tips for parents Archives

Things to Consider When Moving with Kids

June 22, 2019 by dadofdivas Leave a Comment

Moving house can bring about a wealth of different emotions. There’s excitement, worry, fear, joy, and sometimes even laughter. There’s also a certain amount of stress involved, especially if there are kids in the equation. Luckily, there are a number of things you can do to ease the strain on the family and make the process of moving as smooth as possible. Here are some tips to make your next family move an adventure.

Before You Move

There are plenty of things you can do before you move that will make things much easier. Start by holding a family meeting and discussing the moving plans with your kids. If they’re old enough, it’ll be possible to include them in some of the decision making. Take the opportunity to visit your new home as a family or take a virtual tour if it’s too far away. Young children will benefit from learning about the experience of moving, and there is a range of different story books you can read together. If you’ve got friends and family that are offering to help, take them up on their offers. It never helps if you try to take too much on yourself.

Don’t forget to organize your utilities in your new home, including insurance. If you need the best renters insurance NYC, Jetty.com can help.

Packing and Decluttering

Moving house is the perfect opportunity to declutter. Consider adopting this rule of thumb: if you haven’t used something in the last year, then toss it. Try to put any items you don’t want to good use. It might be possible to sell them or donate them. Throwing things in the trash should be a last resort. When it comes to packing enlist the help of your kids, especially their own bedrooms. Give them some boxes and let them write on them to show what’s inside. Leave their favorite toys out until the last minute and pack everything else. Have one box packed with all the essentials you’ll need at the new house, for example, a kettle, bowls, and cups.

Moving Day

When moving day comes, make it a joyful occasion. Pack a picnic basket to be enjoyed along the way. Make sure all the tools you need for assembling the kids’ beds are easily accessible and have fresh sheets ready to hand so that they have somewhere comfortable to sleep on their first night. Your priority should be to get the kids’ rooms set up first and to make them as homely as possible. If you’ve got young children, it might be better if the move takes place when they’re at school or daycare. That way, you don’t have to worry about them getting under your feet.

In Your New Home

Prioritize your unpacking. The bedrooms and kitchen should be a priority and then concentrate on getting the bathroom ready to use. Keep things as similar as possible to your old house and let them set up, decorate, and move items around as they see fit. You may notice a change in their behavior over the next few weeks. This is not uncommon. Just be understanding and give them time to settle in.

Why Should You Listen To Your Children?

November 8, 2018 by dadofdivas Leave a Comment

Families these days are always extremely busy. No matter whether there is one child or five, no matter whether there is one parent or two, the stresses, strains, and expectations that come with modern life are always there, making it hard to listen to one another at times. However, taking the time and making the effort to truly listen to your children is essential. You can miss far too much if you don’t, and that will leave you with regrets and potential problems.

Therefore, no matter how busy you and your children are, it is time to slow down and understand just why listening to your child and not just hearing them is so crucial to their ultimate overall development.

A Stronger Bond & Open Communication

Feelings are far more critical than you might realize, and the way that you make a child feel will stay with them long after the words you spoke have faded and the action you took is a distant memory. Those feelings will remain for years, perhaps for all of their lives, and as such, they should be great ones. If your child knows that you are listening to them and helping them when they need you, those feelings will be positive, and your bond will be stronger overall.

Being listened to in this way and having their thoughts and feelings engaged with, having real conversations, and being able to express what they want and need, will give your child a safe space where they will always be able to turn to when they need to. It will also allow them to develop their authentic voice, and this will turn them into a productive and successful adult.

Furthermore, a child who instinctively knows that their words and feelings have a real value will be far more likely to share these feelings and opinions in their childhood, through their teenage years, and well beyond into adulthood. They will also encourage their own children, should they have any, to be just as open. The more people who live in this way, the better, as this open communication is how the world changes and becomes a more pleasant place to live.

In order to encourage this kind of open communication, it is best to start early and make it part of your daily routine. There should be no TV, games consoles, smartphones or any other distractions, and you should simply sit, perhaps around the dinner table, and ask your child questions about their day. It is great if they can also ask you questions about yours too.

