While a mother’s role is typically to nurture, feed, clean, and emotionally support children, fathers are typically seen as the authority figure that sets rules, assigns work, and doles out discipline. While these are old gender roles, they are beginning to change especially with more women entering the workforce. However, the way in which fathers interact with their children in general is still pretty much the same.

A father generally offers consistency in rules, expectations, and discipline. A father drives physical activities such as competitive games and work tasks. Fathers are more likely to set the pace and rules of activities than mothers, who will usually let the children set the pace and direction. Fathers will often suggest new games, set out challenges for children to accomplish, and lead by example.

Important things to do as a father are:

Make time for your children
Be involved in their daily activities
Provide emotional and physical support
Provide discipline in an effective and consistent manner
Demonstrate proper social behavior and actions
Teach children the value and benefits of hard work

Things you can do with your children:

Encourage them to complete things they have set out to do
Read to them every day
Tell them when they are behaving inappropriately
Be there when they need someone to talk to
Tell them they love them

Being involved means being there, paying attention, and generally supporting your children at everything they do. This really takes a lot of time and attention. That is really the heart of what being a dad is all about: time and attention. It will be really tiring physically and mentally to always be there and being attentive, but your kids will be able to tell if you are phoning it in and it will not make them feel very good.

So while you may sometimes feel like just an unpaid repair man, the time you put in with your kids is time well spent and even if they do not seem to notice it, it is having a great effect on them.

Just how dangerous is it?

This one depends on the sport in question and how you go about it. Beginner rock climbing with a qualified instructor is actually very safe. It may feel scary but the worst that is likely to happen is a scraped knee or a minor bruise, if that, and there should be no possibility of a major fall.
There are always risks but they can be controlled very carefully with the right knowledge and the right equipment. The same goes for kayaking and canoeing, orienteering, caving, mountain biking, and a number of other outdoor sports at beginner level.
Some extreme sports are just not suitable for kids. BASE jumping and cave diving are two examples where the risks, even to the most experienced adults, are massive and cannot be controlled. In this case you won’t find an instructor willing to take children at all. In some places the minimum age for a bungee jump (with parental consent) is 14 or higher. It’s rare to find a skydiving operator who will allow anyone under 18, or at the very least 16.

If it’s worth doing, it’s worth doing properly

The biggest determining factor in whether or not a given outdoor activity is safe for kids is not what they do but the level of instruction they receive. It’s much safer to take your children to an indoor rock climbing center than to have them climbing trees and scrambling up local boulders on their own. Qualified instructors will be able to provide safety equipment and they’ll host group activities in places that are known to be reasonably safe and predictable.
Most indoor climbing centers will welcome children from about 5 years up, but smaller kids will be given special full-body safety harnesses. Dedicated scuba diving programs exist (endorsed by the Professional Associated of Dive Instructors) for kids from 8 years up. The way children are taught to dive is very different from what adult learners do, but they can still get a flavor of what the sport is all about.
Good instructors in any outdoor or extreme sport account for children very carefully and know how to make sure they stay safe and have fun.

Learning about risk and reward

There are some advantages to getting kids involved with extreme sports. A small amount of risk is not always such a bad thing. Sports like climbing and kayaking teach kids (and grown ups) how to calmly assess potential dangers and respond to them appropriately. Either you decide not to take the risk or you commit to it, understanding the consequences. There are some deep life lessons to be learned.
The value of a challenge shouldn’t be underestimated. Getting to the top of a mountain peak takes work, but only by putting the effort in is it possible to enjoy the view from the top. It might take five or six attempts before a child reaches the top of their first rock climbing route but that just means a greater sense of achievement. Easy things are often not the most fun.

Be an example

Outdoor sports are the perfect family activity, especially if you have trouble getting teenagers interested in doing things with their younger siblings. From four or five year up everyone can participate, encourage one another, and have a good time together. And if you’re worried about risk being right there means that you can keep a close eye on your children’s activities.
If you’re not the fittest dad in the world you’ve got even more reason to get involved. Don’t be afraid that you won’t make it to the top of the climbing wall or that you’ll fall off the surfboard. Try, fail, and try again, and you’ll show your kids something important. If you’re a little bit scared but get it 100% anyway, they’ll see something even more valuable.
At the end of the day, it’s up to parents to decide whether or not extreme sports are appropriate for their kids. The dangers and potential rewards are different in every case, but if you’re not sure about a particular activity they want to take part in, why not suggest a different outdoor sport? There are plenty to choose from. It’s always possible to enjoy the outdoors without taking risks you’re not comfortable with.

