Daddy-Daughter Date #41 – Chuck E. Cheese

Time: 1-2 hours
Cost: $
Recurrence: Once or twice a year
Age: 2-10
Impact:

There’s probably going to be some big hubbub about me referencing the actual establishment’s name, but I see it as free advertising for them.  And with ALL the readers I have out there, I think they’re the winners in the end, really.

“We’ll take it” – CEC Entertainment, Inc

Chuck E. Cheese is another iconic kid destination that even single people or older couples understand is strictly a kids restaurant.  There is no other way around it.  It’s all fun and games, even when someone gets hurt.  No….not really.  But where else can you find that many games for kids and adults and still get some place to put your stuff down and eat?

A few comments on the food.  It’s not that great.  If you can, I would suggest eating ahead of time.  The pizzas are an absolute miracle within a culture that has seemingly tried to improve this dish in so many ways.  It’s actually found a way to made it worse, yet still charge a premium.  That’s brand loyalty and recognition, my friends.  If you want to have authentic Chuck E. Cheese pizza, you can make it at home.  Take a tortilla and leave it out on the counter for 2 days.  After it’s good and stale, take a ketchup packet and spread it evenly across the surface of your tortilla.  To top it off, find the most off-brand mozzarella flavored gum-based product and make a fine coating upon your ketchup.  Microwave for thirty second and viola: a $16 pizza.  I’m not a huge eater, but I could eat two of these on my own.  And the salad bar isn’t going to be much a smorgasbord either.  If you like a lot of different colors in your salad, you’re not going to get it as most of the vegetables are just a slight hue off of white, from the lettuce to the tomatoes and the carrots.  So, try and minimize the damage and the recurrent hunger pains and eat something to fill you up before you go.  Oh, you’ll still get the pizza for your daughter, but she likes that stuff.

Relevant meme is relevant

On to the games.  I would chat with your daughter ahead of time as to the whole “ticket” scam.  You play one game of skee ball and out come a few tickets.  She then runs the tickets over to the Prize Table only to have you talk her through how many tickets she needs to get some of the prizes.  In some cases, it’s going to take a few months worth of skee ball.  A good route would be to talk through what she really wants to “win”, if there is anything at all.  If there isn’t, AWESOME!  But when she does want to win something, do some quick math with her to talk through how she is going to earn it.  She might have to pony up some of her own money to get her to that stuffed Chuck E. Cheese.  Work it out ahead of time, and that will save you all the tantrums in the world.

But play some of the actual video games with her too.  Most likely, she’s going to need your help to pull some of them off.   Sure, she could play on her own, but playing a Big Buck Hunter or motorcycle game with Dad helping out is so much fun to her.  If she’s big enough, play a little air hockey and compete a bit.  If she gets frustrated, don’t make it a big deal, just move on to the next game.  And who gets too irritated playing air hockey?  Remember, this isn’t college, so you don’t need to bring that intensity.  Visually and verbally taunting your daughter after your win is probably poor tact, even in an establishment with as snooty of an air as Chuck E. Cheese.  That was sarcasm.

Exactly.

Lastly, don’t forget the big mouse himself and his band of animatronic friends.  Weird, yes, but not to a kid.  When that teenager dressed up as Chuck E. comes out of those doors, just suspend the believe for a bit and let your daughter high five it up.  Yes, that costume has not been washed since 1998 and is probably crawling with some form of bird lice, but she’s excited to see that character in uniform.  Unless there is a birthday party taking up the whole area, sit down for a few minutes from the action to watch the robots in action.  The music isn’t the best, but that’s another thing they haven’t changed since 1998.

You have to admit that there are far too many similarities with these guys….

When you’re done with the tokens, you’re done.  That’s the best way to leave on a good note and with as little push back as possible.  The whole thing is an absolute sensory overload with the lights, food, games, screaming kids, and music.  Your daughter is probably going to be ready for break to.  So when she says, “Dad, can we go?” GO.  Leave on that high note that way she’ll want to come back with you.  And if she wants to come back to THAT, it’s not about that place, it’s about YOU.

DID IT! with David B.

