Dads are equal partners in parenting

Warren Murray #equalparenting at Prima Toys 2017 Media Launch

Exhibition Director of MamaMagic Baby Expo, Warren Murray, is all about equal parenting! Dads want to be involved in the whole process of pregnancy, birth and they are 100% involved in the lives of their children. That's true for most men I know. Hubby is an excellent example! Dads are not babysitters, but parents. Full stop!

Warren Murray addressed us yesterday at Prima Toys Top Toys launch of the season. It was a Christmas in July celebration. I am so excited about all the cool toys, but will break it up in a few posts to come.

Warren did not say anything we do not know already, but it was a passionate plea to set the world's record straight, and to get rid of stereotypical notions about the role of dads. Even dictionaries have not been updated yet!

A search on Google reveals the dichotomy between the words "mother" and "father".

Google search 21-7-2017: Mother

Google search 21-7-2017: Father

Dads are involved equally, not only from inception, but throughout their children's lives. Warren and his wife are actively and consciously creating moments as a family! They have found play to be a wonderful catalyst of being present in the lives of their children. Play is in the simplicity of things. It's not about the toys, but about the presence! It's not about the mom or the dad, but the partnership!

Dads are equal partners!

Does your hubby fit the bill?


Prima Toys media launch was so much fun yesterday, but we also got inspiration for the roles we play as parents!

An ode to great Dads

Father's Day and fathers!

I have a great Dad! He still shows us the what a true Dad should be and we know that he loves us dearly!
Thanks, Dad, for always being there!

That's why I knew in a previous life that the dad that was being shown to us was not the correct one! I was flabbergasted, because I had such a different upbringing. But I knew it was not right! Contrary to that life, there was no issues and dramas in our house growing up. We had a Dad that worked and was there when we had anything going on at school or needed help or a taxi! He was there! (Not so with the cancelled one!)

Thanks to my Dad who was my original measure of what a Dad should be! That's why I am so thankful to Hubby who is also a great Dad to our two daughters! He is present and involved and doing his bit in the daily rat race! Thank you so much, dear Hubby!

Print-out from Parent24

Some fun facts about Dad, from Little Miss. (For posterity purposes!)

- My dad laughs when he reads something funny.
- My dad's favourite food is meat.
- Something my dad always says is I am a princess.
- My dad is good at making food.
- I love my dad because he loves me back.


We had a lovely day yesterday with the dads and sharing lunch together!
What did you do for Father's Day?

MamaMagic Baby Expo - a few Snaps

We were at the MamaMagic Baby Expo at the TicketPro Dome on the last day, on Sunday. It was packed! I'm sure that the expectant parents and mommies with small kids saw a lot of goodies that they NEEDED after the Expo. (And that they did not know of beforehand!)


We went in search of a bunk-bed contraption, with a bed on top and the desk below. We found a stall, and got the flyer! Little Miss would love to have it in her small bedroom! (Now we can start saving!)


We attended the Barney Show with Little Miss. It is probably our last time that we did something like this with her. She got a bit bored, but she still took a Barney ball along, and she was very impressed that Barney kicked her ball around at the meet-and-greet!


Here are a few of my Snaps (karentoittoit) from the Expo.

Waiting in line for the Barney Show at MamaMagic

A photo op with Barney!



Squeal! Barney's got her Barney ball



The SPCA sold dog balloons which was a big favourite

Little Miss got a gift pack with Snowflake's Barney cupcakes. She wanted to make it immediately when we got home.
Dad was a real STAR (he gets ALL my points!!!) and helped her making a batch!

Snowflake's Barney cupcakes

 

The cupcakes are flop proof and they are really Yummy!

My advice for attending one of these Expos: Decide before the time what you need to not get distracted by all the gadgets and goods!


What did you buy at MamaMagic?




Disclaimer: We got tickets to the Expo!




Related post:
- MamaMagic, The Baby Expo, is in Town - GiveAway

Wordless Wednesday #232 - A Dad with his little girl

Father's Day

Father's Day cards..

And Father's Day presents...

And something for the cupboard

Thank you, Dad, for being here for your daughters, and for being such a great dad!

We love you!

What I would like to buy for Father's Day at the iStore #lovefromistoresa

I wish I could just walk into the any iStore and buy for all the fathers in my life some of these wonderful gifts.

I have a great father and father-in-law, and Hubby is the best father to our children.
I do not think we say thank you enough for what they have done for us and our children.


The gifting guide doesn't make it easy, but here goes my list: 

(For future reference: This can be a gifting guide for myself as well! (Not so subtle hint!))


