Change Your world and your kids’ world in 2 minutes!

Welcome to 2 Minute Dad!  I am a single father of 5 amazing kids! (did I say A-MA-ZING?!) I don’t pretend to know everything about being a dad.  I don’t think I have all the answers. I don’t know how to solve every issue that comes up with my kids.  But I do know how to love my kids!  I have learned many lessons about being a dad the hard way.

After a divorce in 2007, I went from living in a world where my kids were my life – every minute of every day, to having them with me a few days a week and every other weekend. I learned what I was taking for granted.  I saw more clearly than ever in my life what they needed from me as their dad, and I made changes.  I believe I’ve always been a decent dad, but in the last few years, I can honestly say that I’m a hell of a father.  It’s one of the few things in my life that I know for sure!  I don’t say that out of arrogance. I will be the first to admit that I have MANY shortcomings.  I once learned that the only way to fairly judge anything in life is to look at the results, and I see results every day that tell me I’m doing something right with my kids!

I’ve since been fortunate enough to get custody of all 5 of my kids and I have them in my home now every day!  In the last few years, I have seen things, learned things, and experienced things that have added SO much joy and fulfillment into my life with my kids.  I have been told by many friends that they look up to me as a dad.  I’m immensely humbled by their praise and feedback.

I believe strongly that it’s easier to raise healthy children than it is to fix broken adults.  We often hear about wounds created by our fathers not being present – not being involved in the lives of their children. My goal for this blog and the entire 2 Minute Dad program is to help the dads of the world learn what I learned without having to go through the pain of losing their children.

I invite you to share your stories with me. Send in your success stories, your victories, & your wins with your kids! Take my tips to heart, and share tips of your own, then please let me know the changes you experience in your life!

The biggest thing I’ve learned is that it’s the little things that make the biggest difference.  I’ve discovered that taking 2 minutes here and 2 minutes there, have been the key to building a solid relationship with each one of my kids.

I look forward to this journey!

I was Here

If there is one lesson I could leave for my kids… It would be this – Make a difference.  Leave a Legacy.  Make your mark on the world!

What Really Matters?

It’s been a year since I posted anything here.  Life got overwhelming, and I made a choice to reduce the amount of plates I was spinning.  Well, it’s time to get this one spinning again.  A recent inventory of my priorities found this blog and it’s purpose much higher on the list than I thought it would be… so here I am.  I’m back!

I sit this morning going through about a dozen drafts that I have started but haven’t published, wondering what today’s post should be about.  I try hard to listen to my intuition when I’m writing, and nothing seemed to fit for today.  After another gut check, I decided to write about something that I’ve been forgetting about lately.  I guess it’s time to practice what I preach.

On the back cover of my book, I say that we often get so caught up in our roles, that we often forget about what really matters.  I’m guilty as charged. Overwhelm is an easy place to go in the world today.  So what gets lost?  For me, it’s my clarity around what’s important in my life.

Some recent health concerns have brought this home to me even more.  I’m a single parent.  What is something happens to me? What if I get so sick that I couldn’t care for my kids? Then it hit me.  What am I doing now – while I’m well… to show my kids what they mean to me?  What as I doing to give them a great life every day?  Regardless of my health, I do have control over one thing… the life I give to my kids every day.

So today, I make a commitment… that I will do all I can every day to make my kids life amazing!  I will hold them more, tell them I love them more, share parts of me with them more, and show them my love in as many ways as I can.

It’s time to put my stress, my issues, and my plate spinning aside, and get back to creating a piece of love and happiness for my kids.  Every single day!  Join me?!

I’m Back!

Watch for the 2 Minute Dad Tip of the Day – then do it!  I want to help you get closer to your kids every day! New blog posts will be coming also!  Please share these tips and posts on your wall and with your friends!

Back-to-School/End of Summer Special

If you haven’t ordered your copy of 2 Minute Dad yet, do it today!  I have had incredible feedback on the books and really want to get it into the hands of every dad!  Please help spread the word! I’ve worked a deal with my publisher to cut the price to only $7.99 (paperback) or $4.52 (Download)!  If everyone buys a copy for themselves and one for a friend, imagine the difference we could make in the lives of kids all over the world!

Help us make a difference and share this page on your Facebook wall, Twitter feed, or anywhere else – using the “share” button below!

Happy Father’s Day! Now Wake the Hell Up!

I found this article yesterday and I was completely blown away!  This guy hit the nail right on the head!  There is nothing more I could say…

http://www.cnn.com/2011/OPINION/06/16/pearlman.fathers.day/index.html?iref=obnetwork

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What support do YOU need as a dad (parent)?

I’ve had several who are Facebook friends, send me questions or ask for advice on something they are going through as a parent…  I just added a page (using the links at the top right of the page) for a Dad support page.  If you have any questions, or need support or feedback from me, or other dads, post your questions on that page, and we will reply with our thoughts and answers!

Happy Parenting!

 

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Specially priced for Fathers Day! Click here to order your 2MinuteDad Book today!

Who Are Your Kids?

I was recently asked to write a small bio for each of my kids.  As I did, I realized how many amazing qualities my kids have, that I don’t acknowledge nearly enough!  It was a really great lesson for me.  My challenge is for you to take a few minutes and write out a description of each of your kids.  Not just how old they are, or what they look like, but WHO are they?  What makes them unique and special?  What do you appreciate about them?  What value do they bring to your and your family? What are they really good at? What do you share with each one of them individually?  Take 5-10 minutes for each one, and really connect with who they are as human beings.  Then if you really want to take it to the next level, take that description and share it with each of your kids.  Let them know what you see in them!  Have fun, and let me know how it goes!