“Chuck E. Cheese is just one of those dates that just has to be done.  But then, you’ve got to lose her while you’re in there!  It was crazy.  She doesn’t remember now; she was only three.  I was scared to death.  

We’re going down to see Micheal (her brother) for the first time because he was born in the hospital.  So we went to Chuck E. Cheese for dinner, and I LOST HER. IN CHUCK E. CHEESE.  For like, 15 to 20 minutes, I could not find her. It was not a good moment!  I mean, it’s totally a fun idea, but not the way I did it.

It’s funny because we had a great time, but that’s all I can remember.  Like I said, she doesn’t remember and her memories of Chuck E. Cheese are all of games and prizes.  So I guess I didn’t screw up too bad.”

Thanks for reading and thanks for being a dad…

-Scott-

Happy Mother’s Day from Daddy-Daughter Dates!

At the Daddy-Daughter Dates blog, we’re celebrating Mother’s Day.  We’re celebrating it with vim, gusto, and panache.  It might confuse you for me to suddenly be flipping to a non-dad or daughter topic.  “But Scott, why talk about Mother’s Day?  It’s a dad blog!”, you might say.  A very simple reason: you’re only a dad because of a mother out there.

Seriously, bro?

Okay, I know it sounds a bit hokey, but the fact of the matter is that you’re only on this Earth because of your mother.  Whether she was a staple in your family and the standard matriarch persona, or you never even met her.  Maybe you and your mom haven’t talked in years because of stupid human nature or maybe you talk with her every week.  As I’m typing this, my mom is visiting us for a few days and sleeping on the couch in the basement.  Sure, she gets on my nerves from time to time, but I couldn’t be here without her.  That’s something to celebrate.  That’s SOMEONE to celebrate.

Do something to celebrate your mom today.  It could be a card, flowers, or just a phone call.  It could be putting a rose at her grave site.  Or if you never met your mom or don’t speak to her, it could be taking two seconds to be thankful for becoming the person that you are today.

She always wondered why you got picked on…you never told her the reason was her.

Which leads me to another person to celebrate: the mom of your daughter.  My wife is currently sitting 3 feet from me and has no idea of the flowers I have for her hidden on the side of the garage or the card and box of Swedish Fish (one of her favorites).  Sure, I could do more, but this is going to speak to her about my love for her.  The girls already made cards for her with a multitude of Crayola goodness.  She’s the mother of my children; I need to celebrate her on Mother’s Day.

Again, it may not be so easy for you.  The mother of your daughter might be someone you’ve grown far apart from, even hating, or someone who simply ran off on your little princess.  If that’s the case, still celebrate the gift she gave you.  You’re a dad, and a hell of a good one too.  You wouldn’t be that without the woman that gave birth to your daughter, regardless of how you feel about her.  So wherever you’re at with her, still celebrate her in some way.  Maybe you call her just to say “thanks”; not “I forgive you” or “I want you back”.  A simple “I love being a dad, and regardless of what happened between us, I have you to thank.”.  Think about the example that shows your daughter.

That’s the scene you’re looking for….minus the photoshopping

Speaking of which, you should celebrate your daughter.  There is a high chance that she might be a mother some day.  Hopefully it’s not before she graduates high school, but let’s not think like that right now.  Or she might already be a mom.  Regardless, this is a time to show her that moms are respected for all the hard work they do.  As with anything you do, consciously or unconsciously, she’s watching.  If on Mother’s Day, you thank the women in your life, she’ll feel secure knowing that if she makes that choice someday, her dad will show her that same respect.

FAIL. I mean, really? Really Society? REALLY?

Tell someone “Happy Mother’s Day” today.  Thanks for supporting them and thanks for being a dad…

-Scott-

p.s. – Happy Mother’s Day to my wife, my mom, my grandmother, and to all you amazing ladies that sacrifice for your kids.

Rock it out

I’ll admit that I was pulled in by the video of a dad singing Bohemian Rhapsody with his kids on the way to school.  I just love how the dad starts a tradition with his kids, especially with his daughters, just showing them how to have a good time.  It’s just a ride to school, after all.  But I’ll bet you that’s one awesome ride to school.  C’mon, growing up, you would have thought that was awesome until the age of 13.  Then it would just embarrassed you.

