The Worlds Greatest Dad

You are in the final round of your favorite game show. The category is "Fatherhood". All that stands between you and the grand prize is the answer to this question: "Describe the World's Greatest Dad. He would ?"

Each spring, I play this game with the students in my class as we brainstorm ideas for poems, cards and gifts for Father's Day. Regardless of the age of my students, out of the hundreds of answers I have amassed, they all remain quite similar. What do they say? What would your kids say? What is that special ingredient that turns a father into a special Dad? The results might surprise you ?

Healthy ?

The World's Greatest Dad in most cases is tall and strong, but more importantly, very healthy:

? He would not smoke.
? He would be active and always have lots of energy.
? He would take us for hikes, walks, bike rides, and play sports with me.
? He would eat supper faster so he could come outside and play.

Wealthy? ?

While variations on, "He would be rich and buy me things," inevitably make the list each year, it is one of the least popular responses. The top answer does involve spending, but it is time rather than money. Here are some popular responses about spending more quality time with Dad:

? He would take me fishing, hunting, to sporting events, or to the park.
? He would help with my homework.
? He would read with me and tuck me into bed at night.
? He would want to spend time with me."

? and Wise

In The News:

pen paper and inkwell


cat break through


The Importance of Fathers

There is no doubt that mothers play an all-important leading... Read More

Parenting Your Teenager: 3 More Dangerous Myths

MYTH: If you have not parented as well as you... Read More

Understanding A Childs Beliefs, Nuturing Young Beliefs

Children are moral and make moral determinations... at least until... Read More

Free Stuff for Twins: Incentives for Parents of Multiple Births

A sure way to double the joys of parenthood is... Read More

Children are People, Not Machines

When growing up, my father frequently reminded me to "pay... Read More

The Top 10 Tips for Communicating with Children

Most people have more training before they receive their driver's... Read More

How Is Peaceful Parenting® Different?

Peaceful Parenting® ideas are very different from other kinds of... Read More

Fuzzy Names, Sweet Names

As with everything, names go through cycles of change with... Read More

How to Stop Divorce Parental Conflict from Bursting?

It is not the divorce but the conflict arising after... Read More

Advising Teens? Getting Your Point Across

Giving advice to a teenager is very easy; getting a... Read More

Camps for Troubled Teens: Disciplines and Wilderness

Parents looking for a quick fix usually choose troubled teen... Read More

Developing a Fantastic Relationship with Your Child

Here's a scene: A parent "might suddenly grab a happliy... Read More

The Safest Stuffed Toys for the Kids on your Gift List

Although it's hard to say when the first stuffed dogs... Read More

Labor of Love

The small, lilac colored hexagonal box, with Winnie the Pooh... Read More

Parenting in the Kitchen ? Lessons in Cooking, Socializing, and Bonding

Kitchens are where everything happens. It's not just where meals... Read More

Inattentive ADHD: Just Like Winnie the Pooh

Winnie the Pooh is the classic picture of Inattentive ADHD.... Read More

You Goofed? Hip, Hip, Hooray!

Certainly we all want our children to excel. But it... Read More

How to Get a Good Diagnosis to See If Your Child Has ADHD

Your child's teacher says that you need to find out... Read More

Finding A Caregiver You Can Trust

Choosing to leave your child with a caregiver is one... Read More

THE NEW SCHOOL VISIT: 5 Things to Look For

Today the little red school house is not what it... Read More

Avoid Weight Problems In Children

Although, not a well publicized statistic, childhood obesity has more... Read More

Understanding The Report

"No thank you. Don't bother to send me the report... Read More

You Make Me Sick And Other Things Parents Say in Anger

Maryann is so focused she's blind. She's slipped over the... Read More

Hair Care for Children

Salon visits can be scary experiences for small children: They... Read More

Build Character Now! Practical Tools for Busy Parents

"To educate a person in mind and not in morals... Read More

Lets Read! The Benefits of Reading to Your Children

Parents, when you help your children learn to read, you... Read More

Ten Terrific Ideas for Rainy Day Fun

It's been raining for a week and the kids and... Read More

Learning Responsibility is a Lifelong Process

Learning responsibility is an ever widening and lifelong process.As thinking,... Read More

My Husband Prioritizes Making Money Above Family Time

"Money is tight, and my husband's obsessed with doing everything... Read More

Public Schools Can Cripple Your Childrens Ability To Read

For many adults, reading a book or newspaper seems effortless.... Read More

Top 25 Children Quotations

"You can learn many things from children. How much patience... Read More

How Well Do You Know Your Child?

Do you think you really know your child? I don't... Read More

15 Ways to Help Kids Like Themselves

1. Tell me something you like about yourself? Help your... Read More