Understands Their Needs

Even as a parent, you may have an idea of who your child is and what they are really like that could be slightly wrong. It is easy to imagine your child thinks and feels the same as you do, but everyone is different, and these different personalities start to emerge at an early age. If you are able to listen to your children, you will quickly get a much better sense of who they actually are. Why is this important? It’s important because if you know who they are and how they function, you can do more to help them achieve their true potential. It might be that you realize they need a different kind of school that will cater more to their needs and personality, in which case you can look for the best charter school for them to attend. Perhaps you will realize that they need to be involved in sport or the theater, for example, in which case you can help them do that. Listening to your children will help you to understand who they really are.

Furthermore, when you listen to your children not only are you making them feel valued, but you are also helping them by teaching by example. Children model their parents’ behaviors, and if you are keen to show that you listen and then act on the information you are given, your children will do the same, and this will help them greatly throughout their lives.

Self-Esteem, Emotional & Social Skills

A child who knows that they are their parents’ priority and has no doubt whatsoever about that is a child who has innate high self-esteem and who will, therefore, be able to go on to do whatever they want to do because they automatically feel they can do it. It is even more important in busier families, however. A child who can see that they rank above everything else from the groceries to work to after-school activities and more will be more confident in themselves and know that they have their family’s love behind them at all times.

As children grow, their emotions go through many changes, and without the right parenting, this can cause many problems. In order to have well-adjusted, happy children, despite the hormonal and emotional changes that are happening as they enter their teens, they need to be listened to and not judged. Keeping up a regular connection with your child by, at the very least, asking how their day was, will remind them that there is someone who can help them and who will listen to them no matter what they have to say.

One day, your children will grow up and leave home to do their own thing. They will need to interact successfully with strangers in the street, their boss, their clients, a partner, their own children, and many other people who they will meet along the way. If you have given them a good grounding by listening to them throughout their childhood, and if they know you are still there to listen to them today, their social skills will be much better, and they will be able to cope with any situation that comes their way. This will make them outstanding employees and employers, and it will make them loyal and selfless friends. It will also increase their ability to problem solve and think laterally, making them much more successful no matter what they choose to do.

Dads in the Limelight ( #limelightdads ) – Greg Kaffka ( @njDADof4 ) #dadchat

August 31, 2014 by dadofdivas Leave a Comment

Our 467th Dad in the Limelight is Greg Kaffka. I want to thank Greg for being a part of this series. It has been great getting connected with him and now sharing him with all of you.

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

Hello, my name is Greg Kaffka and I am a husband and a proud father of 4 children. Why am I in the limelight? I guess its because I have alot on my plate and I do all I can to provide the very best for my family. I work as an engineer for a top digital printing company/distributor and then I freelance at night I do graphic and web design.

2) Tell me about your family

I married my beautiful wife 11 years ago this July and we have 4 amazing children. My wife and I met 17 years ago and our 1st date was her senior prom in high school. We met at work and hit it off from there. I have a daughter who is 6 years old, a son who is 3 and twin girls who are 5 months old. It was quite the shock to find out we were have twins on this last pregnancy, but what a joy these girls are.

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

I have to honestly say the largest challenge I have is making time equally. I work so much and feel that I have such a hard time with it. I make it a priority to provide for my family and I know its appreciated, but I wish I could see more of them. When my eldest daughter and son were growing up I worked 2-3 jobs, and most nights not getting home til very late. Nowadays I have been trying to be home more and feel guilty that I see the twins more at that age then my other two. I make it a task to be sure I am there for my wife and kids.

4) What advice would you give to other fathers?

Be there for your kids all you can. My daughter loves to see me at school events, sports and activities. Being involved in your kids lives as much as possible means more to them than you know. Seeing her face light up when she knows I am there means the world to me and her I am sure.

5) How have you come to balance parenthood and outside life?
Making time for family when your the sole income isn’t an easy task. It is something that I make sure I do. I try to keep work outside of the home and leave it at the door as much as possible.

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

I have learned that we are not alone. We as dads can turn to each other for advice. As I have learned no two situations are the same, so getting more perspectives on an issue is great help.

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

If I have learned one thing so far as a father its that no two days are the same. I learn so much about life from my children. As I get older I see myself becoming the wise father that my kids are turning to for answers.. How did that happen?!

