Dad Spotlight - Helping You Be The Best Dad, Father and Parent You Can!

In this episode we had the chance to interview Ryan Hamilton from LifeofDad.com, an amazing father of a nine year old son who has taken his love of technology to a new level to now even teaching his own son about coding.

 

Ryan Hamilton shared with us that with his son dealing with Autism and ADHD he wanted to connect with him and share with him some of his own life. To do this he created DaddyDev.com, a podcast to help his son understand how to code. Over the past 21 episodes he has been able to bond with his son and help him to move from a lack of understanding to creating his own game online!

* DaddyDev Facebook

* DaddyDev Twitter

Want to know way more about Ryan Hamilton? Find him socially on the following networks:

* Ryan Hamilton’s Facebook

* Ryan Hamilton’s Twitter

* Life of Dad Facebook

* Life of Dad Twitter

* Life of Dad Website

 

We talked with Ryan Hamilton about the [amazon text=Ozobot robot&asin=B00ZYUND00] that is programmable. Chris reviewed the Ozobot over on his Dad of Divas Website.

*

The Ozobot Teaches So Much To Young & Old!

*

OzoGroove, A Great New App Supporting Your Ozobot

 

Other Resources for Coding With Your Kids

* Code.org

 

Don and Chris have both been on the Life of Dad After Show with Ryan Hamilton and Art Eddy. Take a listen and let us know your thoughts!

* Don – Episode 3  

* Don – Episode 70

* Chris – Episode 93

Don and Chris are both also taking part in the Movember movement to bring awareness to mens health issues. We would love your support!

* Chris’ Movember Profile

* Don’s Member Profile

If you have not yet gotten your free guide: 15 Low Cost Ways To Engage With Your Kids – Pick it up today

We also hope that you will take a moment to share their thoughts on this quick survey. The results will be used to create even more targeted shows here on the Dad Spotlight to help you be the best dad that you can be!

We are very interested to have your input on a

In this episode we had the chance to interview Amy Lang of BirdsandBeesandKids.com about how you can talk to your daughters about sex, their changing bodies and more.

Since 2005, nationally know sexuality and parenting expert Amy Lang, MA has helped parents of all beliefs make the birds and bees talks a regular and fun part of their family lives. Her goal is to help 1 million kids grow up to be whole and healthy adults by teaching their parents how to have easy and effective conversations with them about sexuality, love and relationships.

Amy Lang shared with us the national study that recently showed the correlation between involved fathers and early sexual activity and teenage pregnancy.   We highly encourage all dads with daughter to check out this study and the following articles for themselves as it will show you how important you are in your daughters’ lives:

* Does Father Absence Place Daughters at Special Risk for Early Sexual Activity and Teenage Pregnancy? 

* Role Modeling By Dad Influences Daughters’ Sexual Behavior 

* How Dads Affect Their Daughters into Adulthood 

* The father-daughter relationship and girls’ body confidence – where do dads fit in?

 

Amy Lang shares some amazing new rules for all girls to live by. What do you think of her 15 Rules? How will you use these rules to start conversations with your daughters?

* 15 Radical New Rules for Girls’ Sexual Health 

 

Also, below are some books Amy Lang shared as resources for you!

* It’s not the Stork (Below 6)

* It’s So Amazing (6-11 year old)

* It’s Perfectly Normal: Changing Bodies, Growing Up, Sex, and Sexual Health (Over 11)

* The Care and Keeping of You: The Body Book for Younger Girls, Revised Edition

* The Care and Keeping of You 2: The Body Book for Older Girls

* The Care and Keeping of You Journal: for Younger Girls

* The Care and Keeping of You 2 Journal

* Is This Normal: MORE Girls’ Questions, Answered by the Editors of The Care & Keeping of You

Don and Chris are both also taking part in the Movember movement to bring awareness to mens health issues. We would love your support!

* Chris’ Movember Profile

* Don’s Member Profile

 

Chris and Don also are getting ready to start a journey with Diane Sanfilippo in Decem...

 

In this episode we had the chance to interview Darren Rowse, an amazing father of two who has taken the internet by storm over the years but is a full time Blogger making a living from from blogs like Digital Photography School. and ProBlogger.net. This week we go deeper with Darren Rowse, talking to him about his new ProBlogger podcast as well as about being an engaged father!

Want to know way more about Darren, we mention the below video in our interview with him. This was a great one and one that really opened out eyes to the journey that he was on to be where he is today!

Darren Rowse from Chris Guillebeau on Vimeo.

 

Darren Rowse is also an author and has written a number of great books including:

* [amazon text=ProBlogger: Secrets for Blogging Your Way to a Six-Figure Income&asin=B004M1ROY8]

* 31 Days to Build a Better Blog workbook

* Copywriting Scorecard for Bloggers

* ProBlogger’s Guide to Your First Week of Blogging

 

Where can you find connect with Darren Rowse on social media?

