Realizing I Know Nothing
Archive for May, 2010
Sorry Huggies
May 26th
Mom (she doesn’t) may like the idea of diapers as jeans — but I don’t. In this article by NY Times contributor Andrew Adam Newman, he looks at Huggies’ new push for their “diaper-jeans” and the general state of affairs in the diaper marketing landscape.
Part of the discussion is about the move by Huggies away from the classic blue liquid soaked diaper example to a more in-your-face-we-are-using-the-word-poop type of advertising. Overall, advertising typically doesn’t do much for me when I am already committed to a brand, however, when it is introducing a new product — I have a tendency to pay More >
Tip #9
May 15th
Talk. Talk. Talk. Tell the kiddo what you’re doing, how you’re doing it and why your doing it. Not IT, it, of course — just all the little things that seem like nothing. I have read this in a lot of places — all about the benefits, etc. — but even without all that support, I have to say one thing that always seems to be missing: it’s just plain fun and it helped me see our little dude as a little person and not just a baby.
The great diaper debate
May 13th
When we left the hospital with our little bundle of diapered joy, I realized a lot of things. The first was that I should have wrapped the entire car in bubble wrap and had the folks at NASCAR install a steel role cage in the car. The second was: What diaper brand should we choose? (not really, but I needed an opening)
Each diaper company vies for our attention with promises of leak protection and comfort, but for me it ultimately came down to personal preference on one item — the tabs that secure the diaper. Our own debate was More >
This could be Taboo #1
May 8th
Last but not least…
Number 1 : Knowing that it will end
While being a dad is not all fun and games — I wouldn’t trade it for all the free time and irresponsibility I could get for it. There are simply too many awesome things about being a dad to be derailed by a few small annoyances.
Nothing can top going into his room in the morning and hearing the patter of hands and feet as he crosses the crib — the one hand — then two hands — appearing on top of the crib with his bright blue eyes peeking More >
This could be Taboo #2
May 7th
The countdown continues. #2 (counting backwards) on my list of things I don’t enjoy about being a dad:
Number 2 : The responsibility
This was expected, but it doesn’t make it enjoyable. New levels of responsibility come with a lot of “first” milestones: first car, first job, first house, etc. The first child is no different. Going anywhere or doing anything involves a process of double checks, packing, dressing, diapering, and more. While you are doing this, you are also thinking ahead to how you will handle situations from diaper changing in a men’s room to worrying about a complete public meltdown. More >
This could be Taboo #3
May 6th
#3 (counting backwards) on my list of things I don’t enjoy about being a dad:
Number 3 : The feeling of helplessness
I mentioned in an earlier post how quickly my perspective changed when our son was born. Prior to being a dad, crimes against children (or situations where children were harmed) were almost on the same level as crimes (and harmful situations) against adults. Since becoming a dad, I now understand why situations where a child is harmed is seen as so atrocious by so many.
Last month, there was a lot of coverage of the 15th anniversary of the Oklahoma More >
This could be Taboo #4
May 5th
Whew…no hate mail on ol’ Number 5, so I guess I will keep going.
Number 4 : Praise for being competent
I get it — there is a reason the word “deadbeat dad” exists — and I know it’s not simply to be an example of alliteration. However, I don’t think this means that every time a dad (me) does something competent that he (me) should be praised for it. On the flip side, I don’t think I need all the criticism when I don’t do things the way “mom would have done it”.
Moms and dads might take different approaches to More >
This could be Taboo #5
May 4th
The minute I walked out of the hospital, the vision of tossing a baseball back and forth on a cool, sunny day in the yard vanished quicker than a fresh box of donuts in my office break-room. I knew it would be hard work (actually — overall, it is less than I had expected), but reality didn’t set in until we were walking out the door and away from the terrific nurses at the hospital where our son was delivered.
In the 13 months since that day, I have realized there are a few things I don’t enjoy about being More >