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

To not sound corny, but besides the birth of my children, I would have to say the most memorable experience as a parent was seeing my children’s faces when I come home late from a long day. It can stop all stress, relieve all tension and make all problems go away.

If you have any questions for Greg, 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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5 Little-Known Ways to #Travel Cheap as a Family

July 31, 2012 by dadofdivas 16 Comments

Family trips can be some of the most memorable experiences in our lives. They’re an opportunity to really get to know one another, to reconnect in the midst of our harried modern lives. Yet, family travel can become expensive, especially for families with multiple children.
The good news is that, even if you’re on a tight budget, you don’t have to skip out on travel altogether. Here are five ways that you may not have thought of that can save your family significantly on travel expenses:

Consider staying in a vacation rental home.
For families with more than four people, finding an affordable hotel can be something of a pain. Unless you want to pay for two separate hotel rooms (and hope that the hotel can provide you with adjacent or adjoining rooms) you’re looking at paying a premium rate. One way around this is to rent a vacation home.
The basic premise is this: someone owns a home or condominium. They don’t live there yearound, but it’s furnished and has all of the amenities you might need (like a kitchen). You will often be able to rent that vacation home for significantly less than a hotel room.

On top of the savings in hotel fees, you’ll also have more space, as well as a kitchen where you can (if you wish) save even more money by not having to eat out.
Many vacation rental homes are located in closed communities with access to a pool, activity center, and more.

Buy your necessities at home.
If you’re traveling to a tourist destination, you’re probably going to pay as much as twice for basic supplies like bug spray or sunscreen. The same goes for snacks and other foodstuffs. If you have the space, consider bringing these items with you.

If you must purchase these kinds of living essentials, it can be worth traveling outside of the tourist area to a surrounding city in order to find more reasonable prices.

Choose a destination with many inexpensive or free activities.
Some of the most popular travel destinations can be the most expensive. Yet, if you look around, you can usually find plenty of free or inexpensive activities for your family.

Take Las Vegas, for example. While you could certainly drop a lot of money in Vegas, there are also dozens of inexpensive and free things to do and see while you’re there.
Alternatively, picking a destination with few expense options – such as a woodland retreat or camping trip – can also reduce your overhead.

Travel off season.
Spring break and the holiday season are the worst times to go to some of the more temperate travel destinations. Not only are all of the popular tourist activities going to be terribly crowded, your travel will come at a premium.

While it can be a little bit tricky in terms of scheduling and logistics, traveling with your family either a few weeks before or a few weeks after most schools have time off can save you significantly.

Check into rates in your destination city, as well as with your airline. Each should be able to show you a rate sheet that notes when their off season dates occur.

Consider camping.
Now, we’re not talking about camping as a vacation, although that can be a relatively inexpensive option. We’re talking about providing your own lodging when you travel to your vacation destination.

You can tent camp, even with a large family, for less than $40 a night in most places. State campgrounds often come very reasonably priced , or there are national campground chains that may have frequent customer discounts. You can also make your own food using camp stoves or a campfire. If you have a recreational vehicle already, you can have even more of the amenities of home.

If you choose the right campground, you’ll have sufficient restroom and shower facilities to clean up before you head out to whatever attraction or activity it is you want to see. You can enjoy as little or as much of the outdoor aspect as you want.
Just because you’re on a budget doesn’t mean you can’t enjoy some vacation time together as a family. It comes down to effective planning, and avoiding those travel details that are likely to hike up the cost. Implement one or more of these five methods and you’re guaranteed to save money on your next vacation.

About the Author:
Dave Johnson is Social Media Coordinator at Palms Hotel & Spa, an elegant Las Vegas hotel that offers luxurious hotel rooms and a multitude of gaming options for those who love casinos.

Giveaway – Know Before You File: Tips to Save Taxpayers Time, Money

March 4, 2011 by dadofdivas Leave a Comment

H&R Block is taking the guesswork out of tax season by offering taxpayers tips to help navigate a 2010 tax return:

1. Education benefits extended — The American Opportunity Credit was extended, allowing taxpayers to claim $2,500 for the first four years of college education for each student. The tuition and fees deduction also was extended and could provide a reduction in taxable income of up to $4,000.

