Although all babies need love and attention, they also require several other supplies. Fortunately, About.com published an article entitled, “Top Ten Baby Items Every Father Needs,” which outlines the ten essential baby items for the modern dad.

The following is an excerpt from the article:

1. Car Seat. This is the most essential item for your baby. Anytime you are in the car, the baby needs to be securely fastened in a car seat. The seat must be appropriately sized for your baby and must work in your car. Not all car seats are created equal. You may want to consider a seat that has a base that is left in the car with a detachable seat for the baby that you can easily carry around. But no baby can safely be without a car seat if you plan to move about in a car.

2. Baby Monitor. Unless you or your baby’s mom plan to be in the same room with the baby 24/7, a baby monitor is an important piece of baby gear. These also come in different varieties. Some simply pick up the sound in the baby’s room and let you listen nearby. Others have cameras or motion detectors as well for improved monitoring.

3. Mobile. When the baby is in her crib or bassinet asleep, she will wake up and want her family. A mobile, which attaches to the baby’s bed above her head, will give her something to look at during her pre-sleep or post-sleep period. And every baby needs something to look at during her earliest weeks and months to help her learn to track moving objects.

4. Digital Camera. Just about every father I know wants a good digital camera to record those important moments in a baby’s development, or just wants to have and/or post pictures of the cutest baby ever. Choosing a good digital camera with either lots of storage space or room for a high capacity memory card is an important thing to do even before the baby arrives.

5. Diaper Bag. A good quality diaper bag with all the important contents for a baby is an absolutely essential part of the baby’s stuff. It will be your mobile command center any time you are away from home.

6. Video Camera. In addition to a digital camera, you will also want to record your baby’s movements, sounds and her interaction with others. A video camera that is compact and convenient is a good investment, not just for the baby years but beyond as well.

7. Burp Cloths. Babies spit up constantly and always at the most inopportune time. A ready supply of burp cloths is important for dads and babies. Cloth diapers can serve this function well, and most baby supply stores have them for purchase. Don’t get dressed without one.

8. Infant Health Book or Software. One of the greatest unknowns for new fathers is how to keep the baby healthy and knowing when to involve medical professionals. A good book on infant health or software or trusted websites with this information is critical to being a responsible father.

9. Stroller. It is easy for a new dad to feel trapped at home with the new baby. Particularly with your first one, your mobility is seriously impacted. A good quality stroller, with handles long enough that you can walk without bending over all the time, is an important item. And getting one that will serve you and your baby as she grows makes the relatively large investment a little more palatable.

10. Baby Swing. There will be a lot of times when, as much as you love her, the baby and you will want a little space. A good battery operated baby swing will give you that space without making baby fussy. Again, there are lots of makes and models of swings. Some play music, others have mobiles, and some make the sounds of the womb. But whatever model you get, make sure it is stable and solidly built and assembled.

These essential items will help ease the transition into fatherhood and will help you and baby be safe, comfortable and secure.

The Men’s Divorce Law Firm is an advocate for responsible fatherhood and is proud to serve the fathers of the Central Florida community.

Because making a trip to the grocery with your kids can be a harrowing experience, flying with them tends to be an even more stressful and exhausting.  However, About.com recently published an article filled with helpful tips for flying with children. These tips should make traveling fun for your kids and allow you to better enjoy the spirit of the holidays.

The following is an excerpt from the article:

1. Build in some extra time.

Rather than stress about being late, give yourself some time to get to the airport and your gate when flying with children. Gone are the days of pre-parenthood when you could throw your bags in the taxi or a car and zip to the airport just before your flight. In addition to the time-consuming security measures at airports, you’ll have to contend with doing things on kid time, which means you should plan on adding at least an hour for trips to the bathroom, pleas for a turn on the videogames that airports so thoughtfully install near gates to entice kids, and at least several dozen “Oh, look!”s at all the various exciting things going on at the airport.

2. Pack family travel games.

Because Murphy’s Law tends to apply to any sort of travel with kids — especially flying with children — it’s a good idea to prepare for any delays by bringing along some fun family travel games.

3. Get some good tunes.

Load up your iPod or pack your portable CD player and get some great kids CD choices lined up for your trip.

4. Don’t forget the books.

Bring some great kids’ books along, both in print and on CDs or on your iPod or MP3 player. And older grade-schooler may enjoy reading a book quietly while a younger child might prefer listening to an audio book. Either way, consider choosing something exciting or action-packed, so that your child’s attention is more likely to stay focused on it for a period of time.

