johnporcaro: [email protected]

Power of Dads Twitter Meetup

Today, a few of us here at Dad Central Consulting (and Mom Central) held the inaugural “Power of Dads” Tweetup.  We had over 850 Tweets in an hour, and got some good insight into a few questions we’ve been doing some research around.

We had six winners of $50 American Express Gift Cards: @kiltedshaver, @DadaRocKs, @cnaes, @simplyandreah, @dealdaddy, and @portlanddad.  Congrats!

You can catch the whole transcript here, on www.wthashtag.com (thanks, @DaddysToolbox!)

One way we hold these is to answer a series of questions, and get feedback from everyone.  Here are a few of my favorites:

Q1: How has being a Dad influenced and changed your life?

ivannawin: Q1 speaking from my perspective of hubs... he's calmer and no longer skydives..

kiltedshaver: Definitely changed the tway I think about my family, added a big perspective in responsibility.

timeoutdad: Fatherhood is an AWESOME responsibility!

bigdisneyfan: My husband now has our son to play video games with, they really bond over Lego Star Wars.

CarlThress: A1: Much less self-focused. Decisions and choices are all filtered through "how will this affect my kids?

simplydab: RT @johnporcaro: How has being a Dad NOT changed my life? Most pleasure, most pain, most joy, most grief. Wouldn't change i

artisticbaker: Theres less money to spend on cars/tvs/gadgets - thats one change

Doodle741: Yea, my husband's "leisure time" is mowing the yard or taking care of house stuff. He does enjoy playing Halo

smlcfh: Now that hubby is in the military, any spare time he does get, he writes letters to them. It's the sweetest thing

squirrelburrito: @johnporcaro Our daughter got plenty of p0wnage in utero, but she's more interested in rock band and racing games!

 

Q2: Who or what influenced your purchasing habits before being a Dad?

dealdaddys: for me it was mostly just what I wanted, better neater stuff mostly technology

thesavingqueen: Q2 His friends and desires influenced his purchase habits. Now fellow dad and his kids influence them

glme: myself

dragonfly777: Before becoming a Dad....wife, friends and co-workers influenced me

DadCentric: Ricardo Montalban. Dude could sell the s*** out of a Chrysler Cordoba

squirrelburrito: @johnporcaro mmm...gadgets...we still get plenty of those, just installed some high wall shelves!

JanetandMaya: Q2: Purchasing habits were "selfish" now more careful esp about product safest

Q3: Who or what influences your purchasing habits now that you’re a Dad?

timeoutdad: Family comes first... always...

TechyDad: My wife and my kids. (Their needs more than "I want this!!!")

tshaka_zulu: A3: The children's needs, sometimes their wants and a lot of prayer. Have to be wise.

portlanddad: Q3 With kids it is now a family thing, we make purchasing decisions together but also have discretionary funds for each of u

squirrelburrito: @artisticbaker No minivans! We're clinging to our awesome little hatchback!

DaddysToolbox:  A3 - we think "do we REALLY need new sheets" or should we put the kids in soccer or karate

judgebrix: my lovely wife and my kids ... and then new cool toys :-)

timeoutdad: Q3: My Bank Account... Can't spend more than I have.

thesavingqueen: Q3 Now fellow football dads and my kids influence my purchases.

_mongoose: We've gone to 5 phone lines with unlimited texting and my two oldest will be driving soon scar

ivannawin: hubs buys games he can play with kids and also buys matching jerseys

elivya:    @johnporcaro Sometimes just seeing a kid happy is enough to make you forget what you sacrificed.

CarlThress: we went from spoiling ourselves to spoiling our kids :)

tidbitmom: RT @timeoutdad: Anyone else have Suze Orman's voice in their head every time they use a Credit Card? LOL < DENIED! ;-)

dark54555: One thing that has not changed: NO MINIVANS. Of course, with one kid, seating isn't much of an issue regardless.

jaybugsmommy: I think as moms and dads we try to give our kids things we didn't have as children ?

jaybugsmommy:  this makes me want to give hubby and dad a Gift all this Dad talk .. or at least tell them I appreciate them!

timeoutdad:    @MomCentral Becoming a dad has definitely forced me to become more sociable. That's good.

