Author: Family Friendly Daddy Blog

Leave a comment Posted on parenting, Storytelling

What Scientifically Makes Kids Happy, Part 1: Optimism

March 18, 2014 at 11:19 pm , by 

3 years, 4 months.

Dear Jack,

As I was driving you to school one day last week, a lady in an SUV was driving towards us in the opposing lane. I saw her smile at us, just in a friendly way as if to say “good morning” to random strangers, so I smiled back.

But as she got closer to us, I realized she was only squinting at the sun.

It didn’t make a difference though. I had already received a feeling of “the world is a good place” from her because I perceived that another human being was making an attempt to brighten my day.

I think that was around last Thursday- and it’s weird, because since then, I have been making a more conscious effort of being more of a giver and less of a jaded critic… or as Gandhi put it:

“Be the change you wish to see in the world.”

Yeah, I’ve seriously been trying to do that. I’m beginning to be the guy at work who is going around sincerely asking people how they are doing and asking about what’s new in their lives- with no intention to tell them anything about myself.

I’m remembering to smile even when no one is looking, but especially when people are looking. I’m reminding myself that “being nice” is more than just not being rude; it’s going out of my way to positively affect other people by actions and attitude.

What if I’m the best news that happens to them all day?

Before, I basically just said hi and kept walking.

It just so happens that a few days ago I came across this infographic (featured below) called “The Science Of Raising Happy Kids,” which explains a lot of cool things, some of which I’ll be talking about soon.

As for today, though; one of those things is the importance of a parent being an example of optimism to their kids.

Whether or not you end up having a sunny outlook in life is actually determined in part by how you see me, your parent, react to things beyond my control.

Oops.

You live with me. In theory, you may even know me better than I know myself.

So you have been a witness to my streaks of pessimism, which can have an effect on you. This is me beginning to make a deliberate effort from here on out to be more optimistic.

Because I’m seeing now it actually matters scientifically, according to the studies this infographic is based on.

I needed to be reminded of that. Perfect timing.

This is me trying to be the change I wish to see in the world. I am more likely to be an example of optimism to you if I’m already that way to everyone else in my life anyway.

So much for the glass being half full. I say, “Hey, it’s totally full.”

It’s full of chocolate almond milk, just the kind you like. Even when you’re being a slightly sneaky little rascal!

 

Love,

Daddy

 

To be continued… See Part 2: Less TV Time.

 

Infographic featured courtesy of Happify:

 

Read the entire What Makes Kids Scientifically Happy series:

 Part 1: Optimism

 Part 2: Less TV Time

Part 3: Love From Dad

3 Comments Posted on food reviews, parenting, reviews

Family Friendly Review Of Monster Jam 2014 In Huntsville, AL

March 17, 2014 at 10:30 pm , by 

Leave a comment Posted on Nostalgia, parenting

It’s A Good Thing For Little Boys To Get Their Clothes Dirty

March 16, 2014 at 9:48 am , by 

3 years, 4 months.

Dear Jack,

Yesterday morning as we were hanging out at the park, waiting for the Monster Jam truck show to begin, you got your clothes pretty dirty.

As Mommy put it, “Jack, you smell like a boy.”

That’s what she says after you’ve had a lot of fun outside, doing what little boys should be doing:

Running around, crashing your toy monster trucks into each other, rolling in the leaves, lying on the ground, touching random people’s pet ferrets…

Yeah, you managed to do all those things in a 45 minute time span.

In essence, all the clothes you wear are “play clothes.”

Because honestly, when are you not playing and getting dirty?

I know these days there are so many rules and expectations about boys “behaving” in a classroom setting.

That’s why when you’re not in school, I encourage you to let loose.

You’re a boy.

I want you to feel like one. I want you to feel like you can be one.

It’s important to me that you can be yourself and express your energy in a harmless way… by getting your clothes dirty.

Granted, our family is very into hygiene.

