Children in the 21st century ...

Originally posted by "la coctelera" and translated by Raquel Roncero

Seasonal greetings to all iPhone Dads! Last year we reviewed 25 online advent calendars in the run up to Christmas. This year it's all gone a bit iPhone and some creative gaming company has come up with the "APPVENT CALENDAR". The website reveals a free iPhone game every day till Christmas. Download the game of the day at work and try it out with the kids when you get home.

Enjoy!

-Stef

Picking the right gift for kids or family can be quite challenging. Here's a different take on the usual "what to buy" lists ... In addition to all the toys and games you may want to give children for Christmas how about buying presents that help protect them from injuries at home, at play or on the road.

Here are some ideas:

* A car booster seat. Jazz it up and let their imagination run wild (e.g. tell them it's a rocket ship or a fairy chariot!). Kids are safer in a booster seat until they're big enough to fit an adult seat belt properly. The easiest way to tell: If your children are under 148cm or 4'10" tall, they still need a booster seat.

* A cycle helmet. If Lance Armstrong uses one, your kid can wear one too. Let them pick their own helmet and while you're at it, get one for yourself and walk the talk.

Here's another DIYFather podcast with one of New Zealand's parenting celebrities Nigel Latta. The charismatic clinical psychologist, author and public speaker just published a new book for mums and started his on TV show on politically incorrect parenting.

LISTEN to the podcast or download the mp3 file

The snappy interview was done by our amazing podcasters Dave & Camille (who also host a breakfast radio show on ClassicHits FM and are involved in about a million other things ... but mostly they are working for DIYFather of course).

Enjoy

-Stef

Merry Christmas everyone! Here's a real classic in case you haven't seen it yet:

-Stef

Well tomorrow is the big day and we managed to get through 24 days of Christmas anticipation in December. It was nice to see that quite a few sites featured online advent calendars for kids (and adults who still feel like kids round about this time of the year) with ideas, inspiration and entertainment. So the last post in this series is about a calendar that posts vintage comic book covers each day. Enjoy!

-Stefan

"You better watch out ... You better not cry ... You better not shout, cause I’m telling you why. Santa-Claus is coming to town"

A Christmas Carol loved and sung by children during Christmas. There is an old saying that Christmas is for children. Yes, it is quite true, kids look forward to it, and dads and moms try to do their best to make their children happy, by playing along with them in this exciting story about Santa-Claus living in the North Pole, and how he gives every child a gift on Christmas Day.

The story and the belief of Santa-Claus varies and changes in each family. Some do make their children believe that there is a Santa, and some children know that the Santa-Claus is their dad. But, on the whole, the children who are not aware that their “Dad” being Santa-Claus, have a totally different outlook to Christmas. These children go to great lengths in writing their letters to Santa-Claus a few days before Christmas, and the letter is tucked away under the pillow, waiting for Santa-Claus to collect it. It is a wonderful feeling that the kids have when they find out that Santa-Claus has visited them. As kids, these children look forward to a gift from Santa-Claus than anyone else and when they grow older, they themselves find out that their Dad had been the lovable Santa-Claus.

Two days to go - if your children are getting itchy to finally get their presents try this calendar for a bit of distraction. Great games and video clips by Dickinson Dees.

-Stefan

I often get asked, "What do Jewish people do for Christmas?" The answer to this question is simple: "Jews generally don't celebrate Christmas", which is only half-true because for most of us living in Western countries, celebrating Christmas in some way is nearly unavoidable. From the school drawings of Santa Claus to candy-cane laden Christmas trees prominent in shop fronts and public squares, to alcohol-laden office parties, Christmas is all around us.

But there's a Jewish holiday which is celebrated mid-winter, too. Like a significant number of Jewish holidays, Chanukah follows the pattern "They tried to kill us, but we survived, let's eat!"

If you own a Kindle eReader and are planning to do some reading over the festive season check out today's Advent calendar - a new eBook each day! YAY.

-Stefan