No...THIS would embarrass you

The video did make me step back and pause, though.  What sort of traditions am I making with my kids?  We often think about Christmas traditions, 4th of July, or the last day of school for doing something special, every year.  But did you think about on the way to school?  How about on Sundays?  What about before every baseball game?

I recently chatted with a co-worker that was reviewing the blog and she mentioned that her dad was a shining example of an engaged dad.  His tradition?  Every softball game of hers, he was there and watching, and afterward he’d take her out for Wendy’s.  Look, Wendy’s isn’t the most amazing food (I’m asking for arguments, right there), but it’s not about the food.  It’s about that dad investing the time with his daughter.  He built her confidence up bit by bit, by every game he was at and every Wendy’s meal he bought.  That’s a good tradition.

Way better than "Butterfly Kisses"

So what’s your tradition with your daughter?  Is it a Daddy-Daughter Date?  Is it watching her softball games?  Is it a ride to school?  Whatever it is, it might be something so simple and so basic, yet it’s building that confidence, brick by brick, by you being that engaged dad.  Don’t have a tradition?  Look around on the blog; you’ll find something.

Dads rock. Enough said.

Thanks for being a dad….

-Scott-

Daddy-Daughter Date #20: Grocery Shop

Time: 1-2 hours
Cost: Your grocery budget
Recurrence: weekly
Age: infant – 12
Impact: =)

Grocery shopping may not seem too much like a Daddy Daughter Date, but we’ve already seen a few dates on this blog that are day to day activities that can be turned in to a special time for dads and their daughters.  Chances are, you probably need some groceries at some point.  Chances are that she would be willing to go along with you.  Both of you may even earn brownie points with mom by taking care of the shopping and giving her a little bit of break from child-care (unless you have multiples).  Grab your list, a few reusable grocery bags, and your daughter to go do some shopping.

She's got a Groupon for those Cocoa Pebbles

Your daughter’s age is going to make a big difference in your experience here.  I think taking an infant is a fine thing as a date, as you can still talk to her and interact with her as you’re shopping.  As the age levels go up, your daughter can take more and more responsibility during the shopping trip.  The critical element is having a game plan ahead of time WITH your daughter before you enter the store.  If it’s her first time there, walk through the rules of the grocery store (no running, shouting, or GRABBING ANYTHING Dad DOESN’T TELL YOU TO, etc).  If it’s not her first time, still walk through your expectations for her in the store (see above).

"Lisa, where are you honey?"

Plan out how your daughter is going to help.  Obviously, you want to gauge your daughter’s sense of responsibility first.  Maybe she’s just going to push the cart, maybe she’ll be finding different foods in a different aisle.  If your daughter is the appropriate age, going an aisle or two over with a specific item to find is a good self-esteem builder, but it should be something she has seen before and knows how to locate easily.  Don’t ask her to find a new version of the crunchy peanut butter with 50% reduced fat, no sodium, and gives 5% back to the rain forests.

While inside the store, talk through the choices you’re making.  Show her how you buy on value or buy on quality.  Your daughter, even at a young age, will be able to understand differences.  She knows when you have an haven’t shaved, correct?  She’ll be able to pick up why you’re buying whole grain bread versus regular wheat.  Talk about prices and have a calculator to keep a running total BEFORE you get to the counter.  That is an amazing way for her to learn about money and sticking to your budgeted amount for groceries.  She’ll learn to make choices with her money, when the time comes.  Once you get to the checkout line, have your daughter see how close you came.

"Why did you spend $40 on Cocoa Pebbles? I thought you had a Groupon..."

At the end of the trip, make sure to have a few bags or items light enough that she can carry.  This helps her realize that she’s part of the team and can make a contribution.  It might be just a grocery run, but she’ll see it as a time with Dad where she felt needed.

