DAD TIME AT GOLDFISH SWIM SCHOOL

An aspect I've appreciated about Goldfish Swim School is that it is a very dad-friendly environment. Compared to taking my kids to other activities like dance class and soccer practice where it tends to be mostly moms that stick around, fathers seem to be very involved whenever we go swimming. From jumping in the pool with toddlers for parent-tot programs to cheering on tweens in Swim Force competitions there is a lot of dad involvement at Goldfish Swim School.

Here are some ways dads create golden experiences with their kids at Goldfish Swim School:

TODDLER SWIM

Getting kids comfortable in water at an early age is a great way to teach them some water safety skills, interest them in swimming, obtain some exercise, and have some fun. Goldfish Swim School has a Mini Class which has parents get in the pool with their children that are between the ages of 4 and 35 months. Instructors lead classes that include entertaining activities and games plus instill safety tips meant to provide children with the wherewithal to assist themselves in avoiding drowning accidents.

There are a lot of fathers who participate in these Mini Class sessions with their sons and daughters. In fact, some of these parent - tot classes are made up of just dads. This is a great opportunity for getting the skin-to-skin contact with young children that pediatricians recommend that fathers normally don't provide as much as mothers do. It is also a nice opportunity to spend some dad time bonding with a child.

SWIM LESSONS

For older children who are diving into the pool on their own for swimming lessons without dad or mom getting into the water with them, there is still an opportunity for spending parenting time at Goldfish Swim School. There is a viewing area for parents to observe swimming lessons and children appreciate knowing someone is paying attention to their efforts. Plus after every lesson each parents gets an individualized update on a child's progress from an instructor. After class, kids often need help washing up, changing clothes and getting ready to go home. There are plenty of ways for dads to be involved without getting into the water themselves.

FAMILY SWIM TIME

Goldfish Swim School offers open swim hours where members can enjoy some family time together in the pool. You will often see dads in the pool working with kids on practicing their swim stokes or just having playing with their children. These are a nice way for dads to spend some quality time with their families.

SWIM FORCE MEETS

The Goldfish Swim Force promotes swimming as an athletic endeavor and hosts quarterly competitive meets for participants. Swim Force members are children who tend to be over 8 years old and have passed all of the swimming lesson levels but still want to be involved with Goldfish Swim School. These are great events for dads to cheer on children to show support and encouragement.

Goldfish Swim School really is a great place to spend some dad time with kids. I've had a great experience myself and encourage other dads to dive on in and get involved with swimming as an activity for your family to get involved with. Goldfish Swim School is great at having scheduling that works around busy schedules and a liberal class cancellation and make up policy. They make a great effort to fit into your personal and professional obligations rather than you having to make your time available to fit into your schedule. Their customer service is really outstanding with a focus on catering to families with children between the ages of 4 months and 12 years old.

For more information about programs and locations, head on over to goldfishswimschool.com 

A Geek Daddy is a Goldfish Swim School Brand Ambassador. I receive complimentary services and products in exchange for sharing my experiences with my ageekdaddy.com audience. Opinions expressed are honest and my own. We've been partnering with Goldfish Swim School for several years and I wouldn't have continued this arrangement for so long if my kids weren't getting value and enjoyment out of it. Goldfish Swim School has absolutely earned a Geek Daddy nod of approval for the golden experience my family has had with them.

A DAD'S FATHERS DAY THANK YOU TO HIS BABIES

Disclosure: I have partnered with Life of Dad  and Pampers for this promotion.

While celebrating the dads in our life on Fathers Day lets also take a moment to reflect on the babies that transformed these men into the guys they are today.  Before becoming a dad myself, I'd never changed a diaper, song a lullubi, or been responsible for teaching important life lessons like tying shoes or riding a bike.  Since becoming a dad I've witnessed a transformation in myself becoming less self-centered and more family oriented. 

