Sunday, November 26, 2023

FIVE WAYS DADS CAN SUPPORT THEIR DAUGHTERS

girl dad blogger

The father-daughter relationship is special; every girl needs her daddy to support her and love her as she finds her way through the world and where she fits into it. While it can be instinctual to want to protect your daughter and shield her from the big bad world, that can backfire and lead to stress and strain the relationship. But as a father, how can you help your daughter as she ages and dips her toes into the world? 

Listen to Her 

In many cases, what children need, both sons and daughters is for their parents to listen to them, not preach to them. While you have been there and done that, or you want your child to avoid something altogether, you cannot live their life for them, and you also can't shield them from the world forever. So take your time to listen to them, look at how they act, the words they use, and any changes in their behavior. In many cases, if there is a problem, your daughter won't need you to find a solution for her or take charge. Simply listen to what she has to say. This can be for anything, even if it seems trivial to you. 

Discussions are Key 

Avoid dictating to your daughter wherever possible. It doesn't matter how old she is, be it 13, 19, or 35; discussion will always have a better outcome than dictating. The reality is if you forbid something, then it instantly becomes more desirable. 

Allow the opportunity for a discussion and talk through things logically to help her make the right decisions. It might mean she needs to make mistakes before you come around to your way of thinking, but mistakes are essential for building character in many cases. You can still use this opportunity to discuss what you would do differently next time. Whether it is something as minor as discussing curfew times or more serious, such as choosing the right car for her, relationship worries, or something career-based, discuss, not dictate. 

Be Interested 

Or if you aren't fake it. This is especially important if you're a parent to both sons and daughters, as dads can sometimes prefer to be more active with their sons due to having more common interests. 

But girls will pick up on this even if you don't think they have. They will know if you aren't interested, so try to take the initiative and be present in their life as much as possible. While a topic like Textured Bangs Vs. Wispy Bangs: How To Tell The Difference might not be something you necessarily want to spend your time talking about; it might be important to your daughter to get your input, so at least pretending to be interested in decisions can help you to build a bond and support her when she needs it, It isn't always about the big protective gestures she will remember later in life. It will be how much support you gave her, even for the small, seemingly insignificant details. 

Praise Her 

Everyone needs a confidence boost from time to time, and your daughter is no exception. But think about how you compliment your daughter. Not all girls want to be told they look pretty only. Try complimenting your daughter on other aspects of her personality and character, such as when she shows exceptional kindness or does something without asking. Celebrate new achievements, her intelligence, or sense of humor, for example. Focus on all parts of who she is as a person to show her that you see who she is and what she is about and you are paying attention. 

Be an Ally 

There is no denying it's a different world for girls and women than it is for men, and it doesn't matter how old your daughter is; she will need an ally, not just a parent. Being in her corner means giving her help and support when needed without judgment or fear of retribution. 

This applies even if it makes you feel uncomfortable. Don't be the dad who shies away from broaching the more personal topics or changes in a woman's body. If she needs help with her periods or is unsure of what to buy or how to understand what's going on, find it out for her and show her you aren't worried and are there to help. If she's experiencing a broken heart, to her, it's a big deal even if you don't feel it is, so offer her a shoulder to cry on and make her feel better. Avoid dismissing or minimizing her feelings, and give her the space to express herself and share with you how she feels so you can support her and show her you take her seriously. 

There are many small things you can do on a day-to-day basis as a good dad to support your daughter, and these tips can help you connect with her more and support that relationship.

Wednesday, November 22, 2023

ALL THINGS EQUAL

life and trials of ruth bader ginsburg

Legal and political junkies will delight in this one woman show coming to Detroit. All Things Equal – The Life and Trials of Ruth Bader Ginsburg will stop in Detroit at The Fisher Theatre on Saturday, April 13 at 7:30 p.m. as part of its 2023-2024 national tour. The lauded play is written by multiple Tony Award-winning playwright Rupert Holmes and stars acclaimed actress Michelle Azar. Over the course of ninety fascinating and often funny minutes, the play presents an intimate portrayal of Supreme Court Justice Ruth Bader Ginsburg, a true American original. 

