The Worlds Greatest Dad

You are in the final round of your favorite game show. The category is "Fatherhood". All that stands between you and the grand prize is the answer to this question: "Describe the World's Greatest Dad. He would ?"

Each spring, I play this game with the students in my class as we brainstorm ideas for poems, cards and gifts for Father's Day. Regardless of the age of my students, out of the hundreds of answers I have amassed, they all remain quite similar. What do they say? What would your kids say? What is that special ingredient that turns a father into a special Dad? The results might surprise you ?

Healthy ?

The World's Greatest Dad in most cases is tall and strong, but more importantly, very healthy:

? He would not smoke.
? He would be active and always have lots of energy.
? He would take us for hikes, walks, bike rides, and play sports with me.
? He would eat supper faster so he could come outside and play.

Wealthy? ?

While variations on, "He would be rich and buy me things," inevitably make the list each year, it is one of the least popular responses. The top answer does involve spending, but it is time rather than money. Here are some popular responses about spending more quality time with Dad:

? He would take me fishing, hunting, to sporting events, or to the park.
? He would help with my homework.
? He would read with me and tuck me into bed at night.
? He would want to spend time with me."

? and Wise

In The News:


Obama & Cindy McCain on parenting and Secret Service
Seattle Post Intelligencer - 15 hours ago
I give Parenting credit for getting a dad in there, and not focusing on Michelle Obama. A last-minute schedule change forced Republican presidential nominee ...

MetLife Foundation Begins new Phase of Award-Winning Parenting ...
MarketWatch - 23 hours ago
NEW YORK, Oct 13, 2008 /PRNewswire via COMTEX/ -- MetLife Foundation will begin the next phase of its award-winning parenting skills campaign, ...

Parenting support in Tower Hamlets
Communitycare.co.uk, UK - 1 hour ago
In October 2006, the London Borough of Tower Hamlets became one of the 18 parenting early intervention pathfinders as part of a national initiative promoted ...
Catchment areas could be axed for primary schools This is London
all 2 news articles

Letting go: A recurring theme in parenting
Portsmouth Herald News, NH - 2 hours ago
By Shelley C. Gardner Becoming a parent transforms in an instant our life experience and sense of purpose. No longer is it only about us as a family emerges ...

Parenting under the law
Jamaica Gleaner, Jamaica - Oct 12, 2008
Under the law, parents and guardians have particular obligations relating to the safety of children which should not be ignored. ...

Parenting Wisely: Getting Kids Up And Out In The Morning
WFMY News 2, NC - 1 hour ago
Parenting Wisely instructor Terri Nelson has three tips for you this morning to help kids get up and get ready in the morning. 1. ...

Parenting skills go mobile with text messaging
Great Dad, California - 5 hours ago
Parents and children are increasingly turning to text messaging as a way to keep in touch with each other throughout the day, the results of a new survey ...

Entertainmentwise

Pamela Anderson hits out at Jordan for her parenting skills
Mirror.co.uk, UK - 1 hour ago
By Andy Rudd, Mirror.co.uk 14/10/2008 Pamela Anderson has blasted Jordan for her parenting skills and admitted: “I've no idea how Jordan became famous”. ...
Pamela Anderson Slams Jordan In Battle Of The Bimbos Entertainmentwise
Pammi in bust-up with Jordan The Sun
all 11 news articles

'Lemonade' author to speak at Los Gatos High tonight
San Jose Mercury News,  USA - 12 hours ago
The community read-in is a free event sponsored by the Parenting Continuum, the Los Gatos Union School District and Project Cornerstone. ...

Film spotlights alternative parenting
Victor Harbor Times, Australia - 12 hours ago
BY DREW EVERS REGION - Local writers Shane Farrell and Jennifer Deaves are shedding new light on alternative parenting in a planned documentary. ...
parenting - Google News

Homeschooling --- A Superior Education For Your Child

Home-schooling provides children with a superior education. Parents can quickly... Read More

The Family Guy - Parenting From a Single Dads Perspective

It was a hot summer day in august and The... Read More

Youth In A Changing World

IntroductionChildren are the gifts of God to parents. That young... Read More

The Importance of Mothers

Moms, did you ever question your value as a role... Read More

Labeling is Disabling: Achieving Congruent Communication

A small town, somewhere in the world, was managed by... Read More

I Dont Believe in ADHD

O.K. I've heard it a hundred times from my prison... Read More

Considering Daycare? Consider the Pros and Cons

When you're a parent it's a difficult decision to know... Read More

Public Schools Can Waste 12 Years of Your Child?s Life

For over fifty years, public-school officials and politicians have tried... Read More

For School Success, Dont Coddle Your Kids

Parents want their children to succeed in school. However, sometimes... Read More

Bedtime and Sleep Habits

Bedtime and children's sleep habits can cause nightmares - for... Read More

Entering Their Imaginative World

In dealing with children with autism spectrum disorders, its all... Read More

Teach Your Children - Without Them Knowing They Are Learning!

The great thing about children is they absorb knowledge like... Read More

Labor of Love

The small, lilac colored hexagonal box, with Winnie the Pooh... Read More

My Sweet Little Valentine

Valentine day has always been a special day in my... Read More

True Romance for Couples with Kids: 10 Inexpensive Ideas

Anyone can splurge on a formal dinner or a pricey... Read More

Children Cooperate When Appreciated

Do you want your child to cooperate with you more?Children... Read More

Avoid Weight Problems In Children

Although, not a well publicized statistic, childhood obesity has more... Read More

Best Tips for Stress Free Child Party Games

When planning a child birthday party, just a little bit... Read More

Guerilla Parenting Techniques: What Are They?

When you hear the phrase, 'guerrilla parenting techniques', what images... Read More

On Raising a Child with Disabilities: Sara & the Nail Salon

Sara loves pampering. Haircuts, facials, manicures, and makeup bring smiles,... Read More

Top Ten Common Sense Rules for Fathers

There are a lot of sophisticated parenting theories and techniques... Read More

Understanding The Report

"No thank you. Don't bother to send me the report... Read More

What is Incest?

Incest is sexual activity, ranging from fondling to intercourse, between... Read More

Guilty of Not Following Her Heart

Karen, a single never-married thirty-year old attorney has a four-year... Read More

The Homeopathic Nutraceutical Attend as an Alternative to Ritalin

You no longer have to use Ritalin or other stimulants... Read More