fathersday-related stories
Weisure Time, Trista Sutter, and Viral Video Dads - Links We Love
Is your Blackberry keeping you from your family? Photo: sxc.hu
If you're a dad who's learned to always carry your camera in hopes you'll catch your kid doing something funny/embarrassing, then you'll appreciate these lessons learned from viral video dads. -- Urlesque
Get a head start on the fourth of July with this cute star-shaped sidewalk chalk. Very patriotic! -- Alpha Mom
Were you good to your guy yesterday? Because one writer thinks that -- compared to Mother's Day -- dads get overlooked on Father's Day. -- Strollerderby
When it comes to having free time, is there a double standard between you and your ex? Kristen asks, "Why do single moms have to ask permission?" when they want a weekend away? -- Work It, Mom!
Think you're the only one? Here are nearly fifty "bad mommy" moments caught on film. Number 40 made me groan out loud. -- BabyCenter
Trista and Ryan Sutter may have met on a reality show, but the mom of two says that's as far as she'll let the cameras go. "We just felt like there really isn't a monetary value you can put on the sanctity of your family," says Sutter. Breath of fresh air. -- Celebrity Baby Blog
Labor and delivery nurses are golden, there's no doubt about that. But do new parents need to buy nurses a thank you gift? What do you think? -- LilSugar
"Mom, why didn't you want to be something when you grew up?" That simple question gives one writer a chance to remember why she gave up her career in advertising to be "just a mom."
Barack Obama Celebrates First Father's Day in the White House
In January, "Parade" magazine published a letter that Barack Obama wrote to his daughters, which was really a letter about his hopes for all of America's children.
This Sunday, the President will celebrate his first Father's Day in the White House. And he again marked the day with a letter in "Parade," only this time it was to America's fathers ... a tough-love call for dads everywhere to step up and be a part of their children's lives.
Obama grew up without his father -- who left the family when Barack was only two -- in his life, and was raised by his mother and his grandparents. It's an absence that marked Obama's childhood, but he says it also helped him become a better father to his own daughters, Malia and Sasha.
"In many ways," writes Obama, "I came to understand the importance of fatherhood through its absence -- both in my life and in the lives of others. I came to understand that the hole a man leaves when he abandons his responsibility to his children is one that no government can fill."
This Sunday, the President will celebrate his first Father's Day in the White House. And he again marked the day with a letter in "Parade," only this time it was to America's fathers ... a tough-love call for dads everywhere to step up and be a part of their children's lives.
Sasha and Malia Obama
President Obama and daughter Malia look on as Sasha lights a candle at Notre Dame Cathedral in Paris.
Pete Souza/Flickr
The First Family (shown here arriving in Chicago in February) are jetting off to France. This will be Sasha and Malia's first official trip abroad since moving into the White House.
Getty Images
President Obama told "Newsweek" that dating "will be an issue" for his girls. "I have men with guns surrounding them at all times, which I'm perfectly happy with, but they may feel differently about it."
Mandel Ngan/AFP/Getty Images
Malia Obama walks First Dog Bo on the White House Grounds in April of 2009.
Chip Somodevilla, Getty Images
Just days after the inauguration, the makers of Beanie Babies introduced "Sweet Sasha" and "Marvelous Malia." Now they're valued at over $3,000 for the pair.
Getty Images
A boy sneaks a photo of Sasha and Malia as they watch their mom speak to 6th and 7th grade school children from around Washington, DC, in February 2008.
Getty Images
Sasha Obama runs down the colonnade as she returns to the White House after a February 2009 weekend visit to Chicago.
Jonathan Ernst, Reuters
President Obama took a night off from running the nation to hang out with the family and watch the Alvin Ailey American Dance Theater perform at the Kennedy Center.
Getty Images
The Obama girls were easy, breezy and totally adorable on their father's inauguration day. Malia, 10, wore a double-breasted periwinkle-blue coat with a blue-ribbon tied in a bow at the waist. Seven-year-old Sasha wore a matching outfit in pinks and corals; both coats were from Crewcuts by J. Crew.
Getty Images
Sasha gives her father the thumbs up following the presidential oath.
Stan Honda, AFP, Getty Images
Obama grew up without his father -- who left the family when Barack was only two -- in his life, and was raised by his mother and his grandparents. It's an absence that marked Obama's childhood, but he says it also helped him become a better father to his own daughters, Malia and Sasha.