2. Sandwich generation gets tax relief — Taxpayers supporting their parents and their own children may be able to claim the $3,650 qualifying relative exemption. Generally, the taxpayer must provide more than 50 percent of the financial support for eligible expenses such as food, lodging, clothing, education, medical and dental care, recreation and transportation.

3. Unemployed are required to file — All unemployment benefits will be taxed this year, unlike last year when the first $2,400 was tax-free.

4. 2008 homebuyer credit repayment starts, but not for 2009 and 2010 — The 2008 First-time Homebuyer Credit was similar to an interest-free loan and taxpayers must begin repaying it with their 2010 tax returns. In general, taxpayers must repay $500 a year for 15 years. If the taxpayer no longer lives in the house, then the credit must be repaid in full with the next tax return. Taxpayers who claimed the credit in 2009 and 2010 will not have to repay it unless the house is sold or no longer their principal residence within three years of purchase.

5. Energy credit reduced — For 2011, the lifetime maximum for the energy property credit is reduced from $1,500 to $500. Taxpayers who never claimed the credit can claim the entire $500. But, those who claimed $500 or more for the 2009-2010 and/or the 2006-2007 energy credits are not eligible in 2011. Eligible improvements include external windows and doors, insulation, roofing, HVAC and non-solar water heaters meeting specific energy guidelines.

6. Adoption Credit fully refundable in 2010 and 2011 — The Adoption Credit can be claimed for qualified expenses up to $13,170 for 2010 and $13,360 for 2011. Plus, new for 2010 and 2011, the IRS will refund any amount of the credit that exceeds the adoptive parents’ tax liability.

7. 2011 federal filing deadline is April 18 — Due to the observation of Emancipation Day in the District of Columbia on April 15, the filing deadline for federal tax returns is April 18 this year. But, some state filing deadlines will remain April 15.

Giveaway

How would you like to win one of five codes for for the online tax preparation product, H&R Block At Home Premium for yourself? All you need to do is let me know what the craziest thing you ever deducted form your taxes wasyour favorite Eric Carle book is and comment on this post. The contest will end on March 11, 2011.

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Winners are chosen at random, if you want all your chances counted, make sure you leave individual comments, not all of them in one!

Winner has 48 hours to contact me or another name will be chosen.

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Knowing Your Child’s Lingo May Save Their Life

December 21, 2010 by dadofdivas 2 Comments

Knowing Your Child’s Lingo
May Save Their Life

by Mary Jo Rapini, MEd, LPC

Parents, your children’s safety may depend upon you knowing their text and instant messaging lingo. Numerous web sites including TrueCare.net, and Netsmartz.org are now helping parents learn how to understand what their kids are saying to each other in an effort to prevent and stop bullying. For example, did you know that CD9 means parents are around or that MIRL means meet me in real life? If you think you have had the talk with your child and they understand the rules about texting and instant messaging, don’t be sure that this is all you need to know to be safe. I participated in 17 stories for HLN and CNN last year. Thirteen of those stories had to do with children being hospitalized or killed due to bullying, suicide, or kidnappings from people they talked to on the Internet or texting.

Here are a few terms that will help you get started with understanding your children’s texts or instant messaging.

Starbucks…*$
Thanks…10x
One to one…121
I love you…143
I hate you…182
To…2
Too cool…2c
Too cool for you…2c4u
Today…2 day
Too hot to handle…2H2H
Too late…2L8
Too much to handle…2M2H
Too much information…2 MI
Tomorrow…2morrow or 2mrw
Tonight…2nite
To you too…2U2
Mom…303
Threesome…3sum
For…4
Information…411
Marijuana…420
Forever…4ever
Forgive me…4GM
For real…4rl
For you…4U
For you too…4U2
Forward…4ward
Oral Sex…8
Over, out of, get rid of…86
Parent in room…CD9
Parent has left…99
Anyplace, anywhere, anytime…A3
Always and forever…AAF
As a matter of fact…AAMOF
Address…addy
As far as I’m concerned…AFAIAC
At home…AH
AOL Instant Messenger…AIM
Actually laughing out loud…ALOL
Available on cell…AOC
Angel on your pillow…AOYP
Age, sex, location…ASL
Age, Sex, Location, Picture…ASLP
At what time…AWT
As you know…AYK
Are you stupid or something…AYSOS
Drug of choice…DOC

There has become a sexualization of youth in our society.

