A Trend Towards More Women and Moms in the Workforce

Share

I came across an article recently that got my attention from The Atlantic titled "The End of Men." This title naturally got my attention, so I dove in to see what I could find.

The article is VERY long, and I didn't have 4 hours to read all of it so I only got about half-way through. But, unless there was a big "JK" at the end of the article, I don't think I missed anything.  I will say, however, that many interesting statistics were provided and the trend of more women in the workforce is impossible to refute, but I believe she takes it a bit too far. Here are a few of my reactions to it...

"With few exceptions, the greater the power of women, the greater the country’s economic success."

I don't care what numbers she's looking at, implying that women having more power in an economy causes success is a stretch.  Could it be that when an economy is more successful it provides more opportunities for woman to have power by shifting jobs from labor to intellectual industries without consideration of which gender has more power?

I believe Men and Woman are equal.  However, I believe God has given us different inherent qualities that provides balance in the family, which the article wrongly categorizes as "old stereotypes and habits."  For example, men were given competitiveness to be able to provide for their family, and women, patience to nurture and care for their children (not to mention a higher tolerance for pain for childbirth!).  I am not opposed to women in the workforce, but this article seemed to belittle men and lessen their importance in the economy and society!

Mother's Day Help and Gift Ideas!

Share

While we should appreciate our wives everyday, we have one special day in May to recognize and pamper them.  So how do you do it? 

There are the staples of flowers and breakfast in bed or a day at the spa. but how do we make mother's day memorable for them and really show we care? this is a difficult question for me, so I would like to hear some of your ideas, but here are a few of my thoughts...

• Make Mother's Day Different - A gift and a card is not enough.  We need to make sure they are treated different, you and the kids will should do all chores, and your daily routine should be thrown out the window

•  Thoughtful Gifts - Flowers and candy are great and you probably should get these too, but I think there needs to be something else, something that says 'he really knows me and loves me.' 

• Express Your Appreciation - If your wife doesn't not know how much you appreciate her, you're doing something wrong.  Mother's day is a great opportunity to write a long love note, or sit her down and tell her how much she means to you and how much she does means to you.

So now that I've shared some ideas with you, I better go figure out what in the world I am going to do for my wife on Sunday!!

My top 5 ways to be a better father

Share

As a follow-up to my post on how to be a better Husband, I will layout my top 5 ways that I feel we can be better fathers.  I'd like to preface this post by saying I still have less then 2 years experience being a father, so I am somewhat shooting in the dark here....please correct me where I am wrong.

#1 - Spending time and getting involved
Life is busy, but we make time for what is important for us.  Not only are our children important to us, but we are important to them.  They need us, they depend on us.  I only have one child, but if you have more than one I would say that one-on-one time with each of your children is also important.  Learn about who they are, ask them questions, get to know their struggles, desires, and goals. Involve yourself into their lives by coaching their sports team, taking them fishing, or finding some other hobby to share.  This will help grow the bond between father and child.

#2 - Have Patience
As I have become a father I have needed to improve this "virtue." Whether its being awake all night, throwing tantrums, not eating what their given, and so much more children try our patience.  Having patience with your children will send a message of love to them, while losing your temper or yelling could have lasting negative consequences.

#3 - Say "I Love You"
Just as saying I love you to your wife is important, saying I love you to your children is also important.  I believe expressions of love are as important for their emotional development and just knowing that Dad loves them.

#4 -Be a Good Example
This is the best way to teach your children.  By your example you can teach them integrity, honesty, spirituality, patience and much, much more. Your actions speak louder than your words.  You children need to see how they should act.

#5 -Respect their Mother
Whether married, divorced, or never wed, respect your children's mother.  Most likely their mother is very close to them and they love her, so its your job to at least respect her.  This obviously becomes more important when you are married to their mother, you should always love and honor her.  In addition, for your sons, this should lead to a lifelong commitment to respect the women in his life.

As always, please let me know where I missed the mark, or what tips you have!