Uncertainty in today’s days makes it all the more important for young people to gain control over their finances. Managing finances may seem to be an intimidating task, but following a few simple money managing tips can make it easier for you.

Keep a track on spending habit:

One of the easiest ways to lose track on finances is to take a casual approach towards expenditure. Nearly all individuals have similar major expenses, like mortgage, car payment, tuition etc. So what vary are daily expenditures, like food, clothes, credit card bills and others. So if you want to save more money, take a strict approach towards spending on small household stuff. Avoid impulsive shopping and buying unnecessary items in order to add big savings over time.

Pay yourself:

No matter how small the amount is, families should adopt the habit of paying themselves each month. Open a savings account and deposit a predetermined amount. Saving for the future might seem to be a daunting task, but if it is perceived as a monthly responsibility it becomes easier. Once a family starts saving as a part of the routine job, it appears to be less daunting and more feasible.

Don’t be caught off guard:

One of the things that families fear most is being caught off guard by a major financial expense, such as an illness, problem with the house or an accident. So families, especially those with children are always recommended to have a substantial amount of money set aside for unexpected situations. When a family without any amount saved for emergency gets caught off guard often takes a drastic action, like using high interest rate credit cards or borrowing against retirement accounts. Neither of the solutions is ideal for young families and so they are recommended to keep good amount of money aside for emergencies.

Use your credit card wisely:

Having a good credit is most advantageous for young family. But credit rating; be it good or bad is always fluctuating. Having a good credit today does not necessarily mean having a good credit tomorrow. It can only be consistent if you can pay your credit bills on time, preferably paying in full whenever possible. So using your credit wisely and responsibly is important for young families in order to have good credit rating. Also, the indiscreet use of credit results in incurring an overwhelming credit card debt that often takes a toll both on health and finances.

Abide by your budget:

Prepare a budget and abide by it. This will not only help you live within your means, but will also protect you from falling further into debt. While creating a budget, include all the sources of your income and expenditure to determine if the latter is higher than the former. If so, cut down on the unnecessary and lavish expenses, like cable connection, subscription to expensive magazines, extravagant holidays, dining out and going to movie theatre. Then the money you save proceeds towards repaying the bills.

Teach your children financial literacy:

Family financial planning is not just for parents. According to Leff, it is never too early to educate your children about the importance of savings. It is also important to teach your children about your own financial values, material and spiritual wealth. Remember, children also learn by seeing their parents handling finances.

In conclusion, following these financial tips will reduce your financial stress and help you pay off your debt as fast as possible.

1. Sometimes a little bit of hair is all a man needs to turn back that clock. A man may feel self-conscious and worried when he begins to bald. This is an exceptionally common occurrence, yet it still affects those it inflicts. One of the easiest ways to overcome that sting of perception is through hair transplants. Transplants are used to recreate the full head of hair you once had. The simple will allow you to enter the world feeling confident again.

2. You could always run with the bulls in Pamplona. If hair-plugs are not an option, or if you are simply not balding, then nothing recreates youth more than a chase through the streets with wild beasts. Running with the bulls is a sure-fire way of gaining self confidence and feeling youthful again. Be forewarned: bulls do not care about your age, so make sure to be physically fit before entering. Which brings us to the next on the list…

3. Exercise! Nothing turns back the clock more than exercise. You will feel and look younger than ever before with a consistent routine.

4. Running is one of the best forms of exercise, as it can be done anywhere and at any time. 30 minutes of running a day will strengthen your heart and lungs, and will add incomparable vitality to your life.

5. Swimming is another great exercise for the heart and lungs.

6. Learning a new skill can help to increase the feelings of youth. Learn a new language or pick up a new musical instrument. These will help you feel creative and practical, and can be great for confidence in life.