Sex is power, and kids want power. They want to fit in and feel good, and there are people who do not have your children’s best interest at heart. These people are available at all times via the internet and texting. Parents must be aware and talk with their kids. Make your home a safe place your child can come home to. You can create a safe place by following these guidelines offered by Netsmartz.org.

Keep the computer in a common area.
Create safe user names and profiles.
Don’t let your children meet face to face with strangers they met online (you have to be checking to know.)
Teach children what to do if they get an offensive or threatening IM, E-Mail, or chartroom post (they should begin by showing you.) For cyberbullying, go to wiredsafety.org or email www.cybertipline.com. You can also call them at 1-800-843-5678.
Look into filtering or monitoring software for your computer.
Let children show you what they can do online and visit their favorite sites.

Parents, it takes your involvement to keep your child safe.

Remember that girls cyberbully more than boys and that bullying is no longer the bullying you grew up with. It is constant torture; and it happens at a time your child’s sense of self is not fully developed. This is part of the reason it can have disastrous effects on children. Any child under the age of 14 should not be on a social network. If your tween is on Facebook, MySpace, or any of the other social networks, I would ask you to reconsider setting firmer boundaries at home. Blaming the schools, churches, or wherever else your child encountered a harmful person will not help if your child is hurt, nor will it heal your pain if your child takes their life.

Mary Jo Rapini, MEd, LPC, is a licensed psychotherapist and co-author with Janine J. Sherman, of Start Talking: A Girl’s Guide for You and Your Mom About Health, Sex or Whatever. Read more about the book at www.StartTalkingBook.com and more about Rapini at www.maryjorapini.com.

Video Game Piracy – Things You Need to Know

December 16, 2010 by dadofdivas 2 Comments

You might be familiar with how the music and movie industries have been plagued by illegal downloading and file-sharing. However, did you know that illegal online piracy also affects the video game industry and that most of the offenders are children?

While video game piracy may not be the topic of choice at the dinner table, a recent Wakefield study shows that many parents need a crash course in what video game piracy is, what the consequences are and why it’s important to have a conversation with their kids about it. Furthermore, there is a need for parents to have these conversations sooner rather than later as younger children may be more impressionable and open to these topics.

Survey results show that as children get older, they’re more likely to have pirated video games. These activities ultimately affect the parents, as they are often the official Internet subscribers, so we encourage you to share these survey results with your readers:

10 percent of kids ages 8-12 say that they have participated in video game piracy, so it is important that parents become familiar with the issue and have conversations with their children at an early age. When you look at kids ages 13-17, that number jumps to 16 percent.
Although 94 percent of moms and 91 percent of dads agree that video game piracy is wrong, most parents – if they found out their child was downloading pirated games – would let their kids get off with a warning or light consequence, such as temporarily taking away the game system. This suggests parents do not believe that piracy is a serious issue.

We’d like to shine a light on the issue and encourage parents to talk to their children about video game piracy and how it equates to stealing. Here is some food for thought:

It is wrong and illegal to download copyrighted material or share them though uploading without permission from the manufacturer.
The use of game copying devices (also called game copiers) to copy, download and play unlimited illegal copies of Nintendo DS or Nintendo DSi game software from the Internet or PC is illegal. Game copiers are devices designed specifically to circumvent the Nintendo DS/DSi technical protection measures employed by Nintendo.
Downloading illegal content may result in children being exposed to inappropriate content.
Piracy hurts companies who depend on legitimate sales to survive, including small developers. It affects people’s careers and possibly even the types of jobs children may look into in the future.
If parents want to learn more about piracy or if you come across illegal video game content on the Internet, direct them to: http://ap.nintendo.com/
Alternatives to downloading illegal content include a range of legal Nintendo game content available online, such as the Nintendo Wii WiiWare, Virtual Console and DSiWare games purchased via the Wii Shop Channel and Nintendo DSi Shop.
This conversation with your kids likely won’t be the first time they’re hearing about it. Elementary school students are learning about intellectual property rights in school through a program run by The Entertainment Software Association (ESA). The program provides educational materials to students on the right way to copy words, pictures and other digital content. Learn more about this program here: http://www.theesa.com/policy/domesticip.asp#4

Witches, Goblins and Ghosts – Halloween Safety Tips for Your Little Monsters!

