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Opening bananas.

PVC Sprinkler Toy

KidWash 2 : PVC Sprinkler Water Toy - More DIY How To Projects

Kids and Piercings

From someone who had had 13 holes artificially installed in his face, I've got the same rules. Ears don't get pierce until the kids are roughly physically mature. A growth spurt doesn't happen evenly and can cause the ear holes to be very off-center.

1. Ears only. The rest can wait until they are adults.
2. It has to be the kid's decision. No 'peer pressure'. If the kid can't convince me of that, he(or she) isn't ready to get pierced.
3. They've all got to wait until about puberty. Young growth spurts are too unpredictable.
4. No tats. Kids aren't mature enough to make reliable, life-long decisions.

A Lesson

Sunday, my son went to visit a friend. His bike went with. When I picked him up, the bike got wedged in to the cargo area of my car, hanging over the back seat, tangled in the boxes of stuff that live in my car.

Monday, my wife reminded me to take the bike out of the car. I told her I wanted some help to guide the bike up and over all of the obstacles and snags, without breaking, tearing or beating anything in the car. It would be easier that way. We forgot.

Tuesday, while getting ready in the morning, my son told his little sister that he was going to ride his bike to daycare. I informed him that he couldn't, as his bike was still in my car and we were running late.

He informed me that he took it out of the car, by himself, the previous evening, without breaking, ripping, or beating anything in the car.

There's my lesson in humility.

Hair Loss

This morning, after I dropped the brats off at daycare, Brat I looks at me and says, "Dad, we're having a party in Spanish class today. I need to bring salsa."

That's the second time this week this has happened.

Dodgeball

Half an hour of dads vs kids dodgeball at a 3 to 1 disadvantage is a great way to not only get a good night's sleep, but wake up stiff and sore.

Child Safety - From the US DOJ

WHAT YOUR CHILD CAN DO

the rules for younger children

I KNOW my name, address, telephone number, and my parents' names.

I always CHECK FIRST with my parents or the person in charge. I tell them before I go anywhere or get into a car, even with someone I know.

I always CHECK FIRST with my parents or a trusted adult before I accept anything from anyone, even from someone I know.

I always TAKE A FRIEND with me when I go places or play outside.

I SAY NO if someone tries to touch me or treat me in a way that makes me feel scared, uncomfortable, or confused.

It's OK to SAY NO, and I KNOW that there will always be someone who can help me.

I KNOW that I can TELL my parents or a trusted adult if I feel scared, uncomfortable, or confused.

I am STRONG, SMART, and have the right to be SAFE.

And More:

WHAT YOUR CHILD CAN DO at school and at home
School Tips:
	Always TAKE A FRIEND when walking or riding your bike to and from school. Stay with a group while waiting at the bus stop. It's safer and more fun to be with your friends.
	If anyone bothers you while going to or from school, get away from that person, and TELL a trusted adult like your parents or teacher.
If an adult approaches you for help or directions, remember grownups needing help should not ask children for help; they should ask other adults.
	If someone you don’t know or feel comfortable with offers you a ride, say NO.
If someone follows you, get away from him or her as quickly as you can. Always be sure to TELL your parents or a trusted adult what happened. If someone tries to take you somewhere, quickly get away and yell, "This person is trying to take me away!" or "This person is not my father (mother)!"
	If you want to change your plans after school, always CHECK FIRST with your parents. Never play in parks, malls, or video arcades by yourself.
	If you go home alone after school, check to see that everything is okay before you go in. Once inside, call your parents to let them know that you are okay. Make sure you follow your "Home Alone" tips.
	Trust your feelings. If someone makes you feel scared or uncomfortable, get away as fast as you can and TELL a trusted adult.
Home Alone Tips for Teens: Check out the house before entering. Go to a safe place to call for help if something doesn’t seem right. Lock the door. Call your mom or dad when you get home to let them know you’re safe. Never tell callers that your parents aren’t home. Instead say that he or she can’t come to the phone and offer to take a message. Don’t open the door for or talk to anyone who comes to your home unless that person is a trusted family friend or relative and your mom or dad has said it is okay.

Kids and Bikes

My son is almost 9. Up until a few weeks ago, he didn't know how to ride a bike.

We had tried. Hard. Often. For years, off and on.

We tried training wheels.

We'd go to the park, and I'd hold on to the seat and watch him panic every time the bike leaned over, just a bit.

We'd go until he was crying and I was completely frustrated, then his bike would get parked for a few months, until we both forgot.

The last time-on the way home-he said, "Dad, I'm sorry, but I want to throw my bike away."

After he went to bed, I did some research, to figure out exactly what I was doing wrong. The answer was "everything". The traditional methods of teaching a kid to ride a bike...suck.

I found an ebook, titled, Riding Made Easy. It cost $15, which is a lot for a pdf file.

I wanted my son to learn how to ride a bike. To experience the freedom of exploring the neighborhood with his friends.

I knew that, if he didn't learn, he'd regret it later in life.

I wanted him to have the fun.

I bought the book.

The next morning, I told my son that we would try again that evening, with no stress and no tears. He agreed to one more try.

I followed the instructions in the book. No training wheels or holding the seat.

Two hours later, my son rode his bike home, and has been on his bike every day since.


Riding Made Easy is quite possibly the best $15 I have ever spent.

Daycare

Brat #3 started daycare this morning.

Three months old already.

Beautiful Brats

Overheard at my house

"Dad, I don't want to."
"Dad, I don't care."
"Dad, it's cold out."
"I'm not going outside, Dad."
"Dad, it's not....whoa, that's cool, Dad! Take some pictures!"