7. Rock-climbing is another fantastic sport to help turn back the clock.

8. You can always coach a local sports team, and help to spread the wonders of athletics. You will get in shape and help the local youth to learn about the benefits of exercise.

9. Volunteering can help you to feel youthful, as you are often surrounded by a large group of various ages.

10. Buying a new sports car is a clichéd yet easy way of turning back the years. Nothing can get the blood pumping more than speeding down the highway in a new convertible.

11. Go on a vacation to a destination you have always dreamed of.

12. Attend social gatherings in the city nearest you.

13. Locate local and new bands, as this allows you to experience the rising scene of the generation.

14. Eat at new places every weekend.

15. Go on hikes in the great outdoors.

16. Compete in local races and tournaments.

17. Join a fundraising group in your community.

18. Be current and up-to-date with all forms of entertainment.

19. Stay fit and keep your appearance up at all times.

20. Buy new clothes frequently and throw out the old.

21. Keep a sense on what’s current in fashion.

22. Meditate and focus on your life’s goals.

23. Practice yoga to maintain youth and flexibility.

24. Cut out drugs from your life.

25. Avoid alcohol as this can make you appear older.

26. Get a proper amount of sleep to maintain a youthful appearance.

27. Experiencing the beautiful sunset every night.

28. Also experiencing the wondrous sunrise every morning.

29. Always look for ways in which you can improve.

30. Finally, make sure to enjoy life! Nothing helps to turn back the clock than a constant appreciation of all that you have.

Across generations

When online education is first introduced to students, adapting to the changes is just as important for parents as it is for children. When your children need help with their homework or they don’t understand how to use the school’s online learning portal, they will rely on you for guidance and assistance. For this reason, it is essential that parents understand all of the facets of online learning. To prepare yourself for the challenge of helping your children with online learning, you may even consider taking your own online college course to get a feel for the way the system works.
As schools realize the importance of incorporating technology into everyday life, the prevalence of online learning is steadily rising among grade schools across the country. In fact, the state of Florida recently passed a law that requires all students entering high school to successfully complete at least one online class before they can graduate. This practice ensures that every graduating senior is prepared for daily interactions with computers and the Internet.
Florida is not the only state that has altered educational policies to include innovative instruction techniques and online learning. The state of Utah is also experimenting with a new system in which districts are put into competition with each other in order to maintain the quality of instruction for all students. Under this system, students can choose to take classes from different instructors based on their preferences. For example, if a student is struggling with the way his science teacher presents material, he can take an online course from another district’s teacher instead.

Future implications

With so many schools adding online learning to their curriculum plans, it is more important than ever to get involved in your child’s education. Online learning helps kids learn the computer and Internet skills they will need to further themselves in life and in their careers. If your children fall behind their peers, they won’t have the confidence and understanding they need moving forward. They may have trouble in subsequent courses, as well as during college.
One way to make certain you understand how online courses work is to enroll in an online class for yourself. Taking on online course not only increases your skills, but also prepares you to help your child develop his own skills. When you have experienced online learning for yourself, you will have a much deeper understanding of the process which might allow you to provide better assistance to your child.

You can monitoring your child’s online behavior in a variety of ways. Examples range from simply blocking certain websites to more extreme cases like installing a monitoring service on the computer. There are certain advantages and disadvantages, however, to monitoring your child’s online behavior.

One advantage to being aware of what your child is doing online is that you will know if your child is participating in any harmful activities like drugs and alcohol. You will also be privy to any cyber bullying that your child is involved in as either the victim or abuser. In addition, you will also be aware of any child predators that could be speaking to your child. Simply put, you will have a resource at your fingertips so you can apply preventative medicine or nip problems before they go further.

The disadvantage that comes with monitoring your child’s social behavior is that you may drive yourself crazy with the overwhelming amount of information being made available to you. Knowing that your child is up to no good or is the victim of bad behavior makes it harder to live with peace of mind, because you will always be wondering what is lurking around the corner. That paranoia will make it hard to live with on a daily basis. In essence, sometimes too much information is not a good thing. But also, ignorance is not bliss, so being able to find a happy medium is probably best in this scenario.