DID IT! with Adam from Fodder4Fathers
“My wife and I both work, but every weekend, my daughter and I go shopping.  So, it just me walking down the aisles with my daughter.   So I’m walking with the cart, but she’s right in front of me, so no one can actually see her.  Often times, it will look a ghost is just pushing the cart, because I’m walking behind it, she’s pushing it, but I don’t have my hands on it.  I’ll get strange looks because I’m throwing things in the cart, and she’s banging in to stuff and the carts going all over.

My favorite part of that is just watching the eyes of all the moms, just staring, like, “Why doesn’t my husband do that?”  People that are from older generations just watch you and say, “You’re doing such and amazing job!”, but I’m like “How is this any different from a mom doing something like this?” “

“Dads and daughters have a different relationship than boys.  That one on one time is really the only way to get her over Mommy-itis.  Like, if it’s the three of us together, it’s almost impossible to get my daughter’s full attention.  Being a dad has totally changed my life.  My life is still about me, but now I get so much joy from doing things from her. I’m the one that wakes her up the morning; I’m the one that takes her to daycare; I’m the one singing kid songs out loud, when no one else can see her in the back seat.  I’m the one that makes her dinner.  Being a dad, it’s just a great joy, especially with a daughter.  “ Adam @Fodder4Fathers

Thanks for being a dad….

-Scott-

How do you sacrifice for your daughter?

What kind of sacrifice do you make for your daughter?  Okay, that’s heavy, I know, but just stay with me here.  Some dads will ultimately identify their work as their sacrifice for their daughters.  Sure, you could say “family” here in place of daughters, but some of my readers are single dads just making it work on his own.  I think it’s safe to say that every man sacrifices, at some point, for the ones he loves.

We sacrifice willingly.  As dads, we wake up every morning feeling the responsibility of each and every member under his house.  He feels the needs to forgo his own enjoyment to direct, decide, protect, and provide.  He has great power, and with it, great responsibility.  I think Uncle Ben said that once.  Right before he got a cap popped in him.  Hmm.

Why do I discuss sacrifice?  Because I’ve seen it, first hand, what a dad is willing to persevere for his daughter.  I’ve seen a dad faced with mountain that he decided to climb, rock by rock, cliff by cliff, for his darling child.  I’ve seen it first-hand.

I now present you with that dad

So Homeskillet here probably is a CPA or a Director of Marketing somewhere and has been planning this trip to Disney for 8 months.  He’s got it in his mind which parks to go to and what they’re going to see.  He probably paid through the teeth to get the last rental car available and unfortunately found out that EVERYONE ELSE had the same idea, so he fought 2 hours of crowds just to get in the park.  And when he did, he got to carry the magic wands…..that he just paid $24 for….each.

Really, the man is probably dropping at least $6k on the trip and going to be waiting 50 minutes in line to snap a photo of his daughters with a college student dressed as Pocahontas.  The hours he toils away at his desk, preparing numbers for his boss or getting yelled at by customers, is being converted in to revenue for an already rich franchise.

OOOOOOOOO!!!!

And it is worth every penny.  Maybe it’s not princess dresses or Dora coloring books.  Maybe it’s 4 a.m. practices that you run her to.  Maybe it’s sitting through 13 years of screechy violin concerts.  Maybe it’s moving her in to her third apartment in 4 months after her latest breakup.  Dads do that.  Dads lay it on the line and do it with a smile.  She’s worth it and you’re communicating that to her in one of the only way dudes know how: by being there.  And just when you don’t think you can give any more to her or sacrifice any more, you do:

Dad Level: 99

So, how do you sacrifice for you daughter?  Whatever you do, thanks for being a dad….

-Scott-

Seeking dads approval

One of my guilty pleasures in life is watching The Biggest Loser.  Yes, I admit it fully.  For whatever weird reason, I get a kick out of people turning their lives around and start new.  Imagine that.  Outside the normal “I’m overweight because of a sports injury” or the “I’m a mom that has given everything to everyone else”, there is the occasional story that makes you stop and think.

As in, what were they thinking adding Anna Kournikova?

