http://www.moderndaydads.com new dads for a new day Fri, 05 Feb 2010 03:10:59 +0000 http://backend.userland.com/rss092 en I think that patience is the key to success in situations where complex issues need to be communicated to our kids - the importance of not talking to strangers versus treating everyone with basic respect and courtesey, for example. When I began instructing my elder son (now almost three) on ... http://www.moderndaydads.com/2010/02/04/talking-to-our-kids-about-complex-issues/ Let’s face it, being a parent is difficult. Sometimes, one of the most difficult things about being a good mom or dad is finding a way to clearly explain some of the most important life lessons our children will need in order to thrive in this world. As a father, there ... http://www.moderndaydads.com/2010/02/02/communicating-tough-concepts-to-our-kids/ Despite the fact that my one year old has been attempting to communicate with me since birth (and possibly before), there has been a previously unbridgeable gap to our effective communication since I don't speak his language and he hasn't yet learned mine. Of course there have been many successful ... http://www.moderndaydads.com/2009/12/29/the-art-of-communication/ The wife, kids and I are driving the four hours into Houston to spend the Holiday with my two brothers, their families, and my mom. Three generations, nine adults, seven children, one dog, and a partridge in a pear tree! I wish everyone the very best this Christmas and throughout the holiday ... http://www.moderndaydads.com/2009/12/24/merry-christmas-to-dads-and-their-families-everywhere/ Yesterday, my son asked to go pee-pee before his "big-boy" drawers were wet - four times! I've definitely got hopes for a dry Christmas. Malik Sharrieff http://www.moderndaydads.com/2009/12/22/adventures-in-potty-training-a-new-hope/ Bringing up two boys that are pretty close in age, I try to make sure there are plenty of opportunities for them to play together, interact and cooperate with each other, but sometimes (as big brothers will) my eldest will do some really bothersome things to his little brother. When I ... http://www.moderndaydads.com/2009/12/17/what-goes-around/ Today was a very stressful day. And almost none of that stress had anything to do with caring for my two boys. However, as you know, I have been diligently trying to potty train my eldest son (now 2 1/2 years old). Since my last post I have tried to implement ... http://www.moderndaydads.com/2009/12/15/adventures-in-potty-training-update/ No adult I know likes to repeat themselves when attempting to communicate an idea to someone. In fact, when my almost-three-year-old makes a sincere attempt to communicate with me but all I receive is semi-intelligible babble, even he gets frustrated after the third or fourth attempt. Yet despite the apparent ... http://www.moderndaydads.com/2009/12/08/the-power-of-repetition/ Happy Thanksgiving everyone! Since my last post, I’ve had the chance to go back and re-read it. Well, it occurred to me that it might have had a bit of a negative tone. Actually, earlier that day, I had spent a good deal of time trying to explain the importance of ... http://www.moderndaydads.com/2009/11/27/talking-versus-communication-part-2/ There was a time when I thought that talking and communicating were close enough to be considered the same. Having children knocks that concept right out of the park. My older son has a fairly large-ish vocabulary for his age and never misses an opportunity to make use of it. Blah, ... http://www.moderndaydads.com/2009/11/24/talking-versus-communicating/