The topic of fatherhood has been all over the news recently with people buzzing about Obama’s recent fatherhood speech in Chicago where he stated, “What makes you a man is not the ability to have a child. It’s the courage to raise one.” These are strong words, to say the least.

Evidently, the Ad Council in conjunction with a number of government sponsored offices and organizations are using this buzz as an opportunity to raise awareness about the importance and the positive impact of active fathering.

• An estimated 24 million children (34%) live absent their biological father.
• Nearly 20 million children (27 percent) live in single-parent homes.
• Children who live absent their biological fathers are, on average, at least two to three times more likely to be poor, to use drugs, to experience educational, health, emotional and behavioral problems, to be victims of child abuse, and to engage in criminal behavior than their peers who live with their married, biological (or adoptive) parents.
• Children with involved, loving fathers are significantly more likely to do well in school, have healthy self-esteem, exhibit empathy and pro-social behavior, and avoid high-risk behaviors such as drug use, truancy, and criminal activity compared to children who have uninvolved fathers. [Source: Ad Council]

While I am not surprised at the statistics in the first two bullet points, I find the other two points a bit vague since it is implied that these children (without their biological fathers) don’t have an active male role-model in their life. There are enough cases where children are being fathered by an uncle, grandfather, or other family member or friend. Regardless, the point has been made that children benefit greatly from having a positive father figure in their life.

Sited Links:
Fatherhood Involvement - Cheerleader
Fatherhood Involvement - Super Soaker

Related Links:
Administration for Children and Families
Office of Family Assistance
National Responsible Fatherhood Clearinghouse

   

Scholastic’s Parent Child Magazine’s 2007 TOP PICKS FOR TOYS PROMOTING LEARNING AND CREATIVITY featured our very own super cute mini MUNNY Mobile! Just like the original, you can draw, paint, use ketchup, or anything you can think of to decorate MUNNY.

Mini MUNNY fits into the 8-inch long car with real rolling wheels and comes blind packaged with 4 mystery accessories to deck out MUNNY’s ride. Also inside, a giant roadmap by iLovedust to color, treasure, eat off of or just plain enjoy!

(Via KidRobot.Com)

   

It is said that an estimated 500 billion to one trillion plastic shopping bags a year are used worldwide with some other sources putting estimates much higher (250 trillion+). Regardless, that’s a whole lot of bags that end up in landfill. The average plastic bag takes over a thousand years to degrade. So if you are trying to reduce your carbon footprint and be a little responsible about your trash, what is the best solution in this case?

There is no easy answer but there are a few options out there that can ease things a little bit. My wife and I have purchased a few re-usable cloth shopping bags to cut down the number of plastic bags we use when shopping throughout the week. Having a few of these cloth bags can have a profound affect on your personal consumption of plastic shopping bags. We use it not only at the grocery store, but at Target, at the GAP, hell, my wife uses it at Sephora. Think about it. Why would you need a plastic shopping bag for something you can put in you pocket, or purse or, heaven forbid - just carry in your hand (*gasp*) to the car.

Now when we get home, we have been used to re-using the plastic bags to either clean up after our dog on her daily walks or to line the smaller trash bins throughout the house. Now we use a few pages of the newspaper on the dog’s walks and use brown paper bags to line the small trash bins.

That still leaves a problem that I have always struggled with; what about all those large trash bags you purchase? There are biodegradable ones. Check the links below. The prices for these have been slowly dropping. Perhaps materials are coming down in price; perhaps demand is growing.

SITED LINKS:
Reusable Cloth Grocery Totes
Reusable Organic Shopping Bag
BioSmart | Biodegradable Trash Bags
ReusableBags.Com

RELATED LINKS:
How Stuff Works | How Recycling Works
How Stuff Works | How Landfills Work

   

With the third child on the way, my wife and I have decided we now need to start stacking the kids, and this mod trundle bed is just the solution. With a twin bed on casters tucked underneath, this simple geometric design is just the solution for a growing family like ours.

Smart design is green design. Argington uses 99% wood products in it’s furniture, that means no particle board, flake board or other similar wood-like products. The wood comes from managed renewable forrests established specifically to provide long-term responsible solutions towards the growing demand of timber related products - FSC certified. The finishes are non-toxic and can withstand the test of time. Aside from the solid wood components, the birch plywood used in all Argington products are made with low emission glues which nearly eliminate long term emissions and off-gasing.

Here’s a few places to buy the Argington line;

• DesignPublic.Com
• ModernNursery.Com
• Retailer Near You

(Via Argington.Com)

   

Move over kids, Dad’s gonna be on the floor playing cars if one of these beauties is part of the mix. I’m really not even a “car” guy but his car is truly a thing of beauty. Looking at the level of detail and finish put into these automobiles is unprecedented.

So I will consider the next best thing, a 1:18 or 1:43 scale die-cast model version of their full line of cars (between $42-$50 U.S. dollars). It’s guaranteed to bring smiles to the lil’ James Bond in your life.

You may want to curb them from playing “smash’um” with this one though.

(Via AstonMartin.Com)

   

The Retro Rocket by Radio Flyer brings nostalgia back. This thing is so cool and fun to watch your child play in.

• 3-2-1 Blast Off feature puts kids “in the driver seat”
• Vibrating motor action for take off simulation
• Working lights
• Realistic astronaut and space sounds
• Rolling wheels activate lights and sounds
• Light up after burner
• Fun storage under seat
• Clicking nose cone
• Cool retro styling

(Via Kazoo Toys)

   

Here’s a totally new fresh concept to encourage gross motor skills, strengthen legs muscles while having hours of fun. Bright, soft, friendly, unisex design; this Wheely Bug Toddler Ride from toymaker, Prince Lionheart, will work for both little girls and boys alike. Easy to clean. Padded with a layer of soft sponge, inner body core of non-compressible foam, which is entirely non-toxic and contains no PVC.

Although it is only designed for smooth surfaces it has multi-directional casters, no more getting stuck against obstacles. Stainless steel spring mounted “feelers”, which wobble much to the delight of children, have an internal cord to prevent pull out. Plywood base made from renewable plantation timber.

• Winner Practical Preschool Awards 2005 Bronze
• 2005 Baby and Toddler Gear GOLD AWARD
• HIGHLY COMMENDED Mother and Baby Award BEST TOY (1-3yrs)
• OLD AWARD TOP GEAR, FQ Magazine

(Via Jeannie’s Kids Club)

   

For the new little Prince or Princess in your life.

Modern. Quality. Design. Enough said.

Let the spoiling begin.

(Via Dwell Studio | Baby)