Book Review - Where the Wild Dads Went

About the Book
The night Dad had a few cheeky ones after work, forgot the milk and tripped over the rubbish, Mum called him A Wild Thing and said "Don't mind me!" and spent the rest of the night on the phone . . .

In this hilarious, touching homage to Maurice Sendak's Where the Wild Things Are, a tired and emotional dad finds himself drifting off to the place where the Wild Dads went. 'Now PARTYYYYYYYYYY!' he said. In a riot of headbanging, air guitar and table football he finds himself at the centre of a great escape, but pretty soon he begins to miss the place he left behind . . .

Lovingly illustrated by the award-winning Sholto Walker, this little book is the perfect gift for new dads – or any parent who's ever wanted to run away from it all.



My Take on the Book
When dad comes home late and lays on the couch, he takes a fantasy trip to a place where he meets other dads who are going wild. It is a place that dads can let themselves just go and have fun. As the story progresses though dad recalls home and wants to return. The return is sweet as his wife is taking care of him: he is covered with a blanket and she is making him some tea.

There are so many details in the illustrations . The facial expressions on all the dads' faces show the fun they are having, but then the facial expression on the main character dad shows too his love of his home.

Maybe the father figure in your home will like to read this story to the young children in your house.
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Book Review - Dad Time: Savoring the God-Given Moments of Fatherhood

About the Book
Brimming with timeless stories and inspirational quotes, this book on fatherhood from Max Lucado is the perfect gift to show Dad how much he means to the family.

Dads are a one-of-a-kind bunch. They can be strong and stern, yet heartfelt and gentle. They may be out of touch with today’s Top 40 Hits, but know just the right word to say in a quiet moment. They are always there to provide, lend a helping hand, or be our biggest cheerleader.

Max Lucado perfectly captures the heartfelt sentiments that millions of readers share on what it’s like to be a dad. Filled with quotes and stories compiled from books by Max, this gift book is brimming with inspiring thoughts on fatherhood from one of America’s favorite authors.

Features & Benefits:

• This is Max’s first gift book on fatherhood
• Includes stories and heartfelt quotes in a beautiful, modern package
• Great gift for Father’s Day, birthdays, or any time of year

My Take on the Book
This was a great mix of dads contributing to an honest, heartfelt book on what fatherhood should mean in society today. I have read many of this author's other books and was glad to see that he was now taking on fatherhood as I knew that the book and the information would be top notch and sharing great information that I knew that I could implement right away. I was not disappointed. Max has provided a great testament to what fatherhood is all about and I for one hope that he will be sharing more fatherhood related books in the future!


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Book Review - The Good Dad

About the Book
As president of Focus on the Family, a dad to two sons, and a man who didn’t really have a dad growing up, Jim Daly has a passion for fathers. He wants to see families thrive, and that starts with dads who help set the tone for the household, and whose influence on their children has been widely documented by social science.

Jim Daly, president and CEO of Focus on the Family, is an expert in fatherhood—in part because his own "fathers" failed him so badly. His biological dad was an alcoholic. His stepfather deserted him. His foster father accused Jim of trying to kill him. All were out of Jim's life by the time he turned 13.

Isn’t it odd—and just like God—that the director of the leading organization on family turned out to be a guy whose own background as a child was so pretty messed up? Or could it be that successful parenting is discovered not in the “perfect” peaceful household but in the midst of battles and messy situations, where God must constantly be called to the scene?

Using his own expertise, humor, and inexhaustible wealth of stories, Jim will show fathers that God can make them a good dad, a great dad, in spite of the way they’ve grown up or the mistakes they’ve made. It’s not about becoming a perfect father. It’s about trying to become a better father each and every day, building relationships through love, grace, patience, and fun—and helping children grow into the men and women they’re meant to be.


My Take on the Book
This is the type of book that will make you truly reconsider what fatherhood means to you and to your family. The book is spiritually based and makes numerous connections to God’s plan for fathers in society today. The book is poignant and well-written and shares personal experiences of the author along with the goals that this author has to become a stronger, more engaged dad. The book is deep and gives readers a true glimpse into what is at the core of fatherhood. I know that I, for one, found that the book truly engaged me and had me look back at my own traits and characteristics, and help me to reevaluate. One of the difficult things to grapple with in this book are the stories that the author shared about being raised in a home with an abusive father. Though I say this, the stories are there to inspire other fathers to become better. You will learn so much of this book and at the same time will connect a deeper level with the word of God as it relates to being an amazing dad.


