Saturday, May 7, 2011

My Mom’s The Best Contest: A Partnership with Pillsbury!



Well, Mother’s Day is here! I’d like to take the opportunity to pause and give thanks to all the women who have gone above and beyond the call of duty to be mothers. By no means is it an easy task to carry children in their wombs for 9 months and then carry them in their hearts for the rest of their lives.

At the Upbeat Dad, we believe in the influential role that fathers can have on the lives of children. Far too often, mothers are left to raise the kids without a strong, involved father. But mothers are the constant, ever-present force in the lives of children. So for all that you do, mothers, we applaud you.

We’d really like to celebrate the champions of our homes for the ways in which they have nurtured and cared for us. Why don’t you pamper your mom on this special day! Do something thoughtful and creative like: breakfast in bed; shower her with flowers; give her the day off while you take care of everything; plan a family picnic in the park. The possibilities are endless!

To help us celebrate moms on this special day, I’m pleased to announce that we have partnered with Pillsbury Sweet Rolls in our My Mom’s The Best Contest. Now here’s how it works:
We’d like you to share in the Comments section of this post, your thoughts on why your mom, your wife, aunt, sister, cousin, etc is the best mother the world has ever known. Try to be original and creative!

The mom of your choice could be happily married; she could be single; she could be alive; or she could have passed on.  Oh, and she doesn’t need to necessarily be a biological mother. All that matters is that  she has lovingly cared for the child(ren) under her care; that’s something  for which she ought to be honored on this special day.

The Pillsbury giveaway package
The giveaway package from Pillsbury that will be sent to the winner includes: Fleece Lounge Pants, Golf Balls, Lunch Sack, Oven Mitt, Apron and VIP Coupon. I know you and the mom of your choice will enjoy and appreciate the items. I’ve already received a package with the items noted above and they’re great! The VIP Coupons were for Pillsbury Grands Sweet Rolls! My wife and daughter can’t stop singing their praises!

We want the mom of your choice to share in this as well! So just share your thoughts in the Comments section of this post. And leave your name – not your contact information. Entries will be accepted until the end of the day on Mothers Day, May 8, 2011. We will then review all the entries and select what we feel is the most intriguing, compelling post. We will then announce the winner by noon on Monday, May 9, 2011, within the Comments section of the blog. We will also announce it by Twitter and on Facebook.

If you’re the winner, simply email us at: info@theupbeatdad.com with your contact information as well as the recipient’s information. The package will then be sent out immediately.

The point of the giveaway and the partnership with Pillsbury  is for us to collectively join in the celebration of motherhood on this special day. We owe so much to them for giving us and our children the gift of life.

In my view, all of our mothers are winners – whether or not they receive the giveaway package. They are champions in our homes and in our hearts. Thanks to Pillsbury for helping us to create this “feel good” moment by telling the world how wonderful our moms are.

Enjoy this special day with your mom and/or the mom of your children. Let her know just how precious she is. Make it a memorable Mothers Day!


The Upbeat Dad



Thursday, May 5, 2011

Establishing a Relationship with Your Absentee Dad


I had a recent conversation with a friend and after thinking about the nature of our discussion, I made a note to write about the topic of connecting with a father who's been missing in action in his kids' lives. There are various reasons that dads go missing - some good, some not so good. With this post, I'd like to focus on dads who knowingly choose not to be involved in their kids' lives - the absentee dads.
In our world today, single parent households are as common as two parent households - and in some communities, it's the rule, not the exception. More often than not, the single parent is a mother. She works day and night to keep food on the table. The father of the kids is often nowhere to be found. So the mom raises them alone.
Still, in every child lies the need for a father and a mother. It's not unusual for kids who grow up with loving, single mothers to express a longing for a relationship with their dad whom they've never met. Some even go into depression as a result of it. Others devote themselves to finding their dads and embark on a lifelong mission to do so.
Often, the kids do know their father but he's only another person who they know. There's not a close, loving, parent/child bond - their dad is more like an acquaintance. He comes and goes just like the wind.
I saw a movie recently and I found a particular scene pretty funny but still quite realistic. A father stopped by the home where his infant son lives along with the child's mother. When she opened the door, he said, "I'm here to pick up my son." He then walks over and picks up the baby and plays with him for about 20 seconds. Then he puts him down and says, "I'll be back next week to pick up my son." Funny isn't it? Still it sends a strong message.
So how do children who grew up without a close, loving father establish a relationship with him? Certainly when they are young, they have very little control over it. They have to deal with things as they are. But kids don't stay young forever. As a child in school, I was taught, "The boys and girls of today will be the men and women of tomorrow."
As kids grow, they can independently choose to establish relationships with their dads. My friend who I referred to earlier in this post did just that. She grew up with a single mom. She didn't know her father.  She was told things about him that weren't exactly flattering. But still she wanted to know him.
As she grew older, she did meet him. And as she did, she wanted to establish the relationship with him that she never had. It was a bit awkward at first. How do you get to know someone whose blood literally runs through your veins but who you know didn't really have you as a top priority? It's difficult, no doubt.
In her case, she did establish a relationship with him - one that he actually welcomed. Now they have a loving friendship. She's an adult now and as she speaks of him, there's nothing but a big smile on her face - not the negativity that many have after meeting their "long-lost" dads.
She also told me that since her father became a part of her life; both of her parents have become reacquainted. And it quickly became evident that there's some underlying tension between them. So then, it's not difficult to understand why, when their relationship ended, they didn't have anything to do with each other, despite the fact that they had a child together.
This leads me to touch on a point that I think cannot be ignored in this area. Not everyone who's been labeled "deadbeat dad" is deserving of that title. I don't know of the specifics that led to my friend's father leaving. But this I do know, sometimes men are treated horribly by the legal system and by the mothers of their children. They then make the conscious decision to stay away altogether. I don't endorse staying away from your kids under any scenario but I do understand the frustration that causes some to give up.

