The Worlds Greatest Dad

You are in the final round of your favorite game show. The category is "Fatherhood". All that stands between you and the grand prize is the answer to this question: "Describe the World's Greatest Dad. He would ?"

Each spring, I play this game with the students in my class as we brainstorm ideas for poems, cards and gifts for Father's Day. Regardless of the age of my students, out of the hundreds of answers I have amassed, they all remain quite similar. What do they say? What would your kids say? What is that special ingredient that turns a father into a special Dad? The results might surprise you ?

Healthy ?

The World's Greatest Dad in most cases is tall and strong, but more importantly, very healthy:

? He would not smoke.
? He would be active and always have lots of energy.
? He would take us for hikes, walks, bike rides, and play sports with me.
? He would eat supper faster so he could come outside and play.

Wealthy? ?

While variations on, "He would be rich and buy me things," inevitably make the list each year, it is one of the least popular responses. The top answer does involve spending, but it is time rather than money. Here are some popular responses about spending more quality time with Dad:

? He would take me fishing, hunting, to sporting events, or to the park.
? He would help with my homework.
? He would read with me and tuck me into bed at night.
? He would want to spend time with me."

? and Wise

In The News:

table border=0 width= valign=top cellpadding=2 cellspacing=7trtd valign=top class=jfont style=font-size:85%;font-family:arial,sans-serifbrdiv style=padding-top:0.8em;img alt= height=1 width=1/divdiv class=lha href=http://www.citywebshopper.net/articles/includes/redirect.php?url=http://www.marketwatch.com/news/story/metlife-foundation-begins-new-phase/story.aspx%3Fguid%3D%257BC8300070-5CEC-47DB-8D97-33BC10E99621%257D%26dist%3Dhpprcid=1257270991ei=3GbzSOm1HqiY6AO5ich8usg=AFQjCNHSCL-b2bqi-Y3XdYSHWyGgyQwg0gMetLife Foundation Begins new Phase of Award-Winning bParenting/b b.../b/abrfont size=-1font color=#6f6f6fMarketWatchnbsp;-/font nobr2 hours ago/nobr/fontbrfont size=-1NEW YORK, Oct 13, 2008 /PRNewswire via COMTEX/ -- MetLife Foundation will begin the next phase of its award-winning bparenting/b skills campaign, b.../b/font/div/font/td/tr/table
table border=0 width= valign=top cellpadding=2 cellspacing=7trtd valign=top class=jfont style=font-size:85%;font-family:arial,sans-serifbrdiv style=padding-top:0.8em;img alt= height=1 width=1/divdiv class=lha href=http://www.citywebshopper.net/articles/includes/redirect.php?url=http://www.jamaica-gleaner.com/gleaner/20081013/lead/lead5.htmlcid=1257161090ei=3GbzSOm1HqiY6AO5ich8usg=AFQjCNF-H2AtGQsyDSMqQBu_SeK7NegwZAbParenting/b under the law/abrfont size=-1font color=#6f6f6fJamaica Gleaner,nbsp;Jamaicanbsp;-/font nobr10 hours ago/nobr/fontbrfont size=-1Under the law, bparents/b and guardians have particular obligations relating to the safety of children which should not be ignored. b.../b/font/div/font/td/tr/table
table border=0 width= valign=top cellpadding=2 cellspacing=7trtd width=80 align=center valign=topfont style=font-size:85%;font-family:arial,sans-serifa href=http://www.citywebshopper.net/articles/includes/redirect.php?url=http://www.themedguru.com/articles/parenting_kids_to_health_and_happiness-86113965.htmlcid=1256754914ei=3GbzSOm1HqiY6AO5ich8usg=AFQjCNGyVI6tnyNquxkEPp2GKREDyDGRswimg src=http://news.google.com/news?imgefp=td-9an55dX8Jimgurl=www.themedguru.com/files/parenting.jpg width=80 height=53 alt= border=1brfont size=-2TheMedGuru/font/a/font/tdtd valign=top class=jfont style=font-size:85%;font-family:arial,sans-serifbrdiv style=padding-top:0.8em;img alt= height=1 width=1/divdiv class=lha href=http://www.citywebshopper.net/articles/includes/redirect.php?url=http://www.themedguru.com/articles/parenting_kids_to_health_and_happiness-86113965.htmlcid=1256754914ei=3GbzSOm1HqiY6AO5ich8usg=AFQjCNGyVI6tnyNquxkEPp2GKREDyDGRswbParenting/b kids to health and happiness/abrfont size=-1font color=#6f6f6fTheMedGuru,nbsp;Indianbsp;-/font nobr23 hours ago/nobr/fontbrfont size=-1According to a recent survey, children’s health is significantly related to household income as well as the bparents/b’ education level. b.../b/font/div/font/td/tr/table
