by Joey Watkins, Friday, July 18, 2008

July is quickly passing by, and that means so is summer for those of us in the northern hemisphere.

Summers are, of course, unique for our sons and daughters.

It is the time of year when most of them are out of school and have more time for other activities, summer jobs, time with friends…

And more opportunities for us dads to spend time with them.

How am I doing with spending time with my children so far this summer?

Have I taken extra time off work to be with my family?

Am I taking advantage of my kids being out of school for these few short weeks?

If not, let me encourage you to maximize the remainder of the summer and do so.

Be intentional about spending time with your children.  Work can wait. It will always be there. Your kids won’t.

R E S O U R C E S   for   D A D S

How To Be Your Daughter’s Daddy

by Dan Bolin

365 Ideas to spend time with your daughter and show your love and care to her.  Learn More and Order

How To Be Your Little Man’s Dad

by Dan Bolin

365 things to do with your son and model fatherhood to him.  Learn More and Order

by Joey Watkins

Many of my thoughts in recent months have been consumed by the level of influence that we dads have in our children’s lives and future.

My favorite term for this is “father power” which is from Todd Wilson’s book by that title, Father Power.

We dads wield a power — a level of influence — in our children’s lives that very few of us have much understanding of or are taking advantage of.

How do I know this is true?

Because I look at the amount of time we spend at our work, hobbies, tv, sports, Internet browsing, and our other interests compared to the amount of time we spend with our children.

The harsh reality is that we practice daily what we truly value. All the rest is just talk.

That is why I created a resource website for dads at www.DadResources.com

I want you as a dad to know about and have access to the very best resources available on fatherhood so you can maximize your father power in your family and effectively influence your sons and daughters with your values and faith while they are still at home with you.

And because you model fatherhood to your sons, when they become dads one day, they will be able to look back at how you raised them and have that as a very positive, healthy example.

Bookmark www.DadResources.com right now as your “go-to” site for dad resources.

And help spread the word about this resource site by telling other dads you know about www.DadResources.com.

If a particular resource has significantly impacted your life as a dad that isn’t already on this site, please let me know.

by Joey Watkins

July 4th weekend is upon us.  For many in the United States, it includes a day off work and watching fireworks.

For us family dads, it also offers many of us more time with our family than a usual weekend.

And an opportunity to create another lasting memory with them.

Here are 10 creative ideas to celebrate our country’s birthday with your family this weekend:

1. Have a “USA Birthday” family picnic complete with cake and candles ( don’t forget red, white, and blue icing!)

2. Go to an armed services memorial park and read the plaques together

3. Visit a cemetery and look for soldier gravesites

4. Visit a historic landmark that relates to our country’s “story”

5. Attend a muncipal fireworks display, parade, or other July 4th event

6. Have your own fireworks celebration in your driveway (don’t forget the sparklers)

7. Read the Declaration of Independence to your family

8. Read the history of July 4th, Independence Day, to your family

9. Creatively decorate your yard together with American flags

10. Make a red-white-blue meal or treat with colored ingredients
(Hint: strawberries, blueberries, whipped cream, etc.)

Bonus#11! Serve a family whose dad is overseas in the armed services

We certainly want to remember the many thousands of family dads who are overseas this weekend and are unable to be with their family. We are indebted to you for your sacrifice and service to your country.

Here is a very special video clip of a soldier Dad who returned home from Iraq for a surprise visit to his young son. It chokes me up every time I watch it.

by Joey Watkins

Last week a young dad was leaving his office for the night, a Christian recording studio business in Garland, Texas.

Shortly after midnight, he phoned his wife to let her know he was finished and on the way home. As he and his best friend left the building, they were shot in the parking lot and their cars were stolen.

28-year-old Matthew Butler never made it home that night.

He left behind his wife, his 2-year-old son, and his 1-year-old daughter.

What a horrible tragedy for this family.

My eyes swell with tears as I type this, knowing that Matthew’s young children will never know their dad on this side of eternity, except through their mom’s stories, photos, homemade videos, and their dad’s work — his music.

It is a painful reminder of how we dads need to live in the now with our family — not in fear — but because of our immense role in their lives, and how fragile life really is.

What are we doing as dads to create lasting memories in our children’s lives? How will they remember us if our lives on earth end prematurely? What are we teaching them? What will be their “take away” from us after we are gone?

FamilyDads will be sending a financial gift to help support Matthew’s wife Jamie and his two children Matthew Jr and McKayla. If you would like to add a contribution as a fellow FamilyDad so that we can send one large check, send your gift by paypal to familydads@gmail.com

or if you want to write a check (made payable to FamilyDads with “Matthew Butler Family” in memo section), send to:
FamilyDads
c/o Joey Watkins
2135 Chadwick Dr
Cumming, GA  30028

This tragic story was covered by the Dallas Morning News and Fox News.

by Joey Watkins

As you know, this past Sunday was Father’s Day.

It was a moving experience for me. My oldest son, who just turned 10, spent over $16 of his own money for a card and gift for me. If you knew my so, you would know that is a lot of money for him to spend on someone other than himself.

In my card, he hand wrote I was the best dad in the world.

Priceless!

My other 2 children also picked out their own cards and hand wrote love notes to me.

I am a blessed man.

Perhaps you were showered with appreciation and affection from your own children… or maybe you weren’t.

In any event, here is a belated Father’s Day gift for you, from one dad to another.

It is a music video of a song recently written by well-known Christian musician Stephen Curtis Chapman.

The song is called “Cinderella” and truly brings into perspective raising daughters.

Let me forewarn you though. If you have a daugther, you are likely going to be an emotional wreck after watching this.

Enjoy–
http://familydads.com/blog/cinderella-song-by-stephen-curtis-chapman