Dads Unplugged

Have you ever wondered how long your marriage will last? 50+ or will it be a Kardashian? Recently Notre Dame University funded a research study that was undertaken by the National Marriage Project at the University of Virginia. 3,146 married respondents proclaimed that Sexual intimacy and Committment were #1 and #2 on the list. However, #3 was quite a surprise. What do you #3 is? Todd breaks down the top three and gives his own opinions plus those of Wednesday Martin, the author of Stepmonster (http://www.wednesdaymartin.com/). Why is this good for men? Because it will teach you what women really believe and if you know that, your marriage last forever. Thankfully this show does not. It's only 30 minutes. Enjoy.

After a month off, Dads Unplugged is back and full of more vinegar. Kent was away so Todd took the mic and asked the question, "How far would you go to get your child noticed?". A story involving Michael Buble, whether you like him or not, really brought it all home. Also, Marion Brady wrote a fantastic column in the Washington Post that anyone associated with the public school system must read or you can just listen to Todd go on about how it really shows the truth and hidden problems with our school system. Plus don't miss out on the top 5 Christmas gifts ever. It's all jam packed into this brand new edition of Dads Unplugged.

Are you your kids biggest fan? The loudest one in the cheering section? When they excel in sports, how do you reward them? How about when your kid does well academically? It's difficult to find a good balance between athletics and academics when raising your child. Your support for your child's achievements can be different, but how you celebrate a job well done can always be the same-with enthusiasm! In this episode Todd and Kent discussed the way they treat their kids athletically and academically, the conversation sparked by LZ Granderson's article Why I'm raising my son to be a nerd (http://articles.cnn.com/2011-06-28/opinion/granderson.raising.nerd_1_nerds-job-creation-gop-debate?_s=PM:OPINION) for CNN. There are many upsides to encouraging a more academically focused youth, explored by Todd and Kent. Now they aren't saying one is better than the other, but who's got the better shot at a scholarship? The child with the 3.95 GPA, or the kid who hit 2 home runs one time in 8th grade?

Do you have a pet? Dog? Cat? Fish? No matter what kind of pet you have, they are considered one of the family right? If they aren't, maybe you need to ask your kids how they would feel if Bubbles went away for a while. Todd and Kent talked Dogs and Cats and a few animals in between and how important they are for families, for kids and even grandparents. We have all had our ups and our downs with pets. We all have our reasons why we like one type over another. But nobody has had a Prom story like Kent Lewis. It's hilarious and sad all at the same time, and I am talking about his date. Don't miss the entire story on this edition of Dads Unplugged.

As a man and a father, there are many things that we treasure. But deep down, we may treasure the fact that we can procreate over all things. So when the day comes that a man makes the decision to get a Vasectomy, it can be difficult. Kent recently had the procedure performed and took us through the pre, the post and the pain. There were funny moments. There were endearing moments when two men talked about what scared them, and what empowered them by making this ultimate sacrifice. It's a conversation that whether you are or are not thinking about taking the plunge you should listen to, and then discuss with friends. Enjoy.

Christmas is coming, what are you getting your dad? Another tie? A tool? A dinner certificate? Certainly we have all given one of these at some point in our lives to our dad. It's time we did something different. It's time we showed him how much we really love him. But what is the best way to do that? Your ability to draw a picture hasn't changed in the past 30 years so don't  cover his desk with that. Todd and Kent shared their most recent memorable moments with their dads as Kent headed to Vegas to show the love thanks to his friends  at WorldClassDriving.com (http://worldclassdriving.com) and Todd is heading to Idaho. What did they do there? Why were these trips so beneficial for their relationships with their dads? Find out on this edition of Dads Unplugged Radio.

Do you let your kids do dangerous things? Gever Tulley, founder of the Tinkering School, believes kids should do dangerous things all the time. He wrote a book about the 50 most dangerous things parents should allow their kids to do. Todd came across Tulley's talk on Ted Talk and was shocked to find he had issues with some of them. There was no way he was going to allow his kid to do this. But the further he went into the show, the more he realized, there were many things he had done as a kid and maybe he was hurting his child by not loosening the reigns. What 5 dangerous things would you allow your kid to do?

How do your kids express anger? How do you react when they do? Signe Whitson has a new book out that is a must for parents. How to Be Angry: An Assertive Anger Expression Group Guide for Kids and Teens. Along with wonderful information that will help parents, teachers, aunts, uncles and grandparents, the book also helps create a workshop for you and your child so you can learn together. Nobody said this would be easy, but at least you can make it a little more fun. As for Kent and Todd, they discuss their own issues with anger. Do they handle their own well? How about when their kids implode? What do they do? If you are listening to this one while on the treadmill, make sure you are not going to fast. We don't want you to stumble and fall.