Tickets go on sale Friday, December 1 and will be available online at BroadwayInDetroit.com at 10:00 a.m. and at the Fisher Theatre box office starting at noon. Tickets start at $39 (includes parking & facility fee). For more information, please visit: https://www.scottstander.com/rbg.html

michelle azar

Sunday, November 19, 2023

HOLLY DAZZLE 2023

Holly Dazzle 2023

Enjoy a Renaissance Christmas at this year's HOLLY DAZZLE taking place on weekends from November 24 - December 31 this year. Tis the season for lights, love and laughter at the fairgrounds of the Michigan Renaissance Festival. Bring the family out to enjoy a synchronized holiday light show and pictures with Santa or reserve a romantic dinner in a heated chalet for a more intimate date night. Visit michrenfest.com for more information on the HOLLY DAZZLE festivities.

Michigan Renaissance Festival

Admission is $21.95 per adult, $8.95 per child or $21.95 for an Elf Package (1 Adult, 1 Child). The event takes place November 24, 25, 26 and December 1, 2, 3, 8, 9, 10, 15, 16, 17 21, 22, 23, 24, 29, 30, & 31. Event hours are 5pm -10pm except on Sundays which end at 9pm. HollyDazzle takes place on the Michigan Renaissance Festival Hollygrove fair grounds at 12600 Dixie Hwy. Holly, MI 48442.

Wednesday, November 15, 2023

HOW TO MAKE SPORTS FUN FOR KIDS

how to make sports fun for kids

If you’re a parent, you’re going to want to do the best for your kids, and you’re going to want them to be as healthy as possible. So that means trying to get them to do more sports, which isn’t always easy. Yes, some little ones love sports, but others would much prefer to sit inside playing games, enjoying screen time, reading a book, or anything else. What can you do? 

One option is to make sports more appealing by making it as fun as possible, and the good news is there are loads of ways you can do exactly that. With that in mind, keep reading to find out what some of those ways are so you can help your kids get more active. 

What Do They Like? 

The reason your kids might not like sports very much is that they’ve not found something they like. They might have tried football, baseball, hockey, soccer, basketball, and all the other ‘usual’ sports, but nothing really clicked, and it just didn’t interest them. If that’s the case, of course, they’re not going to want to play sports when they’re given the option. 

The great thing is there are hundreds of different sports they can try, and if you keep giving different things a go, you might come across something that really piques their interest, like disc golf, for example. It might be unusual, but that doesn’t matter because they’ll want to play, and that means they’ll choose to be active more often - and that’s the point of the whole exercise (pun intended). 

how to make sports fun for kids

Give Them Goals
 

When we talk about giving kids goals, we don’t mean telling them they have to score a certain number of goals or points in a game - although that could be part of it. What we mean is that if you can set realistic and achievable goals every time they go and do whatever sports it is they’ve chosen to do, they’ll be a lot more interested. In other words, they’ll have something to prove and potentially something to lose (if they’re being rewarded for reaching their goals), and they’ll push themselves further as a result. 

By doing this, you’ll also be proving to your kids that they can do things if they try. Sometimes it’s less about not enjoying a sport and more about not thinking you’re very good at it that stops you from playing, but every time they reach a goal, they’ll see that’s not right at all. 

dad blogger fatherhood tips

Do It With Them
 

Kids love it when they get to spend time with their parents (especially when they’re younger, and even more so if your work-life balance isn’t ideal, so you sometimes don’t get to see them as much as you’d like. 

So, why not join in with their sports with them? You could play, and that would certainly be something fun you could do together, but if that’s not possible, then you can at least be there in a moral support capacity, watching every game and helping to make them feel good about what they’re doing. That really is what could make all the difference.

Tuesday, November 14, 2023

ENJOY THE AURORA OF GLENLORE TRAILS

glenlore trails aurora

Enjoy the AURORA of a holiday themed walk through the illuminated Glenlore Trails. Thursdays through Sundays from November 17 - December 30, 2023 the wooded grounds of the Multi-Lakes Conservation Association in Michigan's Commerce Township will be transformed into a wintry wonderland to explore. Glenlore Trails: Aurora will provide a dazzling night time display of lights, sound and wonder along a one mile long walking trail. 

