Today, video game consoles have become the primary source of entertainment for most kids and teens; leaving them isolated in their rooms conversing with their friends over headsets. So how can you reconnect with your teens in this new world of technology? Join them in a night of video game fun! The Nintendo Wii is one of the most popular video game systems ever created.  According to About Fatherhood.com, the games listed below allow for a lot of interaction between players and are fun for players at all levels.  So grab a Wii control and enjoy a night of 21^st century family gaming with your children.

1. Mario Kart

If you loved Mario Kart for other Nintendo units (like DS or Game Cube), then the Wii version will really be a hit with you and your family.  Not only are the graphics amazing, but the maps are creative and the ability to race other players online (up to 12 at a time) makes it a real kick.  To make the experience even better, purchase the Mario Kart wheel accessory.

2. Pinball Hall of Fame

Your kids may not appreciate the pinball games of your youth– hours and hours spent pumping quarters into the pinball machine at your local arcade. But this version of the classic game is easy to learn and fun to play, and your kids will become addicted to Pinball Hall of Fame.

3. Boom Blox Bash Party

This is the second installment in the Boom Blox series.  Boom Blox is a really fun concept in which game players strike at or pull out blocks from a variety of structures.  The characters in Boom Blox are entertaining and engaging and the tools for striking blocks now include various shapes like cylinders and wedges.  They are fired with cannons, slingshots and other implements.  The colors and sounds are bright and loud – just like dads and kids like.

4. Playground for Nintendo Wii

Remember the lazy summer afternoons at the neighborhood park playground?  Playground for Wii includes virtual activities like tetherball, dodgeball, lawn darts, slot car racing, and paper airplane competitions are available for you and your kids to enjoy.  The graphics are colorful and fun, and the action realistic.  If you like any Wii games, you will enjoy the ones offered in Playground.

5. Wii Carnival Games

Once again, this game is a real throwback to the carnivals of bygone days at the County Fair or the local carny.  Think ring toss, lucky caps, dunk tanks, and shooting gallery as carnival games.  Players can also visit a swami or a fortune teller.  Step right up and experience this game with your family!

6. Wii Sports Resort

This game is full of adventurous competitions– power cruising, disc dog, archery, fencing and more.  It is pretty good exercise for  couch potato dads and kids, and the graphics are extraordinarily fun and enticing.  Wii accessories and Wii Motion Plus make these games even more enjoyable!

7. Lego Star Wars: The Complete Saga

Star Wars has long been a favorite franchise for fathers and children alike.  In this latest version of Star Wars Lego games, there are game units that reflect all six Star Wars movies.  The games actually require players to use team building and cooperation skills, so there are even life lessons available as the game is played.  With over 160 different characters, every game played is unique and different.

8. Lego Indiana Jones 2: The Adventure Continues

Another Lego classic, Indiana Jones 2 is really an adventure.  Taking its theme from the Indiana Jones movie series, this game allows the player to collect historic artifacts which then unlock various characters and levels which test the players skills and creativity.  With many new vehicles, weapons and characters, this game will immediately engage adventurous fathers and children.

9. Ultimate I Spy

Based on the I Spy book series, these games are challenging for older children and dads.  This is not a game that children under seven years-old will enjoy.  But for older kids and dads, this will be a really fun game experience.  The graphics are very cool and the game is full of riddles, excellent character action and simulations, and great games involving darts, paddleball and more.

10. MySims Party for Nintendo Wii

My Sims Party offers 50 fast-paced mini-games in which any combination of Sims may participate as a team.  Each Sim brings his or her own set of strengths and weaknesses, and you will want to try to build the best team to win a given set of mini-games.  It will help dads and children learn more about team work and human interaction.  Ideally suited to children close to 8 years old, the Sims Party game will be a favorite of dads and kids.

Fathers, Families, Fairness.

Full of helpful parental tricks and insightful tips, All Pro Dad recently posted an article entitled, “10 Ways To Teach Your Children To Be Compassionate.” The following is an excerpt of the article:

• It Starts At The Top

Your life must lead the way for the next generation. If your existence is shallow and self-serving, your children will emulate the same. Display a generous and loving heart so that your children may see it in action. Never let an opportunity slip by that compassion can be given. It is always the small things that matter in life. A warm smile where only cold is known. A gentle embrace when all others have passed by. A helping hand to ease an overbearing struggle. It starts with you.

