Dad's Pocket Guide

Tips and Tools for Dad of Pre-School & School-Age Children

1. Don't let Mom do All the Work
   Some dads leave everything to do with school up to mom. When you are not involved, it gives your child only one partner to help. When you are involved, it takes the pressure off mom and shows her and your child that you respect mom and value school.
2. "Show and Tell" How Important School IS
   Your child needs to hear that school is important to success in life. Talk with your child as often as you can about the school day. Model how important school is by taking a course on something you want to learn. This will show that learning can be done at any age.
3. Help with School Worl
   Children today have more schoolwork (and homework) than you might have had as a child. This puts a lot of pressure on children. Helping with schoolwork can help your child learn more. Your child might be in a class of 20 to 30 students. If your child has problems with a certain subject, they might not get the one-on-one help they need. You and mom can give the one-on-one help the school might not be able to give.
4. Make School Fun
   Your child should have fun learning no matter how old they are. Play games that teach basic skills to your child, like math, reading, and writing. Use the fun times you spend with your child as a chance to learn. If you watch a basketball game with your child, for example, ask your child by how many points the winning team is ahead.
5. Spend a Day or Two in Class
   Ask your child's teacher if you can spend parts of one or two days in the classroom. this will give you an idea not only of the subjects your child learns, but how the teacher teaches them because it might be different than the way you learned those subjects. You don't want to confuse your child by being taught one way at school and another way at home.
6. Meet with the Teacher
   Set a time to meet with your child's teacher before you spend a day or two in class. This will help you get to know the teacher and ask questions you might have about how the teacher will teach and discipline your child. It's also good to meet with the principal to see how the school is run.
7. Go to School and Class Events
   Go to parent-teacher and student-led meetings, to class parties, to school plays, and to events that involve the entire school. When dads do these things, their children get better grades and like school more.
8. Join a Group That Helps Parents to Become Involved
   Become a member of a group, like the PTA or PTO, which helps parents to get involved in your child's school. Start a "Dad's Club" as part of the group. The club can create projects and events that help dads get involved in the school.
9. Get to Know Other Children and Parents
   Knowing the children in the class, and their parents, will help you talk with your child about the good and not so good things that happen at school. This will help if you need to talk with the teacher about problems between your child and other children. And who knows...getting to know the other parents might lead to new friendships.
10. Ask Your Boss for Time Off
    Use benefits, like flextime, that will allow you to get involved. Ask the teacher or school for a calendar or events so that you can ask for time off long before events take place. This will help your boss plan for your absence.

• 17 percent of children (12.5 million) are obese.
• Almost 3 times as many children are obese today as in 1980.
• these children are at high risk for heart disease, stroke, diabetes, some cancers, and other health problems.

The good news is that you can help your child to avoid being one of these numbers. Children are more likely to have a healthy weight and lifestyle if their dad has a healthy weight and lifestyle. How often you exercise and how healthy your diet is will affect your child's level of exercise and their diet.
Use these 10 tips to create a healthy path for your child that will last a lifetime