"In many ways," writes Obama, "I came to understand the importance of fatherhood through its absence -- both in my life and in the lives of others. I came to understand that the hole a man leaves when he abandons his responsibility to his children is one that no government can fill."
Water Safety, Cardboard Cribs, and Working Moms - Links We Love
Spend a safe and fun summer with your kids. Photo: sxc.hu
One of those activities is sure to involve the pool or the beach, so here are top tips for keeping your child safe in the water. -- The Cradle
Babies use their cribs for such a short time, then you're left storing it or looking for friends who can use it. What if you could just throw it in the recycling bin? Check out this cardboard bed for baby. -- LilSugar
One of Momversation's latest episodes, "Are You a Stressed Out Working Mom?" has a lot of moms talking about staying at home, working at home and working outside the home. Check it out.
Here's an easy way to increase the cute factor of your Father's Day gift - an origami "tie" card. -- CafeMom
"I fell asleep," claims a teen who says she asked for three tattoos and ended up with 56 ... on her face. Do you think her story holds any water? -- Lemondrop
More trouble for "American Idol" alum David Archuleta's dad, who was arrested for soliciting a prostitute at a massage parlor in Utah. -- Popeater
Got a pet lover in the house? Here are the top 10 movies for animal lovers, most of them appropriate for kids -- Charlotte's Web, Black Beauty and The Bear, for example -- Pawnation
Parents who are not morning people still give birth to children who are. Need help dealing with a talkative child before you've had a chance to drink your morning coffee? Alpha Mom has the tips.
Father's Day Fun - Links We Love
It's time to get ready for Father's Day! Photo: sxc.hu
He makes a very valid point. A stay-at-home dad says that even as more dads are becoming caregivers, the language of parenthood still belongs to the moms. -- Motherlode
Dad of five Ziggy Marley opens up to Babble about his real name (it's not Ziggy) and why children are drawn to music.
Every dad needs a handmade catch-all to set on his dresser. Family Fun has an easy one, as well as other great craft ideas, like these emoticon magnets.
Here's an easy-peasy craft that'll make Dad smile. A banner letting him know he's loved. -- BabyCenter
Beyond socks, ties, and coffee cups: Work It, Mom! has Father's Day gifts that are sure to make dad happy. I especially like their photo-themed ideas.
Know a man who loves NPR? Then here's the perfect Father's Day gift for him: "NPR's Driveway Moments for Dads." -- Cool Mom Picks
Ever wonder how it all began? Here's the history of Father's Day from it's beginning back in 1908. -- The History Channel
The Duggars Give Advice, Mr. Rogers Visits a Monkey, and More - Links We Love
A sock subscription for Father's Day?. Image: sxc.hu
Koko the "talking" gorilla gets a visit from her TV idol, Mr. Rogers. Oh how you are missed, Fred Rogers. -- Boing Boing
Possibly the most stylish way ever to get through your to-do list. -- Cool Mom Picks
If you're following along on Twitter, then you've already heard the news. Heather Armstrong -- aka Dooce, aka world's most famous parenting blogger -- welcomed baby number two over the weekend. -- CafeMom
Throwing your teen a party this summer? Keep them busy with a wild goose chase of a scavenger hunt. MomLogic has some ideas.
A 14-year-old boy claims he was hit by a pea-sized meteorite as it fell to Earth. The meteorite is real, but is his story? -- LiveScience
What's worse than opening up a pair of socks on Father's Day? How about a sock subscription? That is, unless, your dad really loves socks. -- Strollerderby
"American Idol" alum Bo Rice and his wife Caroline are expecting baby number three. " 'American Idol' has a new winner each year -- seems things are the same in our house," Rice tells People magazine. -- Celebrity Baby Blog
Last day off school surprise -- a backpack stuffed with artwork. Keep your favorites, then use the rest to make personalized notebooks. -- AlphaMom
Sleepovers, Sonogram Cufflinks and More - Links We Love
Not sure what to get that dad-to-be for Father's Day? How about a set of custom sonogram cufflinks? -- Boing Boing
They come by it naturally: Britney Spear's boys groove backstage while on tour with their mom. -- PopEater
Tired of arguing over who's getting up with baby night after night? LilSugar has some inventive methods for deciding whose turn it really is.
What are your rules for sleepovers? Do you have an age limit? Do you let your kids sleepover with families you don't know very well? And what about co-ed sleepover? Momversation talks it out.
