two degrees. Our oldest son Jibril is our very first college graduate (UNC Charlotte, NC) and recently has created his own hair product line called “Royal Riches’ and the lead personal trainer at Body By Fitness, in Charlotte, NC.. Our youngest son, Ji’Ri became our first family Valedictorian of our immediate family and extended family when he graduated 8^th grade last year. He has maintained all “A’s” since he started school and to date, in his first year of high school, he has completed 9^th grade having still maintained all “A’s” throughout the year playing on the Freshman basketball and track teams at Holt high School.

Agents: Babes N’ Beaus (Chicago), PCG Talent (Ohio), iGroup & Production Plus (Michigan) Facebook: Aqeel Ash-Shakoor Instagram: @Aqeeltheactor Tweeter: @Aqeeltheactor @BarzPhantom

If you have any questions for Aqeel Ash-Shakoor, please leave a comment here and I will make sure that he gets them so that he may be able to respond!

Also, do you know a Dad in the Limelight? If so, please email me their contact information so that they too can be a part of this series!

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Identifying Neglect in a Family

June 19, 2019 by dadofdivas Leave a Comment

Getting the chance to raise a family is an exciting opportunity. You can instill your own beliefs and values into a family, and you also have people you can care for and love. However, nobody is perfect, and sometimes, these imperfections have a negative impact on the family ecosystem. This can come in the form of neglect when parents or carers become too busy to pay attention to what’s going on with their little ones. Keep reading to find out how you can identify neglect in a family.

What is Neglect?

Before you can identify neglect in a family, it’s crucial that you know what neglect is classified as. According to the Federal Child Abuse Prevention Treatment Act, it’s defined as “Any recent act or failure to act on the part of a parent or caretaker that presents an imminent risk of serious harm to the child.”

In more practical terms, this could be not providing a child with basic needs like food, water, shelter, clothing, or medical care. However, some exceptions to the rules are conflicting religious beliefs as well as the parent or carers financial circumstances.

Know The Signs

Being able to identify when there’s neglect in a family comes when you know the signs. They could be physical or behavioral, so pay attention when you notice anything out of the ordinary. Keep reading to discover a couple of common signs.

Poor Hygiene: A telltale sign of neglect in a family is poor hygiene. Not caring for their basic needs could mean that their clothing is haggard or worn and they don’t look as though they’re being given regular baths. This is often termed as physical neglect as it has to do with how they look and appear.
Trouble Regulating Emotions: An indicator that a child may be emotionally neglected is when they seem to have unusual struggles with regulating their emotions. This could result in irrational and bizarre behavior as well as them having low self-esteem. These things could also be signs that a child is being emotionally abused by being shamed, belittled, threatened bullied or refused love.
Unexplained Injures: If you notice that a child has several unexplained injuries, this could be one of many signs of child abuse. When they are being physically abused, you may also notice that they’re easily startled, afraid to go home, and are always expecting something bad to happen.

Talk to Someone

If you suspect a child is being abused, it is sometimes wise to try and ask them questions. However, seeing as it’s a sensitive topic, you have to approach with calmness and avoid interrogation.

Out of fear of getting it wrong, it can be easy to ignore the signs and end up not discussing it with anyone. However, this isn’t typically the best approach and you should actually do the opposite. Talk to a trusted friend or family member about your concerns. You could also voice your concerns by contacting your local child protective services offices or law enforcement agencies.

Dads in the Limelight – Comic & TV Personality Al Jackson

June 13, 2019 by dadofdivas Leave a Comment

Our 876th Dad in the Limelight is Comic and TV Personality Al Jackson. I want to thank Al Jackson for being a part of this series. It has been great getting connected with him and now sharing Al Jackson with all of you.

1.Tell me about yourself (as well as how you are in the limelight for my reader’s knowledge).

My name is Al Jackson and I’m a 41-year-old father of 3 from Cleveland, OH. My initial passion was science so I studied biology both in undergrad and graduate school. I attended graduate school in Florida at Barry University and studied biomedical sciences. I am most well-known from being a middle school teacher who turned into a nationally touring standup comic and television personality. My big breakout was getting a Comedy Central half hour specially. I was the host of BBC’s Officially Amazing for 100 episodes, I was a character on Jim Jeffries Legit, which aired on FX, and I have appeared on Comedy Central doing standup 10 times. I am now a cohost on the nationally syndicated television show Daily Blast Live, which airs daily all over the country. I also host a podcast with the famous impressionist Frank Caliendo, I’m a regular guest and co-host of the nationally syndicated Bob & Tom Radio Show and I’m currently on tour with Hannibal Buress.