• No Child Left Behind

Talk to your children about school life. Do they notice the girl eating alone at lunch? The boy with nobody to play with at recess? Are they themselves that child? Encourage your children to reach out to those that need a friendly face. It takes courage to do so. The group dynamic is such that those children are left behind. Teach them to be leaders that set positive trends.

• Seniors Rule

In most aspects of life, seniority rules. At school and in your career. This should translate to Grandma and Grandpa as well. In most cultures, it does. In American culture, it does not. That is to our disgrace. Teach your children to respect their elders. It is biblically commanded and extremely wise to do so. Have your kids spend quality time with the older folks in your circle. To help them and learn from them. Compassion for the weak and fragile is a very strong character trait to possess.

• Positive Impact

How can our compassion have meaningful results? That is the challenge to bring up and discuss with your kids. You want to have a positive impact. Giving a homeless man $5 just to buy more booze is frustrating to many people. Instead, consider pre-making survival bags for the homeless. Take the kids to distribute them.  Fill a grocery bag with everyday needed items and food that does not need preparation. You will light up the face of a desperate man with gratitude and hope. If only for a brief time.

• Turn The Media Tables

Television and the Internet are overflowing with bad examples for our children. Sex, violence and self-centeredness are celebrated and encouraged. It is simply not possible to filter it all out. Instead, use it for your advantage when possible. Watch what your kids are watching. When opportunity presents itself, use it. Point out moments that could have been different with compassion and decent morals. Turn the tables on irresponsible media making money corrupting the souls of society. You should see it as a war, because that’s exactly what it is.

• Furry Friends

Do you have a family pet? Animals teach many great qualities. Compassion right at the top of the list. How your child treats his pet is a great indication of the character within him. Is he loving and nurturing? Or callous and abusive? Perhaps indifferent? Pets can be used to break through even the iciest of shells. Make sure your children have daily responsibilities for the care of your pet. It will teach them dedication to the well being of something besides their own needs.

• Disabled Is Not A Dirty Word

Disease, birth defects and mental challenges run rampant in our world. They leave no age group untouched. In nearly all situations, it is no fault of the victim that they have been stricken with the burden they carry. Yet in many cases, they are left on the sidelines to deal with life in relative isolation. Disabled is not a dirty word. Many of the greatest stories of human triumph emerge from the ranks of the disabled. Their bodies or their minds might not be of normal state, but every soul is created beautiful and pristine. Remember that and teach it to your children.

• Open Your Heart

The ability to display and comprehend emotions is not always easy for all people. Some men and women have a lot of trouble discussing out loud how they are feeling. Open your hearts to your children. They need to feel that you can verbally and physically express the love you have for them. Big hugs and three simple words on a daily basis. This builds much needed security and enforces in them the ability to love others as well. Hugging your child and telling her that you love her makes you more of a man. Not less.

• Square Dealing

Once upon a time, only a scoundrel would consider taking advantage of another for profit. Businessmen had an unspoken code to be square dealing and honest in their work. It was a matter of social standing. Is this the case today? In the present, it is normal business practice to use whatever means necessary to claim the prize. Morals sacrificed and ethics out the window. This trend must be reversed. Teach your children to have standards they will not waver from. To deal fairly in all matters. Compassion flows from those that treat others with dignity and respect.

• Tolerance For All Kinds

One of the most used words of this strange new century. Tolerance. Sadly, it is often misused as more of a form of control than actual acceptance. That is called social engineering and is not true tolerance. Tolerance is a love for all of God’s creations. To be color blind. To practice understanding for those different than yourself. The world today is full of open borders and worldwide communication. We can’t hide in conclaves of those only like ourselves. Relish in that fact and teach your children that it is a glorious time to be alive. You only heard about the “starving children in China” when you were little. Your child can talk to different kids all over the world on the Internet. Tolerance and compassion for all people and creatures is certainly a goal worthy of your children’s soul.

To read the full article, click here.

Fathers, Families, Fairness.

1)      Visit the beach.  Nothing will put a smile on kids’ faces like warm sunshine and constructing sand castles with their dad.

2)      Take a trip to a National Park.  Kids are always going to the movies or the mall.  Remind them of the natural beauty America has to offer by taking them to the Grand Canyon, Yosemite, or the Great Smokey Mountains.

3)      Go to a baseball game.  Take your kids out to a ballgame to enjoy the excitement of this classic American pastime.  Staff members at the Men’s Divorce Law Firm are watching the Atlanta Braves vs. Toronto Blue Jays tomorrow at Disney’s Wide World of Sports.  Check out ESPN’s website for a full spring training schedule for upcoming games.