Most importantly though, my children have taught me that it is alright for an adult to embrace being a child-at-heart. It is important to be responsible; but us dads also need to make time for fun and not take life too seriously.  While my children aren't in Pampers diapers anymore, the experiences we shared together during that time in their lives not only helped shape my kids'  outlook on life but mine as well.  I'll always be my twins' "daddy" and they'll never stop being my "babies."

When a baby is born, a dad is born! This Fathers Day, Pampers celebrates that incredible feeling little ones bring to the hearts of dads through unconditional love.  Check out Pampers' #ThanksBaby video which highlights how becoming a parent empowers men to discover new roles in life through fatherhood.  This video is Pampers way of saying thank you to fathers out there for all the amazing things, big and small, they do to help children have loving and fulfilling lives.  Plus it celebrates babies for empowering men to discover new roles in life through fatherhood.



For more than 50 years, moms and dads have trusted Pampers to care for their babies' happy, healthy development.  Pampers offers a complete range of diapers, wipes, and training pants designed to provide protection and comfort for every stage.  When it comes to my kids, I bought more boxes of Pampers than I can count when they were babies. Now they aren't in diapers anymore, we still include a box of Pampers as a gift whenever our family is invited to a friend or family member's baby shower because it is a brand we depended on.

Visit Pampers.com to learn more about Pampers products, join the Pampers Rewards program, and find ideas and information to help your baby get the most out of love, sleep, and play.  You can also learn more about the brand on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram.

Major League Baseball Celebrates Fathers Day

Major League Baseball teams will be celebrating Fathers Day by having their players don special uniforms and use commemorative balls during games taking place on June 18th.  Players will be sporting baby blue colored caps, jerseys and socks in honor of dads.  The baseballs in these games will also feature a unique blue stitching color pattern.

If you like these uniforms picking one up for yourself also benefits a worthy cause -->  prostate cancer research.  MLB royalties from the sales of replica apparel from these special outfits will be donated to the  Prostate Cancer Foundation and Stand Up to Cancer. Plus Rawlings is also donating $1 for each replica baseball sold to the Prostate Cancer Foundation for each of the Fathers Day themed baseballs they sell to fans.

 I like that in addition to the snapback style caps with their large flat brims that are popular today, New Era has also produced the Fathers Day hats in what has become called the "dad cap."  Dad caps tend to be made of canvas or cotton and have a slightly curved brim.  I guess I'm starting to show my age when the hat I prefer to wear is called a dad cap. 

Standard MLB cap

Dad Cap

I'm a Detroit Tigers fan so I've highlighted the Old English D versions of the Fathers Day outfits but each Major League team will have their own variation incorporating their own logo and uniform styling.  Also for the first time this year, players will be able to wear themed socks to go along with their special edition jerseys and caps.  CLICK HERE for more information about these baseballs, caps, jerseys and socks honoring dads.

Great Fathers Day Presents from Gourmet Gift Baskets

** This post was sponsored by GourmetGiftBaskets.com **

Treat Dad like a king by providing him a treat from GourmetGiftBaskets.com on Fathers Day.  They provide a variety of unique gift ideas that expand upon the traditional concept of a fruit basket, though they have those too!  You're sure to find a perfect Fathers Day gift from them.  A Geek Daddy has had the chance to personally taste test a number of these gourmet gift baskets and gives the company a nod of approval for providing quality products and excellent customer service.  Here are some suggestions for great Fathers Day presents from Gourmet Gift Baskets:

Barbecue Enthusiast Gift Basket

For the guy who enjoys grilling the Barbecue Enthusiast Gift Basket  includes spice blends and all-natural sauces that will turn a BBQ into a gourmet meal.  Plus there are some snacks for dad to enjoy while he is cooking on the grill including popcorn that is flavored like spicy buffalo wings and pretzel twists by Auntie Trudie's.

Backyard BBQ Popcorn Sampler

I love family movie nights and of course popcorn is the perfect thing to snack on when enjoying watching a film.  For the dad who is really into movies like me pick up a unique popcorn sampler to spice up this treat.  The Backyard BBQ Popcorn Sampler includes flavors like Hickory Maple Bacon, BBQ Ribs, Buttered Corn on the Cob, and Watermelon to munch on.  Try something out of the ordinary and you won't be disappointed with these different popcorn flavors.