This season, Emily, brought to the table some stuff that hits close to home.  She was an Olympic athlete (not unheard of), she walked away from the sport (not unheard of), and has since never felt the approval of her father *record scratch*

Yeah, her story might have talked about how she used to be an athlete, but when you watched her in the episode where she went back home, it was all about her trying to gain her dad’s approval.  He was her coach, you see, so he had expectations for her.  As she tried to make sense of her emotions, she said, “I just want my dad to be proud of me.”.  She’s 29 years old.  She’s still not confident in her own skin because her dad never told her she could be.

Might need a spotter

Doesn’t that bug you a bit, boys?  Your daughter, whether she’s 3 or 30, should know that her dad has her back.  Does she?  Stop yourself before you answer too quickly.  Is it only when she achieves that you give her praise?  Is it when she scores the goal or she hustles?  Is it when she has 100% on the exam or when she does her chores without being asked to?

Look, it’s tough as a dad.  We’re wired as hunters and brought up to achieve.  We climb invisible ladders in our day jobs, trying to bust through glass ceilings, and pay for that mansion that just keeps up with the Joneses.  We leap like kangaroos when our team drains the 3 the buzzer and hang our heads if our team was just shattered.  But our daughter doesn’t have to feel that conditional love from you.

Time to be there for her.

Are you un-conditional with your love?  Does she know that?  If you’re looking for the words to explain it, simply try this:

You: Honey, do you know why I love you?

Her: Why?

You: Because I’m your dad.  Am I always going to be your dad?

Her: Yes.

You: And that’s why I’ll always love you.  

Then just back it up by truly loving her when she walks, not runs, down the court.  When her test comes back with a 62% on it.  When her hair is knotted and her room is a mess.  Show her that unconditional love.  Love her when she doesn’t think you do.  She, just like everyone else in this world, is looking for that unconditional approval.  If she doesn’t find it from you, she’ll find it somewhere else.  If THAT doesn’t wake you up, check your pulse.

You have the opportunity to raise a strong, confident woman.  All it takes is your dedication and love.  Don’t raise a grown woman looking for her father’s approval.  Raise one that knows just how unconditionally loving her father is.

Thanks for reading and thanks for being a dad….

-Scott-

Daddy-Daughter Date #37 – Rock Concert

Time: 3 – 4 hours
Cost:  $$$
Recurrence:  Once a year
Age: 14-25
Impact: =D

As your daughter ages, her tastes are going to change and like you at this age, she going to want to go to an extremely loud and wild rock concert.  This idea might make you be feeling pride (“my rocker-girl is all grown up”) or might have you feeling chest pains.  Either way, the rock concert date is going to test your metal (total pun intended) as a parent and also as chaperone.  I say chaperone in that you very well might have a portion of this date fending off would-be suitors.  Remember, its a Daddy-Daughter Date and that means it’s you and her – that’s it.  I’m going to level with you: this is a hard date to pull off because of the age and event.  But, you can still do it.  If you’ve really put yourself out there and legitimately shown that you’re interested in this time with her, you might just get the opportunity to go with her.  Let’s talk through how not to blow it.

BIG DISCLAIMER: Don’t argue about how your music from your generation was better than hers.  I didn’t think you were going to go this route, but I really needed to get that out.  Let’s face it.  The groups you liked have now released a second set of their greatest hits, which were the ones that weren’t even hits to begin with.  Most of the original band members have moved on (sometimes to the OTHER SIDE), so the fact of the matter is, your music is probably moot to her.  On the off-shot chance you’re going to see a band that you remember and she likes, well, lucky you!

I.E. Don't be this guy.

The first task you have is deciding whether this is going to be a single concert or a concert series.  I’d suggest for your sanity sake, to avoid the Lollapalooza or the Warped Tour this time, and just focus on something somewhat local that is a single concert.  If this is her first one, its going to be an absolute overload on the senses, so going all out probably wouldn’t be the best bet.  Unless she’s in her later twenties and can handle a few days hanging with just you and a bunch of mud people; to each her own, I guess.  Once you decide on the venue and the actual concert, use whatever your favorite method for procuring tickets.  Yes, you could wait in line or start pounding a website at 3 a.m., plan on getting tickets off Craigslist or from a scalper, or just go the standard route and pay TicketMaster face value.  As with all tickets, where you sit is going to determine how much you pay.  And as with any rock concert, it’s going to be loud in a lot of places.  Being close isn’t always the best.

