Dreaming is Contagious

Dreams have a profound effect on our lives. They cause people to act out in their sleep. They create enterprises that employ millions and dreams have changed the course of nations. Of all these types of dreams, it is the ones we share with others that have the most profound effect.

One of the greatest gifts you can give your child is the gift of dreaming big. Many times parents try to give this gift by dreaming for their kids. Dads over the years have earned a bad rap for pushing their kids to play and excel in sports in which they themselves didn't make it big. Children are encouraged to pursue a profession their parent has longed for while grinding it out in a job that just pays the bills. Even when dad has all the artifacts of success, he still may say “I hope my kids do something better than me”.

Dads, today I offer you a more powerful dream. The dream you have for yourself! Dig back into the recesses of your mind and shake the dust off some of those dreams you had before fatherhood, diapers, formula, preschool tuition, etc. If those dreams don't excite you anymore, then create new ones.

Commitment to those dreams and live them. All the while you must give your child a front row seat to the whole show. Tell your kids about your dreams the way they tell you about what they want for their birthdays. Share each step with them as they watch you make your dreams a reality.

Seeing dad (insert your dream here) will inspire your child to dream for themselves. They will dream in such a way that it will cause them to take action and not simply fantasize. Watching your response to setbacks on the journey will give them something to hold on to when they are faced with road blocks. The residual effect of pursuing your dreams on your kids will be greater than anything you could ever dream for them. So dream big, it's contagious.

Where is daddy? It's storytime!

Storytime is one of the most coveted parts of my day! Some days the 20 minutes I spend reading with my son is all we get together if my work keeps me out late. Bedtime reading has been a ritual we have honored ever since I figured out how to cradle him in one arm while holding a book and turning pages with the other hand. In all this reading a question began creeping up that is starting to bug me. Where is daddy in the baby books?

Right from the start reading "Mama and Me" just didn't feel right. All of these baby animals with their mothers but no daddy in sight. To give the publisher Baby Einstein the benefit of the doubt, I went to their site and searched for father, daddy, and dad. All I got was one book about sign language and products with Spanish words like "Ciudad". Another book we read is "I
Love You As Much". I love my kid as much as the grain in the mill or the grass on the hill too! So you should understand when I say that ending the book with "Now sleep child of mine while the stars shine above, I love you as much as a mother can love" just didn't sit right with me.

There are others also. Take "The Tale of Peter Rabbit" and "Five Little Monkeys Jumping on the Bed" for instance. While Flopsy, Mopsy, and Cotton Tail were compliant bunnies, Peter was clearly a "strong willed bunny" and needed to hear the instructions about Mr. McGregor's garden from his dad. I don't know about yours but my dad would have taken care of all that jumping before anyone fell off and bumped their head.

Of the six books pictured above only one mentions a father which is in the predictable distant protector role. Don't get me wrong, I never knew my protective side could be so sharp until I had a child. At the same time he gets all of the hugs and kisses I can dole out. Primo Papas understand the need for both!

If you want a few books that showcase daddy's love for their small children try these out. For papas who have read them or others, let us know what you think.