DADS and MOMS of Michigan eNewsletter
May 2008
DADS and MOMS of Michigan and Dads and Moms University are focused on delivering services to help families and are growing.
We educate over 200 families each month and growing with more than 20,000 constituents. By the end of 2008, we expect to have 40,000.
Dads and Moms of Michigan has grown its focus on education to expand education programs around the state. We meet monthly with the Board of DADS and MOMS University and recruited more staff to teach classes. We have partnered with some new groups. For information and to help, call 248-559-DADS (3237). Sign up for our eNewsletter at www.dadsofmichigan.org
Dads and Moms University Presents
DADS OF MICHIGAN FAMILY FORUM
BIRMINGHAM COMMUNITY HOUSE,
380 S BATES, BIRMINGHAM,MI 48009
June 3, 2008: 7:00 PM
GUEST SPEAKER: OAKLAND REFEREE SAHERA HOUSEY
| 7:00 - 7:30: |
Dads Presentation |
| 7:30 - 8:30: |
Topic, Candidate Forum |
| 8:30 - 9:30: |
LEGAL ROUNDTABLE |
| For information, call 248-559 DADS (3237) |
Dads & Moms University Launches Love and Logic
http://www.loveandlogic.com/
Dads and Moms University has launched Love and Logic to help parents focus on the welfare and best interest of the children. The 6 session program offers a certificate of completion and best in class instruction on how to get your children to do what you expect them to do. Call 248-559-3237 for more information.
Site, First Session Day/Time and Presenter
NORTH FARMINGTON HIGH SCHOOL
32900 West Thirteen Mile Road
Farmington Hills, Michigan
June 4, 2008
6pm-8pm
http://www.farmington.k12.mi.us/nfhs
Registration Fee for the Program
(Includes Materials and Workbook)
$80.00 per person
*Registration fee must be paid in advance of the start date
Fathers Day Picnic
| When: |
Saturday, June 14 12 noon – 5pm |
| Where: |
Licht Park in Warren, MI, 12 -½ Mile near Hoover Rd. |
| Cost: |
$5 per adult; $1 for 18 & under |
Special Celebrity Speaker!!!! Roger McFail
Join us in the park for:
- Food & Fun
- Games & Music
- volleyball, horseshoes, frisbee & more...
- arts & crafts + a playscape for the kids
- Honoring Ceremony for Dads!
Bring picnic food or a snack to share
Hot Dogs & other grill-friendly food,
plus non-alcoholic beverages, provided
(pets & alcoholic beverages not allowed at park)
Contact us if you have questions and RSVP to let us know you’re coming:
Hotline: 248-559-3237 or
Dave Jacobs: windsordetroit@mkp.org
http://www.dadsofmichigan.org/docs/FathersDayPicnic.doc
2008 Bike Trek to Washington, DC
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YyRxUYIjSfc&NR=1
http://cycling4children.typepad.com/cycling4childrencom/2008biketrek.html
The Equal Parenting Bike Trek is more than just an event that is gaining both traditional and new media coverage. It is an incredible and inspirational human interest story about the lengths fathers will go to say, "You Can Always Count on Daddy"!
How many of you have actually taken the brief 1-2 mins max to send an email to the Jeff Rense Program asking them to cover the 2008 Equal Parenting Bike Trek. Contact the Jeff Rense Program at webmaster@rense.com
Top Links
Detroit News Article on Shared Parenting
http://www.detnews.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20080519/METRO/805190370/1409/METRO
Daddy Blogger
http://daddy.typepad.com/daddyblog/2008/05/equal-parenting.html
Attorney Jeffrey Leving, Chicago
http://www.dadsrights.com/leving_res.html
Mom's relocation of 91 miles causes change in custody
http://jeannehannah.typepad.com/blog_jeanne_hannah_traver/2008/05/moms-relocati-1.html
All Pro Dads and IMOM
http://imom.com/index_home.php
http://www.allprodad.com/
What is the telltale sign your kids need encouragement? It’s a simple sign. If they are breathing. Kids crave praise from their fathers. When is the last time you sat down, looked your children in the eye, and told them why you’re proud of them? Don’t just assume they know. They won’t get it by osmosis. Tell them specifically. And tell them often. You have a lot of negative cultural messages to combat. Start the encouragement counter-attack tonight at dinner.
From the Trenches (JL)
- It is essential. They need affection, praise and support from a man. They need to be able to talk with a man...even when that means talking back. They need acceptance from a man. They need a sense of fairness, right and wrong from a man's perspective. They need consistency.
- You just need to be present a lot. That can mean on the phone with meaningless conversation. Or in the car with the radio off. You never know when that perfect lesson or special moment will just happen. Of course you must be present on the known special momments no matter what...birthdays, holidays etc. but also do your duties like a soccer mom.
- You just need to hit the big issues head on in a consistent clinical way according to your belief system: dress, make up, hours, chores, body image, physiology, anatomy, sex and religion. Prepare yourself, it is scary. You will sometimes miss the boat. Just do it or someone else will.
- Be strong, confident and capable...and responsible yourself. Hold her to that standard. Don't do it all for her...but monitor.
- Be accepting and forgiving and present like all important relationships. They are not fragile. But accept when they are vulnerable.
National Center on Fathering
How well do you know your child’s developmental needs? A recent study at the University of Rochester discovered that about one-third (31.2%) of parents of 9-month-olds are "clueless" about child development milestones, such as when babies talk, learn right from wrong, or can be potty trained. Some moms and dads have unrealistic expectations for their children’s physical, social or emotional growth, and become frustrated. Others underestimate those abilities and prevent them from learning on their own.