Yup, that's pretty far back

As you’re prepping for the concert, think of some needed equipment.  Ear plugs, for instance, are an absolute essential.  Unless you’re already sporting the hearing aid, which in that case, just unplug those babies for the evening.  But in all honesty, you want your daughter to keep her hearing (man do I sound old) and they make so many options for ear plugs that allow you to hear the music, but not burst an ear drum.  Both of you should have a phone, just in case you get separated, and work out where to meet BEFORE entering the venue.

Once in, find your seats, but don’t be expecting to sit in them long.  I’d plan on standing the entire concert, given that most people do.  You might be able to sit during the opening act, which could be ANYTHING, fyi.  You could be watching a lesser known band, a comedian, or a juggler on a unicycle.  Aren’t you glad you paid top dollar?  I’d save all your enthusiasm for the main act.  If this is someone you’re pumped to see, that won’t be hard, but if it’s a band she likes, it might be.

Another fine point: you should know the music you’re about to hear for a couple of different reasons.  #1, just to connect with your daughter and be inside her world.  #2, to be cognizant of the message that’s within side that song as lyrics can be quite deep, artistic, or in some cases down right scary.  #3, to know what you just got yourself in to.  Going back to point #2, you need to be sure the lyrics are appropriate for her age and you’re going to have to be willing to talk through some of that dark prose with her.  She is a complicated creature, just like her dad, so be ready to discuss that message.  At this age, she does understand the deeper root of those lyrics.

And she wants you to sing along with them.

Do not be surprised if you’re identifying the smell of a certain medical supplement that gets smoked.  You’re at a concert.  This shouldn’t be that hard to figure out.  But again, part of this date is about spending one on one time with your daughter and part of it is showing her how to have a good time without making detrimental choices.  If your daughter is following this band, she’s also following the sub-culture attached to it.  She’ll have some of the same interests and thoughts as the group-think that follows wherever the pack leads.  You have a chance to show her another path.

It might be tougher for a few of you....

At the end of the concert, think about getting a concert shirt.  Sure, you could have bought one online, but it’s part of the souvenir, really.  Every time she puts on that shirt, she’ll be remembering her dad right next to her.  Fifteen years later, when she pulls it out of a closet for something to do yard work in, she’ll remember again.  That’s an amazing legacy to leave.

Super-Dad Tip: If you know anyone in the band, it’d be cool to get an autograph.  Just saying.

DID IT! by Brian B.

“My older daughter and I, we do a lot of concerts.  So, like, she and I went and saw John Mayer in February.  She’s been to more concerts, like, under the age of 12 than I went to than when I was through the age of twenty.  “

“And they actually hang out with me at the concerts.  We haven’t seen any heavy metal bands, but bands like Train, Counting Crows, Goo-Goo Dolls.  We went to Summerfest two times this year.  My daughter is even starting to collec ticket stubs.  She won’t let me buy electronic tickets to concerts.  She wants the physical copy, so she can put them all on her board.  It’s silly, but I think it’s really neat, because it says something.  “

“The bigger thing is not a huge week-long activities like a vacation, that make the difference.  It’s little “aha” moments with her that you just say, “That was really cool”.  The concerts are great like that.  My daughter is like, “Huh.  My dad’s not such a jerk.”  And we haven’t done a big week long family vacation out to the Grand Canyon or something, because we don’t have to.  We’re already connecting.”   

Thanks for being a dad….

-Scott-

Are we teaching our kids that Dad is not around?

I watching two DRASTICALLY different programs this weekend and maybe I’m making a mountain out of a molehill here, but I was so taken back by the drastic difference in how it was represented parenting, that I just though it was worthy of comment.  Yeah, maybe I’m reading in to this, but aren’t most blogs?

The first thing I watched was the movie Courageous.  What can I say?  It was moving.  It was about fatherhood at its very core and did NOT sugarcoat it.  It dealt with issues that far too many fathers have faced: angry teens, single parenting, even death (I won’t throw spoilers).  The whole film was driving home what you and I already know: Dads are critical and important.

