For episode 115 we explore the ever important topic of emotional intelligence.  According to Wikipedia – Emotional Intelligence (or EQ, emotional quotient) is the capability of individuals to recognize their own, and other people’s emotions, to discern between different feelings and label them appropriately, to use emotional information to guide thinking and behavior, and to manage and/or adjust emotions to adapt environments or achieve one’s goal(s). While some schools have begun to teach EQ, they still primarily focus on IQ. Here are a couple ways to strengthen their EQ: 1) Teach them there are different emotions: happiness, sadness, fear, anger, surprise, and disgust. 2) What does each of the feelings look like? Sound like? You could show pictures of facial expressions or do them yourself. 3) Have them recognize these emotions within themselves. When do they feel this way? When have they felt this way in the past? 4) Talk about your own feelings. We often avoid talking about our feelings thinking we are protecting our children. 5) Recognize and explore feelings in different places. Talk to them about how they feel when they are at home or at school. How do they feel when they go to a specific place. 6) Allow them to express themselves. You getting upset when they are scared, or minimizing a situation they are really mad about does not help. Allow them to express their emotions. 7) Show empathy / teach empathy – We can’t teach it if we don’t do it ourselves. It’s one of the most important skills of EQ. 8) Teach them how to problem solve – Not all emotions require problem-solving. Sometimes just feeling the emotion. or “letting it out” is enough. However, if a problem needs to be solved, teach them how to approach it. For example “You are …

For Episode 114, we explore the 30 Best Things About Being a Dad: 1. Your child things you are a superhero – they look up to you 2. When you child does something really well – whether it’s a sport, music, academic – how proud you feel 3. When they make you laugh 4. When you see them help other people 5. When they come to you for advice 6. When they draw you a picture and have emotion to it 7. When you come home from work and they run to see you 8. Their hugs and kisses 9. When you see yourself in them (and it’s something good) 10. Holding hands while walking 11. Reading to them at night 12. Laying down with them at night 13. Watching them sleep 14. Seeing them walk for the first time 15. The first time they say “dad” 16. Playing games with them that you enjoy 17. Playing sports with them that you enjoy 18. When other people tell you how wonderful they are 19. When they come to you for comfort 20. Introducing them to things you enjoy – movies, television, sports, games 21. Experiencing new things together 22. It makes you want to be a better man 23. They think you are a really smart 24.  They think you are really strong 25.  When something you have been trying to instill in them finally clicks 26.  They easily forgive and forget – If you apologize, they are very forgiving 27.  The emotion during a memorable moment – sitting with my family watching fireworks 28.  It teaches you to focus on what really is important 28.  They teach you to slow down and enjoy the moment 29.  Lower chance of depression – studies show 30. You learn to have more …

While we love our children, there are simply recurring things that happen over and over that are annoying.  For episode 113, we explore 25 of the Most Annoying Things Young Kids Do. 1. Whining 2. They ask so many questions 3. Ask the same questions over and over 4. Saying “dad” (or mom) over and over 5. They are loud 6. Not listening 7. Not cleaning up clothes, costumes, toys – all over the house 8. Leaving small toys in the walkway to step on 9. Finding food somewhere it’s not supposed to be 10. Clothes right next to the laundry basket – they just don’t seem to make it inside it 11. Toothpaste all over the sink 12. Toothpaste lid never on the toothpaste 13. Not finishing their food and then asking for something else 14. Bringing mud into the house on their shoes 15. Singing the same song over and over and over again 16. Watching the same thing over and over and over again 17. They move really slow, especially when you are in a hurry 18. They eat really slow, especially when you don’t 19. They ask for desserts, candy, or anything sugar related constantly 20. They will interrupt you when you are talking 21. They want to constantly use your phone 22. When they play electronics or games, they won’t answer you or even look up. 23. They tell you last minute that they need something for school 24. They will argue something they have no idea about – and say you are wrong 25. They are always there.…