1. A new iPad (more than the 16GB he has)

2. Any of the Knomo briefcases that they have in store.

3. The Fitbit Flex to keep track of his exercise routine.

4. An iHealth Blood pressure monitor.

5. The Apple TV.

6. A Tech 21 Protective Case.

7. An iTunes gift card.

8. An iStore Gift Card.

9. The Marshall Stanmore stereo speaker.

10. A MacBook Air.


Rattle and Mum compiled the complete list of Father's Day gifts that are available at the iStore. Head over there if you are still stumped for a Father's Day gift!


Disclaimer: I received two of these products from the iStore for Father's Day. 
Hubby will only know which two on Sunday. Thanks, iStore!

A dad's heart got broken this morning

Dad is the one who drops Little Missy off at school in the mornings.

He is used to carrying her to the class, and sometimes even having to put her in the arms of a teacher. She can be very clingy, especially when she is still sleepy...

This morning she announced just before the school building that her dad must put her down and leave her there.
When her dad protested and told her that the class will still be locked, she told him not to worry and that she will wait in front of the class.
She walked away with her bag on her back, and not looking back once...

Hubby phoned me and told me that his heart was broken!
It happened so unexpectedly!

Ode to My Valentine!

‎

A Valentine

that brings me flowers

and Ferrero Rocher's 

AND a Pandora charm

Who stays at home with a sick Little Missy

Who dresses her in her chosen Valentine's dress

(not an easy task)

and combs her hair

with her chosen hairstyle for the day

An ode goes out to you

who has brought us so much joy!

Who shows our daughters how a man should treat all girls and ladies

(You are making it a tough act to follow!‎)

We have ‎your masculine DIY skills on call

while enjoying your Masterchef (as Missy likes to say)‎ dishes

(It is true!)

Thank you

For YOU!

You are worthy a much longer ode with more 

Oomph than mine...

You are my lucky Valentine!

(Photo by The MM)

Interview with the Preschooler

Little Missy passed her 56 month mark yesterday. She is four years and eight months.

I was trying to keeping this interview for her birthday, but I can ask it again on her birthday, can't I?

1. Who is your favourite person in the whole world?
     Dad

2. What is your favourite colour?
    Red

3. What's your favourite television show?
     Doc McStuffins

4. What's your favourite outfit?
    Beautiful dresses

5. What sport do you like best?
    Cycling

6. What song do you love?
    (I missed this question. Next time...)

7. What's your favourite cereal?
    Brown cereal (All Bran Flakes)

8. Who is your best friend?
     The boy she just played with at McDs
     What about Jade? Yes, Jade

9. What do you want to be when you grow up?
    Grade R

10. What is your favourite book?
       Cinderella

11. What are you really good at?
       Tying a knot

12. Where do you wish you could go on vacation?
      Swimming pool

13. What is your best memory?
      McDonalds

14. What would you buy if you had R 1000?
       A doll for my child

15. What vegetable do you hate the most?
       All the vegetables

16. If you could have a wish, what would it be?
      I want a child

17. What is your favourite flavour of ice cream?
      Rainbow

18. Who is your biggest hero?
      Spiderman

19. What do you like to do best with your friends?
      Camping and swimming

20. What do you hope you'll get to do before your next birthday?
      Get a Barbie doll


This was shared by Rattle and Mum who lent it from In The Corner.

(Photo: Patrick Pretorius)

Who reads those school newsletters?

I had "done" a survey on my blog, but it was my bad that I did not post or shared it on my social networks for more responses.
 (I had a bit of a fun with SurveyMonkey, to see how it works...)

 And also to see what happens with those newsletters?

 I had five responses, of which one is my own. (Truly a very inclusive kind of result ;-) )

 Ta-dam:

The comments on How many Dads read the newsletters also gravitated towards a certain response, but unfortunately I can't make a definite conclusion from this!


Who reads the school newsletters?


Related post:

How many dads read the newsletters from school?

Wordless Wednesday #177 - Waiting for the Gautrain

Wordless Wednesday #162 - Wall climbing with Dad

This Dad rocks it!

I had a breakfast date on Saturday, and Hubby took the Toddler with him for breakfast.
(Something I suspect he is quite keen to do, because he gets a lot of attention when he is alone with her.)

He had just ordered the drinks when there was an announcement that the Toddler had an accident in her pants. The stomach bug kind of accident...

Hubby was not fazed at all, but made a makeshift plan with the panties in the toilets. He's not one of those dads who you will find gagging...

They had to hurry along with breakfast, but after a second "explosion" it was time to go...

I found them at home in a good routine of extra panties, and wet wipes (toilet paper is too harsh, apparently!), and glasses of water and cool drinks standing around to keep the hydration up.

And that is how the rest of our weekend went!

We could at least do a breakfast (photo at D'Ouwe Werf in Broadacres) on Sunday and laze around because she did not feel unwell...

Luckily she clutched out at six last night, and this morning she was all well again.

This is the second weekend that has gone by with some sort of bug pestering us!


How was you weekend?