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Book Review - Wisdom for Dad: Advice for Dad In 140 Characters or Less

About the Book
By accessing the social web and the power of the dad crowd, Wisdom For Dad cuts through the clutter to deliver brief, witty, snippets of wisdom every dad will appreciate. With 85K plus Twitter Followers (@dudetodad), popular author/blogger Hugh Weber delivers a terrific follow-up to Dude to Dad that again aims to help ordinary dudes become extraordinary dads.

Given that dads today communicate primarily via texts, tweets, and Facebook status updates, Wisdom For Dad features a compilation of more than 100 of the funniest, most inspiring, and notable posts geared toward today's generation of dads to help them as they journey through fatherhood.


My Take on the Book
This was a fun book that really captured the true essence of being a father. As a father myself I know that I don't have a lot of time to be able to spend on parenting books, however, this book gives you so much wisdom and so little words. The book itself is broken down into small kernels of knowledge, 140 characters at a time.

The other share some great insights into what being a dad really means, and he shares it in a way that is both lighthearted and full of thought. The book itself is set up to provide direct, hands-on advice and resources for any father that picks up this book. The author shares both experiences and sage wisdom that will help any new or old father to become even stronger in their role.

All-in-all this was a great book that I would recommend giving to any father, as he will completely appreciate it.

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Book Review - Daddy's Little Girl

About the Book
A heartwarming tale of a father's love and growing relationship with his daughter; the story follows Daddy's Little Girl from infancy to maturity. Beautifully illustrated by Canadian artist Carol Matsuyama this book makes a thoughtful gift for any occasion.



My Take on the Book
As a father of girls, I completely related to this story. There is a special bond between father and daughter that is hard to explain, but this book does a wonderful job at doing so. This book shares the emotional journey that any father goes through as his daughter grows into a woman and it is a journey that I am on currently (and it is moving way too quickly if I do say so myself). I know that even though I may not be ready for them to grow up, they will, and this story is a reminder to treasure the time that I have, developing lasting memories and doing whatever I can to make these moments last!  

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Cooper & Kid Introduces Catch - A New EZine for Dads

Being a dad just got even better. Cooper and Kid (www.cooperandkid.com), the retail brand that champions dads through dedicated products and services designed to help men embrace their mission into fatherhood, announces the launch of a new online publication for dads: Catch (http://cooperandkid.com/catch/). Catch, e-published on Cooper and Kid’s newly redesigned website, released its first issue on August 19, 2013.

Created by Cooper and Kid founder Nichole Smaglick, Catch offers honest and often humorous content contributed by a diverse selection of dads to help all men with children navigate through fatherhood. “Catch is an intelligent and accessible online portal for dads to explore, celebrate, and navigate through what it means to be a father, as well as enhance the critical rite of passage into fatherhood,” says Smaglick. “While the market is saturated with content geared towards moms and expecting moms, there are only a few scattered resources that dads can turn to, and Catch satisfies this void for all fathers.

Articles will be categorized into eight topic pillars: The Meatball Man Date – 1 on 1’s with dads; Cowboy Compass – outdoor skills and stories; Play – projects and toys; First, Get the Pancake – cooking and food as a dad; Manual Shift – exploring the gear-change of fatherhood; Body Shop – workouts and nutrition; Art and Entertainment – books, movies, TV, music, videos, apps, games; and Battle Zone – a weekly face-off for all things dad, man and parenting. A ninth pillar is expected to follow soon after launch. New content will be published daily, Monday through Friday. Contributors include real dads and also celebrity dads and newsmakers.

“Becoming a dad changes a man’s life not only in his perception of self and personal growth, but also how he manages his free-time, career, finances, health, relationships and inner moral compass, says Smaglick. “Dads will explore that metamorphosis of becoming a father with humor and straight-talk honesty, discover dad and non-dad tips on cool things to do, as well as ways to handle new situations and poignant manhood fodder. Topics and writers will evolve over time, so every time dads return, they will ‘Catch’ something new.”



