APD Play of the Day

Do your kids have a cell phone obsession?

Fri 30th Jul 2010 00:07:00

Cell phones can definitely lead to unplanned issues as this humorous commercial shows. Laughing aside, many kids are addicted to their cell phones - specifically texting. Amanda Lenhart of the Pew Research Center notes the social pressure that teenagers say they feel to respond to text messages quickly, regardless of the time of day or night. A Pew study found that one in three teens sends more than 100 text messages per day. More than 100! Well, as the father, you have the authority to reign in your child's cell phone obsession. Start them off right with our complimentary cell phone contract so they'll know what you expect.

Huddle up with your older children tonight and ask: Do you think some kids are addicted to cell phones? Do you think it's a little or big problem?

What is your child's game worth?

Thu 29th Jul 2010 00:07:00

In a month or two, you will be getting your son or daughter's fall athletic schedule. What will it be worth to you? Will you rearrange your schedule to make sure you are there as often as possible, or will your kids simply get your leftovers? Keep in mind your children will never, ever be this age again. What's that worth to you? The only way to truly know is whether you will be there or not. And by just showing up, you will be their hero.

Visit here for the 10 Ways to be your child's hero.

And Tony Dungy shares about his plans to go out of his way to attend his son's football games at the University of Oregon.

Huddle up with your kids tonight and ask: On a scale of 1 to 10, how important is it to you that I attend your games? Why?

Making memories with your children

Wed 28th Jul 2010 00:07:00

One of the most powerful ways a father bonds with his children is by playing with them. For young kids, it could be at a local playground as comedian Tim Hawkins recounts. Ahh, the memories last a lifetime. Just ask your teens and see what stories they can share!

Families that play together, stay together. So take playing seriously and get dates circled on your calendar.

Huddle up with your children tonight and say: Our next play date will be on ___ and we will ___.

Is your wife a priority?

Tue 27th Jul 2010 00:07:00

A man and a friend are playing golf one day when a long funeral procession goes by. The man stops in mid-swing, takes off his golf cap, closes his eyes, and bows his head in prayer.

His friend says: "Wow! That is the most thoughtful and touching thing I have ever seen. You truly are a kind man."

The man replies: "Yeah, well we were married 35 years."

Not cool. Your wife needs to be a priority in your life. Statistically speaking, she will be the one caring for you as you are dying. No one else will ever love you or serve you more than a great wife. But if she feels she's second-fiddle, your marriage, if it lasts, will be nothing short of torture.

So how does your wife know she's important to you? Two ways mainly. One is that you spend time with her. Two is that you communicate well with her. We have resources for both. Here's our 10 creative ways to spend more time with your wife.

Huddle up with your wife tonight and ask her: How can I do a better job at letting you know how important you are to me?

A potentially perfect answer to sibling rivalry

Mon 26th Jul 2010 00:07:00

If you have more than one child, you have sibling rivalry. And it can literally make you lose your hair. But here is one potential solution. If you have at least one boy and one girl in your family, the girl always goes first. It's a great way to teach chivalry to your young men and avoid unnecessary fighting. Your girl is the first to get in the car, the first to get ice cream and the first in line. Of course, this does not work in every situation and may not work in your family makeup, but if you have an opportunity, let your "default" be giving your daughter privileges first. And if all your children are the same sex, the same philosophy may work with age. Or you could take turns and have a "kid of the week."

Here are 4 helpful tips on curbing sibling rivalry.

Huddle up with your wife tonight and ask her: What is one thing we can start doing this week to curb sibling rivalry?