October 29, 2010 by dadofdivas Leave a Comment

Halloween Safety Tips That Are No Trick: Orthopaedic Surgeons offer Halloween Injury Prevention Tips

OVERVIEW:
Every Halloween, kids across the country parade neighborhoods in search of the most glorious prize: candy. The build-up for Halloween is almost as exciting as the day itself with pre-Halloween festivities like pumpkin-picking, pumpkin carving and selecting the perfect costume for the big day. And though the holiday calls for fun, the American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons (AAOS) stresses the importance of taking proper precautions to avoid injuries this Halloween.

STATISTICS:
A nine-year study examined holidayelated pediatric emergency room visits between 1997 and 2006. Results of this study show Halloween among the top three holidays producing the most ER visits:

Finger/hand injuries accounted for the greatest proportion of injuries on Halloween (17.6 percent).
Of the finger/hand injuries sustained on Halloween, 33.3 percent were lacerations and 20.1 percent were fractures.
Children ages 10-14 sustained the greatest proportion of injuries (30.3 percent).
Source: D’Ippolito A, Collins CL, Comstock RD. Epidemiology of pediatric holidayelated injuries presenting to US emergency departments. Pediatrics. 2010 May;125(5):931-7.

AMERICAN ACADEMY OF ORTHOPAEDIC SURGEONS SAFETY TIPS:

Never let children carve pumpkins. Adults carving pumpkins should remember to use specifically designed carving knives, rather than kitchen knives, as they are less likely to get stuck in the thick pumpkin skin. Carve the pumpkin in small, controlled strokes, away from oneself on a strong, sturdy surface.
Carving knives should be kept in a clean, dry, well-lit area. Any moisture on the tools, hands, or table can cause the knife to slip, leading to injuries.
Should a pumpkin carver cut a finger or hand, make sure the hand is elevated higher than the heart and apply direct pressure to the wound with a clean cloth to stop the bleeding. If continuous pressure does not slow or stop the bleeding after 15 minutes, an emergency room visit may be necessary. Additionally, it may be wise to follow-up with a hand surgeon to make sure everything is okay and nothing needs repair.
Be considerate of fire hazards when lighting jack-o-lantern candles or use non-flammable light sources, like glow sticks or artificial pumpkin lights. Alternatively, try painting pumpkins for a fun, creative option and removes the risks of carving.
Halloween costumes should be light and bright, so children are clearly visible to motorists and other pedestrians. Trim costumes and bags with reflective tape that glows in the dark.
Costumes should be flameesistant and fit properly. Be sure the child’s vision is unobstructed from masks, face paint or hats. Costumes that are too long may cause kids to trip and fall, trim or hem their costumes as necessary.
Children should wear sturdy, comfortable, slipesistant shoes to avoid falls.
It is important that children walk on sidewalks and never cut across yards or driveways. They should also obey all traffic signals and remain in designated crosswalks when crossing the street.
Trick-or-treaters should only approach houses that are well lit. Both children and parents should carry flashlights to see and be seen.
Be aware of neighborhood dogs when trick-or-treating and remember that these pets can impose a threat when you approach their home.
It’s also a good idea to carry a cell phone while trick-or-treating in case of an emergency.

AAOS EXPERT ADVICE:

“It’s so important to realize that there is a wrong way to carve a pumpkin! You should always use a carving knife, carve away from the body and never rush. It’s possible to cut tendons, particularly when your finger slides down the knife and the knife gets stuck in the pumpkin” said Elizabeth A. Ouellette, MD. “For this reason, children and adults should not carve pumpkins with kitchen knives. Besides the potential dangers from pumpkin carving, parents and kids need to be aware of their surroundings, and instinctually participate in activities safely, no matter the holiday.”

