Baby Zone

Bag Dad

Celebrating Dad - Find the Perfect Products to Help Nurture Their Role

Soccer games, ballet lessons, play dates, business meetings, homemade lunches, carpools and birthday parties. Today's woman often feels she needs to bring home a paycheck, run a household and be the perfect mother. No wonder we're called super-moms - not to mention stressed out, overworked, exhausted and overwhelmed.

Fortunately, we are not in this alone. Today's dad is more involved than ever before and he is definitely shouldering his part of the responsibilities. With so many women going back to work outside the home and starting home-based businesses, dads have really had more of an opportunity to step it up and share the family roles while mom helps to ease the financial burden. And it is no different with stay-at-home moms because being with children all day while taking care of a house and trying to have some personal time can overwhelm even the toughest woman, so help is still needed and perhaps even more so, by dad in this situation.

Despite how well dads are doing these days at contributing to the awesome responsibility of parenting, sometimes they still feel lost in their role at home. At work they thrive. They know what to do, how to do it and they receive financial compensation for their labor. At home however, they may have to be reminded of when the kids eat, what time baseball practices and tap classes are, and what new discipline strategies mom has implemented. It can feel awkward, challenging and frustrating at times.

Thank goodness we live in a society that understands this dilemma and strives to provide families with creative solutions. From feeding time reminders and self-swaddling blankets to catch-all bags created with dads in mind, there is something out there for every dad who feels he needs an edge on parenting.

Awkward Adjustment

The newborn stage is an especially awkward time for dads because mom has spent nearly ten months with her child living inside of her and she is pretty much the sole provider of comfort and feeding when the bundle of joy is born. This leaves dad to wonder how he can bond with the baby and what he can do to contribute. One way dads have been successful at bonding with their newborns is through sharing feedings. And there are products out there, like the bottle that is shaped like a mother's breast, that allow dads to share in the joy of feeding their baby while allowing mom to rest easy knowing that her child will not experience nipple confusion or become gassy from a bottle.

Another way dads can bond with their newborns is through comfort. This is sometimes intimidating for them because it seems moms are pre-programmed with the ability to soothe, while it is often a learned art for dad. There are several products that can help comfort baby and ease them into sweet slumber, such as easy swaddling blankets and stuffed animals that attach to the crib and make soothing noises.

Brave Daddy

As your baby starts to get a little older, dad may feel brave enough to go on an outing alone with him or her, perhaps in an effort to give you a break. This is a confidence builder for him and a sanity saver for you. And it may only take one failed attempt to discourage him from trying it again, so make sure he%u2019s loaded with all the right products to ensure success on his outing and future breaks for you. One thing he is sure to need is a diaper bag outfitted with all the diapers, wipes, bottles and binkies he could possibly need, but do you really think he wants to be seen carrying that hip satin Chinese print shoulder bag/backpack you use? If so, think again. Dads are simple and practical, which is why companies have started making daddy diaper bags that come in a variety of dad-approved colors and keep their hands free to chase after babies on the go.

Shared Experiences

You and your husband have no doubt shared the duty of changing diapers, so why not continue to do that when you enter into the realm of potty training? This way you are a team and your child knows you both mean business. It also ensures that if you need to run an errand or be away from the child while your husband watches him or her, he will know what to do, when to do it, and how to do it with regard to potty training your child. In the spirit of dads loving to make everything fun with their kids, equip him with fun aids such as PottieStickers. They are portable, consistent and rewarding, making dad%u2019s involvement in this process that much easier. And if you want to reduce frustration from not being able to readily find all the potty training tools and supplies you are using, provide your child with an organized potty seat like the one from Boon. These genius little seats organize all your potty training supplies, make cleaning up a breeze and most of them convert to step stools so you and your husband can remember to enforce the necessary habit of hand washing after going potty. If you want your husband to partner with you on this sometimes challenging journey, be prepared with the right equipment and make it fun and enjoyable.

Dads Just Wanna Have Fun

Dad does a lot to help out around the house and with the kids, but there is more to parenting than just being responsible and doing what%u2019s best for your children. It has to be fun! Playing is an element that cannot be overlooked because it is all too important to the learning and development of little ones, not to mention an excellent way for dad to bond with his children as they grow older. Dress up used to be thought of as something only little girls did. But there are some great products out there that make it cool for both girls and boys to play pretend, and in turn, play together with dad, such as capes for boys that can be personalized with their initial and classic tutus for the little princesses in your house. This kind of play will inspire your boys to be imaginary superheroes and will definitely bring out the little kid in your husband. Then there is the classic tutu that will take your little princess to a far away kingdom where Daddy is her knight in shining armor, ready to rescue the damsel in distress. And whether dad is pretending to soar through the air with your little superhero or slaying dragons to save the princess, the perfect setting for their adventures is under a homemade tent or one from Lucy and Michael. So keep the camcorder on hand for those spur-of-the-moment dress-up sessions because these are memories they will all be fond of in years to come.

