I recently re-studied and practiced as a secondary school teacher. I taught Year 8 to Year 11, Commerce, Business  Studies (the most popular unit after maths)  and Economics.

As a dad it was a highly valuable, as a bread winner it sucked.

If you’re truly interested in how your kid learns, read this or email me for a less academedic view….

“Today’s students are no longer the people our educational system was designed to teach, ”said Prensky in 2004.

Digital natives, (the vast majority of our kids  are these today ),  are used to receiving information fast; parallel processing and multi-tasking are at work in their minds and they function best when they are networked. This is an important differential between traditional teachers and contemporary learners and one today’s parents  need to be aware of.

Children learn best when they are in active roles of designer and constructor, this is known with academics as the Constructionism theory.

To embrace contructionism (connectiveism) the roles, of both teacher and learner, are to change.  To effectively implement change progressive teachers and parents need to be aware of the barriers to effective learning: teacher attitudes and beliefs; access to ICT resources; teaching strategies and practices and adequate professional development with ICT . Teachers and parents need not be shy of technology.

Dalton identifies six learning and teaching practices essential for connected learning: deep understanding, self responsibility inquiry, human development, communication and collaboration.

Students want richness, they want to consume, create apply, remember and evaluate.

How well do you and your kid’s teacher do  this?

For a less academic approach on this subject, check this video out to see exactly how kids want to learn today.

We’re all guilty of finding excuses as to why we can’t do what we are suppose to do.

Here’s 12 of the most common excuses why not to exercise &  ways to overcome them.

1) I don’t have the time

Make it a priority, make time. get into a routine. Take every chance you can to be active, even if it’s only for a few minutes e.g. do exercises while waiting for the kettle to boil or while watching TV.

2) I’m too tired

Once you get started, you will have more energy and feel less tired.

3) I have a health problem, and exercise might take it worse

Most health problems can be helped by activity. Talk to your doctor – they may be able to write an ‘activity prescription’ for you.

4) I might get injured

If you walk or swim it is unlikely that you will get injured.

5) I can’t afford it

Try to find an activity that is free. Walk more instead of driving.

6) I have no-one to do it with.

Persuade a relative, neighbour or friend to be active with you.

Play with the grandchildren in the park. Join an activity or walking group.

Take out a gym membership.

7) It’s too hot / cold / raining

Get up early to beat the heat or walk in an air-conditioned shopping centre.

If it’s cold, wear gloves. If it’s raining, take an umbrella.

I’m too old

You are never too old – there is always something you can do.

9) There’s nothing to do where I live / I don’t have transport.

Be active around your home – do exercises at home.

Walk to and from places )the shop, the letterbox or a friend’s house).

10) I’m afraid I will wear out’

You will wear out more quickly if you do nothing.

11) I’ve never been the sporty type

You don’t have to play sport to be active – try gardening, dancing, walking or exercise to music.

“It’s so boring on your own…but it’s OK if you have a friend to go with. I walk with my daughter and we have a bit of a chit0chat and catch up on the stuff that’s going on in her life.”

“For 27 years my GP has been telling me I should do more physical activity – but I never did anything. Then six weeks ago my friend took me to an exercise class and I have been going with her every week. I feel so much better, I wish I had done it earlier.”

Taken with permission from the booklet Choose Health: Be active. A physical activity guide for older Australians. An initiative of the Australian Government in association with Sports Medicine Australia.

Don’t…do not, under any circumstances, however…

It was a brand new world for this middle-aged guy, and Internet dating was the method-du-jour. I had my two young sons full-time so dating of any kind meant babysitters, or meeting during school hours.

I circumvented the standard profiles by changing mine, literally daily, making my profile in essence a blog. Oddly enough, I developed quite a following of (women) readers across the country. In its own way, that was the beginning of my writing career. I did the rest that was required and posted photos that were relatively current and I didn’t even Photoshop them too much.

But I quickly learned that truth was quite evasive on the Internet. While I didn’t peruse the profiles of the men on the dating sites that I used, I certainly became familiar with the women. It wasn’t rocket science to read between the lines. No photo meant there was a reason for no photo. Headshot only, meant there was a reason as well. Only one photo was equally suspicious. And, for us male slugs, let’s face the truth that our first impression is based on appearance.

What I also learned was that online dating was no different, in its essence, from in-person dating. The man did the pursuing; the woman did the choosing. Exceptions to every rule always exist, but I found I was reaching out to the women far more than the reverse. Quickly, I developed a thick skin, as maybe I would get a response to one in ten of the e-mail messages that I sent out.

The attractive women, at least attractive by the photos they posted, would sometime receive literally thousands of e-mail messages. I began dating one woman who told me that during a period of ten days, when we first began dating, she hadn’t checked her inbox. When she did, it had 9,000 e-mail messages. It certainly raised the question, why did she choose me? As great as I may think I am, I’m also realistic. The answer was quite sobering, as she said: the only way she could handle that volume was to do “eine meenie minie moe.” I was one of the lucky “moe’s” and what I wrote made her laugh, and that’s how we connected. Truly, lottery luck.

Before I tell you how I met  my wife, I’d like to offer ten simple, non-gender specific dating tips; let’s call this Internet Dating 101:

1. If there’s no photo, there’s a reason. Move on.
2. Be patient. It’s a numbers game. Therefore, hang in there.
3. Don’t spend too much time e-mailing and chatting. If you feel there might be some chemistry, set up a meeting. First meeting is coffee only. Don’t make elaborate plans. If you like each other, there’s plenty of time for that. Also, if they’re too busy or it’s too difficult to schedule something, move on.
4. Don’t believe what you read. Be skeptical, but open. Most women lie about their age and weight; most men about their income and height.
5. Tell the truth about yourself — period, end of issue, no excuse.
6. Be clear on what you want and express it in your profile. Don’t be afraid to tell the truth. For example, if you’re a woman and you just don’t like men with thinning hair, save him and you the waste of time by being clear about that in your profile. For a guy, if height or weight is important to you in a woman, be honest about it.
7. While I tend to diss self-help books, the book “He’s Really Not Into You” had some plain truths. If there are signs of disinterest, he or she is disinterested. And, often, it has nothing to do with you. Move on.
8. Men and women, over 35 or so, if never married, are often trouble. Not just the men. Women who have never married are as set in their ways as men, and (I’m going to get killed for this) probably more hung up on their careers (note: this is the one that gets the most criticisms. To be clear, it’s a generality NOT a rule. And to be even more up front, I was 39 when I first got married and, frankly, I was a bit of “trouble” back then. When I divorced and started dating again, I heard the rap on guys that if they weren’t married by their mid-30’s there usually was a good reason, yet I found the women I met during that period who hadn’t been married were just as possibly “trouble” as I was back then and, in so many cases, really truly stuck in their ways. So, criticize away, but I stand by this regarding men AND women, but acknowledging again that there are exceptions to most generalities).
9. Always, if you’re a woman, meet in a public place and only give out your cell number, if you don’t call the guy yourself first (which is better).
10. Be patient and don’t take it personally.

I met Loren exactly the way I’ve described above, by sending her an e-mail, based on her attractive photo and profile. She claimed to read every one of the thousands of e-mail messages that she received and mine also made her laugh. We set up a coffee date. I completely forgot about our meeting! Yup, I forgot, leaving her stood-up thinking what I jerk I was. When I realized my horrific mistake, I called. She took the call with the full intention of blowing me off. The degree of my mea-culpas won her over. She said that the fact that I had kids made her think my mind might have been temporarily made of mush. We set a second date.

The rest, another time, but suffice it to say, the second date was successful enough for a third — and more. We were married on December 27, 2008.

By Bruce Sallon

Posted with permission from  www.brucesallan.com

Bruce Sallan was an award-winning television executive and producer for 25 years. When his boys were quite young, Bruce left show biz to become a full-time Dad. Shortly thereafter his marriage ended and his wife abandoned their children, leaving the State. Bruce found himself a full-time single Dad, in his late forties, as well as a returning single man to the changed world of cyber-dating. It became a classic “sandwich” situation when he also began to care for his ailing parents. He began writing various blogs on the dating sites he used as well as articles for local publications. The goal of his column, A Dad’s Point-of-View, is to primarily focus on parenting and occasionally other issues from the male perspective. Presently, his column is available in over 75 newspapers and Web sites in the U.S. and internationally. Bruce lives in Agoura, California with his second (and last) wife and two boys, who are 15 and 12. Find Bruce on Facebook and add him as your friend. Just be sure to tell him you saw him here.

The arguments for  circumcision appear to be quarantined to reduced chance of sexual infections (STIs) and religious conformity (Jews & Muslims).

The risks include: pain, surgical mishap or complications, and decreased sexual pleasure.

Irrespective of what opinion you follow, it appears the trend is to avoid, what could only be described as THE most UNPLEASANT cut- OUCH!!!!

In 1950, 90% of us fellas had the little fella topped (or should I say chopped off) by the 1980’s that reduced to 40% and today it is merely 10-15%.

There is mounting evidence that the procedure can prevent the spread of STIs and HIV, it can reduce the spread of penile cancer and protects against urinary tract infections in infants.

Starting to change your mind?

The Royal Australasian College of Physicians says the potential complications of the surgery and anesthesia, such as infections and bleeding, mean any benefits “do not warrant a recommendation of universal circumcision and infant males.”

Even if you do decide on this procedure, you may find it hard to get one, as circumcisions are not performed in most Australian public hospitals unless there is a medical need.

If you want your boy to have more in common with his peers, it probably makes sense to go with the trend of avoiding the cut unless it is medically or religiously required.

Obviously see your doctor if you have any questions. If you want more info on circumcision, email us at dads@dadsclub.com.au

Click here for alcohol and drug services throughout Australia

People take drugs because they want to change something in their lives.
Here are some reasons young people have given for taking drugs:
-to fit in
-to escape or relax
- to relieve boredom
- to seem grown up
-to rebel
-to experiment

Alcohol is a drug. It’s classed as a depressant, meaning it slows down vital functions, resulting in slurred speech, unsteady movement, disturbed perceptions and an inability to reacts quickly.

There are different kinds of alcohol. Ethyl alcohol (ethanol), the only alcohol used in beverages, is produced by the fermentation of grains and fruits. Fermenting is a chemical process whereby yeast acts upon certain ingredients in the food, creating alcohol.

ALCOHOL CONTENT

Beer 2-6 %
Cider 4-8%
Wine 8-20%
Tequila 40%
Rum >40%
Brandy >40%
Gin 40-47%
Whiskey 40-50%
Vodka 40-50%
Liqueurs 15-60%

UNDERSTANDING HOW ALCOHOL AFFECTS THE BODY

Alcohol is absorbed into the bloodstream via small blood vessels in the walls of the stomach and small intestine. Within minutes of drinking alcohol, it travels from the stomach to the brain, where it quickly produces its affects, slowing the action of nerve cells.

Approximately 20% of alcohol is absorbed through the stomach. Most of the remaining 80% is absorbed through the small intestine.

Alcohol is also carried through the bloodstream to the liver, which eliminates the alcohol through a process called “metabolizing,” where it is converted to a non-toxic substance. The liver can only metabolize a certain amount at a time, leaving the excess circulating throughout the body. Thus the intensity of the effect on the body is directly related to the amount consumed.

When the amount of alcohol in the blood exceeds a certain level, the respiratory (breathing) system slows down markedly, and can cause a coma or deaths, because oxygen no longer reaches the brain.

YOUNG PEOPLE VERSES ADULTS: What’s the difference?

A young persons body can’t cope with alcohol like an adult can.

Drinking is more harmful to teens than adults because their brains are still developing throughout adolescence and well into young adulthood.

Drinking during this critical growth stage can lead to lifelong damage in brain function, particularly as it relates to memory, motor skills (ability to move) and coordination.

According to research, young people who begin drinking before age 15 are 4 times more likely to develop alcohol dependence than those who begin drinking at age 21.

WHAT IS BINGE DRINKING?

Binge drinking is the practice of consuming large quantities of alcohol in a single session, usually defined as five or more drinks at one time for a man, or four or more drinks at one time for a woman.

About 90% of alcohol consumed by youth under the age of 21 is in the form of binge drinking.

WHAT IS ALCOHOLISM?

Alcoholism (alcohol dependence) has 4 symptoms:
1. Craving: a strong need, or compulsion, to drink.
2. Loss of control: the inability to limit one’s drinking on any given occasion.
3. Physical dependence: withdrawal symptoms, such as nausea, sweating, shakiness, and anxiety, occur when alcohol use is stopped after a a period of heavy drinking.
Serious dependence can lead to life-threatening withdrawal symptoms including convulsions, starting 8 to 12 hours after the last drink. The delirium tremens (D.T.’s) begins 3 to 4 days later where the person becomes extremely agitated, shakes, hallucinates and loses touch with reality.
4. Tolerance: The need to drink greater amounts of alcohol in order to get a high.

An increasingly heavy drinker often says he could stop whenever he chooses – he just never ‘chooses’ to do so. Alcoholism is not a destination, but a progression, along road of deterioration in which life continuously worsens.

SOME STATISTICS

• Alcohol kills more teenagers than all other drugs combined.
• Alcohol is a factor in the causes of death among 15-24 year olds: accidents, homicides and suicides.
• Youth who drink are 7.5 times more likely to use other illegal drugs and 50 times more likely to use cocaine than young people who never drink.
• One survey found that 32% of the heavy drinkers over 12 were also illegal drug users.

SHORT –TERM EFFECTS

Depending how much is taken and the physical condition of the individual, alcohol can cause:
• Slurred speech
• Drowsiness
• Vomiting
• Diarrhea
• Upset stomach
• Headaches
• Breathing difficulties
• Distorted vision and hearing
• Impaired judgement
• Decreased perception and coordination
• Unconsciousness
• Anemia (loss of red blood cells)
• Coma
• Blackouts (memory losses, where the drinker cannot remember events that occurred while under the influence.

LONG – TERM EFFECTS

• Unintentional injuries such as car crash, falls, burns, drowning
• Intentional injuries such as firearm injuries, sexual assault, domestic violence
• Increased on-the-job injuries and loss of productivity
• Increased family problems, broken relationships
• Alcohol poisoning
• High blood pressure, stroke, and other heart-related diseases
• Liver disease
• Nerve damage
• Sexual problems
• Permanent damage to the brain
• Vitamin B deficiency, which can lead to a disorder characterised by amnesia, apathy and disorientation
• Ulcers
• Gastritis
• Malnutrition
• Cancer of the mouth and throat

Worried about teenage drinking? Click here for nine tips every parent should be aware of.

Posted with permission from the FOUNDATION FOR A DRUG FREE WORLD

Most of us are still deciphering what it means to be man; in this post feminist world, life is complex, even contradictory. Like women, guys today have more options for identity than ever before.

As men’s identities and experiences have become fragmented there is no set model or pathway to being a man. Here’s few from men 18 – 24 years of age….

• The Good Bloke: down-to-earth, genuine, always clear where they stand, holds family values. The envy of us all, we can only hope he has a short dick!

• The Larrikin: playful wisecracker, never to be taken seriously. Light hearted, frank and honest. The life of a party and most of us get there after a few schooners.

• The Wit Warrior: Uses humour to reveal the truth, provokes and challenges. Quick witted, socially informed and a little confrontational. The smart arse from school (and now work!)

• The Fly Guy: Confidence, creative flair, a sense of style, and refinement. Rarely found on the street, but easily identified in magazine spread sandr red carpets.

• Understated Power: Self-assured, yet not big noting. He’s well recognised, but not known. Cool, calm, collected with hidden depths. We all want to be this guy.

As a bloke gets older, they may better identify with one of these…

• Young Carefrees: Unlikely to have kids, digital native and very friend focused. You’ll see him at the pub mid week.

• Above Average Joes: Gets married and have kids, thrives as a modern father / husband, works hard for that work / life balance (who doesn’t). They embrace the progressive view of masculinity, incredibly time poor and struggle to find ‘me’ time. Surely he’s visited www.dadsclub.com.au

• Good Ol’ Boys: Traditional values of masculinity: rugged, stoic, pragmatic. Prefer their wives to earn less than them and probably have the lowest income out of all of their mates. About a third will have a role model and they apply a DIY approach to life. Probably not the type of guy you want your daughter to marry!

• Mac Daddies: The modern man who leads a busy life. Has non-traditional values; enjoys shopping and is conscious of his looks. Mostly professional, working long hours – these are high powered thinkers. You’re probably working for one!

• Worry Warriors: Feels that life is worse for them than their dads. Married life and kids stress them out. They’re into technology but feel this just adds to their stress. They want a role model and have trouble finding anyone to look up to them. Destined to have a mid-life crisis.

It is highly probable that most of us drift between a few of these identities pending the environment and mood that we are in. “Versatility is an attractive trait. Being versatile in different situations is regarded as a quality and the better you are at it, the more masculine you feel” said James Pike.

Be warned, adapting to a range of these identities can be annoying and dangerous. Be yourself and be aware of who you are not.

Research conducted by the consultancy Added Value; interviewed NSW men aged 18-24.
Identities 6 to 10 based on Men’s Segmentation Study undertaken by Men’s TV

Yes you are human!

Good on ya Thorpey, what a terrific precursor to your autobiography.

We hope it goes swell…you are not alone, we remember Libby Trickitt relaying her battle with depression in the lead up to this years London Olympics.

Some more info on talented dudes encountering depression.

THE swimmer Ian Thorpe, one of the most popular and successful sportsmen in Australian history, has spent much of his life battling crippling depression.

In his about-to-be-published autobiography, Thorpe revealed his illness was so severe that he considered suicide and planned specific places and ways to kill himself.

He also confessed to drinking huge quantities of alcohol to rid his head of terrible thoughts and to manage his moods.

”It was the only way I could get to sleep. It didn’t happen every night, but there were numerous occasions, particularly between 2002 and 2004 as I trained to defend my Olympic titles in Athens, that I abused myself this way – always alone and in a mist of disgrace,” he said.

Thorpe also met persistent questions about his sexuality head-on: ”For the record, I am not gay and all my sexual experiences have been straight. I’m attracted to women, I love children and aspire to have a family one day … I know what it’s like to grow up and be told what your sexuality is, then realising that it’s not the full reality. I was accused of being gay before I knew who I was.”

Read more:

Yes you are human!

Good on ya Thorpey, what a terrific precursor to your autobiography.

We hope it goes swell…you are not alone, we remember Libby Trickitt relaying her battle with depression in the lead up to this years London Olympics.

Some more info on talented dudes encountering depression.

THE swimmer Ian Thorpe, one of the most popular and successful sportsmen in Australian history, has spent much of his life battling crippling depression.

In his about-to-be-published autobiography, Thorpe revealed his illness was so severe that he considered suicide and planned specific places and ways to kill himself.

He also confessed to drinking huge quantities of alcohol to rid his head of terrible thoughts and to manage his moods.

”It was the only way I could get to sleep. It didn’t happen every night, but there were numerous occasions, particularly between 2002 and 2004 as I trained to defend my Olympic titles in Athens, that I abused myself this way – always alone and in a mist of disgrace,” he said.

Thorpe also met persistent questions about his sexuality head-on: ”For the record, I am not gay and all my sexual experiences have been straight. I’m attracted to women, I love children and aspire to have a family one day … I know what it’s like to grow up and be told what your sexuality is, then realising that it’s not the full reality. I was accused of being gay before I knew who I was.”

Read more:

Yes you are human!

Good on ya Thorpey, what a terrific precursor to your autobiography.

We hope it goes swell…you are not alone, we remember Libby Trickitt relaying her battle with depression in the lead up to this years London Olympics.

Some more info on talented dudes encountering depression.

THE swimmer Ian Thorpe, one of the most popular and successful sportsmen in Australian history, has spent much of his life battling crippling depression.

In his about-to-be-published autobiography, Thorpe revealed his illness was so severe that he considered suicide and planned specific places and ways to kill himself.

He also confessed to drinking huge quantities of alcohol to rid his head of terrible thoughts and to manage his moods.

”It was the only way I could get to sleep. It didn’t happen every night, but there were numerous occasions, particularly between 2002 and 2004 as I trained to defend my Olympic titles in Athens, that I abused myself this way – always alone and in a mist of disgrace,” he said.

Thorpe also met persistent questions about his sexuality head-on: ”For the record, I am not gay and all my sexual experiences have been straight. I’m attracted to women, I love children and aspire to have a family one day … I know what it’s like to grow up and be told what your sexuality is, then realising that it’s not the full reality. I was accused of being gay before I knew who I was.”

Read more:

Yes you are human!

Good on ya Thorpey, what a terrific precursor to your autobiography.

We hope it goes swell…you are not alone, we remember Libby Trickitt relaying her battle with depression in the lead up to this years London Olympics.

Some more info on talented dudes encountering depression.

THE swimmer Ian Thorpe, one of the most popular and successful sportsmen in Australian history, has spent much of his life battling crippling depression.

In his about-to-be-published autobiography, Thorpe revealed his illness was so severe that he considered suicide and planned specific places and ways to kill himself.

He also confessed to drinking huge quantities of alcohol to rid his head of terrible thoughts and to manage his moods.

”It was the only way I could get to sleep. It didn’t happen every night, but there were numerous occasions, particularly between 2002 and 2004 as I trained to defend my Olympic titles in Athens, that I abused myself this way – always alone and in a mist of disgrace,” he said.

Thorpe also met persistent questions about his sexuality head-on: ”For the record, I am not gay and all my sexual experiences have been straight. I’m attracted to women, I love children and aspire to have a family one day … I know what it’s like to grow up and be told what your sexuality is, then realising that it’s not the full reality. I was accused of being gay before I knew who I was.”

Read more:

Yes you are human!

Good on ya Thorpey, what a terrific precursor to your autobiography.

We hope it goes swell…you are not alone, we remember Libby Trickitt relaying her battle with depression in the lead up to this years London Olympics.

Some more info on talented dudes encountering depression.

THE swimmer Ian Thorpe, one of the most popular and successful sportsmen in Australian history, has spent much of his life battling crippling depression.

In his about-to-be-published autobiography, Thorpe revealed his illness was so severe that he considered suicide and planned specific places and ways to kill himself.

He also confessed to drinking huge quantities of alcohol to rid his head of terrible thoughts and to manage his moods.

”It was the only way I could get to sleep. It didn’t happen every night, but there were numerous occasions, particularly between 2002 and 2004 as I trained to defend my Olympic titles in Athens, that I abused myself this way – always alone and in a mist of disgrace,” he said.

Thorpe also met persistent questions about his sexuality head-on: ”For the record, I am not gay and all my sexual experiences have been straight. I’m attracted to women, I love children and aspire to have a family one day … I know what it’s like to grow up and be told what your sexuality is, then realising that it’s not the full reality. I was accused of being gay before I knew who I was.”

Read more:

Yes you are human!

Good on ya Thorpey, what a terrific precursor to your autobiography.

We hope it goes swell…you are not alone, we remember Libby Trickitt relaying her battle with depression in the lead up to this years London Olympics.

Some more info on talented dudes encountering depression.

THE swimmer Ian Thorpe, one of the most popular and successful sportsmen in Australian history, has spent much of his life battling crippling depression.

In his about-to-be-published autobiography, Thorpe revealed his illness was so severe that he considered suicide and planned specific places and ways to kill himself.

He also confessed to drinking huge quantities of alcohol to rid his head of terrible thoughts and to manage his moods.

”It was the only way I could get to sleep. It didn’t happen every night, but there were numerous occasions, particularly between 2002 and 2004 as I trained to defend my Olympic titles in Athens, that I abused myself this way – always alone and in a mist of disgrace,” he said.

Thorpe also met persistent questions about his sexuality head-on: ”For the record, I am not gay and all my sexual experiences have been straight. I’m attracted to women, I love children and aspire to have a family one day … I know what it’s like to grow up and be told what your sexuality is, then realising that it’s not the full reality. I was accused of being gay before I knew who I was.”

Read more:

Yes you are human!

Good on ya Thorpey, what a terrific precursor to your autobiography.

We hope is goes swell…you are not alone, we remember Libby Trickitt relaying her battle with depression in the lead up to this years London Olympics.

Some more info on talented dudes encountering depression.

THE swimmer Ian Thorpe, one of the most popular and successful sportsmen in Australian history, has spent much of his life battling crippling depression.

In his about-to-be-published autobiography, Thorpe revealed his illness was so severe that he considered suicide and planned specific places and ways to kill himself.

He also confessed to drinking huge quantities of alcohol to rid his head of terrible thoughts and to manage his moods.

”It was the only way I could get to sleep. It didn’t happen every night, but there were numerous occasions, particularly between 2002 and 2004 as I trained to defend my Olympic titles in Athens, that I abused myself this way – always alone and in a mist of disgrace,” he said.

Thorpe also met persistent questions about his sexuality head-on: ”For the record, I am not gay and all my sexual experiences have been straight. I’m attracted to women, I love children and aspire to have a family one day … I know what it’s like to grow up and be told what your sexuality is, then realising that it’s not the full reality. I was accused of being gay before I knew who I was.”

Read more:

Good on ya Thorpey, what a terrific precursor to your autobiography.

We hope is goes swell

Some more info on talented dudes encountering depression.

We remember Libby Trickitt relaying her battle with depression in the lead up to this years London Olympics.

Most of us are still deciphering what it means to be man; in this post feminist world, life is complex, even contradictory. Like women, guys today have more options for identity than ever before.

As men’s identities and experiences have become fragmented there is no set model or pathway to being a man. Here’s few from men 18 – 24 years of age….

• The Good Bloke: down-to-earth, genuine, always clear where they stand, holds family values. The envy of us all, we can only hope he has a short dick!

• The Larrikin: playful wisecracker, never to be taken seriously. Light hearted, frank and honest. The life of a party and most of us get there after a few schooners.

• The Wit Warrior: Uses humour to reveal the truth, provokes and challenges. Quick witted, socially informed and a little confrontational. The smart arse from school (and now work!)

• The Fly Guy: Confidence, creative flair, a sense of style, and refinement. Rarely found on the street, but easily identified in magazine spread sandr red carpets.

• Understated Power: Self-assured, yet not big noting. He’s well recognised, but not known. Cool, calm, collected with hidden depths. We all want to be this guy.

As a bloke gets older, they may better identify with one of these…

• Young Carefrees: Unlikely to have kids, digital native and very friend focused. You’ll see him at the pub mid week.

• Above Average Joes: Gets married and have kids, thrives as a modern father / husband, works hard for that work / life balance (who doesn’t). They embrace the progressive view of masculinity, incredibly time poor and struggle to find ‘me’ time. Surely he’s visited www.dadsclub.com.au

• Good Ol’ Boys: Traditional values of masculinity: rugged, stoic, pragmatic. Prefer their wives to earn less than them and probably have the lowest income out of all of their mates. About a third will have a role model and they apply a DIY approach to life. Probably not the type of guy you want your daughter to marry!

• Mac Daddies: The modern man who leads a busy life. Has non-traditional values; enjoys shopping and is conscious of his looks. Mostly professional, working long hours – these are high powered thinkers. You’re probably working for one!

• Worry Warriors: Feels that life is worse for them than their dads. Married life and kids stress them out. They’re into technology but feel this just adds to their stress. They want a role model and have trouble finding anyone to look up to them. Destined to have a mid-life crisis.

It is highly probable that most of us drift between a few of these identities pending the environment and mood that we are in. “Versatility is an attractive trait. Being versatile in different situations is regarded as a quality and the better you are at it, the more masculine you feel” said James Pike.

Be warned, adapting to a range of these identities can be annoying and dangerous. Be yourself and be aware of who you are not.

Research conducted by the consultancy Added Value; interviewed NSW men aged 18-24.
Identities 6 to 10 based on Men’s Segmentation Study undertaken by Men’s TV

Most of us are still deciphering what it means to be man; in this post feminist world, life is complex, even contradictory. Like women, guys today have more options for identity than ever before.

As men’s identities and experiences have become fragmented there is no set model or pathway to being a man. Here’s few from men 18 – 24 years of age….

• The Good Bloke: down-to-earth, genuine, always clear where they stand, holds family values. The envy of us all, we can only hope he has a short dick!

• The Larrikin: playful wisecracker, never to be taken seriously. Light hearted, frank and honest. The life of a party and most of us get there after a few schooners.

• The Wit Warrior: Uses humour to reveal the truth, provokes and challenges. Quick witted, socially informed and a little confrontational. The smart arse from school (and now work!)

• The Fly Guy: Confidence, creative flair, a sense of style, and refinement. Rarely found on the street, but easily identified in magazine spread sandr red carpets.

• Understated Power: Self-assured, yet not big noting. He’s well recognised, but not known. Cool, calm, collected with hidden depths. We all want to be this guy.

As a bloke gets older, they may better identify with one of these…

• Young Carefrees: Unlikely to have kids, digital native and very friend focused. You’ll see him at the pub mid week.

• Above Average Joes: Gets married and have kids, thrives as a modern father / husband, works hard for that work / life balance (who doesn’t). They embrace the progressive view of masculinity, incredibly time poor and struggle to find ‘me’ time. Surely he’s visited www.dadsclub.com.au

• Good Ol’ Boys: Traditional values of masculinity: rugged, stoic, pragmatic. Prefer their wives to earn less than them and probably have the lowest income out of all of their mates. About a third will have a role model and they apply a DIY approach to life. Probably not the type of guy you want your daughter to marry!

• Mac Daddies: The modern man who leads a busy life. Has non-traditional values; enjoys shopping and is conscious of his looks. Mostly professional, working long hours – these are high powered thinkers. You’re probably working for one!

• Worry Warriors: Feels that life is worse for them than their dads. Married life and kids stress them out. They’re into technology but feel this just adds to their stress. They want a role model and have trouble finding anyone to look up to them. Destined to have a mid-life crisis.

It is highly probable that most of us drift between a few of these identities pending the environment and mood that we are in. “Versatility is an attractive trait. Being versatile in different situations is regarded as a quality and the better you are at it, the more masculine you feel” said James Pike.

Be warned, adapting to a range of these identities can be annoying and dangerous. Be yourself and be aware of who you are not.

Research conducted by the consultancy Added Value; interviewed NSW men aged 18-24.
Identities 6 to 10 based on Men’s Segmentation Study undertaken by Men’s TV

Most of us are still deciphering what it means to be man; in this post feminist world, life is complex, even contradictory. Like women, guys today have more options for identity than ever before.

As men’s identities and experiences have become fragmented there is no set model or pathway to being a man. Here’s few from men 18 – 24 years of age….

• The Good Bloke: down-to-earth, genuine, always clear where they stand, holds family values. The envy of us all, we can only hope he has a short dick!

• The Larrikin: playful wisecracker, never to be taken seriously. Light hearted, frank and honest. The life of a party and most of us get there after a few schooners.

• The Wit Warrior: Uses humour to reveal the truth, provokes and challenges. Quick witted, socially informed and a little confrontational. The smart arse from school (and now work!)

• The Fly Guy: Confidence, creative flair, a sense of style, and refinement. Rarely found on the street, but easily identified in magazine spread sandr red carpets.

• Understated Power: Self-assured, yet not big noting. He’s well recognised, but not known. Cool, calm, collected with hidden depths. We all want to be this guy.

As a bloke gets older, they may better identify with one of these…

• Young Carefrees: Unlikely to have kids, digital native and very friend focused. You’ll see him at the pub mid week.

• Above Average Joes: Gets married and have kids, thrives as a modern father / husband, works hard for that work / life balance (who doesn’t). They embrace the progressive view of masculinity, incredibly time poor and struggle to find ‘me’ time. Surely he’s visited www.dadsclub.com.au

• Good Ol’ Boys: Traditional values of masculinity: rugged, stoic, pragmatic. Prefer their wives to earn less than them and probably have the lowest income out of all of their mates. About a third will have a role model and they apply a DIY approach to life. Probably not the type of guy you want your daughter to marry!

• Mac Daddies: The modern man who leads a busy life. Has non-traditional values; enjoys shopping and is conscious of his looks. Mostly professional, working long hours – these are high powered thinkers. You’re probably working for one!

• Worry Warriors: Feels that life is worse for them than their dads. Married life and kids stress them out. They’re into technology but feel this just adds to their stress. They want a role model and have trouble finding anyone to look up to them. Destined to have a mid-life crisis.

It is highly probable that most of us drift between a few of these identities pending the environment and mood that we are in. “Versatility is an attractive trait. Being versatile in different situations is regarded as a quality and the better you are at it, the more masculine you feel” said James Pike.

Be warned, adapting to a range of these identities can be annoying and dangerous. Be yourself and be aware of who you are not.

Research conducted by the consultancy Added Value; interviewed NSW men aged 18-24.
Identities 6 to 10 based on Men’s Segmentation Study undertaken by Men’s TV

Most of us are still deciphering what it means to be man; in this post feminist world, life is complex, even contradictory. Like women, guys today have more options for identity than ever before.

As men’s identities and experiences have become fragmented there is no set model or pathway to being a man. Here’s few from men 18 – 24 years of age….

• The Good Bloke: down-to-earth, genuine, always clear where they stand, holds family values. The envy of us all, we can only hope he has a short dick!

• The Larrikin: playful wisecracker, never to be taken seriously. Light hearted, frank and honest. The life of a party and most of us get there after a few schooners.

• The Wit Warrior: Uses humour to reveal the truth, provokes and challenges. Quick witted, socially informed and a little confrontational. The smart arse from school (and now work!)

• The Fly Guy: Confidence, creative flair, a sense of style, and refinement. Rarely found on the street, but easily identified in magazine spread sandr red carpets.

• Understated Power: Self-assured, yet not big noting. He’s well recognised, but not known. Cool, calm, collected with hidden depths. We all want to be this guy.

As a bloke gets older, they may better identify with one of these…

• Young Carefrees: Unlikely to have kids, digital native and very friend focused. You’ll see him at the pub mid week.

• Above Average Joes: Gets married and have kids, thrives as a modern father / husband, works hard for that work / life balance (who doesn’t). They embrace the progressive view of masculinity, incredibly time poor and struggle to find ‘me’ time. Surely he’s visited www.dadsclub.com.au

• Good Ol’ Boys: Traditional values of masculinity: rugged, stoic, pragmatic. Prefer their wives to earn less than them and probably have the lowest income out of all of their mates. About a third will have a role model and they apply a DIY approach to life. Probably not the type of guy you want your daughter to marry!

• Mac Daddies: The modern man who leads a busy life. Has non-traditional values; enjoys shopping and is conscious of his looks. Mostly professional, working long hours – these are high powered thinkers. You’re probably working for one!

• Worry Warriors: Feels that life is worse for them than their dads. Married life and kids stress them out. They’re into technology but feel this just adds to their stress. They want a role model and have trouble finding anyone to look up to them. Destined to have a mid-life crisis.

It is highly probable that most of us drift between a few of these identities pending the environment and mood that we are in. “Versatility is an attractive trait. Being versatile in different situations is regarded as a quality and the better you are at it, the more masculine you feel” said James Pike.

Be warned, adapting to a range of these identities can be annoying and dangerous. Be yourself and be aware of who you are not.

Research conducted by the consultancy Added Value; interviewed NSW men aged 18-24.
Identities 6 to 10 based on Men’s Segmentation Study undertaken by Men’s TV

Most of us are still deciphering what it means to be man; in this post feminist world, life is complex, even contradictory. Like women, guys today have more options for identity than ever before.

As men’s identities and experiences have become fragmented there is no set model or pathway to being a man. Here’s few from men 18 – 24 years of age….

• The Good Bloke: down-to-earth, genuine, always clear where they stand, holds family values. The envy of us all, we can only hope he has a short dick!

• The Larrikin: playful wisecracker, never to be taken seriously. Light hearted, frank and honest. The life of a party and most of us get there after a few schooners.

• The Wit Warrior: Uses humour to reveal the truth, provokes and challenges. Quick witted, socially informed and a little confrontational. The smart arse from school (and now work!)

• The Fly Guy: Confidence, creative flair, a sense of style, and refinement. Rarely found on the street, but easily identified in magazine spread sandr red carpets.

• Understated Power: Self-assured, yet not big noting. He’s well recognised, but not known. Cool, calm, collected with hidden depths. We all want to be this guy.

As a bloke gets older, they may better identify with one of these…

• Young Carefrees: Unlikely to have kids, digital native and very friend focused. You’ll see him at the pub mid week.

• Above Average Joes: Gets married and have kids, thrives as a modern father / husband, works hard for that work / life balance (who doesn’t). They embrace the progressive view of masculinity, incredibly time poor and struggle to find ‘me’ time. Surely he’s visited www.dadsclub.com.au

• Good Ol’ Boys: Traditional values of masculinity: rugged, stoic, pragmatic. Prefer their wives to earn less than them and probably have the lowest income out of all of their mates. About a third will have a role model and they apply a DIY approach to life. Probably not the type of guy you want your daughter to marry!

• Mac Daddies: The modern man who leads a busy life. Has non-traditional values; enjoys shopping and is conscious of his looks. Mostly professional, working long hours – these are high powered thinkers. You’re probably working for one!

• Worry Warriors: Feels that life is worse for them than their dads. Married life and kids stress them out. They’re into technology but feel this just adds to their stress. They want a role model and have trouble finding anyone to look up to them. Destined to have a mid-life crisis.

It is highly probable that most of us drift between a few of these identities pending the environment and mood that we are in. “Versatility is an attractive trait. Being versatile in different situations is regarded as a quality and the better you are at it, the more masculine you feel” said James Pike.

Be warned, adapting to a range of these identities can be annoying and dangerous. Be yourself and be aware of who you are not.

Research conducted by the consultancy Added Value; interviewed NSW men aged 18-24.
Identities 6 to 10 based on Men’s Segmentation Study undertaken by Men’s TV

Most of us are still deciphering what it means to be man; in this post feminist world, life is complex, even contradictory. Like women, guys today have more options for identity than ever before.

As men’s identities and experiences have become fragmented there is no set model or pathway to being a man. Here’s few from men 18 – 24 years of age….

• The Good Bloke: down-to-earth, genuine, always clear where they stand, holds family values. The envy of us all, we can only hope he has a short dick!

• The Larrikin: playful wisecracker, never to be taken seriously. Light hearted, frank and honest. The life of a party and most of us get there after a few schooners.

• The Wit Warrior: Uses humour to reveal the truth, provokes and challenges. Quick witted, socially informed and a little confrontational. The smart arse from school (and now work!)

• The Fly Guy: Confidence, creative flair, a sense of style, and refinement. Rarely found on the street, but easily identified in magazine spread sandr red carpets.

• Understated Power: Self-assured, yet not big noting. He’s well recognised, but not known. Cool, calm, collected with hidden depths. We all want to be this guy.

As a bloke gets older, they may better identify with one of these…

• Young Carefrees: Unlikely to have kids, digital native and very friend focused. You’ll see him at the pub mid week.

• Above Average Joes: Gets married and have kids, thrives as a modern father / husband, works hard for that work / life balance (who doesn’t). They embrace the progressive view of masculinity, incredibly time poor and struggle to find ‘me’ time. Surely he’s visited www.dadsclub.com.au

• Good Ol’ Boys: Traditional values of masculinity: rugged, stoic, pragmatic. Prefer their wives to earn less than them and probably have the lowest income out of all of their mates. About a third will have a role model and they apply a DIY approach to life. Probably not the type of guy you want your daughter to marry!