4)      Take an RV road trip.  RV dealers will rent out vehicles at very reasonable prices.  Map out a route across the country with your family to make the planning just as fun as the trip itself.

5)      Create a backyard paradise.  Many fun activities can happen right in your backyard.  Consider turning on the sprinkler and setting up a slip n’ slide for your kids, or create a day for backyard sports.

6)      Become a master at the grill.  Spring break is a great time to try out recipes and techniques for the grill.  Let your kids help out with the safe tasks so they feel they contributed to meals, and make sure to invite the neighbors for a fun backyard social event.

7)      Start an outdoor project.  If you have enough time, consider putting up the tree house or play set your kids have always wanted.  Work on the project together to help teach your kids about the value of hard work.

8)      Volunteer in the community.  Take advantage of the time during spring break to volunteer together and give back to the community.  Let your kids help select the project and make sure to ask them what they learned from the experience at the end of the day.

9)      Visit a wacky tourist attraction.  Take your kids to some of the local tourist attractions you usually would overlook in your town.  Visit RoadSideAmerica to help pick a location, and don’t forget to bring your camera!

10)   Take a food trip.  Take a road trip that will visit some of the restaurants with the best menu offerings around town.  This way your kids will be happy and full!

The Men’s Divorce Law Firm wishes everyone a great spring break!  We encourage parents to take this time to connect with their kids and do something fun together.

To read All Pro Dad’s original article, click here.

www.MensDivorceLaw.com

Thankfully, it’s still early enough to think ahead and get some great strategies for balance in 2009.

Family Dates or Family Nights. Before the calendar gets too crammed with meetings and travel appointments, block out time for regular family time: game night, night out, or regular dinners together. Be committed and be sure to let the kids see you’re taking time with/for mom too.

Family Vacation. Get mom’s and the kids’ school schedules now and find that all-too-elusive window of opportunity for everyone to have time off together and enjoy one another.  Put it on the calendar now and guard it like a bulldog.

Set & Manage Workplace Expectations. Find ways to communicate and help your co-workers understand that your work is important to you, and so are your family commitments—and that you’re committed to holding them both in high priority without either one relegating the other to 2nd class status.

Stop Justifying. Don’t feel like you have to have a family emergency to justify spending invaluable time with your family. And stop justifying late hours spent at work to your kids. They spell love T-I-M-E, not I’m-Saving-Money-For-Your-College-Education. While that’s a crucial part of providing for you kids, you’ll never get back those years once they are grown.

Budget For The Future. Most of us work long hours because we want to provide for our family. Play with your budget and/or meet with an advisor or friend to see what you can do with a CD, Mutual Fund, or college fund while your kids are still young. Planning now will give you peace of mind about providing for your family without necessarily having to work all that overtime.

Take a Hike! Get out walking, or running with the kids at the end of the day.  This will create a great way to wind down from the day’s busyness and give mom a break to boot (if the kids are home with her all day)!  If you have a family dog, Rover will appreciate it too.  This can be wonderfully therapeutic for everyone and it makes for better winding down at bed time too.

[ Article by | Fatherhood.org ]

The study used data from the National Longitudinal Survey of Children and Youth (NSLCY) to compare the 208 families that divorced between data collection points to the 4,796 households that remained intact. The study compared nurturing, consistent and punitive parenting between the households.

The findings suggested that most parents maintained very stable parenting practices, and it was only a few parents who were overwhelmed, unable to cope, and became less nurturing, inconsistent, and punitive.

These results are extremely important because for years family courts have poured money into mandatory parenting classes for divorcing parents (called things like “putting children first”), when in fact, most parents do not need the classes. The parents that may be unable to parent consistently are the parents who need the support, but these results suggest they are the minority.

I would suggest that a post-divorce interview with the children would help identify the parents who need the support, as children are very capable of reporting what they need after divorce, and are conscious of when a parent is punitive and no longer invested in their well-being.

[ Article by Nancy Brown, Ph.D. | Healthline.com ]

So how can a father balance both without hurting his children’s feelings or letting down the boss?

To hear how some fathers are handling this issue, read the article, “Suited for fatherhood: Many choices face dads balancing family and work,” by Kristi Elliot of the Orlando Sentinel, or click the following link to read the full article, located on pages 30 and 31:

Click here to read the full story