* Facebook 

* Twitter

Chris mentioned that he had interviewed Darren Rowse in the past in the Dads in the Limelight series that runs over at Dad of Divas. Feel free to read this earlier interview if you want to learn more about Darren Rowse as a father!

 

Podcasting was something that we talked to him about. Darren said that he was a bit badgered into starting one but since he has he has truly fallen in love with the medium.

He is hoping that he can re-purpose a lot of the content that he has created over the years. He has a lot of ideas for more content to share in the future that will help people grow their blogs into the future!

The three things Darren Rowse shared with us in regards to what he hopes anyone working in digital media will work on to create better, more successful blogs included:

* To make sure to focus on a specific topic

* To make sure to always focus on the reader (your demographic)

* Have realistic expectations

We had one reader question that Darren Rowse answered in the interview today and that was by Darren Carter as he asked about where Darren Rowse came up with the ProBlogger name. Darren shared some great history as well as why he used problogger.net at first.

 

If you have not yet gotten your free guide: 15 Low Cost Ways To Engage With Your Kids – Pick it up today

We also hope that you will take a moment to share their thoughts on this quick survey. The results will be used to create even more targeted shows here on the Dad Spotlight to help you be the best dad that you can be!

We are very interested to have your input on a

In this episode of The Dads Toolbox, we are sharing with you great information to help you be the best dad possible. Today we are bringing on a new guest, Dai “Coach Moose” Manuel who is a fitness and nutrition expert and writes at http://www.daimanuel.com/

Dai tells us that when you think of him he is a Dad, Husband, Entrepreneur, Motivational Speaker, Professional Blogger, Social Media Strategist, Brand Architect, CrossFit Athlete & Coach, and soon to be published Author of the [amazon text=Whole Life Fitness Manifesto&asin=1928055079].

Fitness has become a large part of my life. Growing up as an obese teenager, I experienced a “Defeated” mind state, knowing all too well what it means to be “health concerned”. It’s not a place I enjoyed being. Experiencing all the stigmas of obesity was traumatic. At age 15, I made a decision to change my lifestyle and I haven’t looked back since.

Click here to learn more about WHY he does the things he does.

We talked a bit today about physical literacy as well as obesity in this week’s episode, and Dai Manuel has a ton of great resources on his site, so we highly encourage you to check out that or his new book – the [amazon text=Whole Life Fitness Manifesto&asin=1928055079]

We were very inspired by his story and his transformation and over the next few episodes when we bring Dai Manuel back get ready to join us on making a transformation in your own lives! We are in this with you to not only help you be the best dads that you can be, but we are working to be the best dads that we can be and that means being healthy too!

If you have not yet gotten your free guide: 15 Low Cost Ways To Engage With Your Kids – Pick it up today

As always, please swing by to visit us on iTunes and Stitcher to stay connected to the most up-to-date happenings with the podcast. Also, if you are on iTunes  and you are a listener, please leave us a review as this helps other people find us too!

We also hope that you will take a moment to share their thoughts on this quick survey. The results will be used to create even more targeted shows here on the Dad Spotlight to help you be the best dad that you can be!

We are very interested to have your input on a 4 question survey about being a dad can you please take 2 minutes to fill this out!

In this episode we had the chance to interview Amanda Morin, an amazing mother of three who talks to us about parenting and finding ways to keep little ones busy and happy no matter when or where you are!

For more information, please visit

Books:

On-the-Go Fun for Kids!: More Than 250 Activities to Keep Little Ones Busy and Happy–Anytime, Anywhere!  

The Everything Parent’s Guide to Special Education: A Complete Step-by-Step Guide to Advocating for Your Child with Special Needs 

The Everything Kids’ Learning Activities Book: 145 Entertaining Activities and Learning Games for Kids 

 

Blogs:

* Understood.org

* Everything Kids’ Learning (personal website)

 

Podcast:

Amanda also does a weekly podcast with 3 other parenting writers about the things parents are talking about, complaining about, and obsessing about right now.  

 

Social Media Amanda actually uses:

* Twitter

* Facebook‘

* LinkedIn

Amanda Morin took some time out today to talk to us about her newest book: On-the-Go Fun for Kids!: More Than 250 Activities to Keep Little Ones Busy and Happy–Anytime, Anywhere!  

 

In this book,  Amanda Morin explores more than 250 on-the-go activities that inspire quiet playtime fun! From scavenger hunts and word puzzles to educational apps and imaginative play, On-the-Go Fun for Kids! offers 100 engaging activities they’ll want to do again and again. Whether you’re hitting the road, heading to grandma’s house, or waiting patiently at the doctor’s office, this guide includes simple playtime ideas for any situation, allowing you to entertain your children no matter where your family goes. And if you decide to stay in, you’ll find plenty of activities for keeping them occupied while you’re at home on a conference call, doing laundry, or preparing dinner.