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Book Review - How To Be A Great Dad—It’s In Your Hands

About the Book
Recent *studies have shown that fathers who are active and engaged in the lives of their children play an important role in child development — making their kids smarter and better behaved. Despite this, many fathers just don’t step up to the plate. They either don’t know how, or don’t want to be actively involved with their children. Niagara Falls author Carmen Elefante has seen this and wants to change things. His new book, How To Be A Great Dad—It’s In Your Hands, is a collection of uplifting stories, useful activities, and thoughtful analysis on the nature of fatherhood. How To Be A Great Dad is a culmination of Carmen’s lifetime of observation and personal development. This compelling 128 page book includes:

• Tips on how to creatively connect with your children with meaningful everyday contact.
• Ways to have inexpensive and easy fun with your children—including games and fun family recipes.  
• Advice on addressing your own insecurities and issues so that they don’t harm your children. 

Carmen’s goal is to help all fathers and caregivers be loving, responsible, and fully involved parents. The book is available on Amazon, and through www.carmen-sense.com

• Sarkadi et al, Fathers’ Involvement and Children’s Developmental Outcomes: A Systematic Review of Longitudinal Studies, Acta Paediatrica, 2008.
• Concordia Longitudinal Risk Research Project, Canadian Journal of Behavioural Science. 

My Take on the Book
This was a great book that was set up in such a great way. I found myself plowing through this in one sitting, as the text provided so many great ideas, tips and resources that any new or existing father would appreciate knowing. The book is straight forward, and is set up to really help any father to be the best dad that he can be.  Not only does the book offer great resources, but it also has quite a few tips that you can enact in your own home with your kids. The ideas are easy and inexpensive and anyone can pick one out today to start having fun right away with the whole family. All-in-all this was a great book that I would recommend to any father as it was a very enlightening read and one that will open your own eyes to ways in which you too can be a truly great dad!

All opinions expressed in this review are my own and not influenced in any way by the company.  Any product claim, statistic, quote or other representation about a product or service should be verified with the manufacturer or provider. Please refer to this site's Disclaimer  for more information. I have been compensated or given a product free of charge, but that does not impact my views or opinions.

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10 Dad Bloggers and their Blogs

To CELEBRATE Father's Day 2011 we'd like to share our current Top 10 Dad Bloggers with you.

Each of these amazing blogs provides us with a glimpse into what the relationship of father means. We find the joy, the tears, the laughter the heartache and the love and a dedication that is fraught with mishaps. The "shelf life" of a dad blog is less than that of almost any other type of blog. The reason why is quite apparent once you start to read them. A large number of dads begin their blogs with a sense of excitement, fervor and many out of sheer terror. The new arrival(s) has an almost immedidate impact on dad. The tendency for overwhelm, fatigue and daddy "wear and tear" that takes place is evident by both the style and content of blogging and even more apparent based on the number of new dad bloggers that quickly take a "bloggy vacation." This clearly is no measure of how great these dads are at fatherhood yet it is for this very reason that the following 10 Dads are to be given even kudos as both fantastic "bloggers" and outstanding dads. We hope you enjoy this blogging tribute to dads around the globe.

Visit Literal Dan's Literally Great Blog Literal Dan A sarcastic view on parenting, language, society, and most everything else, from a 20-something stay-at-home dad. Connect with Literal Dan on BlogCatalog

Visit the Dad Jam Blog The Dad Jam A place for dads and parents to collaborate on fatherhood and parenting topics and read articles offering advice, tips and tricks from a father of a toddler and a baby. Lots of articles and observations served up with a side of humor. Come join us at the dad jam and start jamming today! Connect with the Head Jammer on BC

Check out Improvising Fatherhood Improvising Fatherdhood Improvising Fatherhood is a blog about the comedy of being a dad. Nate Smith is an improvisational comedian, a husband, and a father. He's not sure which is hardest. Connect with Improvising Fatherhood on BlogCatalog

The Dude Knows Best A Dude enjoying the transition from Dude to Dad. A self-proclaimed Neo-Hippie and The Dude of the House for a young family of four, an ever-growing herd of animals, a blossoming landscape, Earth-friendly living, all sorts of household projects, and a healthy addiction to surf. Connect with The Dude on BC

Visit Big Bad Daddy Rant Blog Big Bad Daddy Rant Ranting about being a man at home with two ShortThings. Asking the eternal question: What is it about kids and the word Poop? All this plus tales of Adversity, Hilarity, and Humility from the damaged mind of the Big Bad Daddy. Connect with Big Bad Daddy on BC

Visit The Males Perspective The Males Perspective A general blog about daily life from my perspective. I will fill things up with comments on my day, upcoming plans or just my opinion on the goings on around the world...I hope you enjoy Connect with the Dad behind The Males Perspective

