Straight Dope Dad | A Father's View on Parenting » The Philosophical Parent – Values, Ethics, Morals and Thoughts About Being a Parent and Raising Children http://www.straightdopedad.com Fatherhood Advice From a Self Employed Stay at Home Dad. Tricks and Tips for Raising Children. Sat, 08 Oct 2011 12:06:43 +0000 en hourly 1 http://wordpress.org/?v=3.0.1 Dojo With Mojo – The Day Our Pet Dojo Took A Walk On The Wild Side http://www.straightdopedad.com/dojo-with-mojo-%e2%80%93-the-day-our-pet-dojo-took-a-walk-on-the-wild-side/ http://www.straightdopedad.com/dojo-with-mojo-%e2%80%93-the-day-our-pet-dojo-took-a-walk-on-the-wild-side/#comments Mon, 25 Jul 2011 17:50:43 +0000 Straight Dope Dad http://www.straightdopedad.com/?p=2456
Summary: No matter how bizarre and unlikely, you should take your child seriously when they insist the “impossible” is possible. This story happens during our very recent and very long wet spring. In you live in the bay area our spring was unusually wet. It seemed to rain at least once per week. Besides annoying it [...]]]> http://www.straightdopedad.com/dojo-with-mojo-%e2%80%93-the-day-our-pet-dojo-took-a-walk-on-the-wild-side/feed/ 0 Tomboys, Gender Training, and The Trouble With Stereotypes http://www.straightdopedad.com/tomboys-gender-training-and-the-trouble-with-stereo-types/ http://www.straightdopedad.com/tomboys-gender-training-and-the-trouble-with-stereo-types/#comments Mon, 18 Jul 2011 01:44:35 +0000 Straight Dope Dad http://www.straightdopedad.com/?p=2405
I’m doing some gardening when my daughter walks up. “Am I a tomboy?” “Well some may consider you a tomboy because you’re strong and athletic and like things like dinosaurs, skulls, and boys underwear and swim trunks. But I don’t like the term tomboy because it implies that a girl should only behave a certain [...]]]> http://www.straightdopedad.com/tomboys-gender-training-and-the-trouble-with-stereo-types/feed/ 3 Are You Hot Mama? Love and Life According to Foreigner’s Hot Blooded http://www.straightdopedad.com/are-you-hot-mamma-love-and-life-according-to-foreigners-hot-blooded/ http://www.straightdopedad.com/are-you-hot-mamma-love-and-life-according-to-foreigners-hot-blooded/#comments Mon, 18 Jul 2011 01:25:06 +0000 Straight Dope Dad http://www.straightdopedad.com/?p=2401
Summary: Tens seconds of classic rock leads to ten minutes of relationship talk. I’m on the way to the boardwalk with my daughter and her good friend when I click on the classic rock station to clear my head. Wouldn’t you know it, it’s old favorite by Foreigner. But you’ve got to give me a [...]]]> http://www.straightdopedad.com/are-you-hot-mamma-love-and-life-according-to-foreigners-hot-blooded/feed/ 0 Dealing With a Toddler’s Violent Temper Tantrums – How to Handle a Child Who’s Out of Control http://www.straightdopedad.com/violent-temper-tantrums-how-to-handle-a-kid-whos-out-of-control/ http://www.straightdopedad.com/violent-temper-tantrums-how-to-handle-a-kid-whos-out-of-control/#comments Fri, 08 Jul 2011 21:21:06 +0000 Straight Dope Dad http://www.straightdopedad.com/?p=2305
Summary – Sometimes it’s not about solving a problem but about rolling with the punches…literally. How I rode out four hard years of tough tantrums from toddler, to preschool, to kindergarten. As much of a fan I am of modern parenting techniques and philosophies they also assume a certain basic level of civility and compliance [...]]]> http://www.straightdopedad.com/violent-temper-tantrums-how-to-handle-a-kid-whos-out-of-control/feed/ 1 The Little Arcade Game That Could, and Did, But Shouldn’t Have http://www.straightdopedad.com/the-little-arcade-game-that-could-and-did-but-shouldnt-have/ http://www.straightdopedad.com/the-little-arcade-game-that-could-and-did-but-shouldnt-have/#comments Thu, 06 Jan 2011 18:35:03 +0000 Straight Dope Dad http://www.straightdopedad.com/?p=2192