See, dads are important as recliner fillers and having conversations with sweaty people.

The second program was the Cat in the Hat.  Yes, THAT Cat in the Hat.  PBS.  Now, you’re probably thinking, “Oh great, here we go.”, but hear me out.  Nick and Sally start off on an adventure with a 6 ½ foot tabby cat, with the only reference to the parents of “Mom, can we go to ________ with a  6 ½ foot tabby cat ________” Mom’s response, “Sure.”  Before we get to the obvious, I’ll suspend belief about the cartoonish nature of the show, but why doesn’t the mom care?  Where is the dad?  A kid watching this thinks, “Hey, Dads aren’t there on TV, so I shouldn’t be upset if mine isn’t either.”

If a Dad was present, THIS would never have been released

So, two very different representations of fatherhood.  Two very different views.  Yes, one was specifically designed to promote fatherhood and one is designed to teach kids about the world around them.  But shouldn’t their dad be a part of the world around them?  Should we not have to have a fatherhood movie being the only thing that shows kids that dads want to be involved?

A better question: does your daughter know you’re involved?  Does she get excited when she hears that you’re around?  Does she involve you with her world?

Rock on

Look, media wants to downplay dads.  Especially the important of dads of daughters.  But I know better.  Our daughters know better.  They have dads that are around.  They have dads that are involved.  That’s why no matter what the media shows, dads are getting involved and it should be celebrated.  If no one else will, I’ll do it.

Thanks for being a dad…

-Scott-

Going against the grain of news

Sure, there are ton of blogs commenting on the pistol packing papa, gunning down a defenseless laptop in cold blood.  I could go there and lay out my views on the whole thing, sure. BetaDad did it better, anyway.

Or maybe you were expecting me to give an intimate coverage of Bobby-Brown stepping in to comfort his daughter at her late mother’s funeral.  That’s do-able; plenty of commentary on my mind about that one too.

Quite possibly you’d like me to rebut my own post from last week, discussing the Grammys and how Adele’s Dad is SHOCKED that she doesn’t want to see him.  Barring the fact that he literally pulled what Bobby Boucher’s dad did in the Waterboy, I still could have written about that.

Probably makes you want to bust out the DVD, huh?

NOPE.  I’m covering what the readers want.  And the readers here are dudes.  They’re dudes from all walks of life, but they still hold some things in common.  They love their daughters.  They’re in to popular geek stuff.  They enjoy explosions and non-scripted action.

So, I’m bringing those interest together.  George Lucas.  He has a daughter.  She’s an MMA fighter.  I did not make this up, however it does fit with my target demographic at the blog. *score*

But there’s an underlying tale here.  Can your daughter step of the shadow you cast?  Some of us are pretty prominent in our jobs and communities.  Not me, but I’m sure some of you are.  Could you imagine being George Lucas’s kid?  Especially if you went in to film.  As you read the article, you can clearly see that she doesn’t want to be tied to Star Wars. She wants her own identity.

Relevant

Are you letting your daughter have her own identity?  If so, how do you encourage that?  It’s a shameless plug, but I do Daddy-Daughter Dates.  They give me an opportunity to learn about her so I can encourage those parts that make my daughter MY DAUGHTER.

I wonder if she knows she can get Cat Facts on her phone...

I’m not saying don’t pass down your legacy to your daughter.  That Daddy-Daughter Date can be used to teach her about you and your interests.  By giving a mutual respect to each other about what you’re in to, she’s going to feel more confident about being her own person, and not just _______’s daughter.  But if you were George Lucas, I’m sure  you let your daughter hop on your back like a TaunTaun.

Thanks for reading and thanks for being a dad…

-Scott-

A Valentine’s tweet

Don’t know if you heard about Ted Williams reading tweets and Kraft donating boxes of mac ‘n cheese for Valentine’s Day, but Daddy-Daughter Date ended up getting one of those silky smooth messages from the Golden Voice himself.

Come on….that was pretty cool.

Thanks for being a dad…

-Scott-