About the AAOS at http://www.aaos.org

http://www.Orthoinfo.org

Follow the AAOS on http://Facebook.com/AAOS1 and http://Twitter.com/AAOS1

Book Review – Generation IY: Our Last Chance to Save Their Future

September 23, 2010 by dadofdivas Leave a Comment

About the Book
In this new book, best-selling author of Habitudes and leadership expert Dr. Tim Elmore describes the tangible, negative aspects of the “I” world (the world of the Internet) on the youngest segment of millennials, or Generation iY. Unlike other books of this genre, Elmore identifies not only the problems, but the solutions required to help fix this stressed, ill-prepared generation. Generation iY, Our Last Chance to Save Their Future is based on current research combined with Elmore’s experiences of working with more than 300,000 students, faculty, and staff on hundreds of campuses across the country.

Generation iY, Our Last Chance to Save Their Future defines for the first time the parenting styles that help create this incredibly narcissistic generation. He defines Dropout Parents, Groupie Parents, Dry Cleaner Parents, Karaoke Parents, and other parenting practices that have led to the entitlement and self-absorption of their children. Elmore identifies the unique paradoxes that lead to the increased stress of Generation iY, and outlines the guidance they will need to succeed in today’s workforce.

About the Author

Dr. Tim Elmore is the founder and president of Growing Leaders (www.GrowingLeaders.com), an Atlanta-based nonprofit organization created to develop emerging leaders. Since founding Growing Leaders, Elmore has spoken to more than 300,000 students, faculty, and staff on hundreds of campuses across the country, including the University of Oklahoma, Stanford University, Duke University, Rutgers University, the University of South Carolina, and Louisiana State University. Elmore has also provided leadership training and resources for multiple athletic programs, including the University of Texas football team, the University of Miami football team, the University of Alabama athletic department, and the Kansas City Royals Baseball Club. In addition, a number of government offices in Washington, D.C. have utilized Dr. Elmore’s curriculum. From the classroom to the boardroom, Elmore is a dynamic communicator who uses principles, images, and stories to strengthen leaders. He has taught leadership to Chick-fil-A, Inc., The Home Depot, HomeBanc, and Gold Kist, Inc., among others. He has also taught courses on leadership and mentoring at nine universities and graduate schools across the U.S. Committed to developing young leaders on every continent of the world, Elmore also has shared his insights in more than thirty countries-including India, Russia, China, and Australia.

My Take on the Book

I have read most of Dr. Elmore’s books and have loved all of them! They are insightful, down to earth and reach out to you on a level that you can truly understand. This book is very similar in that regard. Dr. Elmore has done a great job at in helping us as parents, mentors, and overall adults in understanding what makes the 22 year old (and their generation) tick.

I work with this aged population all the time, so this book was especially relevant to me, but I know that there are many others of you that may have adult children that just don’t seem to get it. Instead you may find yourself frustrated and angry that they don’t see things the same way that you do.

The book provides a clear and insightful look at this generation and provides quality resources and ways to engage them in becommong the leaders that they must become in society today. The book though also does a wonderful job at making it clear that simply understanding them is not enough, instead it is also the steps that we take to help lead them toward the future that is important as well.

As I mentioned I work with this age of students daily as I work in a graduate level program at a college, and I too am seeing these types of issues in the students that I am working with. I have to say that I was impressed with some of the great nuggests that I was able to take out of this book that will assist me in selecting new people for some of the programs that I work with as well as coming to a much better understanding about where these individuals are coming from as well as the world view that they embrace which makes them who they are.

If this book sounds like something you would like in your own library you can find it on Amazon!

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A Healthy Parent’s Guide to Keeping Feet in Tip-Top Shape!

September 22, 2010 by dadofdivas 1 Comment

The premier event of New York runners, the New York City Marathon, is one of the world’s great road races. Drawing more than 85,000 applicants the race attracts world-class professional athletes, driven to cross the finish line in Central Park. Running is a great cardio workout for your body, but pounding the pavement over the course of a long run can be extremely harsh on feet. Every stride taken while running applies a force of 3-4 times your body weight across knees, ankles and feet. During a 10-mile run, feet make 15,000 strides, which means thousand of pounds of force are placed on the feet of runner’s during the New York City Marathon!