Summary. The sociopolitical implications of miniature golf and a broken arcade game redistributes the wealth. It’s two weeks before the new year and we’re burning through our coupon book for the Santa Cruz beach boardwalk. You see, every year we get a year pass, and with that pass comes a coupon book.  Unfortunately most of [...]]]> http://www.straightdopedad.com/the-little-arcade-game-that-could-and-did-but-shouldnt-have/feed/ 3 Boys Gone Wild – It Takes a Village at the Family Fun Center http://www.straightdopedad.com/boys-gone-wild-it-takes-a-village-at-the-family-fun-center/ http://www.straightdopedad.com/boys-gone-wild-it-takes-a-village-at-the-family-fun-center/#comments Thu, 23 Dec 2010 02:00:55 +0000 Straight Dope Dad http://www.straightdopedad.com/?p=1922
Summary – Not all boys are destructive, but nearly every destructive person is a boy. That’s not a value judgment it’s just a reality. If you want to see why the world is the way it is just go hang out a family entertainment center and watch the action. In San Jose there’s a killer [...]]]> http://www.straightdopedad.com/boys-gone-wild-it-takes-a-village-at-the-family-fun-center/feed/ 0 Let’s Talk About Death. Or Not. http://www.straightdopedad.com/lets-talk-about-death-or-not/ http://www.straightdopedad.com/lets-talk-about-death-or-not/#comments Wed, 22 Dec 2010 23:11:56 +0000 Straight Dope Dad http://www.straightdopedad.com/?p=1019
Summary: Kids can handle the truth. They can handle death.  It’s adults than need happy stories to ease their discomfort. When it comes to the big “D” parents just fall apart. They use euphemisms and abstractions when explaining it to their children. To complicate matters, most parents believe in some kind of life after death. [...]]]> http://www.straightdopedad.com/lets-talk-about-death-or-not/feed/ 12 The Curses and Blessings of The Human Male Mind http://www.straightdopedad.com/the-curses-and-blessings-of-the-human-male-mind/ http://www.straightdopedad.com/the-curses-and-blessings-of-the-human-male-mind/#comments Wed, 22 Dec 2010 23:01:56 +0000 Straight Dope Dad http://www.straightdopedad.com/?p=1930
Summary: Male energy is a wonderful and silly thing. Well, at least I think so. A couple of years ago I’m walking out to waves to go surf. It’s low tide so it’s a pretty long walk along rock reef that’s full of nooks and pits. I’m up to my knees when I see a [...]]]> http://www.straightdopedad.com/the-curses-and-blessings-of-the-human-male-mind/feed/ 0 Help, Is There a Smart Ass In the House? http://www.straightdopedad.com/help-is-there-a-smart-ass-in-the-house/ http://www.straightdopedad.com/help-is-there-a-smart-ass-in-the-house/#comments Sun, 19 Dec 2010 17:51:31 +0000 Straight Dope Dad http://www.straightdopedad.com/?p=935
Summary: Everyone needs a smart ass friend who will just tell it like it is. This story takes place two years ago at Blue Ball Park. Yes, that’s a funny name, and no it isn’t the real name. The real name is Anna Jean Cummings. I know, not much better. The common name is a [...]]]> http://www.straightdopedad.com/help-is-there-a-smart-ass-in-the-house/feed/ 1 Girls Love Basketball Just as Much as Boys – At Least at First http://www.straightdopedad.com/girls-love-basketball-just-as-much-as-boys-at-least-at-first/ http://www.straightdopedad.com/girls-love-basketball-just-as-much-as-boys-at-least-at-first/#comments Sun, 19 Dec 2010 14:19:18 +0000 Straight Dope Dad http://www.straightdopedad.com/?p=2057
Summary: How I became a parent PE volunteer for my daughter’s class and my surprise at how much little girls love basketball. For seven years we (ie. my partner) had a rule. She gets to sleep in on Saturdays and I take care of our daughter and keep her out of her hair. Since Saturdays [...]]]> http://www.straightdopedad.com/girls-love-basketball-just-as-much-as-boys-at-least-at-first/feed/ 0 The Science Behind Children’s Appetites – The Multiple Stomach Chamber Theory http://www.straightdopedad.com/the-science-behind-childrens-appetites-the-multiple-stomach-chamber-theory/ http://www.straightdopedad.com/the-science-behind-childrens-appetites-the-multiple-stomach-chamber-theory/#comments Sun, 19 Dec 2010 01:52:46 +0000 Straight Dope Dad http://www.straightdopedad.com/?p=2083