table border=0 width= valign=top cellpadding=2 cellspacing=7trtd valign=top class=jfont style=font-size:85%;font-family:arial,sans-serifbrdiv style=padding-top:0.8em;img alt= height=1 width=1/divdiv class=lha href=http://www.citywebshopper.net/articles/includes/redirect.php?url=http://www.wickedlocal.com/chatham/homepage/x282366828/Parenting-classes-offeredcid=0ei=3GbzSOm1HqiY6AO5ich8usg=AFQjCNGJWAIFi7Na8oePbqVtTDUKWsOaWQbParenting/b classes offered/abrfont size=-1font color=#6f6f6fWicked Local Chatham,nbsp;MAnbsp;-/font nobr3 hours ago/nobr/fontbrfont size=-1The six-week bparenting/b series facilitated by Cindy Horgan provides bparents/b skills to help them with some of the challenges that can make bparenting/b difficult b.../b/font/div/font/td/tr/table
table border=0 width= valign=top cellpadding=2 cellspacing=7trtd width=80 align=center valign=topfont style=font-size:85%;font-family:arial,sans-serifa href=http://www.citywebshopper.net/articles/includes/redirect.php?url=http://www.examiner.com/x-577-Parenting-Examiner~y2008m10d13-Parenting-Tip-of-the-Day-Slow-Downcid=0ei=3GbzSOm1HqiY6AO5ich8usg=AFQjCNGBSoPsrJoWksi_SvPGtWVOK0YMoQimg src=http://news.google.com/news?imgefp=x9au2Jd9rWUJimgurl=www.examiner.com/images/blog/author/img212terreece_clarke_photo.jpg width=80 height=67 alt= border=1brfont size=-2Examiner.com/font/a/font/tdtd valign=top class=jfont style=font-size:85%;font-family:arial,sans-serifbrdiv style=padding-top:0.8em;img alt= height=1 width=1/divdiv class=lha href=http://www.citywebshopper.net/articles/includes/redirect.php?url=http://www.examiner.com/x-577-Parenting-Examiner~y2008m10d13-Parenting-Tip-of-the-Day-Slow-Downcid=0ei=3GbzSOm1HqiY6AO5ich8usg=AFQjCNGBSoPsrJoWksi_SvPGtWVOK0YMoQbParenting/b Tip of the Day: Slow Down/abrfont size=-1font color=#6f6f6fExaminer.comnbsp;-/font nobr58 minutes ago/nobr/fontbrfont size=-1by Terreece Clarke, bParenting/b Examiner It#39;s a rush, rush world. Families are running from school to activities, bparents/b are running from work to home or b.../b/font/div/font/td/tr/table
table border=0 width= valign=top cellpadding=2 cellspacing=7trtd valign=top class=jfont style=font-size:85%;font-family:arial,sans-serifbrdiv style=padding-top:0.8em;img alt= height=1 width=1/divdiv class=lha href=http://www.citywebshopper.net/articles/includes/redirect.php?url=http://www.pia.gov.ph/default.asp%3Fm%3D12%26r%3D%26y%3D%26mo%3D%26fi%3Dp081013.htm%26no%3D11cid=0ei=3GbzSOm1HqiY6AO5ich8usg=AFQjCNG-qabWYOy4beysG1DVb2HvU-vXoA300 couples train on responsible bparenting/b and natural family planning/abrfont size=-1font color=#6f6f6fPhilippine Information Agency,nbsp;Philippinesnbsp;-/font nobr10 hours ago/nobr/fontbrfont size=-1Cotabato City (13 October) -- Over 300 couples in 15 barangays in Cotabato City were trained of Responsible bParenting/b Movement (RPM) program of Commission b.../b/font/div/font/td/tr/table
