1. Dressing up your son a Joe Rogan for his first Halloween

He knows how to do Halloween right. This baby is probably discussing some conspiracy theories right now.

2. They are notoriously creative problem solvers

Where there is a will, there is a way. Sometimes a good old fashion tie-down is all it takes.

3. “Will you put my hair in a bun?”

The epitome of dad jokes summed up in one picture.

4. Kid plunger gets the job done

Someone has to do the dirty work, dad’s got it handled. Mom’s don’t look at this one, please skip.

5. Whatever you do, don’t wake the baby

Stacking cheerios on the baby’s cheek while they are sleeping is a risky business. Mom won’t be too happy if that stack gets unstacked.

6. When you can’t leave the boys hanging

Fortnite even has them hooked and nap time sure isn’t getting in the way.

7. These guys just gotta game

ON YOUR LEFT! This baby has aim lock on that screen and ready to rock.

8. Honey, did you see those kiwi’s I bought yesterday?

Kiwis are delicious.

9. All the ladies love me

We know, we know, teaching some bad values here but be honest, isn’t it funny? Finding creative ways to get your money worth out of those barbies.

10. Bath time with Dad should always be entertaining

So, did these pictures kill it or what?

The post 10 Pictures that Prove Dads Will Always Be Dads appeared first on Modern Day Dads.

We’re Pregnant! The First Time Dad’s Pregnancy Handbook

Being a great first-time dad doesn’t mean being perfect; it means approaching and participating in the pregnancy experience with confidence. From easy-to-understand stats on the mommy and baby to discussing and designing a birthing plan, We’re Pregnant! The First-Time Dad’s Pregnancy Handbook provides all the need-to-know information with in-depth suggestions on how to be an ideal partner, and become a fully prepared parent.

A Better Man: A (Mostly Serious) Letter to My Son

A poignant look at boyhood, in the form of a heartfelt letter from comedian Michael Ian Black to his teenage son before he leaves for college, and a radical plea for rethinking masculinity and teaching young men to give and receive love.

The Expectant Father: The Ultimate Guide for Dads-to-Be (Fourth Edition)

Brott’s reassuring month-by-month overview of your partner’s pregnancy gives you the tools you need to support your partner, prepare for the baby’s arrival, and take care of yourself during this exciting time.

This is our favorite for Best Seller Books on Fatherhood for dads-to-be.

Dad, I Want to Hear Your Story: A Father’s Guided Journal To Share His Life & His Love

Dad, I Want to Hear Your Story is the perfect way for your Father to tell the tales you have always wanted to hear while also creating a cherished legacy.  Imagine reading this priceless record of his journey, his life, and then one day sitting with your children and sharing it with them.

Baby 411: Your Baby, Birth to Age 1!

You are having a baby! Congratulations! Now, the reality hits you—what the heck am I doing?  What if you could bottle the wisdom of all those parents who’ve come before you . . . and mix it with solid medical advice from a nationally-renowned pediatrician? Baby 411 is the answer! Think of it as the ultimate FAQ for new parents.

The post Top Best Seller Books on Fatherhood appeared first on Modern Day Dads.

Dad dates

One of the simplest and yet most powerful strategies that enable fathers to connect to their children is dad dates. If dad bothers to spend time with each child, one-on-one, it generates an enormous feeling of worthwhileness. We suggest “Law of NOANOK” — No Other Adults, No Other Kids. It means the date involves just dad and just one of the children at a time.

Don’t look at anything as “mom” duties

While there are a lot of good things from our grandparents’ day that we should bring back, the traditional dad/mom split of parenting duties isn’t one of them. Some men still look at certain duties as “mom” duties but don’t be one of those dads. Get involved in everything, and share the load with your baby mama. Changing diapers, giving baths, getting them dressed, even feeding them (you can give them breast milk in a bottle).

So, this is our favorite of the Tips Every Dad Should Know.

Eat together as a family

An important part of healthy family life is bonding through family meals. It gives kids the chance to talk about what they are doing and want to do. It’s also a good time for fathers to listen and be involved. It provides a structure for families to be together each day.

Give them hugs

Dads shouldn’t be afraid to show affection. Kids need physical contact, and not just from their moms. Snuggle with them, hug them, love them.

Let Loose During Play Time

The post Top Dad Tips Every Dad Should Know appeared first on Modern Day Dads.

Sheet Pan Salmon Teriyaki

Teriyaki sauce seems to be one of those flavors that is enjoyed by both adults and kids alike, and this sheet pan dinner makes it easy to get dinner on the table in a snap. The recipe combines a homemade version of the Asian sauce with healthy salmon and vegetables like broccoli, peppers, green beans, and carrots. Make a pot of rice and dinner is done.

Chicken Esquites Street Tacos

Chicken esquites tacos – grilled chicken, topped with street corn elote is an amazing combo that needs to be one everyone’s table right now It’s got such a bright texture, and makes resisting a second taco that much harder! They can stay in the fridge for about a week in an airtight container – if they can last that long!