Summary: The shocking truth about why your child has limited room for broccoli but seemingly infinite room for desert. So I’m feeding my daughter dinner. “I’m full. I want some more pasta.” “But you still have more broccoli left.” “I’m just full for broccoli. I’m not full for pasta.” Huh? How is this possible. It [...]]]> http://www.straightdopedad.com/the-science-behind-childrens-appetites-the-multiple-stomach-chamber-theory/feed/ 4 My Disturbing Google Analytics – Search Engines, Pedophilia, and The Unexpected Consequences of Having a Parenting Blog http://www.straightdopedad.com/my-disturbing-google-analytics-search-engines-pedophilia-and-the-unexpected-consequences-of-having-a-parenting-blog/ http://www.straightdopedad.com/my-disturbing-google-analytics-search-engines-pedophilia-and-the-unexpected-consequences-of-having-a-parenting-blog/#comments Sun, 28 Nov 2010 05:23:17 +0000 Straight Dope Dad http://www.straightdopedad.com/?p=1936
Summary – If you have a parenting blog you will most likely attract a few pedophiles. Sad but true. Plus bonus tips on how to reduce your parenting blog’s attractiveness to pedophiles. There are unintended consequences to everything and blogging about fatherhood is no exception. Now being a father with a daughter, I’m naturally going [...]]]> http://www.straightdopedad.com/my-disturbing-google-analytics-search-engines-pedophilia-and-the-unexpected-consequences-of-having-a-parenting-blog/feed/ 6 I Will Kik Yore Ass Dad!!!! – My Daughter Learns to Write http://www.straightdopedad.com/i-will-kik-yore-ass-dad-my-daughter-learns-to-write/ http://www.straightdopedad.com/i-will-kik-yore-ass-dad-my-daughter-learns-to-write/#comments Sat, 13 Nov 2010 05:16:44 +0000 Straight Dope Dad http://www.straightdopedad.com/?p=1850
Summary: Hey, at least she’s excited about writing. My daughter’s making invitations to a small Halloween party we’re having at our house. It’s so small there is only one other person invited. Originally the annual get together was going to be at her friend’s house but in a moment of frustration, her mom cancelled the [...]]]> http://www.straightdopedad.com/i-will-kik-yore-ass-dad-my-daughter-learns-to-write/feed/ 2 Millionaire Matchmaker is Fucking Boring – More Kids and Cussing and The Family Values That Really Matter http://www.straightdopedad.com/millionaire-matchmaker-is-fucking-boring-more-kids-and-cussing-and-the-family-values-that-really-matter/ http://www.straightdopedad.com/millionaire-matchmaker-is-fucking-boring-more-kids-and-cussing-and-the-family-values-that-really-matter/#comments Fri, 12 Nov 2010 00:21:53 +0000 Straight Dope Dad http://www.straightdopedad.com/?p=1834
Summary: Profanity rules on broadcast television do not protect children because profanity is a normal experience in most children’s real lives and have nothing to do with real life threats. So we’re watching Millionaire Matchmaker on Tivo while our seven-year old daughter holds an elaborate dinner party with her Littlest Pet Shop toys. As she [...]]]> http://www.straightdopedad.com/millionaire-matchmaker-is-fucking-boring-more-kids-and-cussing-and-the-family-values-that-really-matter/feed/ 3 No More Begging – The True Story of a Chocolate Lollipop, a Whining Child, the Pacific Ocean, and a Father Who Just Loses It http://www.straightdopedad.com/no-more-begging-the-true-story-of-a-chocolate-lollipop-a-whining-child-the-pacific-ocean-and-a-father-who-just-looses-it/ http://www.straightdopedad.com/no-more-begging-the-true-story-of-a-chocolate-lollipop-a-whining-child-the-pacific-ocean-and-a-father-who-just-looses-it/#comments Mon, 08 Nov 2010 05:23:55 +0000 Straight Dope Dad http://www.straightdopedad.com/?p=1786