table border=0 width= valign=top cellpadding=2 cellspacing=7trtd valign=top class=jfont style=font-size:85%;font-family:arial,sans-serifbrdiv style=padding-top:0.8em;img alt= height=1 width=1/divdiv class=lha href=http://www.citywebshopper.net/articles/includes/redirect.php?url=http://www.irishtimes.com/newspaper/frontpage/2008/1013/1223680465159.htmlcid=1257236958ei=3GbzSOm1HqiY6AO5ich8usg=AFQjCNF3V2BxQBKLY4oq0f7_X4nLf7X7xwGirls becoming more abusive and aggressive, say bparents/b/abrfont size=-1font color=#6f6f6fIrish Times,nbsp;Irelandnbsp;-/font nobr15 hours ago/nobr/fontbrfont size=-1bPARENTS/b ARE growing increasingly concerned about the abusive and aggressive behaviour of their daughters, an analysis of calls to a bparenting/b helpline has b.../b/fontbrfont size=-1a href=http://www.citywebshopper.net/articles/includes/redirect.php?url=http://www.herald.ie/national-news/teenage-girls--more-violent-in-the-home-1497357.htmlcid=1257236958ei=3GbzSOm1HqiY6AO5ich8usg=AFQjCNGs5bEcYXBBIHHkG_8kqbR5aLPAygTeenage girls more violent in the home/a font size=-1 color=#6f6f6fnobrHerald.ie/nobr/font/fontbrfont class=p size=-1a class=p href=http://news.google.com/news?sourceid=navclientie=ISO-8859-1rls=GGLG,GGLG:2005-22,GGLG:enncl=1257236958hl=ennobrall 2 news articles/nobr/a/font/div/font/td/tr/table
table border=0 width= valign=top cellpadding=2 cellspacing=7trtd valign=top class=jfont style=font-size:85%;font-family:arial,sans-serifbrdiv style=padding-top:0.8em;img alt= height=1 width=1/divdiv class=lha href=http://www.citywebshopper.net/articles/includes/redirect.php?url=http://savannahnow.com/node/592859cid=0ei=3GbzSOm1HqiY6AO5ich8usg=AFQjCNFb_37l74TtoEOXFN-VtN2pk56A1wbParenting/b Tip: Behavior problems at school/abrfont size=-1font color=#6f6f6fSavannah Morning News,nbsp;GAnbsp;-/font nobr11 hours ago/nobr/fontbrfont size=-1It is important for bparents/b to address the behavior problems early on. Some ways for bparents/b to tackle behavior problems include: Attend every school b.../b/font/div/font/td/tr/table
table border=0 width= valign=top cellpadding=2 cellspacing=7trtd valign=top class=jfont style=font-size:85%;font-family:arial,sans-serifbrdiv style=padding-top:0.8em;img alt= height=1 width=1/divdiv class=lha href=http://www.citywebshopper.net/articles/includes/redirect.php?url=http://voices.washingtonpost.com/checkup/2008/10/kids_sports_health.htmlcid=1257238159ei=3GbzSOm1HqiY6AO5ich8usg=AFQjCNEBZfZlrc22NszxSlf-kd5vfotGLAKids + Sports = Better Health/abrfont size=-1font color=#6f6f6fWashington Post,nbsp;United Statesnbsp;-/font nobr4 hours ago/nobr/fontbrfont size=-1Today#39;s On bParenting/b blog looks at the survey#39;s findings about the way sports#39; participation affects the family as a whole. You can read the whole report b.../b/fontbrfont size=-1a href=http://www.citywebshopper.net/articles/includes/redirect.php?url=http://voices.washingtonpost.com/parenting/2008/10/family_fitness.htmlcid=1257238159ei=3GbzSOm1HqiY6AO5ich8usg=AFQjCNHIjFNE03O2LxPP_cr-6z0bWocEjgSports Make for Happy Families/a font size=-1 color=#6f6f6fnobrWashington Post/nobr/font/fontbrfont class=p size=-1a class=p href=http://news.google.com/news?sourceid=navclientie=ISO-8859-1rls=GGLG,GGLG:2005-22,GGLG:enncl=1257238159hl=ennobrall 2 news articles/nobr/a/font/div/font/td/tr/table
table border=0 width= valign=top cellpadding=2 cellspacing=7trtd valign=top class=jfont style=font-size:85%;font-family:arial,sans-serifbrdiv style=padding-top:0.8em;img alt= height=1 width=1/divdiv class=lha href=http://www.citywebshopper.net/articles/includes/redirect.php?url=http://blogs.discovermagazine.com/badastronomy/2008/10/12/skeptical-parenting/cid=0ei=3GbzSOm1HqiY6AO5ich8usg=AFQjCNEU03ThMrGuKnUKVXnCe7zswMaqiwSkeptical bparenting/b/abrfont size=-1font color=#6f6f6fDiscover Magazine,nbsp;NYnbsp;-/font nobr17 hours ago/nobr/fontbrfont size=-1It helps to know other critically thinking bparents/b out there. That’s why I’m so happy to see two new blogs out there for folks who have, want to, b.../b/font/div/font/td/tr/table
parenting - Google News