• Mac Daddies: The modern man who leads a busy life. Has non-traditional values; enjoys shopping and is conscious of his looks. Mostly professional, working long hours – these are high powered thinkers. You’re probably working for one!

• Worry Warriors: Feels that life is worse for them than their dads. Married life and kids stress them out. They’re into technology but feel this just adds to their stress. They want a role model and have trouble finding anyone to look up to them. Destined to have a mid-life crisis.

It is highly probable that most of us drift between a few of these identities pending the environment and mood that we are in. “Versatility is an attractive trait. Being versatile in different situations is regarded as a quality and the better you are at it, the more masculine you feel” said James Pike.

Be warned, adapting to a range of these identities can be annoying and dangerous. Be yourself and be aware of who you are not.

Research conducted by the consultancy Added Value; interviewed NSW men aged 18-24.
Identities 6 to 10 based on Men’s Segmentation Study undertaken by Men’s TV

Most of us are still deciphering what it means to be man; in this post feminist world, life is complex, even contradictory. Like women, guys today have more options for identity than ever before.

As men’s identities and experiences have become fragmented there is no set model or pathway to being a man. Here’s few from men 18 – 24 years of age….

• The Good Bloke: down-to-earth, genuine, always clear where they stand, holds family values. The envy of us all, we can only hope he has a short dick!

• The Larrikin: playful wisecracker, never to be taken seriously. Light hearted, frank and honest. The life of a party and most of us get there after a few schooners.

• The Wit Warrior: Uses humour to reveal the truth, provokes and challenges. Quick witted, socially informed and a little confrontational. The smart arse from school (and now work!)

• The Fly Guy: Confidence, creative flair, a sense of style, and refinement. Rarely found on the street, but easily identified in magazine spread sandr red carpets.

• Understated Power: Self-assured, yet not big noting. He’s well recognised, but not known. Cool, calm, collected with hidden depths. We all want to be this guy.

As a bloke gets older, they may better identify with one of these…

• Young Carefrees: Unlikely to have kids, digital native and very friend focused. You’ll see him at the pub mid week.

• Above Average Joes: Gets married and have kids, thrives as a modern father / husband, works hard for that work / life balance (who doesn’t). They embrace the progressive view of masculinity, incredibly time poor and struggle to find ‘me’ time. Surely he’s visited www.dadsclub.com.au

• Good Ol’ Boys: Traditional values of masculinity: rugged, stoic, pragmatic. Prefer their wives to earn less than them and probably have the lowest income out of all of their mates. About a third will have a role model and they apply a DIY approach to life. Probably not the type of guy you want your daughter to marry!

• Mac Daddies: The modern man who leads a busy life. Has non-traditional values; enjoys shopping and is conscious of his looks. Mostly professional, working long hours – these are high powered thinkers. You’re probably working for one!

• Worry Warriors: Feels that life is worse for them than their dads. Married life and kids stress them out. They’re into technology but feel this just adds to their stress. They want a role model and have trouble finding anyone to look up to them. Destined to have a mid-life crisis.

It is highly probable that most of us drift between a few of these identities pending the environment and mood that we are in. “Versatility is an attractive trait. Being versatile in different situations is regarded as a quality and the better you are at it, the more masculine you feel” said James Pike.

Be warned, adapting to a range of these identities can be annoying and dangerous. Be yourself and be aware of who you are not.

Research conducted by the consultancy Added Value; interviewed NSW men aged 18-24.
Identities 6 to 10 based on Men’s Segmentation Study undertaken by Men’s TV

Most of us are still deciphering what it means to be man; in this post feminist world, life is complex, even contradictory. Like women, guys today have more options for identity than ever before.

As men’s identities and experiences have become fragmented there is no set model or pathway to being a man. Here’s few from men 18 – 24 years of age….

• The Good Bloke: down-to-earth, genuine, always clear where they stand, holds family values. The envy of us all, we can only hope he has a short dick!

• The Larrikin: playful wisecracker, never to be taken seriously. Light hearted, frank and honest. The life of a party and most of us get there after a few schooners.

• The Wit Warrior: Uses humour to reveal the truth, provokes and challenges. Quick witted, socially informed and a little confrontational. The smart arse from school (and now work!)

• The Fly Guy: Confidence, creative flair, a sense of style, and refinement. Rarely found on the street, but easily identified in magazine spread sandr red carpets.

• Understated Power: Self-assured, yet not big noting. He’s well recognised, but not known. Cool, calm, collected with hidden depths. We all want to be this guy.

As a bloke gets older, they may better identify with one of these…

• Young Carefrees: Unlikely to have kids, digital native and very friend focused. You’ll see him at the pub mid week.

• Above Average Joes: Gets married and have kids, thrives as a modern father / husband, works hard for that work / life balance (who doesn’t). They embrace the progressive view of masculinity, incredibly time poor and struggle to find ‘me’ time. Surely he’s visited www.dadsclub.com.au

• Good Ol’ Boys: Traditional values of masculinity: rugged, stoic, pragmatic. Prefer their wives to earn less than them and probably have the lowest income out of all of their mates. About a third will have a role model and they apply a DIY approach to life. Probably not the type of guy you want your daughter to marry!

• Mac Daddies: The modern man who leads a busy life. Has non-traditional values; enjoys shopping and is conscious of his looks. Mostly professional, working long hours – these are high powered thinkers. You’re probably working for one!

• Worry Warriors: Feels that life is worse for them than their dads. Married life and kids stress them out. They’re into technology but feel this just adds to their stress. They want a role model and have trouble finding anyone to look up to them. Destined to have a mid-life crisis.

It is highly probable that most of us drift between a few of these identities pending the environment and mood that we are in. “Versatility is an attractive trait. Being versatile in different situations is regarded as a quality and the better you are at it, the more masculine you feel” said James Pike.

Be warned, adapting to a range of these identities can be annoying and dangerous. Be yourself and be aware of who you are not.

Research conducted by the consultancy Added Value; interviewed NSW men aged 18-24.
Identities 6 to 10 based on Men’s Segmentation Study undertaken by Men’s TV

Most of us are still deciphering what it means to be man; in this post feminist world, life is complex, even contradictory. Like women, guys today have more options for identity than ever before.

As men’s identities and experiences have become fragmented there is no set model or pathway to being a man. Here’s few from men 18 – 24 years of age….

• The Good Bloke: down-to-earth, genuine, always clear where they stand, holds family values. The envy of us all, we can only hope he has a short dick!

• The Larrikin: playful wisecracker, never to be taken seriously. Light hearted, frank and honest. The life of a party and most of us get there after a few schooners.

• The Wit Warrior: Uses humour to reveal the truth, provokes and challenges. Quick witted, socially informed and a little confrontational. The smart arse from school (and now work!)

• The Fly Guy: Confidence, creative flair, a sense of style, and refinement. Rarely found on the street, but easily identified in magazine spread sandr red carpets.

• Understated Power: Self-assured, yet not big noting. He’s well recognised, but not known. Cool, calm, collected with hidden depths. We all want to be this guy.

As a bloke gets older, they may better identify with one of these…

• Young Carefrees: Unlikely to have kids, digital native and very friend focused. You’ll see him at the pub mid week.

• Above Average Joes: Gets married and have kids, thrives as a modern father / husband, works hard for that work / life balance (who doesn’t). They embrace the progressive view of masculinity, incredibly time poor and struggle to find ‘me’ time. Surely he’s visited www.dadsclub.com.au

• Good Ol’ Boys: Traditional values of masculinity: rugged, stoic, pragmatic. Prefer their wives to earn less than them and probably have the lowest income out of all of their mates. About a third will have a role model and they apply a DIY approach to life. Probably not the type of guy you want your daughter to marry!

• Mac Daddies: The modern man who leads a busy life. Has non-traditional values; enjoys shopping and is conscious of his looks. Mostly professional, working long hours – these are high powered thinkers. You’re probably working for one!

• Worry Warriors: Feels that life is worse for them than their dads. Married life and kids stress them out. They’re into technology but feel this just adds to their stress. They want a role model and have trouble finding anyone to look up to them. Destined to have a mid-life crisis.

It is highly probable that most of us drift between a few of these identities pending the environment and mood that we are in. “Versatility is an attractive trait. Being versatile in different situations is regarded as a quality and the better you are at it, the more masculine you feel” said James Pike.

Be warned, adapting to a range of these identities can be annoying and dangerous. Be yourself and be aware of who you are not.

Research conducted by the consultancy Added Value; interviewed NSW men aged 18-24.
Identities 6 to 10 based on Men’s Segmentation Study undertaken by Men’s TV

The arguments for  circumcision appear to be quarantined to reduced chance of sexual infections (STIs) and religious conformity (Jews & Muslims).

The risks include: pain, surgical mishap or complications, and decreased sexual pleasure.

Irrespective of what opinion you follow, it appears the trend is to avoid, what could only be described as THE most UNPLEASANT cut- OUCH!!!!

In 1950, 90% of us fellas had the little fella topped (or should I say chopped off) by the 1980’s that reduced to 40% and today it is merely 10-15%.

There is mounting evidence that the procedure can prevent the spread of STIs and HIV, it can reduce the spread of penile cancer and protects against urinary tract infections in infants.

Starting to change your mind?

The Royal Australasian College of Physicians says the potential complications of the surgery and anesthesia, such as infections and bleeding, mean any benefits “do not warrant a recommendation of universal circumcision and infant males.”

Even if you do decide on this procedure, you may find it hard to get one, as circumcisions are not performed in most Australian public hospitals unless there is a medical need.

If you want your boy to have more in common with his peers, it probably makes sense to go with the trend of avoiding the cut unless it is medically or religiously required.

Obviously see your doctor if you have any questions. If you want more info on circumcision, email us at dads@dadsclub.com.au

The arguments for  circumcision appear to be quarantined to reduced chance of sexual infections (STIs) and religious conformity (Jews & Muslims).

The risks include: pain, surgical mishap or complications, and decreased sexual pleasure.

Irrespective of what opinion you follow, it appears the trend is to avoid, what could only be described as THE most UNPLEASANT cut- OUCH!!!!

In 1950, 90% of us fellas had the little fella topped (or should I say chopped off) by the 1980’s that reduced to 40% and today it is merely 10-15%.

There is mounting evidence that the procedure can prevent the spread of STIs and HIV, it can reduce the spread of penile cancer and protects against urinary tract infections in infants.

Starting to change your mind?

The Royal Australasian College of Physicians says the potential complications of the surgery and anesthesia, such as infections and bleeding, mean any benefits “do not warrant a recommendation of universal circumcision and infant males.”

Even if you do decide on this procedure, you may find it hard to get one, as circumcisions are not performed in most Australian public hospitals unless there is a medical need.

If you want your boy to have more in common with his peers, it probably makes sense to go with the trend of avoiding the cut unless it is medically or religiously required.

Obviously see your doctor if you have any questions. If you want more info on circumcision, email us at dads@dadsclub.com.au

Sydney’s Daily Tele, today,  claims to have lifted the lid on what some HSC students are using to stimulate study:

1. Caffeine pills (we remember reports of some  Wallabies doing this pre match!!!)

2. Green Tea: (I wouldn’t worry and hope they meditate)

3. Home-made ice -tea (preferably not while watching master chef)

4. Energy drinks (high in saly but if it’s after a work-out why worry?)

5. Modafinil (prescribed for sleep disorders, check the meds cabinet and check in with your local GP)

6. Dexamphetamine (prescribed for ADHD)

7. Milk tea ( civilised)

8. Raw juice ( go for it)

9. Egg yolks (can someone let us know what this does)

10. No-doz (caffeine tablet, keep them away from truckies)

11. Cocaine (where do they the money from to do this?

12. Concerta (prescribed for ADHD)

13. Ritalin (prescribed for ADHD)

14. DMT ( hallucinogenic drug)

We’re blown away by this list and hope this is merely some tabloid beat-up.

See below for Drug help in Australia.

Drugs have been part of our culture since the middle of the last century. Popularised in the 1960s by music and mass media, they invade all aspects of society.

An estimated 208 million people internationally consume illegal drugs. In the United States, results from the 2007 National Survey on Drug Use and Health showed that 19.9 million Americans (or 8% of the population aged 12 or older) used illegal drugs in the month prior to the survey.

You probably know someone who has been affected by drugs, directly or indirectly.

The most commonly used—and abused—drug in the US is alcohol. Alcohol-related motor accidents are the second leading cause of teen death in the United States.

The most commonly used illegal drug is marijuana. According to the United Nations 2008 World Drug Report, about 3.9% of the world’s population between the ages of 15 and 64 abuse marijuana.

Young people today are exposed earlier than ever to drugs. Based on a survey by the Centers for Disease Control in 2007, 45% of high school students nationwide drank alcohol and 19.7% smoked pot during a one-month period.

In Europe, recent studies among 15- and 16-year-olds suggest that use of marijuana varies from under 10% to over 40%, with the highest rates reported by teens in the Czech Republic (44%), followed by Ireland (39%), the UK (38%) and France (38%). In Spain and the United Kingdom, cocaine use among 15- to 16-year-olds is 4% to 6%. Cocaine use among young people has risen in Denmark, Italy, Spain, UK, Norway and France.

WHY DO PEOPLE TAKE DRUGS?

People take drugs because they want to change something about their lives.

Here are some of the reasons young people have given for taking drugs:

• To fit in
• To escape or relax
• To relieve boredom
• To seem grown up
• To rebel
• To experiment

They think drugs are a solution. But eventually, the drugs become the problem.

Difficult as it may be to face one’s problems, the consequences of drug use are always worse than the problem one is trying to solve with them. The real answer is to get the facts and not to take drugs in the first place.

HOW DO DRUGS WORK?

Drugs are essentially poisons. The amount taken determines the effect.

A small amount acts as a stimulant (speeds you up). A greater amount acts as a sedative (slows you down). An even larger amount poisons and can kill.

This is true of any drug. Only the amount needed to achieve the effect differs.

Drugs block off all sensations, the desirable ones with the unwanted. So, while providing short-term help in the relief of pain, they also wipe out ability and alertness and muddy one’s thinking.

Medicines are drugs that are intended to speed up or slow down or change something about the way your body is working, to try to make it work better. Sometimes they are necessary. But they are still drugs: they act as stimulants or sedatives, and too much can kill you. So if you do not use medicines as they are supposed to be used, they can be as dangerous as illegal drugs.

DRUGS AFFECT THE MIND

Normally, when a person remembers something, the mind is very fast and information comes to him quickly. But drugs blur memory, causing blank spots. When a person tries to get information through this cloudy mess, he can’t do it. Drugs make a person feel slow or stupid and cause him to have failures in life. And as he has more failures and life gets harder, he wants more drugs to help him deal with the problem.

DRUGS DESTROY CREATIVITY

One lie told about drugs is that they help a person become more creative. The truth is quite different.

Someone who is sad might use drugs to get a feeling of happiness, but it does not work. Drugs can lift a person into a fake kind of cheerfulness, but when the drug wears off, he or she crashes even lower than before. And each time, the emotional plunge is lower and lower. Eventually, drugs will completely destroy all the creativity a person has.

Taken with permission from DrugFreeWorld

DRUG HELP IN AUSTRALIA

• ACT
• NSW
• NT
• Qld
• SA
• Tas.
• Vic
• WA

Get the facts on marijuana, hash

Sydney’s Daily Tele, today,  has lifted the lids on what some HSC students are using to stimulate study:

1. Caffeine pills (we remember reports of some  Wallabies doing this pre match!!!)

2. Green Tea: (I wouldn’t worry and hope they meditate)

3. Home-made ice -tea (preferably not while watching master chef)

4. Energy drinks (high in saly but if it’s after a work-out why worry?)

5. Modafinil (prescribed for sleep disorders, check the meds cabinet and check in with your local GP)

6. Dexamphetamine (prescribed for ADHD)

7. Milk tea ( civilised)

8. Raw juice ( go for it)

9. Egg yolks (can someone let us know what this does)

10. No-doz (caffeine tablet, keep them away from truckies)

11. Cocaine (where do they the money from to do this?

12. Concerta (prescribed for ADHD)

13. Ritalin (prescribed for ADHD)

14. DMT ( hallucinogenic drug)

We’re blown away by this list and hope this is merely some tabloid beat-up.

See below for Drug help in Australia.

Drugs have been part of our culture since the middle of the last century. Popularised in the 1960s by music and mass media, they invade all aspects of society.

An estimated 208 million people internationally consume illegal drugs. In the United States, results from the 2007 National Survey on Drug Use and Health showed that 19.9 million Americans (or 8% of the population aged 12 or older) used illegal drugs in the month prior to the survey.

You probably know someone who has been affected by drugs, directly or indirectly.

The most commonly used—and abused—drug in the US is alcohol. Alcohol-related motor accidents are the second leading cause of teen death in the United States.

The most commonly used illegal drug is marijuana. According to the United Nations 2008 World Drug Report, about 3.9% of the world’s population between the ages of 15 and 64 abuse marijuana.

Young people today are exposed earlier than ever to drugs. Based on a survey by the Centers for Disease Control in 2007, 45% of high school students nationwide drank alcohol and 19.7% smoked pot during a one-month period.

In Europe, recent studies among 15- and 16-year-olds suggest that use of marijuana varies from under 10% to over 40%, with the highest rates reported by teens in the Czech Republic (44%), followed by Ireland (39%), the UK (38%) and France (38%). In Spain and the United Kingdom, cocaine use among 15- to 16-year-olds is 4% to 6%. Cocaine use among young people has risen in Denmark, Italy, Spain, UK, Norway and France.

WHY DO PEOPLE TAKE DRUGS?

People take drugs because they want to change something about their lives.

Here are some of the reasons young people have given for taking drugs:

• To fit in
• To escape or relax
• To relieve boredom
• To seem grown up
• To rebel
• To experiment

They think drugs are a solution. But eventually, the drugs become the problem.

Difficult as it may be to face one’s problems, the consequences of drug use are always worse than the problem one is trying to solve with them. The real answer is to get the facts and not to take drugs in the first place.

HOW DO DRUGS WORK?

Drugs are essentially poisons. The amount taken determines the effect.

A small amount acts as a stimulant (speeds you up). A greater amount acts as a sedative (slows you down). An even larger amount poisons and can kill.

This is true of any drug. Only the amount needed to achieve the effect differs.

Drugs block off all sensations, the desirable ones with the unwanted. So, while providing short-term help in the relief of pain, they also wipe out ability and alertness and muddy one’s thinking.

Medicines are drugs that are intended to speed up or slow down or change something about the way your body is working, to try to make it work better. Sometimes they are necessary. But they are still drugs: they act as stimulants or sedatives, and too much can kill you. So if you do not use medicines as they are supposed to be used, they can be as dangerous as illegal drugs.

DRUGS AFFECT THE MIND

Normally, when a person remembers something, the mind is very fast and information comes to him quickly. But drugs blur memory, causing blank spots. When a person tries to get information through this cloudy mess, he can’t do it. Drugs make a person feel slow or stupid and cause him to have failures in life. And as he has more failures and life gets harder, he wants more drugs to help him deal with the problem.

DRUGS DESTROY CREATIVITY

One lie told about drugs is that they help a person become more creative. The truth is quite different.

Someone who is sad might use drugs to get a feeling of happiness, but it does not work. Drugs can lift a person into a fake kind of cheerfulness, but when the drug wears off, he or she crashes even lower than before. And each time, the emotional plunge is lower and lower. Eventually, drugs will completely destroy all the creativity a person has.

Taken with permission from DrugFreeWorld

DRUG HELP IN AUSTRALIA

• ACT
• NSW
• NT
• Qld
• SA
• Tas.
• Vic
• WA

Get the facts on marijuana, hash

Sydney’s Daily Tele, today,  has lifted the lids on what some HSC students are using to stimulate study:

1. Caffeine pills (we remember reports of some  Wallabies doing this pre match!!!)

2. Green Tea: (I wouldn’t worry and hope they meditate)

3. Home-made ice -tea (preferably not while watching master chef)

4. Energy drinks (high in saly but if it’s after a work-out why worry?)

5. Modafinil (prescribed for sleep disorders, check the meds cabinet and check in with your local GP)

6. Dexamphetamine (prescribed for ADHD)

7. Milk tea ( civilised)

8. Raw juice ( go for it)

9. Egg yolks (can someone let us know what this does)

10. No-doz (caffeine tablet, keep them away from truckies)

11. Cocaine (where do they the money from to do this?

12. Concerta (prescribed for ADHD)

13. Ritalin (prescribed for ADHD)

14. DMT ( hallucinogenic drug)

We’re blown away by this list and hope this is merely some tabloid beat-up.

See below for Drug help in Australia.

Drugs have been part of our culture since the middle of the last century. Popularised in the 1960s by music and mass media, they invade all aspects of society.

An estimated 208 million people internationally consume illegal drugs. In the United States, results from the 2007 National Survey on Drug Use and Health showed that 19.9 million Americans (or 8% of the population aged 12 or older) used illegal drugs in the month prior to the survey.

You probably know someone who has been affected by drugs, directly or indirectly.

The most commonly used—and abused—drug in the US is alcohol. Alcohol-related motor accidents are the second leading cause of teen death in the United States.

The most commonly used illegal drug is marijuana. According to the United Nations 2008 World Drug Report, about 3.9% of the world’s population between the ages of 15 and 64 abuse marijuana.

Young people today are exposed earlier than ever to drugs. Based on a survey by the Centers for Disease Control in 2007, 45% of high school students nationwide drank alcohol and 19.7% smoked pot during a one-month period.

In Europe, recent studies among 15- and 16-year-olds suggest that use of marijuana varies from under 10% to over 40%, with the highest rates reported by teens in the Czech Republic (44%), followed by Ireland (39%), the UK (38%) and France (38%). In Spain and the United Kingdom, cocaine use among 15- to 16-year-olds is 4% to 6%. Cocaine use among young people has risen in Denmark, Italy, Spain, UK, Norway and France.

WHY DO PEOPLE TAKE DRUGS?

People take drugs because they want to change something about their lives.

Here are some of the reasons young people have given for taking drugs:

• To fit in
• To escape or relax
• To relieve boredom
• To seem grown up
• To rebel
• To experiment

They think drugs are a solution. But eventually, the drugs become the problem.

Difficult as it may be to face one’s problems, the consequences of drug use are always worse than the problem one is trying to solve with them. The real answer is to get the facts and not to take drugs in the first place.

HOW DO DRUGS WORK?

Drugs are essentially poisons. The amount taken determines the effect.

A small amount acts as a stimulant (speeds you up). A greater amount acts as a sedative (slows you down). An even larger amount poisons and can kill.

This is true of any drug. Only the amount needed to achieve the effect differs.

Drugs block off all sensations, the desirable ones with the unwanted. So, while providing short-term help in the relief of pain, they also wipe out ability and alertness and muddy one’s thinking.

Medicines are drugs that are intended to speed up or slow down or change something about the way your body is working, to try to make it work better. Sometimes they are necessary. But they are still drugs: they act as stimulants or sedatives, and too much can kill you. So if you do not use medicines as they are supposed to be used, they can be as dangerous as illegal drugs.

DRUGS AFFECT THE MIND

Normally, when a person remembers something, the mind is very fast and information comes to him quickly. But drugs blur memory, causing blank spots. When a person tries to get information through this cloudy mess, he can’t do it. Drugs make a person feel slow or stupid and cause him to have failures in life. And as he has more failures and life gets harder, he wants more drugs to help him deal with the problem.

DRUGS DESTROY CREATIVITY

One lie told about drugs is that they help a person become more creative. The truth is quite different.

Someone who is sad might use drugs to get a feeling of happiness, but it does not work. Drugs can lift a person into a fake kind of cheerfulness, but when the drug wears off, he or she crashes even lower than before. And each time, the emotional plunge is lower and lower. Eventually, drugs will completely destroy all the creativity a person has.

Taken with permission from DrugFreeWorld

DRUG HELP IN AUSTRALIA

• ACT
• NSW
• NT
• Qld
• SA
• Tas.
• Vic
• WA

Get the facts on marijuana, hash

Sydney’s Daily Tele, today,  has lifted the lids on what some HSC students are using to stimulate study:

1. Caffeine pills (we remember reports of some  Wallabies doing this pre match!!!)

2. Green Tea: (I wouldn’t worry and hope they meditate)

3. Home-made ice -tea (preferably not while watching master chef)

4. Energy drinks (high in saly but if it’s after a work-out why worry?)

5. Modafinil (prescribed for sleep disorders, check the meds cabinet and check in with your local GP)

6. Dexamphetamine (prescribed for ADHD)

7. Milk tea ( civilised)

8. Raw juice ( go for it)

9. Egg yolks (can someone let us know what this does)

10. No-doz (caffeine tablet, keep them away from truckies)

11. Cocaine (where do they the money from to do this?

12. Concerta (prescribed for ADHD)

13. Ritalin (prescribed for ADHD)

14. DMT ( hallucinogenic drug)

We’re blwon away by this list and hope this is merely some tabloid If little Johnny has lost his appetite, looking rough and more moody than usual,

See below for Drug help in Australia.

Drugs have been part of our culture since the middle of the last century. Popularised in the 1960s by music and mass media, they invade all aspects of society.

An estimated 208 million people internationally consume illegal drugs. In the United States, results from the 2007 National Survey on Drug Use and Health showed that 19.9 million Americans (or 8% of the population aged 12 or older) used illegal drugs in the month prior to the survey.

You probably know someone who has been affected by drugs, directly or indirectly.

The most commonly used—and abused—drug in the US is alcohol. Alcohol-related motor accidents are the second leading cause of teen death in the United States.

The most commonly used illegal drug is marijuana. According to the United Nations 2008 World Drug Report, about 3.9% of the world’s population between the ages of 15 and 64 abuse marijuana.

Young people today are exposed earlier than ever to drugs. Based on a survey by the Centers for Disease Control in 2007, 45% of high school students nationwide drank alcohol and 19.7% smoked pot during a one-month period.

In Europe, recent studies among 15- and 16-year-olds suggest that use of marijuana varies from under 10% to over 40%, with the highest rates reported by teens in the Czech Republic (44%), followed by Ireland (39%), the UK (38%) and France (38%). In Spain and the United Kingdom, cocaine use among 15- to 16-year-olds is 4% to 6%. Cocaine use among young people has risen in Denmark, Italy, Spain, UK, Norway and France.

WHY DO PEOPLE TAKE DRUGS?

People take drugs because they want to change something about their lives.

Here are some of the reasons young people have given for taking drugs:

• To fit in
• To escape or relax
• To relieve boredom
• To seem grown up
• To rebel
• To experiment

They think drugs are a solution. But eventually, the drugs become the problem.

Difficult as it may be to face one’s problems, the consequences of drug use are always worse than the problem one is trying to solve with them. The real answer is to get the facts and not to take drugs in the first place.

HOW DO DRUGS WORK?

Drugs are essentially poisons. The amount taken determines the effect.

A small amount acts as a stimulant (speeds you up). A greater amount acts as a sedative (slows you down). An even larger amount poisons and can kill.

This is true of any drug. Only the amount needed to achieve the effect differs.

Drugs block off all sensations, the desirable ones with the unwanted. So, while providing short-term help in the relief of pain, they also wipe out ability and alertness and muddy one’s thinking.

Medicines are drugs that are intended to speed up or slow down or change something about the way your body is working, to try to make it work better. Sometimes they are necessary. But they are still drugs: they act as stimulants or sedatives, and too much can kill you. So if you do not use medicines as they are supposed to be used, they can be as dangerous as illegal drugs.

DRUGS AFFECT THE MIND

Normally, when a person remembers something, the mind is very fast and information comes to him quickly. But drugs blur memory, causing blank spots. When a person tries to get information through this cloudy mess, he can’t do it. Drugs make a person feel slow or stupid and cause him to have failures in life. And as he has more failures and life gets harder, he wants more drugs to help him deal with the problem.

DRUGS DESTROY CREATIVITY

One lie told about drugs is that they help a person become more creative. The truth is quite different.

Someone who is sad might use drugs to get a feeling of happiness, but it does not work. Drugs can lift a person into a fake kind of cheerfulness, but when the drug wears off, he or she crashes even lower than before. And each time, the emotional plunge is lower and lower. Eventually, drugs will completely destroy all the creativity a person has.

Taken with permission from DrugFreeWorld

DRUG HELP IN AUSTRALIA

• ACT
• NSW
• NT
• Qld
• SA
• Tas.
• Vic
• WA

Get the facts on marijuana, hash

See below for Drug help in Australia.

Drugs have been part of our culture since the middle of the last century. Popularised in the 1960s by music and mass media, they invade all aspects of society.

An estimated 208 million people internationally consume illegal drugs. In the United States, results from the 2007 National Survey on Drug Use and Health showed that 19.9 million Americans (or 8% of the population aged 12 or older) used illegal drugs in the month prior to the survey.

You probably know someone who has been affected by drugs, directly or indirectly.

The most commonly used—and abused—drug in the US is alcohol. Alcohol-related motor accidents are the second leading cause of teen death in the United States.

The most commonly used illegal drug is marijuana. According to the United Nations 2008 World Drug Report, about 3.9% of the world’s population between the ages of 15 and 64 abuse marijuana.

Young people today are exposed earlier than ever to drugs. Based on a survey by the Centers for Disease Control in 2007, 45% of high school students nationwide drank alcohol and 19.7% smoked pot during a one-month period.

In Europe, recent studies among 15- and 16-year-olds suggest that use of marijuana varies from under 10% to over 40%, with the highest rates reported by teens in the Czech Republic (44%), followed by Ireland (39%), the UK (38%) and France (38%). In Spain and the United Kingdom, cocaine use among 15- to 16-year-olds is 4% to 6%. Cocaine use among young people has risen in Denmark, Italy, Spain, UK, Norway and France.

WHY DO PEOPLE TAKE DRUGS?

People take drugs because they want to change something about their lives.

Here are some of the reasons young people have given for taking drugs:

• To fit in
• To escape or relax
• To relieve boredom
• To seem grown up
• To rebel
• To experiment

They think drugs are a solution. But eventually, the drugs become the problem.

Difficult as it may be to face one’s problems, the consequences of drug use are always worse than the problem one is trying to solve with them. The real answer is to get the facts and not to take drugs in the first place.

HOW DO DRUGS WORK?

Drugs are essentially poisons. The amount taken determines the effect.

A small amount acts as a stimulant (speeds you up). A greater amount acts as a sedative (slows you down). An even larger amount poisons and can kill.

This is true of any drug. Only the amount needed to achieve the effect differs.

Drugs block off all sensations, the desirable ones with the unwanted. So, while providing short-term help in the relief of pain, they also wipe out ability and alertness and muddy one’s thinking.

Medicines are drugs that are intended to speed up or slow down or change something about the way your body is working, to try to make it work better. Sometimes they are necessary. But they are still drugs: they act as stimulants or sedatives, and too much can kill you. So if you do not use medicines as they are supposed to be used, they can be as dangerous as illegal drugs.

DRUGS AFFECT THE MIND

Normally, when a person remembers something, the mind is very fast and information comes to him quickly. But drugs blur memory, causing blank spots. When a person tries to get information through this cloudy mess, he can’t do it. Drugs make a person feel slow or stupid and cause him to have failures in life. And as he has more failures and life gets harder, he wants more drugs to help him deal with the problem.

DRUGS DESTROY CREATIVITY

One lie told about drugs is that they help a person become more creative. The truth is quite different.

Someone who is sad might use drugs to get a feeling of happiness, but it does not work. Drugs can lift a person into a fake kind of cheerfulness, but when the drug wears off, he or she crashes even lower than before. And each time, the emotional plunge is lower and lower. Eventually, drugs will completely destroy all the creativity a person has.

Taken with permission from DrugFreeWorld

DRUG HELP IN AUSTRALIA

• ACT
• NSW
• NT
• Qld
• SA
• Tas.
• Vic
• WA

Get the facts on marijuana, hash

Most of us are still deciphering what it means to be man; in this post feminist world, life is complex, even contradictory. Like women, guys today have more options for identity than ever before.

As men’s identities and experiences have become fragmented there is no set model or pathway to being a man. Here’s few from men 18 – 24 years of age….

• The Good Bloke: down-to-earth, genuine, always clear where they stand, holds family values. The envy of us all, we can only hope he has a short dick!

• The Larrikin: playful wisecracker, never to be taken seriously. Light hearted, frank and honest. The life of a party and most of us get there after a few schooners.

• The Wit Warrior: Uses humour to reveal the truth, provokes and challenges. Quick witted, socially informed and a little confrontational. The smart arse from school (and now work!)

• The Fly Guy: Confidence, creative flair, a sense of style, and refinement. Rarely found on the street, but easily identified in magazine spread sandr red carpets.

• Understated Power: Self-assured, yet not big noting. He’s well recognised, but not known. Cool, calm, collected with hidden depths. We all want to be this guy.

As a bloke gets older, they may better identify with one of these…

• Young Carefrees: Unlikely to have kids, digital native and very friend focused. You’ll see him at the pub mid week.

• Above Average Joes: Gets married and have kids, thrives as a modern father / husband, works hard for that work / life balance (who doesn’t). They embrace the progressive view of masculinity, incredibly time poor and struggle to find ‘me’ time. Surely he’s visited www.dadsclub.com.au

• Good Ol’ Boys: Traditional values of masculinity: rugged, stoic, pragmatic. Prefer their wives to earn less than them and probably have the lowest income out of all of their mates. About a third will have a role model and they apply a DIY approach to life. Probably not the type of guy you want your daughter to marry!

• Mac Daddies: The modern man who leads a busy life. Has non-traditional values; enjoys shopping and is conscious of his looks. Mostly professional, working long hours – these are high powered thinkers. You’re probably working for one!

• Worry Warriors: Feels that life is worse for them than their dads. Married life and kids stress them out. They’re into technology but feel this just adds to their stress. They want a role model and have trouble finding anyone to look up to them. Destined to have a mid-life crisis.

It is highly probable that most of us drift between a few of these identities pending the environment and mood that we are in. “Versatility is an attractive trait. Being versatile in different situations is regarded as a quality and the better you are at it, the more masculine you feel” said James Pike.

Be warned, adapting to a range of these identities can be annoying and dangerous. Be yourself and be aware of who you are not.

Research conducted by the consultancy Added Value; interviewed NSW men aged 18-24.
Identities 6 to 10 based on Men’s Segmentation Study undertaken by Men’s TV

Most of us are still deciphering what it means to be man; in this post feminist world, life is complex, even contradictory. Like women, guys today have more options for identity than ever before.

As men’s identities and experiences have become fragmented there is no set model or pathway to being a man. Here’s few from men 18 – 24 years of age….

• The Good Bloke: down-to-earth, genuine, always clear where they stand, holds family values. The envy of us all, we can only hope he has a short dick!

• The Larrikin: playful wisecracker, never to be taken seriously. Light hearted, frank and honest. The life of a party and most of us get there after a few schooners.

• The Wit Warrior: Uses humour to reveal the truth, provokes and challenges. Quick witted, socially informed and a little confrontational. The smart arse from school (and now work!)

• The Fly Guy: Confidence, creative flair, a sense of style, and refinement. Rarely found on the street, but easily identified in magazine spread sandr red carpets.

• Understated Power: Self-assured, yet not big noting. He’s well recognised, but not known. Cool, calm, collected with hidden depths. We all want to be this guy.

As a bloke gets older, they may better identify with one of these…

• Young Carefrees: Unlikely to have kids, digital native and very friend focused. You’ll see him at the pub mid week.

• Above Average Joes: Gets married and have kids, thrives as a modern father / husband, works hard for that work / life balance (who doesn’t). They embrace the progressive view of masculinity, incredibly time poor and struggle to find ‘me’ time. Surely he’s visited www.dadsclub.com.au

• Good Ol’ Boys: Traditional values of masculinity: rugged, stoic, pragmatic. Prefer their wives to earn less than them and probably have the lowest income out of all of their mates. About a third will have a role model and they apply a DIY approach to life. Probably not the type of guy you want your daughter to marry!

• Mac Daddies: The modern man who leads a busy life. Has non-traditional values; enjoys shopping and is conscious of his looks. Mostly professional, working long hours – these are high powered thinkers. You’re probably working for one!

• Worry Warriors: Feels that life is worse for them than their dads. Married life and kids stress them out. They’re into technology but feel this just adds to their stress. They want a role model and have trouble finding anyone to look up to them. Destined to have a mid-life crisis.

It is highly probable that most of us drift between a few of these identities pending the environment and mood that we are in. “Versatility is an attractive trait. Being versatile in different situations is regarded as a quality and the better you are at it, the more masculine you feel” said James Pike.

Be warned, adapting to a range of these identities can be annoying and dangerous. Be yourself and be aware of who you are not.

Research conducted by the consultancy Added Value; interviewed NSW men aged 18-24.
Identities 6 to 10 based on Men’s Segmentation Study undertaken by Men’s TV

I recently re-studied and practiced as a secondary school teacher. I taught Year 8 to Year 11, Commerce, Business  Studies (the most popular unit after maths)  and Economics.

As a dad it was a highly valuable, as a bread winner it sucked.

If you’re truly interested in how your kid learns, read this or email me for a less academedic view….

“Today’s students are no longer the people our educational system was designed to teach, ”said Prensky in 2004.

Digital natives, (the vast majority of our kids  are these today ),  are used to receiving information fast; parallel processing and multi-tasking are at work in their minds and they function best when they are networked. This is an important differential between traditional teachers and contemporary learners and one today’s parents  need to be aware of.

Children learn best when they are in active roles of designer and constructor, this is known with academics as the Constructionism theory.

To embrace contructionism (connectiveism) the roles, of both teacher and learner, are to change.  To effectively implement change progressive teachers and parents need to be aware of the barriers to effective learning: teacher attitudes and beliefs; access to ICT resources; teaching strategies and practices and adequate professional development with ICT . Teachers and parents need not be shy of technology.

Dalton identifies six learning and teaching practices essential for connected learning: deep understanding, self responsibility inquiry, human development, communication and collaboration.

Students want richness, they want to consume, create apply, remember and evaluate.

How well do you and your kid’s teacher do  this?

For a less academic approach on this subject, check this video out to see exactly how kids want to learn today.

Don’t…do not, under any circumstances, however…

It was a brand new world for this middle-aged guy, and Internet dating was the method-du-jour. I had my two young sons full-time so dating of any kind meant babysitters, or meeting during school hours.

I circumvented the standard profiles by changing mine, literally daily, making my profile in essence a blog. Oddly enough, I developed quite a following of (women) readers across the country. In its own way, that was the beginning of my writing career. I did the rest that was required and posted photos that were relatively current and I didn’t even Photoshop them too much.

But I quickly learned that truth was quite evasive on the Internet. While I didn’t peruse the profiles of the men on the dating sites that I used, I certainly became familiar with the women. It wasn’t rocket science to read between the lines. No photo meant there was a reason for no photo. Headshot only, meant there was a reason as well. Only one photo was equally suspicious. And, for us male slugs, let’s face the truth that our first impression is based on appearance.

What I also learned was that online dating was no different, in its essence, from in-person dating. The man did the pursuing; the woman did the choosing. Exceptions to every rule always exist, but I found I was reaching out to the women far more than the reverse. Quickly, I developed a thick skin, as maybe I would get a response to one in ten of the e-mail messages that I sent out.

