Guest Post: Family Entertainment Options

This guest post was brought to you by satellitetvfamily.com. However, I will add that appropriate family entertainment is incredibly important to the family. There's a part of me that hopes that I could be one of those parents who never allows there children to watch TV.  Practically, that is not possible and TV time that is not excessive has been helped immensely.  Also, with all the trash on TV these days it's always important to have the appropriate options that will be appropriate for the whole family.

It can sometimes be difficult for families to figure out television, in terms of what to watch and when to watch it. Depending on how old your children may be, for example, it might be very hard to find programming for everyone to enjoy, simply because kids are not usually as interested in the shows that parents want to watch, and vice versa. Sometimes, in fact, it can even be difficult for parents and young children to agree on shows for the children to watch on their own, as there has to be a balance between what the children enjoy and what the parents deem appropriate for them. Fortunately, offerings like directtv specials provide extra channels and unique programming options that can make all of these issues easier to resolve.

How Do You Make Your Wife's Burdens Lighter?

I have been thinking about this post for a long time... but I guess it finally time to get it down in "ink" and get it up on the blog.  Most of my desire for writing this is because it's something that I need to be better at doing.

My wife has had to endure many burdens recently.

Be a Better Husband and Father When Life Gets Crazy!

I am happy to repor that I am still alive.

Unfortunately life got crazy and I had to evaluate my activities and prioritize.  Due to that, I am not ashamed to say that I sacrificed time working on this blog to deal with family and work issues.  I stopped posting to this blog to try to be a better husband and father and I know most of you would have done that same thing.

There were a number of things that needed my attention including, selling our condo (which is still in process), my wife's post-partum depression, dealing with a baby with bad reflux that doesn't sleep and cries all the time, job uncertainty, all the while trying to look after my spiritual and physical health.  It has been exhausting!

During this exhausting period in my life there were times that it was more difficult to be a great husband... or continually strive to be.  It's an interesting, however, because its in these times that our wives need us the most.  So, no matter what you and your family are going through in your life, remember to continue to strive to be a better husband and father... this is when your family needs you the most!

I hope to be a little more consistent on the blog in the coming months, but probably no where near how active I was last year and I hope you'll understand!

Walking for Healthier Babies

Some of the most challenging times I've experienced  in my life have been a result of the premature birth of both of my children. The complicated pregnancies, early births, sick babies, surgeries, and endless doctor appointments were are challenging, but they've also made me who I am today; I am a better husband and father because of it.

Family Movie Night - "Truth Be Told"

This past weekend I had the unique opportunity of pre-screening a movie titled "Truth Be Told" that will air as Part of "Family Movie Night" on Saturday, April 16th on FOX at 8pm/7ct.


First, let me say that the Family Movie Night idea is a great one. There is so much garbage on TV these days, it is awesome to have time set aside for a movie that will be appropriate for the whole family. Not only will the movie be appropriate, but the Family Movie Night website states that the advertising will also be appropriate! Way to go Fox! (Family Movie Night is also on Facebook: www.facebook.com/familymovienight).

The Review-

The Eternal Blessings of Marriage

This past weekend was the General Conference of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, and there was one talk that stood out to me and that was incredibly applicable to the audience of this blog (among countless others).

The talk was given by Elder Richard G. Scott of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles and was titled "The Eternal Blessings of Marriage."

Here is a link to the full text of the talk, and below are few of my favorite quotations. (Note: The message is applicable to all, not just members of the LDS Church)... Enjoy!

Is She Faking It? ...Maybe You Should Too

No, I'm not talking about THAT! but please keep reading anyway...

Life has a lot of demands on our time and efforts.  We tend to over schedule ourselves and are hurriedly moving from one thing to the next.  So what happens when you are upset, unhappy, or just in a bad mood? Sometimes you just feel like laying on the coach, eating junk food and watching TV all day... when this is not possible - Fake it!

5-Year Anniversary!

Happy anniversary to my wife! Today is our 5-year wedding anniversary.

What a great 5 years it has been!! Like all couples, we've been through our ups and downs (especially for a couple who only knew each other for 10 months before the wedding).  We've had a very busy, stressful, and eventful 5 years.  Here's a few of the things we've been through together:

• We both graduated from college with our bachelor's degree
• We've moved 4 times (including buying our first home)
• Had 2 children (both preemies with complicated pregnancies, bed rest, and NICU admissions)
• Multiple Job changes
• Numerous health issues with us and our children (5 total surgeries)

All of these things on top of the stress and demands of everyday life has made it a crazy 5 years. It feels like we've been through 10 years of trials and experiences. While its been crazy, all of these experiences have helped us grow closer. We are really looking forward to slowing down for the next couple of years... hopefully!

My wife was so sweet and surprised me last weekend with a night at the Salish Lodge.  It was amazing (especially being away from kids and finally getting a good night's sleep!).  Wood-burning fireplace, huge jetted tube, and breakfast in bed made it an amazing getaway!

Be a Better Husband and Father by NOT Buying the iPad 2

photo © 2010 Steve Paine | more info (via: Wylio)
Did you know the iPad 2 was released in the US on Friday?

...if you didn't, than you're the only one in the country that didn't.  The amazing popularity of this unnecessary luxury item astounds me!  I read in the Wall Street Journal, that analysts are estimating that Apple sold close to 600,000 iPad 2's in 3 days this past weekend.  It is also estimated that 6 million will be sold before March 31st, and 30 million by year's end.  Wow.