5. Bring some great kids movies.

Even if you don’t think you have room for a laptop or portable DVD player in your carry-on, trust me: You will be grateful to have it, particularly if your flight is a long one. A good kid movie can easily take up an hour and a half or more of your trip, which means, you probably won’t hear “I’m bored” for at least that long. But be sure to pack earphones for movies or any videogame players so that fellow passengers are not disturbed.

6. Pack snacks.

Your grade-schooler may not be a toddler who needs to eat every couple of hours, but you will not want a hungry, cranky kid on your hands if there are any sorts of delays. And bringing along some healthy snacks such as lowfat cheese, crackers, and fruit can help you avoid the high-fat, high-sugar snacks that you’re bound to find near airport gates.

7. Bring lollipops or gum.

The weird sensation of your ears popping due to air pressure changes during takeoff and landing can be disconcerting to adults — think about how it can feel for a kid. To help, take a relaxed attitude about it and turn it into a game. Challenge your child to suck on a lollipop or chew on gum to see if she can feel her ears pop. Have a contest to see which family members can feel the least “pops.”

8. Book aisle seats.

When making reservations, book seats together so that your whole family is sitting together. Kids like to look out the window, so book a window seat. More importantly, get a seat in the aisle so that your child’s frequent bathroom breaks do not disturb fellow passengers.

9. Never let each other out of your sight.

The best way to be safe in crowded public places such as the airport is to never let your child out of your sight. And be sure to emphasize to your child that he should never wander away without mom or dad. (That goes for using pubic bathrooms at airports, too.) If you’re traveling alone with a child of the opposite gender, use a family restroom.

10. Prepare your child for an emergency.

Make sure your child knows his or her full name, address, and home telephone number in case you get separated. Tell your child to ask another mommy with a child for help in the event that you become separated.

The Men’s Divorce Law Firm hopes you have an excellent and safe Thanksgiving Day.

Remember, a fun afternoon doesn’t need to be expensive or complicated. Your children will just love the fact that you are spending time with them.

Go Ice Skating. Central Florida’s climate may not offer all of the fun outdoor activities associated with winter weather, such as skiing, snowboarding, and snowman-making. But kids can still enjoy the winter festivities when you take them to an ice skating rink for an afternoon of slippery fun.

Make A Bird Feeder. Children love getting their hands messy and making crafts. So plan a fun activity where they can build bird feeders to help their feathered friends keep warm in the winter. Hang the bird feeder close to a window so that your kids can enjoy their creation and its visitors throughout the entire season.

Challenge Your Kids to a Game of Chess. Introduce your kids to a lifelong hobby by teaching them to play chess. This game will help them develop their reasoning skills, while making them feel grown-up. This is a classic game that you  can enjoy together.

Build an Indoor Fort. Since building a snow fort isn’t a possibility in Florida, treat your kids to a similar indoor adventure. Use your creativity to transform your living room into a massive fortress of chairs and blankets, which your kids will love to help set up. Next, break out a flashlight and your kids favorite story book and treat them to an enchanting tale.

The Men’s Divorce Law Firm is proud to support fathers and encourages all fathers to assume an active role in their children’s lives.

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.

• Go camping. So maybe you’re not the outdoors type, or perhaps you don’t have the time and resources to plan an elaborate camping trip. Don’t let that stop you! Gather a few lawn chairs around a fire pit in your backyard and make your own camping grounds. As you sit around the fire and swap scary stories, your kids will be bubbling over with excitement. Also, don’t forget the camping essentials: marshmallows, graham crackers, and chocolate bars!
• Plan a daddy-daughter date. Treat your princess like royalty as you sweep her away for a night of fun. Great destinations include her favorite restaurant and the local movie theatre. The more time you spend with her, the more comfortable she will feel opening up to you. Plus, you will provide the perfect example of how all her future suitors should treat her—like a princess.
• Go to the zoo. There is nothing a kid loves more than seeing their favorite animal up close. Whether your child prefers the goats at the petting zoo or the elephants in the park, splurge on a day of fun and learning. Give your child the chance to see the fuzzy, furry, and slimy creatures of their story books in real life, and you will create a day that turns into a life-long memory.
• Take your kids out to the ball park. To children, playing “catch” implies much more than simply tossing a ball. Playing sports with your kids is a way to make them feel your love and commitment.  Not only does it give them the chance to show off their awesome athletic skills, but it also provides the opportunity for you to give them positive support. A simple “Nice catch!” or “That was impressive!” comment of praise will make your child’s face glow.