Q4: Where do you go for advice or information for family purchasing decisions?

kingkontra:  Q4 My wife and i decide together for most big purchases

JanetandMaya: Q4 It's fun to see hubby talk with other dads about things like baby monitors, hehehe.

theladya: Word of mouth is best. If our friends and their kids like something, we probably will too

sethandshannon1:  our parents and consumer reports

kiltedshaver:  My wife and I talk over big purchases; we research, ask our parents and other mentors we have.

squirrelburrito: A4: We don't have outside resources for talking about spending, but we make sure each purchase is a family decision

simplydab:  internet, friends/family, esp if it's big $. Needs anal. is critical - do we really need to spend the $ for this?

DaddysToolbox: i'm a GOOD src of info when it comes to techie purchases, food, wine, etc. lots of friends hv older kids & we ask them

DadStreet: A4: I do all the research for our family when it comes to buying things. I also call upon my support at #DadsTalking

dark54555: Q4: INTERNET INTERNET INTERNET! You can research everything to death if you so choose. And I usually so choose.

TechyDad: I do research online like looking for product reviews on Amazon.com (even if we're not buying from them).

ivannawin:  I sometimes do impulse buys on gadety items and hubs always returns them for a better item

mongoose: My three teens are smarter than I am about electronics so I go to them

thesavingqueen: Q4 My husband relies on me to check the reviews, because of the lack of daddy blogs!

MomCentralChat: My husband is a better wife and Mom than me in so many ways. His family raised foster babies and he is AMAZING!

elivya: @mstyle10 So many people on twitter... someone here is bound to have tried a product, can give opinion!

TechyDad: Review sites mostly, but also sometimes Twitter.

kiltedshaver:  internet: Amazon, review sites, Consumer Reports, Twitter, Facebook, retailer websites, etc.

Cinderellamom: Totally getting dizzy trying to keep up w/ #powerofdads twitter party! Yikes!

CK_Lunchbox: I go to FAIL Blog for advice.... on scary things not to buy

Q5: How do you connect with other Dads? (Online, at work, at kids sports games)?

sleatham1: Everywhere! Facebook, twitter, ballgames, inperson, phone, work

lolamichele: hubby is a member of several online communities revolving around hobbies.

sweetone624: Q5 he plays video games with them on xbox live

squirrelburrito: We don't have a parent's circle yet, and we're the first in our group to have kids. meet dads at parks and other outings.

CarlThress: A5: at work, at social functions, starting to try to connect more online, too, in forums like this.

Kelliebug:  Q5. He sees them at work and has buddies that are dads as well. I should get him involved in dad community online!

mandyOregon:  Q5 my hubby gets together with the guys for basketball games a few times a month

portlanddad: Q5 I connect with other dads on Twitter, through blogs, locally at the pub, and even the occasional playdate

kiltedshaver: Q5:Mostly through internet based communications, Twitter, Facebook; church, and community activities.

_mongoose: DH still plays in bands. The kids are old enough that he can go do it without them caring lol

kingkontra: Q5 I also connect with dads on my daughters soccer team during soccer season

doodadblog: Q5: 1. Church 2. Online 3. Family 4. Sports (adult)

elivya: From these answers I'm imagining dads... "Gonna go hang with the guys, hon." "Sure! Will you be on twitter or fb?

CK_Lunchbox: A5 There should be a Fantasy Dad Blog League were we make up fictional blog names & chest bump our monitors

johnporcaro: I talk to Dads the most when I'm at soccer games with my son, or when I'm at the park with my kids and their friends

portlanddad: Sadly Dads don't see the value in connecting with other dads the same way Moms do. That is changing but slowly

DaddysToolbox: I connect with other Dads via #DadsTalking (Dads TALKING :) ) and all on Twitter

onescrappyblog: My husband does PTA stuff at the school with other dads. Networking that way is nice

lanieekat: Q5 my husband also spends time playing of Xbox live and I'm sure he connects w/other dads there

johnporcaro: My four brothers are amazing Dads, and all have good ideas. Except one of them. He knows who he is... ;)

SpinyNorman: Q5- Through Disc GOlfing, Geocaching, Social Media, Blogging, X-Box, Sporting Events..

jaybugsmommy:l this makes me want to give hubby and dad a Gift all this Dad talk .. or at least tell them I appreciate them!

