Dads as nurturers as well as providers

Pantagraph.com has an interesting article about the changing role of fathers, who are now often taking a much more active role in everything to do with their children:

Meet the new breed of father, the fully involved dad who doles out medicine as easily as dads in the ’60s handed down discipline. In 1965, 60 percent of all children lived in families with a breadwinner father and stay-at-home mom. Now only 30 percent do.

Male baby boomers broke the mold by picking up the diaper bag but Generation X dads, those between the ages of 26 and 40, are picking up the pace, signing school permission slips, running to piano lessons and stopping at the store on the way home. Web sites like www.dadlabs.com are trying to help, dishing out advice on everything from strollers to juice boxes.

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Multiple births put strain on parental relationships

It may not come as a huge surprise (particularly if you’ve been there) but a new survey finds that a large proportion of families who have had a multiple birth (twins, triplets or more) have found that it put significant strain on the relationship with their partner.

Tamba (The Twins and Multiple Births Association) found the following:

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It’s BBC Children in Need day

Here in the UK, it’s the BBC’s annual charity extravaganza raising money for Children in Need in the UK.

Every penny raised goes towards helping disadvantaged children in Britain.

Fundraising has been going on all week: tonight is the grand finalé, kicking off at 7pm on BBC1.

Join in and raise some money for a worthy cause.

BBC Children in Need

Jennifer Grant, Cary Grant’s only child, to write memoir of her father

Cary Grant’s only child, Jennifer Grant, is writing a memoir, the first time she has offered an in-depth look at her famous father.

“It’s going to be a loving portrait of this man who was sort of an amazing daddy. But as you’re reading it, you’re also saying, ‘This is Cary Grant!’” said Victoria Wilson, a vice president and senior editor at Alfred A. Knopf, which plans to publish the book, “Good Stuff,” in 2008 at the earliest.

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Do families without fathers suffer?

There’s an interesting post over at Sunday Catholic Weekly, which suggests that “A child needs both parents to have normal growth”.

That’s quite contentious, and could even be seen as insulting to those who are either forced or choose to be single parents, or are in same-sex partner relationships.

The article continues with some observations:

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Family history is a strong predictor of breast cancer risk

Women who have close relatives with breast cancer but who test negative for key genetic mutations associated with the disease are still at increased risk of developing breast cancer, researchers report.

The study found that even if tests fail to detect the breast cancer-linked BRCA1 and BRCA2 gene mutations in these women, they are still about three times more likely to develop breast cancer by age 50 than women in the general population.

These women should be regularly screened for breast cancer starting at ages 35 to 40, advised researchers at St. Mary’s Hospital in Manchester, United Kingdom.

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SportingBeds launches to get kids to sleep

SportingBeds.co.uk launched earlier this month in York (England), to provide unique, stylish, and practical high quality design in children’s bed furniture, including a range of beds and bedroom furniture for children who have a passion for sport.

Their newest bed is the ‘Original Football Boot Bed’ and is exclusive to SportingBeds.co.uk.

The company believes that children’s passions and hobbies feed their dreams and enable positive growth – it makes sense to bring those past times into bedrooms, and they offer high-quality furniture that will instantly turn bedrooms into a ‘totally cool’ environment.

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Marriage counselling advice given to spouses living with depressed partner

Marriage counseling expert Nancy Wasson has marriage advice for spouses living with a depressed partner: “Don’t wait until you hit the wall to take care of yourself!”

“If your spouse is depressed, it’s important to take good care of yourself in every way — physically, emotionally, socially and spiritually. You can’t afford to become consumed by your spouse’s depression or you’ll end up depressed, too,” says Dr. Wasson. Depression is one of the factors that sometimes leads to marriage separation and divorce.

Wasson stresses that the worst thing the partner who is providing the care giving and stability can do is to become isolated from others. She emphasises that it’s important to resist the urge to try to carry the burden of a mate’s depression all alone.

Instead, she says the partner needs to “Let your family and friends know how they can help you and let them know what challenges you are facing. Don’t let feelings of embarrassment or shame stop you from reaching out.”

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Rules When Exchanging Custody of Your Child

Sad though it is, there are many separated and divorced couples all over the world. It is a painful fact that teh estranged partners have to deal with. It is often worse for the children who are left with a situation commonly called a broken home.

It is unfair to the children to be deprived of their mother or father’s presence simply because the parents no longer get along. It actually stresses the children to suddenly find themselves deprived of a loving relationship with whichever parent does not have custody of their lives. This being the case, we as civilized people try to give our children time with their other parent.

Here are some ground rules for parents in this situation to keep conflict to a minimum and keep the peace between all of you.

1. No matter what your differences, treat each other with respect. Talk politely with each other. Avoid swearing, cursing or raising your voice. Your childwill appreciate it and it will be easier on both of you.
2. Make sure the schedule is clear. Give the other parent the benefit of knowing exactly what time the child or children will be picked up and what time they will be returned. This courtesy allows your ex to manage her schedule and your kids to be ready for your arrival.
3. When you pick up your child, stay out of your ex’s home. Pick them up at the door. Don’t strain your ex’s ability to be courteous. Just be glad that he or she is being agreeable.
4. Even if it’s a short visit with your kid, don’t hang out at your ex’s home. Take your kid out to to the park or for a quick meal. No lazing on the couch or rough housing on the floor.
5. Please bring your child back on time. In the opposite situation, you’d be panicking if your child soesn’t arrive when expected.

Most importantly, keep your child’s needs in mind. Your disagreements are between you and should not be made in front of your children. Allow your kids to enjoy having their loved ones near (no matter how your dislike your ex).