Dads deserve to be celebrated for how they provide for their families, come home to relieve mom, and create lifelong memories with their children as often as possible. They are not perfect but they are invaluable. As moms, we have the ability to equip the fathers of our children with all the right tools to help them feel more comfortable in their role as daddy, from newborn to graduating senior. All it takes is a little creativity, forethought and caring. So, whatever stage of parenting you are in, consider what it will take to get your husband more involved on all levels and then be proactive in helping him get there. You never know; he might just surprise you.

About the Author

Heather Ledeboer is the owner of Mom 4 Life (http://www.Mom4Life), a website that offers 100% mom made and invented products.

What to do if you caught your dad cheating on your mom?

what do i do?

Pack this away and never tell anyone.
If what you say is true in the end he will be found out. The kind of pain this could cause is more than a game. If you do what you are thinking you will have played a role in this whole dirty situation.
If you do nothing you will be glad in the end.

	ExtraLife Produce Preserver Disks - Set of 3 List Price: $14.99 Sale Price: $14.99 Average Rating:
	ExtraLife works naturally in the refrigerator crisper bin to prolong freshness by neutralizing the ethylene gas released by fruits and vegetables as they ripen. Set contains 3 disks

	Set of 2 NoStick Toast It Toaster Bags List Price: $9.99 Sale Price: $4.59 Average Rating:
	The NoStik Toast-it bag with its non-stick surface cooks snacks for you in just a couple of minutes, retaining all their flavor and vitamins. Toasted sandwiches, pizza slices, panini, pita, garlic bread, bacon and more. Your toaster or grill will remain clean. Toast-it is also suitable for use in all types of toasters, grills, toaster ovens. The bag is reusable up to 50 times.

Safety Cross Complete Personal Safety Backpack 1 ea List Price: $69.99 Sale Price: $74.99

Please note: Due to packaging updates, the image shown and the products listed may vary slightly from the product received.Peace of Mind, Wherever You Go.™SafetyCross provides innovative products to help you and your family prepare for emergencies whether at home, at work, or out having fun. In our commitment to safety, we annually donate a percentage of profits to key national charities and organizations that aid disaster relief efforts.Use with confidence in: Emergency Situations, Outdoor Use, Disaster Preparedness, Protection against weather, shelter, warmth.Wings of Life Backpack:Detachable Wings of Life (Patent Pending) Accommodates drinking water pouch w/tube Sleeve System for storage of Food/Water Designed for everyday use, backpacking. . . Light Weight Design Cell Phone/Walkie Talkie Carrying Case 14 Pockets/Sleeves Water Reservoir Pocket Multifunction tool sleeve Ergonomically designed for children & adults Cushioned shoulder straps Back Ventilation System for cool air flow See through pockets for quick access to items Expandable side seams Ring hooks for added attachments Two side pockets for storage of PSD 6N1* & bottle Durable construction for long life.Includes:All Weather Poncho Thermal Blanket Hygiene Kit Signaling Mirror First Aid Kit Writing Pad and Pen Signaling Whistle Directional Compass Magnifying Glass Leather/Cloth Gloves Respirator Mask Red Emergency Flashing Light Multifunction Tool Waterproof Document/Cash Bag Wings of Life Backpack.*Personal Safety Device 6-in-1 not included.

	Evriholder CLBC Cliplock Bag Clips List Price: $2.89 Sale Price: $3.69
	Evriholder CLBC Cliplock Bag ClipsEvriholder CLBC Cliplock Bag Clips Features:; Unique plastic and freezer bag clips; Magnetic; Assorted colors; 3 per card

Sweet Baby Special Delivery Gift Basket - BOY BLUE Sale Price: $69.99

Send your congratulations and best wishes in adorable style with this handy cloth lined baby hamper (with wheels to look like a baby carriage - too cute!) filled with all kinds of baby necessities for the new little prince. We start with an ultra soft baby blanket for cuddling, sleepy keepsake baby bear, baby shirt outfit, baby booties, baby bottle, set of 100% cotton wash cloths, embroidered baby bib, tiny little fingernail clipper kit and yummy "Baby's First" sugar cookies for Mom, Dad and Siblings to enjoy. Each gift is carefully hand crafted with attention to every detail and includes a personalized gift message from you to convey your best wishes on any gift occasion. Copyright Art of Appreciation. We offer shipping and delivery service Monday through Friday only; standard ground shipping has an expected delivery 4-8 business days after you place your order, expedited shipping has an expected delivery 2-5 business days after you place your order. To determine when your gift will be delivered, please review the "Shipping Rates and Policies" link.