The attractive women, at least attractive by the photos they posted, would sometime receive literally thousands of e-mail messages. I began dating one woman who told me that during a period of ten days, when we first began dating, she hadn’t checked her inbox. When she did, it had 9,000 e-mail messages. It certainly raised the question, why did she choose me? As great as I may think I am, I’m also realistic. The answer was quite sobering, as she said: the only way she could handle that volume was to do “eine meenie minie moe.” I was one of the lucky “moe’s” and what I wrote made her laugh, and that’s how we connected. Truly, lottery luck.

Before I tell you how I met  my wife, I’d like to offer ten simple, non-gender specific dating tips; let’s call this Internet Dating 101:

1. If there’s no photo, there’s a reason. Move on.
2. Be patient. It’s a numbers game. Therefore, hang in there.
3. Don’t spend too much time e-mailing and chatting. If you feel there might be some chemistry, set up a meeting. First meeting is coffee only. Don’t make elaborate plans. If you like each other, there’s plenty of time for that. Also, if they’re too busy or it’s too difficult to schedule something, move on.
4. Don’t believe what you read. Be skeptical, but open. Most women lie about their age and weight; most men about their income and height.
5. Tell the truth about yourself — period, end of issue, no excuse.
6. Be clear on what you want and express it in your profile. Don’t be afraid to tell the truth. For example, if you’re a woman and you just don’t like men with thinning hair, save him and you the waste of time by being clear about that in your profile. For a guy, if height or weight is important to you in a woman, be honest about it.
7. While I tend to diss self-help books, the book “He’s Really Not Into You” had some plain truths. If there are signs of disinterest, he or she is disinterested. And, often, it has nothing to do with you. Move on.
8. Men and women, over 35 or so, if never married, are often trouble. Not just the men. Women who have never married are as set in their ways as men, and (I’m going to get killed for this) probably more hung up on their careers (note: this is the one that gets the most criticisms. To be clear, it’s a generality NOT a rule. And to be even more up front, I was 39 when I first got married and, frankly, I was a bit of “trouble” back then. When I divorced and started dating again, I heard the rap on guys that if they weren’t married by their mid-30’s there usually was a good reason, yet I found the women I met during that period who hadn’t been married were just as possibly “trouble” as I was back then and, in so many cases, really truly stuck in their ways. So, criticize away, but I stand by this regarding men AND women, but acknowledging again that there are exceptions to most generalities).
9. Always, if you’re a woman, meet in a public place and only give out your cell number, if you don’t call the guy yourself first (which is better).
10. Be patient and don’t take it personally.

I met Loren exactly the way I’ve described above, by sending her an e-mail, based on her attractive photo and profile. She claimed to read every one of the thousands of e-mail messages that she received and mine also made her laugh. We set up a coffee date. I completely forgot about our meeting! Yup, I forgot, leaving her stood-up thinking what I jerk I was. When I realized my horrific mistake, I called. She took the call with the full intention of blowing me off. The degree of my mea-culpas won her over. She said that the fact that I had kids made her think my mind might have been temporarily made of mush. We set a second date.

The rest, another time, but suffice it to say, the second date was successful enough for a third — and more. We were married on December 27, 2008.

By Bruce Sallon

Posted with permission from  www.brucesallan.com

Bruce Sallan was an award-winning television executive and producer for 25 years. When his boys were quite young, Bruce left show biz to become a full-time Dad. Shortly thereafter his marriage ended and his wife abandoned their children, leaving the State. Bruce found himself a full-time single Dad, in his late forties, as well as a returning single man to the changed world of cyber-dating. It became a classic “sandwich” situation when he also began to care for his ailing parents. He began writing various blogs on the dating sites he used as well as articles for local publications. The goal of his column, A Dad’s Point-of-View, is to primarily focus on parenting and occasionally other issues from the male perspective. Presently, his column is available in over 75 newspapers and Web sites in the U.S. and internationally. Bruce lives in Agoura, California with his second (and last) wife and two boys, who are 15 and 12. Find Bruce on Facebook and add him as your friend. Just be sure to tell him you saw him here.

How does the law in my country/state apply when having sex?

Laws about sex vary depending on which country. The most important thing to know is the age of consent. This is the age at which it is legal to have sex. For Australians it is:

• 16 years in ACT, N.S.W., NT, Vic and WA.
• 17 years in SA and Tasmania.
• Queensland has 18 years (for anal sex) and 16 years for vaginal sex. Get more here

What is the average penis size?
Penis size differs from person to person. The average length when erect is 10-18cm (4-7in) although there maybe some variation between different races and nationalities.  Read more
My penis is curved. Is that normal?
It is quite normal for a man’s penis to curve or lean slightly to the right or the left when erect. Many men’s penises will curve upwards too. However, if the penis suddenly develops a lump which causes it to bend abnormally, it should probably be checked by a doctor. It may be a sign of a condition called Peyronie’s disease, which isn’t life threatening, but may be uncomfortable and require treatment.

Does my vagina look the way it should?
Vagina’s come in all different shapes and sizes, just as other parts of the body do, so there is no set way that a vagina should look.
A woman’s sex organs are protected by two thick folds of skin or “lips” called the outer labia. Inside these is another set of lips known as the inner labia. These are thinner than the outer labia and are usually slightly different lengths. In some women the inner labia will stick out below the outer labia. In other women it will be the other way round. Women also have a clitoris, which is a small sensitive bump a little way above the urethra (urine hole) and the entrance to the vagina. Read more
How do you ask someone out?
You could start off by simply smiling, making eye contact and saying hello. If they notice you, you could then think about taking things further. Look for clues about their interests, as these can be a good starting point for conversations. If they seem happy to chat, you could then introduce yourself and eventually work up to meeting for lunch, a coffee, or a trip the cinema etc.
Even though it can be nerve-racking asking somebody out, don’t try too hard to make an impression. The most important thing really is to be relaxed and be yourself: that way they will know your interest is genuine. Even if the person concerned doesn’t seem interested, at least you will know you tried.
I think I fancy one of my friends – does this mean I’m gay?
Many people have feelings towards other people of the same sex, and wonder whether this means that they are homosexual. Some people who are attracted to other people of the same sex are gay and go on to have sexual relationships with people of the same sex. Some who have gay feelings find that these change over time and they become attracted to people of the opposite sex. Others may be attracted to both men and women. The important things is to be confident and proud about your sexuality. Parents need to support their child’s sexuality.

Posted with permission from www.avent.org/

Click here for alcohol and drug services throughout Australia

People take drugs because they want to change something in their lives.
Here are some reasons young people have given for taking drugs:
-to fit in
-to escape or relax
- to relieve boredom
- to seem grown up
-to rebel
-to experiment

Alcohol is a drug. It’s classed as a depressant, meaning it slows down vital functions, resulting in slurred speech, unsteady movement, disturbed perceptions and an inability to reacts quickly.

There are different kinds of alcohol. Ethyl alcohol (ethanol), the only alcohol used in beverages, is produced by the fermentation of grains and fruits. Fermenting is a chemical process whereby yeast acts upon certain ingredients in the food, creating alcohol.

ALCOHOL CONTENT

Beer 2-6 %
Cider 4-8%
Wine 8-20%
Tequila 40%
Rum >40%
Brandy >40%
Gin 40-47%
Whiskey 40-50%
Vodka 40-50%
Liqueurs 15-60%

UNDERSTANDING HOW ALCOHOL AFFECTS THE BODY

Alcohol is absorbed into the bloodstream via small blood vessels in the walls of the stomach and small intestine. Within minutes of drinking alcohol, it travels from the stomach to the brain, where it quickly produces its affects, slowing the action of nerve cells.

Approximately 20% of alcohol is absorbed through the stomach. Most of the remaining 80% is absorbed through the small intestine.

Alcohol is also carried through the bloodstream to the liver, which eliminates the alcohol through a process called “metabolizing,” where it is converted to a non-toxic substance. The liver can only metabolize a certain amount at a time, leaving the excess circulating throughout the body. Thus the intensity of the effect on the body is directly related to the amount consumed.

When the amount of alcohol in the blood exceeds a certain level, the respiratory (breathing) system slows down markedly, and can cause a coma or deaths, because oxygen no longer reaches the brain.

YOUNG PEOPLE VERSES ADULTS: What’s the difference?

A young persons body can’t cope with alcohol like an adult can.

Drinking is more harmful to teens than adults because their brains are still developing throughout adolescence and well into young adulthood.

Drinking during this critical growth stage can lead to lifelong damage in brain function, particularly as it relates to memory, motor skills (ability to move) and coordination.

According to research, young people who begin drinking before age 15 are 4 times more likely to develop alcohol dependence than those who begin drinking at age 21.

WHAT IS BINGE DRINKING?

Binge drinking is the practice of consuming large quantities of alcohol in a single session, usually defined as five or more drinks at one time for a man, or four or more drinks at one time for a woman.

About 90% of alcohol consumed by youth under the age of 21 is in the form of binge drinking.

WHAT IS ALCOHOLISM?

Alcoholism (alcohol dependence) has 4 symptoms:
1. Craving: a strong need, or compulsion, to drink.
2. Loss of control: the inability to limit one’s drinking on any given occasion.
3. Physical dependence: withdrawal symptoms, such as nausea, sweating, shakiness, and anxiety, occur when alcohol use is stopped after a a period of heavy drinking.
Serious dependence can lead to life-threatening withdrawal symptoms including convulsions, starting 8 to 12 hours after the last drink. The delirium tremens (D.T.’s) begins 3 to 4 days later where the person becomes extremely agitated, shakes, hallucinates and loses touch with reality.
4. Tolerance: The need to drink greater amounts of alcohol in order to get a high.

An increasingly heavy drinker often says he could stop whenever he chooses – he just never ‘chooses’ to do so. Alcoholism is not a destination, but a progression, along road of deterioration in which life continuously worsens.

SOME STATISTICS

• Alcohol kills more teenagers than all other drugs combined.
• Alcohol is a factor in the causes of death among 15-24 year olds: accidents, homicides and suicides.
• Youth who drink are 7.5 times more likely to use other illegal drugs and 50 times more likely to use cocaine than young people who never drink.
• One survey found that 32% of the heavy drinkers over 12 were also illegal drug users.

SHORT –TERM EFFECTS

Depending how much is taken and the physical condition of the individual, alcohol can cause:
• Slurred speech
• Drowsiness
• Vomiting
• Diarrhea
• Upset stomach
• Headaches
• Breathing difficulties
• Distorted vision and hearing
• Impaired judgement
• Decreased perception and coordination
• Unconsciousness
• Anemia (loss of red blood cells)
• Coma
• Blackouts (memory losses, where the drinker cannot remember events that occurred while under the influence.

LONG – TERM EFFECTS

• Unintentional injuries such as car crash, falls, burns, drowning
• Intentional injuries such as firearm injuries, sexual assault, domestic violence
• Increased on-the-job injuries and loss of productivity
• Increased family problems, broken relationships
• Alcohol poisoning
• High blood pressure, stroke, and other heart-related diseases
• Liver disease
• Nerve damage
• Sexual problems
• Permanent damage to the brain
• Vitamin B deficiency, which can lead to a disorder characterised by amnesia, apathy and disorientation
• Ulcers
• Gastritis
• Malnutrition
• Cancer of the mouth and throat

Worried about teenage drinking? Click here for nine tips every parent should be aware of.

Posted with permission from the FOUNDATION FOR A DRUG FREE WORLD

We’re all guilty of finding excuses as to why we can’t do what we are suppose to do.

Here’s 12 of the most common excuses why not to exercise &  ways to overcome them.

1) I don’t have the time

Make it a priority, make time. get into a routine. Take every chance you can to be active, even if it’s only for a few minutes e.g. do exercises while waiting for the kettle to boil or while watching TV.

2) I’m too tired

Once you get started, you will have more energy and feel less tired.

3) I have a health problem, and exercise might take it worse

Most health problems can be helped by activity. Talk to your doctor – they may be able to write an ‘activity prescription’ for you.

4) I might get injured

If you walk or swim it is unlikely that you will get injured.

5) I can’t afford it

Try to find an activity that is free. Walk more instead of driving.

6) I have no-one to do it with.

Persuade a relative, neighbour or friend to be active with you.

Play with the grandchildren in the park. Join an activity or walking group.

Take out a gym membership.

7) It’s too hot / cold / raining

Get up early to beat the heat or walk in an air-conditioned shopping centre.

If it’s cold, wear gloves. If it’s raining, take an umbrella.

I’m too old

You are never too old – there is always something you can do.

9) There’s nothing to do where I live / I don’t have transport.

Be active around your home – do exercises at home.

Walk to and from places )the shop, the letterbox or a friend’s house).

10) I’m afraid I will wear out’

You will wear out more quickly if you do nothing.

11) I’ve never been the sporty type

You don’t have to play sport to be active – try gardening, dancing, walking or exercise to music.

“It’s so boring on your own…but it’s OK if you have a friend to go with. I walk with my daughter and we have a bit of a chit0chat and catch up on the stuff that’s going on in her life.”

“For 27 years my GP has been telling me I should do more physical activity – but I never did anything. Then six weeks ago my friend took me to an exercise class and I have been going with her every week. I feel so much better, I wish I had done it earlier.”

Taken with permission from the booklet Choose Health: Be active. A physical activity guide for older Australians. An initiative of the Australian Government in association with Sports Medicine Australia.

How does the law in my country/state apply when having sex?

Laws about sex vary depending on which country. The most important thing to know is the age of consent. This is the age at which it is legal to have sex. For Australians it is:

• 16 years in ACT, N.S.W., NT, Vic and WA.
• 17 years in SA and Tasmania.
• Queensland has 18 years (for anal sex) and 16 years for vaginal sex. Get more here

What is the average penis size?
Penis size differs from person to person. The average length when erect is 10-18cm (4-7in) although there maybe some variation between different races and nationalities.  Read more
My penis is curved. Is that normal?
It is quite normal for a man’s penis to curve or lean slightly to the right or the left when erect. Many men’s penises will curve upwards too. However, if the penis suddenly develops a lump which causes it to bend abnormally, it should probably be checked by a doctor. It may be a sign of a condition called Peyronie’s disease, which isn’t life threatening, but may be uncomfortable and require treatment.

Does my vagina look the way it should?
Vagina’s come in all different shapes and sizes, just as other parts of the body do, so there is no set way that a vagina should look.
A woman’s sex organs are protected by two thick folds of skin or “lips” called the outer labia. Inside these is another set of lips known as the inner labia. These are thinner than the outer labia and are usually slightly different lengths. In some women the inner labia will stick out below the outer labia. In other women it will be the other way round. Women also have a clitoris, which is a small sensitive bump a little way above the urethra (urine hole) and the entrance to the vagina. Read more
How do you ask someone out?
You could start off by simply smiling, making eye contact and saying hello. If they notice you, you could then think about taking things further. Look for clues about their interests, as these can be a good starting point for conversations. If they seem happy to chat, you could then introduce yourself and eventually work up to meeting for lunch, a coffee, or a trip the cinema etc.
Even though it can be nerve-racking asking somebody out, don’t try too hard to make an impression. The most important thing really is to be relaxed and be yourself: that way they will know your interest is genuine. Even if the person concerned doesn’t seem interested, at least you will know you tried.
I think I fancy one of my friends – does this mean I’m gay?
Many people have feelings towards other people of the same sex, and wonder whether this means that they are homosexual. Some people who are attracted to other people of the same sex are gay and go on to have sexual relationships with people of the same sex. Some who have gay feelings find that these change over time and they become attracted to people of the opposite sex. Others may be attracted to both men and women. The important things is to be confident and proud about your sexuality. Parents need to support their child’s sexuality.

Posted with permission from www.avent.org/

Birthday and Christmas presents have become an  emotionally charged symbol of our love. We build up the expectation of these yearly presentations in the child’s mind and so we run the risk of utter disappointment accompanied by our own hurt when the child looks at us with sadness, disgust or reproach. What to do?

Remember these points:

1. The best gift is one that says ” I know what you like”. You know if your child is sporty, academic, an abstract thinker, into crystals, mad about construction, loves animals, is always drawing …..etc. By giving gifts that acknowledge their interests you affirm them and share in their interest….a bonding experience.
2. The best thing to value is your child’s growing individuality, curiosity, self-confidence and skills. Look for toys that develop these attributes with integrity.
3. It is necessary for some gifts to be an antidote to popular culture and in particular to be something that is particular to your family culture. Does your family go fishing, collect crystals, play board games, or have an interest in astronomy or birds?
4. Remember that kids are very susceptible to advertising and peer group pressure and just because they want a particular toy it doesn’t mean that they will play with it once they have it. It may just be something that they feel they need. Keep these kinds of gifts a minimum.
5. You can use gifts to introduce new interests but it’s probably better to introduce a new interest in a more low-key fashion first.
6.All humans are a body-mind. Don’t forget to cater for both sides by providing active as well as passive toys.
7. Its not fair to buy presents which are “good for them” if they won’t like them. These will be resented. Give these gifts at other times but not for birthdays or Xmas. You may like to introduce gifts like this; “ here’s something I thought you might like”. This takes the pressure off both the giver and the receiver.
8. Spend a bit less on birthday and Xmas gifts and buy other small unexpected gifts through the year. These can be more educational or introducing new interests and hobbies or as rewards for special achievement. Also, if the child doesn’t like them, it won’t be such a disaster. It is also just as likely that even though the reaction was luke-warm, the exposure bears fruit later on down the track. All teachers know this secret.
9. Because of computer technology, kids often miss out on valuable mind and body integrating hands-on experiences. Just as we need slow food, we need slow toys to allow spontaneous creative thoughts. Toys that require hands-on manipulation and creative thought are more significant in terms of developing a solid sense of self in the world than fast reactions to light, colour and sound on a screen.
10. We all want products to last as long as we need them and if we can then pass them on in a usable state, so much the better for the environment. However, some toys are best thought of as experiences, and as such don’t have to be repeated e.g. building some models and performing science experiments. The memory lasts even though you have carried out the activity only once.

THE PLUG: WHY SHOP AT TERRIFIC SCIENTIFIC.

We’ve spent the time sifting through mountains of toys to select what we believe will enhance your child’s awakening curiosity about the world and their place in it. Science is a way of asking questions and finding out answers and all children are scientists in this regard. Over the years the store has expanded to include other educational toys, art, craft and games for all ages. The reason for this was simply that customers were very supportive of our winning philosophy of emphasising knowledge, creativity and activity- based products.
The staff can help you find the ideal toy for your child because we have many years of experience listening to wishlists, getting feedback, testing toys and kits on our own and other people’s kids, and because we really care that you leave the shop with the appropriate choice within your budget. And we gift-wrap!

This article comes from Caroline who runs Terrific Scientific in Sydney’s Inner West.

• Phone 9692-9206
• To buy online visit www.terrificscientific.com

Dental health experts fear Australia’s complacency towards oral health is reaching epidemic proportions with a recent report revealing most Australians adults (along with their children) choose to avoid the dentist despite having serious dental health issues.

According to Dr Philippa Sawyer, Oral Health Committee Chairwoman of the Australian Dental Association (ADA), Australia’s indifferent attitude towards dental health is not only impacting negatively on the nation’s oral health, but is clearly having  a  knock on effect when it comes to the future of our children’s dental health.

FIND A DENTIST

“Toddlers are just as much at risk of dental decay as an older child or adult and what may have started as a small cavity can quickly turn into a serious problem,” Dr Sawyer continued.

Dr. Sawyer offers these tips for parents:

1.  Your child’s first visit to the dentist should be earlier than you think.

Dr Sawyer recommends a child’s first visit to the dentist should be within six months of the eruption of the first tooth, or by the child’s first birthday, however Dr Sawyer says most parents don’t bother taking their child for a dental check up until around three years of age or older.  Many parents delay taking their child until there is a serious painful dental problem requiring emergency care. This is not the ideal introduction to dental health professionals.

2. Make brushing enjoyable

Very young children (0-2 years)

Young children only need to have their teeth brushed once a day but can be difficult for brushing. It is important to make it fun if possible by singing songs or making it a counting game. Some days it will make no difference and it is just one of those things that must be done, like changing their nappy or washing their face. They may not always be very cooperative or helpful but eventually they understand that it must be done.

Wrapping them in a towel is quite helpful or placing them on the baby change table with their head towards you. Distraction is useful in the form of music mobiles or a toy to hold. Two tooth brushes is a good idea; one for them to chew on and one for you to brush with without the ‘shaggy dog’ bristles. Young children react very well to a daily routine and will be better behaved when they anticipate what is coming next in the ‘going to bed sequence’.

Older children (3+years)

Older children will often wish to take control, be independent and brush by themselves. It is important to finish off for them every night until the age of 8-9 years as the manual dexterity to do an adequate job is not developed until then. They will do a great deal of brushing but not necessarily in the right places.

3. Establish a good dental routine

Brushing Twice daily brushing is essential, with adult supervision and ‘hands on’ help at night time before bed.  However, brushing more often than this may contribute to abrasion of the enamel in the long term.  Small, soft-headed brushes work best for children and there are power toothbrushes designed specifically for kids.

Flossing Flossing is important, but it is often hard to get kids to do it.   A floss holder is a great help and so are disposable ‘flossettes’. Oral B do a ‘Hummingbird’ for flossing which works well. Parents can be a good role model and floss their own teeth every night.

Dental Rinses Mouthrinses are effective if used at a time other than when the child brushes and must be used for the manufacturer’s recommended duration of rinsing. They should contain fluoride but not alcohol. Most fluoride mouthrinses contain less fluoride than toothpaste so will effectively decrease the concentration of fluoride delivered to the teeth if rinsing is done after brushing. After lunch or afternoon tea is a good time to use a fluoride mouthrinse.

4.  Educate your kids about the importance of diet

Overall, Dr Saywer reinforces the importance of diet in preserving good oral health.  “Diet plays a critical role in maintaining healthy teeth for life, with rising decay rates in children related to changes in dietary patterns as well as fewer children drinking fluoridated tap water in favour of sugary processed foods and drinks including bottled water.

5. Educate your kids about the importance of oral hygeine

What should we tell our kids about effects of poor oral hygiene? Poor oral hygiene can lead to tooth decay, gum disease and bad breath. It can also have an effect on the health of the rest of the body. Poor oral hygiene can lead to stained teeth, bleeding gums and bad breath which can effect a child’s social interactions.

6. What if your child is worried about stained teeth?

This has become increasingly popular as media stars show off their bleached white teeth. It is difficult for children who have stained or darker shades of enamel as they can be teased by other children regarding their oral hygiene.  Bleaching is safe for children from around 10 years of age but should be done under the supervision of a dentist who has appropriate knowledge of the options available and the precautions that should be followed for children and adolescents.

7. Set a good example

The best thing parents can do is to set a good example themselves.  By instilling good brushing habits, scheduling annual dental checkups for the whole family and adopting healthy eating and drinking habits they will help put Australia’s dental health on track.

Dr Philippa Sawyer is the Oral Health Committee Chairwoman of the Australian Dental Association (ADA).

Women simply don’t get how serious man flu can be. This video shows symptoms and a priceless solution. So dads, when you and your boy(s) get those dreaded man flu symptoms be sure the girls know this is serious and are aware of the solutions. Watch and weep or laugh?

Yesterday, a  mate of mine saw Prof. Trevor Waring lecture on the most common 5 themes for those who do well in life mentally.

My mate’s takeout were….

1/  You must take selfish time and have some fun. 4 hour block is best

2/  You must have someone to share worries and fears. A spouse is best (preferably your own).

3/  Belong to a group who positively reinforce you and reflect you. If you went to hospital who would visit you other than family

4/  Doing charity or pro Bono work. Helping others

5/  Life review. Am I where I’m meant to be? What challenges do you have to look forward to? Have an agenda or aims

RELATED www.dadsclub.com.au posts

fathers also get the baby blues

beat the f’n black-dog

action plan top tips to look after yourself

According to the WildFig Alliance  Breakfast……….  Professor Waring noted the five common traits of resilient people as:

1. They have at least 4 hours unbroken “me-time” per week.  As Trevor noted, this isn’t just time with the family doing their thing or catching half an hour here and there – it is a lengthy period of time on some enjoyable activity just for the fun of it.
2. They have strong support from someone close, preferably a partner but possibly a special friend. The main need was to have someone non-judging and caring with whom to unburden worries and concerns and to provide emotional support.
3. They regularly perform some kind of community or charity work, not just through donations but through active assistance.
4. They have a plan with goals for the future.
5. They regularly review where they are with their goals, assess their achievements and re-evaluate their plans.

This short precise hardly does Professor Waring’s detailed presentation justice apparently he is an  excellent keynote speaker.

How well are you going?

We all love to chill out in our backyard and a swing is a great place to keep the kids  entertained  while you do just that.

Click on here swing_set to get  straight shooting tips on how to build that swing for the kids, you’ll get reputable advice  on:

1. Choosing the measurements
2. Where to begin
3. Concreting the poles (if you’re luck you’ll have a tree)
4. Swing measurements
5. Attaching the swing

MORE TIPS:

• If you’re child is a toddler or younger, you may elect to buy a plastic moulded  seat and rope set from a toy store: you’ll still need a tree or poles
• Consider using a  rubber belt for the seat
• Car tyres  attached to  rope also work a treat – go to your local garage/tyre outlet to save cash
• If you’re near water,   go tarzan rope – add knots for added grip
• Check knots and branch strength, do the right thing and try it out out with you in it first!
• Once the kids have had a laugh, make sure you and your partner get a go

TIPS FOR BEGINNERS
Teaching your kids to ride is a rewarding event for both Dad and daughter, remember:
• Build confidence through familiarity
• Practice in a park, learn on a cricket pitch (so you get a hard narrow surface, but can land / get caught on grass)
• Space: 80% of bike accidents happen by themselves
- leave gaps between parked cars, opening car doors is a common bike stack in cities!
• Helmet: Save the brain

Rating:

For more tips on Cycling  Education and Training go to your CYCLING RESOURCE CENTRE

Rating:

FOR BIKE TRAILS IN YOUR AREA

Here’s your step by step tour with map

1. Choose your state (below)
2. Then search suburb or city and preferred distance.
3. Saddle up and enjoy

• ACT
• NSW
• NT
• QLD
• SA
• TAS
• VIC
• WA

Rating:

FOR LOCAL ADVICE ON events, bike groups and insurance, click your state:

• ACT
• NSW
• NT
• QLD
• SA
• TAS
• VIC
• WA

75% of dads are happy and 90% find fatherhood fulfilling
WORKING DADS
64% are too scared to ask the boss for time off with the kids
56% struggle with work life balance
56% feel under pressure to do well at work
WANT MORE TIME WITH THE MISSUS 64%
59% of us claim we do the cooking and cleaning
30% agree that it is evenly shared

RELATIONSHIP TROUBLE SPOTS Money 44% Disciplining kids 40% and the in-laws 39%

WHAT PISSED THE WIFE OFF
Snoring 43%
Late night out 25%
Forgot birthday / anniversary 14%
Embarrassed her by getting drunk 14%

WORRIED ABOUT THE KIDS
Safety 70%
Drugs 67%
Health 54%
Bullying 53%
Alcohol 47%
Academic Success 47%

Get the full report here

This survey was reported in the Sunday Telegraph on 5 September 2010 and was conducted online by Galaxy Research between 26 August and 2 September, 2010. The results are based on the opinions of 1,255 fathers with children aged up to 17 years. The data has been weighted and projected to reflect the population
READ MORE

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• dadsclub.com.au/men and depression beat -the -f’n -black dog on dads club
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Beer + Bubs is a one night workshop at the pub where dads can learn how to support their partner through the birth of their baby. It helps men gain the practical knowledge they need to be involved in the births of their children in a positive way. And most men would prefer to head to the pub anyway.
Visit www.beerandbubs.com.au for dates and venues all over Australia.

We all know that we have to be active to keep healthy, but that can take some real effort and added will power just to get started. By using some of these tips you can make it that much easier to manage your balanced lifestyle.

1) Use reminders

• Placing notes around your home (eg on the front door or on the fridge) can help to remind you to do some activity.
• Place your walking shoes near the door or in the car.

2) Get into a routine

• Plan your activity – both the time and the place.
• Make a regular time for your physical activity in your diary or on your calendar.

3) Be social

• Involve a friend, colleague, neighbour or relative in your activity routine  this will help keep you both motivated and committed.

4) Use a diary

• Write down your activity times and how you feel after doing something. That way you can refer back to it when you feel less motivated.
• Make an activity planner and put it on the fridge.

5) Choose a role model

Maybe someone close to you is regularly active and fit. Talk to them and use them as a role model to keep yourself going.

6) Vary your activity

• You might like to change the time or the place you normally do your activity to help keep it interesting.
• You can even change the type of activity you do.

Taken with permission from the booklet Choose Health: Be active. A physical activity guide for older Australians. An initiative of the Australian Government in association with Sports Medicine Australia.

Here are some tried and tested Mum days gift ideas you can get your son and daughter to make…it will keep them busy, her happy and you in the good books a little bit longer.
The good news is that most of this can be done within one day, sometimes within an hour, so what are you waiting for…
1. Make a movie
Time required: half a day
Help the kids write a short movie script them grab the camera and start shooting. Make a short film about a loved one, their favourite holiday, pet or plant. Burn it on a disc to make an innovative and highly memorable  gift.
2. Get baking
Time required within an hour
Purchase some coloured boxes or bags from a Go-Lo “one dollar shop” and fill it with some home made goodies.

3. Create a masterpiece
Time required one to two hours
Purchase a low cost canvas from Go-Lo or another “one dollar shop” and have the kids paint their a scene with their favourite person as the subject. This is perfect for grandparents: Paint them in the garden, on the beach, playing games with the grandkids or flying through the galaxy. This is a memorable gift that can be a talking piece throughout the year.

4. Customised coaster, pencil holders, picture frames and small boxes.
Time required one to two hours
Craft shops and Go-Lo sell wooden products designed to be painted. These are low cost and easy to customise with paint. Buy a few and give one to the whole family.
Remember to varnish them at the end, purchase paints and varnish from any craft store.
5. Create a story
Time required a few hours (mostly to be thinking about it)
Have the kids write a story or a poem about  Mum. Guide t your son / daughter  to write about their favourite activities  and what it is that makes them so special.
Hand written or typed all work well. Mount it on cardboard and you’re sure to bring a tear to Mum’s eye.
6. Framed photograph, story or poem
Time required 15 minutes
Frame your favourite picture, story or poem in one of your customised frames

7. Gift giving cards using digital photography
Time required one to two hours.
Get creative with no mess! Arm the kids with the camera and send them, into the garden or around the neighborhood. Get them to take loads of shots of virtually anything, but encourage them to do close ups e.g. of flowers, use some props such as teddy bears or toys in the garden.
Review your pics online, print them out and mount them on some cardboard to make small gift cards. Make a set of 6 per person – these make a sensational and very practical gift.
Purchase cardboard from any newsagent.
8. Paint a pot
Time required, within an hour.
Access any terracotta pot (buy or dig one up from under the house) and paint it to your child’s liking. This is great for babies and infants to have their hand and potentially foot prints scattered across the pot in different colours. Be sure to autograph and date it with a special message.
You can get away with water paints for indoor pots, oil paint for outdoor pots.
9. Grow some seeds
Time required 10 minutes plus…
Plant some herbs in your customised pot. Buy established herbs or plat seeds. This is a great gift for any Mum  who loves their food!
10. Give an experience
Time required 10 minutes plus…
There comes a time when material gifts seem more like land fill than an everlasting token of love. If you can’t think of anything to give that special person this year who seems to have absolutely everything give them a big fat cuddle.

Most Mums will value Bubble baths, massages, a yoga class or even breaky in bed.
Receiving blank shopping vouchers and land-fill type gifts can send a message that we don’t know you that well.
Have a great time preparing for 2010 Mum’s day.

5-gift-ideas-for-mums-day

The arguments for  circumcision appear to be quarantined to reduced chance of sexual infections (STIs) and religious conformity (Jews & Muslims).

The risks include: pain, surgical mishap or complications, and decreased sexual pleasure.

Irrespective of what opinion you follow, it appears the trend is to avoid, what could only be described as THE most UNPLEASANT cut- OUCH!!!!

In 1950, 90% of us fellas had the little fella topped (or should I say chopped off) by the 1980’s that reduced to 40% and today it is merely 10-15%.

There is mounting evidence that the procedure can prevent the spread of STIs and HIV, it can reduce the spread of penile cancer and protects against urinary tract infections in infants.

Starting to change your mind?

The Royal Australasian College of Physicians says the potential complications of the surgery and anesthesia, such as infections and bleeding, mean any benefits “do not warrant a recommendation of universal circumcision and infant males.”

Even if you do decide on this procedure, you may find it hard to get one, as circumcisions are not performed in most Australian public hospitals unless there is a medical need.

If you want your boy to have more in common with his peers, it probably makes sense to go with the trend of avoiding the cut unless it is medically or religiously required.

Obviously see your doctor if you have any questions. If you want more info on circumcision, email us at dads@dadsclub.com.au

Activities for dads and daughters can be action packed and at times hard yakka. But loads of fun.

Tools and sheds are not just for the boys. Create some legendary  times (and creations) with you and your daughter by building some, or all of these beauties. One you’ve conquered a few of these, it will be time to start again with your son.

Create this vegie patchToil the soil or grab a pot. Dig, water and prosper.

Build a swing set, which will provides hours of fun, if you’re lucky it might just buy you some time down the track.

Within the hour, you can make this sand pit, hours of fun for the young ones.

Make this cork-board – great for wet weather days.

Build a planter box, just you and her, maybe for Mother’s Day?

Toddlers will love this  walker_trolley

A timeless  dolls_house, hours of fun all round.

Welcome spring with this terrific hanging_bird_feeder

Create a worm_farm for your vegie patch.

Share the herbs with the whole family.

Build this letterbox, just in time for those Christmas cards.

Now that you’ve made the letter box, build this memories_box, every girl needs one of these.

ENJOY!

Dads’ Club is happy to introduce you to a site that decodes the rules of 5 Aussie icon sports.

She knows the rules is a site that decodes the rules of 5 key Aussie sport codes. So for those of us who have yet to watch, let alone play some or all of these, here’s a head  start when it’s time to explain it to the kids.

• RUGBY: Get the overview and rules
• AFL: Get the Overview, fast facts and A to Z of AFL
• NRL: Get the overview, fast facts and A to Z on rugby League
  
• SURFING Get the 6 surfing circuits,  how  surfers qualify, fast facts and Rules
• CRICKET: Get the basics, fast facts,  rules, cheat sheet,  A – Z of,  & player profiles (Males and females)
• NETBALL: get the rules from the Queens of Australian Netball right here and now.
• When is the right time to get my kids involved in sport
• What is the best sport they should do

Ever watched a game of footy and wondered what the hell is going on?

Then you may find real joy, if not relief with Tony Squire’s book, CRACKING THE FOOTY CODES a beginners guide to AFL, LEAGUE, UNION and FOOTBALL (SOCCER) may fill in a few of the gaps the girls may have omitted.

Need to find a local sports club and sports stores for your kids? Click here for a FAST & SIMPLE postcode search.

A Sydney bike group’s motto is: Bike riding  is the 2nd best way to start the day. Probably a bunch of balanced lads and families.

Many dads complain about loss of sex once kids come along – refer jelly beans  case study.

Contrary to what many feel when a  baby arrives: Loss of  sleep, potential post natal depression (Mum and/or dad), that overwhelming sense of ‘primary provider’ obligation research shows that a baby presents the opportunity to improve a marriage.

The establishmnt of a family can make both parenst feela stat  of permanence and commitment sets in.  Regular  sex can be seen as a celebration of this, rising above the need for us dad to get our ‘ rocks off.’

Sex is Good for her
Passion serves as a much needed diversion from her unrelenting focus on the baby. She realizes that she is more than a mother. Bringing some balance to her life will help her be a better mum.

Sex is Good for Dads
Frequent sex greatly improves a father’s attitude and lowers his stress levels. It can also sharply reduce a man’s risk of heart attacks or strokes, according to a ten-year study of men in a Welsh village who had sex three-four times weekly.

The researchers (likely all men) concluded that sex should be redefined as vigorous activity.

Happy Parents Produce Happy Kids
The research is clear; kids thrive in homes with low levels of conflict and stress, and they learn to have healthy relationships when they see mom’s and dad’s affection for each other. A healthy, active love life provides the glue that will help hold you and mom and your family together.

So what are you waiting for?  get on the ‘rack.’

HOW TO HAVE SEX

Dads’ Club is happy to introduce you to a site that decodes the rules of 5 Aussie icon sports.

She knows the rules is a site that decodes the rules of 5 key Aussie sport codes. So for those of us who have yet to watch, let alone play some or all of these, here’s a head  start when it’s time to explain it to the kids.

• RUGBY: Get the overview and rules
• AFL: Get the Overview, fast facts and A to Z of AFL
• NRL: Get the overview, fast facts and A to Z on rugby League
  
• SURFING Get the 6 surfing circuits,  how  surfers qualify, fast facts and Rules
• CRICKET: Get the basics, fast facts,  rules, cheat sheet,  A – Z of,  & player profiles (Males and females)
• NETBALL: get the rules from the Queens of Australian Netball right here and now.
• When is the right time to get my kids involved in sport
• What is the best sport they should do

Ever watched a game of footy and wondered what the hell is going on?

Then you may find real joy, if not relief with Tony Squire’s book, CRACKING THE FOOTY CODES a beginners guide to AFL, LEAGUE, UNION and FOOTBALL (SOCCER) may fill in a few of the gaps the girls may have omitted.

Need to find a local sports club and sports stores for your kids? Click here for a FAST & SIMPLE postcode search.

WATCH THIS FOR AWESOME INSPIRATION FOR YOU AND YOUR KIDS.

Bike riding is an excellent low-impact cardiovascular exercise that can be a very cool activity for your kids.  Show them this inspiring clip and the kids are sure to be hounding you for a bike

Taken from www.dadsclub.com.au

Because becoming one is easier than being one.

Does this sound familiar?

Do you feel like your family is on a roller-coaster?

Does your child find it difficult to be away from you?

Get upset when you are going to be late for school or a party or worry excessively about school work generally?

Do you have a child that constantly asks you “What if….” and tends to focuses on negative world events such as natural disasters or wars, tsunamis or dinosaurs?

Is your child overly concerned about what others think of him or her and avoid social situations whenever possible?

If you have answered yes to any of these questions and your family and child’s everyday life is being affected by these behaviours it is possible that your child may be experiencing high levels of anxiety.

“Anxiety” is a term used to describe the physical and psychological response to fear and in low levels it is a very natural and necessary reaction to danger.

To illustrate a healthy level of anxiety imagine a child crossing a road at a zebra crossing. She sees a car coming towards her, the car is not slowing down as it should be, so the child senses potential danger and has a fleeting thought about being hit and seriously hurt. In reaction to this fearful thought, her heart starts racing, her palms begin to sweat and cortisol (a stress hormone) is released into her central nervous system which allows her to get out of harm’s way, quickly.

When children experience high levels of anxiety they do not just have a natural fear response to cars hurtling towards them but they also genuinely fear situations that most other children would not be afraid of.  Such as being separated from their parents, spending time with other kids or going to bed alone!

Because anxiety usually represents an underlying fear of loss or death, anxious children react to perceived danger in the same way as the girl in the earlier example, both psychologically and physically. They are genuinely scared.

For this reason children experiencing anxiety usually attempt to avoid feared situations at any cost. This in turn leads them to behave in disruptive ways that often leave parents and siblings perplexed and frustrated.

So where does anxiety come from?