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Specially priced for Fathers Day! Click here to order your 2MinuteDad Book today!

Encouraging Dreams

For several years now, my daughter has had a dream of going to University of Hawaii and studying photography.  She started taking pictures as early as I can remember!  About 5 years ago, I bought really nice digital camera for my own hobby and interests, and she quickly took it over!  A year later she started her own business and started doing outdoor photo shoots for friends.  With my help, she created an online portfolio and Facebook page for her business.  She studied Photoshop at a local technical school and has developed some amazing gifts!  She is truly passionate about her work, and sees life through a camera lens!   She has a hefty portfolio now of teens, kids, weddings, engagement photos, families, senior portraits, and individual shots.   I am SO proud of the amazing talent that she has developed!  She is able to see and capture life with her camera in a way that I’ve never seen before!

Well, this last Thursday she graduated from High School.  I’m a very proud daddy!  She has worked tirelessly applying for every scholarship she can find and is anxiously waiting to go to Hawaii in the fall to pursue her dream.   We recently got word that with all of her financial aid there is still a significant gap in her financial needs to attend…  There is nothing I wouldn’t do for her, and at the same time I want her to learn that dreams CAN be achieved, and they often require a lot of work!

So we broke it down, and realized that she only needs to schedule 100 new photo shoots between now and August to fill the gap herself!  We created a Facebook event and in just a few hours, there are several people contacting her!  If you know anyone in the Phoenix area, spread the word!  They can support an amazing girl in reaching her dreams, and get some of the best pictures they’ve ever had taken!

I also promised her that any proceeds from the 2 Minute Dad book would go towards her tuition, so if you haven’t ordered your copy – do it now! It’s only $10 and it is a Father’s Day gift that will truly change your family for the better! ORDER HERE.

I’m really proud of my amazing daughter!  She has NEVER been one to let obstacles stand in her way! I am looking forward to seeing the magic she creates in her life when she gets to the University of Hawaii in a few months!

So, it’s my blog –  indulge me in a little personal family time… but the true lesson and moral here, that I hope ALL parents will catch on to, is to support your kids and their dreams in any way that you can.  Without our dreams, we have nothing!  There is nothing more powerful for a person’s self-esteem than achieving something they have dreamt of and worked for!  Teach them to dream, then show them how to make their dreams come true!  Aloha!

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Specially priced for Fathers Day! Click here to order your 2MinuteDad Book today!

Warm & Fuzzies

When my kids were born, I gave them each a stuffed animal that was hand selected by me.   When my kids first moved away, my middle son, asked me to spray it with my cologne so he could cuddle it at night and think of me.  I’ve realized over the years, that when kids are lonely, scared, or unsure about something, their sources of comfort tend to be a stuffed animal, or a blanket.   It you think about it, it’s soft, cuddly, warm, and can feel very secure.  The more I’ve thought about it, the more I realize too that if that blanket or stuffed animal has any significance from being a gift, that it tends to help even more.

I’ve also noticed that age doesn’t seem to diminish that comfort we can receive from a blanket, stuffed animal, or a special pillow.  It’s not uncommon to see my teenagers cuddled up with their favorite blankets, or find them at night, sound asleep clutching their stuffed animals.

As I’ve thought about this particular post, I’ve realized that as my kids grow older and want less of my physical presence and advice, that these warm & fuzzies they’ve received from me seem to mean even more.    My oldest daughter is preparing to leave home for college this summer.  She will be 3000 away from me.  When she unpacks her boxes in her dorm room, she will find a soft and fuzzy blanket from her daddy!

Now that my kids are older and developing their own personalities, I think it’s time to find something a little more unique to who they are.   Initially I thought I’d wait until Christmas, but I think this is a good “just because” gift.  By the time it gets cool again, each of my kids will have a new blanket chosen specially for them, from their dad!

There are many places to find great blankets out there… I recently found out that the daughter of two good friends of mine from college makes and sells knitted blankets that are beautiful!  She can custom knit colors and even names!  I always believe in supporting young entrepreneurs, so click here to take a look at her online store.  If you use the coupon code: 2MINUTEDADFREESHIP you will get free priority shipping in the US!

Take some time to select something special that will have meaning, and treat your kids to something warm & fuzzy and make sure they know that it’s a special gift from you to them.

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Specially priced for Fathers Day! Click here to order your 2MinuteDad Book today!

Build a birdhouse!

It’s spring!  Birds are everywhere!  My son has been asking and asking if we can make a birdhouse together.  It always seemed like a big project, so I’ve been putting it off.  I’ve discovered that Google can be an amazing tool for dads!  All it took was a quick search for “Build an easy birdhouse.”  And walla! EASY instructions to build a birdhouse… Click here to see them!

A few cuts, a few nails, and we have a few new birdhouses (I have 3 boys!) – but most importantly, we will have some great father-son bonding.  If you use a pine board, it should be very inexpensive, and if you don’t have a saw, Home Depot will cut the wood for you!  Get a bottle or two of acrylic paint and they can paint them too!

Two hours on a weekend can create great memories, a home for a bird or two, give your kids some building skills, teach them about caring for nature, and create some amazing father-kid time!

When your birdhouse is done, please take a picture of you, your kids, and your creations, and send them to me at Roger@2minutedad.com and I’ll get them posted on this blog post!

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2minutedad.com using the ‘share’ button below.

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Specially priced for Fathers Day! Click here to order your 2MinuteDad Book today!