Your Teens are NOT the Center of the Universe

Everyone has a smart phone nowadays, and texting, mobile apps and the Internet are here to stay specially to the younger generation. According to author of the book "Screen and Teens" Kathy Koch, these technologies influence how our children think about themselves and their worldview.

Constant use of smart phones, tablets, computers, gaming systems, and cable television has inculcated five major lies in today’s teens:

One: “I am the center of my own universe.”
Two: “I deserve to be happy all the time.”
Three: “I must have choice.”
Four: “I am my own authority.”
Five: “Information is all I need, not teachers.”

Dispelling these lies is a worldview issue. Teens need to learn and embrace that God is the center of the universe, not them.

Parents love their children, and want the best for them. Unfortunately, the best is not always what society offers. Faithful moms and dads have a duty to find acceptable balance between new technology, and the timeless values that make family life possible. Only by setting smart boundaries, and by combating the lies technology influences, can we raise children and teenagers ready to face the world on their own.

What do you think?

The Top Reason Teens Keeps the Faith as Young Adults

Here's a supporting reason why my wife and I should be more involved in telling our kids what we believe and why we believe. Moreover, modeling to them how our daily actions are shaped and guided by those beliefs - not because of our Filipino American heritage but because of our Christian beliefs. Parents, for better or worse, are actually the most influential pastors of their children.

The holy grail for helping youth remain religiously active as young adults has been at home all along: parents.

Mothers and fathers who practice what they preach and preach what they practice are far and away the major influence related to adolescents keeping the faith into their 20s, according to new findings from a landmark study of youth and religion.

Just 1 percent of teens ages 15 to 17 raised by parents who attached little importance to religion were highly religious in their mid-to-late 20s.

In contrast, 82 percent of children raised by parents who talked about faith at home, attached great importance to their beliefs and were active in their congregations were themselves religiously active as young adults, according to data from the latest wave of the National Study of Youth and Religion.

Read more: David Briggs, The Huffington Post 

Games I Suggested to Play With My 4-Year Old Son Early This Morning

Games I suggested to play with my 4 year old son early this morning:

1. The Lets Pretend Sleeping Game
2. The Statue Game
3. Who Can Not Speak or Talk the Longest Game
4. Who Can Hide Far Away the Longest Game

We played Game #3, but it only lasted for 3 minutes.

The joys of sleepless parenting.

I need new game ideas... that will work! Any suggestions?

Extra Gum Emotional Father-Daughter Origami Commercial

I got a bit emotional (OK, and teary) with this TV commercial from Extra Gum. Watch it and you'll understand why.

Faith and Fatherhood: What Are Fathers For?

Interesting debate over at The New York Times: What Are Fathers For? In almost half the American households with children, mothers are the sole or primary breadwinners. This victory for working women shows evolving family economics — or maybe, two very different types of families. So what is the purpose of men in modern families? We’re approaching the holiday that celebrates dads, but do fathers bring anything unique to the table?

My answer... yes they do! Fathers, whether primary bread winner or not still matters. Their presences and involvement are always valuable. In study after study, the absence of fathers is linked to a host of what social scientists call “adverse outcomes” in the lives of children. These adverse outcomes affect all of society—increased crime, substance abuse, and dropping out of school, to name but a few. The “adverse outcomes” can also be more “personal,” although just as devastating: increased incidents of mental illness, sexual promiscuity, and an inability to form stable and lasting relationships.

Waiting in Wonder Book Launch & iPad mini Giveaway

My friend and former colleague at BreakPoint, Catherine Claire Larsen has a new book, "Waiting in Wonder: Growing in Faith While You're Expecting.” She is also giving away a free iPad mini to celebrate the book's release. "Waiting in Wonder" is a devotional journal inviting women to embrace the spiritual journey that awaits as they prepare for the high and holy calling of motherhood. This is a good spiritual preparedness book ideal for your wife or any female friend or family member who's expecting a child. I hope you get a copy.

I also recommend Catherine's other book As We Forgive, a collection of reconciliation and forgiveness stories from the Rwandan genocide. Click here to get more details on Waiting in Wonder and to enter the iPad mini giveaway.

Christians are the Worst! When Our Words Doesn't Match Our Actions.

A restaurant food server once said, Sundays are the worst…That's when the church crowd goes out to eat…. They're usually the most demanding, and they're always the worst tippers. I guarantee you, if you see your table praying before the meal, you can mentally subtract a third from your tip.

Ouch! What a harsh dose of reality on how people view Christians on Sundays... of all days.

I’m proud of my Christian faith but I’m not proud of my fellows Christians. Christians have a poor record of showing good character and mercy to others. Instead of being “a light” to their neighbors, they are “dark clouds” that rain on their parade. It’s infuriating.

The other day, a restaurant server posted this picture in Reddit.

Showing Off New Father and Son Haircuts

Jordan, my 3 year old son had a haircut yesterday and this is what it turned out. So far, it is one of the most "Liked" and commented photo I posted on my Facebook page.