It's a good question, and one that is hard to answer. However, there is no doubt that Dads role or lack thereof can have very damaging effects on their children. Author Dr. Meg Meeker joined Todd to talk about two of her best-selling books, "Strong Father, Strong Daughters and "Boys should be Boys". Her insight into the bond between a father and child that can be created by the simple acts of love and connection was amazing. Whether you have a daughter or only sons, this episode is one full of resources, knowledge and humor. Dr. Meg Meeker is a pediatrician who has raised three girls and a boy in Northern Michigan and now shares her experiences with all of us. It's high time someone helped out Dads as we all stumble towards the authentic life.

How many times have you said children should be seen and not heard? It's time we turn that around on parents and make sure that Parents are seen and not heard at athletic events. Ann DeWitt (http://dewittcounseling.com) joined Parenting Unplugged Radio (https://www.facebook.com/Parenting.Unplugged) a while back and stopped in at one of our Mancave nights to talk about Parents, Kids and athletics. She showed us the numbers and percentages don't lie when we are talking about how many kids who play sports actually make it to the Big Leagues. In fact it is rare for them to get a scholarship to college or even make the High School varsity team. So why do parents yell so much at games? Todd tackles this topic head as someone who has been coaching for the past 5 years. This past weekend he unveiled the Silent Sidelines, which Ann DeWitt told him about. The results were incredible. The kids responses surprised him and the parents reaction shocked him. Will he do it again? Find out why it is time for parents shut up or pack up on this edition of Dads Unplugged (https://www.facebook.com/DadsUnplugged).

With our children heading back to school, some parents are going to be feeling the brunt of college expense for the first time real soon. Ar you preparing yourself for that day? What about preparing your child for that day? How do you do that? Will it make a difference? Todd and Kent talk about the tough paths that lay ahead for them as their young kids head back to school. What did you do about college? How did you save for your kids education? They also unveil a list of 25 major school in the US that cover 100% of Financial aid. There are no partials here. These schools may be expensive but if you can get in, you will walk away with a great education and no debt. Find out if there is a school that your child might want to go to. Though they still have to get in and that sometimes is the toughest part.

The Oregonian told an important story the other day, that Oregon is failing their children in school's over 6800+ seniors in High School can't read. What's worse is that schools have been stringing them along believing they would graduate and actually have an education. But what have they learned? How to get by? How to cheat? Kent and Todd talk intensely about how the system is broken and what we as parents and volunteers can do to help fix it. It has nothing to do with money, because that is part of the problem, along with the government. Find out the truth and get two real dad's perspective on this edition of Dads Unplugged Radio.

What did your dad say to you when you won something as a kid? What did your dad say to you if you lost? Do you remember those times? Did that make you want to be a winner? Did you become one? Now in dealing with your own children, how are you handling this? Todd and Kent look inside the Art of being a winner. How is it done? How can you do it without becoming a jerk? Are parents being so soft on their kids that they can't even become winners. There is a great deal of research out there and it was recently released in a Newsweek article. Todd and Kent aren't saying you have to be one or the other, but you would be a loser if you missed out on learning what the experts have to say (and we are not referring to Todd and Kent in this instance)

Summer is coming to an end. Now it's time to get our kids back in the classroom. But is that like jamming a square peg into a round hole? With Summer vacation kids forget much of what they learned from the previous year, so it begs the question, should kids go to school year round? Would you do it if there was a school in your hometown that did that? Todd and Kent give their replies. What is yours? Also, how can teachers grab hold of the students and help them more? In the summertime kids are out experiencing things but is that really what they should be doing? Shouldn't they be practicing what they learned from the last year? Shouldn't they be preparing for their upcoming classes? Experience vs. Consistency, which is more important. Kent and Todd debate. Your answers and thoughts are welcome on our Facebook page at Dads Unplugged Radio. Plus you can't have a conversation about school and teachers without discussing Tenure. How does it help? Why does it hurt? Who does it benefit? Enjoy what's left of your summer!

TED Talks are amazing. Some of them I don't understand but some of them resonate intensely. This one did. The Demise of Guys by Psychologist Phillip Zimbardo. This one made me think. When is the best time for Dads to have a real conversation with another Dad? Why should I be worried about my boys? I ddscussed in full why we should be very scared with what lies ahead for them. However, I did have answers as to how we can change it whether your son is 5, 9 or 14. This is one of those shows that is perfect to listen to during a workout and when you are done, share it with someone else who has boys. Let's not allow the Demise of Guys to go any further. We can stop it now.