Neanderdad uses humor to describe how he feels when his wife gets everything "right," and he always get it "wrong." A great discussion starter on how moms and dads tackle parenting in different ways. -- Motherlode
Now this is cute: This little cutie pie -- not even two -- is American Idol alum Adam Lambert's biggest fan. -- MomLogic
Graduating from community college -- pretty common. Graduating from community college -- with honors -- when you're only eleven years old? That's something to talk about. -- Strollerderby
It's sandal weather, but your budget won't allow for a pedicure. No worries -- here are some tips for DIY beautiful toes and feet. -- Work It, Mom!
Emily Strange, Sexless Marriages and Ferberizing - Links We Love
Would you Ferberize your baby? Image: sxc.hu
Know a teen looking a feminine heroine who stands out from the crowd? Enter Emily Strange. The pop culture icon gets her own book -- and her own voice -- next week. -- WSJ
Kids can put a wrinkle in even the best sex life, but what happens when things fizzle? A surprising number of couples are living in sexless marriages. The New York Times Well blog talks to an expert.
If you've got a teen going off to college this fall, it's a good time to make sure you've taught them everything they need to know about handling money. Motherlode has some tips.
Director Chris Milk released a short film -- as in 42 seconds short -- called Last Day Dream. It's an entire life, in less than a minute. Stunning. -- Divine Caroline
Father's Day is June 21st. Alpha Mom talked to some opinionated daddy bloggers to find out what dads really want for Father's Day.
No one wants to hear their baby cry, but desperate times call for desperate -- or Ferberizing -- measures. Read one dad's hilarious essay on teaching his son -- and himself -- how to handle bedtime. -- Babble
Looking for an end-of-year gift for that beloved teacher? Check out these gifts that your kids can make at home -- economical and sentimental. -- Work It, Mom!
Vote In Our Father's Day Poll
Who's the best daddy in all of Hollywood? Which famous father is hands-down the worst? Tell us what you think in our poll, and share how you plan to spend the day that's all about dads.
Fathers Day Poll
Who is the sexiest celebrity dad?
Bauer-Griffin
Who is the cutest daddy-daughter duo?
Fame Pictures
Who is the best celebrity dad?
Bauer-Griffin
Who is the best celeb stepdad?
Jeff Vespa, WireImage
Who is the creepiest famous father?
John Parra, WireImage
Which celeb has fatherhood changed the most?
Bauer-Griffin
Who is worst famous father?
Soul Brother, FilmMagic
Which television dad is most like your real dad?
Bill Cosby The Cosby Show. Photo: NBC
How much do you plan to spend on your dad's Father's Day Gift?
jupiterimages
Has the recession made you change your Father's Day plans?
Getty Images
Pregnancy Skin, Kingston Rossdale on the Road and More - Links We Love
Gavin Rossdale takes Kingston on tour. Photo: Getty Images.
EA Sports Active -- Is it the new workout for busy moms? Whoa, Momma! says sure, it's pretty fun. But it doesn't beat a run or a fitness class.
When loving a child isn't enough: How do the courts decide when loving parents have become neglectful of their sick child's needs? -- Newsweek
Just in case you're way ahead of the game, here are some gift ideas to get started on for Father's Day. -- Alpha Mom
Kingston Rossdale's on the road, on tour with his dad Gavin Rossdale. "For anyone who has kids, you bring them along in your life and they adapt to where you're at. You keep them fed and rested and pay lots of attention to them and they're fine," says Rossdale.
Do your kids love your babysitter, and does she tell them she loves them right back? One mom wonders if it's okay for kids to "love" people who aren't their parents. -- Strollerderby
Were you like the rest of us and glued to the Jon and Kate Plus 8 season premiere on Monday? Mommy Track'd and Babble both have thoughtful pieces on the show, including reasons why we all should quit watching.
Need help with your summer wardrobe? The Working Closet at Work It, Mom! is holding a Shorts 101 class right now. Go check it out.
No more neckties
It's not something I will mourn: the passing of the necktie. I used to have quite a few, but for the last decade or so I've been down to one -- a Dilbert tie still in the package in which my mother-in-law gave it to me. I gave up on ties a long time ago, and now, in a sign that shows I was simply ahead of my time (and not just an uncultured buffoon), the Men's Dress Furnishings Association has closed its doors. The MDFA is or, rather, was the group that, for the last sixty years, represented the makers of all those silken father's day gifts.So why has the MDFA packed up and gone home? The simple answer is that men don't wear ties anymore. In fact, only 6% of men wore a tie to work every day last year, according to a recent poll. Even the tie makers aren't wearing ties. "Power is being able to dress the way you want," says Marty Staff, CEO of JA Apparel Corp, who showed up to the MDFA's annual luncheon sans tie two years ago.