Remember, no matter what activity you choose to participate in this Labor Day weekend, the important thing is that you are spending time with your kids. Happy Labor Day!

The pair made a pact when Kristen hit fourth grade to read 100 more nights in a row.  When they reached this goal, Kristen challenged her father and said “Let’s make it a thousand.”  Despite the odds, Mr. Brozina and his daughter reached their next goal of 1,000 nights of reading, and decided to continue what they called “The Streak.”

They made a rule that to continue The Streak, Mr. Brozina would have to read to his daughter for at least ten minutes before midnight.  There were a couple nights when the pair wasn’t sure they’d make it.  When Kristen was 17, she got stuck at drama rehearsal and her father had to come to the school at 11:45 pm so the two could go off stage to read for ten minutes.  A few other nights when Kristen was out with friends, she rushed home shortly before midnight to get in the reading time she promised to her dad.

The Streak ended the day Kristen left for college.  The last night they read together in the stairwell of Kristen’s dorm, and chose an old favorite, L. Frank Baum’s “The Wonderful Wizard of Oz” to commemorate the moment.  Kristen felt that The Streak brought her a lot of comfort and stability throughout her life.  The time she spent with her father was especially important the year her sister moved away to attend Yale, her mother left, and her two grandparents died.  “It was just the two of us,” Kristen said. “The Streak was stability when everything else was unstable. It was something I knew would always be there.

The Men’s Divorce Law Firm encourages fathers to find special ways to connect with their kids.  Fathers may not be able to read with their kids 3,218 nights in a row like the Brozinas, but taking a little time out of your week for your children can be the foundation for a great relationship with your kids.

To read the original article “A Father Daughter Bond, Page by Page” from The New York Times, click here.

In a strange twist of events, the biological mother (Mike’s now ex-wife) remarried to his daughter’s biological father. Although his daughter was now living with both biological parents, he was still being forced to pay child support. Why would he still be willing to do so? As quoted in the article, “Just because our relationship started because of someone else’s lie,” he said later, “doesn’t mean the bond that developed isn’t real.”

Despite the situation, Mike still loves his daughter more than anything and proves a great example of a father who would do anything for their child.

Click here to read the full article from the New York Times

Baskerville quotes about the book, “Taken Into Custody is the most comprehensive exposé yet published by a major publishing house on the depredations of the divorce industry.  I say this conscious that I am standing on the shoulders of others.  This book was made possible by the pioneering efforts of authors who have preceded me (all of whose work it draws upon): Jed Abraham, Sanford Braver, Warren Farrell, Jeffery Leving, David Levy, Melanie Phillips, Dean Tong, Cathy Young, plus Richard Doyle, Bai Macfarlane, Judy Parejko, Robert Seidenberg, and others (including, most recently, Phyllis Schlafly in the revised paperback edition of her latest book).  Yet because they were breaking ground, most of these writers were either pressured to tone down their language or forced to self-publish.  This is the first book from a major publisher that has been permitted to speak the unvarnished truth about the divorce machinery: its destruction of families, its violations of the Constitution, its disregard for due process of law, its voracious appetite for children, parents, and families.  This is no tirade however but a thoroughly documented study of a previously neglected abuse by a credentialed political scientist.  The result is a major breakthrough in exposing the greatest civil rights abuse of our time and the most repressive government machine ever created in the United States.”

Click here to order the book from Amazon.com.

Remember the fundamentals. Just like in football, where attention to the fundamentals makes the difference in a winning season, you develop a winning relationship with your children by executing the basic fundamentals: your time, attention, and loving discipline

Never give up. During the course of a football season, there are many ups and downs, but the most successful teams persevere to the end. You may have seasons with your children that make you question your fathering skills. Just remember that perseverance produces character, which produces hope. Your children will pick up on your unconditional love.

Hone your skills. The best athletes are always conditioning to give themselves an advantage on the field. Likewise, you can continually hone your skills with resources from NFI – like the 24/7 Dad™ Interactive CD-ROM.

Call a time out. Feel disconnected from your kids? Call a time out and huddle to get everyone on the same page. Sometimes, just stepping back and spending an afternoon together or taking a break from the same old routine can really help you grow closer.

[ Article By | Fatherhood.org ]

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