Read "an admission of cluelessness" **Puzzling Posts: an admission of cluelessness It's time to concentrate on what I know best (or as you'll see, least) and talk about being a dad in a world where moms are much more important. Where mom have a much better idea of what they're doing with a child and where moms don't make babies watch hockey. A month behind in blogging though we'll let him slide as there's a hockey game going on somewhere. Connect with Puzzling Posts Dad on BC

Read Dorky Dad's blog Dorky Dad 'm a dork. I was a dork in high school, but I hated my label so I did everything humanly possibly to de-dork myself. I wore "fashionable" 80s clothes (ick), I bought a car, I even ditched my dork friends for friends lower on the dork-o-meter. I now realize that all this accomplished was to cement my own place in the dork universe. I am now resigned to my fate. Talk to a Dorky Dad on BC

meta-DAD's blog meta-DAD I’m a Dad. That’s how I define myself at the moment. Not too long ago I defined myself as a Husband, but now I’m a Proud Dad and a Fine Husband. And maybe someday, I will get the title of “Good Dad” – that’s the goal, anyway. I currently enjoy an active readership and have the good fortune of being featured in the Wall Street Journal, USA Today, FOX Business, CNN.Com, the Chicago Sun-Times and Reuters. I am also a Parenting & Family Columnist for the LA Examiner. Connect with meta-DAD

Read Stuff in My Brain Stuff in My Brain Dad talks about his family and embarrasses them at the same time. Sometimes a picture. Sometimes a joke. Always Dad Stuff. Connect with Stuff in My Brain's Author

Read Smonk You Smonk You ~ A Story About Being a Dad A blog from an expecting first time father and later a first time father. All opinions are mine so please don't judge my lovely wife on the things I say...she might disagree with some stuff too.. Connect with Smonk

Visit the Blog What's a Delmer Look Like The daily doings of Delmer Wells. A guy in Hilliard, Ohio with three boys, a bicycle, and a distaste for Yanni music. Connect with a Delmer

Happpy Father's Day from BlogCatalog

p.s. Click here for more Dad Blogs

All opinions expressed in this review are my own and not influenced in any way by the company.  Any product claim, statistic, quote or other representation about a product or service should be verified with the manufacturer or provider. Please refer to this site's Disclaimer  for more information. I have been compensated or given a product free of charge, but that does not impact my views or opinions. ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- New to the Divadom or to Dad of Divas Reviews? Please Subscribe to my RSS Feed! Subscribe in a reader Questions?Drop me a line at dadofdivas@gmail.com

FATHER'S DAY FACT: DAD'S EXPOSURES CAN BE SIGNIFICANT PRIOR TO PREGNANCY

According to the Organization of Teratology Information Specialists (OTIS), a nationwide non-profit that educates the public about exposures during pregnancy and breastfeeding, more studies are needed to evaluate the potential effect of illnesses, medications and men's lifestyle habits and their impact on both fertility and pregnancy. It is estimated that for couples suffering fertility problems, the issue rests half of the time with the male. In approximately a quarter of these cases, a specific cause is unknown.

"A paternal exposure is anything the father of the baby is exposed to before or during his partner's pregnancy," explained Christina Chambers, PhD, MPH, professor of pediatrics and director of OTIS' California affiliate, the CTIS Pregnancy Health Information Line, which is based at the University of California, San Diego. "Some exposures may affect a man's ability to father a child by changing the size or shape of sperm, the number of sperm produced or how the sperm work," she added.

Studies have found associations with the following risk factors and either altered sperm with or without infertility, lower fertility and infertility:

*      Occupational: Chemicals such as heavy metals, solvents, fumes (welding fumes).
*      Physical agents: Heat, vibration, extremes in temperature and pressure.
*      Radiation: Radiation and electromagnetic radiation (cell phones).
*      Lifestyle: Cigarette smoking.
*      Infection: Chlamydia trachomatis, a common sexually transmitted disease.
*      Pollutants: PCBs (Polychlorinated Biphenyls). PCBs were banned by the EPA in 1979, but exist in the environment including landfills, lakes and streams.

"Dad is sometimes an afterthought when it comes to pregnancy," said Dr. Chambers. "But the bottom line is it's often just as important to consider dad's impact on a developing baby before, during and after pregnancy as it is mom's," she added. "What better time to remind the public of that significance than during Father's Day."