2. Tell me about your family.

My family consists of three children: Abrian (age 12), Elijah (age 10) and Baby Ford (age 4). No matter how old he gets, I will always call him Baby Ford.

3. What has been the largest challenge you have had in being a father?

I believe my challenges as a father mirror a lot of parent’s challenges in 2019 in that most adults have at least 1 job and some of us have two or three Often times, our jobs take us away from those who we love the most, our children, and I am no different. Between touring nationally as a standup comic and working in a state away from my children, I’ve had to be creative in ways that I keep in contact with them. I’m only able to see them on the weekends because my show films in Denver.

One of the largest challenges I’ve had to face as a father has been to learn to not over-parent. The love that you have for your children is the most special thing that you’ll ever feel or experience, but it also has to be kept in check so you don’t end up becoming a helicopter or smothering parent. Allowing your child make mistakes, bump their head, succeed and fail on their own is difficult, but you have to understand that it’s all part of them becoming the person they are meant to be.

4. What advice would you give to other fathers?

My advice to other fathers is to understand that there is a duality and a balance to being a father. You have to be a mentor, a role model, a disciplinarian and dozens of other roles, but while you’re doing these things, you can’t forget to be their friend, to see the world as they do, laugh with them, and create a special bond. You must be more than someone who just decides yes or no until they are old enough to make those decisions on their own. You can’t be so absorbed in the responsibility that you lose sight of the things that make life fun.

5. How have you come to balance parenthood and outside life?

I think for myself, balancing parenthood and outside life is understanding that you’re rarely going to have a large chunk of time that you always imagine you’re going to have. You’ll rarely have the uninterrupted time you desire to be with your children. Those times should be embraced and cherished, but don’t forget to value the moments and not just the hours. Value those minutes in the car when you can connect with them and ask them a real question. The times when you have 15 minutes and can really listen to them and what’s going on in their world. It’s important to understand that all time is precious. Moments come and go and don’t necessarily happen in four or five hour chunks so appreciate all that time you’re given.

6. What have you learned from the fathers that you have interacted with?

I’ve learned that we’re all flying by the seat of our pants. The fathers who I’ve learned the most from aren’t afraid to tell their kids that they don’t know the answer to something and they realize that there’s an amazing journey to be had by finding out the answer together.

7. What else would you share regarding your experiences as a father thus far?

I would share that it’s ok to be afraid from time to time. It’s ok to worry about them, but understand that somebody worried about you in the same manner and you turned out just fine. For a long time with my kids, I constantly hovered over them, literally shielding them from physical harm and shielding them from things that might hurt them emotionally. But I realized that I was neutering their experiences as young people who need these life moments. They need the things that can result in joy as well as the things that sometimes result in pain and disappointment.

8. What have been the most memorable experiences that you have had thus far as a parent?

There are so many memories it’s hard to pinpoint one, so I’ll speak in generalities because it’s ongoing. With my daughter, it’s been watching her personality develop. She is a warrior. She is kind hearted, smart, beautiful and talented. I’ve been able to watch her personality develop where I’ve seen her start to crack jokes, being sarcastic like her father, I’ve seen her be gentle, even to people who have tried to bully her, and it’s made me stand back in awe and take pride in being able to say I was a part of this human being’s development.

For my middle son Elijah, his intellect and his ability to figure things out shocks me. He is an expert video game player and just all around analytical kid. With him, I’ve had to do something that no one ever had to do with me: I’ve had to allow him to be upset with himself if he didn’t get an A on a test. And trust me, no one ever had to do that with me. C+ was ok in Al Jackson’s book.

For my youngest son Baby Ford, watching him be as distinct a personality as I’ve ever encountered has been amazing. He is strong willed, tough as nails, and probably a future NFL full back. He is completely different from me and his siblings and has definitely rounded out the puzzle of my life.