The Nutella Sandwich

Men are good for assembling things, like IKEA furniture and sandwiches. The good news about winning in re: sandwiches is that you don’t have to follow those impossible black-and-white IKEA drawings to really nail it. For those of you who don’t know how to make a sandwich: it’s two pieces of bread with stuff in the middle.

Stuffed Pasta Shells

These savory shells never fail to make a big impression, even though the recipe is very easy. One or two of these shells makes a great individual serving at a potluck, so a single batch goes a long way.

Instant Pot Ribs

Everyone knows that for really good, fall-off-the-bone ribs, you need to cook them low and sloooow. Well, we’re throwing that theory out the window! All you need is an Instant Pot and 20 minutes. You’ll have the most tender ribs before your grill or oven can even preheat.

So which of these Recipes Every Dad Should Know are you making first?

The post 5 Recipes Every Dad Should Know How to Cook appeared first on Modern Day Dads.

1. Work as a Virtual Assistant

There’s a huge demand for remote workers with an excellent grasp of administrative and digital skills, which makes this the perfect job for stay-at-home dads. Duties might include managing social media, performing research, arranging travel itineraries, or responding to customer emails. Find clients in need of these essential services on platforms like People Per Hour, Remote.co, and Zirtual.

2. Become a Freelance Writer

Well-written content is the engine for any online business, whether it’s blog posts, website copy, or product descriptions. If you have a talent for words, freelance writing can be a profitable and interesting side hustle. Cultivate private clients in a specific niche or work for any number of online writing platforms that post new projects daily.

3. Tutor Kids or Teach English

Teaching online is a side hustle for stay-at-home dads that pays well and can also be incredibly fulfilling. As long as you have a bachelor’s degree, you can choose from a range of different opportunities, including becoming a tutor in a specialized subject. There are also many flexible jobs available for teaching English to kids or adults all around the world. Explore these teaching options by heading over to Wyzant, Qkids, VIPKID, or Cambly.

4. Open an Online Store with Dropshipping

The dropshipping business model is excellent for stay-at-home dads. Choose a product from a vendor, create your online store, and generate sales through social media or other types of marketing. Your drop shipper then fulfills the order and sends it out. Dropshipping allows running a store to essentially become a desk job since someone else handles the inventory.

Finding the right side hustle is definitely more of an art than a science. Take the time to research, look around, and assess your skills and interests. With some effort and creativity, you can land one of these legitimate side hustles for stay-at-home dads.

The post 4 Legitimate Side Hustles for Stay-at-Home Dads appeared first on Modern Day Dads.

1. Camping

Today, people are plugged in. Plugged into their phones, computers, and other technological advances. Taking a camping trip provides fathers and sons the ability to unplug and focus on the moment of the outdoors. Camping provides teachable moments such as fire starting, necessary outdoor survival skills and, recognize plants and animals. Even if you’re short on time or resources, a quick overnight camping adventure can happen in your backyard or living room.

2. Visit the Barbershop Regularly

The percentage of self-care within the men population has increased dramatically in recent years. Men visit barbershops for hair, beard care, and facials more regularly. Barbershops are great bonding moments because they are full of other men sharing stories and exchanging memories that can provide diversity for our youth. Not only will you bond together, but making the barbershop visits a common occurrence, teaches young men the importance of self-care and confidence.

3. Play Videogames

Playing videogames is a great time to have our sons show us a thing or two. If your son is into video games, take a moment to play a game and learn from him. Playing videogames for a few hours could give you a perspective on his social cues, teamwork abilities, and problem-solving skills. A child’s hobbies are important to them, and showing interest lets them know you’re supportive.

4. Watch Sports

Watching sports together is a no brainer, especially if either of you is a die-hard fan of a particular team. This is also a good time to get together with other father-son friends and make a guys day out of the game. This is the quintessential Top Guydeas for Father-Son Bonding.

For more topics and ideas on all things dads, check us out at ModernDayDads!

The post Top Guydeas for Father-son Bonding appeared first on Modern Day Dads.

Listen

Listening is a powerful communication skill. Giving your full attention to your children and to other people when they speak is an important way to model listening. It shows your children how to treat people with respect, as well as that they themselves are respected and valued.

Mean “No” When You Say It

Learning to be assertive and set boundaries is an essential skill that some people struggle with throughout their lives. Help your kids develop this skill early by showing them how to resist pressure, and teaching them that they can do the same.

Invite Your Children to Give Their Input for Decisions

Bringing your kids into a decision-making conversation is a great way to teach them to pay attention to how people assess situations and decide how to act. Valuing their own contribution can encourage them to think and contribute more. If you walk them through your own process, they can also learn more about you and how you approach decisions.

Ask For Feedback

Giving your child an open invitation to express anything they might think about you as a parent. This can establish a deep and open dialogue. Along with helping you keep track of your own behaviors and how they affect your teenagers, this is a great way to help your children learn the importance of improvement and openness.