Around the World Beer Bucket

This is a nice gift for beer-lover dads!  Let them enjoy some beers from various locals around the world that you may not normally find in your local beer aisle.  Plus it comes with some gourmet snacks that go great with these tasty beers.

Sugar Free Gift Basket

As dads like myself hit 40+ high-blood sugar and Type 2 Diabetes begin to become a problem for many men.  I'm struggling with that myself.  Finding delicious sugar free snacks can be a real task.  This basket is full of sweet treats and tasty goodies that fathers can enjoy without the sugar that they're supposed to be avoiding.

Gourmet Pizza Making Kit

Who doesn't love pizza?!  This kit provides everything you need to make your own fresh pies at home.  In addition to gourmet ingredients it also includes a 15" Pizza Stone with rack to provide an authentic Italian restaurant quality experience.

Oreo Cookies for Dad

The Belgian chocolate-dipped Oreo cookies from GourmetGiftBaskets.com taste incredible.  Plus they are decorated so that fathers know that Dad is #1 on their special day.

Use code FDAY10 in the checkout when placing an order to save 10% off Father's Day purchases.  Receiving a delivery from GourmetGiftBaskets.com is sure to put a smile on any father's face!

GOLDFISH SWIM SCHOOL IS A GREAT PLACE FOR FATHERLY BONDING WITH KIDS

** A Geek Daddy is a Goldfish Swim School Brand Ambassador and receives free products and services **

Learning to swim is not only a valuable skill for children to acquire but can also be a great way for dads to spend some quality time together with their children.  Goldfish Swim Schools have a variety of options available that teach children the skills to be safe and have fun in the water that are also great activities for fathers to be involved with.  For dads with children ranging from infants to tweens, Goldfish Swim School is a great place to engage in fatherly bonding with your kids.

Infant / Toddler Classes 

Goldfish Swim School provides an opportunity for fathers help their children that are 4 months to 36 months old get comfortable with being immersed in water with infant / toddler classes.  Introducing a child to getting into a pool at a very early age can help prevent him or her from developing an anxiety about swimming or a fear of water later on in life.  Getting children accustomed to spending time in the water as preschoolers often times provides them with confidence to participate in swimming lessons when they get old enough for them.  My wife and I participated in infant / toddler classes with our twins and when it came time for us to sign up for swimming lessons my son and daughter had no hesitancy about getting into the pool and they honestly can be a pair of real scaredy cats at times.

Pediatricians recommend that skin-to-skin contact strengthens the bond between a parent and an infant.  Spending some time in the water during a Goldfish Swim School infant / toddler class can be a great way for a dad to get some of that valuable contact they might not otherwise regularly be getting as often as mom does with a little one.  Plus it is just a nice, enjoyable way to spend some fun time with a son or daughter by participating together in one of these parent-tot classes.  

Swimming Lessons

Each Goldfish Swim School location has a nice glass paneled viewing area for parents to observe their children's swimming lessons. Parents are encouraged to stay and watch.  At the conclusion of each class, the instructor provides an in-depth one-on-one evaluation to a parent about how the student fared and what the child needs to improve on.  Discussing what you learned from the instructor presents a nice opportunity for fathers to have constructive dialogue with a child.  Kids are at the age where they are craving a parent's attention when they are taking swimming lessons at Goldfish Swim School.  Knowing dad is watching them swim and taking an interest in their progress will mean a lot to a son or daughter.  At a  recent lesson while I was kneeling down by the side of the pool to hear my son's evaluation the instructor informed us that he was graduating up to a higher class level.  My son was so excited to be moving up and happy that I was there to share in the news.  Moments like that for a dad and child to share are really special.