One of my tenets is that, it doesn't matter how horribly you've been treated by the legal system or anyone. I didn't particularly enjoy my divorce about 10 years ago (See The Story Behind The Upbeat Dad). But in the midst of all of that, was my innocent, sweet three year old daughter. If I walked away in frustration, that would have left her more vulnerable.
So my encouragement to men is to hang in there and do what's best for the kids because a father is just as important as a mother in the lives of children. It saddens me to listen to men tell me of cases where their kids were told that they didn't love them so they left. I've also heard dads say their kids were told that they had died. So very sad but not altogether uncommon to hear such stories.
My encouragement, as I conclude this post is twofold. For fathers who need to connect or reconnect with their kids I say this: your kids need you, regardless of what you or they may have ever been told. If you've been in the wrong, just make it right. First, forgive yourself and then seek their forgiveness. No one can change the past. But you can turn the sadness and bitterness into something beautiful, with thoughtful consideration. I don't claim that this process is easy but it's very necessary to establish the loving relationship that your kids deserve.

For those who don't enjoy the loving relationship with their dad that every child deserves, I encourage you to be open-minded. You may be a child as you read this. Or you may be an adult. But whatever the case, there's a void that can only be filled by establishing that bond with your dad. If your dad walked out on you and/or your mom, I encourage you to develop a forgiving heart. Some fathers never cared and never will. But many do care and when they come to realize the error of their ways, it's good for you and them when you forgive.
If you long for a loving bond with your father and never quite get what you desire, just know that life throws us some "curve balls" at times. That we cannot control. If you don't get what you desire from your dad, just ensure that if you are a dad, you shower your kids with love. Give them what you never received. Don't be bitter; but rather, become better from the situation.
Life is short - very short. I do hope that the thoughts shared in this post have been a source of encouragement. If you know others who would benefit from what I've shared here, do pass it on to them. I believe that it can make a lasting impact. And hearts can be touched and healed in the process.
Enjoy your day!

The Upbeat Dad

Tuesday, May 3, 2011

Coming May 19 - The Next Upbeat Dad Community Forum!

I'm pleased to share that our next Upbeat Dad Community Forum is scheduled for Thursday, May 19, 2011. Not sure what that's about? Read Announcing The Upbeat Dad Community Forum to learn more about the vision behind this event.
I'm quite excited about the forum because we're moving in the direction of addressing issues concerning fatherhood in a public setting. Honest, open dialogue is key as we carry out our mission to create more actively-involved, upbeat dads.
We have assembled an awesome group of panelists coming out the address the question: Where Are Our Fathers? Details of this event are below.
The Upbeat Dad Community Forum!

Where are our fathers?
And why are there so many deadbeats?

Come let your voice be heard!
You'll enjoy this intriguing discussion on fatherhood!


Where:
Cooper City Church of God Fellowship Hall
9191 Stirling Road
Cooper City, FL 33328


When:

Thursday, May 19, 2011
7 PM - 9 PM


Among the issues that will be addressed are:
·         Absentee father syndrome: Where are our fathers?
·         How fair is the family law system?
·         Why parents use children in a game of tug of war?

Contact: Rodrick Walters
Phone: 954-288-4788
“We’re excited about fatherhood!”

Open to the public - Men and women are invited!
Free Admission!

Come on out and express yourself on this
thought-provoking subject!


If you're in the Miami area, please do join us that evening. I think you'll leave with information that will empower you and your family.
Have a great day!
The Upbeat Dad