If you have any questions for Al Jackson, please leave a comment here and I will make sure that he gets them so that he may be able to respond!

Also, do you know a Dad in the Limelight? If so, please email me their contact information so that they too can be a part of this series!

4 Large Dog Breeds for the Whole Family

June 11, 2019 by dadofdivas Leave a Comment

There is something about having a large dog that may weigh the same as you that brings so much joy to some people. They may take up more space, knock over something with their excited tail, but their fierce loyalty and friendly disposition make up for all of that. People can get very particular over the breed and type of their dog and can sense right away if that type of dog will go well in their home along with their family. Large dogs are notoriously known for their visible size, but there are quite a few things that are surprising for larger dogs, especially specific breeds that make having one completely worth it. These are even supplements for large dogs to keep them at their happy and healthy best. These four large breed dogs can prove to anyone that owning one can be an excellent fit for the whole family.

Having a beautiful tri-color, long coat along with a large frame, the Bernese Mountain Dog looks daunting, but they are known for having a sweet temperament. They get along great with small children and other animals as well. These dogs work better if they are with people as they are very devoted to their owners. If they are left alone for long extended periods, they can get a bit destructive since they are trying to entertain themselves.

Berner, as it is also known, is highly intelligent and initially were working dogs. They need quite a bit of stimulus to keep them on their paws, literally. They can be trained with a small amount of ease as they do exceedingly well with positive training. They need at least half an hour of exercise a day, which can be just a simple stroll in the neighborhood.

One of the giant breeds of all dogs is the Great Dane. Known for being highly loyal, smart, and friendly, they are the true gentle giants of dogs. They are excellent family companions, and in spite of their large stature, they do well with children. However, they still should be supervised for an unforeseen accident as the Great Dane sometimes is unaware of its large size.

Taking care of a Great Dane over its lifetime can be quite simple with teaching. They are better indoors with the family rather than outdoors, and they do well with a light jog or walks rather than any running as this can wear and tear on their more mammoth bones. They have a moderate energy level, so they are also content with lying down and being near their owners.

The most common dog owned in the United States is the Labrador Retriever, and they are a sport dog. These dogs do incredible with children and people; since they have the character for it, people often use this breed as a service dog for people with disabilities, social or mental issues and as a sniffing dog for police and other types of security.

These lovable and highly active “water dogs” need to have a lot of space and exercise daily. If they become bored too often, they can attempt to escape their confinement and can get out of their fenced area. Be sure to play fetch and go on long walks or small runs so they can get a lot of their high energy out.

One of the most iconic dogs is the Standard Poodle, the largest of the poodle family. Over time, their coarse and curly hair has made people assume snooty or the likes of an “uppity dog breed.” This thought could not be any further from the truth. They are one of the smartest of all dog breeds and are great for all types of households because they are one of the only hypoallergenic breeds.

Though their regimen may need to be more extensive than other dogs, poodles live relatively longer than most other breeds. And because they are super smart, they can be easily trained to perform lots of tricks. They do very well if raised with other animals and small children.

In spite of the larger size of these dog breeds, there is no reason to fear them. Instead, embrace how loyal, affectionate, kind, and savvy they are as pets. After all, there is nothing like coming home to a large tail whipping at you in happiness to see you.

Dads in the Limelight – Steve Lemig of Wilderdads

May 23, 2019 by dadofdivas Leave a Comment

Our 875th Dad in the Limelight is Steve Lemig of Wilderdads. I want to thank Steve Lemig for being a part of this series. It has been great getting connected with him and now sharing Steve Lemig with all of you.

Steve Lemig of Wilderdads is the 875th dad to be spotlighted in the Dads in the Limelight Series. Come and learn from this great dad!

1) Tell me about yourself, (as well as how you are in the limelight for my readers knowledge)

My name is Steve Lemig I work in advertising, am a writer, outdoor athlete, and founder of Wilderdad.com, a leading source of tips and inspiration for outdoor family adventures. I believe the outdoors holds a key to building a happy family. Also, I believe spending time outdoors, whether urban parks, lakeshores, or remote mountains teaches kids confidence, creativity, problem solving, teamwork, self-control, and respect for each other and nature. This is founding idea behind Wilderdad. Motivate dads to get outside with their families and everyone wins.