1. Exercise
   Enough said. Modeling exercise is perhaps the best thing you can do to create an active home. Try to involve your child when you exercise, such as having them jog with you. Not only will this show them the joy of exercise, but it will also bring you closer to your child.
2. Enroll Your Child in a sport
   Get your child in into a sports program they will enjoy. Allow your child to try several sports to find one they really enjoy. Don't push your child into sports they don't enjoy and remember that some sports require a lot of time from your child and family. Be aware of the commitment before you sign up.
3. Buy Healthy Foods
   Buy foods made from whole products, such as whole-wheat bread and brown rice, instead of highly refined foods, such as white bread and white rice. Limit foods with preservatives, chemicals, and those that are high in saturated fat and sugar. Buy lots of fruits and vegetables of many colors. Limit how often your family eats "fast foods."
4. Model a Healthy Diet
   Eat healthy foods. If you ask your children to eat broccoli, eat it, too. Not every family member will like the same foods, but overall, the family should follow the same healthy diet. If your diet needs a tune up, start eating healthy before asking your children to do the same.
5. Eat Regular Meals Together
   Pick at least one meal in the day that your family shares together. Many families choose dinner because it's a great time to get caught up on what's happening in the daily lives of dad, mom, and the children. Don't watch TV during mealtime. Avoid having your child do their homework during mealtime.
6. 6 Watch Portion Size
   When you eat at home, don't serve large amounts of food. When eating out, choose restaurant that serve smaller amounts. Children who stuff themselves don't learn that they should stop eating when full. Don't force your child to clean their plate. Your child knows when they're full. Watching portion size helps your child maintain a healthy weight.
7. Watch your Child Drink
   Sodas and fruit juice are the drink of choice for too many children. Once study of obese teens found that 50 percent of their calories came from sodas. Diet sodas don't pass the test. Fruit juices are okay in small amounts. Avoid sport drinks unless your child needs to recharge after a lot of physical activity. tell your child to drink lost of water and just enough milk for strong bones.
8. Tame the TV and Video Games
   Limit the amount of TV watching and video games. Have your child do at least 2-3 times as much physical activity per day than they watch TV or play video games. Model this by noting the amount of TV you watch and time you play video games.
9. Make Time for Family to be Active Together
   At least once a week, make time for the members of your family to be active together. Do something everyone enjoys. try walking, riding bikes, bowling, or building a garden.
10. Plan special, Active Family Trips
    Active families often take active trips. Water and snow skiing, hiking, biking, and camping make great, active family trips. But don't forget to balance active things with "down time" to relax and just "hang out"

1. Respect Your Children's Mother
   One of the best things a father can do for his children is to respect their mother. If you are married, keep your marriage strong. If you are not married, it is still important to respect and support the mother of your children. A father and mother who respect each other provide a secure environment for their children. When children see their parents respecting each other, they are more likely to feel that they are also accepted and respected.
2. Spend Time with Your Children
   How a dad spends his time tells his children what is important to him. if you always seem too busy, they will feel neglected no matter what you say or how much money you spend on them. Treasuring children often means sacrificing other things, but it is essential! Children grow up quickly - missed opportunities are lost forever!
3. Earn the Right to be Heard
   Sometimes a father only speaks to his children when they have done something wrong. Start talking to your children when they have done something wrong. Start talking to your children about difficult subjects when they are young so that these conversations will be easier when they are older. Take the time to listen to their ideas and problems
4. Discipline with Love
   All children need guidance and discipline, not as punishment but to set reasonable limits. remind your children that actions have consequences and provide meaningful rewards for desirable behavior. Fathers who discipline in a calm and fair manner show love for their children.
5. Be a Role Model
   Fathers are role models, whether or not they realize it. A girl with a loving father grows up knowing she deserves to be treated with respect, and she knows what to look for in a husband. Fathers can teach sons what is important by demonstrating honesty, humility, and responsibility.
6. Be a teacher
   Too many fathers think teaching is something others do. but a father who teaches his children about right and wrong, and encourages them to do their best, will see his children make good choices. Involved fathers use everyday examples to help their children learn basic lessons of life.
7. Read to Your Children
   Dads have to make a special effort to read to their children in a world where television and video games dominate. Promote reading by reading to your children when they are young. Encourage them to read on their own as they grow. Instill a love of reading in your children and you will help them have a lifetime of personal and career growth.
8. Show Affection
   Children need to know they are wanted, accepted and loved by their family. Parents, especially fathers, need to feel comfortable and be willing to hug their children. Showing affection every day is a great way to let your children know that you love them.
9. Balance Work and Family
   Working dads sometimes think it's hard to spend time with family and succeed at work, but it can be done. The fact tis the more success you have balancing work and family, the better father and worker you'll be. Balance lowers the stress you have in both roles. you don't have to give up time with your family to succeed at work.
10. Realize that a Father's job is Never Done
    Even after your child has left home, if you're done your job well, she will still look to you for wisdom and advice. Fathers still play an essential part in the lives of their adult children as they build their own families. Dads create a legacy for future generations.