Wind Chimes and more...

Windchimes for great gifts!

Parenting Your Teenager: The Bottom Line Issues

Q. When you consult with a family with teens, what... Read More

Parent Involvement: Finding Your Way in Middle School and High School

In elementary school it's pretty straightforward: bringing in cupcakes to... Read More

Are You Raising an Emotionally Intelligent Child?

Although many parents are concerned with our children's intelligence quotient... Read More

10 Steps To Prepare You For Life With Children

It's hard to explain to the uninitiated the changes that... Read More

Children?s Birthday Party Planning: When and When Not to Have a Big Party

Age 1: Invite only family members and close friends only... Read More

Top 50 Father Quotations

"The greatest gift I ever had Came from God, and... Read More

How to Set Healthy Limits at Work

Back in college, I wrote for a five-day-a-week, award-winning campus... Read More

Protect your Kids Early with Safety Glasses

What exactly makes safety glasses different from regular glasses? There... Read More

If at First They Dont Succeed - What a Great Opportunity!

When kids try new things, sometimes it's a 'fit' and... Read More

Ten Terrific Ideas for Rainy Day Fun

It's been raining for a week and the kids and... Read More

Simple Living in a Materialistic World

We were sitting in the family room. My kids had... Read More

So, The Thing Is... Im Feeling A Little Guilty

So, the thing is? I am feeling a little guilty.I... Read More

Positive Parenting - Oops! I Really Lost My Temper With My Kids, What Now?

Ever blown your top to your children, only to regret... Read More

Potty Training Caveats- Dont Start Too Soon

The First Reason: For one thing, child development experts are... Read More

5 Tips for Improving Communication With Your Teenager

Parents are always looking for ways to open up the... Read More

Children Need Roots and Wings

"Good parents give their children Roots and Wings." --Jonas SalkThe... Read More

The B Word

Former students would probably attest to the fact that few... Read More

Games Of The Past Meet The Present

Recently, our family had the opportunity to care for sisters'... Read More

The Most Powerful Question a Parent Can Ask?

The question I have for you drives right to the... Read More

Twelve Tips To Connect With Teachers At Conference Time

It's that time again! Parent-teacher conferences are coming. Are you... Read More

Encouraging Your Child to Write

How in the world do you get your child to... Read More

Weathering Colic for New Parents

A common problem many times facing parents is Colic. Estimates... Read More

No Invitation Needed: Sacred Children Series - 3 of 3

I had my first two children on either side of... Read More

Child ADHD - Deciding Where to Draw the Line

The wonderful adaptability of children in dealing with the challenges... Read More

Birth of a Parent

So you're pregnant. Congratulations! Your life is about to change... Read More