Family Swim

A great way to bond with kids is to just let loose and have fun with them.  Take advantage of Goldfish Swim School's open swim hours that let dads jump in the pool with their kids.  Whether you are helping a child practice swimming strokes, racing for bragging rights, or just splashing around this is a great way to enjoy spending time with your family.  Family Swim hours vary by location.  The Goldfish Swim School we attend has their Family Swim on Friday nights from 6:30 - 8:30 pm which makes for a relaxing way to wrap up the week.  Keep an eye out for Member Appreciation Weeks throughout the year because Goldfish Swim School provides special activities and pizza during  Family Swim hours to make the event extra special for students and their parents to participate in.

Party!

Celebrate a special moment in your child's life by reserving Goldfish Swim School for a party.  Don't be shy and jump right in the pool with your child to make some memories to last a lifetime.  Friends and family are sure to have a great time at your child's pool party.  Goldfish Swim School handles all the details and cleanup so dads can focus on enjoying the moment with your child.

Swimming is a great way to spend time with a child.  Goldfish Swim School caters to kids ranging from 4 months to 12 years old and provides plenty of ways that a dad can be involved with the experience.  It provides a great opportunity for dads to bond with their children through engaging in its activities.  For more information or to find a location near you, please visit goldfishswimschool.com

Thanks Babies For Making Me A Dad

Disclosure: I have partnered with Life of Dad  and Pampers for this promotion.

This Fathers Day weekend, I'm joining with Pampers to reflect on how the addition of a baby into a man's life can transform a guy into a dad.  Before I had kids of my own, I'd never changed a diaper, song a lullubi, used a hula hoop, or been responsible for teaching important life lessons like tying shoes or riding a bike.  Since becoming a dad I've witnessed a transformation in myself becoming less self centered and more family oriented.  Most importantly though my children have taught me that it is alright for an adult to embrace being a child-at-heart and it is important to be responsible but I also need to make time for fun and not take life too seriously.  While my twins aren't in diapers anymore the experiences we shared together during their baby years created A Geek Daddy.  Though they don't wear Pampers anymore, I'll always be my twins "daddy" and they'll never stop being my "babies."

When a baby is born, a dad is born! This Fathers Day, Pampers is celebrating the incredible feelings little ones bring to the hearts of dads through unconditional love through a new #ThanksBaby video that captures the amazing relationship that is created between a dad and a baby.  This video explores how becoming a parent empowers men to discover new roles in life through fatherhood.  It also thanks fathers for all the amazing things, big and small, they do to help little ones have a better, loving, more fulfilling life.



For more than 50 years, moms and dads have trusted Pampers to care for their babies' happy, healthy development.  Pampers offers a complete range of diapers, wipes, and training pants designed to provide protection and comfort for every stage.  When it comes to my twins I bought more boxes of Pampers than I count when they were babies.  While I was really glad when my kids became potty trained and it has been years since they've been in diapers, I have to admit missing those Pampers days now they're older.  Especially those times when they danced crazily about with their dad to the songs of the Merry Music Maker letting me bring back a silly side of my personality that hadn't emerged much since my own youthful childhood days.  Do you have any special moments where your baby helped bring out a new or hidden side of your personality?  Share them with us on Twitter using the hashtag #ThanksBaby.

Visit Pampers.com to learn more about Pampers products, join the Pampers Rewards program, and find ideas and information to help your baby get the most out of love, sleep, and play.

Coloring books aren't just for kids anymore

This Christmas a whole bunch of people in our family received coloring books for presents and none of them were children.  My college-aged niece, wife, and mother-in-law all received coloring books during our family's gift exchange.  Coloring books aren't just for kids anymore.  Many adults are beginning to take coloring up as a hobby and books with intricate patterns and detailed drawings are beginning to skyrocket up the publishing industry's best seller lists.

Health professionals are encouraging this new trend noting that for adults taking some time out to color can reduce stress, spark creativity, maintain fine motor skills, help keep your mind sharp, and can be just plain fun to do.  Several studies have shown that coloring can also have a therapeutic value in dealing with anxiety, cancer, depression, and post-traumatic disorders.  We have a cupboard full of coloring books that my kids are always using but I can't recall the last time I spent some time doing some coloring.  During my last routine doctor's visit, my physician warned me that my blood pressure was starting to become troubling so maybe I should take some time to relax a bit with one of these new adult focused coloring books.

