Older Dads May Increase Child’s Health Risks

From CBS News

The decline of women’s reproductive capabilities after the age of 35 is a well known medical tenet but potential fathers have long been immune from age limitations on reproduction. However, Time magazine is taking a look at several studies that indicate older fathers can present as many or more medical issues as older mothers.

In 2012, a study in Nature found that the rates of autism and schizophrenia significantly increases in the babies of older fathers — the risk doubles for every 16.5 years of paternal age. Another study in the American Journal of Men’s Health associated paternal age with preterm birth and low birth weight.

Now how is that for news. You are already feeling tired and behind for being an older dad, now you might be passing on health problems.

It says now 35 is also considered the worrying age for men as well. As a man who has had two boys since being 35, this kind of study is not exactly what you want to read. At the same time, it is just a study and until they say it is almost a sure thing, I am not going to worry about it. A person’s life is being extended like never before and modern medicine is making it more normal to have kids later in life.

Day 7: The First Real Test And Sandbox Season Arrives

like a dadGood evening fellow parents, readers, humans and important bloggers. Day 7 is almost in the books and it was an interesting one even though it lacked anything of real interest. It was a ho-hum day but having both boys is always a challenge.

Especially when they are borderline cranky all day (all day son).

The morning started bright and early at 6:30 with that lovely singing from Charlie’s room. The song goes something like – “I’m awake now, I’m awake now, get up and feed me”.

The positive thing that came out of this is I changed him and went back to bed for another 30 minutes where we just hung out and extended the day a little. Any time I can get it to 7 am, it is better for everyone.

Not much to report for the morning. Naps, reading, food and a little bit of Barney. I had promised Harrison a park trip and since we had the car, that was pretty doable. But the weather was crappy. Eventually we did go briefly.

Day 6: Sleeping Off A Late Night Of Hoops And Charlie

day6-1As I said, one week is in the can. One week down 26 to go on this gig they call parental leave.

Today was pretty much the laziest day yet since leaving work. Two reasons. Late night hoops and good ol’ Charlie boy.

Last night I was up until the wee hours of the morning watching my Michigan Wolverines lose a close one in the NCAA Men’s Basketball Final.

It was after 1:30 am by the time I made it into bed. It was hard getting to sleep with “One Shining Moment” in your head but I got there.

Then less than 30 minutes later, Charlie started to sputter, warming up for full-on eruption. What? I thought we had made it past this stage. Oh well. Before he exploded with annoyance, I was up and had him in my arms. He was unhappy and soaked and I am sure was hungry.

I am sure I could have taken him down to the basement and wrestled him back to sleep, but I had just left the couch from where I had been sitting all night. By body could not take sleeping there until morning.

Day 5: Giant Giraffes And A Whole Can Of SpongeBobs

like a dad

Well in a few more hours, I can officially say that one week of parental leave will be in the books. How has it been so far? Pretty great.

I am still figuring a few things out, trying to accept that everything does not have to get done and trying to relax a little more. I will get there.

On a side note, you might be wondering why this is Day 5? I am not counting weekend days as part of my leave, as my wife is home to help and really, it is not part of it.

Back to business.

Today was my first Monday since last week was a holiday. The day started early, just before 5 am, with Charlie doing  A LOT of sleep kicking. That is his new thing. Kicking the sides of his crib while still asleep. I was awake, knowing it was only a matter of time before he actually woke up. That was just after 5 am. The good news, I managed to change him and get him downstairs to the couch and back to sleep without the help of a bottle.

Trains, Planes And Automobiles: The Aviation Museum Hobby Show

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For all those parents in the Halifax region, it can be hard to come up with new and fun things to do with your kids on a Sunday morning. Stores don’t open until noon and if the weather is bad, it can really limit your options.

Well, I have started reading HRM Parent’s weekend wrap post and this time around they featured a real winner.

The 15th Annual Hobby Show at the Aviation Museum in Shearwater.

It featured Lego displays, model trains, aircraft, vehicles, ships & automobiles and much more. Basically as Katie called it, it was Harrison’s Nirvana. After reading the website, we knew it was a must for our little Mighty Machine lover.

Plus it would only cost us $10 for the whole crew to go. Can’t really beat that.

Day 4 – If I Were A Wrestler My Winning Move Would Be The Sleeper

day4Good afternoon to those taking the time to follow my journey through stay-at-home parenthood. It is Friday and that means my first week is almost over, even if it was a short week.

My brain is a bit mushy this afternoon and I really should be napping, but the readers want what they want. So I am writing from the top floor of Red Fern Towers. Charlie is off in dreamland, hopefully thinking to himself, man that Dad guy, he has it going on.

Today has been pretty easy and boring but that is okay because it started early, 4:45 am early. Remember yesterday when I said we got Charlie down to five bottles again? Well I think he missed it because he woke up in the middle of the night looking for a little something, something to fill his belly.

As the home parent now, I was on duty and after getting woken up by my wife (who is always on duty I think), I was off to see what was up. For a brief moment I thought I was going to pull off the magic trip of the year and get the baby back to sleep without a bottle. He tricked me and just when I was feeling pretty good, he unleashed his fury.

Before it woke up the whole house I was off to get the bottle. I gotta say, making a bottle in the dark with one hand is a skill I may put on my resume one day.

Netflix What Have You Done? Bring Back Mighty Machines!

Update on Oct. 31, 2014

I guess Netflix USA has also removed Mighty Machines. What is going on with the world?

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For the new-age parents who get to enjoy the power of technology to engage, babysit or entertain your kids, you begin to really rely on it.

My parents did not have computer, tablets, Internet or anything of the like. They had to use their brains to come up with new ideas to keep the kids from burning the house down.

So with relying on something like Netflix, comes the quick realization that one day, they could really burn you.

Our 3-year old, LOVES Mighty Machines. He knows the theme song, he knows the episode titles, he knows the name of the guy narrating the shows. So, you can imagine our dismay when the other day we went to look for it, and the show was GONE.

Completely wiped out of the database like it never existed. Before I go on, I want to clarify this is the Canadian Netflix. So for all of you lucky US users who have a way better setup, just humour me please.

Day 3: Following A Routine Is Key

like a dadGood day parental travelers, how are you doing? I just finished watching the latest episode of The Following and figured it should play into the title of today’s post. No, this is nothing to do with a cult or Kevin Bacon, the following I am referring to is following a routine with your kid and sticking to it at all costs.

Today is Day 3 of many and I would have to say I have adjusted nicely to being home instead of the office. I still have a lot of anxiety about getting stuff done, but I am working on it.

Today is just one boy, the baby. So that makes it a little easier to handle. Sadly for the adults in the house, our other kiddie was wide awake before 6 am so it has felt like a long day so far.

I have managed to: clean my desk area, clean the cat box, put out the garbage, do Harry’s laundry and tidy up the kitchen and living room. Yes, yes I have been taking care of Charlie as well.