Admit When Wrong

Being straightforward about your mistakes can help your kids understand the appropriate way to handle their own mistakes. It can help them understand that confident people can afford to admit an error when they have to. It is important to understand that you don’t have to hide from your mistakes or act ashamed.

Remember, good communication takes practice, start with these ways Dads Can Model Communication for Children.

The post How Dads Can Model Communication for Children appeared first on Modern Day Dads.

Listen

Sometimes it’s best to listen without the intent to respond. Teenagers have lots of emotions and lots of opinions about a multitude of things. A lot of the time they just need a sounding board to run their ideas past, or someone to vent to. This is where you come in; be there with an open ear, completely tuned in to whatever need your teenager may have, and they’ll take notice. The more you’re there for them, the more they’ll want to come to you when problems arise.

Give Them Space

Teenagers value their privacy, and they aren’t little kids anymore, so give them some. They’re getting ready to be full-fledged adults, and they need to be treated with the same level of respect you would expect from others. As a parent, you can do your best by permitting them to have their door closed at appropriate times, getting away from the family every once in a while, and having their own hobbies separate from everyone else. They’re budding individuals and will blossom if treated as such.

Know When To Hold Your Ground

As easy as it is to want to be your teenager’s friend, it’s not a good idea. Teenagers need the structure that comes with good parenting, and only you can provide that. They will respect your authority much more if you aren’t constantly flipping between wanting to be the ‘cool dad’ and the tough one. In order to hold your teenager’s respect, set fair rules early and abide by them. Be clear and firm with your expectations, and your teenagers will be much more likely to follow your rules.

Raising teenagers is no walk in the park, but it is a very rewarding task that brings immense joy for years to come while surviving the teenage years. When approached with a solid foundation of love and trust, the teenage years can even be fun.

The post Surviving The Teenage Years appeared first on Modern Day Dads.

Getting Off to a Good Start

If you try to teach your child to drive in the rain, you’re setting them up for failure. For new drivers, it’s best to start on a clear day and even, dry pavement. Teach them how to deal with hazardous conditions when they’ve had a little more practice.

Explain Things Thoroughly

Your child doesn’t have your years of driving experience, so don’t become frustrated if they don’t understand things right away. If they have a question, answer it to the best of your ability. Some kids learn better through repetition, so don’t get impatient if they need something explained to them again. This is probably the most important out of all these Tips for Teaching Your Teen to Drive.

Be Calm!

When your teen is ready to drive on the road with other cars, it’s natural for you to be tense. However, your child may be just as nervous. If they make a mistake, don’t yell at them! This will only aggravate or upset them.

Drive at a slow pace so that you can easily take the wheel and avoid a dangerous situation. You should also pay extra attention to how other drivers around you are behaving. An aggressive driver encountering an inexperienced driver is a recipe for disaster!

Make it a Positive Experience

Regardless of how well your child performs that day, they’re probably trying their best. That should be rewarded! You don’t have to go overboard: maybe a trip to their favorite fast food place afterward. A little pick-me-up will be well appreciated on difficult days. Here is a good tip, give your teen driver a reward when they do well.

Offer Encouragement

Let them know that they’re doing a good job and that you’re proud of them for trying. Learning to drive requires a lot of practice, which is something only your teen can do for themselves. What you can offer are advice and emotional support!

Good luck and hopefully these Tips for Teaching Your Teen to Drive will help make the experience as smooth as possible!

The post 5 Tips for Teaching Your Teen to Drive appeared first on Modern Day Dads.

1. Eat a Healthy Breakfast

Eat a hearty breakfast to start your day off right. Make sure that you prepare healthy foods for your first meal of the day. Protein is a good way to get started and it will stick with you until lunchtime, too.

2. Slow Down

Put your fork or spoon down and chew slowly. This is called “mindful eating.” Learn to savor your food so you’ll enjoy it more and feel fuller sooner. Unfortunately, too many people starve themselves to try to get their ideal body, but it doesn’t work that way. If you do that, when you finally eat, you may scarf it down so fast that you overeat.

3. Eat More Frequent and Smaller Meals

It is better to eat more meals throughout your day than just three. You should eat three meals and several snacks to keep your metabolism up all day long. Use a smaller plate to make your meals a little smaller, too. Eat fresh fruits and vegetables at snack time.

4. Give in to Cravings Once in a While

While dieting, the more that you want something, the worse that it can be. For this reason, you should give yourself one day or meal a week where you can splurge. However, when doing so, eat a small amount of it. You don’t need to eat four pieces of pizza when one or two will do.

5. Plan Out Your Meals

This is especially important when you are traveling. If you are on a road trip, you might be tempted to stop at a fast-food joint to save time. Also, bring water and snacks to hold you over until the next stop. Are you dining out? Look at the menu before you go, so you’ll know what to order ahead of time.

Losing and maintaining your weight can be challenging; however, it is not impossible. With these five simple habits, you can trim down over time without feeling the pain. These are commonsense changes anyone can make, so try them. You’ll thank yourself later.

The post 5 Simple Habits to Pick Up That Will Help You Trim Down appeared first on Modern Day Dads.