Bebabean Beba Bean Pee-Pee Peepee Teepees Five Surfing Teepees & Laundry Bag Sale Price: $10.23

The Pee-pee Teepee Blue Surfing with Laundry Bag Changing a baby girl is not all glitz and glory. Changing a baby boy is an even bigger horror story. You hold the feet with one hand and change the diaper with the other, the whole time praying "please don't pee on your mother". This cone-shaped pee-pee teepee cloth product makes diaper changes dry and easy! The ultimate diapering accessories for boys! The perfect addition to any baby shower gift Each Package comes with 5 Pee-Pee Teepees in Laundry Bag 100% Cotton. Machine Wash and Dry The Pee-Pee Teepee is Made in Canada

	HP RU350AA Backpack Case for 17.0-Inch Notebooks List Price: $59.99 Sale Price: Too low to display Average Rating:
	Information technology professionals rely on HP quality to ensure maximum productivity. As the power of applications, processors, memory adapters and storage devices increases, high-end computer users are seeking ways to optimize their system performance. HP provides leading solutions, adding new levels of performance, availability, flexibility, and management.

Laptop Porter 15.4" Wide List Price: $69.99 Sale Price: $42.95 Average Rating:

The Laptop Porter has the extras you want in a laptop bag. It has two exterior pockets with zippers to store laptop accessories, folders, magazines - all the extra stuff you want with you. The neoprene allows the bag to expand, providing extra room for your laptop, and the abrasion resistant exterior provides extra protection. You can carry it by the handles, or use the removable padded shoulder strap. Either way, this versatile computer bag is a great choice for travelers, professionals, and urban nomads.

Belkin F8N079-SGF-DL 15-Inch Energy Collection Slim Backpack (Gray/Flamingo Pink) List Price: $59.99 Sale Price: $24.40 Average Rating:

Compartments for everything from pens, business cards, credit cards, power supplies, and your other notebook accessories. Separate removable pouch for your power supply coordinates with your bag and contrasts for easy identification. The shoulder straps and backside of the slim Backpack have extra padding and breathable mesh for maximum support and comfort. Convenient headphone grommet provides access to your MP3 player while keeping it safe and stored in a secure pocket.

	Creative Labs Vado VF0570APS Pocket Video Camera Mesh Pouch (Silver) List Price: $14.99 Sale Price: $14.27 Used From: $8.49 Average Rating:
	Clip this durable mesh case to your belt or pack to keep your Vado safe from bumps and scratches.

Sweet Baby Care Package with Teddy Bear - New Baby Gift Basket - BABY GIRL PINK Sale Price: $29.99

Get Mom, Dad and the precious baby off to a great start with all the useful baby necessities we've tucked inside this affordable care package - it will surely come in handy in the months to come! They will lift the lid to discover all the treasures inside from a soft plush teddy bear just for baby, pretty picture frame, baby bottle, embroidered baby bib, tri pack of diapers (so handy!), the required baby bath toy - a rubber ducky and even "My First Cookies" shortbread sugar cookies decorated with tiny baby footprints for Mom and Dad to share. Each gift is carefully hand crafted with attention to every detail, tied with a pretty bow and includes a personalized gift message from you to convey your heartfelt best wishes. We offer shipping and delivery service Monday through Friday only; standard ground shipping has an expected delivery 4-8 business days after you place your order, expedited shipping has an expected delivery 2-5 business days after you place your order. To determine when your gift will be delivered, please review the "Shipping Rates and Policies" link.

Caddypack Golf Gift Basket in Cooler Bag - Small Size List Price: $74.95 Sale Price: $64.95 Average Rating:

PLAY COOLER GOLF WITH A GREAT GOLF COOLER. This 12-pack golf caddy cooler will hold brewski's or iced tee's, and comes with take-along snacks including pretzels, mustard, a bucket of chocolate golf balls and 2 root beers. Plus the indispensable golfers book "A Disorderly Compendium of Golf". This great golf gift comes with a matching GiftProse card with this greeting: "Take this 12-pack Caddypack - fill it up with brew and tees, add some good survival snacks to last a long journey ... Now GO, and dont you dare come back until the day is done,and youve got yourself some birdies or a stunning hole in one!" Give the perfect Father's Day gift basket.