Parenting as a Christian Single Dad

A couple of days ago I was reading a book on how to focus on continuous improvement in ones' life. I came across a story of an exceptional teacher who was teaching children to read at, what I thought, a very young age of 4. The material was extremely more complicated than most children books and their understanding of the story was impressive and they were able to reference what they learned and tie it to their lives. Needless to say it got me thinking, "Is there more that I can be doing to prepare Madalyn to read?" I decided that "NO" I am not going to get her phonics or some other program. I found some useful information on it at http://www.aap.org/publiced/br_read.htm How can I help my child learn to read? Reading books aloud is one of the best ways you can help your child learn to read. This can be fun for you, too. The more excitement you show when you read a book, the more your child will enjoy it. The most important thing to remember is to let your ch...

I must say that last week was one of the longest weeks I have had in a long time. Picked Madalyn up from daycare and on the board was "3 confirmed cases of chickenpox." Heck... I don't remember them and I thought one of her sisters already exposed her to them a couple years ago so I did not think much of it. Next day WHAM! She has the chickenpox and I didn't realize how bad until late Saturday night. Luckily I made it to the store before closing and picked up some lotion but the kid got them bad, real bad. I felt so sorry for her. I must say for being a dad that knew nothing we made it okay. Granted we did not sleep regular for about 4 days but we made it through. I was so proud of her, she listened and handled it very well. Of course she is at her moms now and feeling fine. It is kind of funny because it seems like I am the one that gets her when she is sick or has some virus. Mom usually has a reason she can't help out... Oh well it is good for me to...

Here is a quick update on the peanut butter recall news. I would also like to add that there is a lot of products on the market with peanut butter that are okay so check out the recall list... With everything we take a chance everyday. BLAKELY, GA. — The Food and Drug Administration amended its investigation report into the manufacturing conditions and practices at the Peanut Corporation of America’s Blakely facility and has alleged that managers shipped product that tested positive for Salmonella to customers before receiving the results of follow-up tests. On 10 separate occasions dating back to June of 2007, F.D.A. investigators found records showing that after the P.C.A. received test results showing a positive sample for Salmonella, the company would conduct a follow-up test, but ship product before the additional results were returned. The most recent event occurred on Aug. 11, 2008, when "creamy stabilized peanut butter" tested positive for Salmonella. The P.C.A. had ...

I got this email at work which normally I don't particularly care for but I can't get it out of my mind. Each time I think about it I just crack up. (Here's the reply the teacher received the following day) Dear Mrs. Jones, I wish to clarify that I am not now, nor have I ever been, an exotic dancer. I work at Home Depot and I told my daughter how hectic it was last week before the blizzard hit. I told her we sold out every single shovel we had, and then I found one more in the back room, and that several people were fighting over who would get it. Her picture doesn't show me dancing around a pole. It's supposed to depict me selling the last snow shovel we had at Home Depot. From now on I will remember to check her homework more thoroughly before she turns it in. Sincerely, Mrs.Smith

I can imagine everyone with kids and peanut butter lovers are all wondering if this Salmonella Typhimurium Outbreak is going to be put to rest soon. Good news is the source has been identified bad news is the recalls continue. PetSmart is even recalling dog biscuits... I thought dogs could eat anything. “WASHINGTON — The Food and Drug Administration confirmed yesterday that the Blakely, Ga., facility owned and operated by Peanut Corporation of America is at the center of the Salmonella Typhimurium outbreak that has sickened hundreds and been linked to at least five deaths. The agency said testing by a Connecticut Department of Health laboratory that identified the pathogen in an unopened container of King Nut peanut butter which was manufactured at the plant and the epidemiological investigation being conducted by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention led F.D.A. to confirm the Blakely plant as the source.” Source: FoodBusinessNews.net, January 22, 2009 You can find a current ...

With my recent approach to improving the quality of my and Madalyn's life I beginning to see where I am at fault with her upbringing and the mistakes I have made. In many situations she acts as I do which I find unacceptable. Yet I have been blinded to my behavior, until now that is. The more I change the more I hope to undo some of the things I have engrained in her. This week has been eventful, stressful, and very blessed. I am no longer going to go with the flow and let my circumstances direct my life but take control and let my decisions create my own destiny.

After a very quiet weekend I have realized again that I seem to focusing on the things that I don't have rather than what I do have. No wonder I always feel empty, I am looking for a quick fix to feel better or different about myself, getting more money, finding a wife, and I lose focus. I get stressed and frustrated because the progress isn't there, I feel I am working hard to achieve goals without seeing any reward. If I am not destined to be rich why should I continue to spend time in pursuit? There should be other things out there that if I were to do at least I would get enjoyment and fulfillment from them. Today I want to refocus my efforts and try to implement some discipline into my life. No more instant gratification, no more wanting, and no more moping about because I am lonely! I have let my relationship with God suffer and I constantly feel empty in this relationship and it is because my eyes are on me, not Him. This is not how I want Madalyn to grow up and re...