Keeping Vacations Fun

This entry was written on Sep 08, 2009 by our Dad Guru John Valadez

On our most recent vacation I learned an important lesson about keeping family outings and vacations fun. Let the kids act crazy. I know, I can hardly believe my own words, but they’re true and tested. Let them have a good time. A child’s idea of fun differs from our own. Remember, we are thinking and planning the perfect or what I like to reference as an “optimal” vacation planning schedule and children just want to swim with Dad and run and play. And that is exactly what I recommend on the first day – get it out of their system and spend the remainder of the travel day indulging in playing with your children.

Travel to your destination; check-in; unpack; hit the pool or slopes or whatever involves play time with the kiddies and let loose. Don’t let things get out of hand, just start the vacation off right. Have some fun with your children.
After the energy level calms down and they’re in bed – let them stay up a little later as well – check the weather and plan the rest of the trip out with the adults; co-ordinate times and activities and plan away. If you’re an early riser, like me, then plan it out when awake in the morning. I like to get up early, write, exercise and make everyone breakfast – I love it. Whatever you’re routine is make the first and last days not only the travel days; but the fun kickoff and sendoff to a great vacation days as well.
Have a great day and God Bless you.

Don´t ´stress-out´

Feeling overwhelmed by all that you need to do as a Dad? Sometimes doing nothing is better then trying to do it all. Giving balance to our lives means quiet times as well as the busy times. Doing things like watching TV, watching the grass grow, etc. can give your mind a chance to rest and allow your thoughts to re-organize themselves; include the kids whenever possible. In reality, quiet time can develop into something very productive.

Daddy’s Home

This entry was written on Jun 05, 2009 by our Dad Guru John Valadez

No matter how often you leave home for business or personal time – it’s good to be missed. Before I was married, and a parent, the only thing that would greet me at the door was mail. The next time you walk through the door pay attention to how your family reacts to you being home.

Does your family come running towards you?
Or, do you have to seek your family out?
If your family isn’t happy to see you everyday chances are your home life needs attention. One way to get the family noticing is to come home at a regular time. Remember the old commercial, “know when to say when”, that applies to work too. Be home at the same time everyday and the family will look forward to your arrival.
Another thing to do is leave work where it belongs – at work. During your commute home let everything out. Get your frustrations, contempt or anything else that is weighing on your shoulders off of them before you walk through that door. Greet the family with enthusiasm and smiles and that is exactly what you’ll get in return.
Try these two tips and what greets you at the door every day will be, “DADDY’S HOME!”

Oh, how sweet it is.

Do something different

In order to maintain a balanced life, it’s good for you to do something different to your normal routine during the week. For instance, if you run your own business, chances are that you spend most of your waking time either working at that business or thinking about it. You need to break that up with something that is completely different. You could pursue a hobby (not similar to your work) or do a course that’s completely disimilar to your business. e.g. fencing, learning another language, cooking. Try to involve your wife and even your kids where you can so that everyone can have a break. Perhaps you could all go and do some kind of community service an hour or two a week, or attend a painting workshop, or go indoor rock climbing.

Spoiling kids

Take care in spoiling a child with gifts, especially if given out of guilt; each gift loses its meaning. If you want to lavish a gift on your children, do it on their birthdays, holidays, or special occasions. Try to avoid spoiling at Christmas if the ’message of Christmas’ is important to the family. A Dad’s quality time with children is an important gift to give; spoil with love, not gifts.