Questions or concerns about paternal exposures in pregnancy or breastfeeding from anyone in the U.S. can be directed to OTIS counselors at (866) 626-OTIS (6847). A variety of fact sheets can also be viewed and downloaded at www.OTISPregnancy.org.


All opinions expressed in this review are my own and not influenced in any way by the company.  Any product claim, statistic, quote or other representation about a product or service should be verified with the manufacturer or provider. Please refer to this site's Disclaimer  for more information. I have been compensated or given a product free of charge, but that does not impact my views or opinions.
 
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Top 5 New Family Cars for Dads

I wanted to share a great article with you, developed by experts at AutoTrader.com, the largest online auto classifieds site. The article provides a look at the top five new family cars that dads will love – and feel cool driving in. Please find the article here: Top 5 New Family Cars for Dads

Also, feel free to check out and share AutoTrader.com’s new “Cars for Dads” page, which has more great tips and information for dads who love to be up on the latest auto trends: Cars for Dads 

All opinions expressed in this review are my own and not influenced in any way by the company.  Any product claim, statistic, quote or other representation about a product or service should be verified with the manufacturer or provider. Please refer to this site's Disclaimer  for more information. I have been compensated or given a product free of charge, but that does not impact my views or opinions.
 
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Top DIY repair secrets for Dad this Father's Day

PartSelect.com, the complete online resource for the do-it-yourself (DIY) repair market and official home of the Virtual Repairman, wants to turn every dad into Mr. Fix-It this Father’s Day. Today, the company is revealing the top dos and don’ts of DIY appliance repair to help fathers avoid the most common home-improvement mishaps.

“Many do-it-yourself dads have the enthusiasm to tackle their own appliance repairs, but not necessarily the know-how and experience to complete the projects safely or correctly”

If past home-improvement projects have resulted in more power outages and floods than actual solutions, rest assured. The following tips will help dads avoid these faux pas and make the next DIY appliance repair a breeze:

DO look into the appliance’s manufacturer warranty, as well as the warranty for your home, before you start to see if the repair in question might still be covered. There is no sense taking on a project that could be done for you at no extra cost.

DO conduct background research. Watch relevant how-to videos, know what tools are required and familiarize yourself with the portion of the appliance you will focus on. Also research how to properly handle the parts surrounding the item you’re replacing so as not to cause additional breaks or damage.

DON’T forget to disconnect the appliances from utility circuits such as electrical connections and water lines before beginning the repair process. Forgetting this crucial step could lead to damaging and dangerous situations. Appliances must be in a stable position on a level surface before you attempt to work on them.

DON’T use a part that is similar to the one you need, or one that you are “pretty sure” is the right fit for your product. Every make and model is different, and attempting to insert the incorrect repair part will more often than not result in appliance disaster. Substandard parts from your neighbor’s garage or plucked at random off a shelf at the hardware store will not give you the results you’re looking for.

DON’T use broken or improper tools. Approaching every household appliance with that same pair of pliers is not only ineffective, but it can also cause unnecessary wear to the tool, as well as injuries. All dads’ toolboxes should be equipped with the following tools in a quality brand: multi-bit screwdriver with ratcheting, combination wrench, wire strippers, nut driver, and multimeter. You should also have a selection of at least two to three types of pliers, including needle-nose, slip joint and water pump pliers.

DO take photos during each step of the repair process. The best-kept secret to successfully reassemble an appliance is to always have your digital camera on hand. Flipping backwards through the step-by-step photos you took during the repair will serve as your roadmap for piecing the appliance back together.

DO know your DIY limits and take proper safety precautions. Safety goggles and other protective apparel should be worn at all times, particularly when dealing with spring loaded mechanisms. Protective gloves should be worn when working around glass items or sharp metal edges, and if you are moving an appliance, protective footwear is a must. It is unsafe to attempt a repair that is beyond your comfort level, so don’t be afraid to call in the experts.

“Many do-it-yourself dads have the enthusiasm to tackle their own appliance repairs, but not necessarily the know-how and experience to complete the projects safely or correctly,” says PartSelect.com Service Director Steve Ash. “These dos and don’ts should serve as a good guideline for dads and help them avoid the faux pas and headaches most commonly associated with do-it-yourself maintenance and repair.”
For additional DIY appliance repair parts, resources, and step-by-step installation instructions and videos, visit http://www.partselect.com/.