It is generally accepted that roughly 50% of anxiety is passed down genetically (so we can’t do much about that!) and the other half is due to children learning anxious responses from those closest to them (that is where parents come in).

Solutions

The good news is that generally childhood anxiety can be successfully managed with therapies such as Cognitive Behaviour Therapy (CBT). When kids learn different ways of thinking and reacting to their fears they can also learn to overcome them.

Get involved

Not surprisingly, clinical research suggests that children do much better when parents are also involved in the treatment process. If you think your child may be experiencing anxiety visit your GP. The sooner you and your child start working together to overcome anxiety, the sooner you can all hop off the rollercoaster.

Nikki Johnson is a director of the Cornershop Clinic which delivers Fearless Freddy’s Family Workshops, a 9 week anxiety treatment programs for 9-12 year olds and their parents.

www.cornershopclinic.com.au

Comedian and Speaker, Malcolm Dix, is setting out to lure first-time fathers into an initiation ceremony – that of the Ancient Brotherhood of Fatherhood or, in women’s speak – a practical, down to earth parenting handbook written with a sense of humour.

As a four-times ‘hands-on’ Dad Malcolm knows full well the trials and tribulations of a male finding his way through unchartered territory, from conception to birth…. and beyond.

This entertaining WA performer has gone where no Dad has gone before- helping new Dads (and their partners) uncover age-old secrets to surviving pregnancy and the early days and months of life with a newborn baby.

In Malcolm’s hilarious prose, Ninja Dad: Ancient Pregnancy and Baby Survival Guide for Men, secrets to the mysterious and sometimes baffling journey of pregnancy and babyhood are revealed, peeled back and laid bare.

Malcolm likens babies to Ninjas. They both strike with ‘lethal’ forces although babies never vanish nor are they silent!

“The principles of Ninja are self-control, patience, careful planning, endurance, agility and teamwork, all attributes Ninja Dad encourages the reader to get to grips with.”

“Becoming a Dad is an amazing, wonderful and life-changing experience,” says Malcolm, “however it can also be tough going at times and future Dads need to be prepared for the whole journey.”

“By visually consuming this sacred manuscript of fatherly wisdom, new Dads will rise triumphant and become the all-conquering Ninja Dad they are truly destined to be – and it will save their manly arse!,” confides Malcolm.

­­­­­­­­­­About the author:

Malcolm Dix spent his formative years as a stand-up comic with the likes of Rove, Dave Hughes and Triple J celeb, Dave Callan. 

Prior to discovering comedy, Malcolm chose the path of Youth worker, including a two-year stint in London where he worked at a night refuge for young people.  The highlight of his time there came when: “Princess Diana secretly visited one evening and spent hours talking with the clients. I gave her a mineral water and that night I went from a hard core leftie to a dribbling idiot,” says Malcolm.  “She was beautiful, witty and charming.”

Since 1994 he has been making people laugh and over the years has performed at Artrage, the Melbourne International Comedy Festival and appeared on Rove Live.  In 2005, Malcolm turned his attention to the corporate sector where he now works full-time speaking at conferences, performing his range of comic characters, emceeing events, delivering keynotes and surprising audiences with his Corporate Hoaxes.

When he’s not doing all that, Malcolm is busy trying to be a successful Ninja Dad!

Check out Malcolm’s Ninja Dad blog at: www.malcolmdix.com

Books, priced at $10.95 plus p&h can be ordered through the website.

Photo: Alex Ellinghausen taken from the Sydney Morning Herald

Does Joe have a moral compass?

Are parents putting too much pressure on their kids?

Hockey claims rising depression and suicide amongst teens caused by modern day life.

RELATED POSTS

Depression in dads and kids

Suicide

Education

“Their lives in general are becoming over-taxed and over-regulated.

We regulate or tax in their name every part of their being from the drinks they consume to the cars they drive,” he said.

”It is older generations that have imposed draconian expectations on a young person to spend 120 hours at the car wheel in the presence of a licensed driver … to get their provisional licence. Some rules are necessary but we cannot go too far.

Does Joe actually have a moral compass? Maybe when you look at this…

”As a general rule we should be mindful that young people need the chance to explore, experiment and engage in calculated risk-taking behaviour … to grow into balanced adults and pursue the future they aspire to.”

YOU GOTTA AGREE….. the“focus on academic achievement and continuous performance assessment was too narrow, stifled creativity and increased pressure on the young.

He said the pressure of the HSC has been growing. ”I see a trend continuing – the stress of the HSC increasing for little material gain, and at a physical and emotional cost to our young Australians.

”I would attribute this increased pressure and assessment with contributing to problems of depression, anxiety and suicide in our younger generation.”

DISAGREE Mr Hockey said that while it was right to expect students to do well at school, ”we should not be afraid of formal education failure”. BUT Joe, this is not true, sadly today a ticket to university is becoming essential if on wants an income above the average.

He blamed the flaws of high school as he saw them on university entrance requirements, which focus almost solely on scores achieved at high school rather than broader qualities.

ABSOLUTELY, but who’s going to change this?

WOW…….He noted none of the top 20 universities in the world had entry for an undergraduate degree based on school marks alone.

FAIR CALL ”If young people are old enough to own a gun, fight in our armed forces, drive a car, get married and beget children, then they are old enough to freely engage in society without age-based restrictions.

NANNY STATE ”Your creativity must not be unfairly restricted by government regulation and tax.”

Joe, you’ve shown us another side, do something about it and you may get more votes!

READ MORE FROM THE SMH

New study shows 77 percent think being a good father is very important, 49 percent said same about careers

The classic figure of a distant, career-focused father who spends lots of time at the office and who has little time for his kids might be getting outdated, a new study shows.

In a nationwide survey that examined Americans’ feelings on fatherhood, 77 percent of U.S. men rated being a good father as very important, while just 49 percent said the same about having a successful career.

Still, the study, which surveyed nearly 1,000 men across the United States who are in relationships with women, suggests that fathers and non-fathers alike see fatherhood as a “package deal” — they consider things like work and leisure important, too. But those elements complement, not compete with, being a parent.

“There is an image for men that if they’re into their career, then they’re not into being fathers,” said Julia McQuillan, professor of sociology at the University of Nebraska-Lincoln and co-author of the research. “These results, however, show something quite different. Men don’t have to be into one or the other. They can be into both.”

The research surveyed both fathers and non-fathers who were either married or co-habiting, and was unique in that men were not asked to choose between things like work, parenthood or leisure and rank them against one another. Instead, researchers asked them to rate the importance of fatherhood alongside other interests in their lives.

By doing so, the study uncovered several insights into modern attitudes on fatherhood, both for men with children and those without. Notably, cultural and identity factors were more important than economic ones when considering men’s feelings on fatherhood.

McQuillan said she was surprised that so many men agreed with concepts that were originally developed by researchers for another study that measured the importance of motherhood to women. The results are counter to conventional notions of fathers seeing themselves chiefly as economic providers.

Most of the men agreed or strongly agreed with statements such as “Having children is important to my feeling complete as a man”; “I always thought I would be a parent”; “I think my life will be or is more fulfilling with children”; and “It is important for me to have children,” she said.

“There has been considerable focus on women’s challenges combining motherhood and employment. Yet in this sample only half of the men considered their career very important,” McQuillan said. “Perhaps recognizing that fatherhood is important to men could open employers up to creating flexibility for parenting among men as well as women, and to not assume anything about employees based on gender or parenthood status alone.”

Also among the findings:

• Men who valued leisure and career, who espoused greater religiosity, who embraced non-egalitarian gender values, and who were already fathers tended to value fatherhood most.
• Fathers had lower education levels, were less likely to be in school, were more religious and were more likely to endorse non-egalitarian gender attitudes.
• About two-thirds of the men — 65 percent — endorsed egalitarian gender attitudes.
• Importance of fatherhood declined with age among non-fathers.

The study, to appear in the journal Fathering, was authored by Veronica Tichenor of the State University of New York-Institute of Technology; UNL’s McQuillan; Arthur Griel of Alfred University; Raleigh Contreras of UNL; and Karina Shreffler of Oklahoma State University.

Contact: Julia McQuillan
jmcquillan2@unl.edu
402-472-6616
University of Nebraska-Lincoln

A Sydney bike group’s motto is: Bike riding  is the 2nd best way to start the day. Probably a bunch of balanced lads and families.

Many dads complain about loss of sex once kids come along – refer jelly beans  case study.

Contrary to what many feel when a  baby arrives: Loss of  sleep, potential post natal depression (Mum and/or dad), that overwhelming sense of ‘primary provider’ obligation research shows that a baby presents the opportunity to improve a marriage.

The establishmnt of a family can make both parenst feela stat  of permanence and commitment sets in.  Regular  sex can be seen as a celebration of this, rising above the need for us dad to get our ‘ rocks off.’

Sex is Good for her
Passion serves as a much needed diversion from her unrelenting focus on the baby. She realizes that she is more than a mother. Bringing some balance to her life will help her be a better mum.

Sex is Good for Dads
Frequent sex greatly improves a father’s attitude and lowers his stress levels. It can also sharply reduce a man’s risk of heart attacks or strokes, according to a ten-year study of men in a Welsh village who had sex three-four times weekly.

The researchers (likely all men) concluded that sex should be redefined as vigorous activity.

Happy Parents Produce Happy Kids
The research is clear; kids thrive in homes with low levels of conflict and stress, and they learn to have healthy relationships when they see mom’s and dad’s affection for each other. A healthy, active love life provides the glue that will help hold you and mom and your family together.

So what are you waiting for?  get on the ‘rack.’

HOW TO HAVE SEX

Activities for dads and daughters can be action packed and at times hard yakka. But loads of fun.

Tools and sheds are not just for the boys. Create some legendary  times (and creations) with you and your daughter by building some, or all of these beauties. One you’ve conquered a few of these, it will be time to start again with your son.

Create this vegie patchToil the soil or grab a pot. Dig, water and prosper.

Build a swing set, which will provides hours of fun, if you’re lucky it might just buy you some time down the track.

Within the hour, you can make this sand pit, hours of fun for the young ones.

Make this cork-board – great for wet weather days.

Build a planter box, just you and her, maybe for Mother’s Day?

Toddlers will love this  walker_trolley

A timeless  dolls_house, hours of fun all round.

Welcome spring with this terrific hanging_bird_feeder

Create a worm_farm for your vegie patch.

Share the herbs with the whole family.

Build this letterbox, just in time for those Christmas cards.

Now that you’ve made the letter box, build this memories_box, every girl needs one of these.

ENJOY!

RELATED POSTS:

Is your child anxious / dadsclub.com.au

10 tips for back to school

How to better communicate with your pissed off partner

Your kid wants to stay up late, avoid homework, hang out with friends, and watch TV and play video games. In short, your school-aged child wants to do everything but go to bed early and do schoolwork. What’s more, he has lots of clever ways to wear you down and get his way.

Here are six ways school kids manipulate parents, and what to do about each one.

Emotional Blackmail: This is when your child deliberately demonstrates an emotion that she knows will cause you discomfort. “I just wanted to watch the new episode, then I was going to do my homework. How come I can’t have at least some fun before I do homework? You don’t care about me!”

What to do: Her emotional outburst is either a manipulative display, or she is genuinely sad and angry. Either way, acknowledge her feelings so she knows you care, but stick with your demand. Emotions are part of life.

Shutting Down: Your child will attempt to avoid dealing with an issue, such as getting in bed on a school night, by simply not responding. You tell him to turn off the video game, but ten minutes later he hasn’t moved. This will go on indefinitely until you stop it.

What to do: It’s normal for kids to do what they want to do, and delay what they don’t want to do. Give him a consequence and follow through with it, such as, “If you don’t turn off the Xbox in five minutes, there will be no video games tomorrow.”

Irrational Logic: This is when your child or teen tries to soften your reaction to a particular behavior by introducing irrelevant information into the discussion. “Why can’t I stay out till eleven on a school night? I got all A’s last year.”

What to do: Don’t take the bait. Don’t waste time explaining that one isn’t related to the other. Stand firm.

Negotiation: Children are great at getting their way through striking a deal with parents. “Let me go to Sally’s after school and I promise I’ll do all my homework–and that book report too.”

What to do: Tell her you know she wants to have time to play, but she hasn’t yet earned it. If she satisfies her end of the deal–homework and book report–she can earn that playdate.

Divide and Conquer: This is when your child attempts to get what he wants by exploiting weaknesses in your spousal relationship. “But Dad said I could watch the game with him as long as I do my Spanish vocab during the commercials.”

What to do: Discuss with your spouse ahead of time which types of decisions you want to share (e.g., homework, money, social activities), and then either consult with or defer to your spouse. If it falls in a grey area, tell your kid you need to think about it first.

Playing the Victim: Children are great at getting what they want by making you feel sorry for them. “I’m the only one in the house who never gets to go to a movie on weeknights.”

What to do: You need to separate the emotional content from whatever short-term goal the child is trying to obtain. Get her to talk about what that feels like to be the “only one” and let her know that you care about her feelings. Her short-term goal–of staying out late, however, is separate and unrelated. Don’t back down.

By David Swan

David Swanson is a licensed clinical psychologist who specializes in children, teens, and families. His new book is Help! My Kid Is Driving Me Crazy: The 17 Ways Kids Manipulate Their Parents and What You Can Do About It (Perigee, Sept. 2009). Learn more about him at www.SwansonContiandAssociates.com.

Taken from www.thefatherlife.com a partner of www.dadsclub.com.au

Here are some tried and tested Mum days gift ideas you can get your son and daughter to make…it will keep them busy, her happy and you in the good books a little bit longer.
The good news is that most of this can be done within one day, sometimes within an hour, so what are you waiting for…
1. Make a movie
Time required: half a day
Help the kids write a short movie script them grab the camera and start shooting. Make a short film about a loved one, their favourite holiday, pet or plant. Burn it on a disc to make an innovative and highly memorable  gift.
2. Get baking
Time required within an hour
Purchase some coloured boxes or bags from a Go-Lo “one dollar shop” and fill it with some home made goodies.

3. Create a masterpiece
Time required one to two hours
Purchase a low cost canvas from Go-Lo or another “one dollar shop” and have the kids paint their a scene with their favourite person as the subject. This is perfect for grandparents: Paint them in the garden, on the beach, playing games with the grandkids or flying through the galaxy. This is a memorable gift that can be a talking piece throughout the year.

4. Customised coaster, pencil holders, picture frames and small boxes.
Time required one to two hours
Craft shops and Go-Lo sell wooden products designed to be painted. These are low cost and easy to customise with paint. Buy a few and give one to the whole family.
Remember to varnish them at the end, purchase paints and varnish from any craft store.
5. Create a story
Time required a few hours (mostly to be thinking about it)
Have the kids write a story or a poem about  Mum. Guide t your son / daughter  to write about their favourite activities  and what it is that makes them so special.
Hand written or typed all work well. Mount it on cardboard and you’re sure to bring a tear to Mum’s eye.
6. Framed photograph, story or poem
Time required 15 minutes
Frame your favourite picture, story or poem in one of your customised frames

7. Gift giving cards using digital photography
Time required one to two hours.
Get creative with no mess! Arm the kids with the camera and send them, into the garden or around the neighborhood. Get them to take loads of shots of virtually anything, but encourage them to do close ups e.g. of flowers, use some props such as teddy bears or toys in the garden.
Review your pics online, print them out and mount them on some cardboard to make small gift cards. Make a set of 6 per person – these make a sensational and very practical gift.
Purchase cardboard from any newsagent.
8. Paint a pot
Time required, within an hour.
Access any terracotta pot (buy or dig one up from under the house) and paint it to your child’s liking. This is great for babies and infants to have their hand and potentially foot prints scattered across the pot in different colours. Be sure to autograph and date it with a special message.
You can get away with water paints for indoor pots, oil paint for outdoor pots.
9. Grow some seeds
Time required 10 minutes plus…
Plant some herbs in your customised pot. Buy established herbs or plat seeds. This is a great gift for any Mum  who loves their food!
10. Give an experience
Time required 10 minutes plus…
There comes a time when material gifts seem more like land fill than an everlasting token of love. If you can’t think of anything to give that special person this year who seems to have absolutely everything give them a big fat cuddle.

Most Mums will value Bubble baths, massages, a yoga class or even breaky in bed.
Receiving blank shopping vouchers and land-fill type gifts can send a message that we don’t know you that well.
Have a great time preparing for 2010 Mum’s day.

5-gift-ideas-for-mums-day

Mums don’t ask for much, and many of them will tell you not to worry about getting them anything for Mother’s  Day – how many times have you been told “All I want is my kids over for lunch” or “Don’t spend your money on  me.

Save it for yourself”. Well, let’s face it people – mums are still women and all women LOVE presents, especially unexpected ones! And  who deserves to get something special from us more than our loving mums?

A Mother’s Day gift doesn’t have to break the bank, but it does need to be something that is all about making her  feel good on her special day (no toasters or vacuum cleaners please!).

Gifts For My Girl has put together a great  range of Mother’s Day gifts catering for mums of all ages and stages, and all budgets.

Below is our top 5 gift  ideas to make your shopping a breeze.

1. MOR Marshmallow Hand and Body Cream – $34.95 MORs Marshmallow range is arguably its most popular, and you will have no trouble seeing why after trying  this Hand and Body Cream. Femininely fragranced with soft jasmine flower and vanilla musk tones, this  cream leaves skin feeling soft and smelling sweet all day.  The divine packaging that MOR is renowned for,  and the fact that MOR is Danish for mum makes this one impressive Mother’s Day present.

2. Babushka Doll Kitchen Gift Pack – $49.95 Babushka Dolls are back and will no doubt have mum reminiscing about her days as a little girl playing with  the wooden toys.  The Babushka Doll Kitchen Gift Pack is perfect for the mum who loves to cook and includes  a set of the popular Babushka measuring cups, a set of matching measuring spoons and the latest Babushka  product from Fred, the Store-Ms containers which are perfect for lunches, leftovers and treats!

3. St Albans Mohair Throw Rugs – $174.95 Proudly Australian made, these luxurious mohair throw rugs are perfect for Mother’s Day with the cold winter  weather just around the corner.  Mohair is naturally warm and lightweight so it will keep her cosy without the  heaviness of other blankets. Hard wearing, soil resistant and non-felting,  Mohair fibres have fabulous  insulation properties that help keep our bodies just as cool in summer as they do warm in winter. The throws  measure 122cm x 183cm and are the perfect size for snuggling up in on the couch or for an extra layer of  lightweight warmth on the bed.

4. ‘Dream of Spring’ Japanese Kokeshi Doll – $45.95 Kokeshi was originally made as a toy for children of farmers in the northern Japanese provinces 150 years  ago. It has now developed into one of Japan’s traditional folk arts. This  Kokeshi, named ‘haruno yume’ or  ’dream of spring’ has been wood-cut and painted in Japan by skilled craftsmen.  Standing approximately 15.3cm high, she is a beautiful decorative piece that will look great on display around the home or as part of  her larger Japanese inspired collection!

5. Christopher Vine ‘Magnolia Cupcake’ Recipe Journal and Pen – $22.95 Many mothers have a secret recipe vault that contains their most prized recipes, including those that have  been handed down through the family from woman to woman.  With this deliciously delightful recipe journal,  she can make sure her favourites are all kept safe in the one convenient location. And what better pen to  write them all in with than a cupcake one!

TIPS FOR THE FIRST TRIMESTER (WEEKS 0 to 13)

FOR BABY: Eye Development

You’d be surprised at how much of your growing baby is developed in the first trimester. All major organs, skin, hair, ears, the central nervous system, external structures form, muscles begin to develop, the heart starts beating and, in the first eight weeks, the eyes develop. To enhance develop, and for healthy eyes and eyesight, the expectant mum’s diet needs to be rich in Vitamins A, D & B2

Essential Nutrients:

• Vitamin A can be found in some animal, but plenty of plant food sources. While a deficiency can lead to blindness, it’s important to only obtain this vitamin via food sources, as Vitamin A supplements during pregnancy are extremely dangerous to the foetus. When sourced from plant food sources however, the body will only convert what it needs, so there is no risk of toxicity.
  Vitamin A is also great for healthy skin, and is rich in cancer-fighting antioxidants.

  Best food sources:
  eggs, milk, carrots, broccoli, sweet potato, spinach, pumpkin, apricots, mangos, peas, red capsicum

• Vitamin D has limited food sources with natural sunlight the best source. It’s not only essential for good eyesight, it is also needed to transport calcium from the blood to the bones, for strong healthy ones!
  20 minutes of sun per day is recommended as well as these rich food sources:

  egg yolks, parmesan cheese, yoghurt and sardines

• Vitamin B2 is available in an abundant of foods with no chance of overdosing. It’s also essential for converting food to energy for the body to use, so great for mums-to-be as well.Best food sources:
  milk, yoghurt, eggs, leafy green vegetables, avocado, broccoli, asparagus, mushrooms, wholegrains and almonds.

FOR MUM: Food Aversions

Your partner may start to experience aversions to foods that have never affected her before the pregnancy. Smell, taste and even the sight of specific foods can bring on nausea. Some women can only stand bland foods, others find that all foods taste bland and need more challenging, zingy flavours. This is due to those raging hormones and a very common complaint of the First Tri. As with nausea, it usually subsides, but it is still vital to ensure a healthy intake of food and nutrients throughout.

Protein food sources seems to be the main offender yet so important during pregnancy, so you dad’s, must find a way to disguise sources with other flavours. Here’s a few tips:

• Add cheese to omelettes, braise beef with spices and starchy vegetables, or smother seafood in a creamy leek and herb fish pie. Spaghetti bolognaise or a beef pasta dish is another winner. Recipe below, with others available in FEEDING THE BUMP.

• Cook all of these out of smell and sight of the pregnant one – preferably when not at home – with all windows open so she doesn’t pick up on the smells. And whatever you do, do not come clean on hidden protein source. This will be one time when not telling the entire truth will get you in the good books!
  
• Keep an eye on her daily protein intake, even a fruit smoothie with milk and yoghurt can fulfil this need.
  
• If fruits and veges become unappealing, try juicing them. They may become more palatable and easier to take in liquid form.

RECIPE FOR FOOD AVERSIONS:

Beef Pasta with Almond and Avocado Pesto

The use of avocado and almonds in my healthy version of pesto creates a creamy pasta dish that almost disguises the flavour of beef. The recipe is also rich in vitamins A & B2 for your baby’s eye development. Enjoy….

2 cups soyaroni (or wholemeal) pasta Avocado & Almond Pesto

200g lean rump steak ½ cup almonds

1 punnet cherry tomatoes, halved 1 medium bunch fresh basil

1 cup mushrooms, quartered 2 tbs lemon juice

2 cups broccoli, cut into small florets 1 clove garlic, crushed

Cracked black pepper ½ avocado

Heat bbq plate or grill.

To make the pesto, place the almonds in a blender and roughly chop. Add basil and process until just combined. Add lemon juice, garlic and avocado. Briefly blend again for a slightly chunky texture. Set aside in the fridge

Bring a pot of water to the boil and cook pasta according to the packet directions, until just al dente. Strain, saving a little cooking water to moisten the dish as needed. Put cooked pasta back in the saucepan and cover to keep warm.

Cook steak on the preheated bbq/grill. Remove from heat and cover with foil to rest. Meanwhile toss the tomatoes, mushrooms and broccoli in a non-stick frying pan, with a dash of olive oil. Cook 2-3 minutes. Add to the pasta.

Very thinly slice the steak (this will help with aversions) and add to pasta dish with one tablespoon of the reserved cooking water. Stir through the pesto, combine ingredients and cook over a medium heat for one minute to coat all ingredients.

Remove from the heat and allow the pesto to melt through the pasta.

Season with black pepper and fresh parmesan cheese if desired.

This month’s PREGNANCY SUPERFOOD:

Eggs (vitamin A, D, B2, zinc, omega 3, protein)

• Rich in vitamins A, D, B2 for great vision
• Protein for energy & immunity, and to build muscles, bones, skin and organs
• Zinc, omega 3 and iodine for brain development
• As well as folate, calcium, selenium and iron – all fab for pregnancy.

Info & Recipes extracted from FEEDING THE BUMP RRP $29.95

Available in bookstores or online www.allen&unwin.com

NEXT MONTH: SECOND TRIMESTER

Tips For Mum & Bub:

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• Cooking with dad and his girls
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• Snacks and lunchbox tips and ideas
• Recipes for all the dads you’re suppose to be

We’re committed to bringing you the most accurate information in everything we do.

We could not say or do this any better than what we have dished up here in these lunchbox suggestions for your kids to attack. The following   is taken from The Sydney Westmead Hospital website

Get  your kids attacking their snacks with these lunchbox beauties.

Disclaimer: This fact sheet is for education purposes only. Please consult with your doctor or other health professional to make sure this information is right for your child.

As part of a healthy diet your child should eat 3 main meals and 2-3 snacks a day. Snacks are an important part of daily food intake, especially for children. They need to be nutritious, tasty, quick and easy to prepare. Having small regular meals and snacks by choosing from all food groups (while watching fat intake) is a better approach than skipping meals and “bingeing” when hungry. The following snack ideas are suggestions to pack for school or to prepare at home between main meals. Healthy snacks are suitable for all children (unless advised otherwise by a dietitian).

Lunchbox ideas

School snack ideas:

• Slice of fruit loaf/bun/raisin bread.
• Pancake or pikelet (add mashed bananas to mixture for a change).
• Fruit/date/pumpkin/ or plain scone.
• Small pita bread (spread thinly with cheese spread or peanut butter, grated carrot, sprouts and roll up to serve).
• Small handful of rice crackers or baked wheat pretzels.
• Wholemeal crackers with a slice of low fat cheese.
• Rice cakes with thin scrape reduced-fat cream cheese (eg. Philadelphia Lite®) and Vegemite®.
• 1 cup Mini Wheats® breakfast cereal or 1 packet of Wheat Bites To Go®/Nutrigrain ®, Fruity Bix®.
• Cup of popcorn (pop in the microwave). Add a small amount of dried fruit for variety.
• Handful of home made pita chips (cut pita bread into triangles, sprinkle with a little parmesan cheese and bake 180ºC 15 – 20 minutes until crisp).
• Small can baked beans, spaghetti or creamed corn.
• Celery sticks with a thin spread of peanut butter topped with sultanas.
• Slice of low fat cheese with a bundle of carrot and celery sticks.
• Tub of low fat fruit yoghurt (freeze the night before in warmer months) or Lite Fromage Frais®.
• Small carton of reduced fat flavoured milk (eg. Oak Lite® or Lite White®).
• Fresh fruit – available in many varieties all year.
• Piece of fresh fruit or 1 cup of fruit salad in a container or canned fruit snack pack.
• Small handful of dried fruit or nuts (for over 5 year olds only).
• Small container of assorted salads (eg. tabouli, pasta, rice).
• Salad box with a hard-boiled egg, cherry tomatoes and a bread roll.
• Snow peas, feta, pitted olives.
• Can of jelly and fruit.
• Grissini sticks.
• Homemade pizza.
• Vegetarian quiche or frittata.
• Noodles with chicken and snow peas.
• Kibbeh felafel.
• Rissoles, meatballs or kebabs.
• Low fat cheese cubes or sticks.
• Steamed dim sims – still delicious cold.
• Sushi rice roll with avocado, carrot and tuna.
• Chicken drumstick.

School lunches

Fill the lunchbox with a variety of healthy foods. Be sure to include plenty of fresh fruit, salad vegetables and bread or low fat cracker biscuits. Put in low fat protein food such as meats, fish, dairy products, baked beans or boiled egg.

Try a variety of breads and rolls such as wholemeal, mixed grain, white hi-fibre, bagels, pocket, lavash, focaccia, turkish and flat breads. Use margarine/butter sparingly. If sandwich filling is moist (ie. avocado, cheese, salad etc) try to leave out margarine/butter. Dairy foods, meat and eggs need to be kept cold. Put a frozen drink bottle in with the lunch box or use a cooler bag.Cut sandwiches into strips or use a shape cutter for a novelty.

Try these sandwich fillings:

• Lean roast beef, lamb or pork with tomato and lettuce.
• Light cream cheese, grated carrot and sultanas.
• Low fat cheese, pineapple and lettuce.
• Ricotta or cottage cheese, tuna and snow pea sprouts.
• Baked beans (drained) and grated low fat cheese.
• Avocado, instead of margarine.
• Avocado, bean sprouts and tomato.
• Lean ham and fruit chutney.
• Roast beef or pastrami with salad
• Chopped egg, cucumber and lettuce.
• Chopped skinless chicken, low fat mayonnaise and lettuce.
• Tabouli salad, lettuce and fetta cheese.
• Peanut butter lightly spread, topped with chopped dried fruit (apricots and sultanas).
• Bananas mashed with ricotta cheese.
• Hommos, sliced tomato and sprouts.
• Rissoles, homemade meat pattie and tomato / tomato sauce.
• Tuna or salmon with low fat mayonnaise.

Ideas for home

Home snack ideas:

• Rice cakes lightly spread with ricotta or “light” cream cheese and vegemite or fruit spread.
• Toasted muffin with a scrape of honey or fruit spread.
• Slice of toasted wholegrain bread topped with ricotta cheese and fruit spread.
• Microwaved pappadums.
• Crispbreads with a low fat topping or plain biscuits.
• Wholewheat breakfast cereal and reduced fat milk.
• Toasted sandwich – use baked beans with a slice of low fat cheese or lean ham and creamed corn.
• Homemade muffins or buy a low fat muffin mix (check your supermarket).
• Frozen banana (spear peeled banana with icy-pole stick and freeze) or other frozen fruit such as grapes, peeled orange or mandarin segments.
• Scoop low fat ice cream with 1/2 cup canned unsweetened fruit.
• Banana smoothie (using skim or Lite White® milk or low fat soy drink, blend with 1/2 banana).
• Fruit yoghurt smoothie (blend 1/2 cup fruit yoghurt plus 1/2 cup skim milk or low fat milk) plus 1/2 cup canned unsweetened fruit.
• Ice blocks made with equal quantity fruit juice and low fat yoghurt.
• Ice blocks made on diet cordial.
• Fruit kebabs (skewer cubes of fruits on to bamboo skewers).
• 200gm tub of frozen yoghurt or low fat fruit yoghurt.
• Fruit platter with low fat yoghurt to dip into.
• Bowl of pumpkin soup (made with low fat evaporated milk or skim milk instead of cream).
• Vegetable rich soup with spirally pasta.
• Raisin toast.
• 2 minute noodles.
• Cheese scones or muffins (mix grated cheese in or sprinkle on top and grill).
• Crumpets with a scrape of margarine – try topping with tomato and cheese.
• Fresh fruit kebabs.
• Pikelet with jam or honey.

Home lunches

Try these sandwich fillings:

• Lean roast beef, lamb or pork with tomato and lettuce.
• Light cream cheese, grated carrot and sultanas.
• Low fat cheese, pineapple and lettuce.
• Ricotta or cottage cheese, tuna and snow pea sprouts.
• Baked beans (drained) and grated low fat cheese.
• Avocado, instead of margarine.
• Avocado, bean sprouts and tomato.
• Lean ham and fruit chutney.
• Roast beef or pastramis with salad
• Chopped egg, cucumber and lettuce.
• Chopped skinless chicken, low fat mayonnaise and lettuce.
• Tabouli salad, lettuce and fetta cheese.
• Peanut butter lightly spread, topped with chopped dried fruit (apricots and sultanas).
• Bananas mashed with ricotta cheese.
• Hommos, sliced tomato and sprouts.
• Rissoles, home-made meat pattie and tomato / tomato sauce.
• Tuna or salmon with low fat mayonnaise.

Take-away snacks

• One small Vitari® or frozen yoghurt.
• Low fat ice creams such as Billabong®.
• Plain ice blocks.
• Low fat yoghurt or low fat dairy snack.
• 300ml carton of Oak Lite® or Lite White® flavoured milk.
• Baked wheat pretzels or popcorn.
• Corn on the cob (forget the butter!)

Drinks

Water and milk are the best drinks for children.

Label reading

Processed snacks can contain a lot of hidden fats. Check the nutrition panel and choose product with <10g fat per 100g/100ml.

Involve your child in choosing their own lunch from a range of healthy options. Children who are involved in their own food choices may be more likely to change to good life-long eating habits.

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• Tactics for happy meals
• 7 Tips for healthy eating
• Interview with Favourite TV chef, Iain Hewitson
• Cooking with dad and his girls
• Recipes for blokes and kids
• Snacks and lunchbox tips and ideas
• Recipes for all the dads you’re suppose to be

Kids usually get so much at Christmas, but how often do they actually give? Here’s an opportunity for you to educate the kids on the gift of giving by having your kids create some of the following, innovative and mostly low cost gift ideas.

Not only can you save some loot, but you would have been responsible for creating a customer made masterpiece that will touch the bearer of your gift well beyond Boxing Day.

The good news is that most of this can be done within one day, sometimes within an hour, so what are you waiting for…

1. Make a movie

Time required: half a day

Help the kids write a short movie script them grab the camera and start shooting. Make a short film about a loved one, their favourite holiday, pet or plant.  Burn it on a disc to make an innovative and highly memorable Christmas Gift.

2. Get baking

Time required within an  hour

Purchase some coloured boxes or bags from a Go-Lo “one dollar shop” and fill it with some home made goodies. Buy some cookie cutter festive shapes (Santa, tree, reindeers etc..) to add the festive cheer.

Recipes for:

• Short bread
• Anzac biscuits
• Brownies

3. Create a masterpiece

Time required one to two hours

Purchase a low cost canvas from Go-Lo or another “one dollar shop” and have the kids paint their a scene with their favourite person as the subject. This is perfect for grandparents: Paint them in the garden, on the beach, playing games with the grandkids or flying through the galaxy. This is a memorable gift that can be a talking piece throughout the year.

4. Customised coaster, pencil holders, picture frames and small boxes.

Time required one to two hours

Craft shops and Go-lo sell wooden products designed to be painted. These are low cost and easy to customise with paint. Buy a few and give one to the whole family.

Remember to varnish them at the end, purchase paints and varnish from any craft store.

5. Create a story

Time required a few hours (mostly to be thinking about it)

Have the kids write a story or a poem about a loved one. Guide the kids to write about their favourite activities with aunt, uncle, grandpa or grandma, and what it is that makes them so special.

Hand written or typed all work well.  Mount it on cardboard and you’re sure to bring a tear to the recipients eye this Christmas.

6. Framed photograph, story or poem

Time required 15 minutes

Frame your favourite picture, story or poem in one of your customised frames

7. Gift cards using digital photography

Time required one to two hours.

Get creative with no mess! Arm the kids with the camera and send them, into the garden or around the neighborhood. Get them to take loads of shots of virtually anything, but encourage them to do close ups e.g. of flowers, use some props such as teddy bears or toys in the garden

Review your pics online, print them out and mount them on some cardboard to make small gift cards. Make a set of 6 per person – these make a sensational and very practical gift.

Purchase cardboard from any newsagent.

8. Paint a pot

Time required, within an hour.

Access any terracotta pot (buy or dig one up from under the house) and paint it to your child’s liking. This is great for babies and infants to have their hand and potentially foot prints scattered across the pot in different colours. Be sure to autograph and date it with a special message.

You can get away with water paints for indoor pots, oil paint  for outdoor pots.

9. Grow some seeds

Time required 10 minutes plus…
Plant some herbs in  your customised  pot. Buy established herbs or plat  seeds. This is a great gift for anyone who loves their food!

10. Give an experience

Time required 10 minutes plus…

There comes a time when material gifts seem more like land fill than an everlasting token of love. If you can’t think of anything to give that special person this year who seems to have absolutely everything give them a big fat cuddle, if this doesn’t cut the mustard contact Red Balloon Day for loads of experiential gift ideas.

Donate an animal to a family in need

If you’d like to donate an animal to a family in need, check out the charity World Vision. You can give the gift of an alpaca to a family in Peru or Ecuador for $200. Other gift options include a goat, chickens or sheep for between $25 and $100.

Whatever gift you are giving, it is always best to invest some time and give a gift that says “I know you.” Receiving blank shopping vouchers and land-fill type gifts can send a message that we don’t know you that well.

Have a great gift giving time.

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• Plant a  garden
• 20 activities to do with dad these holidays
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Crying Baby

Most babies cry often. Crying is an important way that he/she communicates to you before they can speak. Figuring out why can be hard – it is a matter of trial and error. What works today may not work tomorrow or the next day, but your need to show your baby they can trust you by picking him/her up and comforting them every time he/she cries.

How to calm a crying baby

• Cuddle or wrap baby up in a blanket
• While holding baby, gently bounce or walk with the baby while speaking softly
• Whisper in your baby’s ear
• Go for a walk or car ride
• Be silly – sing or make funny faces

Why babies cry

Crying is an important way that your baby communicates to you before they learn how to speak. Sometimes it is difficult to figure out why your baby is crying. What works today may not work the next day, but what is important is that you show your baby they can trust you by picking them up and comforting baby every time he cries. Try to understand why your baby is crying, then you can try to help

Babies cry for a number of reasons. This can sometimes lead to frustration on the parent’s part. It is very important to remember that you should never shake your baby as this can be very harmful to the baby.

Here are some possible reasons why babies cry along with helpful tips that you can try to soothe your crying baby.

We’re a nation that’s obsessed with sport; surely somewhere within The Constitution it mentions the importance of kids playing sport. Today 63% (shouldn’t it be more?) of kids aged 5 to 14 have a crack at sport (and most will take on several codes during their youth). Swimming is the most popular kids sport for children with a participation rate of 17% followed by outdoor soccer with 13%.

Most popular boy’s sports: outdoor soccer, swimming, Australian Rules football, tennis, outdoor cricket and basketball.

Most popular girl’s sports: swimming, netball, tennis and outdoor soccer.

Most popular unorganised activities after school hours for children: bike riding (68%) and rollerblading or skateboarding (24%).

Benefits of sport
Sport not only keeps our little dears physically active, it has been proven to assist them with psychological outcomes: increased self-esteem, better development of life skills (such as living with rules, the concept of winning and losing), increased academic performance and a reduction in risky behaviour such as crime and drugs taking.

Unless you’ve enjoyed a career with the Australian Institute Sport or are a sports reporter you’ll appreciate the knowledge we serve up here that will position you as the authority kids expect us all to be.

Data sourced from Australian Bureau of Statistics

Most blokes shy from help. Men’s group, is an Australian flick about 6 blokes who end up joining a men’s group for a wide range of reasons.

None of them want to be there, yet they all continue to attend.

Throughout the course of their weekly sessions their issues begin to surface. They talk and help each-other out on issues such as dealing with their own fathers, how to relate with their kids, dealing with death (wife, daughter) , suicide, coping with divorce, coping with anger (from the closeted guy) and more.

A slow start that will initially please the most cynical with (I thought as much, this is all shit) BUT as the movie unfolds it is disarming, confronting and real for all males you consider themselves to be men.

It is raw and full of language and issues blokes relate with…the moral of the story is don’t go it alone, TALK.

I challenge any decent bloke to watch it and not tear-up!

INTRODUCING the Parents Jury Fame and Shame Awards, giving parents the opportunity to have their say – for or against – various strategies used by food manufacturers and marketers to promote their products to children.

There are four award categories and over the next few months, nominations will take place for each award.

Pester power for the food marketing campaign that causes your child to nag the most, Smoke and Mirrors for the use of health claims on children’s food which make it appear healthier than it is.

