If you are unsure about what to say when your children ask you where babies come from ... try the 70s style "tell it like it is" comic series that is currently doing the rounds as a viral email. The images (I believe) were taken from a popular book published in the 70s which parents could use to explain the facts of life to their children. I haven't seen any recent books that are trying to do the same but surely the original work is a land mark in publishing and education!
Have a look:

But wait ... it gets better ... (if you are offended by explicit comic sex ... don't click on "read more")

Some day, you’ll be sitting with your child, listening to the radio or watching a program on TV. Somebody will be talking about premarital sex, illegal drug use, breaking the law, or some other highly charged issue. And then, your child will start to ask questions. What did you do when you were younger? How often?

While some fathers might consider leaving the room, the best idea is to have a plan to address these kinds of questions. So how should you handle this? Do you just tell them everything, and hope they don’t do the same things you did, or do you avoid telling the truth?

For a while, psychologists were suggesting to parents that the best strategy to use was telling the truth about your past. If you experimented with or used drugs, just let your kids know. Being honest with your kids was more important than any other consideration.

Here is a story from www.parentwonder.com about love making tips for husbands, it is written for new fathers.

- Scott

It is no secret that men can get turned on much quicker than women. Men are also able to climax in less time than most women. This can make for some issues when it comes to love making. Husbands sometimes don’t understand why their wife doesn’t want to be intimate. It is likely because they aren’t getting the same thing out of the event. Men need to understand that love making is more mental for a woman while it is mainly a physical event for a man.

Outside the bedroom

The American Association of University Women Foundation found that the number one concern of girls ages eleven through seventeen was how to say "no" to sex in an emotionally-charged relationship. And while this isn’t the most comfortable conversation you could have with her, it may be one of the most important. It might also be wise to talk with your son about how they treat girls and what you consider “appropriate” behavior for him at that age.

Have you had those kinds of conversations? There’s no time like the present.

Warmly,

Mark Brandenburg

Mark Brandenburg MA, CPCC
mark@eqnow.org
www.markbrandenburg.com
www.eqnow.org
Phone (+1) 651-766-9976
"Helping Men Succeed"

by Bruce Linton, Ph.D.

Having a baby and making the transition to parenthood is a very complicated process. I say this from both my professional perspective as a family counselor, and my own experience as a father of two children. With all the various pressures on young families, often there is not enough time or energy for parents to have the sexual contact one or both partners want.

I have just watched a must see for all expecting and new fathers.

“Seven Steps to Baby Bliss” from www.dadstheword.com is not only very practical for expectant and new fathers it is also pretty funny too.

I felt it was totally aimed at fathers as the target audience, but I also believe it would have great benefit watching this DVD with your partner.

The role of the dad is highlighted says the back cover, and I completely agree.

In 28 minutes the “Seven Steps to Baby Bliss” DVD shows you how to:
* Settle a crying baby
* Bathing a baby
* Step by step guide and tips on nappy changing for both baby girls and baby boys
* Feeding a baby
* Baby massage
* Dressing your baby
* And SIDS prevention
* Relationship after baby

from www.dadstheword.com

Greetings! A study in the journal Pediatrics found that 55% of teens who were exposed to a lot of sexual material in movies, music and the Internet had intercourse by the age of 16. Compare that with only 6% of teens having sex who rarely saw such imagery in the media. I don’t believe young teens are ready to put sexual content from the media into perspective. If you don’t think it makes a difference, you’re not opening your eyes.

It does makes a difference when you limit your kids’ exposure to sexual content from the media—a big difference. TVs and computers in their room at an early age might be what a lot of other parents are doing, but they are also decisions that can have a permanent impact on your child’s life.

Make the right choice.

Warmly,

Mark Brandenburg

Mark Brandenburg MA, CPCC
mark@eqnow.org

Having a strong bond between a father and daughter is near and dear to my hear, especially being that I have a 5 month old little girl and I want us to make sure we have the best relationship from a male to female point of view. When i read this article i thought this is everything that i have been thinking and more. It really emphasises the importance of my role to her and makes me feel very priviledged and special, and somewhat scared of making sure I don’t stuff up

You can make your own conclusion but from what I read its scary stuff and as a father we have the most influence on our daughters behaviour from a young age.

- Scott

How Dads Can Help Raise Strong Daughters

By Carrie Gress

ROME, DEC. 25, 2007 (Zenit.org).- The way a father treats his daughter is a strong indicator of how she will relate to men for the rest of her life, says author and teen-health expert Doctor Meg Meeker.

I recently came across the following article in the South African Sunday Times. I guess what is important is Dads far and wide all seem to react the same when their little girl starts dating. The subject of asking if their boyfriend can stay over seems to be one that all fathers agree on – "No ... of course not!". Fortunately I have another 15 years (or so) to go – yay!

- Scott

Daddy's little girl

By Mike Wills

"Dad, this is my boyfriend." Some of the hardest words for a father to hear and a trigger for one of the biggest psychological gearshifts we will ever have to make.

No matter how many books we've read or theories we've spouted, I know of no father who doesn't break out in a cold sweat at the mere thought of any boy so much as laying a finger on his cherished little girl, let alone indulging in something more intimate.

For many young girls, a stable family life is one key factor to avoiding a number of serious health problems. New research by researchers at The University of Arizona and the University of Wisconsin, Madison, indicates that girls who grow up with supportive parents who themselves have a strong relationship are more likely to delay the onset of puberty.

Bruce J. Ellis, an associate professor in the Norton School of Family and Consumer Sciences at the UA, and Marilyn J. Essex at Wisconsin, are reporting their research in the journal Child Development. Ellis was the lead author of the study.
Early puberty in girls is already known as a risk factor for a variety of health problems, including mood disorders, substance abuse, adolescent pregnancy and cancers of the reproductive system. Understanding these risks are also essential as a means to develop effective early intervention and prevention strategies.