ABOUT PARTSELECT.COM
PartSelect.com is the largest appliance and consumer electronic repair store for the do-it-yourself market, with more than 2 million parts, 30,000 sets of installation instructions, and a growing library of how-to videos. PartSelect.com’s Virtual Repairman is the only search engine that lets users self-diagnose their appliance issues and immediately connects them to the parts and instructions needed to fix them. www.PartSelect.com.
 

All opinions expressed in this review are my own and not influenced in any way by the company.  Any product claim, statistic, quote or other representation about a product or service should be verified with the manufacturer or provider. Please refer to this site's Disclaimer  for more information. I have been compensated or given a product free of charge, but that does not impact my views or opinions.
 
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Dating A Single Dad: Stats and Top Cities from Match.com

With Father’s Day just around the corner, Match.com is celebrating the single dad with new data it released today on its official blog Up To Date- cause hey- dads need lovin’ too!

Recognizing that not all men are alike, nor are the qualities that attract women to them, Match.com looked at a variety of different types of single fathers -- from the Foodie Dad to the Do-it-Yourself Dad and the beloved Sports-Crazed Dad -- pinpointing the top locations where women can find their ideal single father.

Additionally, they also examined the membership and communication patterns of single dads on Match.com, illuminating new insights about their dating patterns. I’ve included highlights from these top 10 lists and findings below:

• 30% of male subscribers on Match.com are single dads.
• Single dads of all ages are 46% more likely to meet someone on Match.com versus men without children.
• Single dads are morning Match.com users – typically logging on over a cup of coffee between 6:00 AM and 9:00 AM more often than the average male member.
• Single dads are 56% more likely to email single moms than men without children.
• 68% of single dads wait at least 3 months before introducing someone they met on Match.com to their kids, and 26% will wait 6 months or more to do so.

For those in search of a man who can whip up a 5-star dinner in his very own kitchen, the top 5 cities for a Foodie Dad:

1.       Scottsdale, AZ
2.       Seattle, WA
3.       San Francisco, CA
4.       Portland,  OR
5.       Boise,  ID

Looking for a man to finally build you that dream closet you’ve always wanted? The top 5 cities for the Do-it-Yourself Dad:

1.       Spokane, WA
2.       Boise, ID
3.       Sarasota, FL
4.       Vancouver, WA
5.       Toledo, OH

On the hunt for a guy who loves your favorite sports team as much as you do? The top 5 cities for the Sports- Crazed Dad:

1.       Chandler, AZ
2.       Scottsdale, AZ
3.       Milwaukee, WI
4.       Henderson, NV
5.       Charlotte, NC

Additional results, including the full top 10 lists of single dad cities, are available at the Match.com blog, Up to Date.

All opinions expressed in this review are my own and not influenced in any way by the company.  Any product claim, statistic, quote or other representation about a product or service should be verified with the manufacturer or provider. Please refer to this site's Disclaimer  for more information. I have been compensated or given a product free of charge, but that does not impact my views or opinions. ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- New to the Divadom or to Dad of Divas Reviews? Please Subscribe to my RSS Feed! Subscribe in a reader Questions?Drop me a line at dadofdivas@gmail.com

National Coupon Month: 2010 RedPlum™ Purse String Study

Summary:

Based on the RedPlum Purse String Study consumers across the board are exercising cautious optimism when it comes to spending habits and re-prioritizing how they allocate their savings. Retailers and marketers are taking heed to this consumer behavior. Nearly 2,000 men responded to this survey. The survey was conducted for the third year on redplum.com from July 21 through Aug. 15 and results released in September in conjunction with National Coupon Month.

Basic Necessities:

The shift in consumer spending behavior toward value-oriented habits is apparent in this study. One finding that is striking is that 82 percent of all survey respondents say they use the money they save with coupons on basic necessities or paying down debt (56 percent and 26 percent, respectively). Comparatively, 70% of men said they would use the money saved for basic necessities or paying down debt. While basic necessities still ranked no. 1 among men, 27% also indicated they would use their savings on dining out.

Embracing Value…Even on a First Date:

Consider this: Based on the RedPlum Purse String Study,  74 percent of men said they would use a coupon on a first date at a restaurant  and 75 percent of men said they would use a coupon on a first date at the movie theaters. Men should feel  even more comfortable using a coupon on a first date;  according to the survey an even higher percentage of women deemed it OK ( 78% respectively). Overwhelming, both men and women would outwardly use a coupon on a first date, with a much lower proportion doing so “discreetly.”