The positive Parents’ Choice category highlights campaigns which promote healthy eating to kids and sadly, we’ve chosen to re-introduce the Bad Sport award, which goes to a sports association, team or athlete that promotes unhealthy food and drinks to children.  Take a look here if you want to see past ‘winners.’

Voting will take place in October.   Just go to www.parentsjury.org.au

In contemplating what 33% of Australian families have done, a vasectomy procedure, I was not sure whether I was enriching or diluting my manhood. Was I really ready for the cost and complication of THE BIG SNIP?

When it comes to putting the family jewels on the line, one needs to thoroughly explore all options. The contraceptive criteria in this exercise are threefold: reliable, safe and reversal complications the various options are best classified into (1) the snip (2) other male contraceptives and (3) female centric contraceptives. Abstinence nor cost were not considered  options.
(1) The snip
A visit to the website http://www.malehealth.co.uk/ is a great start on learning the clinic aspects of how a vasectomy works, the recovery time, advantages and disadvantages. Once all remaining sperm has gone from the seminal vessel, a vasectomy is 99.8% effective in preventing pregnancy. However, other sources suggest that vasectomies are not always easy to reverse. For additional medical advice see your GP.
A Male perceptive in the case for a vasectomy procedure:
Mike claims it has been one of the best things he’s ever done:
“I would never look back…it has given us a clean break. For me it was a small inconvenience that demonstrated a significant commitment to my wife and kids.
It only took 20 minutes. Sure, I felt like I had been kicked in the balls, but the pain didn’t last too long. You need to remember that you have to use condoms for a while, until the sperm canal is completely clean, but then you are 99.8% safe.
After everything my wife has gone through with the pregnancy and delivery of our 4 kids it was the least I could do.
The sex is the same, it makes no physical difference. Any problems are all in the mind”.
A Male perceptive in the case against a vasectomy procedure:
Andy reckons it’s unnatural to have unnecessary surgery:
“I liken it to how a woman describes how she feels after a mastectomy; it’s like having part of what defines you as a woman removed. How can you get over something like that, especially when this is an elective procedure?
I would feel castrated, impotent, I wouldn’t be able to father kids and that’s fundamental to me being a man.
It seems unnatural to me to have surgery just because I can’t be bothered to use a condom. I get why animals get de-sexed, but not us humans!
Any surgery can be risky, and because it’s elective I see it as a waste of health resources.
A vasectomy assumes that my present relationship will be my last. One of the good things about being a man is that you can have a child at pretty much anytime and who says I won’t want one at 60? Look at Rupert Murdoch.”

A consistent Female perspective on vasectomy procedures…
Angela: “As a woman who had a hysterectomy at a very young age, I find the whole loss of womanhood ludicrous. The ability to produce offspring is not what defines you as a man or a woman. Men should step up to have vasectomy.”
Kate: “I have contraception allergies and can only use condoms which we both hate; it’s a vasectomy or abstinence!”
Fran: “I have given birth to six children; I think a vasectomy is the very least I could expect from the father of my children”

(2) Other male contraceptive options:
http://malecontraceptives.org identifies several alternatives to a vasectomy procedures that will guarantee to have any man squirm, yet fail to instill any confidence in the essential contraceptive criteria: reliable, safe and reversible.
• Suspensories: warm the testes by a few degrees netting a significant negative impact on spermatogenesis.
• Condoms fall short on the enjoyment factor and have a dubious safety rate.
• RISUG is an injectable compound that partially blocks the vasa deferentia (tubes that carry sperm), providing effective contraception for up to 10 years per dose.
• Injected plugs were developed in China as a potential alternative to vasectomy.
• Researchers are coming closer to a marketable male hormonal contraceptive (MHC) delivered by injection or implant, but there is nothing commercially available right now.
• Others include the: Dry orgasm pill, Adjudin which disrupts the process of sperm maturation in the testes, injected plugs and more.

(3) Female centric contraceptives
On average, women have tried 3 to 4 different types of contraception and satisfaction rates are less than 60% for all except tubal ligation, (Rosenfeld 1993). Contraception has to be reliable, safe and reversible and many on the market today — condoms, the pill, injections, implants, diaphragms, IUDs, jellies, foams, sponges, tubal ligation and so on —fall short on one or more of these criteria.
A 2008 web survey conducted by Marie Stopes International Research shows that 60% of women who experienced an unplanned pregnancy were using some form of contraception.
Many contraceptives are simply not reliable enough for long-term use. For instance, condoms, used by 13% of married couple in developed countries have a typical failure rate of one in eight. Sponges, caps, diaphragms, and spermicides are even more likely to fail (BWHBC 2005).
The pill, tubal ligation and IUDs are over 99% reliable yet it has been reported that some women who stop hormonal contraception cite unacceptable side effects as a reason for quitting; nausea, headaches, weight gain, depression, loss of libido, or menstrual problems. Modern IUDs are safe and effective, but suffer from the stigma associated with the Dalkon Shield scandal.
Dr Cindy Pan claims that the pill has positive side benefits such as regulating periods, clearing acne and decreasing certain cancers such as ovarian by 40%, and cancer of the uterus by 50%. The pill is widely accepted, readily accessible and from all accounts, inexpensive.
Getting one’s tubes tied is not readily reversible.

Weighing up the alternatives came down to:
• Essential criteria: The contraceptive method had to be reliable, safe and reversible. This ruled out most of the alternatives, leaving the snip, the pill, tubal ligation and IUDs
•Complications on reversal options excluded the snip. Established reversible alternatives such as the pill and IUD are incumbent on my partner to use and manage. Given her enduring pregnancies and labours, was this really fair?
• 99.8% protection: Could we really afford a surprise? That 60% statistic of unplanned pregnancies (who were using contraception) did not stack up as safe odds. Could we rely on anything less certain than a vasectomy?
• Ego: Although Andy really got me thinking, his case for the loss of manhood is, to me, a weak argument. It is a truer man to think of others over ones own ego. This is hardly self mutilation.
• The case against permanency. What if Andy was right, maybe I will want to father another child later in life. Reversing a vasectomy would surely put my scrotum through unprecedented trauma (again!).
• The ‘drama’ of a vasectomy. What must it be like to have someone re-wire one’s family jewels? Let alone endure a reversal down the track.

What did I do?Nothing as yet, having quite hung up the boots, but here’s what my mate said….
“I did THE SNIP; I joined the 1 in 3 dads around Australia and capped my brood.

The process was consistent with my research. There was pain, it was uncomfortable emotionally and physically, but this has all passed. The best way I can describe this experience is that it was like being kicked in the balls, then they gave me a hand full of condoms and said “you’ll need to now clean the pipeline out”…I felt I had done the right thing for our personal situation and eased ever so carefully into the seat of that cab. There was no sense of a loss of man-hood; after all I still have 2 balls.

Some post-snip advice: avoid walking round a golf course, rumbling with the kids or riding a bike for at least a week after you sacrifice your fertility. No need to rush to the pub and share the news, share it with a mate or two, this is not broadcast news. Do it in your own stride, preferably on a quiet week. Live with your decision and move on. “

WHAT WILL YOU DO?

A Sydney bike group’s motto is: Bike riding  is the 2nd best way to start the day. Probably a bunch of balanced lads and families.

Many dads complain about loss of sex once kids come along – refer jelly beans  case study.

Contrary to what many feel when a  baby arrives: Loss of  sleep, potential post natal depression (Mum and/or dad), that overwhelming sense of ‘primary provider’ obligation research shows that a baby presents the opportunity to improve a marriage.

The establishmnt of a family can make both parenst feela stat  of permanence and commitment sets in.  Regular  sex can be seen as a celebration of this, rising above the need for us dad to get our ‘ rocks off.’

Sex is Good for her
Passion serves as a much needed diversion from her unrelenting focus on the baby. She realizes that she is more than a mother. Bringing some balance to her life will help her be a better mum.

Sex is Good for Dads
Frequent sex greatly improves a father’s attitude and lowers his stress levels. It can also sharply reduce a man’s risk of heart attacks or strokes, according to a ten-year study of men in a Welsh village who had sex three-four times weekly.

The researchers (likely all men) concluded that sex should be redefined as vigorous activity.

Happy Parents Produce Happy Kids
The research is clear; kids thrive in homes with low levels of conflict and stress, and they learn to have healthy relationships when they see mom’s and dad’s affection for each other. A healthy, active love life provides the glue that will help hold you and mom and your family together.

So what are you waiting for?  get on the ‘rack.’

HOW TO HAVE SEX

RELATED POSTS:

Is your child anxious / dadsclub.com.au

10 tips for back to school

How to better communicate with your pissed off partner

Your kid wants to stay up late, avoid homework, hang out with friends, and watch TV and play video games. In short, your school-aged child wants to do everything but go to bed early and do schoolwork. What’s more, he has lots of clever ways to wear you down and get his way.

Here are six ways school kids manipulate parents, and what to do about each one.

Emotional Blackmail: This is when your child deliberately demonstrates an emotion that she knows will cause you discomfort. “I just wanted to watch the new episode, then I was going to do my homework. How come I can’t have at least some fun before I do homework? You don’t care about me!”

What to do: Her emotional outburst is either a manipulative display, or she is genuinely sad and angry. Either way, acknowledge her feelings so she knows you care, but stick with your demand. Emotions are part of life.

Shutting Down: Your child will attempt to avoid dealing with an issue, such as getting in bed on a school night, by simply not responding. You tell him to turn off the video game, but ten minutes later he hasn’t moved. This will go on indefinitely until you stop it.

What to do: It’s normal for kids to do what they want to do, and delay what they don’t want to do. Give him a consequence and follow through with it, such as, “If you don’t turn off the Xbox in five minutes, there will be no video games tomorrow.”

Irrational Logic: This is when your child or teen tries to soften your reaction to a particular behavior by introducing irrelevant information into the discussion. “Why can’t I stay out till eleven on a school night? I got all A’s last year.”

What to do: Don’t take the bait. Don’t waste time explaining that one isn’t related to the other. Stand firm.

Negotiation: Children are great at getting their way through striking a deal with parents. “Let me go to Sally’s after school and I promise I’ll do all my homework–and that book report too.”

What to do: Tell her you know she wants to have time to play, but she hasn’t yet earned it. If she satisfies her end of the deal–homework and book report–she can earn that playdate.

Divide and Conquer: This is when your child attempts to get what he wants by exploiting weaknesses in your spousal relationship. “But Dad said I could watch the game with him as long as I do my Spanish vocab during the commercials.”

What to do: Discuss with your spouse ahead of time which types of decisions you want to share (e.g., homework, money, social activities), and then either consult with or defer to your spouse. If it falls in a grey area, tell your kid you need to think about it first.

Playing the Victim: Children are great at getting what they want by making you feel sorry for them. “I’m the only one in the house who never gets to go to a movie on weeknights.”

What to do: You need to separate the emotional content from whatever short-term goal the child is trying to obtain. Get her to talk about what that feels like to be the “only one” and let her know that you care about her feelings. Her short-term goal–of staying out late, however, is separate and unrelated. Don’t back down.

By David Swan

David Swanson is a licensed clinical psychologist who specializes in children, teens, and families. His new book is Help! My Kid Is Driving Me Crazy: The 17 Ways Kids Manipulate Their Parents and What You Can Do About It (Perigee, Sept. 2009). Learn more about him at www.SwansonContiandAssociates.com.

Taken from www.thefatherlife.com a partner of www.dadsclub.com.au

Be the most popular dad (with kids and peers) this summer with these awesome holiday tips.

We’re banking on a wet summer, but we won’t dampen your  fun with these activities.

Head to a water slide: Keeps them fit and happy and think of the sunscreen you’ll save on those wet days. The worse that can happen is they get wet. Dive into dad!

Splash about in the park. Strip down to T’s and boardies, garb the bike and devour puddles. Good clean healthy fun riding bikes through parks with puddles.

Using too much energy already we haven’t even started…

Head to the flicks and catch today’s classics with Harry Potter and the next Narnia. Prime yourselves the days before by watching the prequels. This will burn time, but not fat!

Play tourist in your own town. Brave the public transport (major warning alert fort those in NSW), grab a tourist guide and discover. Think the city, a national park or a new suburb (think international cuisines by suburb, e.g. Cabramatta / Vietnamese etc…).

Get back to basic with board games. Out pick is Monopoly card game (note: not board game) this is a ripper Christmas gift as is Blockus.

Liven up your local park with mini-games / triathlons / kids Olympics. Choose any of these and add some more: run, bike, swim, jump (long and high), throw a ball and / or climb a tree.Create obstacle courses that include some of the above. Add in swings, slippery dips, chairs and some good distances. Introduce a trophy – this is something you can make with the kids before or after and can be as simple as a cup, ornament etc..glued to a piece of wood.

Treasure Hunt. Divide the kids into teams and handout a questionnaire to each team (you could do this individually). You’re small questionnaire will look something like this:
• How many rungs are on the ladder to the slippery dip
• How long is the monkey bar
• How many chain links are in the southern most swing
• What type of oval is the one near…
• Bring back a leaf, what is the name of the tree it came from
• Climb the tree nearest the _______ what did you find in it (have a small bucket of lollies as a mid-way treat)
• Find signs and get the kids to write down names, phone nembers etc.. signs can be on posts, bridges seats, trucks, equipment etc…
• When you look due north (south, east, west) what can you see
• What’s the full name of this park, oval
• Who opened this park
• Name three native flora within the park
• Name the species of birds…
• What local Aboriginal land are we now on
• Be resourceful and creative. Make a  raft /  house / aeroplane out of natural objects (twigs, leaves etc..) you could add cans, paper etc..
• Draw an aerial map of this oval and name a,b,c and d

In the kitchen Treat Mum and the family to a three course meal.Go for an international cuisine e.g. Chinese, Thai, Italian etc..and theme it with fortune cookies and lantern; tropical looking flowers; red and white table cloth etc…
Stimulate this activity further by adding trivia questions during the meal.

Head to the markets. Turn a weekly shopping chore into an adventure and take the kids to the food markets instead of the supermarkets.
Spice it up with some haggling, be adventurous and buy something completely different.

Round up the local Canines and have a derby

• Organise a local dog derby in the park.
• Map out a dog track and have a race.
• Check out your local dog track, you may be surprised what they’ll let you do.
• Failing any successes here, take your pooch for a walk.

Plan a project and build it
Research a DIY project and plan, build and celebrate it these holidays.

Build a billy cart, fish pond, tree house, raft, herb garden, shed, doll house, worm farm or swing set. For more DIY ideas and tips.

Paint a masterpiece. Buy some low cost canvases from Go-Lo and let the kids be creative.
All going well you’ll have a masterpiece to hang. Makes a great gift.

Try a new sport. Watch or try out something new.
Find a kids sports club or sport stores here.

Get more sports activity ideas and links here

Plant a herb garden. We’re all going green and summer is a great time to get creative in the garden. You can use pots or dig up your garden. Potted herbs  make a great gift.
DIY garden tips here.

Dinner in the park. Get the kids to design a menu and treat Mum to a picnic dinner in the park.
You may be inspired by what you’ve learn from some of the other activities in this list
• Discover a new suburb.
• Discover a new bike ride.
• Head to the markets.

Camp in the backyard. Turn a sleep over into something more fun. Set up tent, blow up the mattress (or drag your kids’ mattress outside) and spoil the kids with marshmallows (toasted if you can).

Go bowling. Bare foot bowls is great for those warm evenings.  Contact your local bowling club. Air conditioned ten pin bowling makes a great escape on those hot days.

Get off your butt and have some cool fun with the kids today.

Get  more ideas , deals and info on activities for dads and kids right here, NOW

Kids usually get so much at Christmas, but how often do they actually give? Here’s an opportunity for you to educate the kids on the gift of giving by having your kids create some of the following, innovative and mostly low cost gift ideas.

Not only can you save some loot, but you would have been responsible for creating a customer made masterpiece that will touch the bearer of your gift well beyond Boxing Day.

The good news is that most of this can be done within one day, sometimes within an hour, so what are you waiting for…

1. Make a movie

Time required: half a day

Help the kids write a short movie script them grab the camera and start shooting. Make a short film about a loved one, their favourite holiday, pet or plant.  Burn it on a disc to make an innovative and highly memorable Christmas Gift.

2. Get baking

Time required within an  hour

Purchase some coloured boxes or bags from a Go-Lo “one dollar shop” and fill it with some home made goodies. Buy some cookie cutter festive shapes (Santa, tree, reindeers etc..) to add the festive cheer.

Recipes for:

• Short bread
• Anzac biscuits
• Brownies

3. Create a masterpiece

Time required one to two hours

Purchase a low cost canvas from Go-Lo or another “one dollar shop” and have the kids paint their a scene with their favourite person as the subject. This is perfect for grandparents: Paint them in the garden, on the beach, playing games with the grandkids or flying through the galaxy. This is a memorable gift that can be a talking piece throughout the year.

4. Customised coaster, pencil holders, picture frames and small boxes.

Time required one to two hours

Craft shops and Go-lo sell wooden products designed to be painted. These are low cost and easy to customise with paint. Buy a few and give one to the whole family.

Remember to varnish them at the end, purchase paints and varnish from any craft store.

5. Create a story

Time required a few hours (mostly to be thinking about it)

Have the kids write a story or a poem about a loved one. Guide the kids to write about their favourite activities with aunt, uncle, grandpa or grandma, and what it is that makes them so special.

Hand written or typed all work well.  Mount it on cardboard and you’re sure to bring a tear to the recipients eye this Christmas.

6. Framed photograph, story or poem

Time required 15 minutes

Frame your favourite picture, story or poem in one of your customised frames

7. Gift cards using digital photography

Time required one to two hours.

Get creative with no mess! Arm the kids with the camera and send them, into the garden or around the neighborhood. Get them to take loads of shots of virtually anything, but encourage them to do close ups e.g. of flowers, use some props such as teddy bears or toys in the garden

Review your pics online, print them out and mount them on some cardboard to make small gift cards. Make a set of 6 per person – these make a sensational and very practical gift.

Purchase cardboard from any newsagent.

8. Paint a pot

Time required, within an hour.

Access any terracotta pot (buy or dig one up from under the house) and paint it to your child’s liking. This is great for babies and infants to have their hand and potentially foot prints scattered across the pot in different colours. Be sure to autograph and date it with a special message.

You can get away with water paints for indoor pots, oil paint  for outdoor pots.

9. Grow some seeds

Time required 10 minutes plus…
Plant some herbs in  your customised  pot. Buy established herbs or plat  seeds. This is a great gift for anyone who loves their food!

10. Give an experience

Time required 10 minutes plus…

There comes a time when material gifts seem more like land fill than an everlasting token of love. If you can’t think of anything to give that special person this year who seems to have absolutely everything give them a big fat cuddle, if this doesn’t cut the mustard contact Red Balloon Day for loads of experiential gift ideas.

Donate an animal to a family in need

If you’d like to donate an animal to a family in need, check out the charity World Vision. You can give the gift of an alpaca to a family in Peru or Ecuador for $200. Other gift options include a goat, chickens or sheep for between $25 and $100.

Whatever gift you are giving, it is always best to invest some time and give a gift that says “I know you.” Receiving blank shopping vouchers and land-fill type gifts can send a message that we don’t know you that well.

Have a great gift giving time.

Related posts

• 10 tips on giving gifts kids like
• Plant a  garden
• 20 activities to do with dad these holidays
• Recipes for dads and daughters
• Recipes for blokes and their kids

Be the most popular dad (with kids and peers) this summer with these awesome holiday tips.

We’re banking on a wet summer, but we won’t dampen your  fun with these activities.

Head to a water slide: Keeps them fit and happy and think of the sunscreen you’ll save on those wet days. The worse that can happen is they get wet. Dive into dad!

Splash about in the park. Strip down to T’s and boardies, garb the bike and devour puddles. Good clean healthy fun riding bikes through parks with puddles.

Using too much energy already we haven’t even started…

Head to the flicks and catch today’s classics with Harry Potter and the next Narnia. Prime yourselves the days before by watching the prequels. This will burn time, but not fat!

Play tourist in your own town. Brave the public transport (major warning alert fort those in NSW), grab a tourist guide and discover. Think the city, a national park or a new suburb (think international cuisines by suburb, e.g. Cabramatta / Vietnamese etc…).

Get back to basic with board games. Out pick is Monopoly card game (note: not board game) this is a ripper Christmas gift as is Blockus.

Liven up your local park with mini-games / triathlons / kids Olympics. Choose any of these and add some more: run, bike, swim, jump (long and high), throw a ball and / or climb a tree.Create obstacle courses that include some of the above. Add in swings, slippery dips, chairs and some good distances. Introduce a trophy – this is something you can make with the kids before or after and can be as simple as a cup, ornament etc..glued to a piece of wood.

Treasure Hunt. Divide the kids into teams and handout a questionnaire to each team (you could do this individually). You’re small questionnaire will look something like this:
• How many rungs are on the ladder to the slippery dip
• How long is the monkey bar
• How many chain links are in the southern most swing
• What type of oval is the one near…
• Bring back a leaf, what is the name of the tree it came from
• Climb the tree nearest the _______ what did you find in it (have a small bucket of lollies as a mid-way treat)
• Find signs and get the kids to write down names, phone nembers etc.. signs can be on posts, bridges seats, trucks, equipment etc…
• When you look due north (south, east, west) what can you see
• What’s the full name of this park, oval
• Who opened this park
• Name three native flora within the park
• Name the species of birds…
• What local Aboriginal land are we now on
• Be resourceful and creative. Make a  raft /  house / aeroplane out of natural objects (twigs, leaves etc..) you could add cans, paper etc..
• Draw an aerial map of this oval and name a,b,c and d

In the kitchen Treat Mum and the family to a three course meal.Go for an international cuisine e.g. Chinese, Thai, Italian etc..and theme it with fortune cookies and lantern; tropical looking flowers; red and white table cloth etc…
Stimulate this activity further by adding trivia questions during the meal.

Head to the markets. Turn a weekly shopping chore into an adventure and take the kids to the food markets instead of the supermarkets.
Spice it up with some haggling, be adventurous and buy something completely different.

Round up the local Canines and have a derby

• Organise a local dog derby in the park.
• Map out a dog track and have a race.
• Check out your local dog track, you may be surprised what they’ll let you do.
• Failing any successes here, take your pooch for a walk.

Plan a project and build it
Research a DIY project and plan, build and celebrate it these holidays.

Build a billy cart, fish pond, tree house, raft, herb garden, shed, doll house, worm farm or swing set. For more DIY ideas and tips.

Paint a masterpiece. Buy some low cost canvases from Go-Lo and let the kids be creative.
All going well you’ll have a masterpiece to hang. Makes a great gift.

Try a new sport. Watch or try out something new.
Find a kids sports club or sport stores here.

Get more sports activity ideas and links here

Plant a herb garden. We’re all going green and summer is a great time to get creative in the garden. You can use pots or dig up your garden. Potted herbs  make a great gift.
DIY garden tips here.

Dinner in the park. Get the kids to design a menu and treat Mum to a picnic dinner in the park.
You may be inspired by what you’ve learn from some of the other activities in this list
• Discover a new suburb.
• Discover a new bike ride.
• Head to the markets.

Camp in the backyard. Turn a sleep over into something more fun. Set up tent, blow up the mattress (or drag your kids’ mattress outside) and spoil the kids with marshmallows (toasted if you can).

Go bowling. Bare foot bowls is great for those warm evenings.  Contact your local bowling club. Air conditioned ten pin bowling makes a great escape on those hot days.

Get off your butt and have some cool fun with the kids today.

Get  more ideas , deals and info on activities for dads and kids right here, NOW

RELATED POSTS:

Is your child anxious / dadsclub.com.au

10 tips for back to school

How to better communicate with your pissed off partner

Your kid wants to stay up late, avoid homework, hang out with friends, and watch TV and play video games. In short, your school-aged child wants to do everything but go to bed early and do schoolwork. What’s more, he has lots of clever ways to wear you down and get his way.

Here are six ways school kids manipulate parents, and what to do about each one.

Emotional Blackmail: This is when your child deliberately demonstrates an emotion that she knows will cause you discomfort. “I just wanted to watch the new episode, then I was going to do my homework. How come I can’t have at least some fun before I do homework? You don’t care about me!”

What to do: Her emotional outburst is either a manipulative display, or she is genuinely sad and angry. Either way, acknowledge her feelings so she knows you care, but stick with your demand. Emotions are part of life.

Shutting Down: Your child will attempt to avoid dealing with an issue, such as getting in bed on a school night, by simply not responding. You tell him to turn off the video game, but ten minutes later he hasn’t moved. This will go on indefinitely until you stop it.

What to do: It’s normal for kids to do what they want to do, and delay what they don’t want to do. Give him a consequence and follow through with it, such as, “If you don’t turn off the Xbox in five minutes, there will be no video games tomorrow.”

Irrational Logic: This is when your child or teen tries to soften your reaction to a particular behavior by introducing irrelevant information into the discussion. “Why can’t I stay out till eleven on a school night? I got all A’s last year.”

What to do: Don’t take the bait. Don’t waste time explaining that one isn’t related to the other. Stand firm.

Negotiation: Children are great at getting their way through striking a deal with parents. “Let me go to Sally’s after school and I promise I’ll do all my homework–and that book report too.”

What to do: Tell her you know she wants to have time to play, but she hasn’t yet earned it. If she satisfies her end of the deal–homework and book report–she can earn that playdate.

Divide and Conquer: This is when your child attempts to get what he wants by exploiting weaknesses in your spousal relationship. “But Dad said I could watch the game with him as long as I do my Spanish vocab during the commercials.”

What to do: Discuss with your spouse ahead of time which types of decisions you want to share (e.g., homework, money, social activities), and then either consult with or defer to your spouse. If it falls in a grey area, tell your kid you need to think about it first.

Playing the Victim: Children are great at getting what they want by making you feel sorry for them. “I’m the only one in the house who never gets to go to a movie on weeknights.”

What to do: You need to separate the emotional content from whatever short-term goal the child is trying to obtain. Get her to talk about what that feels like to be the “only one” and let her know that you care about her feelings. Her short-term goal–of staying out late, however, is separate and unrelated. Don’t back down.

By David Swan

David Swanson is a licensed clinical psychologist who specializes in children, teens, and families. His new book is Help! My Kid Is Driving Me Crazy: The 17 Ways Kids Manipulate Their Parents and What You Can Do About It (Perigee, Sept. 2009). Learn more about him at www.SwansonContiandAssociates.com.

Taken from www.thefatherlife.com a partner of www.dadsclub.com.au

 Does this sound familiar?

Do you feel like your family is on a roller-coaster?

Does your child find it difficult to be away from you?

Get upset when you are going to be late for school or a party or worry excessively about school work generally?

Do you have a child that constantly asks you “What if….” and tends to focuses on negative world events such as natural disasters or wars, tsunamis or dinosaurs?

Is your child overly concerned about what others think of him or her and avoid social situations whenever possible?

If you have answered yes to any of these questions and your family and child’s everyday life is being affected by these behaviours it is possible that your child may be experiencing high levels of anxiety.

“Anxiety” is a term used to describe the physical and psychological response to fear and in low levels it is a very natural and necessary reaction to danger.

To illustrate a healthy level of anxiety imagine a child crossing a road at a zebra crossing. She sees a car coming towards her, the car is not slowing down as it should be, so the child senses potential danger and has a fleeting thought about being hit and seriously hurt. In reaction to this fearful thought, her heart starts racing, her palms begin to sweat and cortisol (a stress hormone) is released into her central nervous system which allows her to get out of harm’s way, quickly.

When children experience high levels of anxiety they do not just have a natural fear response to cars hurtling towards them but they also genuinely fear situations that most other children would not be afraid of.  Such as being separated from their parents, spending time with other kids or going to bed alone!

Because anxiety usually represents an underlying fear of loss or death, anxious children react to perceived danger in the same way as the girl in the earlier example, both psychologically and physically. They are genuinely scared.

For this reason children experiencing anxiety usually attempt to avoid feared situations at any cost. This in turn leads them to behave in disruptive ways that often leave parents and siblings perplexed and frustrated.

So where does anxiety come from?

It is generally accepted that roughly 50% of anxiety is passed down genetically (so we can’t do much about that!) and the other half is due to children learning anxious responses from those closest to them (that is where parents come in).

Solutions

The good news is that generally childhood anxiety can be successfully managed with therapies such as Cognitive Behaviour Therapy (CBT). When kids learn different ways of thinking and reacting to their fears they can also learn to overcome them.

Get involved

Not surprisingly, clinical research suggests that children do much better when parents are also involved in the treatment process. If you think your child may be experiencing anxiety visit your GP. The sooner you and your child start working together to overcome anxiety, the sooner you can all hop off the rollercoaster.

Nikki Johnson is a director of the Cornershop Clinic which delivers Fearless Freddy’s Family Workshops, a 9 week anxiety treatment programs for 9-12 year olds and their parents.

www.cornershopclinic.com.au

Birthday  presents have become an  emotionally charged symbol of our love. We build up the expectation of these yearly presentations in the child’s mind and so we run the risk of utter disappointment accompanied by our own hurt when the child looks at us with sadness, disgust or reproach. What to do?

Remember these points:

1. The best gift is one that says ” I know what you like”. You know if your child is sporty, academic, an abstract thinker, into crystals, mad about construction, loves animals, is always drawing …..etc. By giving gifts that acknowledge their interests you affirm them and share in their interest….a bonding experience.
2. The best thing to value is your child’s growing individuality, curiosity, self-confidence and skills. Look for toys that develop these attributes with integrity.
3. It is necessary for some gifts to be an antidote to popular culture and in particular to be something that is particular to your family culture. Does your family go fishing, collect crystals, play board games, or have an interest in astronomy or birds?
4. Remember that kids are very susceptible to advertising and peer group pressure and just because they want a particular toy it doesn’t mean that they will play with it once they have it. It may just be something that they feel they need. Keep these kinds of gifts a minimum.
5. You can use gifts to introduce new interests but it’s probably better to introduce a new interest in a more low-key fashion first.
6.All humans are a body-mind. Don’t forget to cater for both sides by providing active as well as passive toys.
7. Its not fair to buy presents which are “good for them” if they won’t like them. These will be resented. Give these gifts at other times but not for birthdays or Xmas. You may like to introduce gifts like this; “ here’s something I thought you might like”. This takes the pressure off both the giver and the receiver.
8. Spend a bit less on birthday and Xmas gifts and buy other small unexpected gifts through the year. These can be more educational or introducing new interests and hobbies or as rewards for special achievement. Also, if the child doesn’t like them, it won’t be such a disaster. It is also just as likely that even though the reaction was luke-warm, the exposure bears fruit later on down the track. All teachers know this secret.
9. Because of computer technology, kids often miss out on valuable mind and body integrating hands-on experiences. Just as we need slow food, we need slow toys to allow spontaneous creative thoughts. Toys that require hands-on manipulation and creative thought are more significant in terms of developing a solid sense of self in the world than fast reactions to light, colour and sound on a screen.
10. We all want products to last as long as we need them and if we can then pass them on in a usable state, so much the better for the environment. However, some toys are best thought of as experiences, and as such don’t have to be repeated e.g. building some models and performing science experiments. The memory lasts even though you have carried out the activity only once.

THE PLUG: WHY SHOP AT TERRIFIC SCIENTIFIC.

We’ve spent the time sifting through mountains of toys to select what we believe will enhance your child’s awakening curiosity about the world and their place in it. Science is a way of asking questions and finding out answers and all children are scientists in this regard. Over the years the store has expanded to include other educational toys, art, craft and games for all ages. The reason for this was simply that customers were very supportive of our winning philosophy of emphasising knowledge, creativity and activity- based products.
The staff can help you find the ideal toy for your child because we have many years of experience listening to wishlists, getting feedback, testing toys and kits on our own and other people’s kids, and because we really care that you leave the shop with the appropriate choice within your budget. And we  gift-wrap!

This article comes from Caroline who runs Terrific Scientific in Sydney’s Inner West.

• Phone 9692-9206
• To buy online visit www.terrificscientific.com

Or phone 9692-9206

Birthday  presents have become an  emotionally charged symbol of our love. We build up the expectation of these yearly presentations in the child’s mind and so we run the risk of utter disappointment accompanied by our own hurt when the child looks at us with sadness, disgust or reproach. What to do?

Remember these points:

1. The best gift is one that says ” I know what you like”. You know if your child is sporty, academic, an abstract thinker, into crystals, mad about construction, loves animals, is always drawing …..etc. By giving gifts that acknowledge their interests you affirm them and share in their interest….a bonding experience.
2. The best thing to value is your child’s growing individuality, curiosity, self-confidence and skills. Look for toys that develop these attributes with integrity.
3. It is necessary for some gifts to be an antidote to popular culture and in particular to be something that is particular to your family culture. Does your family go fishing, collect crystals, play board games, or have an interest in astronomy or birds?
4. Remember that kids are very susceptible to advertising and peer group pressure and just because they want a particular toy it doesn’t mean that they will play with it once they have it. It may just be something that they feel they need. Keep these kinds of gifts a minimum.
5. You can use gifts to introduce new interests but it’s probably better to introduce a new interest in a more low-key fashion first.
6.All humans are a body-mind. Don’t forget to cater for both sides by providing active as well as passive toys.
7. Its not fair to buy presents which are “good for them” if they won’t like them. These will be resented. Give these gifts at other times but not for birthdays or Xmas. You may like to introduce gifts like this; “ here’s something I thought you might like”. This takes the pressure off both the giver and the receiver.
8. Spend a bit less on birthday and Xmas gifts and buy other small unexpected gifts through the year. These can be more educational or introducing new interests and hobbies or as rewards for special achievement. Also, if the child doesn’t like them, it won’t be such a disaster. It is also just as likely that even though the reaction was luke-warm, the exposure bears fruit later on down the track. All teachers know this secret.
9. Because of computer technology, kids often miss out on valuable mind and body integrating hands-on experiences. Just as we need slow food, we need slow toys to allow spontaneous creative thoughts. Toys that require hands-on manipulation and creative thought are more significant in terms of developing a solid sense of self in the world than fast reactions to light, colour and sound on a screen.
10. We all want products to last as long as we need them and if we can then pass them on in a usable state, so much the better for the environment. However, some toys are best thought of as experiences, and as such don’t have to be repeated e.g. building some models and performing science experiments. The memory lasts even though you have carried out the activity only once.

THE PLUG: WHY SHOP AT TERRIFIC SCIENTIFIC.

We’ve spent the time sifting through mountains of toys to select what we believe will enhance your child’s awakening curiosity about the world and their place in it. Science is a way of asking questions and finding out answers and all children are scientists in this regard. Over the years the store has expanded to include other educational toys, art, craft and games for all ages. The reason for this was simply that customers were very supportive of our winning philosophy of emphasising knowledge, creativity and activity- based products.
The staff can help you find the ideal toy for your child because we have many years of experience listening to wishlists, getting feedback, testing toys and kits on our own and other people’s kids, and because we really care that you leave the shop with the appropriate choice within your budget. And we  gift-wrap!

This article comes from Caroline who runs Terrific Scientific in Sydney’s Inner West.

• Phone 9692-9206
• To buy online visit www.terrificscientific.com

Or phone 9692-9206

Birthday  presents have become an  emotionally charged symbol of our love. We build up the expectation of these yearly presentations in the child’s mind and so we run the risk of utter disappointment accompanied by our own hurt when the child looks at us with sadness, disgust or reproach. What to do?

Remember these points:

1. The best gift is one that says ” I know what you like”. You know if your child is sporty, academic, an abstract thinker, into crystals, mad about construction, loves animals, is always drawing …..etc. By giving gifts that acknowledge their interests you affirm them and share in their interest….a bonding experience.
2. The best thing to value is your child’s growing individuality, curiosity, self-confidence and skills. Look for toys that develop these attributes with integrity.
3. It is necessary for some gifts to be an antidote to popular culture and in particular to be something that is particular to your family culture. Does your family go fishing, collect crystals, play board games, or have an interest in astronomy or birds?
4. Remember that kids are very susceptible to advertising and peer group pressure and just because they want a particular toy it doesn’t mean that they will play with it once they have it. It may just be something that they feel they need. Keep these kinds of gifts a minimum.
5. You can use gifts to introduce new interests but it’s probably better to introduce a new interest in a more low-key fashion first.
6.All humans are a body-mind. Don’t forget to cater for both sides by providing active as well as passive toys.
7. Its not fair to buy presents which are “good for them” if they won’t like them. These will be resented. Give these gifts at other times but not for birthdays or Xmas. You may like to introduce gifts like this; “ here’s something I thought you might like”. This takes the pressure off both the giver and the receiver.
8. Spend a bit less on birthday and Xmas gifts and buy other small unexpected gifts through the year. These can be more educational or introducing new interests and hobbies or as rewards for special achievement. Also, if the child doesn’t like them, it won’t be such a disaster. It is also just as likely that even though the reaction was luke-warm, the exposure bears fruit later on down the track. All teachers know this secret.
9. Because of computer technology, kids often miss out on valuable mind and body integrating hands-on experiences. Just as we need slow food, we need slow toys to allow spontaneous creative thoughts. Toys that require hands-on manipulation and creative thought are more significant in terms of developing a solid sense of self in the world than fast reactions to light, colour and sound on a screen.
10. We all want products to last as long as we need them and if we can then pass them on in a usable state, so much the better for the environment. However, some toys are best thought of as experiences, and as such don’t have to be repeated e.g. building some models and performing science experiments. The memory lasts even though you have carried out the activity only once.

THE PLUG: WHY SHOP AT TERRIFIC SCIENTIFIC.

We’ve spent the time sifting through mountains of toys to select what we believe will enhance your child’s awakening curiosity about the world and their place in it. Science is a way of asking questions and finding out answers and all children are scientists in this regard. Over the years the store has expanded to include other educational toys, art, craft and games for all ages. The reason for this was simply that customers were very supportive of our winning philosophy of emphasising knowledge, creativity and activity- based products.
The staff can help you find the ideal toy for your child because we have many years of experience listening to wishlists, getting feedback, testing toys and kits on our own and other people’s kids, and because we really care that you leave the shop with the appropriate choice within your budget. And we  gift-wrap!

This article comes from Caroline who runs Terrific Scientific in Sydney’s Inner West.

• Phone 9692-9206
• To buy online visit www.terrificscientific.com

Or phone 9692-9206

I’ve got loads of rave  about this beauty. 12 month on it is still a talking point and a great memory of doing great things with my son!

C’mon, get out there and turn that old bath into something special!!!

I’d never built a pond before, but when I saw an old bath out on the street I figured it couldn’t be too hard. My son and I did this over two easy weekends, digging the hole took most of the time.

You’ll need a bath; old tiles to line the inside of the bath (ask for seconds or scout around building sites). Because of the enamel you’ll need a strong glue (this will be the most expensive investment, we used …..) to fasten the tiles to the inside of the bath. Plug, water, pump with access to a power point, plants and some rocks.

Dig the hole, without doubt the hardest part; stabilise the bath with loose stones or sand. Glue tiles, fill and decorate to your liking. The pump keeps the water clean and adds some Zen serenity to your garden. You can get away without a pump and save yourself $70 if you use a water hyacinth plant. They float in the water and purify it so your pond stays seriously crystal clear. However, the water flow of the pump will stop mozzies!