Q6: What was the last purchase you made after consulting with another parent?

kamewh: A playset for our backyard

My3Sons33:  Q6 the last purchase after consulting w/another parent was a baseball bat for our son.

kingkontra:  A new xbox after my last 1 died

onescrappyblog:  Definetly a car seat! A dad's advise on them is GREAT!

portlanddad: Q6 Phil & Teds double stroller, talked to a guy in the bookstore about it for 20 minutes, researched, then pulled the trigger

DynamoMike:  Q6: we bought a Wii for game night with the kids

squirrelburrito: A6: Picked up a sweet Pow-Pow-Power Wheels after talking with my neighbor!

raggammuffin:  Q6: i conulsted with my hubs on what brand razorblades he needed

1awesomekid: sheetrock for our bathroom redo!

thesavingqueen: My hubby purchased a mountain bike for my son after reading reviews to choose the best one.

dragonfly777: My last purchase was a keyboard for our PC...a friend had one he recommended. Great purchase

lilmiss37: The other big purchase was a nice 35mm camera

CarlThress: A6: bananagrams. great game. we (my wife, my older son, and I) love playing it.

Cinderellamom: Q6: Husband bought a table saw- an expensive un-needed table saw! after talking to friend

DaddysToolbox: A6 beer. honestly it was.

mochadad: Able to change a diaper with a single hand

DaddysToolbox: .@1awesomekid yes, getting good advice on which sheetrock is good for bathrooms!! hoepfully mold resistant

TechyDad: I do research online like looking for product reviews on Amazon.com (even if we're not buying from them).

A couple of notes we threw out during the discussion:

• Join the @DadCentral Facebook page to stay up to date on all campaigns and going-on! http://bit.ly/rKox3

• Are you a Dad Blogger? Join the @DadCentral Blog Roll by filling out this quick sign up form: http://bit.ly/cHJIwv

• Testing Panel answers surveys/ gets inside information on cool brands – Join here: http://bit.ly/ak5Eoe

Thanks, everyone!   We had a blast!

Join Dad Central Thursday for a "Twitter Party"

What the heck is a Twitter Party?  Twitter Meetup?  Tweetup?  Glad you asked!

We've been doing some heavy-duty research here on how being a Dad changes the things guys care about, what they buy, whom they trust, that kind of thing.  We just got the results back (Thank You to all that participated!), and we'll be publishing the results shortly.

We wanted to follow up with a more interactive forum, so we'll all be meeting up online this Thursday, on Twitter, to talk a bit more and to get some advice from the real experts, you Dads.

Here's how it works: Log into Twitter (create a free account if you don't have one), and do a search for the hashtag "#PowerOfDads".  I'll be there, along with several others from the Dad Central and Mom Central team, to ask questions and get your feedback.  We want Dads to join, but Moms are welcome to cheer on the Dads, and give opinions of their own, too.

Here's what makes it even more fun.  Every 10 minutes or so, we'll give away one of six $50 American Express gift certficates to someone participating.  Heck, couldn't be much easier than that, right?

Make it a point to join in, for a few minutes, or for the whole hour. No RSVP required...

Here are the details:

What: Dad Central Consulting "Power of Dads" Twitter Party
When: Thursday, August 26th from 12-1pm EST
Why: To discuss how becoming a Dad has influenced what you buy, why you buy it and who you trust for advice. You'll also be entered to win one of six $50 AMEX gift cards.
Hashtag: #PowerofDads
Hosts: @MomCentral & @DadCentral

Talk to you Thursday!

Jif Peanut Butter Tasting Party

There are only a couple of things my family can't go without: Milk, TP, apples, bananas, and, of course Peanut Butter.  We all enjoy a good PBJ with cold milk, and who hasn't made good old-fashioned Ants on a Log?

I got to participate in an online tasting party, sponsored by Jif (a Mom Central client).  To prepare, they sent a nice box of goodies to a couple of us here, and to a dozen or so Mom Bloggers we work with.  The bag they sent included several flavors of Jif Peanut Butter, along with some things to try a few new ways to enjoy it. They also gave us a $25 gift card for Walmart, so we could buy fresh fruit and veggies.

Not sure what an Online Panel looks like?  By using UStream.tv, Jif was able to broadcast directly from their test kitchen, while we participated right along by trying out the things they showed us, and asking questions and getting responses in real-time.  Kind of a personalized Cooking Channel, just for the few of us participating.  Everyone had a blast, had a few surprises, and got to know each other, along with the folks at Jif. We all especially enjoyed meeting Sara Donavan, and our MC Cody.

And for the record, I had my eyes opened to the awesome possibilities of the crunchy combination of Jif and bacon.

For my part, I had a few PB and somethings yesterday.  For lunch, I debated how to keep the carbs low, while still eating a sandwich.  Patrick introduced me to the idea of carving out most of the bread from a bagel, and filling it.  In my case, I stuffed the chewy shell with Crunchy Jif, and sliced up a kiwi to sweeten it.  Yum.