With On-the-Go Fun for Kids!, you can breathe easy knowing that your little ones are engrossed in hours of creative fun!

We loved having Amanda Morin on the Dad Spotlight this week and know that you will learn so much from the activities that she shared. If you are interested in the book for yourself, you can find it today on Amazon!

 

If you listened to the Dads Toolbox the other week we had Esther Lombardi talking with us on her Top Ten Halloween Books to share with your kids and we unveiled a great Fandango giveaway to all of you too. You still have time to enter! Take a moment to enter below for a chance to win a $100 Fandango giftcard thanks to the folks at Fandango!

Fandango Giveaway

 

In this episode we re-open up our new segment, The Dads Toolbox, where we share with you great information to help you be the best dad possible. Today we are bringing back Mike Vrobel of DadCooksDinner.com to talk about the slow cooker with all of you and how you can become a better slow cooker expert! We have to say that anytime that Mike comes on, we leave hungry and know you will too!

 

Here are some great recipes to get you on your way to becoming a slow cooker expert!

* Slow Cooker Bolognese Sauce Ragu Bolognese

* Slow Cooker Chinese Red Cooked Chicken Thighs

* Slow Cooker Chicken Stock

* Slow Cooker Chicken Legs with Herb Rub

* Slow Cooker Pot Roast Italian Style

* Other Slow Cooker Recipes to try!

If you listened to the Dads Toolbox last week we had Esther Lombardi talking with us on her Top Ten Halloween Books to share with your kids and we unveiled a great Fandango giveaway to all of you too. You still have time to enter! Take a moment to enter below for a chance to win a $100 Fandango giftcard thanks to the folks at Fandango!

Fandango Giveaway

If you have not yet gotten your free guide: 15 Low Cost Ways To Engage With Your Kids – Pick it up today

As always, please swing by to visit us on iTunes and Stitcher to stay connected to the most up-to-date happenings with the podcast. Also, if you are on iTunes  and you are a listener, please leave us a review as this helps other people find us too!

We also hope that you will take a moment to share their thoughts on this quick survey. The results will be used to create even more targeted shows here on the Dad Spotlight to help you be the best dad that you can be!

We are very interested to have your input on a 4 question survey about being a dad can you please take 2 minutes to fill this out!

 

In this episode we had the chance to interview Jeff Bearden, an amazing father who talks to us about bullying and how to support our kids through this destructive practice! 

For more information, please visit

* Website

* Twitter

* Facebook

* Pinterest

Jeff Bearden, known as “The Get Back on Your Feet Guy”, inspires today’s youth to get back on their feet, stand up to bullying, battle depression, and live lives free of alcohol and drugs through his motivational speaking. As a professional wrestler for over 25 years—working under the names “Giant Warrior” and “Tiger Steele”—Bearden entertained audiences all over the world, including audiences of over 75,000. Through his wrestling career, he had experiences both positive and negative that he brings to his speeches.

The topics that Jeff Bearden speaks on are those that have personally affected him and people he knew from his life on the road, providing his audience with a judgment-free and relatable message. His message is as powerful as his seven-foot stature: no matter where you are in your life and no matter what cards life has dealt you, you can get back on your feet and thrive.

In speaking with Jeff Bearden he shared with us he started playing basketball and then continued wrestling for almost 25 years. He always played a character that was the bad guy so even though he was not a bully in real life, he learned all about bullying as the more viscious he was as his character the more reaction he would get from his fans. He came to relate, see and understand the psychology behind the bully from this.

From an early age he always loved working with youth but because of his size and his image as a bad guy he did not always get the chance to do this. However as he learned more about bullying and found more ways to talk to youth he found that it was a lot easier to “run my mouth than get hit in the head every night.”

 

Since leaving the wrestling world, Jeff Bearden has been speaking to youth around the world, spreading an anti-bullying message and supporting kids to be the best that they can be. In his journey he continues to encourage school districts to have a strong anti-bullying policy. At the same time though he encourages parents to mobilize to create a volunteer program that can help kids to have people to go to and to recognize bullying that may be occurring around the schools. The problem that Jeff Bearden has seen is that bullying does not usually occur in front of teachers or parents, so it is important for kids to be able have adults that they can come to and talk to or a way to tell adults without telling them in person. Jeff Bearden shared that some school districts are supporting the website. Sprigeo.com as it is a site where kids can send in reports of bullying and the reports will be shared directly with administrators at their school.

So you might be wondering, how do you talk about this with your kids? Jeff Bearden says that communication is key in talking about these issues as kids look to parents as their anchor in their lives. Jeff Bearden said that he has run into a number of kids that act out just because they want to see who will reel them in, so as parents we have to be that anchor for our kids. Jeff Bearden said that if you notice that your child is acting different what is key is t...