The pump costs $70 (pumps 1,000 litres / hour), the tiles and bath were free. Stones and plants cost $30. Add fish (comets are the most durable fish, best price we’ve found is $2.50 per fish) for the ultimate in low maintenance pets.

Rating:

BIKE MAPS & TRAILS

Here’s your step by step tour with map

1. Choose your state (below)
2. Then search suburb or city and preferred distance.
3. Saddle up and enjoy

• ACT
• NSW
• NT
• QLD
• SA
• TAS
• VIC
• WA

Rating:

LOCAL EVENTS & BIKE GROUPS, click your state:

• ACT
• NSW
• NT
• QLD
• SA
• TAS
• VIC
• WA

Rating:

For more cycling info go to: YOUR CYCLING RESOURCE CENTRE

Get weather report

Rating:

FOR BIKE TRAILS IN YOUR AREA

Here’s your step by step tour with map

1. Choose your state (below)
2. Then search suburb or city and preferred distance.
3. Saddle up and enjoy

ACT                NSW                NT               QLD              SA              TAS             VIC              WA

Rating:

FOR LOCAL ADVICE ON events, bike groups and insurance, click your state:

• ACT
• NSW
• NT
• QLD
• SA
• TAS
• VIC
• WA

For more cycling info go to: YOUR CYCLING RESOURCE CENTRE

Visit: www.sydneycycleways.net

New study shows 77 percent think being a good father is very important, 49 percent said same about careers

The classic figure of a distant, career-focused father who spends lots of time at the office and who has little time for his kids might be getting outdated, a new study shows.

In a nationwide survey that examined Americans’ feelings on fatherhood, 77 percent of U.S. men rated being a good father as very important, while just 49 percent said the same about having a successful career.

Still, the study, which surveyed nearly 1,000 men across the United States who are in relationships with women, suggests that fathers and non-fathers alike see fatherhood as a “package deal” — they consider things like work and leisure important, too. But those elements complement, not compete with, being a parent.

“There is an image for men that if they’re into their career, then they’re not into being fathers,” said Julia McQuillan, professor of sociology at the University of Nebraska-Lincoln and co-author of the research. “These results, however, show something quite different. Men don’t have to be into one or the other. They can be into both.”

The research surveyed both fathers and non-fathers who were either married or co-habiting, and was unique in that men were not asked to choose between things like work, parenthood or leisure and rank them against one another. Instead, researchers asked them to rate the importance of fatherhood alongside other interests in their lives.

By doing so, the study uncovered several insights into modern attitudes on fatherhood, both for men with children and those without. Notably, cultural and identity factors were more important than economic ones when considering men’s feelings on fatherhood.

McQuillan said she was surprised that so many men agreed with concepts that were originally developed by researchers for another study that measured the importance of motherhood to women. The results are counter to conventional notions of fathers seeing themselves chiefly as economic providers.

Most of the men agreed or strongly agreed with statements such as “Having children is important to my feeling complete as a man”; “I always thought I would be a parent”; “I think my life will be or is more fulfilling with children”; and “It is important for me to have children,” she said.

“There has been considerable focus on women’s challenges combining motherhood and employment. Yet in this sample only half of the men considered their career very important,” McQuillan said. “Perhaps recognizing that fatherhood is important to men could open employers up to creating flexibility for parenting among men as well as women, and to not assume anything about employees based on gender or parenthood status alone.”

Also among the findings:

• Men who valued leisure and career, who espoused greater religiosity, who embraced non-egalitarian gender values, and who were already fathers tended to value fatherhood most. 
• Fathers had lower education levels, were less likely to be in school, were more religious and were more likely to endorse non-egalitarian gender attitudes. 
• About two-thirds of the men — 65 percent — endorsed egalitarian gender attitudes. 
• Importance of fatherhood declined with age among non-fathers. 

The study, to appear in the journal Fathering, was authored by Veronica Tichenor of the State University of New York-Institute of Technology; UNL’s McQuillan; Arthur Griel of Alfred University; Raleigh Contreras of UNL; and Karina Shreffler of Oklahoma State University.

Contact: Julia McQuillan
jmcquillan2@unl.edu
402-472-6616
University of Nebraska-Lincoln

WATCH THIS FOR AWESOME INSPIRATION FOR YOU AND YOUR KIDS.

Bike riding is an excellent low-impact cardiovascular exercise that can be a very cool activity for your kids.  Show them this inspiring clip and the kids are sure to be hounding you for a bike

Taken from www.dadsclub.com.au

Because becoming one is easier than being one.

Rating:

FOR BIKE TRAILS IN YOUR AREA

Here’s your step by step tour with map

1. Choose your state (below)
2. Then search suburb or city and preferred distance.
3. Saddle up and enjoy

ACT                NSW                NT               QLD              SA              TAS             VIC              WA

Rating:

FOR LOCAL ADVICE ON events, bike groups and insurance, click your state:

• ACT
• NSW
• NT
• QLD
• SA
• TAS
• VIC
• WA

For more cycling info go to: YOUR CYCLING RESOURCE CENTRE

Visit: www.sydneycycleways.net

The good weather is back…..  now is the time to start planning that camping trip.

Thanks to the camping experts, we’ve made it easy for you to find your next great camping spot.

STEP 1 Select location (state / territory) here

STEP 2 Refine search (optional)

STEP 3 Select must have camping features e.g.  fires, pets etc..

STEP 4 Get your request

CAMPING & PARK REVIEWS

Get first hand feedback from those in the know……

New South Wales

Dads’ Club Top 3 camp spots from Sydney

Queensland

Victoria

Western Australia

South Australia

Northern  Territory

Get more info on your choice of National Park here

For added peace of mind, get  WEATHER here, simply enter postcode or town.

Dads’ Club Handy Camping contacts

Dads’ Club Getting started camping guide

A new survey reveals childcare costs increased by 84 per cent¹ over the last six years.

Choosing childcare is one of the toughest decisions a parent will ever have to make: trust and costs being some of the major challenges.

Searching for childcare can be  incredibly daunting with reports of poor supervision, unqualified staff and unclean equipment.

True Local.com.au come to the rescue providing parents with a credible and trusted avenue to begin their search for the right child care.

DadsClub.com.au gives True Local the thumbs up for lifting  the lid on child care: consumers share their experience of listed businesses by rating and reviewing online and via an iPhone app.

• Find reviews and insights from other likeminded parents just by searching childcare in your area.
• Current reviews praise facilities for being ‘caring and friendly,’ professional and experienced,’ with ‘healthy and clean environments.
• Access negative experiences, down to the ‘unfriendly and uncomforting natures’ of staff.

Ms Marlow TrueLocal Community Manager said “Community recommendations and reviews come from an honest place and ensure everyone can make an informed decision and enjoy a better experience as a result.”

The site offers its advice on selecting the best child care centre.

1.      Do your research –  it’s easy to jump online to get other people’s feedback and see how they’ve been rated.
2.      Don’t be afraid to ask – review forums allow users to engage in dialogue. If you want to know more about someone’s experience, you can send a reply to their post by making comment.
3.      Shortlist – don’t settle for the first supplier you find. Make a shortlist of the best rated suppliers on TrueLocal.com.au in your area by saving your favourites and then your top three before choosing the one that’s right for you.
4.      Share your experience – tell others about your experiences – good or bad. Help others help you. 90 per cent of consumers trust other consumers, above all.
5.      Know what you’re searching for – Not every family is looking for the same thing when it comes to child care centres. Before beginning your search, make a list of the essential things you are looking for outside of location and cost and stick to these in helping make your decision.

¹2011 Household Expenditure survey conducted by the Australian Bureau of Statistics

New study shows 77 percent think being a good father is very important, 49 percent said same about careers

The classic figure of a distant, career-focused father who spends lots of time at the office and who has little time for his kids might be getting outdated, a new study shows.

In a nationwide survey that examined Americans’ feelings on fatherhood, 77 percent of U.S. men rated being a good father as very important, while just 49 percent said the same about having a successful career.

Still, the study, which surveyed nearly 1,000 men across the United States who are in relationships with women, suggests that fathers and non-fathers alike see fatherhood as a “package deal” — they consider things like work and leisure important, too. But those elements complement, not compete with, being a parent.

“There is an image for men that if they’re into their career, then they’re not into being fathers,” said Julia McQuillan, professor of sociology at the University of Nebraska-Lincoln and co-author of the research. “These results, however, show something quite different. Men don’t have to be into one or the other. They can be into both.”

The research surveyed both fathers and non-fathers who were either married or co-habiting, and was unique in that men were not asked to choose between things like work, parenthood or leisure and rank them against one another. Instead, researchers asked them to rate the importance of fatherhood alongside other interests in their lives.

By doing so, the study uncovered several insights into modern attitudes on fatherhood, both for men with children and those without. Notably, cultural and identity factors were more important than economic ones when considering men’s feelings on fatherhood.

McQuillan said she was surprised that so many men agreed with concepts that were originally developed by researchers for another study that measured the importance of motherhood to women. The results are counter to conventional notions of fathers seeing themselves chiefly as economic providers.

Most of the men agreed or strongly agreed with statements such as “Having children is important to my feeling complete as a man”; “I always thought I would be a parent”; “I think my life will be or is more fulfilling with children”; and “It is important for me to have children,” she said.

“There has been considerable focus on women’s challenges combining motherhood and employment. Yet in this sample only half of the men considered their career very important,” McQuillan said. “Perhaps recognizing that fatherhood is important to men could open employers up to creating flexibility for parenting among men as well as women, and to not assume anything about employees based on gender or parenthood status alone.”

Also among the findings:

• Men who valued leisure and career, who espoused greater religiosity, who embraced non-egalitarian gender values, and who were already fathers tended to value fatherhood most. 
• Fathers had lower education levels, were less likely to be in school, were more religious and were more likely to endorse non-egalitarian gender attitudes. 
• About two-thirds of the men — 65 percent — endorsed egalitarian gender attitudes. 
• Importance of fatherhood declined with age among non-fathers. 

The study, to appear in the journal Fathering, was authored by Veronica Tichenor of the State University of New York-Institute of Technology; UNL’s McQuillan; Arthur Griel of Alfred University; Raleigh Contreras of UNL; and Karina Shreffler of Oklahoma State University.

Contact: Julia McQuillan
jmcquillan2@unl.edu
402-472-6616
University of Nebraska-Lincoln

New study shows 77 percent think being a good father is very important, 49 percent said same about careers

The classic figure of a distant, career-focused father who spends lots of time at the office and who has little time for his kids might be getting outdated, a new study shows.

In a nationwide survey that examined Americans’ feelings on fatherhood, 77 percent of U.S. men rated being a good father as very important, while just 49 percent said the same about having a successful career.

Still, the study, which surveyed nearly 1,000 men across the United States who are in relationships with women, suggests that fathers and non-fathers alike see fatherhood as a “package deal” — they consider things like work and leisure important, too. But those elements complement, not compete with, being a parent.

“There is an image for men that if they’re into their career, then they’re not into being fathers,” said Julia McQuillan, professor of sociology at the University of Nebraska-Lincoln and co-author of the research. “These results, however, show something quite different. Men don’t have to be into one or the other. They can be into both.”

The research surveyed both fathers and non-fathers who were either married or co-habiting, and was unique in that men were not asked to choose between things like work, parenthood or leisure and rank them against one another. Instead, researchers asked them to rate the importance of fatherhood alongside other interests in their lives.

By doing so, the study uncovered several insights into modern attitudes on fatherhood, both for men with children and those without. Notably, cultural and identity factors were more important than economic ones when considering men’s feelings on fatherhood.

McQuillan said she was surprised that so many men agreed with concepts that were originally developed by researchers for another study that measured the importance of motherhood to women. The results are counter to conventional notions of fathers seeing themselves chiefly as economic providers.

Most of the men agreed or strongly agreed with statements such as “Having children is important to my feeling complete as a man”; “I always thought I would be a parent”; “I think my life will be or is more fulfilling with children”; and “It is important for me to have children,” she said.

“There has been considerable focus on women’s challenges combining motherhood and employment. Yet in this sample only half of the men considered their career very important,” McQuillan said. “Perhaps recognizing that fatherhood is important to men could open employers up to creating flexibility for parenting among men as well as women, and to not assume anything about employees based on gender or parenthood status alone.”

Also among the findings:

• Men who valued leisure and career, who espoused greater religiosity, who embraced non-egalitarian gender values, and who were already fathers tended to value fatherhood most. 
• Fathers had lower education levels, were less likely to be in school, were more religious and were more likely to endorse non-egalitarian gender attitudes. 
• About two-thirds of the men — 65 percent — endorsed egalitarian gender attitudes. 
• Importance of fatherhood declined with age among non-fathers. 

The study, to appear in the journal Fathering, was authored by Veronica Tichenor of the State University of New York-Institute of Technology; UNL’s McQuillan; Arthur Griel of Alfred University; Raleigh Contreras of UNL; and Karina Shreffler of Oklahoma State University.

Contact: Julia McQuillan
jmcquillan2@unl.edu
402-472-6616
University of Nebraska-Lincoln

A new survey reveals childcare costs increased by 84 per cent¹ over the last six years.

Choosing childcare is one of the toughest decisions a parent will ever have to make: trust and costs being some of the major challenges.

Searching for childcare can be  incredibly daunting with reports of poor supervision, unqualified staff and unclean equipment.

True Local.com.au come to the rescue providing parents with a credible and trusted avenue to begin their search for the right child care.

DadsClub.com.au gives True Local the thumbs up for lifting  the lid on child care: consumers share their experience of listed businesses by rating and reviewing online and via an iPhone app.

• Find reviews and insights from other likeminded parents just by searching childcare in your area.
• Current reviews praise facilities for being ‘caring and friendly,’ professional and experienced,’ with ‘healthy and clean environments.
• Access negative experiences, down to the ‘unfriendly and uncomforting natures’ of staff.

Ms Marlow TrueLocal Community Manager said “Community recommendations and reviews come from an honest place and ensure everyone can make an informed decision and enjoy a better experience as a result.”

The site offers its advice on selecting the best child care centre.

1.      Do your research –  it’s easy to jump online to get other people’s feedback and see how they’ve been rated.
2.      Don’t be afraid to ask – review forums allow users to engage in dialogue. If you want to know more about someone’s experience, you can send a reply to their post by making comment.
3.      Shortlist – don’t settle for the first supplier you find. Make a shortlist of the best rated suppliers on TrueLocal.com.au in your area by saving your favourites and then your top three before choosing the one that’s right for you.
4.      Share your experience – tell others about your experiences – good or bad. Help others help you. 90 per cent of consumers trust other consumers, above all.
5.      Know what you’re searching for – Not every family is looking for the same thing when it comes to child care centres. Before beginning your search, make a list of the essential things you are looking for outside of location and cost and stick to these in helping make your decision.

¹2011 Household Expenditure survey conducted by the Australian Bureau of Statistics

A new survey reveals childcare costs increased by 84 per cent¹ over the last six years.

Choosing childcare is one of the toughest decisions a parent will ever have to make: trust and costs being some of the major challenges.

Searching for childcare can be  incredibly daunting with reports of poor supervision, unqualified staff and unclean equipment.

True Local.com.au come to the rescue providing parents with a credible and trusted avenue to begin their search for the right child care.

DadsClub.com.au gives True Local the thumbs up for lifting  the lid on child care: consumers share their experience of listed businesses by rating and reviewing online and via an iPhone app.

• Find reviews and insights from other likeminded parents just by searching childcare in your area.
• Current reviews praise facilities for being ‘caring and friendly,’ professional and experienced,’ with ‘healthy and clean environments.
• Access negative experiences, down to the ‘unfriendly and uncomforting natures’ of staff.

Ms Marlow TrueLocal Community Manager said “Community recommendations and reviews come from an honest place and ensure everyone can make an informed decision and enjoy a better experience as a result.”

The site offers its advice on selecting the best child care centre.

1.      Do your research –  it’s easy to jump online to get other people’s feedback and see how they’ve been rated.
2.      Don’t be afraid to ask – review forums allow users to engage in dialogue. If you want to know more about someone’s experience, you can send a reply to their post by making comment.
3.      Shortlist – don’t settle for the first supplier you find. Make a shortlist of the best rated suppliers on TrueLocal.com.au in your area by saving your favourites and then your top three before choosing the one that’s right for you.
4.      Share your experience – tell others about your experiences – good or bad. Help others help you. 90 per cent of consumers trust other consumers, above all.
5.      Know what you’re searching for – Not every family is looking for the same thing when it comes to child care centres. Before beginning your search, make a list of the essential things you are looking for outside of location and cost and stick to these in helping make your decision.

¹2011 Household Expenditure survey conducted by the Australian Bureau of Statistics

New study shows 77 percent think being a good father is very important, 49 percent said same about careers

The classic figure of a distant, career-focused father who spends lots of time at the office and who has little time for his kids might be getting outdated, a new study shows.

In a nationwide survey that examined Americans’ feelings on fatherhood, 77 percent of U.S. men rated being a good father as very important, while just 49 percent said the same about having a successful career.

Still, the study, which surveyed nearly 1,000 men across the United States who are in relationships with women, suggests that fathers and non-fathers alike see fatherhood as a “package deal” — they consider things like work and leisure important, too. But those elements complement, not compete with, being a parent.

“There is an image for men that if they’re into their career, then they’re not into being fathers,” said Julia McQuillan, professor of sociology at the University of Nebraska-Lincoln and co-author of the research. “These results, however, show something quite different. Men don’t have to be into one or the other. They can be into both.”

The research surveyed both fathers and non-fathers who were either married or co-habiting, and was unique in that men were not asked to choose between things like work, parenthood or leisure and rank them against one another. Instead, researchers asked them to rate the importance of fatherhood alongside other interests in their lives.

By doing so, the study uncovered several insights into modern attitudes on fatherhood, both for men with children and those without. Notably, cultural and identity factors were more important than economic ones when considering men’s feelings on fatherhood.

McQuillan said she was surprised that so many men agreed with concepts that were originally developed by researchers for another study that measured the importance of motherhood to women. The results are counter to conventional notions of fathers seeing themselves chiefly as economic providers.

Most of the men agreed or strongly agreed with statements such as “Having children is important to my feeling complete as a man”; “I always thought I would be a parent”; “I think my life will be or is more fulfilling with children”; and “It is important for me to have children,” she said.

“There has been considerable focus on women’s challenges combining motherhood and employment. Yet in this sample only half of the men considered their career very important,” McQuillan said. “Perhaps recognizing that fatherhood is important to men could open employers up to creating flexibility for parenting among men as well as women, and to not assume anything about employees based on gender or parenthood status alone.”

Also among the findings:

• Men who valued leisure and career, who espoused greater religiosity, who embraced non-egalitarian gender values, and who were already fathers tended to value fatherhood most. 
• Fathers had lower education levels, were less likely to be in school, were more religious and were more likely to endorse non-egalitarian gender attitudes. 
• About two-thirds of the men — 65 percent — endorsed egalitarian gender attitudes. 
• Importance of fatherhood declined with age among non-fathers. 

The study, to appear in the journal Fathering, was authored by Veronica Tichenor of the State University of New York-Institute of Technology; UNL’s McQuillan; Arthur Griel of Alfred University; Raleigh Contreras of UNL; and Karina Shreffler of Oklahoma State University.

Contact: Julia McQuillan
jmcquillan2@unl.edu
402-472-6616
University of Nebraska-Lincoln

New study shows 77 percent think being a good father is very important, 49 percent said same about careers

The classic figure of a distant, career-focused father who spends lots of time at the office and who has little time for his kids might be getting outdated, a new study shows.

In a nationwide survey that examined Americans’ feelings on fatherhood, 77 percent of U.S. men rated being a good father as very important, while just 49 percent said the same about having a successful career.

Still, the study, which surveyed nearly 1,000 men across the United States who are in relationships with women, suggests that fathers and non-fathers alike see fatherhood as a “package deal” — they consider things like work and leisure important, too. But those elements complement, not compete with, being a parent.

“There is an image for men that if they’re into their career, then they’re not into being fathers,” said Julia McQuillan, professor of sociology at the University of Nebraska-Lincoln and co-author of the research. “These results, however, show something quite different. Men don’t have to be into one or the other. They can be into both.”

The research surveyed both fathers and non-fathers who were either married or co-habiting, and was unique in that men were not asked to choose between things like work, parenthood or leisure and rank them against one another. Instead, researchers asked them to rate the importance of fatherhood alongside other interests in their lives.

By doing so, the study uncovered several insights into modern attitudes on fatherhood, both for men with children and those without. Notably, cultural and identity factors were more important than economic ones when considering men’s feelings on fatherhood.

McQuillan said she was surprised that so many men agreed with concepts that were originally developed by researchers for another study that measured the importance of motherhood to women. The results are counter to conventional notions of fathers seeing themselves chiefly as economic providers.

Most of the men agreed or strongly agreed with statements such as “Having children is important to my feeling complete as a man”; “I always thought I would be a parent”; “I think my life will be or is more fulfilling with children”; and “It is important for me to have children,” she said.

“There has been considerable focus on women’s challenges combining motherhood and employment. Yet in this sample only half of the men considered their career very important,” McQuillan said. “Perhaps recognizing that fatherhood is important to men could open employers up to creating flexibility for parenting among men as well as women, and to not assume anything about employees based on gender or parenthood status alone.”

Also among the findings:

• Men who valued leisure and career, who espoused greater religiosity, who embraced non-egalitarian gender values, and who were already fathers tended to value fatherhood most. 
• Fathers had lower education levels, were less likely to be in school, were more religious and were more likely to endorse non-egalitarian gender attitudes. 
• About two-thirds of the men — 65 percent — endorsed egalitarian gender attitudes. 
• Importance of fatherhood declined with age among non-fathers. 

The study, to appear in the journal Fathering, was authored by Veronica Tichenor of the State University of New York-Institute of Technology; UNL’s McQuillan; Arthur Griel of Alfred University; Raleigh Contreras of UNL; and Karina Shreffler of Oklahoma State University.

Contact: Julia McQuillan
jmcquillan2@unl.edu
402-472-6616
University of Nebraska-Lincoln

New study shows 77 percent think being a good father is very important, 49 percent said same about careers

The classic figure of a distant, career-focused father who spends lots of time at the office and who has little time for his kids might be getting outdated, a new study shows.

In a nationwide survey that examined Americans’ feelings on fatherhood, 77 percent of U.S. men rated being a good father as very important, while just 49 percent said the same about having a successful career.

Still, the study, which surveyed nearly 1,000 men across the United States who are in relationships with women, suggests that fathers and non-fathers alike see fatherhood as a “package deal” — they consider things like work and leisure important, too. But those elements complement, not compete with, being a parent.

“There is an image for men that if they’re into their career, then they’re not into being fathers,” said Julia McQuillan, professor of sociology at the University of Nebraska-Lincoln and co-author of the research. “These results, however, show something quite different. Men don’t have to be into one or the other. They can be into both.”

The research surveyed both fathers and non-fathers who were either married or co-habiting, and was unique in that men were not asked to choose between things like work, parenthood or leisure and rank them against one another. Instead, researchers asked them to rate the importance of fatherhood alongside other interests in their lives.

By doing so, the study uncovered several insights into modern attitudes on fatherhood, both for men with children and those without. Notably, cultural and identity factors were more important than economic ones when considering men’s feelings on fatherhood.

McQuillan said she was surprised that so many men agreed with concepts that were originally developed by researchers for another study that measured the importance of motherhood to women. The results are counter to conventional notions of fathers seeing themselves chiefly as economic providers.

Most of the men agreed or strongly agreed with statements such as “Having children is important to my feeling complete as a man”; “I always thought I would be a parent”; “I think my life will be or is more fulfilling with children”; and “It is important for me to have children,” she said.

“There has been considerable focus on women’s challenges combining motherhood and employment. Yet in this sample only half of the men considered their career very important,” McQuillan said. “Perhaps recognizing that fatherhood is important to men could open employers up to creating flexibility for parenting among men as well as women, and to not assume anything about employees based on gender or parenthood status alone.”

Also among the findings:

• Men who valued leisure and career, who espoused greater religiosity, who embraced non-egalitarian gender values, and who were already fathers tended to value fatherhood most. 
• Fathers had lower education levels, were less likely to be in school, were more religious and were more likely to endorse non-egalitarian gender attitudes. 
• About two-thirds of the men — 65 percent — endorsed egalitarian gender attitudes. 
• Importance of fatherhood declined with age among non-fathers. 

The study, to appear in the journal Fathering, was authored by Veronica Tichenor of the State University of New York-Institute of Technology; UNL’s McQuillan; Arthur Griel of Alfred University; Raleigh Contreras of UNL; and Karina Shreffler of Oklahoma State University.

Contact: Julia McQuillan
jmcquillan2@unl.edu
402-472-6616
University of Nebraska-Lincoln

New study shows 77 percent think being a good father is very important, 49 percent said same about careers

The classic figure of a distant, career-focused father who spends lots of time at the office and who has little time for his kids might be getting outdated, a new study shows.

In a nationwide survey that examined Americans’ feelings on fatherhood, 77 percent of U.S. men rated being a good father as very important, while just 49 percent said the same about having a successful career.

Still, the study, which surveyed nearly 1,000 men across the United States who are in relationships with women, suggests that fathers and non-fathers alike see fatherhood as a “package deal” — they consider things like work and leisure important, too. But those elements complement, not compete with, being a parent.

“There is an image for men that if they’re into their career, then they’re not into being fathers,” said Julia McQuillan, professor of sociology at the University of Nebraska-Lincoln and co-author of the research. “These results, however, show something quite different. Men don’t have to be into one or the other. They can be into both.”

The research surveyed both fathers and non-fathers who were either married or co-habiting, and was unique in that men were not asked to choose between things like work, parenthood or leisure and rank them against one another. Instead, researchers asked them to rate the importance of fatherhood alongside other interests in their lives.

By doing so, the study uncovered several insights into modern attitudes on fatherhood, both for men with children and those without. Notably, cultural and identity factors were more important than economic ones when considering men’s feelings on fatherhood.

McQuillan said she was surprised that so many men agreed with concepts that were originally developed by researchers for another study that measured the importance of motherhood to women. The results are counter to conventional notions of fathers seeing themselves chiefly as economic providers.

Most of the men agreed or strongly agreed with statements such as “Having children is important to my feeling complete as a man”; “I always thought I would be a parent”; “I think my life will be or is more fulfilling with children”; and “It is important for me to have children,” she said.

“There has been considerable focus on women’s challenges combining motherhood and employment. Yet in this sample only half of the men considered their career very important,” McQuillan said. “Perhaps recognizing that fatherhood is important to men could open employers up to creating flexibility for parenting among men as well as women, and to not assume anything about employees based on gender or parenthood status alone.”

Also among the findings:

• Men who valued leisure and career, who espoused greater religiosity, who embraced non-egalitarian gender values, and who were already fathers tended to value fatherhood most. 
• Fathers had lower education levels, were less likely to be in school, were more religious and were more likely to endorse non-egalitarian gender attitudes. 
• About two-thirds of the men — 65 percent — endorsed egalitarian gender attitudes. 
• Importance of fatherhood declined with age among non-fathers. 

The study, to appear in the journal Fathering, was authored by Veronica Tichenor of the State University of New York-Institute of Technology; UNL’s McQuillan; Arthur Griel of Alfred University; Raleigh Contreras of UNL; and Karina Shreffler of Oklahoma State University.

Contact: Julia McQuillan
jmcquillan2@unl.edu
402-472-6616
University of Nebraska-Lincoln

Contact: Julia McQuillan
jmcquillan2@unl.edu
402-472-6616
University of Nebraska-Lincoln

New study shows 77 percent think being a good father is very important, 49 percent said same about careers

The classic figure of a distant, career-focused father who spends lots of time at the office and who has little time for his kids might be getting outdated, a new study shows.

In a nationwide survey that examined Americans’ feelings on fatherhood, 77 percent of U.S. men rated being a good father as very important, while just 49 percent said the same about having a successful career.

Still, the study, which surveyed nearly 1,000 men across the United States who are in relationships with women, suggests that fathers and non-fathers alike see fatherhood as a “package deal” — they consider things like work and leisure important, too. But those elements complement, not compete with, being a parent.

“There is an image for men that if they’re into their career, then they’re not into being fathers,” said Julia McQuillan, professor of sociology at the University of Nebraska-Lincoln and co-author of the research. “These results, however, show something quite different. Men don’t have to be into one or the other. They can be into both.”

The research surveyed both fathers and non-fathers who were either married or co-habiting, and was unique in that men were not asked to choose between things like work, parenthood or leisure and rank them against one another. Instead, researchers asked them to rate the importance of fatherhood alongside other interests in their lives.

By doing so, the study uncovered several insights into modern attitudes on fatherhood, both for men with children and those without. Notably, cultural and identity factors were more important than economic ones when considering men’s feelings on fatherhood.

McQuillan said she was surprised that so many men agreed with concepts that were originally developed by researchers for another study that measured the importance of motherhood to women. The results are counter to conventional notions of fathers seeing themselves chiefly as economic providers.

Most of the men agreed or strongly agreed with statements such as “Having children is important to my feeling complete as a man”; “I always thought I would be a parent”; “I think my life will be or is more fulfilling with children”; and “It is important for me to have children,” she said.

“There has been considerable focus on women’s challenges combining motherhood and employment. Yet in this sample only half of the men considered their career very important,” McQuillan said. “Perhaps recognizing that fatherhood is important to men could open employers up to creating flexibility for parenting among men as well as women, and to not assume anything about employees based on gender or parenthood status alone.”

Also among the findings:

• Men who valued leisure and career, who espoused greater religiosity, who embraced non-egalitarian gender values, and who were already fathers tended to value fatherhood most. 
• Fathers had lower education levels, were less likely to be in school, were more religious and were more likely to endorse non-egalitarian gender attitudes. 
• About two-thirds of the men — 65 percent — endorsed egalitarian gender attitudes. 
• Importance of fatherhood declined with age among non-fathers. 

The study, to appear in the journal Fathering, was authored by Veronica Tichenor of the State University of New York-Institute of Technology; UNL’s McQuillan; Arthur Griel of Alfred University; Raleigh Contreras of UNL; and Karina Shreffler of Oklahoma State University.

A new survey reveals childcare costs increased by 84 per cent¹ over the last six years.

Choosing childcare is one of the toughest decisions a parent will ever have to make: trust and costs being some of the major challenges.

Searching for childcare can be  incredibly daunting with reports of poor supervision, unqualified staff and unclean equipment.

True Local.com.au come to the rescue providing parents with a credible and trusted avenue to begin their search for the right child care.

DadsClub.com.au gives True Local the thumbs up for lifting  the lid on child care: consumers share their experience of listed businesses by rating and reviewing online and via an iPhone app.

• Find reviews and insights from other likeminded parents just by searching childcare in your area.
• Current reviews praise facilities for being ‘caring and friendly,’ professional and experienced,’ with ‘healthy and clean environments.
• Access negative experiences, down to the ‘unfriendly and uncomforting natures’ of staff.

Ms Marlow TrueLocal Community Manager said “Community recommendations and reviews come from an honest place and ensure everyone can make an informed decision and enjoy a better experience as a result.”

The site offers its advice on selecting the best child care centre.

1.      Do your research –  it’s easy to jump online to get other people’s feedback and see how they’ve been rated.
2.      Don’t be afraid to ask – review forums allow users to engage in dialogue. If you want to know more about someone’s experience, you can send a reply to their post by making comment.
3.      Shortlist – don’t settle for the first supplier you find. Make a shortlist of the best rated suppliers on TrueLocal.com.au in your area by saving your favourites and then your top three before choosing the one that’s right for you.
4.      Share your experience – tell others about your experiences – good or bad. Help others help you. 90 per cent of consumers trust other consumers, above all.
5.      Know what you’re searching for – Not every family is looking for the same thing when it comes to child care centres. Before beginning your search, make a list of the essential things you are looking for outside of location and cost and stick to these in helping make your decision.

¹2011 Household Expenditure survey conducted by the Australian Bureau of Statistics

A new survey reveals childcare costs increased by 84 per cent¹ over the last six years.

Choosing childcare is one of the toughest decisions a parent will ever have to make: trust and costs being some of the major challenges.

Searching for childcare can be  incredibly daunting with reports of poor supervision, unqualified staff and unclean equipment.

True Local.com.au come to the rescue providing parents with a credible and trusted avenue to begin their search for the right child care.

DadsClub.com.au gives True Local the thumbs up for lifting  the lid on child care: consumers share their experience of listed businesses by rating and reviewing online and via an iPhone app.

• Find reviews and insights from other likeminded parents just by searching childcare in your area.
• Current reviews praise facilities for being ‘caring and friendly,’ professional and experienced,’ with ‘healthy and clean environments.
• Access negative experiences, down to the ‘unfriendly and uncomforting natures’ of staff.

Ms Marlow TrueLocal Community Manager said “Community recommendations and reviews come from an honest place and ensure everyone can make an informed decision and enjoy a better experience as a result.”

The site offers its advice on selecting the best child care centre.

1.      Do your research –  it’s easy to jump online to get other people’s feedback and see how they’ve been rated.
2.      Don’t be afraid to ask – review forums allow users to engage in dialogue. If you want to know more about someone’s experience, you can send a reply to their post by making comment.
3.      Shortlist – don’t settle for the first supplier you find. Make a shortlist of the best rated suppliers on TrueLocal.com.au in your area by saving your favourites and then your top three before choosing the one that’s right for you.
4.      Share your experience – tell others about your experiences – good or bad. Help others help you. 90 per cent of consumers trust other consumers, above all.
5.      Know what you’re searching for – Not every family is looking for the same thing when it comes to child care centres. Before beginning your search, make a list of the essential things you are looking for outside of location and cost and stick to these in helping make your decision.

¹2011 Household Expenditure survey conducted by the Australian Bureau of Statistics

A new survey reveals childcare costs increased by 84 per cent¹ over the last six years.

Choosing childcare is one of the toughest decisions a parent will ever have to make: trust and costs being some of the major challenges.

Searching for childcare can be  incredibly daunting with reports of poor supervision, unqualified staff and unclean equipment.

True Local.com.au come to the rescue providing parents with a credible and trusted avenue to begin their search for the right child care.

DadsClub.com.au gives True Local the thumbs up for lifting  the lid on child care: consumers share their experience of listed businesses by rating and reviewing online and via an iPhone app.

• Find reviews and insights from other likeminded parents just by searching childcare in your area.
• Current reviews praise facilities for being ‘caring and friendly,’ professional and experienced,’ with ‘healthy and clean environments.
• Access negative experiences, down to the ‘unfriendly and uncomforting natures’ of staff.

Ms Marlow TrueLocal Community Manager said “Community recommendations and reviews come from an honest place and ensure everyone can make an informed decision and enjoy a better experience as a result.”

TrueLocal.com.au offers its advice on selecting the best child care centre.

1.      Do your research – with sites such as TrueLocal.com.au that encourage consumer reviews, it is easy to jump online to get other people’s feedback and see how they’ve been rated.
2.      Don’t be afraid to ask – review forums allow users to engage in dialogue. If you want to know more about someone’s experience, you can send a reply to their post by making comment.
3.      Shortlist – don’t settle for the first supplier you find. Make a shortlist of the best rated suppliers on TrueLocal.com.au in your area by saving your favourites and then your top three before choosing the one that’s right for you.
4.      Share your experience – tell others about your experiences – good or bad. Help others help you. 90 per cent of consumers trust other consumers, above all.
5.      Know what you’re searching for – Not every family is looking for the same thing when it comes to child care centres. Before beginning your search, make a list of the essential things you are looking for outside of location and cost and stick to these in helping make your decision.

¹2011 Household Expenditure survey conducted by the Australian Bureau of Statistics

A new survey reveals childcare costs increased by 84 per cent¹ over the last six years.

Choosing childcare is one of the toughest decisions a parent will ever have to make: trust and costs being some of the major challenges.

Searching for a childcare can be an incredibly daunting with reports of poor supervision, unqualified staff and unclean equipment.

True Local.com.au come to the rescue providing parents with a credible and trusted avenue to begin their search for the right child care.

TrueLocal lifts the lid on child care, providing peace of mind for: consumers share their experience of listed businesses by rating and reviewing online and via an iPhone app.

• Find reviews and insights from other likeminded parents just by searching childcare in your area.
• Current reviews praise facilities for being ‘caring and friendly,’ professional and experienced,’ with ‘healthy and clean environments.
• Access negative experiences, down to the ‘unfriendly and uncomforting natures’ of staff.

Ms Marlow TrueLocal Community Manager said “Community recommendations and reviews come from an honest place and ensure everyone can make an informed decision and enjoy a better experience as a result.”

¹2011 Household Expenditure survey conducted by the Australian Bureau of Statistics

A new survey reveals childcare costs increased by 84 per cent¹ over the last six years.

Choosing childcare is one of the toughest decisions a parent will ever have to make: trust and costs being some of the major challenges.

Searching for a childcare can be an incredibly daunting with reports of poor supervision, unqualified staff and unclean equipment.

True Local come to the rescue providing parents with a credible and trusted avenue to begin their search for the right child care.

TrueLocal lifts the lid on child care, providing peace of mind for . Here consumers share their experience of listed businesses by rating and reviewing online and via an iPhone app.

Find reviews and insights from other likeminded parents just by searching childcare in your area.

Current reviews praise facilities for being ‘caring and friendly,’ professional and experienced,’ with ‘healthy and clean environments.

Access negative experiences, down to the ‘unfriendly and uncomforting natures’ of staff.

Ms Marlow TrueLocal Community Manager said “Community recommendations and reviews come from an honest place and ensure everyone can make an informed decision and enjoy a better experience as a result.”

¹2011 Household Expenditure survey conducted by the Australian Bureau of Statistics

A new survey reveals childcare costs increased by 84 per cent¹ over the last six years.

Choosing childcare is one of the toughest decisions a parent will ever have to make: trust and costs being some of the major challenges.

Searching for a childcare can be an incredibly daunting with reports of poor supervision, unqualified staff and unclean equipment.

True Local come to the rescue providing parents with a credible and trusted avenue to begin their search for the right child care.”

TrueLocal lifts the lids for peace of mind. Here consumers share their experience of listed businesses by rating and reviewing online and via an iPhone app.

Find reviews and insights from other likeminded parents just by searching childcare in your area.

Current reviews praise facilities for being ‘caring and friendly,’ professional and experienced,’ with ‘healthy and clean environments.

Access negative experiences, down to the ‘unfriendly and uncomforting natures’ of staff.

Ms Marlow TrueLocal Community Manager said “Community recommendations and reviews come from an honest place and ensure everyone can make an informed decision and enjoy a better experience as a result.”

¹2011 Household Expenditure survey conducted by the Australian Bureau of Statistics

Barring Sophie’s choice (when Meryl, aka Sophie ,  gives away  her son) choosing childcare is one of the toughest decisions a parent will ever have to make with trust being one of the major challenges.

It’s that much harder knowing the costs….. (up 84% ) OUCH!!!

But what happens  when you’re  new to this stuff?

Searching for a childcare can be an incredibly daunting and frustrating experience and parents face so many more challenges than just financial ones. With reports of poor supervision, unqualified staff and unclean equipment, trust is one of the biggest challenges facing mums and dads.

Australia’s premier consumer review website, TrueLocal.com.au offers its advice on selecting the best child care centre.

1.                   Do your research – with sites such as TrueLocal.com.au that encourage consumer reviews, it is easy to jump online to get other people’s feedback and see how they’ve been rated.