I also had a haircut but on a separate time. Below's a picture my wife took showing off our new dos. Unfortunately, putting my self in the photo with Jordy didn't generate much "likes" and "comments" compared to my son's solo shot (oh well... call me bitter). Anyway, I'm looking forward when Jordan grows up a bit and we can make our own regular trips to the barber together. I don't know how frequent that will be, but it will be an excellent father-and-son bonding activity that we can do someday.

Kudos and we appreciate the folks at Great Clips. The Ashburn VA location made us look great.

My Daughter's First 5K Race

Isabelle made it! She completed her first 5K race yesterday in 44.22 minutes. Not bad for an 8 year old first time runner- Of course I’m biased because I’m the dad. Isabelle complained some leg cramps during the race so she walked some parts of it. But she remained enthusiastic and determined to cross the finish line on her own. 

We also raised close to $250.00 for Angel Tree by the end of the day which made her feel extra proud and excited of her accomplishment. We appreciate all who donated!

Teens' Sexual Behavior Affected By Relationship With Dad, Researchers Find

Share this: Fathers' attitudes toward teen sex and the emotional closeness of their relationship with their teens have a big influence on teenage sexual behavior.

The review showed that dads' attitudes toward teen sexual behavior were linked to the age at which teens first had sex. Teens whose dads approved of adolescent sexual activity tended to start having sex earlier than teens whose dads did not approve, according to studies in the review.

I'm a WatchDOG Dad

Mission accomplished! 

Today, I served as a WatchDOG dad at Isabelle’s elementary school. My day was hectic, a bit stressful but so much fun and very satisfying (I took a shot of 5-Hour Energy to help me go through the day). The best part of being a WatchDOG was seeing my daughter proud of seeing dad around school and being a WatchDOG kid or as she refers as a “WatchPUPPY.” Sitting down and socializing with my daughter’s friends during lunch period was also very valuable. 

I am very impressed on how kids react to my presence. Some will call me by name, “Mr. Bruce” or “WatchDOG” when they see me in the hallway and greets me with a big high-five. There were kids who were eager to get close to me and some who wants to be "clingy" - which doesn't bother me at all. The presence of a male-figure WatchDOG in school provide an extra sense of security and comfort children need every day. I am glad to be able to provide that even for a short time. That alone is reason for me to volunteer again someday.

WatchDOG is the father involvement initiative of the National Center for Fathering. It organizes fathers and father figures to provide positive male role models for students by serving at least one day a year in a variety of school activities assigned by the school principal or administrator. Click here for more information.

The WatchDOGS. Mission Accomplished!

Dads, your drinking has an impact on your children

This powerful video ad from Finland is probably close to explain why my young daughter was in tears after we came from a friends barbecue party a couple of months ago. She said she got scare because she saw me drinking "alcohol" (beer). Since then, I’ve been careful and more discreet in my social drinking. Other dads should too because young eyes could be watching.

  

Fatherhood, Star Wars Style

These photos, which I found on All Pro Dad and Daddy Dazed blog are hilarious. All the daddy nerds at Comic-Con 2012 and the semi-nerds at home like me should have a field day on these images.

Swedish photographer Kristina Alexanderson took these pictures depicting Star Wars Storm Troopers as fathers. She said in an interview, "I'm interested in relations... The troopers have many attributes that make me want to work with them. They are male, and I like the thought of trying to give them feelings, relation, they are human, not machines."


Photos are creative, fun to look at and most specially, heartwarming because of the positive message it conveys on fatherhood. Proves that good dads comes in all shapes, sizes... and galaxies.


Below are some of my favorites. View more photos on Flickr.

Which TV Dad Are You?

Last Father’s Day, Focus on the Family asked “who is your favorite TV dad?” The following choices were given:



  - Charles Ingalls (Michael Landon, Little House on the Prairie)
 
 - Dr. Heathcliff Huxtable (Bill Cosby, The Cosby Show)
  - Ward Cleaver (Hugh Beaumont, Leave it to Beaver)
 - Andy Taylor (Andy Griffith, The Andy Griffith Show)
  - Mike Brady (Robert Reed, The Brady Bunch)
 - Howard Cunningham (Tom Bosley, Happy Days)
 - Steve Douglas (Fred MacMurray, My Three Sons)

  - Uncle Bill Davis (Brian Keith, Family Affair)

  - Ben Cartwright (Lorne Green, Bonanza)

  - Mike Seaver (Alan Thicke, Growing Pains)

  - John Walton (Ralph Waites, The Waltons)

  - Steven Keaton (Michael Gross, Family Ties)



Some Nice Gesture

I always take my daughter to work after school at least once a week to "visit daddy's office" and to have some distraction-free time to do her home work. Yesterday, was just one of those days, so I thought. When I got to work this morning, I saw this on my desk:

She left a Nature Valley granola bar last night for the clean crew. It's her way of thanking them for their job and keeping "daddy's office" clean. Too bad no one picked it up, probably no one saw it, but it was still a nice gesture. Makes daddy proud.

Birthday and Nutella Spread

Happy birthday to my son, Jordan. He's 3 years old today. Best way to celebrate is to serve him his favorite croissant topped with a thick layer of Nutella spread. Simple moments like this make fatherhood and family more sweeter.