Summary: Kids beg because you teach them to beg. So don’t teach them. I grew up in a house with a few simple rules, one of which was “no means no”. So if you ever wanted something, don’t keep begging or you’ll surely doom your chances of ever getting it. My mom never wavered on [...]]]> http://www.straightdopedad.com/no-more-begging-the-true-story-of-a-chocolate-lollipop-a-whining-child-the-pacific-ocean-and-a-father-who-just-looses-it/feed/ 1 One-To-One Correspondence Despondent – Learning to Count, Or Not http://www.straightdopedad.com/one-to-one-correspondence-despondent-learning-to-count-or-not/ http://www.straightdopedad.com/one-to-one-correspondence-despondent-learning-to-count-or-not/#comments Tue, 05 Oct 2010 14:06:38 +0000 Straight Dope Dad http://www.straightdopedad.com/?p=1704
Summary: Making your kid count jelly beans when they don’t understand one-to-correspondence is a great way to make yourself feel stupid. It’s something we take for granted, and we can’t recall ever not being able to do it, but without it it’s impossible to do any sort of math or even tell time. I’m talking [...]]]> http://www.straightdopedad.com/one-to-one-correspondence-despondent-learning-to-count-or-not/feed/ 4 My Daughter Prefers Boy’s Underwear – A Tale of Star Wars, Pee Flaps, and Gender Stereotypes http://www.straightdopedad.com/my-daughter-prefers-boys-underwear-a-tale-of-stars-wars-pee-flaps-and-gender-stereotypes/ http://www.straightdopedad.com/my-daughter-prefers-boys-underwear-a-tale-of-stars-wars-pee-flaps-and-gender-stereotypes/#comments Tue, 27 Jul 2010 12:03:31 +0000 Straight Dope Dad http://www.straightdopedad.com/?p=1648
Summary: If your daughter doesn’t want flowers, hearts and unicorns on her ass she’s out of luck. The shocking fact that there are no Star Wars underwear for girls. Recently my seven-year old daughter announced she wanted boys underwear. The idea was funny to her and she preferred the patterns on the boy’s underwear. So [...]]]> http://www.straightdopedad.com/my-daughter-prefers-boys-underwear-a-tale-of-stars-wars-pee-flaps-and-gender-stereotypes/feed/ 5 Double Income No Kids to Stay at Home Mom – When Going Back to Work Doesn’t Work http://www.straightdopedad.com/double-income-no-kids-to-stay-at-home-mom-when-going-back-to-work-doesnt-work/ http://www.straightdopedad.com/double-income-no-kids-to-stay-at-home-mom-when-going-back-to-work-doesnt-work/#comments Sun, 20 Jun 2010 17:13:06 +0000 Straight Dope Dad http://www.straightdopedad.com/?p=1182
Summary: The plan was for her to go back to work after four months maternity leave. What were we thinking? My partner took about four and half months off from her job as a preschool teacher to have our daughter. One month before and three and a half months after. The plan was that she [...]]]> http://www.straightdopedad.com/double-income-no-kids-to-stay-at-home-mom-when-going-back-to-work-doesnt-work/feed/ 1 I Put Soap in the Toothpaste! – Dealing With a Child’s Bizarre Behavior http://www.straightdopedad.com/i-put-soap-in-the-toothpaste-dealing-with-a-childs-bizarre-behavior/ http://www.straightdopedad.com/i-put-soap-in-the-toothpaste-dealing-with-a-childs-bizarre-behavior/#comments Mon, 14 Jun 2010 13:46:45 +0000 Straight Dope Dad http://www.straightdopedad.com/?p=1469
Summary: Sometimes your child’s behavior is so bizarre you simply don’t know what to do. I’m taking care of the aquarium when my daughter comes out of the bathroom after brushing her teeth. “I think it’s your turn to brush your teeth.” “I will later.” “I really think you should brush your teeth right now.” [...]]]> http://www.straightdopedad.com/i-put-soap-in-the-toothpaste-dealing-with-a-childs-bizarre-behavior/feed/ 5 Death to Santa Claus – Don’t Lie, Kids Can Handle the Truth http://www.straightdopedad.com/death-to-santa-claus-dont-lie-kids-can-handle-the-truth/ http://www.straightdopedad.com/death-to-santa-claus-dont-lie-kids-can-handle-the-truth/#comments Mon, 08 Mar 2010 12:19:43 +0000 Straight Dope Dad http://www.straightdopedad.com/?p=951
Summary – Who says it’s all right to convince your kids Santa Claus is real? Childhood shouldn’t be a hazing ritual perpetuated by their own parents. What if you knew a parent who told their child Star Wars was real. Like real as in a historical document. That Darth Vader patrolled the galaxy in a [...]]]> http://www.straightdopedad.com/death-to-santa-claus-dont-lie-kids-can-handle-the-truth/feed/ 71