This video shares some information about the benefits for adults when it comes to enjoying a coloring book:



While many of these adult focused coloring books are marketed to the ladies there are plenty of selections that will appeal to guys as well.  Plus with the popularity, and profitability, of this new trend a bunch of new coloring books are on their way to retailers to join the existing ones that are already on store shelves.  Here are a few suggestion that dads, and moms, who enjoy the geeky side of life will probably appreciate:

Art of Coloring Star Wars: 100 Images to Inspire Creativity and Relaxation 

This coloring book is filled with pen-and-ink illustrations that portray exotic sci-fi landscapes, elaborate patterns inspired by the movies, and memorable characters from the Star Wars universe.

Secret New York: Color Your Way To Calm

Color your way through the boroughs of New York City with this book filled with images of everyday life in the Big Apple. 

Coloring Dragons

This coloring book is filled with fantastic imagery of these mythic beasts from John Howe, the concept artist for the Lord of the Rings and Hobbit movies.



Color Your Own Age of Ultron

Comic books aren't just for kids anymore and neither are coloring books.  Marvel has published a coloring book aimed at adults who enjoyed last year's blockbuster Avengers: Age of Ultron movie. Also coming out in 2016 will be Color Your Own Deadpool and Color Your Own Civil War based upon those two upcoming movies.



The Official A Game of Thrones Coloring Book (A Song of Ice and Fire)

Ideal for any fan of George R.R. Martin's A Song of Ice and Fire and HBO's Game of Thrones, this coloring book contains forty-five exclusive illustrations of the characters and places in Westeros.

Creative Haven Steampunk Devices Coloring Book

30 illustrations of flying machines, locomotives, submarines, watches and other curious contraptions with a steampunk flair.

Lost Ocean: An Inky Adventure & Coloring Book

Wonderful pen and ink illustrations take you on an underwater adventure through coral reefs and barnacle-studded shipwrecks to discover intricate shells and lost pirate treasure.  The sea life and backgrounds are as colorful as you want to make them.

Highlights Hidden Pictures: A Coloring Book for Grown-up Children

My grandma who was a librarian used to always give me a Highlights Magazine subscription for my birthday when I was a child.  Now this iconic children's brand has a publication featuring a nostalgic collection of Hidden Picture puzzles meant for a grown up audience.  Color the puzzles for a relaxing activity that will remind you of the fun you had as a kid doing the hidden picture puzzles in Highlights Magazine.

Plus coming out soon will be:

Doctor Who Coloring Book

This book features 96 pages filled with some of the best quotes from the television series and out-of-this-world images featuring the escapades of Doctor Who that will delight any Whovian.

Harry Potter Magical Creatures Coloring Book

Discover the magical beings and extraordinary beasts from the world of Harry Potter in this 96 page coloring book.  It also includes a selection of concept art and film stills from the making of the Harry Potter films to your coloring creativity.

There is even a Walking Dead coloring book based upon the AMC television show coming out in the Fall of 2016.

If you haven't colored in awhile with selections like the ones mentioned above you won't need to use your child's Care Bears, Paw Patrol, or Scooby Doo coloring book to have some fun....although there's nothing wrong with using a kiddie one if you want to.  Hey its all about relaxing and having fun! So get out those crayons, markers or colored pencils and embrace your inner artist.

Free Comic Book Day is Saturday, May 2, 2015

One of my favorite days of the year is the first Saturday in May which is FREE COMIC BOOK DAY.  This year there are 50 free publications being given out with something for everyone in the family ranging from early readers (All Ages)  to teens (Teen+) to adults (Mature) to pick up at a participating comic book store.  CLICK HERE to find a participating location near you.