2.                   Don’t be afraid to ask – review forums allow users to engage in dialogue. If you want to know more about someone’s experience, you can send a reply to their post by making comment.

3.                   Shortlist – don’t settle for the first supplier you find. Make a shortlist of the best rated suppliers on TrueLocal.com.au in your area by saving your favourites and then your top three before choosing the one that’s right for you.

4.                   Share your experience – tell others about your experiences – good or bad. Help others help you. 90 per cent of consumers trust other consumers, above all.

5.                   Know what you’re searching for – Not every family is looking for the same thing when it comes to child care centres. Before beginning your search, make a list of the essential things you are looking for outside of location and cost and stick to these in helping make your decision.

“When searching for a child care centre, consumers want a trusted voice, a voice that has no hidden agenda and this is what the TrueLocal reviews offer,” Ms Marlow said. TrueLocal lets consumers share their experience of listed businesses by rating and reviewing online and via an iPhone app. 

Find reviews and insights from other likeminded parents just by searching childcare in your area. Current reviews praise facilities for being ‘caring and friendly,’ professional and experienced,’ with ‘healthy and clean environments.

With the biggest deal breaker for negative experiences coming down to the ‘unfriendly and uncomforting natures’ of staff. Ms Marlow concluded: “Community recommendations and reviews come from an honest place and ensure everyone can make an informed decision and enjoy a better experience as a result.”

12011 Household Expenditure survey conducted by the Australian Bureau of Statistics

Barring Sophie’s choice (when Meryl, aka Sophie ,  gives away  her son) choosing childcare is one of the toughest decisions a parent will ever have to make with trust being one of the major challenges.

It’s that much harder knowing the costs….. (up 84% ) OUCH!!!

But what happens  when you’re  new to this stuff?

Searching for a childcare can be an incredibly daunting and frustrating experience and parents face so many more challenges than just financial ones. With reports of poor supervision, unqualified staff and unclean equipment, trust is one of the biggest challenges facing mums and dads.

Australia’s premier consumer review website, TrueLocal.com.au offers its advice on selecting the best child care centre.

1.                   Do your research – with sites such as TrueLocal.com.au that encourage consumer reviews, it is easy to jump online to get other people’s feedback and see how they’ve been rated.

2.                   Don’t be afraid to ask – review forums allow users to engage in dialogue. If you want to know more about someone’s experience, you can send a reply to their post by making comment.

3.                   Shortlist – don’t settle for the first supplier you find. Make a shortlist of the best rated suppliers on TrueLocal.com.au in your area by saving your favourites and then your top three before choosing the one that’s right for you.

4.                   Share your experience – tell others about your experiences – good or bad. Help others help you. 90 per cent of consumers trust other consumers, above all.

5.                   Know what you’re searching for – Not every family is looking for the same thing when it comes to child care centres. Before beginning your search, make a list of the essential things you are looking for outside of location and cost and stick to these in helping make your decision.

“When searching for a child care centre, consumers want a trusted voice, a voice that has no hidden agenda and this is what the TrueLocal reviews offer,” Ms Marlow said. TrueLocal lets consumers share their experience of listed businesses by rating and reviewing online and via an iPhone app. 

Find reviews and insights from other likeminded parents just by searching childcare in your area. Current reviews praise facilities for being ‘caring and friendly,’ professional and experienced,’ with ‘healthy and clean environments.

With the biggest deal breaker for negative experiences coming down to the ‘unfriendly and uncomforting natures’ of staff. Ms Marlow concluded: “Community recommendations and reviews come from an honest place and ensure everyone can make an informed decision and enjoy a better experience as a result.”

12011 Household Expenditure survey conducted by the Australian Bureau of Statistics

Barring Sophie’s choice (when Meryl, aka Sophie ,  gives away  her son) choosing childcare is one of the toughest decisions a parent will ever have to make with trust being one of the major challenges.

It’s that much harder knowing how God damn expensive (up 84% in teh pas yeat) OUCH!!!

But what happens  when you’re  new to this stuff?

Searching for a childcare can be an incredibly daunting and frustrating experience and parents face so many more challenges than just financial ones. With reports of poor supervision, unqualified staff and unclean equipment, trust is one of the biggest challenges facing mums and dads.

Australia’s premier consumer review website, TrueLocal.com.au offers its advice on selecting the best child care centre.

1.                   Do your research – with sites such as TrueLocal.com.au that encourage consumer reviews, it is easy to jump online to get other people’s feedback and see how they’ve been rated.

2.                   Don’t be afraid to ask – review forums allow users to engage in dialogue. If you want to know more about someone’s experience, you can send a reply to their post by making comment.

3.                   Shortlist – don’t settle for the first supplier you find. Make a shortlist of the best rated suppliers on TrueLocal.com.au in your area by saving your favourites and then your top three before choosing the one that’s right for you.

4.                   Share your experience – tell others about your experiences – good or bad. Help others help you. 90 per cent of consumers trust other consumers, above all.

5.                   Know what you’re searching for – Not every family is looking for the same thing when it comes to child care centres. Before beginning your search, make a list of the essential things you are looking for outside of location and cost and stick to these in helping make your decision.

“When searching for a child care centre, consumers want a trusted voice, a voice that has no hidden agenda and this is what the TrueLocal reviews offer,” Ms Marlow said. TrueLocal lets consumers share their experience of listed businesses by rating and reviewing online and via an iPhone app. 

Find reviews and insights from other likeminded parents just by searching childcare in your area. Current reviews praise facilities for being ‘caring and friendly,’ professional and experienced,’ with ‘healthy and clean environments.

With the biggest deal breaker for negative experiences coming down to the ‘unfriendly and uncomforting natures’ of staff. Ms Marlow concluded: “Community recommendations and reviews come from an honest place and ensure everyone can make an informed decision and enjoy a better experience as a result.”

12011 Household Expenditure survey conducted by the Australian Bureau of Statistics

Barring Sophie’s choice (when Meryl, aka Sophie ,  gives away  her son) choosing childcare is one of the toughest decisions a parent will ever have to make with trust being one of the major challenges.

It’s that much harder knowing how God damn expensive (up 84% in teh pas yeat) OUCH!!!

But what happens  when you’re  new to this stuff?

Searching for a childcare can be an incredibly daunting and frustrating experience and parents face so many more challenges than just financial ones. With reports of poor supervision, unqualified staff and unclean equipment, trust is one of the biggest challenges facing mums and dads.

Australia’s premier consumer review website, TrueLocal.com.au offers its advice on selecting the best child care centre.

1.                   Do your research – with sites such as TrueLocal.com.au that encourage consumer reviews, it is easy to jump online to get other people’s feedback and see how they’ve been rated.

2.                   Don’t be afraid to ask – review forums allow users to engage in dialogue. If you want to know more about someone’s experience, you can send a reply to their post by making comment.

3.                   Shortlist – don’t settle for the first supplier you find. Make a shortlist of the best rated suppliers on TrueLocal.com.au in your area by saving your favourites and then your top three before choosing the one that’s right for you.

4.                   Share your experience – tell others about your experiences – good or bad. Help others help you. 90 per cent of consumers trust other consumers, above all.

5.                   Know what you’re searching for – Not every family is looking for the same thing when it comes to child care centres. Before beginning your search, make a list of the essential things you are looking for outside of location and cost and stick to these in helping make your decision.

“When searching for a child care centre, consumers want a trusted voice, a voice that has no hidden agenda and this is what the TrueLocal reviews offer,” Ms Marlow said. TrueLocal lets consumers share their experience of listed businesses by rating and reviewing online and via an iPhone app. 

Find reviews and insights from other likeminded parents just by searching childcare in your area. Current reviews praise facilities for being ‘caring and friendly,’ professional and experienced,’ with ‘healthy and clean environments.

With the biggest deal breaker for negative experiences coming down to the ‘unfriendly and uncomforting natures’ of staff. Ms Marlow concluded: “Community recommendations and reviews come from an honest place and ensure everyone can make an informed decision and enjoy a better experience as a result.”

12011 Household Expenditure survey conducted by the Australian Bureau of Statistics

Barring Sophie’s choice (when Meryl, aka Sophie ,  gives away  her son) choosing childcare is one of the toughest decisions a parent will ever have to make with trust being one of the major challenges.

It’s that much harder knowing how God damn expensive (up 84% in teh pas yeat) OUCH!!!

But what happens  when you’re  new to this stuff?

Searching for a childcare can be an incredibly daunting and frustrating experience and parents face so many more challenges than just financial ones. With reports of poor supervision, unqualified staff and unclean equipment, trust is one of the biggest challenges facing mums and dads.

Australia’s premier consumer review website, TrueLocal.com.au offers its advice on selecting the best child care centre.

1.                   Do your research – with sites such as TrueLocal.com.au that encourage consumer reviews, it is easy to jump online to get other people’s feedback and see how they’ve been rated.

2.                   Don’t be afraid to ask – review forums allow users to engage in dialogue. If you want to know more about someone’s experience, you can send a reply to their post by making comment.

3.                   Shortlist – don’t settle for the first supplier you find. Make a shortlist of the best rated suppliers on TrueLocal.com.au in your area by saving your favourites and then your top three before choosing the one that’s right for you.

4.                   Share your experience – tell others about your experiences – good or bad. Help others help you. 90 per cent of consumers trust other consumers, above all.

5.                   Know what you’re searching for – Not every family is looking for the same thing when it comes to child care centres. Before beginning your search, make a list of the essential things you are looking for outside of location and cost and stick to these in helping make your decision.

“When searching for a child care centre, consumers want a trusted voice, a voice that has no hidden agenda and this is what the TrueLocal reviews offer,” Ms Marlow said. TrueLocal lets consumers share their experience of listed businesses by rating and reviewing online and via an iPhone app.  Find reviews and insights from other likeminded parents just by searching childcare in your area. Current reviews praise facilities for being ‘caring and friendly,’ professional and experienced,’ with ‘healthy and clean environments. With the biggest deal breaker for negative experiences coming down to the ‘unfriendly and uncomforting natures’ of staff. Ms Marlow concluded: “Community recommendations and reviews come from an honest place and ensure everyone can make an informed decision and enjoy a better experience as a result.” 12011 Household Expenditure survey conducted by the Australian Bureau of Statistics

Barring Sophie’s choice (when Meryl aka Sophie  gives away  her son) choosing childcare is one of the toughest decisions a parent will ever have to make with trust being one of the major challenges.

It’s that much harder if you’re new to the area and aren’t familiar with the facilities or don’t have connections in the community for recommendations.

This can be made easier :

 Choosing childcare has always tugged on heart strings but to make matters worse a new survey shows purse strings are also under pressure with childcare costs increasing by 84 per cent1 over the last six years. Searching for a childcare can be an incredibly daunting and frustrating experience and parents face so many more challenges than just financial ones. With reports of poor supervision, unqualified staff and unclean equipment, trust is one of the biggest challenges facing mums and dads.

Australia’s premier consumer review website, TrueLocal.com.au offers its advice on selecting the best child care centre.

1.                   Do your research – with sites such as TrueLocal.com.au that encourage consumer reviews, it is easy to jump online to get other people’s feedback and see how they’ve been rated.

2.                   Don’t be afraid to ask – review forums allow users to engage in dialogue. If you want to know more about someone’s experience, you can send a reply to their post by making comment.

3.                   Shortlist – don’t settle for the first supplier you find. Make a shortlist of the best rated suppliers on TrueLocal.com.au in your area by saving your favourites and then your top three before choosing the one that’s right for you.

4.                   Share your experience – tell others about your experiences – good or bad. Help others help you. 90 per cent of consumers trust other consumers, above all.

5.                   Know what you’re searching for – Not every family is looking for the same thing when it comes to child care centres. Before beginning your search, make a list of the essential things you are looking for outside of location and cost and stick to these in helping make your decision. “When searching for a child care centre, consumers want a trusted voice, a voice that has no hidden agenda and this is what the TrueLocal reviews offer,” Ms Marlow said. TrueLocal lets consumers share their experience of listed businesses by rating and reviewing online and via an iPhone app.  Find reviews and insights from other likeminded parents just by searching childcare in your area. Current reviews praise facilities for being ‘caring and friendly,’ professional and experienced,’ with ‘healthy and clean environments. With the biggest deal breaker for negative experiences coming down to the ‘unfriendly and uncomforting natures’ of staff. Ms Marlow concluded: “Community recommendations and reviews come from an honest place and ensure everyone can make an informed decision and enjoy a better experience as a result.” 12011 Household Expenditure survey conducted by the Australian Bureau of Statistics

Photo: Alex Ellinghausen taken from the Sydney Morning Herald

Does Joe have a moral compass?

Are parents putting too much pressure on their kids?

Hockey claims rising depression and suicide amongst teens caused by modern day life.

RELATED POSTS

Depression in dads and kids

Suicide

Education

“Their lives in general are becoming over-taxed and over-regulated.

We regulate or tax in their name every part of their being from the drinks they consume to the cars they drive,” he said.

”It is older generations that have imposed draconian expectations on a young person to spend 120 hours at the car wheel in the presence of a licensed driver … to get their provisional licence. Some rules are necessary but we cannot go too far.

Does Joe actually have a moral compass? Maybe when you look at this…

”As a general rule we should be mindful that young people need the chance to explore, experiment and engage in calculated risk-taking behaviour … to grow into balanced adults and pursue the future they aspire to.”

YOU GOTTA AGREE….. the“focus on academic achievement and continuous performance assessment was too narrow, stifled creativity and increased pressure on the young.

He said the pressure of the HSC has been growing. ”I see a trend continuing – the stress of the HSC increasing for little material gain, and at a physical and emotional cost to our young Australians.

”I would attribute this increased pressure and assessment with contributing to problems of depression, anxiety and suicide in our younger generation.”

DISAGREE Mr Hockey said that while it was right to expect students to do well at school, ”we should not be afraid of formal education failure”. BUT Joe, this is not true, sadly today a ticket to university is becoming essential if on wants an income above the average.

He blamed the flaws of high school as he saw them on university entrance requirements, which focus almost solely on scores achieved at high school rather than broader qualities.

ABSOLUTELY, but who’s going to change this?

WOW…….He noted none of the top 20 universities in the world had entry for an undergraduate degree based on school marks alone.

FAIR CALL ”If young people are old enough to own a gun, fight in our armed forces, drive a car, get married and beget children, then they are old enough to freely engage in society without age-based restrictions.

NANNY STATE ”Your creativity must not be unfairly restricted by government regulation and tax.”

Joe, you’ve shown us another side, do something about it and you may get more votes!

READ MORE FROM THE SMH

Photo: Alex Ellinghausen taken from the Sydney Morning Herald

Does Joe have a moral compass?

Are parents putting too much pressure on their kids?

Hockey claims rising depression and suicide amongst teens caused by modern day life.

RELATED POSTS

Depression in dads and kids

Suicide

Education

“Their lives in general are becoming over-taxed and over-regulated.

We regulate or tax in their name every part of their being from the drinks they consume to the cars they drive,” he said.

”It is older generations that have imposed draconian expectations on a young person to spend 120 hours at the car wheel in the presence of a licensed driver … to get their provisional licence. Some rules are necessary but we cannot go too far.

Does Joe actually have a moral compass? Maybe when you look at this…

”As a general rule we should be mindful that young people need the chance to explore, experiment and engage in calculated risk-taking behaviour … to grow into balanced adults and pursue the future they aspire to.”

YOU GOTTA AGREE….. the“focus on academic achievement and continuous performance assessment was too narrow, stifled creativity and increased pressure on the young.

He said the pressure of the HSC has been growing. ”I see a trend continuing – the stress of the HSC increasing for little material gain, and at a physical and emotional cost to our young Australians.

”I would attribute this increased pressure and assessment with contributing to problems of depression, anxiety and suicide in our younger generation.”

DISAGREE Mr Hockey said that while it was right to expect students to do well at school, ”we should not be afraid of formal education failure”. BUT Joe, this is not true, sadly today a ticket to university is becoming essential if on wants an income above the average.

He blamed the flaws of high school as he saw them on university entrance requirements, which focus almost solely on scores achieved at high school rather than broader qualities.

ABSOLUTELY, but who’s going to change this?

WOW…….He noted none of the top 20 universities in the world had entry for an undergraduate degree based on school marks alone.

FAIR CALL ”If young people are old enough to own a gun, fight in our armed forces, drive a car, get married and beget children, then they are old enough to freely engage in society without age-based restrictions.

NANNY STATE ”Your creativity must not be unfairly restricted by government regulation and tax.”

Joe, you’ve shown us another side, do something about it and you may get more votes!

READ MORE FROM THE SMH

Photo: Alex Ellinghausen taken from the Sydney Morning Herald

Does Joe have a moral compass?

Are parents putting too much pressure on their kids?

Hockey claims rising depression and suicide amongst teens caused by modern day life.

RELATED POSTS

Depression in dads and kids

Suicide

Education

“Their lives in general are becoming over-taxed and over-regulated.

We regulate or tax in their name every part of their being from the drinks they consume to the cars they drive,” he said.

”It is older generations that have imposed draconian expectations on a young person to spend 120 hours at the car wheel in the presence of a licensed driver … to get their provisional licence. Some rules are necessary but we cannot go too far.

Does Joe actually have a moral compass? Maybe when you look at this…

”As a general rule we should be mindful that young people need the chance to explore, experiment and engage in calculated risk-taking behaviour … to grow into balanced adults and pursue the future they aspire to.”

YOU GOTTA AGREE….. the“focus on academic achievement and continuous performance assessment was too narrow, stifled creativity and increased pressure on the young.

He said the pressure of the HSC has been growing. ”I see a trend continuing – the stress of the HSC increasing for little material gain, and at a physical and emotional cost to our young Australians.

”I would attribute this increased pressure and assessment with contributing to problems of depression, anxiety and suicide in our younger generation.”

DISAGREE Mr Hockey said that while it was right to expect students to do well at school, ”we should not be afraid of formal education failure”. BUT Joe, this is not true, sadly today a ticket to university is becoming essential if on wants an income above the average.

He blamed the flaws of high school as he saw them on university entrance requirements, which focus almost solely on scores achieved at high school rather than broader qualities.

ABSOLUTELY, but who’s going to change this?

WOW…….He noted none of the top 20 universities in the world had entry for an undergraduate degree based on school marks alone.

FAIR CALL ”If young people are old enough to own a gun, fight in our armed forces, drive a car, get married and beget children, then they are old enough to freely engage in society without age-based restrictions.

NANNY STATE ”Your creativity must not be unfairly restricted by government regulation and tax.”

Joe, you’ve shown us another side, do something about it and you may get more votes!

READ MORE FROM THE SMH

Photo: Alex Ellinghausen

Does Joe have a moral compass?

Are parents putting too much pressure on their kids?

Hockey claims rising depression and suicide amongst teens caused by modern day life.

RELATED POSTS

Depression in dads and kids

Suicide

Education

“Their lives in general are becoming over-taxed and over-regulated.

We regulate or tax in their name every part of their being from the drinks they consume to the cars they drive,” he said.

”It is older generations that have imposed draconian expectations on a young person to spend 120 hours at the car wheel in the presence of a licensed driver … to get their provisional licence. Some rules are necessary but we cannot go too far.

Does Joe actually have a moral compass? Maybe when you look at this…

”As a general rule we should be mindful that young people need the chance to explore, experiment and engage in calculated risk-taking behaviour … to grow into balanced adults and pursue the future they aspire to.”

YOU GOTTA AGREE….. the“focus on academic achievement and continuous performance assessment was too narrow, stifled creativity and increased pressure on the young.

He said the pressure of the HSC has been growing. ”I see a trend continuing – the stress of the HSC increasing for little material gain, and at a physical and emotional cost to our young Australians.

”I would attribute this increased pressure and assessment with contributing to problems of depression, anxiety and suicide in our younger generation.”

DISAGREE Mr Hockey said that while it was right to expect students to do well at school, ”we should not be afraid of formal education failure”. BUT Joe, this is not true, sadly today a ticket to university is becoming essential if on wants an income above the average.

He blamed the flaws of high school as he saw them on university entrance requirements, which focus almost solely on scores achieved at high school rather than broader qualities.

ABSOLUTELY, but who’s going to change this?

WOW…….He noted none of the top 20 universities in the world had entry for an undergraduate degree based on school marks alone.

FAIR CALL ”If young people are old enough to own a gun, fight in our armed forces, drive a car, get married and beget children, then they are old enough to freely engage in society without age-based restrictions.

NANNY STATE ”Your creativity must not be unfairly restricted by government regulation and tax.”

Joe, you’ve shown us another side, do something about it and you may get more votes!

READ MORE FROM THE SMH

Photo: Alex Ellinghausen

Does Joe have a moral compass?

Are parents putting too much pressure on their kids?

Hockey claims rising depression and suicide amongst teens caused by modern day life.

RELATED POSTS

Depression in dads and kids

Suicide

Education

“Their lives in general are becoming over-taxed and over-regulated.

We regulate or tax in their name every part of their being from the drinks they consume to the cars they drive,” he said.

”It is older generations that have imposed draconian expectations on a young person to spend 120 hours at the car wheel in the presence of a licensed driver … to get their provisional licence. Some rules are necessary but we cannot go too far.

Does Joe actually have a moral compass? Maybe when you look at this…

”As a general rule we should be mindful that young people need the chance to explore, experiment and engage in calculated risk-taking behaviour … to grow into balanced adults and pursue the future they aspire to.”

YOU GOTTA AGREE….. the“focus on academic achievement and continuous performance assessment was too narrow, stifled creativity and increased pressure on the young.

He said the pressure of the HSC has been growing. ”I see a trend continuing – the stress of the HSC increasing for little material gain, and at a physical and emotional cost to our young Australians.

”I would attribute this increased pressure and assessment with contributing to problems of depression, anxiety and suicide in our younger generation.”

DISAGREE Mr Hockey said that while it was right to expect students to do well at school, ”we should not be afraid of formal education failure”. BUT Joe, this is not true, sadly today a ticket to university is becoming essential if on wants an income above the average.

He blamed the flaws of high school as he saw them on university entrance requirements, which focus almost solely on scores achieved at high school rather than broader qualities.

ABSOLUTELY, but who’s going to change this?

WOW…….He noted none of the top 20 universities in the world had entry for an undergraduate degree based on school marks alone.

FAIR CALL ”If young people are old enough to own a gun, fight in our armed forces, drive a car, get married and beget children, then they are old enough to freely engage in society without age-based restrictions.

NANNY STATE ”Your creativity must not be unfairly restricted by government regulation and tax.”

Joe, you’ve shown us another side, do something about it and you may get more votes!

READ MORE FROM THE SMH

Photo: Alex Ellinghausen

Does Joe have a moral compass?

Are parents putting too much pressure on their kids?

Hockey claims rising depression and suicide amongst teens caused by modern day life.

RELATED POSTS

Depression in dads and kids

Suicide

Education

“Their lives in general are becoming over-taxed and over-regulated.

We regulate or tax in their name every part of their being from the drinks they consume to the cars they drive,” he said.

”It is older generations that have imposed draconian expectations on a young person to spend 120 hours at the car wheel in the presence of a licensed driver … to get their provisional licence. Some rules are necessary but we cannot go too far.

Does Joe actually have a moral compass? Maybe when you look at this…

”As a general rule we should be mindful that young people need the chance to explore, experiment and engage in calculated risk-taking behaviour … to grow into balanced adults and pursue the future they aspire to.”

YOU GOTTA AGREE….. the“focus on academic achievement and continuous performance assessment was too narrow, stifled creativity and increased pressure on the young.

He said the pressure of the HSC has been growing. ”I see a trend continuing – the stress of the HSC increasing for little material gain, and at a physical and emotional cost to our young Australians.

”I would attribute this increased pressure and assessment with contributing to problems of depression, anxiety and suicide in our younger generation.”

DISAGREE Mr Hockey said that while it was right to expect students to do well at school, ”we should not be afraid of formal education failure”. BUT Joe, this is not true, sadly today a ticket to university is becoming essential if on wants an income above the average.

He blamed the flaws of high school as he saw them on university entrance requirements, which focus almost solely on scores achieved at high school rather than broader qualities.

ABSOLUTELY, but who’s going to change this?

WOW…….He noted none of the top 20 universities in the world had entry for an undergraduate degree based on school marks alone.

FAIR CALL ”If young people are old enough to own a gun, fight in our armed forces, drive a car, get married and beget children, then they are old enough to freely engage in society without age-based restrictions.

NANNY STATE ”Your creativity must not be unfairly restricted by government regulation and tax.”

Joe, you’ve shown us another side, do something about it and you may get more votes!

READ MORE FROM THE SMH

Photo: Alex Ellinghausen

Does Joe have a moral compass?

Are parents putting too much pressure on their kids?

Hockey claims rising depression and suicide amongst teens caused by modern day life.

“Their lives in general are becoming over-taxed and over-regulated.

We regulate or tax in their name every part of their being from the drinks they consume to the cars they drive,” he said.

”It is older generations that have imposed draconian expectations on a young person to spend 120 hours at the car wheel in the presence of a licensed driver … to get their provisional licence. Some rules are necessary but we cannot go too far.

Does Joe actually have a moral compass? Maybe when you look at this…

”As a general rule we should be mindful that young people need the chance to explore, experiment and engage in calculated risk-taking behaviour … to grow into balanced adults and pursue the future they aspire to.”

YOU GOTTA AGREE….. the“focus on academic achievement and continuous performance assessment was too narrow, stifled creativity and increased pressure on the young.

He said the pressure of the HSC has been growing. ”I see a trend continuing – the stress of the HSC increasing for little material gain, and at a physical and emotional cost to our young Australians.

”I would attribute this increased pressure and assessment with contributing to problems of depression, anxiety and suicide in our younger generation.”

DISAGREE Mr Hockey said that while it was right to expect students to do well at school, ”we should not be afraid of formal education failure”. BUT Joe, this is not true, sadly today a ticket to university is becoming essential if on wants an income above the average.

He blamed the flaws of high school as he saw them on university entrance requirements, which focus almost solely on scores achieved at high school rather than broader qualities.

ABSOLUTELY, but who’s going to change this?

WOW…….He noted none of the top 20 universities in the world had entry for an undergraduate degree based on school marks alone.

FAIR CALL ”If young people are old enough to own a gun, fight in our armed forces, drive a car, get married and beget children, then they are old enough to freely engage in society without age-based restrictions.

NANNY STATE ”Your creativity must not be unfairly restricted by government regulation and tax.”

Joe, you’ve shown us another side, do something about it and you may get more votes!

READ MORE FROM THE SMH

Photo: Alex Ellinghausen

Does Joe have a moral compass?

Are parents putting too much pressure on their kids?

Hockey claims rising depression and suicide amongst teens caused by modern day life.

“Their lives in general are becoming over-taxed and over-regulated.

We regulate or tax in their name every part of their being from the drinks they consume to the cars they drive,” he said.

”It is older generations that have imposed draconian expectations on a young person to spend 120 hours at the car wheel in the presence of a licensed driver … to get their provisional licence. Some rules are necessary but we cannot go too far.

Does Joe actually have a moral compass? Maybe when you look at this…

”As a general rule we should be mindful that young people need the chance to explore, experiment and engage in calculated risk-taking behaviour … to grow into balanced adults and pursue the future they aspire to.”

YOU GOTTA AGREE….. the“focus on academic achievement and continuous performance assessment was too narrow, stifled creativity and increased pressure on the young.

He said the pressure of the HSC has been growing. ”I see a trend continuing – the stress of the HSC increasing for little material gain, and at a physical and emotional cost to our young Australians.

”I would attribute this increased pressure and assessment with contributing to problems of depression, anxiety and suicide in our younger generation.”

DISAGREE Mr Hockey said that while it was right to expect students to do well at school, ”we should not be afraid of formal education failure”. BUT Joe, this is not true, sadly today a ticket to university is becoming essential if on wants an income above the average.

He blamed the flaws of high school as he saw them on university entrance requirements, which focus almost solely on scores achieved at high school rather than broader qualities.

ABSOLUTELY, but who’s going to change this?

WOW…….He noted none of the top 20 universities in the world had entry for an undergraduate degree based on school marks alone.

FAIR CALL ”If young people are old enough to own a gun, fight in our armed forces, drive a car, get married and beget children, then they are old enough to freely engage in society without age-based restrictions.

NANNY STATE ”Your creativity must not be unfairly restricted by government regulation and tax.”

Joe, you’ve shown us another side, do something about it and you may get more votes!

READ MORE FROM THE SMH

Photo: Alex Ellinghausen

Does Joe have a moral compass?

Are parents putting too much pressure on their kids?

Hockey claims rising depression and suicide amongst teens caused by modern day life.

“Their lives in general are becoming over-taxed and over-regulated.

We regulate or tax in their name every part of their being from the drinks they consume to the cars they drive,” he said.

”It is older generations that have imposed draconian expectations on a young person to spend 120 hours at the car wheel in the presence of a licensed driver … to get their provisional licence. Some rules are necessary but we cannot go too far.

Does Joe actually have a moral compass? Maybe when you look at this…

”As a general rule we should be mindful that young people need the chance to explore, experiment and engage in calculated risk-taking behaviour … to grow into balanced adults and pursue the future they aspire to.”

YOU GOTTA AGREE….. the“focus on academic achievement and continuous performance assessment was too narrow, stifled creativity and increased pressure on the young.

He said the pressure of the HSC has been growing. ”I see a trend continuing – the stress of the HSC increasing for little material gain, and at a physical and emotional cost to our young Australians.

”I would attribute this increased pressure and assessment with contributing to problems of depression, anxiety and suicide in our younger generation.”

DISAGREE Mr Hockey said that while it was right to expect students to do well at school, ”we should not be afraid of formal education failure”. BUT Joe, this is not true, sadly today a ticket to university is becoming essential if on wants an income above the average.

He blamed the flaws of high school as he saw them on university entrance requirements, which focus almost solely on scores achieved at high school rather than broader qualities.

ABSOLUTELY, but who’s going to change this?

WOW…….He noted none of the top 20 universities in the world had entry for an undergraduate degree based on school marks alone.

FAIR CALL ”If young people are old enough to own a gun, fight in our armed forces, drive a car, get married and beget children, then they are old enough to freely engage in society without age-based restrictions.

NANNY STATE ”Your creativity must not be unfairly restricted by government regulation and tax.”

Joe, you’ve shown us another side, do something about it and you may get more votes!

READ MORE FROM THE SMH

Photo: Alex Ellinghausen

Joe have a moral compass? Are parents putting too much pressure on their kids?

Hockey claims rising depression and suicide amongst teens caused by modern day life.

“Their lives in general are becoming over-taxed and over-regulated.

We regulate or tax in their name every part of their being from the drinks they consume to the cars they drive,” he said.

”It is older generations that have imposed draconian expectations on a young person to spend 120 hours at the car wheel in the presence of a licensed driver … to get their provisional licence. Some rules are necessary but we cannot go too far.

Does Joe actually have a moral compass? Maybe when you look at this…

”As a general rule we should be mindful that young people need the chance to explore, experiment and engage in calculated risk-taking behaviour … to grow into balanced adults and pursue the future they aspire to.”

YOU GOTTA AGREE….. the“focus on academic achievement and continuous performance assessment was too narrow, stifled creativity and increased pressure on the young.

He said the pressure of the HSC has been growing. ”I see a trend continuing – the stress of the HSC increasing for little material gain, and at a physical and emotional cost to our young Australians.

”I would attribute this increased pressure and assessment with contributing to problems of depression, anxiety and suicide in our younger generation.”

DISAGREE Mr Hockey said that while it was right to expect students to do well at school, ”we should not be afraid of formal education failure”. BUT Joe, this is not true, sadly today a ticket to university is becoming essential if on wants an income above the average.

He blamed the flaws of high school as he saw them on university entrance requirements, which focus almost solely on scores achieved at high school rather than broader qualities.

ABSOLUTELY, but who’s going to change this?

WOW…….He noted none of the top 20 universities in the world had entry for an undergraduate degree based on school marks alone.

FAIR CALL ”If young people are old enough to own a gun, fight in our armed forces, drive a car, get married and beget children, then they are old enough to freely engage in society without age-based restrictions.

NANNY STATE ”Your creativity must not be unfairly restricted by government regulation and tax.”

Joe, you’ve shown us another side, do something about it and you may get more votes!

READ MORE FROM THE SMH

Does Joe have a moral compass? Are parents putting too much pressure on their kids?

Hockey claims rising depression and suicide amongst teens caused by modern day life.

“Their lives in general are becoming over-taxed and over-regulated.

We regulate or tax in their name every part of their being from the drinks they consume to the cars they drive,” he said.

”It is older generations that have imposed draconian expectations on a young person to spend 120 hours at the car wheel in the presence of a licensed driver … to get their provisional licence. Some rules are necessary but we cannot go too far.

Does Joe actually have a moral compass? Maybe when you look at this…

”As a general rule we should be mindful that young people need the chance to explore, experiment and engage in calculated risk-taking behaviour … to grow into balanced adults and pursue the future they aspire to.”

YOU GOTTA AGREE….. the“focus on academic achievement and continuous performance assessment was too narrow, stifled creativity and increased pressure on the young.

He said the pressure of the HSC has been growing. ”I see a trend continuing – the stress of the HSC increasing for little material gain, and at a physical and emotional cost to our young Australians.

”I would attribute this increased pressure and assessment with contributing to problems of depression, anxiety and suicide in our younger generation.”

DISAGREE Mr Hockey said that while it was right to expect students to do well at school, ”we should not be afraid of formal education failure”. BUT Joe, this is not true, sadly today a ticket to university is becoming essential if on wants an income above the average.

He blamed the flaws of high school as he saw them on university entrance requirements, which focus almost solely on scores achieved at high school rather than broader qualities.

ABSOLUTELY, but who’s going to change this?

WOW…….He noted none of the top 20 universities in the world had entry for an undergraduate degree based on school marks alone.

FAIR CALL ”If young people are old enough to own a gun, fight in our armed forces, drive a car, get married and beget children, then they are old enough to freely engage in society without age-based restrictions.

NANNY STATE ”Your creativity must not be unfairly restricted by government regulation and tax.”

Joe, you’ve shown us another side, do something about it and you may get more votes!

READ MORE FROM THE SMH

Does Joe have a moral compass? Are parents putting too much pressure on their kids?

Hockey claims rising depression and suicide amongst teens caused by modern day life.

“Their lives in general are becoming over-taxed and over-regulated.

We regulate or tax in their name every part of their being from the drinks they consume to the cars they drive,” he said.

”It is older generations that have imposed draconian expectations on a young person to spend 120 hours at the car wheel in the presence of a licensed driver … to get their provisional licence. Some rules are necessary but we cannot go too far.

Does Joe actually have a moral compass? Maybe when you look at this…

”As a general rule we should be mindful that young people need the chance to explore, experiment and engage in calculated risk-taking behaviour … to grow into balanced adults and pursue the future they aspire to.”

YOU GOTTA AGREE….. the“focus on academic achievement and continuous performance assessment was too narrow, stifled creativity and increased pressure on the young.

He said the pressure of the HSC has been growing. ”I see a trend continuing – the stress of the HSC increasing for little material gain, and at a physical and emotional cost to our young Australians.

”I would attribute this increased pressure and assessment with contributing to problems of depression, anxiety and suicide in our younger generation.”

DISAGREE Mr Hockey said that while it was right to expect students to do well at school, ”we should not be afraid of formal education failure”. BUT Joe, this is not true, sadly today a ticket to university is becoming essential if on wants an income above the average.

He blamed the flaws of high school as he saw them on university entrance requirements, which focus almost solely on scores achieved at high school rather than broader qualities.

ABSOLUTELY, but who’s going to change this?

WOW…….He noted none of the top 20 universities in the world had entry for an undergraduate degree based on school marks alone.

FAIR CALL ”If young people are old enough to own a gun, fight in our armed forces, drive a car, get married and beget children, then they are old enough to freely engage in society without age-based restrictions.

NANNY STATE ”Your creativity must not be unfairly restricted by government regulation and tax.”

Joe, you’ve shown us another side, do something about it and you may get more votes!

READ MORE FROM THE SMH

Does Joe have a moral compass? Are parents putting too much pressure on their kids?

Hockey claims rising depression and suicide amongst teens caused by modern day life.

“Their lives in general are becoming over-taxed and over-regulated.

We regulate or tax in their name every part of their being from the drinks they consume to the cars they drive,” he said.

”It is older generations that have imposed draconian expectations on a young person to spend 120 hours at the car wheel in the presence of a licensed driver … to get their provisional licence. Some rules are necessary but we cannot go too far.

Does Joe actually have a moral compass? Maybe when you look at this…

”As a general rule we should be mindful that young people need the chance to explore, experiment and engage in calculated risk-taking behaviour … to grow into balanced adults and pursue the future they aspire to.”

YOU GOTTA AGREE….. the“focus on academic achievement and continuous performance assessment was too narrow, stifled creativity and increased pressure on the young.

He said the pressure of the HSC has been growing. ”I see a trend continuing – the stress of the HSC increasing for little material gain, and at a physical and emotional cost to our young Australians.

”I would attribute this increased pressure and assessment with contributing to problems of depression, anxiety and suicide in our younger generation.”

DISAGREE Mr Hockey said that while it was right to expect students to do well at school, ”we should not be afraid of formal education failure”. BUT Joe, this is not true, sadly today a ticket to university is becoming essential if on wants an income above the average.

He blamed the flaws of high school as he saw them on university entrance requirements, which focus almost solely on scores achieved at high school rather than broader qualities.

ABSOLUTELY, but who’s going to change this?

WOW…….He noted none of the top 20 universities in the world had entry for an undergraduate degree based on school marks alone.

FAIR CALL ”If young people are old enough to own a gun, fight in our armed forces, drive a car, get married and beget children, then they are old enough to freely engage in society without age-based restrictions.

NANNY STATE ”Your creativity must not be unfairly restricted by government regulation and tax.”

Joe, you’ve shown us another side, do something about it and you may get more votes!

READ MORE FROM THE SMH

Does Joe have a moral compass? Are parents putting too much pressure on their kids?

Hockey claims rising depression and suicide amongst teens caused by modern day life.

“Their lives in general are becoming over-taxed and over-regulated.

We regulate or tax in their name every part of their being from the drinks they consume to the cars they drive,” he said.

”It is older generations that have imposed draconian expectations on a young person to spend 120 hours at the car wheel in the presence of a licensed driver … to get their provisional licence. Some rules are necessary but we cannot go too far.

Does Joe actually have a moral compass? Maybe when you look at this…

”As a general rule we should be mindful that young people need the chance to explore, experiment and engage in calculated risk-taking behaviour … to grow into balanced adults and pursue the future they aspire to.”

YOU GOTTA AGREE….. the“focus on academic achievement and continuous performance assessment was too narrow, stifled creativity and increased pressure on the young.

He said the pressure of the HSC has been growing. ”I see a trend continuing – the stress of the HSC increasing for little material gain, and at a physical and emotional cost to our young Australians.

”I would attribute this increased pressure and assessment with contributing to problems of depression, anxiety and suicide in our younger generation.”

DISAGREE Mr Hockey said that while it was right to expect students to do well at school, ”we should not be afraid of formal education failure”. BUT Joe, this is not true, sadly today a ticket to university is becoming essential if on wants an income above the average.