What does this say about today’s consumer? In short, shoppers have embraced the mindset toward value. Today’s consumers are adjusting their spending and becoming more strategic in their purchases as deal seeking escalates.

Snapshot of Men and Coupon/Savings Use

“On average, how much money do you save weekly using coupons?”

•             86 percent said they save up to $50 a week.

“How much time did you spend this past week looking for coupons?”

•             87 percent spent up to three hours looking for coupons, deals and savings from all sources.

“What would you do to save 25 percent?”

•             68 percent would fill out an online form.

•             67 percent said they would sign up for an e-newsletter.

•             21 percent said they would do “pretty much anything.”

In addition to groceries, the categories with the highest interest to men are:

•             38 percent dining out, followed by clothing and automotive.

Consumer Confidence

•             42 percent report their family’s financial situation is the same as last year.

•             30 percent are less confident than last year.

All opinions expressed in this review are my own and not influenced in any way by the company.  Any product claim, statistic, quote or other representation about a product or service should be verified with the manufacturer or provider. Please refer to this site's Disclaimer  for more information. I have been compensated or given a product free of charge, but that does not impact my views or opinions.

   

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Book Review - Sugarmilk: What One Dad Drinks When He Can’t Afford Vodka

About the Book
The rigid family roles when “mad men” ruled supreme fifty years ago seem almost ludicrous by today’s standards where mothers now direct boardrooms and fathers manage playrooms. While many families have consciously made this choice, many more were forced to do so as a result of the economy. In his book, SUGAR MILK: What One Dad Drinks When He Can’t Afford Vodka (March 30, 2010), writer Ron Mattocks shows that he understands the personal impact of this situation as well as any man in the same position—and there are many.

• In July 2009, the number of unemployed men jumped 77% year-over-year
• Of the 11.3 million preschoolers with working mothers, 25% are cared for primarily by the father 
• Reuters reported that in July 2009, 1 million families had a working wife, a child under 18 years old and an unemployed father.

As an executive in the homebuilding industry, Ron sees the coming economic downturn and, as a precaution, relocates away from his three sons to take a more secure position. En route, he meets his eventual wife and her two little girls through an odd internet experiment. But, when he unexpectedly loses his new job and can’t find work, Ron suddenly finds himself thrust into the unfamiliar role of a stay-at-home dad to his stepdaughters while living apart from his own children. 

In Sugar Milk: What One Dad Drinks When He Can’t Afford Vodka, Ron combines, honesty, insight, and wit as he recounts his journey from the comfortable corporate world to a new world full of financial stress, lonely afternoons, and subversive Care Bears as he gains a new perspective on fatherhood.

Jeremy Adam Smith, author of The Daddy Shift: How-Stay-at-Home Dads, Breadwinning Moms, and Shared Parenting Are Transforming the American Family says of Sugar Milk,

“I laughed aloud every three pages or so. But underneath the jokes, Ron Mattocks has a serious story to tell about men and fathers in transition, trying to hold their spirits and families together in an economy and society that is shifting under their feet.”

Sugar Milk has already received attention from among others, Reuters News, The Globe and Mail, The Bund-Pic Magazine. For more details visit www.SugarMilkBook.com. 

About the Author: 
Ron Mattocks is a freelance writer and frequent contributor to Houston Family Magazine. His work has been read on public radio and can be found in various parenting-related publications. He lives in Houston, Texas.

My Take on the Book
I have been following Ron's progress on this book as well as following his blog posts in general for a while now. I have been impressed by his free thought as well the humor that he infuses into anything that he writes.

This book was no different than the writing that I have seen him work on in the past. The writing itself draws the reader into the story and let's the reader better understand and show empathy to many of situations that the author finds himself within.

I found this book to be hilarious and personal. The reader is drawn into the stories and can see how caring Ron is and how his new role as a stay at home dad has transformed him. I truly believe that if you are like me you will find yourself laughing on the floor at points in this book, as well as not wanting to put the book down until the very end.

More and more today I am meeting dads who are now at home with their kids, thus this book and the content within is very relevant and the humor that Ron uses is just icing on the cake!

If your book sounds like one that you would like to have as a part of your own library, you can find it on Amazon!

All opinions expressed in this review are my own and not influenced in any way by the company.  Any product claim, statistic, quote or other representation about a product or service should be verified with the manufacturer or provider. Please refer to this site's Terms of Use  for more information. I have been compensated or given a product free of charge, but that does not impact my views or opinions.

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