Making Baby Safety A Priority

baby safety

As a parent who has survived the baby years, a common question I get asked a lot is about how we went about baby-proofing our home.

The difference between our first and second child was quite different. The reason, we learned what was actually needed. Making baby safety a priority is a no-brainer for new parents, grandparents, friends or anyone who will be taking care of the little ones.

But what should be the focus?

My advice, don’t turn your home into a prison or obstacle courses and barriers. You really should never have the baby out of sight other than sleeping, so gating up the house seems like a bit much.

Think of your senses when putting together your baby safety plan. Sight, sound, taste, smell and touch.

Top 5 Shows Our Kids Are Watching

kids-tv

TV and kids. You want to avoid it, but at the end of the day, it’s going to happen (unless you don’t have a TV).

So it becomes the parent who has to decide what is best for the kids to watch. You want to find the right mix of entertainment and education. It can be tricky that’s for sure.

Our boys get a few hours of TV over the course of a day and we are okay with that. It gives us a chance to get dinner ready or have a sanity break.

Here are the Top 5 shows are kids are watching these days.

This Dad Is Thankful

thankful

With Thanksgiving, or Turkey day, happening this weekend, it seems like a great time to actually sit down and write all of the random things I am thankful for. Feel free to share yours in the comments or on the Facebook page.

This Dad is Thankful for:

Well Hello There Terrible Twos

I have heard about it but never experienced it. The Internet says it is real, but can you believe what you read?

Today, I got a very slight glimpse of what many have spoken of.

The terrible twos they call it.

Our youngest, turned two on Friday and over the last few days, it is like he did some research on how he is supposed to wield this new age at us.

Small things like disagreements, not wanting to sit at the table, not wanting to go a certain way or even wanting to sleep.

Then today, his first day back at work let’s say (Monday), our boy went to work on being two.

Terrible is harsh. Maybe let’s call it tiring twos.

Me being the one who is tired.

A Month To Remember

indiantrail

Hello October, how’s it hanging?

Hard to believe that fall is here, which means of course that one of the busiest months for this family is over.

September was a big change for us. We moved, we started school, there was a birthday, we went on a kid-free vacation, there were job interviews and we got to try out our wonderful and new neighbourhood.

I don’t think there were many days that did not involve something bug and busy.

It feels like two months ago that we moved, hard to believe it has only been four weeks. I am tired just thinking about it.

But at the end of the day, we are all happy, healthy and  loving our new life on the west side of Toronto.

High Five! We Reached A Parenting Milestone

Halifax Mooseheads

Sept. 19th 2014 is a big day in our house. Yes it is our son’s 5th birthday. He will and should get all the attention. But the day marks another important parenting milestone. My wife and I will be celebrating being parents for five years.

We made it! We survived. We are tired.

While Harry enjoys cake, presents and a lot of attention, my wife and I will be silently high-fiving each other on all of our accomplishments or maybe a better way to put it, on our survival.

Harrison was our first. He broke us is. He got us ready for kid 2 and we want to thank him. Charlie should be thanking him as well. I think for kid 2, we have been much more together. Much more ready for whatever would happen.

Parenting has been a wild ride that I would not want to miss out on.

The previous part of my life was great, don’t get me wrong. But ever since that 30 plus hour labour finally ended, our lives changed forever and for the better.

My Conversation With Amir Johnson Of The Toronto Raptors

Amir tests out the Swiffer WetJet

Yes, that’s right, this everyday dad got to talk on the phone with one of the stars of the Toronto Raptors.

Amir Johnson is known for his hard work on the court. Taking charges, rebounding the ball and never quitting. He has even hit some impressive three pointers in his day.

But my chance to talk with the NBA star, was not about hoops. It was about a movement he is leading that is going to put the spotlight on men who clean.

Johnson is the ambassador for the #ManClean movement.