Fat, stupid, idiot, ugly and other words we don’t need
As a kid I was not slim and kids (friends included) certainly reminded me of that fact. Fatboy was what stuck. Luckily I didn’t stay 5’3” for long but it stuck with me. There are some things that we would all be better off if we just didn’t say. You think a fat kid need you to tell him he’s fat? You think you need to remind someone that their ears are too big for their body? You don’t. This is something I try and try again to talk to my kids about. Your words matter, how you treat people is who you are. We are all different in so many ways and that is a good thing not a thing for you to freely comment on just because. Replace “Hey you’re fat” with “Hey how’s it going?” Replace “You dress funny” with “Nice Shirt” I know this is hard to do for people in general much less kids who will go to any length for a laugh at anyone’s expense. Let’s keep having this conversation about these words and others that we just don’t need. Also remember the true super power most of the time is just saying nothing. We don’t always need to comment. Be a trail blazer and keep it to yourself.
Check this out: 35 Questions to ask to get to know someone better
I believe the quality of our conversations are based on the quality of our questions.
Takeaway: I’m going to war with a few words. The best thing that we and our kids can be is kind. I considering a word funeral or a word farewell ceremony that involves a fire. Either way let’s stay in the fight because it matters.
Cook This: Monster Cookies
These cookies are everything you want. They have candy in them and otherwise are peanut butter and oats. The candy will throw them off of the flax and chia in the cookies. Put that apron on dad and get to work. Limit yourself to two please.
Dad Fun - Watching Football a half at a time
Tis the season for all the games on Saturday and Sunday that could literally consume your whole weekend, especially if you have the stomach for late night PAC10 showdowns. I like to watch a game, I try to pick one and maybe a little Game Day in the morning. I also have purchased Phil Steele’s College Football Preview for my 7 Year Old the last few years. Football can be a way for your kids to learn a lot about Dr. Pepper and Bud Lite OR it can be a geographic puzzle, a math game, and a fun way to do a pick em’ game with your kids that gets them thinking about all kinds of games in all kinds of places. You’re the captain dad, make that connection time count.
Dad Magic: Trivia at Restaurants
My blood pressure is easily 300/200 any time I sit down with my kids to a meal at a restaurant. I am just not quite able to enjoy it. Now the best of us have games and well meaning hostess gives us crayons and a menu to color which lasts about 90 seconds and ends with multicolored projectiles. One thing that does work (nothing is 100%) is trivia. Trivia is something for everyone as you control the questions and the scoring. Go around the table and get everyone involved. There are many options you can just bring up on your phone or carry around some trivial pursuit cards. Try this one first. This should buy you well over 8 minutes that everyone will enjoy.
This newsletter is not professional in nature but intended to be real things to try. They won’t all work but this is a process and I’d love for you to join me on the way. Thanks for reading and we hope to see you next week.
Send this to a dad that needs to get his Sh&# together.
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