The researchers concluded that low-level knowledge of child development predicted two things in the parents: 1) they are less likely to enjoy healthy interactions with their infants during learning tasks, and 2) they are less likely to engage their children in regular enrichment activities. If we are more aware of our children's developmental needs and abilities, we'll be more motivated to encourage them in learning activities and more likely to enjoy that time together. Additionally, insight will bring confidence to our fathering. When we are aware of what our children really need, we can be confident that our actions are making a difference - building them up, encouraging them, helping them overcome difficulties, etc.
Whether your child is an infant, finishing kindergarten, entering the teen years or getting married, utilize insights on your child's development to your advantage - and his. Gain more insight about your child’s stage of development.
ACTION POINTS for Committed Parents
- Talk with your children’s mother about what new developments each of you is noticing in your child (regardless of age) - and ways you can get involved to help encourage, protect, etc.
- Find an opportunity during these last days of the school year to spend time on your child’s turf, maybe going on a field trip or bringing something he likes for lunch.
- If you have an infant, make sure your little one is very familiar with you as well - your face, your touch, your voice, etc.
- Are you expecting something of your child that she can’t handle? Or expecting too little of her? Get feedback from someone else who knows your child well.
- Listen carefully for small differences in your baby’s cries. Is he telling you he’s uncomfortable? Hungry? Tired?
Shared Parenting Survey
Detroit News Shared Parenting Survey http://info.detnews.com/redesign/forums/feedback/lettersindex.cfm?topic=Parenting&forum=newstalk
Grandparents Raising Grandchildren
Posted by: "Lary Holland"
laryholland@sbcglobal.net
frcmichigan
Wed May 28, 2008 10:37 am (PDT)
- Grand Parents Parenting
http://www.aarp.org/family/grandparenting/articles/aarp_radio_grandparents_parenting.html
- More than six million children - approximately 1 in 12 - are living in households headed by grandparents (4.5 million children) or other relatives (1.5 million children). In many of these homes, grandparents (approximately 2.4 million) and other relatives are taking on primary responsibility for the children's needs. Often they assume this
responsibility without either of the child's parents present in the home.
AARP State Fact Sheets October 2007
http://www.grandfactsheets.org/state_fact_sheets.cfm
Taking the information that they are already compiling, we can build a case that one-half of the grandparents are being denied, despite the rise in grand parents parenting, their access to children of divorce, separation, and custody households might be lessened. IE: Half the Grandparents find themselves excluded while the other half find themselves placed in a elevated role of having to raise the grand children because the children are held away from one half the family tree, placing the burden on one side.
Tune In and Take Action in Michigan
Get Off The Bench TalkShoe
Hosted by Bob Norton and Lary Holland
Sunday evenings at 8:00 pm
Wednesday evenings at 8:30 pm
To participate:
Dial: (724) 444-7444
Enter: 43507 # (Talkcast ID)
Enter: 1 # or your PIN
Join: http://www.talkshoe.com/talkshoe/web/userCreate1.jsp
Download: http://www.talkshoe.com/talkshoe/web/Downloads.jsp
Listen: http://www.talkshoe.com/talkshoe/web/tscmd/tc/43507
Show Archive: http://www.getyourjusticelive.com
ChildrenNeedBothParents TalkShoe
Hosted by Ron Smith and Rockin Robin Denison
Thursdays evenings at 9:00 pm
To participate:
Dial: (724) 444-7444
Enter: 53118 # (Talkcast ID)
Enter: 1 # or your PIN
Join: http://www.talkshoe.com/talkshoe/web/userCreate1.jsp
Download: http://www.talkshoe.com/talkshoe/web/Downloads.jsp
Listen: http://www.talkshoe.com/talkshoe/web/tscmd/tc/53118
Family Law Live with Richar' Farr
Live from Las Vegas Every Friday Night
6:00 pm PST / 9:00 pm EST
KLAV 1230am "The Talk Of Las Vegas"
Call In: 866-820-5528 / 702-731-1230
krights.net/content/view/5/6/
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Fax to: 248-559-5427
DADS Merchandise
http://www.dadsofmichigan.org/merchandise.html
Consider ordering some DADS merchandise for your favorite DAD this holiday season. Soon we will be adding MOMS merchandise. Sorry Moms, Stepparents and Grandparents, you are as important.
Dads and Moms of Michigan (www.dadsofmichigan.org) includes Dads of Michigan, Moms of Michigan, and Dads of Michigan PAC. These are volunteer responsible parenthood education organizations for fathers and mothers. They instruct on the importance of involved biological parents to the successful development of their children. Dads of Michigan PAC is an independent volunteer political advocacy group dedicated to legislation keeping both biological parents actively engaged in the lives of their children despite divorce and custody, in most instances. They believe men and women should be viewed equally under the law and their credo is: "fathers are responsible parents too...because the best parent is both parents." Dads of Michigan, the Michigan affiliate of the American Coalition for Fathers and Children, is also the developer of the Dads and Moms University of responsible education for teenage, divorced, and unmarried parents. This educational program employs several features to either directly or indirectly benefit nearly 2 million men, women, and grandparents and just under one-half million children each year in Michigan. For more information, please contact us at (248) 559-DADS (3237) or email info@dadsofmichigan.org.
DADS and MOMS of Michigan Code of Ethics and Business Conduct.
"Fathers are responsible parents too...because the best parent is both parents"