Let me give you 2 reasons for the title of this post and why it may not be appropriate for you, as a husband and father, to buy an iPad 2 (or any other expensive unnessecary item):

Better Husband Resource: 15-Minute Marriage Makeover

This week Dustin Riechmann, of Engaged Marriage and Fit Marriage, announced his new e-book: 15-Minute Marriage Makeover! He was kind enough to end me a copy to review and I am VERY impressed.  There is a quotation hidden in the Day 2 of the book that I love and I think sums up the book pretty well -

A Reponse to "Where Have All the Good Men Gone?"

photo © 1937 State Library of New South Wales | more info (via: Wylio)

Last Summer I wrote a blog post in reaction to an article from The Atlantic.  The article as it turned out was pretty biased and it was clear the female author had anti-man tendencies.  I have found a similar article, this time from the Wall Street Journal and this time a little bit worse.  The article is title "Where have all the Good Men Gone?" Go take a read and let me know what you think.

Being a Better Father... of 2

As you might have guessed life has been crazy, and I haven't been posting nearly as much as I have wanted to. Those of you with more then one child might understand why.  When my 2nd son was born in the beginning of January, my world got turned upside down and my wife and I have been in survival mode ever since.

Spritual Thought: To visit the Fatherless and Widows...

photo © 2010 Ryk Neethling | more info (via: Wylio)
I was reading in James recently and came across a verse that really spoke to me regarding the importance of our roles as Husbands and Fathers.

 "Pure religion and undefiled before God and the Father is this, To visit the fatherless and widows in their affliction, and to keep himself unspotted from the world." (James 1:27)

In other words, visit those without a Father or a Husband during difficult times. I think there are 2 important lessons to learn from James' words:

• Husbands and Father have an important role in the lives of wives and children.  This makes me want to be a better husband and father. My wife and kids do have me here... I better be taking good care of them.

• We have a responsibility to reach out with love to those who may be without a father or husband.  Chances are you know kids without a dad or a woman without a husband, will you be there during times of affliction?

Survey Results: Husbands' Biggest Opportunities to be Better

Last week we looked at  What Qualities wives want in their husband.  As we continue to look at the results from the survey for wives, today we will look at Question 2 (If you are a wife and haven't taken my survey, please join 53 other women and go take it now!) ...and no, I won't keep going this slow in posting results, the first 2 questions were pretty loaded so they deserved their own post.

To help you put Question #2 results into perspective, please refresh your memory on Question 1 (which qualities are most important to wives), because this week we talk about this question:

Date Your Wife: 24-hour Date!

photo © 2009 Robbert van der Steeg | more info (via: Wylio)
I came across a date idea in an article from "The Nest" and thought I would share it because I really like the idea - A 24-hour Date!

We often talk about Date Nights, or sometimes even weekend getaways, but somewhere in the middle you find 24-hour dates.  They are more doable then weekend getaways, but more special that the standard weekly/bi-weekly/monthly date

When was the last time you spent 24 hours "dating" your wife? ...When was the last time you even spent 24-hours WITH your wife?

What Qualities Does Your Wife Want in a Husband?

photo © 2009 epSos .de | more info (via: Wylio)
A couple months ago I created a survey for wives, so I could learn a little bit more about what is important to them in a husband as well as to glean some of the greatest opportunities that we have to become better husbands. Currently, 48 wives have taken this survey, and I think we can learn a lot from the results.

I am going to be sharing some insights from the survey with you through a series of posts. For this first one we will focus on the following survey question:

Matt Hasselbeck, XXXChurch, and National Porn Sunday

photo © 2006 Mister Leung | more info (via: Wylio) I've always liked Matt Hasselbeck, but a few days ago I found another reason to like him.  Not only like him, but I truly admire him now.  Here's why...

I was listening to local Sports Talk radio here in seattle and they were talking about Hasselbeck's involvement with XXXChurch and National Porn Sunday.  So, I did a little more research and found this CNN Article which goes into more detail about it.

The XXXChurch is described as "Christian group that... helps people battling pornography addictions." They are the organizing National Porn Sunday.  As you may already know, Sunday is also Super Bowl Sunday. XXXChurch is planning on using the Super Bowl as a "way to get churches around the country talking about pornography." To do this, professional football players were recruited to be a part of the video that will be broadcast to over 300 churches nationwide.

Be a Better Father by Taking Care of Yourself

If you've flown before (and actually paid attention to the safety announcements or safety cards) you know that in the event that the cabin should loose air pressure, oxygen masks will fall from the ceiling.  You also know that the bags will not inflate and you are to put your mask on first BEFORE assisting others with you (even your children).  I think this also applies to a lot of aspects of parenting. If you are going to be the best father you can be, you have got to take care of yourself.

Valentine's Day Ideas for Your Wife

photo © 2006 Rebecca Partington | more info (via: Wylio) If I've learned nothing else from my marriage, I've learned this: Valentines day is still important after marriage. Men often go all out for their girlfriends or women they may be trying to convince to be their girlfriends, but some men forget the basics after they get married. Make Valentine's Day special for your wife!

So how do you do that?

When I asked my wife about what we should do for this upcoming Valentine's Day, she said "nothing, we have no time, money, or sleep!" While all of this is true, I'm pretty sure I can come up with something she will love! No matter your circumstances or situation, you know your wife and I'm confident you can make her feel special, at least for one day!

Here's a few Valentines Day tips and ideas -

Marital Privacy: Self-Disclosure

I stumbled upon this article from The Chicago Tribune about a how to have more happiness in marriage.  It's main point was to express that "consistent, quality conversation" can improve your marriage.  However, it mentioned something in passing that I think deserves more attention AND acts as a good follow-up to my post last week about privacy in marriage.

Top 5 Posts of 2010

I realize that I am a little bit late with this "top posts of 2010" post, but I still wanted to do it! Since I started this blog in May 2010, this list is also the top 5 blog posts of all time! If you haven't read these posts you probably should. So without further ado...