He blamed the flaws of high school as he saw them on university entrance requirements, which focus almost solely on scores achieved at high school rather than broader qualities.

ABSOLUTELY, but who’s going to change this?

WOW…….He noted none of the top 20 universities in the world had entry for an undergraduate degree based on school marks alone.

FAIR CALL ”If young people are old enough to own a gun, fight in our armed forces, drive a car, get married and beget children, then they are old enough to freely engage in society without age-based restrictions.

NANNY STATE ”Your creativity must not be unfairly restricted by government regulation and tax.”

Joe, you’ve shown us another side, do something about it and you may get more votes!

READ MORE FROM THE SMH

Does Joe have a moral compass? Are parents putting too much pressure on their kids?

Hockey claims rising depression and suicide amongst teens caused by modern day life.

“Their lives in general are becoming over-taxed and over-regulated.

We regulate or tax in their name every part of their being from the drinks they consume to the cars they drive,” he said.

”It is older generations that have imposed draconian expectations on a young person to spend 120 hours at the car wheel in the presence of a licensed driver … to get their provisional licence. Some rules are necessary but we cannot go too far.

Does Joe actually have a moral compass? Maybe when you look at this…

”As a general rule we should be mindful that young people need the chance to explore, experiment and engage in calculated risk-taking behaviour … to grow into balanced adults and pursue the future they aspire to.”

YOU GOTTA AGREE….. the“focus on academic achievement and continuous performance assessment was too narrow, stifled creativity and increased pressure on the young.

He said the pressure of the HSC has been growing. ”I see a trend continuing – the stress of the HSC increasing for little material gain, and at a physical and emotional cost to our young Australians.

”I would attribute this increased pressure and assessment with contributing to problems of depression, anxiety and suicide in our younger generation.”

DISAGREE Mr Hockey said that while it was right to expect students to do well at school, ”we should not be afraid of formal education failure”. BUT Joe, this is not true, sadly today a ticket to university is becoming essential if on wants an income above the average.

He blamed the flaws of high school as he saw them on university entrance requirements, which focus almost solely on scores achieved at high school rather than broader qualities.

ABSOLUTELY, but who’s going to change this?

WOW…….He noted none of the top 20 universities in the world had entry for an undergraduate degree based on school marks alone.

FAIR CALL ”If young people are old enough to own a gun, fight in our armed forces, drive a car, get married and beget children, then they are old enough to freely engage in society without age-based restrictions.

NANNY STATE ”Your creativity must not be unfairly restricted by government regulation and tax.”

Joe, you’ve shown us another side, do something about it and you may get more votes!

READ MORE FROM THE SMH

Does Joe have a moral compass? Are parents putting too much pressure on their kids?

Hockey claims rising depression and suicide amongst teens caused by modern day life.

“Their lives in general are becoming over-taxed and over-regulated.

We regulate or tax in their name every part of their being from the drinks they consume to the cars they drive,” he said.

”It is older generations that have imposed draconian expectations on a young person to spend 120 hours at the car wheel in the presence of a licensed driver … to get their provisional licence. Some rules are necessary but we cannot go too far.

Does Joe actually have a moral compass? Maybe when you look at this…

”As a general rule we should be mindful that young people need the chance to explore, experiment and engage in calculated risk-taking behaviour … to grow into balanced adults and pursue the future they aspire to.”

YOU GOTTA AGREE….. the“focus on academic achievement and continuous performance assessment was too narrow, stifled creativity and increased pressure on the young.

He said the pressure of the HSC has been growing. ”I see a trend continuing – the stress of the HSC increasing for little material gain, and at a physical and emotional cost to our young Australians.

”I would attribute this increased pressure and assessment with contributing to problems of depression, anxiety and suicide in our younger generation.”

DISAGREE Mr Hockey said that while it was right to expect students to do well at school, ”we should not be afraid of formal education failure”. BUT Joe, this is not true, sadly today a ticket to university is becoming essential if on wants an income above the average.

He blamed the flaws of high school as he saw them on university entrance requirements, which focus almost solely on scores achieved at high school rather than broader qualities.

ABSOLUTELY, but who’s going to change this?

WOW…….He noted none of the top 20 universities in the world had entry for an undergraduate degree based on school marks alone.

FAIR CALL ”If young people are old enough to own a gun, fight in our armed forces, drive a car, get married and beget children, then they are old enough to freely engage in society without age-based restrictions.

NANNY STATE ”Your creativity must not be unfairly restricted by government regulation and tax.”

Joe, you’ve shown us another side, do something about it and you may get more votes!

READ MORE FROM THE SMH

Does Joe have a moral compass? Are parents putting too much pressure on their kids?

Hockey claims rising depression and suicide amongst teens caused by modern day life.

“Their lives in general are becoming over-taxed and over-regulated.

We regulate or tax in their name every part of their being from the drinks they consume to the cars they drive,” he said.

”It is older generations that have imposed draconian expectations on a young person to spend 120 hours at the car wheel in the presence of a licensed driver … to get their provisional licence. Some rules are necessary but we cannot go too far.

Does Joe actually have a moral compass? Maybe when you look at this…

”As a general rule we should be mindful that young people need the chance to explore, experiment and engage in calculated risk-taking behaviour … to grow into balanced adults and pursue the future they aspire to.”

YOU GOTTA AGREE….. the“focus on academic achievement and continuous performance assessment was too narrow, stifled creativity and increased pressure on the young.

He said the pressure of the HSC has been growing. ”I see a trend continuing – the stress of the HSC increasing for little material gain, and at a physical and emotional cost to our young Australians.

”I would attribute this increased pressure and assessment with contributing to problems of depression, anxiety and suicide in our younger generation.”

DISAGREE Mr Hockey said that while it was right to expect students to do well at school, ”we should not be afraid of formal education failure”. BUT Joe, this is not true, sadly today a ticket to university is becoming essential if on wants an income above the average.

He blamed the flaws of high school as he saw them on university entrance requirements, which focus almost solely on scores achieved at high school rather than broader qualities.

ABSOLUTELY, but who’s going to change this?

WOW…….He noted none of the top 20 universities in the world had entry for an undergraduate degree based on school marks alone.

FAIR CALL ”If young people are old enough to own a gun, fight in our armed forces, drive a car, get married and beget children, then they are old enough to freely engage in society without age-based restrictions.

NANNY STATE ”Your creativity must not be unfairly restricted by government regulation and tax.”

Joe, you’ve shown us another side, do something about it and you may get more votes!

READ MORE FROM THE SMH

Does Joe have a moral compass? Are parents putting too much pressure on their kids?

Hockey claims rising depression and suicide amongst teens caused by modern day life.

“Their lives in general are becoming over-taxed and over-regulated.

We regulate or tax in their name every part of their being from the drinks they consume to the cars they drive,” he said.

”It is older generations that have imposed draconian expectations on a young person to spend 120 hours at the car wheel in the presence of a licensed driver … to get their provisional licence. Some rules are necessary but we cannot go too far.

Does Joe actually have a moral compass? Maybe when you look at this…

”As a general rule we should be mindful that young people need the chance to explore, experiment and engage in calculated risk-taking behaviour … to grow into balanced adults and pursue the future they aspire to.”

YOU GOTTA AGREE….. the“focus on academic achievement and continuous performance assessment was too narrow, stifled creativity and increased pressure on the young.

He said the pressure of the HSC has been growing. ”I see a trend continuing – the stress of the HSC increasing for little material gain, and at a physical and emotional cost to our young Australians.

”I would attribute this increased pressure and assessment with contributing to problems of depression, anxiety and suicide in our younger generation.”

DISAGREE Mr Hockey said that while it was right to expect students to do well at school, ”we should not be afraid of formal education failure”. BUT Joe, this is not true, sadly today a ticket to university is becoming essential if on wants an income above the average.

He blamed the flaws of high school as he saw them on university entrance requirements, which focus almost solely on scores achieved at high school rather than broader qualities.

ABSOLUTELY, but who’s going to change this?

WOW…….He noted none of the top 20 universities in the world had entry for an undergraduate degree based on school marks alone.

FAIR CALL ”If young people are old enough to own a gun, fight in our armed forces, drive a car, get married and beget children, then they are old enough to freely engage in society without age-based restrictions.

NANNY STATE ”Your creativity must not be unfairly restricted by government regulation and tax.”

Joe, you’ve shown us another side, do something about it and you may get more votes!

READ MORE FROM THE SMH

Does Joe have a moral compass? Are parents putting too much pressure on their kids?

Hockey claims rising depression and suicide amongst teens caused by modern day life.

“Their lives in general are becoming over-taxed and over-regulated.

We regulate or tax in their name every part of their being from the drinks they consume to the cars they drive,” he said.

”It is older generations that have imposed draconian expectations on a young person to spend 120 hours at the car wheel in the presence of a licensed driver … to get their provisional licence. Some rules are necessary but we cannot go too far.

Does Joe actually have a moral compass? Maybe when you look at this…

”As a general rule we should be mindful that young people need the chance to explore, experiment and engage in calculated risk-taking behaviour … to grow into balanced adults and pursue the future they aspire to.”

YOU GOTTA AGREE….. the“focus on academic achievement and continuous performance assessment was too narrow, stifled creativity and increased pressure on the young.

He said the pressure of the HSC has been growing. ”I see a trend continuing – the stress of the HSC increasing for little material gain, and at a physical and emotional cost to our young Australians.

”I would attribute this increased pressure and assessment with contributing to problems of depression, anxiety and suicide in our younger generation.”

DISAGREE Mr Hockey said that while it was right to expect students to do well at school, ”we should not be afraid of formal education failure”. BUT Joe, this is not true, sadly today a ticket to university is becoming essential if on wants an income above the average.

He blamed the flaws of high school as he saw them on university entrance requirements, which focus almost solely on scores achieved at high school rather than broader qualities.

ABSOLUTELY, but who’s going to change this?

WOW…….He noted none of the top 20 universities in the world had entry for an undergraduate degree based on school marks alone.

FAIR CALL ”If young people are old enough to own a gun, fight in our armed forces, drive a car, get married and beget children, then they are old enough to freely engage in society without age-based restrictions.

NANNY STATE ”Your creativity must not be unfairly restricted by government regulation and tax.”

Joe, you’ve shown us another side, do something about it and you may get more votes!

Does Joe have a moral compass? Are parents putting too much pressure on their kids?

Hockey claims rising depression and suicide amongst teens caused by modern day life.

“Their lives in general are becoming over-taxed and over-regulated.

We regulate or tax in their name every part of their being from the drinks they consume to the cars they drive,” he said.

”It is older generations that have imposed draconian expectations on a young person to spend 120 hours at the car wheel in the presence of a licensed driver … to get their provisional licence. Some rules are necessary but we cannot go too far.

Does Joe actually have a moral compass? Maybe when you look at this…

”As a general rule we should be mindful that young people need the chance to explore, experiment and engage in calculated risk-taking behaviour … to grow into balanced adults and pursue the future they aspire to.”

YOU GOTTA AGREE….. the“focus on academic achievement and continuous performance assessment was too narrow, stifled creativity and increased pressure on the young.

He said the pressure of the HSC has been growing. ”I see a trend continuing – the stress of the HSC increasing for little material gain, and at a physical and emotional cost to our young Australians.

”I would attribute this increased pressure and assessment with contributing to problems of depression, anxiety and suicide in our younger generation.”

DISAGREE Mr Hockey said that while it was right to expect students to do well at school, ”we should not be afraid of formal education failure”. BUT Joe, this is not true, sadly today a ticket to university is becoming essential if on wants an income above the average.

He blamed the flaws of high school as he saw them on university entrance requirements, which focus almost solely on scores achieved at high school rather than broader qualities.

ABSOLUTELY, but who’s going to change this?

WOW…….He noted none of the top 20 universities in the world had entry for an undergraduate degree based on school marks alone.

FAIR CALL ”If young people are old enough to own a gun, fight in our armed forces, drive a car, get married and beget children, then they are old enough to freely engage in society without age-based restrictions.

NANNY STATE ”Your creativity must not be unfairly restricted by government regulation and tax.”

Joe, you’ve shown us another side, do something about it and you may get more votes!

INTRODUCING the Parents Jury Fame and Shame Awards, giving parents the opportunity to have their say – for or against – various strategies used by food manufacturers and marketers to promote their products to children.   

There are four award categories and over the next few months, nominations will take place for each award. 

Pester power for the food marketing campaign that causes your child to nag the most, Smoke and Mirrors for the use of health claims on children’s food which make it appear healthier than it is.

The positive Parents’ Choice category highlights campaigns which promote healthy eating to kids and sadly, we’ve chosen to re-introduce the Bad Sport award, which goes to a sports association, team or athlete that promotes unhealthy food and drinks to children.  Take a look here if you want to see past ‘winners.’ 

Voting will take place in October.   Just go to www.parentsjury.org.au

INTRODUCING the Parents Jury Fame and Shame Awards, giving parents the opportunity to have their say – for or against – various strategies used by food manufacturers and marketers to promote their products to children.   

There are four award categories and over the next few months, nominations will take place for each award. 

Pester power for the food marketing campaign that causes your child to nag the most, Smoke and Mirrors for the use of health claims on children’s food which make it appear healthier than it is.

The positive Parents’ Choice category highlights campaigns which promote healthy eating to kids and sadly, we’ve chosen to re-introduce the Bad Sport award, which goes to a sports association, team or athlete that promotes unhealthy food and drinks to children.  Take a look here if you want to see past ‘winners.’ 

Voting will take place in October.   Just go to www.parentsjury.org.au

INTRODUCING the Parents Jury Fame and Shame Awards, giving parents the opportunity to have their say – for or against – various strategies used by food manufacturers and marketers to promote their products to children.   

There are four award categories and over the next few months, nominations will take place for each award. 

Pester power for the food marketing campaign that causes your child to nag the most, Smoke and Mirrors for the use of health claims on children’s food which make it appear healthier than it is.

The positive Parents’ Choice category highlights campaigns which promote healthy eating to kids and sadly, we’ve chosen to re-introduce the Bad Sport award, which goes to a sports association, team or athlete that promotes unhealthy food and drinks to children.  Take a look here if you want to see past ‘winners.’ 

Voting will take place in October.   Just go to www.parentsjury.org.au

INTRODUCING the Parents Jury Fame and Shame Awards, giving parents the opportunity to have their say – for or against – various strategies used by food manufacturers and marketers to promote their products to children.   

There are four award categories and over the next few months, nominations will take place for each award. 

Pester power for the food marketing campaign that causes your child to nag the most, Smoke and Mirrors for the use of health claims on children’s food which make it appear healthier than it is.

The positive Parents’ Choice category highlights campaigns which promote healthy eating to kids and sadly, we’ve chosen to re-introduce the Bad Sport award, which goes to a sports association, team or athlete that promotes unhealthy food and drinks to children.  Take a look here if you want to see past ‘winners.’ 

Voting will take place in October.   Just go to www.parentsjury.org.au

INTRODUCING the Parents Jury Fame and Shame Awards, giving parents the opportunity to have their say – for or against – various strategies used by food manufacturers and marketers to promote their products to children.   

There are four award categories and over the next few months, nominations will take place for each award. 

Pester power for the food marketing campaign that causes your child to nag the most, Smoke and Mirrors for the use of health claims on children’s food which make it appear healthier than it is.

The positive Parents’ Choice category highlights campaigns which promote healthy eating to kids and sadly, we’ve chosen to re-introduce the Bad Sport award, which goes to a sports association, team or athlete that promotes unhealthy food and drinks to children.  Take a look here if you want to see past ‘winners.’ 

Voting will take place in October.   Just go to www.parentsjury.org.au

RELATED POSTS

• Tactics for happy meals
• 7 Tips for healthy eating
• Interview with Favourite TV chef, Iain Hewitson
• Cooking with dad and his girls
• Recipes for blokes and kids
• Snacks and lunchbox tips and ideas
• Recipes for all the dads you’re suppose to be

We’re committed to bringing you the most accurate information in everything we do.

We could not say or do this any better than what we have dished up here in these lunchbox suggestions for your kids to attack. The following   is taken from The Sydney Westmead Hospital website

Get  your kids attacking their snacks with these lunchbox beauties.

Disclaimer: This fact sheet is for education purposes only. Please consult with your doctor or other health professional to make sure this information is right for your child.

As part of a healthy diet your child should eat 3 main meals and 2-3 snacks a day. Snacks are an important part of daily food intake, especially for children. They need to be nutritious, tasty, quick and easy to prepare. Having small regular meals and snacks by choosing from all food groups (while watching fat intake) is a better approach than skipping meals and “bingeing” when hungry. The following snack ideas are suggestions to pack for school or to prepare at home between main meals. Healthy snacks are suitable for all children (unless advised otherwise by a dietitian).

Lunchbox ideas

School snack ideas:

• Slice of fruit loaf/bun/raisin bread.
• Pancake or pikelet (add mashed bananas to mixture for a change).
• Fruit/date/pumpkin/ or plain scone.
• Small pita bread (spread thinly with cheese spread or peanut butter, grated carrot, sprouts and roll up to serve).
• Small handful of rice crackers or baked wheat pretzels.
• Wholemeal crackers with a slice of low fat cheese.
• Rice cakes with thin scrape reduced-fat cream cheese (eg. Philadelphia Lite®) and Vegemite®.
• 1 cup Mini Wheats® breakfast cereal or 1 packet of Wheat Bites To Go®/Nutrigrain ®, Fruity Bix®.
• Cup of popcorn (pop in the microwave). Add a small amount of dried fruit for variety.
• Handful of home made pita chips (cut pita bread into triangles, sprinkle with a little parmesan cheese and bake 180ºC 15 – 20 minutes until crisp).
• Small can baked beans, spaghetti or creamed corn.
• Celery sticks with a thin spread of peanut butter topped with sultanas.
• Slice of low fat cheese with a bundle of carrot and celery sticks.
• Tub of low fat fruit yoghurt (freeze the night before in warmer months) or Lite Fromage Frais®.
• Small carton of reduced fat flavoured milk (eg. Oak Lite® or Lite White®).
• Fresh fruit – available in many varieties all year.
• Piece of fresh fruit or 1 cup of fruit salad in a container or canned fruit snack pack.
• Small handful of dried fruit or nuts (for over 5 year olds only).
• Small container of assorted salads (eg. tabouli, pasta, rice).
• Salad box with a hard-boiled egg, cherry tomatoes and a bread roll.
• Snow peas, feta, pitted olives.
• Can of jelly and fruit.
• Grissini sticks.
• Homemade pizza.
• Vegetarian quiche or frittata.
• Noodles with chicken and snow peas.
• Kibbeh felafel.
• Rissoles, meatballs or kebabs.
• Low fat cheese cubes or sticks.
• Steamed dim sims – still delicious cold.
• Sushi rice roll with avocado, carrot and tuna.
• Chicken drumstick.

School lunches

Fill the lunchbox with a variety of healthy foods. Be sure to include plenty of fresh fruit, salad vegetables and bread or low fat cracker biscuits. Put in low fat protein food such as meats, fish, dairy products, baked beans or boiled egg.

Try a variety of breads and rolls such as wholemeal, mixed grain, white hi-fibre, bagels, pocket, lavash, focaccia, turkish and flat breads. Use margarine/butter sparingly. If sandwich filling is moist (ie. avocado, cheese, salad etc) try to leave out margarine/butter. Dairy foods, meat and eggs need to be kept cold. Put a frozen drink bottle in with the lunch box or use a cooler bag.Cut sandwiches into strips or use a shape cutter for a novelty.

Try these sandwich fillings:

• Lean roast beef, lamb or pork with tomato and lettuce.
• Light cream cheese, grated carrot and sultanas.
• Low fat cheese, pineapple and lettuce.
• Ricotta or cottage cheese, tuna and snow pea sprouts.
• Baked beans (drained) and grated low fat cheese.
• Avocado, instead of margarine.
• Avocado, bean sprouts and tomato.
• Lean ham and fruit chutney.
• Roast beef or pastrami with salad
• Chopped egg, cucumber and lettuce.
• Chopped skinless chicken, low fat mayonnaise and lettuce.
• Tabouli salad, lettuce and fetta cheese.
• Peanut butter lightly spread, topped with chopped dried fruit (apricots and sultanas).
• Bananas mashed with ricotta cheese.
• Hommos, sliced tomato and sprouts.
• Rissoles, homemade meat pattie and tomato / tomato sauce.
• Tuna or salmon with low fat mayonnaise.

Ideas for home

Home snack ideas:

• Rice cakes lightly spread with ricotta or “light” cream cheese and vegemite or fruit spread.
• Toasted muffin with a scrape of honey or fruit spread.
• Slice of toasted wholegrain bread topped with ricotta cheese and fruit spread.
• Microwaved pappadums.
• Crispbreads with a low fat topping or plain biscuits.
• Wholewheat breakfast cereal and reduced fat milk.
• Toasted sandwich – use baked beans with a slice of low fat cheese or lean ham and creamed corn.
• Homemade muffins or buy a low fat muffin mix (check your supermarket).
• Frozen banana (spear peeled banana with icy-pole stick and freeze) or other frozen fruit such as grapes, peeled orange or mandarin segments.
• Scoop low fat ice cream with 1/2 cup canned unsweetened fruit.
• Banana smoothie (using skim or Lite White® milk or low fat soy drink, blend with 1/2 banana).
• Fruit yoghurt smoothie (blend 1/2 cup fruit yoghurt plus 1/2 cup skim milk or low fat milk) plus 1/2 cup canned unsweetened fruit.
• Ice blocks made with equal quantity fruit juice and low fat yoghurt.
• Ice blocks made on diet cordial.
• Fruit kebabs (skewer cubes of fruits on to bamboo skewers).
• 200gm tub of frozen yoghurt or low fat fruit yoghurt.
• Fruit platter with low fat yoghurt to dip into.
• Bowl of pumpkin soup (made with low fat evaporated milk or skim milk instead of cream).
• Vegetable rich soup with spirally pasta.
• Raisin toast.
• 2 minute noodles.
• Cheese scones or muffins (mix grated cheese in or sprinkle on top and grill).
• Crumpets with a scrape of margarine – try topping with tomato and cheese.
• Fresh fruit kebabs.
• Pikelet with jam or honey.

Home lunches

Try these sandwich fillings:

• Lean roast beef, lamb or pork with tomato and lettuce.
• Light cream cheese, grated carrot and sultanas.
• Low fat cheese, pineapple and lettuce.
• Ricotta or cottage cheese, tuna and snow pea sprouts.
• Baked beans (drained) and grated low fat cheese.
• Avocado, instead of margarine.
• Avocado, bean sprouts and tomato.
• Lean ham and fruit chutney.
• Roast beef or pastramis with salad
• Chopped egg, cucumber and lettuce.
• Chopped skinless chicken, low fat mayonnaise and lettuce.
• Tabouli salad, lettuce and fetta cheese.
• Peanut butter lightly spread, topped with chopped dried fruit (apricots and sultanas).
• Bananas mashed with ricotta cheese.
• Hommos, sliced tomato and sprouts.
• Rissoles, home-made meat pattie and tomato / tomato sauce.
• Tuna or salmon with low fat mayonnaise.

Take-away snacks

• One small Vitari® or frozen yoghurt.
• Low fat ice creams such as Billabong®.
• Plain ice blocks.
• Low fat yoghurt or low fat dairy snack.
• 300ml carton of Oak Lite® or Lite White® flavoured milk.
• Baked wheat pretzels or popcorn.
• Corn on the cob (forget the butter!)

Drinks

Water and milk are the best drinks for children.

Label reading

Processed snacks can contain a lot of hidden fats. Check the nutrition panel and choose product with <10g fat per 100g/100ml.

Involve your child in choosing their own lunch from a range of healthy options. Children who are involved in their own food choices may be more likely to change to good life-long eating habits.

RELATED POSTS

• Tactics for happy meals
• 7 Tips for healthy eating
• Interview with Favourite TV chef, Iain Hewitson
• Cooking with dad and his girls
• Recipes for blokes and kids
• Snacks and lunchbox tips and ideas
• Recipes for all the dads you’re suppose to be

RELATED POSTS

• Tactics for happy meals
• 7 Tips for healthy eating
• Interview with Favourite TV chef, Iain Hewitson
• Cooking with dad and his girls
• Recipes for blokes and kids
• Snacks and lunchbox tips and ideas
• Recipes for all the dads you’re suppose to be

We’re committed to bringing you the most accurate information in everything we do.

We could not say or do this any better than what we have dished up here in these lunchbox suggestions for your kids to attack. The following   is taken from The Sydney Westmead Hospital website

Get  your kids attacking their snacks with these lunchbox beauties.

Disclaimer: This fact sheet is for education purposes only. Please consult with your doctor or other health professional to make sure this information is right for your child.

As part of a healthy diet your child should eat 3 main meals and 2-3 snacks a day. Snacks are an important part of daily food intake, especially for children. They need to be nutritious, tasty, quick and easy to prepare. Having small regular meals and snacks by choosing from all food groups (while watching fat intake) is a better approach than skipping meals and “bingeing” when hungry. The following snack ideas are suggestions to pack for school or to prepare at home between main meals. Healthy snacks are suitable for all children (unless advised otherwise by a dietitian).

Lunchbox ideas

School snack ideas:

• Slice of fruit loaf/bun/raisin bread.
• Pancake or pikelet (add mashed bananas to mixture for a change).
• Fruit/date/pumpkin/ or plain scone.
• Small pita bread (spread thinly with cheese spread or peanut butter, grated carrot, sprouts and roll up to serve).
• Small handful of rice crackers or baked wheat pretzels.
• Wholemeal crackers with a slice of low fat cheese.
• Rice cakes with thin scrape reduced-fat cream cheese (eg. Philadelphia Lite®) and Vegemite®.
• 1 cup Mini Wheats® breakfast cereal or 1 packet of Wheat Bites To Go®/Nutrigrain ®, Fruity Bix®.
• Cup of popcorn (pop in the microwave). Add a small amount of dried fruit for variety.
• Handful of home made pita chips (cut pita bread into triangles, sprinkle with a little parmesan cheese and bake 180ºC 15 – 20 minutes until crisp).
• Small can baked beans, spaghetti or creamed corn.
• Celery sticks with a thin spread of peanut butter topped with sultanas.
• Slice of low fat cheese with a bundle of carrot and celery sticks.
• Tub of low fat fruit yoghurt (freeze the night before in warmer months) or Lite Fromage Frais®.
• Small carton of reduced fat flavoured milk (eg. Oak Lite® or Lite White®).
• Fresh fruit – available in many varieties all year.
• Piece of fresh fruit or 1 cup of fruit salad in a container or canned fruit snack pack.
• Small handful of dried fruit or nuts (for over 5 year olds only).
• Small container of assorted salads (eg. tabouli, pasta, rice).
• Salad box with a hard-boiled egg, cherry tomatoes and a bread roll.
• Snow peas, feta, pitted olives.
• Can of jelly and fruit.
• Grissini sticks.
• Homemade pizza.
• Vegetarian quiche or frittata.
• Noodles with chicken and snow peas.
• Kibbeh felafel.
• Rissoles, meatballs or kebabs.
• Low fat cheese cubes or sticks.
• Steamed dim sims – still delicious cold.
• Sushi rice roll with avocado, carrot and tuna.
• Chicken drumstick.

School lunches

Fill the lunchbox with a variety of healthy foods. Be sure to include plenty of fresh fruit, salad vegetables and bread or low fat cracker biscuits. Put in low fat protein food such as meats, fish, dairy products, baked beans or boiled egg.

Try a variety of breads and rolls such as wholemeal, mixed grain, white hi-fibre, bagels, pocket, lavash, focaccia, turkish and flat breads. Use margarine/butter sparingly. If sandwich filling is moist (ie. avocado, cheese, salad etc) try to leave out margarine/butter. Dairy foods, meat and eggs need to be kept cold. Put a frozen drink bottle in with the lunch box or use a cooler bag.Cut sandwiches into strips or use a shape cutter for a novelty.

Try these sandwich fillings:

• Lean roast beef, lamb or pork with tomato and lettuce.
• Light cream cheese, grated carrot and sultanas.
• Low fat cheese, pineapple and lettuce.
• Ricotta or cottage cheese, tuna and snow pea sprouts.
• Baked beans (drained) and grated low fat cheese.
• Avocado, instead of margarine.
• Avocado, bean sprouts and tomato.
• Lean ham and fruit chutney.
• Roast beef or pastrami with salad
• Chopped egg, cucumber and lettuce.
• Chopped skinless chicken, low fat mayonnaise and lettuce.
• Tabouli salad, lettuce and fetta cheese.
• Peanut butter lightly spread, topped with chopped dried fruit (apricots and sultanas).
• Bananas mashed with ricotta cheese.
• Hommos, sliced tomato and sprouts.
• Rissoles, homemade meat pattie and tomato / tomato sauce.
• Tuna or salmon with low fat mayonnaise.

Ideas for home

Home snack ideas:

• Rice cakes lightly spread with ricotta or “light” cream cheese and vegemite or fruit spread.
• Toasted muffin with a scrape of honey or fruit spread.
• Slice of toasted wholegrain bread topped with ricotta cheese and fruit spread.
• Microwaved pappadums.
• Crispbreads with a low fat topping or plain biscuits.
• Wholewheat breakfast cereal and reduced fat milk.
• Toasted sandwich – use baked beans with a slice of low fat cheese or lean ham and creamed corn.
• Homemade muffins or buy a low fat muffin mix (check your supermarket).
• Frozen banana (spear peeled banana with icy-pole stick and freeze) or other frozen fruit such as grapes, peeled orange or mandarin segments.
• Scoop low fat ice cream with 1/2 cup canned unsweetened fruit.
• Banana smoothie (using skim or Lite White® milk or low fat soy drink, blend with 1/2 banana).
• Fruit yoghurt smoothie (blend 1/2 cup fruit yoghurt plus 1/2 cup skim milk or low fat milk) plus 1/2 cup canned unsweetened fruit.
• Ice blocks made with equal quantity fruit juice and low fat yoghurt.
• Ice blocks made on diet cordial.
• Fruit kebabs (skewer cubes of fruits on to bamboo skewers).
• 200gm tub of frozen yoghurt or low fat fruit yoghurt.
• Fruit platter with low fat yoghurt to dip into.
• Bowl of pumpkin soup (made with low fat evaporated milk or skim milk instead of cream).
• Vegetable rich soup with spirally pasta.
• Raisin toast.
• 2 minute noodles.
• Cheese scones or muffins (mix grated cheese in or sprinkle on top and grill).
• Crumpets with a scrape of margarine – try topping with tomato and cheese.
• Fresh fruit kebabs.
• Pikelet with jam or honey.

Home lunches

Try these sandwich fillings:

• Lean roast beef, lamb or pork with tomato and lettuce.
• Light cream cheese, grated carrot and sultanas.
• Low fat cheese, pineapple and lettuce.
• Ricotta or cottage cheese, tuna and snow pea sprouts.
• Baked beans (drained) and grated low fat cheese.
• Avocado, instead of margarine.
• Avocado, bean sprouts and tomato.
• Lean ham and fruit chutney.
• Roast beef or pastramis with salad
• Chopped egg, cucumber and lettuce.
• Chopped skinless chicken, low fat mayonnaise and lettuce.
• Tabouli salad, lettuce and fetta cheese.
• Peanut butter lightly spread, topped with chopped dried fruit (apricots and sultanas).
• Bananas mashed with ricotta cheese.
• Hommos, sliced tomato and sprouts.
• Rissoles, home-made meat pattie and tomato / tomato sauce.
• Tuna or salmon with low fat mayonnaise.

Take-away snacks

• One small Vitari® or frozen yoghurt.
• Low fat ice creams such as Billabong®.
• Plain ice blocks.
• Low fat yoghurt or low fat dairy snack.
• 300ml carton of Oak Lite® or Lite White® flavoured milk.
• Baked wheat pretzels or popcorn.
• Corn on the cob (forget the butter!)

Drinks

Water and milk are the best drinks for children.

Label reading

Processed snacks can contain a lot of hidden fats. Check the nutrition panel and choose product with <10g fat per 100g/100ml.

Involve your child in choosing their own lunch from a range of healthy options. Children who are involved in their own food choices may be more likely to change to good life-long eating habits.

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We’re committed to bringing you the most accurate information in everything we do.

We could not say or do this any better than what we have dished up here in these lunchbox suggestions for your kids to attack. The following   is taken from The Sydney Westmead Hospital website

Get  your kids attacking their snacks with these lunchbox beauties.

Disclaimer: This fact sheet is for education purposes only. Please consult with your doctor or other health professional to make sure this information is right for your child.

As part of a healthy diet your child should eat 3 main meals and 2-3 snacks a day. Snacks are an important part of daily food intake, especially for children. They need to be nutritious, tasty, quick and easy to prepare. Having small regular meals and snacks by choosing from all food groups (while watching fat intake) is a better approach than skipping meals and “bingeing” when hungry. The following snack ideas are suggestions to pack for school or to prepare at home between main meals. Healthy snacks are suitable for all children (unless advised otherwise by a dietitian).

Lunchbox ideas

School snack ideas:

• Slice of fruit loaf/bun/raisin bread.
• Pancake or pikelet (add mashed bananas to mixture for a change).
• Fruit/date/pumpkin/ or plain scone.
• Small pita bread (spread thinly with cheese spread or peanut butter, grated carrot, sprouts and roll up to serve).
• Small handful of rice crackers or baked wheat pretzels.
• Wholemeal crackers with a slice of low fat cheese.
• Rice cakes with thin scrape reduced-fat cream cheese (eg. Philadelphia Lite®) and Vegemite®.
• 1 cup Mini Wheats® breakfast cereal or 1 packet of Wheat Bites To Go®/Nutrigrain ®, Fruity Bix®.
• Cup of popcorn (pop in the microwave). Add a small amount of dried fruit for variety.
• Handful of home made pita chips (cut pita bread into triangles, sprinkle with a little parmesan cheese and bake 180ºC 15 – 20 minutes until crisp).
• Small can baked beans, spaghetti or creamed corn.
• Celery sticks with a thin spread of peanut butter topped with sultanas.
• Slice of low fat cheese with a bundle of carrot and celery sticks.
• Tub of low fat fruit yoghurt (freeze the night before in warmer months) or Lite Fromage Frais®.
• Small carton of reduced fat flavoured milk (eg. Oak Lite® or Lite White®).
• Fresh fruit – available in many varieties all year.
• Piece of fresh fruit or 1 cup of fruit salad in a container or canned fruit snack pack.
• Small handful of dried fruit or nuts (for over 5 year olds only).
• Small container of assorted salads (eg. tabouli, pasta, rice).
• Salad box with a hard-boiled egg, cherry tomatoes and a bread roll.
• Snow peas, feta, pitted olives.
• Can of jelly and fruit.
• Grissini sticks.
• Homemade pizza.
• Vegetarian quiche or frittata.
• Noodles with chicken and snow peas.
• Kibbeh felafel.
• Rissoles, meatballs or kebabs.
• Low fat cheese cubes or sticks.
• Steamed dim sims – still delicious cold.
• Sushi rice roll with avocado, carrot and tuna.
• Chicken drumstick.

School lunches

Fill the lunchbox with a variety of healthy foods. Be sure to include plenty of fresh fruit, salad vegetables and bread or low fat cracker biscuits. Put in low fat protein food such as meats, fish, dairy products, baked beans or boiled egg.

Try a variety of breads and rolls such as wholemeal, mixed grain, white hi-fibre, bagels, pocket, lavash, focaccia, turkish and flat breads. Use margarine/butter sparingly. If sandwich filling is moist (ie. avocado, cheese, salad etc) try to leave out margarine/butter. Dairy foods, meat and eggs need to be kept cold. Put a frozen drink bottle in with the lunch box or use a cooler bag.Cut sandwiches into strips or use a shape cutter for a novelty.

Try these sandwich fillings:

• Lean roast beef, lamb or pork with tomato and lettuce.
• Light cream cheese, grated carrot and sultanas.
• Low fat cheese, pineapple and lettuce.
• Ricotta or cottage cheese, tuna and snow pea sprouts.
• Baked beans (drained) and grated low fat cheese.
• Avocado, instead of margarine.
• Avocado, bean sprouts and tomato.
• Lean ham and fruit chutney.
• Roast beef or pastrami with salad
• Chopped egg, cucumber and lettuce.
• Chopped skinless chicken, low fat mayonnaise and lettuce.
• Tabouli salad, lettuce and fetta cheese.
• Peanut butter lightly spread, topped with chopped dried fruit (apricots and sultanas).
• Bananas mashed with ricotta cheese.
• Hommos, sliced tomato and sprouts.
• Rissoles, homemade meat pattie and tomato / tomato sauce.
• Tuna or salmon with low fat mayonnaise.

Ideas for home

Home snack ideas:

• Rice cakes lightly spread with ricotta or “light” cream cheese and vegemite or fruit spread.
• Toasted muffin with a scrape of honey or fruit spread.
• Slice of toasted wholegrain bread topped with ricotta cheese and fruit spread.
• Microwaved pappadums.
• Crispbreads with a low fat topping or plain biscuits.
• Wholewheat breakfast cereal and reduced fat milk.
• Toasted sandwich – use baked beans with a slice of low fat cheese or lean ham and creamed corn.
• Homemade muffins or buy a low fat muffin mix (check your supermarket).
• Frozen banana (spear peeled banana with icy-pole stick and freeze) or other frozen fruit such as grapes, peeled orange or mandarin segments.
• Scoop low fat ice cream with 1/2 cup canned unsweetened fruit.
• Banana smoothie (using skim or Lite White® milk or low fat soy drink, blend with 1/2 banana).
• Fruit yoghurt smoothie (blend 1/2 cup fruit yoghurt plus 1/2 cup skim milk or low fat milk) plus 1/2 cup canned unsweetened fruit.
• Ice blocks made with equal quantity fruit juice and low fat yoghurt.
• Ice blocks made on diet cordial.
• Fruit kebabs (skewer cubes of fruits on to bamboo skewers).
• 200gm tub of frozen yoghurt or low fat fruit yoghurt.
• Fruit platter with low fat yoghurt to dip into.
• Bowl of pumpkin soup (made with low fat evaporated milk or skim milk instead of cream).
• Vegetable rich soup with spirally pasta.
• Raisin toast.
• 2 minute noodles.
• Cheese scones or muffins (mix grated cheese in or sprinkle on top and grill).
• Crumpets with a scrape of margarine – try topping with tomato and cheese.
• Fresh fruit kebabs.
• Pikelet with jam or honey.

Home lunches

Try these sandwich fillings:

• Lean roast beef, lamb or pork with tomato and lettuce.
• Light cream cheese, grated carrot and sultanas.
• Low fat cheese, pineapple and lettuce.
• Ricotta or cottage cheese, tuna and snow pea sprouts.
• Baked beans (drained) and grated low fat cheese.
• Avocado, instead of margarine.
• Avocado, bean sprouts and tomato.
• Lean ham and fruit chutney.
• Roast beef or pastramis with salad
• Chopped egg, cucumber and lettuce.
• Chopped skinless chicken, low fat mayonnaise and lettuce.
• Tabouli salad, lettuce and fetta cheese.
• Peanut butter lightly spread, topped with chopped dried fruit (apricots and sultanas).
• Bananas mashed with ricotta cheese.
• Hommos, sliced tomato and sprouts.
• Rissoles, home-made meat pattie and tomato / tomato sauce.
• Tuna or salmon with low fat mayonnaise.