I had a bizarre childhood. My parents divorced early on and I grew up attending churches of spiritual cults and participating in political activism. At one point, I lived in a van in a urine-soaked alley. That was for most of sixth grade. We moved nine or ten times and I went to six different schools before graduating high school. It was stressful and the only place I found peace was in the outdoors. So, I spent most of my childhood outside running trails, fishing, mountain biking, and rock climbing. Being active outdoors helped me stay balanced and express my angst in a positive way.

2) Tell me about your family

I live in Denver, Colorado, with my wife and nine-year-old daughter. My wife and I started dating 20 years ago and have been married 14 years. She’s a backpacker having guided many backpacking trips with high school kids from the Denver area. She also rafted the Grand Canyon almost 20 years ago and it’s still a highlight of her outdoor career. My daughter is an amazing little human. She loves science, art, and especially birds and plants. Ask her what she wants to be and she says she’s ALREADY an ornithologist (expert in birds), a botanist (expert in plants), and she is interested in also becoming a paleobotantist (expert in plant fossils).

She’s super athletic–loves to bike, rock climb, fish, hike and camp with us. Believe it or not, she started running with me when she was just 18 months old. I started running with her in a stroller when she was about 4 months old. She was so small I’d secure her into the stroller with a half dozen rolled beach towels all around her. And I think by the time she reached a year and a half she just was fed up sitting in the stroller with her dad pushing her around. So, she hopped out one day and just started running alongside me. She made it almost half a mile that day.

3) What has been the largest challenge you have had in being a father?

Not a whole lot of guidance. I come from a long line of fathers (and a stepfather) who had no idea what they were doing. And they passed along the tradition to me. I felt like I started from scratch. The one benefit of having father figures in my life who didn’t know what they were doing was that I learned what NOT to do.

4) What advice would you give to other fathers?

Relax. Be Present. Have Fun. Half of parenting is just showing up, being there for your kids, and helping them through whatever the problem du jour is. Kids who have involved dads are 75% less likely to have a teen birth, 80% less likely to spend time in jail, and 43% more likely to earn A’s in school. And the more fun you can have with your kids, the more they’ll respect and listen to you. You don’t need to be a mean SOB to get your kids to behave.

Oh, and GET OUTSIDE! Spending time outside with your kids and encouraging them to play outdoors is so good for their mental and physical development.

5) How have you come to balance parenthood and outside life?

It’s hard. I have so many projects going on at one time that it can get really messy. Currently, I work a full-time job, I drop off and pick up my daughter from school half the week, I help with homework, cook meals, do house maintenance, and run a blog, am writing a book, and try to workout five days a week. It doesn’t always happen. But, one thing I have going for me is that I worked really hard for years to be able to work from home full-time. It cuts out five or more hours of commute time and I’m able to knock out a few chores here and there during the day that would normally get pushed to the weekends.

Also, my wife and I used to live in California and moved to Colorado to be closer to family when our daughter was born. So, we have a strong network of family and friends who help us–and we help them. Community is key!

6) What have you learned from the fathers that you have interacted with?

No one has it easy! There’s no perfect family. No perfect formula for fatherhood. Life’s messy. Dads need each other. We need dad support groups, whether it’s just a group of good friends or an actual local support group of dads.

7) What else would you share regarding your experiences as a father thus far?
8) What have been the most memorable experiences that you have had thus far as a parent?

My most memorable experiences with my family have been traveling or spending time outdoors. Skiing knee deep powder in the Rocky Mountains, hiking and picking huckleberries along the Continental Divide, searching for sea glass along the beaches of San Diego, scrambling on boulders in Joshua Tree National Park, watching moose stroll by while camping outside Rabbit Ears Pass, standing in the middle of the Arkansas River fly fishing with my daughter. These are the moments when all the stresses of life melt away and I feel the strongest connection with my wife and my daughter. I think they feel it too. I can tell because of the great big smiles on their faces when we’re outside together.

If you have any questions for Steve Lemig, please leave a comment here and I will make sure that he gets them so that he may be able to respond!

Also, do you know a Dad in the Limelight? If so, please email me their contact information so that they too can be a part of this series!