Welcome back to The Dads Toolbox, where we share with you great information to help you be the best dad possible. Today we are talking about the Top 10 Halloween Books that you need to share with your kids with Esther Lombardi from A Book Geek!

 

 

With it being almost Halloween we wanted Esther to share with you some fun ideas for what you and your kids can read to get into the spirit of the season. As an avid book-lover for many years, this passion has spread to her boys and now she will be sharing this with all of you to add to your own toolbox! Esther and our Top Ten Halloween Books include:

* Celebrate Halloween By Aaron Reynolds

* [amazon text=Creepy Carrots&asin=B00EKWG7ME] By Aaron Reynolds

Celebrated artist Peter Brown’s stylish illustrations pair perfectly with Aaron Reynold’s text in this hilarious picture book that shows it’s all fun and games…until you get too greedy.

* [amazon text=Leaf Man&asin=0152053042] By Lois Ehlert

Fall has come, the wind is gusting, and Leaf Man is on the move. Is he drifting east, over the marsh and ducks and geese? Or is he heading west, above the orchards, prairie meadows, and spotted cows? No one’s quite sure, but this much is certain: A Leaf Man’s got to go where the wind blows.

* [amazon text=The Little Old Lady Who Was Not Afraid of Anything&asin=0690045840] By Linda Williams

*

Too Many Pumpkins By Linda White

With countless unwelcome pumpkins to deal with, Rebecca Estelle turns disaster into a celebration. One day, years and years later, white-haired Rebecca was busy not eating pumpkins when–SPLAT–a giant pumpkin fell off an overloaded truck and smashed into her yard. She buried the mess so she wouldn’t have to look at it, and, as you might imagine, she witnessed a bumper crop the following fall, “Too Many Pumpkins”.

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In this episode we had the chance to interview Stephanie Mitchell Hughes, an amazing mother of two that talks to Don and Chris about her journey through depression. 

 

Stephanie Mitchell Hughes is a writer, speaker, attorney, and single mother.  She was born into a family of educators and grew up listening to stories about children who were poor, often came to school hungry, and lived in very difficult circumstances. These same children returned to an empty house after school and remained there alone for several hours and sometimes overnight.  The stories Stephanie heard were rooted in child abuse, domestic violence, and mental illness.

 

These stories shaped and informed Stephanie’s work as an attorney and social activism. Stephanie has represented children who are abused, neglected, and dependent, worked on initiatives to support victims of domestic violence, and developed other programs to empower women and girls.

Stephanie openly shares her personal story on her blog and in other places to encourage and inspire others.  She tirelessly advocates to remove the stigma associated with having a mental illness. In October 2013, Stephanie talked about the importance of openly embracing life’s hard and difficult places at TedxColumbus 2013.  Stephanie blogs for The Huffington Post and is a Reporter for The Shriver Report.  Her work can also be found on several online publications including: Selfhelpforyoursuccess.com, Medium.com, MariaShriver.com, Project Eve, and Mamapedia.  In May 2015, Stephanie told her story about living with a mental illness as a cast member of This Is My Brave.

We want to thank Stephanie Mitchell Hughes for being on the Dad Spotlight today. Whether you are a mother or father, if you are struggling with depression, Stephanie Mitchell Hughes shows that being open with your struggle and getting the help that you need is so important. We hope that if you or someone that you know is struggling with this, that this interview will help to give you some support to help you to start your own journey.

Follow Stephanie on Twitter @srmhughes.  Visit her website.

 

If you have not yet gotten your free guide: 15 Low Cost Ways To Engage With Your Kids – Pick it up today

As always, please swing by to visit us on iTunes and Stitcher to stay connected to the most up-to-date happenings with the podcast. Also, if you are on iTunes  and you are a listener, please leave us a review as this helps other people find us too!

We also hope that you will take a moment to share their thoughts on this quick survey.

In this episode we re-open up our new segment, The Dads Toolbox, where we share with you great information to help you be the best dad possible. Today we are bringing back Trey Burley of DaddyMojo.net to talk about female comic book superheroes!

If you have not yet gotten your free guide: 15 Low Cost Ways To Engage With Your Kids – Pick it up today

As always, please swing by to visit us on iTunes and Stitcher to stay connected to the most up-to-date happenings with the podcast. Also, if you are on iTunes  and you are a listener, please leave us a review as this helps other people find us too!

We also hope that you will take a moment to share their thoughts on this quick survey. The results will be used to create even more targeted shows here on the Dad Spotlight to help you be the best dad that you can be!

We are very interested to have your input on a 4 question survey about being a dad can you please take 2 minutes to fill this out!