To help spread some holiday cheer and merriment, this Geek Daddy has a family-four pack of tickets to Glenlore Trails: Aurora to giveaway. Just complete the rafflecopter entries below by 11:59 pm ET on Sunday, November 19, 2023 for a chance to win. Must be over 18 years old and a Metro Detroit resident to be eligible for this promotion. Good luck!

 a Rafflecopter giveaway

Add some merriment to your holiday season with a fun activity that is all ages family friendly. Glenlore Trails: Aurora takes place at 3860 Newton Road, Commerce Township, MI 48382. For more information about this Metro Detroit holiday attraction, visit glenloretrails.com

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TO KILL A MOCKINGBIRD AT THE FISHER THEATRE

Richard Thomas To Kill A Mockingbird

Emmy Award®-winning actor Richard Thomas is confirmed to star as Atticus Finch for the complete third touring season of the First National Tour of the history-making production of To Kill a Mockingbird, including the Detroit engagement at the Fisher Theatre March 5 – 17. Academy Award® winner Aaron Sorkin’s new play, directed by Tony Award® winner Bartlett Sher and based on Harper Lee’s classic novel, is currently on a multi-year national tour across North America. Tickets for To Kill a Mockingbird go on sale on Friday, November 17 and will be available online at BroadwayInDetroit.com at 10 am and at the Fisher Theatre box office starting at noon. Ticket prices start at $43 (includes parking and facility fee).

Set in Alabama in 1934, Harper Lee’s enduring story of racial injustice and childhood innocence centers on one of the most venerated characters in American literature, small-town lawyer Atticus Finch. The cast of characters includes Atticus’s daughter Scout, her brother Jem, their housekeeper and caretaker, Calpurnia, their visiting friend Dill, and a mysterious neighbor, the reclusive Arthur “Boo” Radley. The other indelible residents of Maycomb, Alabama, are Bob Ewell, Tom Robinson, prosecutor Horace Gilmer, Judge Taylor and Mayella Ewell.

To Kill A Mockingbird

Performance times for To Kill a Mockingbird appearing March 5 - 17, 2024 at the Fisher Theatre located at 3011 W. Grand Blvd are: 
  •  Tuesday through Saturday evening performances at 7:30 p.m. 
  • Saturday matinees at 2:00 p.m. 
  • Sunday matinees at 1:00 p.m. 
  • Sunday evening performances at 6:30 p.m. 
  • Special Open Caption performance on Sunday, March 10, 2024 at 6:30pm
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For more information about the show, visit tokillamockingbirdbroadway.com

Monday, November 13, 2023

URBAN AIR ADVENTURE PARK COMMERCE TOWNSHIP

urban air adventure park commerce township

Are you up for an adventure? With 23.5” high-foot ceilings in a 55,872 square foot space the state-of-the-art Urban Air Adventure Park in Commerce Township, Michigan offers a full line-up of activities the entire family can enjoy. Unique attractions inside the park aim to help foster physical and emotional well-being encouraging an “aim higher” attitude and challenge people to get out of their comfort zone building confidence. 

Platinum Attractions at the Urban Air Adventure Park in Commerce Township include: 

Drop Tower // Mini Go-Karts // Spin Zone Bumper Cars // Flip Zone Bumper Cars // Laser Tag //VR Spree // ProZone Performance Trampoline // Ropes Course //Climbing Walls / Sky Rider // Dodgeball // Tubes Playground // Warrior Course // Slam Dunk Zone // Battle Beam // Runway (Tumble Track) // Basic Trampolines

urban air commerce twp

Want to try out what this adventure park has to offer? This Geek Daddy has a family four pack of platinum tickets to Urban Air Commerce to giveaway. A $100 value! Who wants to go?!

Complete the rafflecopter entries below before 11:59 pm ET on Friday, November 24th, 2023 for a chance to win a platinum level ticket package for your family to enjoy. Wouldn't this be great to use over the holiday school break? Must be over 18 years old and a Metro Detroit resident to participate. One randomly selected winner will be selected from all eligible entries. Good luck!

a Rafflecopter giveaway

Urban Air Adventure Park is located at 3010 Union Lake Rd., Commerce Township, MI 48382. Hours are: Monday-Friday 4:00pm-8:00pm / Saturday 10:00am-9:00pm / Sunday 12:00pm-8:00pm. For more information about the facilities, visit urbanair.com

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