meta-dad

5 helpful Dad ‘hacks’ for babies

I know very little about parenting, the number of questions, curiosities and perplexities of being a solid Dad and raising healthy kids is breath-taking. That said, through the natural course of More »

Hip + sexy for nursing mother

Post-baby pajamas and nightwear for new moms does not have to consist of an oversized t-shirt and sweatpants. Understand most new moms may not be feeling super sexy since their body is going through notable transitions and baby doesn’t really care whether he spits up on cotton or silk. But new dads (and established ones) can add a nice More »

The ‘Great Recession’ – food stamps & the family

Everyone from the auto industry to the porn industry is looking for bailouts from a young motivated presidency still being tested in their first 100 days. The stock market is still heading south. Jobs are still wilting away with no promise of returning. This sour economy has affected many parents & families in profound ways and there is no looking back.

Regardless of whether you are an individual or an entire family in need, you need to find out the facts, the facts about what resources and services are available to you. If an individual or family is currently earning less than 130% of the Federal poverty level [FPL] and their current household assets are below $2,000 you may be eligible for More »

Ford Transit Connect concept – Holy Grail or Hail Mary?

Yes, they refused the bailout offers, but considering the steady downward turn since Ford Motor Company’s peak in the late 90′s (1998 to be exact, when it hit just over $37 a share to the current $3.75) things should get interesting for the Consumer since they are going to have to put hybrid technology development on the front burner and essentially get ‘mean’ and ‘green’ with their designs. Enter the Ford Transit Connect, the perfect solution for forgetful & disorganized parents everywhere.

This kid hauler is stuffed with the following parent-friendly options; More »

Child Poison Prevention Week

They say, education is the best prevention. I think you’ll be surprised to find some of the real hazards in you cupboard and closets, even over-the-counter products, household plants and crafting supplies. There are hidden dangers in some of the most common household items such as baby oils and sunscreens are listed as oily hydrocarbon products which can suffocate children if drawn into the lungs when ingested, who knew? Now you know.

• Each year, poison control centers receive more than 1.1 million calls about accidental poisonings among children ages 5 and under.
• Only 30 percent of caregivers are able to accurately measure a correct dosage of over-the-counter medications to their children.
• More than 90 percent of poisonings in children occur in the home.
• In children, approximately 60 percent of poisonings involve products other than medicines such as plants, cleaning products, cosmetics, pesticides, paints, and solvents; 40 percent of poisonings involve medications. [*MUSC Children’s Hospital, Common Childhood Injuries and Poisonings]

A chilling fact, between 4 and 10 p.m. is known as the “arsenic hour” at most poison control centers because that is when call volume peaks. They attribute it to the fact that the parents tend to be distracted by dinner and other end-of-day tasks that leave their young ones unsupervised more than any other time of the day.

Sited & Related Links:
MUSC | Tips to Help Reduce Unintentional Poisonings in the Home
CPSC | 9 Out of 10 Unintentional Child Poisonings Occur in the Home
Poison Prevention [dot] Org | Resources and Materials [*fantastic resources here]
American Association of Poison Control Centers | Kids Tips

The best diaper bag for Dad, period

I have three young ones and I can say from experience that each “job” has its own equipment, so to speak. Meaning, you have a bag for hiking, one for the gym and maybe one for work, but do you have one for all the diapers, wipes, bottles and creams that is better known as the “Kid Kit”? Sure you could use a backpack or a messenger bag or perhaps in a pinch you could use your wife’s diaper bag. But to be an organized dad and wear something that better reflects your personal style (as opposed to the pink flowers and polka dots on your wife’s bag), you will need a separate bag.

With my first kid, I could get away with jamming a few diapers in my back pocket and going on an adventure with him, now with three kids, two in diapers, I need as much organization as I can afford. The Diaper Dude (DD) brand, which takes the traditional “female-centric” diaper bag and makes it “dude friendly.” “Most diaper bags for men were backpacks, lacking in accessibility and functionality,” says Chris Pegula, founder of LA-based, Diaper Dude. This brand has star-power to boot; you cannot open a magazine without seeing a famous dad of today – ranging from Brad Pitt and More »