One way to acquire that happy medium is to consider simply telling your child that you plan to keep an eye on their online activity. That way it prevents them from doing harmful things or being harmed. If this option is not properly handled, one disadvantage could occur. They could believe you do not trust them, and it may encourage them to act in spite by doing something they normally would not do, just to prove a point. In addition, with the access to the Internet that is now available there is no way you can monitor your child’s online behavior all of the time. They will find another way to use an unmonitored computer.

With all that said, it may be best just to have a discussion with your kid about online responsibility and the dangers that come with harassment over the Internet, and the repercussions of being someone who inflicts harm online. If you lay out some expectations and some guidelines for online behavior, then having trust that your kid will behave properly may be the best avenue for both parties. It will allow your child to maintain some freedom, and it will give you some peace from paranoia.

1. Talk to your child. The first thing you want to do is sit your child down for a little chat to find out if the poor grades are a fluke or if something more serious is going on. Perhaps he is being bullied by another child, to the point of distraction in class. Maybe the teacher was unfairly hard on him. Or it could be that he is having a totally separate issue like trouble seeing, reading, or focusing. All of these problems can be addressed, but only if you know about them.

2. Talk to teachers. If you’re child seems to hedge when you ask about the cause of his grades or he simply clams up, you may have to talk to his teacher to find out what the problem is. In fact, you should probably do this either way, just to get another perspective on the issue. It may come out that he hasn’t been turning in his homework, or that he’s been playing the class clown. Again, this is something that you can definitely deal with as long as you know it’s occurring.

3. Seek out specialists. In some cases, your child may require the help of a specialist. If, for example, it turns out that he has some kind of learning disability, you should have it diagnosed as early as possible so that he has the best chance to continue learning and performing at grade level (or the opportunity to catch up). In these situations it is best to face the issue head on and deal with it rather than wasting precious time in denial. If you’re worried about a misdiagnosis, simply get multiple opinions.

4. Offer help. Sometimes all your child needs is a little extra help, and often you can provide it by making the time to sit with him while he does his homework so that you can answer questions, offer advice, and check his work when he’s done.

5. Hire a tutor. Home tuition can be expensive, but it can also provide the impetus and extra attention your child needs to get back on track with his academic progress. If his current class work is beyond your ability to aide him, or your lessons just don’t seem to be getting through, then it’s time to bring in outside help. If you don’t want a stranger in your home, though, consider online tutoring services.

Wilson Chandler’s Guangsha Lions are in the midst of a dire losing streak whilst Stephon Marbury’s Beijing Ducks have only recently managed to halt their own malaise. The Xinjiang Tigers, Guangdong’s perennial rival for the CBA title over the last few years, might not even make the playoffs having fired their coach and kicked out their expensively acquired duo of Kenyon Martin and Kyle Mills. Around them, young pretenders like the Shanghai Sharks, Liaoning Jaguars or JR Smith’s Zhejiang Lions are trying to sneak into the postseason and right now, no one is sure who is going to make the knock-out phase of the league.

Trying to understand the style of the league is no less interesting but a little more straightforward. The most obvious thing you realise is that the CBA has no intention of being the NBA and its native players play basketball in a very Chinese way- everyone has their part to play and is expected to execute those expectations accordingly. The guards prowl around the perimeter whilst the bigger players fight it out closer to the rim, looking to bury their jump shots or drop in a layup. The reason why overseas signings are so useful in the CBA is that these players, particularly the North Americans, have been conditioned to think outside the box if the opportunity presents itself.
Of all the overseas players currently in the CBA right now, the most popular is still one of the more established ones on the circuit, Stephon Marbury. Now in his third season in China, the American finally appears to have found his home in Beijing; he takes the metro to practice, runs his shoe company from the city, speaks limited but well intentioned Mandarin and has talked openly about retiring in the CBA. In addition to the way he has endeared himself to the Chinese, Marbury can also put up serious numbers. He recently made a massive triple-double against Xinjiang that consisted of 45 points, 12 rebounds and 10 assists, and the point guard has been arguably one of the best players in the league this year.

Having been aware of the popularity of Marbury, a number of CBA clubs were determined to get themselves a well-known American for the current season and the chaos of the recent NBA lockout came at an ideal time and attendances for league games have been high.