To help encourage new customers to visit their stores and to reward existing ones for their loyalty, Free Comic Book Day provides a selection of comic books that provide a sample of a publishers work or an interesting one-shot story to promote a particular character or series.  While all of these comic books are absolutely FREE, each retailer normally has their own guidelines for the event. While I always enjoy taking my kids to this event to pick up some fun comics for them to enjoy, I have to admit there are always a few things each year I pick up for myself as well.  Here's a few items that will be available on May 2 that those of us in the 18+ age category can enjoy and that I'll be looking to grab for myself.

NEW ENGLAND COMICS - THE TICK - RATED: ALL AGES

THE TICK returns for FCBD 2015 with 32 pages of FULL-COLOR comic book fun! In the ALL-NEW lead story, The Tick & Arthur's apartment is haunted by a ghost from The Tick's mysterious past---an entity who claims to be The Tick's FIRST sidekick and it won't rest in peace until... well, we can't give everything away! Plus more full-color story fun featuring The Tick! Great for fans new and old!

DARK HORSE - FIGHT CLUB - RATED:  MATURE READERS

Dark Horse Comic's most thrilling FCBD to date . . . Chuck Palahniuk and Cameron Stewart premiere Fight Club! Eric Powell with all-new tragedy in The Goon! And Guillermo del Toro presents an all-new chapter from The Strain! Need we say more?

TITAN - DOCTOR WHO - RATED: TEEN+

Take a blistering trip through time and space with three stunning ALL-NEW short stories featuring Tenth Doctor, Eleventh Doctor and the brand-new Twelfth Doctor by the ongoing DOCTOR WHO creative teams - PLUS a sneak peek of the TOP SECRET Summer 2015 event! Be the first to get a hint of the epic that will shake the Doctor to his core! It's an unmissable read for fans, and the perfect primer for anyone looking to jump on board the TARDIS!

COMIXTRIBE - AND THEN EMILY WAS GONE - RATED: MATURE READERS

A chilling prelude to the cult horror sensation, And Then Emily Was Gone!  Bonnie Shaw is a terrifying creature of Scottish folklore who would grant parents their hearts' desire... in exchange for their child.  Young Billy McTaggart has nothing to fear from Ol' Bonnie, as his mother and father love him, don't they?  DON'T THEY?! Featuring a cover by superstar artist Ryan Stegman

HERMES PRESS - THE PHANTOM - RATED: ALL AGES

The Phantom, the grand-daddy of costumed heroes celebrates Free Comic Book Day 2015 with a volume showcasing stories by some of the greatest artists to ever create tales for this ground-breaking title featuring The Ghost Who Walks.  This 32 page book will feature work from the Gold Key and King Phantom comics created by Bill Lignante; from the Charlton Phantom comics created by Jim Aparo and Don Newton and will offer samples of the newest Phantom story created by Peter David and Sal Velluto. Hermes Press' Phantom FDBD issue will also offer bonus material and tons of surprises!

 LEGENDARY COMICS - COMIC BOOK SAMPLER - RATED: TEEN+

Working with industry-leading talent such as Grant Morrison, Frazer Irving, Matt Wagner, Simon Bisley, Judd Winick, Geoff Shaw, Jonathan Hennessey and Shane Davis, we've created an ever-growing library of thrilling sagas including Annihilator, Epochalypse, A Town Called Dragon, The Harvester, The Tower Chronicles: DreadStalker and more, alongside cinematic tie-ins such as Godzilla: Awakeningand the best-selling Pacific Rim: Tales from Year Zero.

DARK CIRCLE COMICS ISSUE #1 - RATED: MATURE READERS

THE BLACK HOOD! THE FOX! THE SHIELD! Get in on the ground floor of Dark Circle Comics and experience the cinematic and creator-driven reinventions of these iconic properties. Who is the new Shield? How did the Black Hood come to be? Can things get more unpredictable for The Fox? Learn the secrets of the Dark Circle universe from the creators themselves via sneak peeks at the new series, creator interviews and a first glance at the next Dark Circle series - all held together by an eye-popping cover from Afterlife with Archie artist Francesco Francavilla!