Tag Archives: Dads

“Grandma… Stay”

Grandparents, Parenting, , , , ,
Andee is sad because Grandma is leaving today. "tay ganma" she said.
On the way to the airport at IHOP restaurant, Andee is sad because Grandma is leaving today. “stay ganma” she said. Then when asked if she wanted to go home with grandma, replied, “otay”  Parenting joys from spending time with them are precious.

Being excited watching grandchildren growing up is one the joys in life.  It’s wonderful to have grandchildren at the age where they can recognize people and appreciate the attention, love, and teaching associated with the nurturing and bonding that was given during the first years of infancy; at age two it’s a transitional year when they go from an infant to a toddler, it’s the “planting twos” where children learn at genius speeds.

This week Amy was in Honolulu helping our daughter Kimberly and her husband, Christian. Amy was glad to help and flew to Honolulu to be with their family.  Amy was anxious to see our granddaughter Andee and have fun with her. The week was busy as usual with Amy training and playing with Andee, including reading, writing and coloring, chasing her around the house, blowing bubbles, going to tumbling class, “putting make-up” on grandma, and cooking with the family; it was a busy and fun week.

After a week with Andee, Amy sees that Andee is happy and learning quickly, using sentences, and having less tantrums.  This is because Andee’s  “planting twos” years is being nurtured by her parents and family’s constant interaction, play, and loving discipline.

While having breakfast Kimberly told Andee, grandma was going back home to Hilo today,  Andee’s response put a tear in grandma’s eyes, Andee with a really sad face said,  “Gamma stay”.  And, when Kimberly asked Andee if she wanted to go with grandma, she said “otay”.

Joy from parenting doesn’t come from living in a big house nor the things we buy for them, seeds of joy comes from quality time we spend with children. Today, give the children a hug and lots of quality time together, the rewards are eternal.

Written By Carl Okuyama

Dad Christian applauds Andee's finishing swimming lessons over the summer.
Dad Christian applauds Andee’s finishing swimming lessons over the summer.

“My father didn’t tell me how to live; he lived, and let me watch him do it.” ~ Clarence B. Kelland

Fathers, Parenting, , , , , , , ,
Showing the way        Photo Michelle Meiklejohn

There are millions of dads in this world. Some are great, and some are not. This one is very great.

There are dads who bring you along to every church and work function, just so he can say, “This is my daughter.”

There are dads who encourage you to shoot for the stars – even if “the stars” is just a middle school stage.

There are dads who attend every softball and volleyball game, just because you’re playing.

There are dads who give up their free time in the car to ask you Bible trivia questions, even when it’s late.

There are dads who drive you to school super-early and pick you up super-late, because he knows how important school is to you.

There are dads who play catch with you at the park across the street, even if you miss a few balls…or ten.

There are dads who hug you after you make a mistake, and say, “I’m just happy you’re safe.”

There are dads who let you make mistakes, because they know your life will be better that way.

There are dads who let you ask questions, even if they don’t know the answers.

There are dads who love their wives, and give you an almost impossible standard for your own love someday.

There are dads who are so kind, and wonderful, and better than you ever could ask for or imagine. I have one of those dads. I love you so much, Daddy. Mom has told me several times that I should try to find a man as wonderful as you. I don’t know if I can do it – you’ve set the bar pretty high – but I’ll certainly try my hardest.

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I’m your Cinderella, and you’re my hero every day. I love you. So I will dance with Cinderella while she is here in my arms cause I know something the prince never knew. Oh, I will dance with Cinderella I don’t want to miss even one song ‘cause all too soon the clock will strike midnight and she’ll be gone – Steven Curtis Chapman

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“A child that is taught and gifted with a talent is fortunate; next teaching a child to share it and teach it is remarkable” ~ Starts at Home

Free Days at National Parks – Parents and Children enjoying Earth and Nature

Events for Families, , , , , , , , ,

Enjoy our National Parks with the children, fun exploring, learning, and relaxing with the family.  America’s Best Idea – National parks – gets even better this year with several fee-free days at more than 100 national parks that usually charge entrance fees.  For more information visit:http://www.nps.gov/findapark/feefreeparksbystate.htm

*Fee waiver includes: entrance fees, commercial tour fees, and transportation entrance fees. Other fees such as reservation, camping, tours, concession and fees collected by third parties are not included unless stated otherwise. Free offers may change, please visit the National Parks for details. 

If you’re in Hawaii, visit the probably the most active Volcano in the world – Kilauea Volcano, part the the Hawaii Volcanoes National Park.  The hot thing to do is visit a live lava flow.  It’s the coooolest thing you can do.

Real Hot, be careful… Aloha!

Volcano, Hawaii – Halemau’ma’u Crater, Hawaii Volcano National Park, Located on the Island of Hawaii  –  http://hvo.wr.usgs.gov/

 

Teenage Sex Abstinence Message on the Radio – Bay Clinic

Principles, , , , , , , ,
Hoorah! Bay Clinic Promotes Parenting and Sex Abstinence

Thank you to Bay Clinic for sharing their radio commercials that encourages increased parent and child engagement and urges parents to talk to their adolescent children about sex and family planning.  Sex education is not a one time talk, instead a series of talks beginning from the age of one.  Their commercials tie into Starts at Home article article about teaching sex education before the age of seven.

Bay Clinic is using  three (3) commercials to promote their message and services.  We like hearing the word abstinence on the radio and hope it touches the lives of parents and children; it was so refreshing to hear these commercials produce and aired in 2011, enjoy these important messages.

Commercial #1  – Bay Clinic_Teen Pregnancy-2-Men

Commercial #2 – Bay Clinic_Teen Pregnancy-Father & Son

Commercial #3 – Bay Clinic_Teen Pregnancy-Mom & Daughter

Bay Clinic does not provide abortions but they will offer pregnant women neutral and factual information, non-directive counseling, and referrals upon request for our women patients’ pregnancy options.

Starts at Home encourages other parenting organizations to promote abstinence at an early age and to join in to help parents train children in the way they should go.  A wise parenting choice is to start teaching sex education as part of early childhood development; a popular article in Starts at Home is  Teaching Sex Education Starts at Home – Toddlers, Children, Four Steps Before Seven Years Old.

Thank you Bay Clinic for your concerns and creative public service announcement.