However, a big name doesn’t mean that a player is guaranteed to do well out in China. Whilst Smith leads the league in scoring (33.8ppg), just behind him is the Qingdao Eagles’ Lester Hudson (33.3ppg), a late second round pick in the 2009 NBA draft who bounced around three clubs before being released the following year.

A reliable scorer who can cause match-up problems against Chinese guards, Hudson has gone from being a bench player in the NBA to becoming one of the most recognisable and popular men in Qingdao, a city of 7.8 million people, and though this a nice redemption story, interestingly he isn’t the only one. Shavlik Randolph, Will McDonald and Marcus Williams are other examples of less vaunted players who have shown they can adapt to the Chinese lifestyle and the differences in climate, facilities and refereeing standards within the CBA, and are currently putting up big numbers here.

Whereas someone like Martin couldn’t deal with life in China and bought out his contract after just fifteen games, Hudson has thrived amidst the occasional chaos of the CBA and will probably return next season and justify a contract that will be far higher than one he could get back in America.

From a fan’s perspective, the game experience is equally quaint. Here tickets range from $5-$30 and within these smaller arenas, the noise and intensity of the crowd make it an exciting and reasonably cheap way to waste a weekday evening.

Certain teams have large groups of fans that will fly to games in other parts of the country whilst big cities like Shanghai or Beijing will have enough regional expatriates there that away teams arrive to find pockets of fans already waiting for them in the stands. With China being as large as it is, bragging rights between the different provinces adds spice to proceedings and certain games can become more than just basketball. One game that stands out this season was when the team from Xinjiang, a Turkic-speaking region in Western China, visited Shanghai and for two hours, the arena echoed to banter and heckles being exchanged between the Shanghainse Han populace and the Xinjiang-supporting Uighurs.

Chinese basketball is at the best of times enigmatic, confusing and bizarre. However it is also pulsating drama. For the price of a beer in somewhere like Shanghai, you get whisked into a world where Yao Ming watches close by from his directors box and Stephon Marbury is out on the court in front of you. Basketball isn’t normally this unusual, but that doesn’t mean it’s a bad thing.

Want to see some CBA action? Check out: pptv.com
The league restarts this coming Sunday (Jan 29th) and games are played every Sunday, Wednesday and Friday at 7:30pm, Chinese Standard Time.

1. Make time to talk. Trading pleasantries at the door, the dinner table, and before going to bed hardly qualifies as quality communication (or communication at all, really). You got married to share your life with another person, so instead of letting stress and fatigue get the best of you, make the time to talk to your spouse every day. Talk about anything, from your struggles and successes at work, to an item in the news that caught your interest, to a song you heard on the radio. Staying invested in a relationship requires that you grow together.

2. Be honest, but tactful. Nothing will tank a relationship faster than lies. And it’s just a hop, skip, and jump from telling your partner that an outfit looks great when it doesn’t to fibbing about hitting a strip club or bar when you’re supposed to be working. And while little white lies may seem harmless, the big ones are sure to
wound when they come out (and they will). So tell the truth, but tactfully. Exercising this kind of integrity on the little things will help you to stay on the straight and narrow everywhere else. And you’ll find that honesty brings major rewards (like trust).

3. Say “I love you” and mean it. There’s no reason to hurry this statement. If you can’t say it with meaning, save it until you have time to show your loved one just how you feel. It’s all too easy to take a spouse for granted, but making the effort to be present and mindful when you say this special phrase will remind you (and your partner) of just how much these three little words can mean.

4. Fan the flames. Hey, we’ve all had to face the fact that passion can fizzle in the face of everyday life. But you can rekindle the romance in ways both large and small (a massage here, a romantic dinner there, a star named after your loved one through the international star registry…). There are literally endless ways to spice up your love life.

5. Take a trip. If you’re wondering how to rekindle a marriage, then you’re ahead of most people. And to answer your question, you have to work at it. You must constantly remind yourself why you love this one person (although it shouldn’t be hard to do). And you have to find ways to remind your honey why he/she loves you. On that score, a little vacay is a great way to find some alone time and just enjoy each other’s company. If your first thought is that you have neither the time nor the money, think about how much time (and how little money) you’ll have if your spouse leaves you.