But there’s definitely a difference between germs and dirt.

I don’t like germs.

However, dirt I don’t have a problem with. Hey, it’s natural. It’s the Earth itself, right?

So sure, you washed your hands after petting the ferret… only to get them dirty again by lying down on the sidewalk.

Like riding on the front of a grocery shopping cartor running around aimlessly in open-ended public spaces, it’s just one more thing that little boys are supposed to do: Get dirty.

I want you to be disciplined and respectful and kind.

But I also want you to enjoy the fresh air, the green grass, and the brown dirt.

It’s only natural. Literally.

 

Love,

Daddy

Leave a comment Posted on Nostalgia, parenting

Classic Childhood Memory: Riding On A Grocery Shopping Cart

March 15, 2014 at 11:14 pm , by 

3 years, 3 months.

Dear Jack,

My main role when our family goes grocery shopping is to distract/entertain/keep you from knocking over the fruit stands.

Fortunately tonight, we had just come back from the Monster Jam truck show and you were occupied as long as I could keep helping you find new places to crash your toy monster trucks into each other.

As we finally were checking out at Whole Foods, you instinctly grabbed on to the end of the grocery shopping cart, as if it were understood you wanted to ride out to the car while the helpful Whole Foods staff member pushed you.

This is not something you had ever seen before- like I said, it was simply an instinct.

After gaining a quick nod of approval from me, Emily, the girl who eagerly and kindly helped us take the groceries out to the car, began pushing you out to the parking lot as Mommy and I escorted you.

That is a classic childhood memory that every kid should have. Emily, the Whole Foods girl, was very cool about it.

As you can see from the photo collage (above) I made of the event, you loved it!

Just yesterday I wrote to you about how there were certain freedoms that I got to enjoy as a child, that you won’t be able to.

Well, fortunately, riding on the end of a shopping cart was not mentioned.

The way I see it, it’s your right, as an American little boy, to enjoy riding on a shopping cart.

It’s a right of passage.

I feel as your daddy, it’s sort of my responsibility to help set the backdrop for these little adventures.

Granted, you can’t wander around the neighborhood aimlessly like I did back in the 1980s… but you can ride a shopping cart like I did back in the 1980s.

At least there’s that!

 

Love,

Daddy

Leave a comment Posted on parenting, Storytelling

My Kid Won’t Walk In Public, But He Sure Will Run!

March 15, 2014 at 10:18 pm , by 

3 years, 3 months.

Dear Jack,

This morning our family got to go to a Monster Jam truck show, and to my surprise, we actually arrived thereearly.

That… never happens.

Fortunately, it was a fairly sunny (and non-rainy) day to enjoy some fresh air around the nearby park. So we did.

It was today that I officially realized something:

You refuse to walk when Mommy and I take you out in public; in large, open-ended spaces.

However, you have no reservations whatsover about running continuously like Pac-Man trying to eating as many of those white dots as he can before he has to avoid a ghost.

And with all that running around, you mysteriously don’t find yourself short on energy. In fact, today, I served as your pace car; making sure you didn’t run too far ahead of me into the street or the pond with all the ducks and giant goldfish.

The entire time, you had a toy Monster Jam truck in each hand… and you never stumbled or fell.

Granted, the moment that Mommy and I told you it was time for us to make our way into the building, as the show would soon be beginning, you instantly changed your tune:

“Daddy, hold me…. Mommy, hold me.”

Your feet didn’t hit the floor again until we got home, because you were carried around the rest of the day.

I get it. You’re not lazy. You actually love getting out and burning off energy, obviously.

What you want from Mommy and me is physical affection in the form of an embrace. I suppose it won’t be until later on that you began to understand the concept of what hugs are really for… or being cuddly on a more regular basis.

Right now, you’re more about being held and/or being tickled, when it comes to physical affection.

So you won’t walk in public, but you sure will run. Classic.

 

Love,

Daddy