Wordless Wednesday #104 - Play with dad

Wordless Wednesday #103 - Pappa-razzi

About fathers and unfathers

A father died very unexpectedly last Saturday.


He left behind three children from a previous marriage that now has to go on in life without his presence…

(Stuff like this really happens!)

No matter what the circumstances at the time, it will leave a mark…

It made me think about another father who has written himself out of his daughter’s life. Would she feel guilty when her father dies unexpectedly?

The questions that needs to be asked:

• Would it made a positive impact in her life when she reconnects with him again?
• Would she be less scared of him this time around?
• Would she be able to not tippy-toe around him when she is with him?
• Would she be able to do her own teenage and student things when she is with him, or will he still demand 24/7 attention?
• Did he change his behaviour?
• Did he go for anger management counseling?\
• Does he work?
• Does he contribute financially towards his new family?
• Does he contribute financially to help her with her studies?
• Did the emotional manipulation come to an end?
• Would the daily conversation be about a future of possibilities – for her and more in general?
• Would I feel that she is going into a safe environment?

I cannot answer “yes” on any of these questions!

(The unfather does not understand that it is in the power of his hands to change! No, it is always somebody else who is to blame!)

The question: Would she feel guilty when her father dies unexpectedly?

No, and No again!

(Picture: Microsoft clip art)

Wordless Wednesday #95 - Play with Dad - hilarious!

Reconstructed families are not for sissies

Merging new families are a totally different ball-game than only merging two lives. It is not only the two lives, but the lives of children that are being merged into the package deal.

WITH the extra baggage of ex-partners and ex-periences!

Luckily I married a very responsible adult who made it easy for us to work through the pitfalls of a second marriage. I agree that it also was much easier for me having the child, and that he had to make much more of an adjustment...

My husband showed me how it should be done! I am very grateful to him and that he showed my daughter how a husband and father should behave in a marriage.

There are a few things that help when before plunging into an undertaking of this nature:

-    Make sure you agree on how you are going to handle the children.
-    Lots and lots of talk on discipline before the time.
-    It is much easier to leave the discipline to the biological parent.
-    My husband taught me that the non-biological parent needs to get involved 100% as a parent.
-    The original reluctance of the children dissipates when they feel that the other person cares for them, and takes on the role of another parent in the household.
-    Both partners need to be adults.
-    Always show a united front to the children. (Handle your differences away from the children.)
-    Handle all children equally. E.g. when you give money to your own children, also give the same amount to the other children.
-    Love them all!
-    Try not to bad-mouth the ex-partners in front of the children.
-    Try to make sure that the children get a space of their own and feel part (welcome) in the home.
-    Involve all the children in the decision-making when it concerns the whole family.
-    Attend all the functions and award evenings of ALL the children.
-    Love them, even though they are not your own. Love is a verb, and not an emotion! It is a decision!
-    Spend special time with each of them on a regular basis.
-    Enjoy them!


Do you have more tips for a reconstructed family?

Dear Toddler: SLEEP!

Hair bow and coffee

We do not hold this against you:

When you sometimes makes us do the musical chairs on our bed and yours, we do not hold it against you!
When we keep to a strict bedtime routine, but you still do not want to settle...
When we have to drive around at night to get you to sleep...
Even though you are happy to go to sleep with Mom, and later changes your mind, and want Dad to come and sleep with you...
When you do not want to go to sleep...
When we have to switch off all the lights, and you are forced to come to bed...
When you sleep in the middle between us, and we hold onto the edge of the bed, fighting for a bit of blanket...
When you have a bad dream, and do not stop crying in the night...
When you still want to sleep in in the mornings and we have to dress you upside down...
When Dad thinks we are never going to sleep again, although we only had a little bit of upheaval before twelve at night...

When we see that cute little face early in the mornings, we do not hold the sleep issues against you!
All is instantly forgiven!

Luckily we are a team working around the clock. When I give up in despair, your dad steps in! And when he gives up, I am ready to take on the next round!

(This too will pass! This too will pass!)

Related posts:
Mornings first photo at day care #20 - Monday morning sleepy
The toddler is down at 8

The princess has found her dad!

The fairy tale ending in the Toddler’s life revolve around the princess finding her Dad!

Whenever we read or see a story about a girl / princess meeting and marrying her prince, the Toddler exclaims:  “Sy het haar pappa gekry!” (She has found her dad!) No doubt as to who is the most important in her life at this stage!

My dad has been in hospital, and we visited him twice this weekend. He has a very bad upper respiratory infection, but it seems he is on the mend again...

The Toddler has been very interested in this whole hospital story, and she has been babbling non-stop about the “doctors fixing him”...

After her first visit she exclaimed: “Hy soek sy Ouma!” (He wants his grandmother!) (My mom was not with him when we went to visit the first time.)

The Toddler sees the world as fixed when the family unit are together...



Hope you all get your “Dads” this week! (Wink smile!)