I do know guys -- dads included -- who enjoy wearing a tie, but they are far more the exception than the rule. And while it will still be quite a while before the tie disappears completely from men's wardrobes, I do think that you might want to reconsider giving one as a father's day gift.
Has the economy caused dads to be more involved with their kids?
Money & work, Holidays, Childcare
I know at least one dad who says that being laid off from his job and becoming a stay-at-home dad is the best thing that's ever happened to him. (I'm not sure his wife would agree). Not only does he get to spend his days with his children, he's lost 50 pounds, lowered his blood pressure, and is no longer suffering the daily stress that came with his job. Roger recently wrote about wanting to be a stay-at-home dad himself, and how many other fathers feel the same way.At our own preschool pickup, there were usually more dads than moms waiting out in the hallway everyday. In general, I've found that most of the activities my kids participate in have a good number of dads involved, and in many, at least half of the adults are men. Sarah Gilbert over at WalletPop wonders if part of the reason dads are more involved today has to do with the economy. Are dads spending more time with their kids right now because they aren't working? Or are dads just more involved in general?
Father's Day Craft-a-polooza: Last minute edition
Just for dads, Fun & activities, Holidays
Perhaps it was the end-of-the-school year activities that threw you off. Maybe it was the start of travel baseball, because you haven't had electricity most of the week due to storms.
Whatever your week held, here's a quick and easy, yet memorable Father's Day gift (or graduation or birthday) that can be put together in minutes and is a great way to present gift cards, tickets, or special photographs.
Materials list:
- 2 paper lunch sacks (any color will do)
- hole punch
- string of some kind (yarn, ribbon, shoe lace, even garbage bag ties will do the trick if that's all you can find)
- assorted artwork and photos of Dad
Check out the gallery for the easy peasy last-minute-squeezy directions! HAPPY FATHER'S DAY!
Are dads more attractive?
Just for dads, Love & sex, Chores
When I completed the survey I wrote about last week on the subject of "Sex and the American Dad," there was one question I felt I was not qualified to answer. The question asked whether my wife found me more, less or equally attractive compared to before we had kids. Actually, I can't imagine that anyone would find me attractive, let alone a hot babe like my wife, so I just assumed she married me for my Land Rovers. When I asked her, however, she paused and then provided a measured, calculated answer: "More, because you are such a good father." Thanks, dear, you've got my vote.So I asked a few other moms I know. One mom told me, simply, "I'm too tired to think about that." I can understand that, and suspect a lot of others can too. Having kids doesn't leave a lot of time for adult activities.
Another mom wrote back to say "I find my husband more attractive when he helps with our son, less attractive when he hides out with the computer or TV (you know, general avoidance behavior) while the rest of the house is unraveling." Raising kids is a lot of work and it's definitely easier when you've got two people helping out -- which leaves more time and energy for aesthetic considerations.
How to spot a really cool Father's Day gift
Just for dads, Birthdays, Shopping & recalls
It seems to me that the best kind of gift is something that is totally cool but also totally unnecessary. Clothes are definitely a necessity; they're no fun to get. The same goes with ordinary tools-of-the-trade sort of thing, even if they're for a favorite hobby. A new set of screwdrivers, no matter how needed or nice, just isn't all that exciting, even to the serious woodworker.On the other hand, somewhere, I have a night-vision monocular -- one half of a pair of binoculars that lets you see in the dark. It was a gift from my girlfriend at a time when such technologies were just beginning to become available. I probably used it twice at most, but it was a totally cool gift because, well, heck, we're talking night-vision! You can see why I married her, can't you?
To give you an idea of what makes a cool gift for Father's Day, here are three items I've come across that qualify as really cool gifts, with an explanation of why.
Father's Day Craft-a-polooza: Wise old bird window warning
Just for dads, Fun & activities
Here's an easy and useful craft idea-a handmade owl that will keep the bird from crashing into the windows and scaring dad when he's hard at work at the office or relaxing at home.
The materials list:
- some sort of base for the owl's face (we used two different colors of construction paper glued to a hunk of cereal box to give it strength, but you could use card stock, poster board, foam paper, or even a painted piece of cardboard)
- two unwanted CD's
- two wiggle eyes
- a piece of string
- glue
- scissors
- embellishments (feathers, yarn, pipe cleaners, more paper, etc) if desired
Check out the gallery to see how we made ours!
