#allthatisman

Who says it isn't manly to care about what your children are playing with? I give you all a license to take an active part in your children's development, matter of fact I demand that of every father. One of the bigger reasons I blog is to spread the perspective that while being all that is man is a full-time job, it also includes time for love, romance, emotion, and mentoring. I admit that I am highly committed to my offspring, do you?

So this holiday season what is a father to purchase for his kiddos?

My friends at Mommy Edition offer up some great ideas on their website for any dad shopping around for some educational gift ideas. I liked their take on gifts being useful with many age-appropriate options. What kid doesn't want building blocks and and a pretend farm!? I remember receiving special "Dad-only" gifts while growing up that I knew my dad had taken special time to wrap himself, those were the coolest ones!

Also, I encourage any dad to think back to his own childhood and dig out long forgotten toys from Gramma's attic. Kids are excited to play so why not go back in time to those Days of Thunder cars you worked so hard to collect from Hardees in the early 1990's, or go second-hand shopping for some old Transformers.

Raid your parent's old toys. I realize cap guns from the 60's are frowned upon these days, but doesn't it feel good to be politically incorrect every now and again? A neighbor recently knocked on my front door to discover my 2 year-old daughter brandishing a very realistic-looking Glock from my own father's toy box at her "horsey" brother. I must admit I was secretly pleased by the look of horror that crossed Mrs. Inman's face!