NYC podiatrist Dr. Oliver Zong is one of the premier cosmetic foot surgeons in the country. He serves as the Director of Surgery at NYC FootCare and is on the Board of Directors at Gramercy Park Surgery Center. Dr. Zong offers foot related advice and tips to runners participating in this year’s New York City Marathon, for keeping feet in tip-top shape and feeling like a champion at the finish line.

Keep Your Feet in Tip-Top Shape With 10 These Tips from Dr. Zong:

1. Stretching. Stretching primes the body for the strenuous activity. Stretch before and after running. Concentrate on the calves, hamstrings, quads and feet.

2. Shoes. Invest in a good pair of running shoes. They provide specific impact support that running demands. There is a variety of sneakers for every runner at retail outlets like www.shoes.com. If feet sweat heavily during running try putting talcum powder in your shoes to keep feet dry.

3. Orthodics. If you have arch or heel pain, you may be a perfect candidate for orthodics. Visit a podiatrist to inquire about purchasing orthodics for your shoes.

4. Socks. Cotton socks absorb moisture. For a long run like a marathon, your feet may require a synthetic sock (containing acrylic), which helps alleviate moisture from your skin. Make sure that the seams of your socks are not in an area of pressure, which can lead to a lot of pain. If you cannot find a comfortable location for the seams try turning socks inside out.

5. Anti-Inflammatory Medications. Do not pop Advil or Aleve before a race to prevent aches that may arise during the race. Save this treatment for the day after the race. Taking anti-inflammatory medications will mask any pain that is felt during the race and can lead to more serious injury. Pain is a valuable feedback mechanism that you need to pay attention to during a long run.

6. Groom Toenails. Make sure your toenails are not long before a race. They should not extend past the tip of your toe and should be shaped in a straight cut. If you do not properly groom your toenails before a marathon you run the risk of developing an ingrown nail or even a fungal nail.

7. Toes. If you have a tendency to develop corns and callouses on the tips of your toes try adding padding in your sneakers underneath your toes. If your toes or toenails turn black you may have developed subungual hematoma (bleeding under the nails). This may cause nails to fall off. Keep the area clean and dry to prevent infection and seek treatment from your podiatrist.

8. Blisters. Blisters are the results of excessive friction between shoes and feet. Take preventative steps by making sure shoes fit properly and are laced up so that they are form fitting to your feet. If you are prone to blisters apply Vaseline to problem areas prior to your run or try padded “blister proof” socks like those made by Thorlo. Additionally, applying moleskin to problem areas also prevents blisters from forming.

9. Visit Your Podiatrist. Dr. Zong’s patients who run in the New York City Marathon make appointments the entire week before the race to get rid of corns, callouses, get moleskin, have their orthodics padded, and in some cases receive cortisone injections for their heel spurs (plantar fasciitis) so they can run in their dream event.

10. Finish Line. When the race is complete Dr. Zong says practice RICE:

Rest your feet.
Ice helps keep inflammation and swelling down.
Compression with ACE wraps will also reduce swelling.
Elevation will help your feet rest up for the next big run.

About Dr. Oliver Zong
Dr. Oliver Zong is a podiatrist in Manhattan’s influential Financial District. As one of the premier cosmetic foot surgeons in the country, he serves as the Director of Surgery at NYC Foot Care and is on the Board of Directors at Gramercy Park Surgery Center . Besides traditional and cosmetic foot surgery, Dr. Zong is also an accomplished cryosurgeon and co-founder of the Podiatric Cryosurgery Center of New York. He is an attending physician at New York Hospital Downtown, Wyckoff Heights Medical Center, Cabrini Medical Center, and Gramercy Park Surgery Center. An accomplished foot surgeon, Dr. Zong is credited with coining the terms, “Foot Makeover”, “Foot Facelift”, “The Toe Tuck”, and “High Heel Feet”. For more information please visit www.NYCFOOTCARE.com.

All opinions expressed in this review are my own and not influenced in any way by the company. Any product claim, statistic, quote or other representation about a product or service should be verified with the manufacturer or provider. Please refer to this site’s Terms of Use for more information. I have been compensated or given a product free of charge, but that does not impact my views or opinions.

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