During the tasting, I tried carrots, brocolli (really good!), animal crackers, pita chips, pretzels, teddy grahams, grapes, and for fun, cottage cheese.  Before working out, I mixed up a chocolate Muscle Milk shake, adding in a couple of tablespoons of Jif.  Talk about a dose of protein, with a creamy, chocolaty, peanut buttery taste.  Mmmmmm.

My daughter Emily especially likes Peanut Butter.  She'll take a big spoon, dip it in, and eat it like a lollypop.  And Alyssa likes spreading it on warm toast with a little honey.  She told me that just the other day, she ordered a PBJ shake at Emerald City Smoothy, where they added peanut butter and grape jelly to a protein shake.  Sounds pretty good to me.

A few things that I didn't know were talked about during the webcast:

• More creamy peanut butter is sold nationwide by Jif than crunchy: 80% to 20%.  Wow.  I'm such a huge fan of crunchy, that was hard to believe.
• It takes 1,218 peanuts to make a 28 oz jar of Jif.
• Jif has an unrefrigerated shelf life of 3 months.  Unopened, it will last up to two years.  Though most of the moms and dads participating never have a jar last that long.
• Jif's new Omega 3 has some interesting ingredients, but tastes really good.  I was pleasently surprised, and will probably make this my favorite brand to keep on the shelf.  Though I might have to mix it with crunchy every now and then.
• Jif's Peanut Butter with Honey ROCKS.

Jif has posted lots of recipes on their website, with sandwiches, sauces, desserts, main dish ideas, and more.   And a lot of them included bacon.  I've always wondered how to make a good thai peanut sauce.  They showed us how, so I'm going to try that this weekend.  A great way to get a little more protein along with chicken (or bacon).

My favorite idea was mixing in a ziplock baggie a a spoonful of Jif with a spoonful of vanilla frosting, adding a little cinnamon.  Take some scissors, snip the end of the bag, and use it to squeeze the frosting onto cookies or crackers.  My kids loved that idea.

Finally, they announced the Most Creative Peanut Butter Sandwich Contest for kids 6-12, to submit their recipes to Jif.  The winner gets a $25,000 scholarship, and all finalists get a trip to NYC, and a $2500 scholarship.  So get out your jars of peanut butter, and get a little creative!  And while supplies last, if you enter by Sept 10, you'll get a Jif to Go Back to School Pack.  So get your entries in!

 

 

Beat the Heat: How Do You Keep Your Kids Safe When It's Hot Outside?

Leslie Bonci, Director of Sports Nutrition at the UPMC Center for Sports Medicine and a nutrition consultant joined us today on Twitter to discuss how you can help your kids beat the heat. And today, Gatorade (client) will donate $1 to charities for every download of the Heat Safety Kit.

Making sure kids stay hydrated, especially during outdoor sports where it's warm, and dry, can cause serious problems.

Last summer, my son complained about feeling dizzy and even started slurring his speech during a soccer tournament during a rare, very hot day in Seattle.  He had on a full-length goalie jersey and goalie pants, plus goalie gloves.  We tried to make sure he was hydrated, but we probably didn't do enough to prepare.

Some great suggestions from the Twitter meetup:

• Get plenty of rest the night before @grantquonce
• Hydrate, with protein too, before the activity.  Don't forget to stretch. @mom4everandever
• Make sure uniforms aren't too tight fitting, and light colors help. @WildOrchids09
• Bring cold fruit, orange slices, grapes.  @CleverGayle @sethandshannon1
• Of course, bring the Gatorade! @simplydab
• Make some ice cubes made of Gatorade.  (Love that!) @BillieGH
• Keep an eye on the young ones.   Ask if they're okay.  @simo_8
• Stay in the shade if possible (I know I keep my umbrella handy for rain and sun!) @shannon717717
• Educate your kids so they're aware (good suggestion!) @simplydab
• Have them take "hydration breaks" @iamfor48nascar
• If you're thirsty, you're already dehydrated.  Drink before you're thirsty.  @scm74
• Make sure kids drink, at least as often as you apply sunscreen (or vice versa!) @glassfishie
• Make sure your kids like the sport they're in, they'll do better and excel @PlumSage
• Don’t forget about your internal equipment – breakfast, lunch and fueling before practice. @momcentral
• Make sure your kids know each teammember is important and valuable @cstironkat
• Grocery shop with your kids so you can set a good example @artisticbaker
• Watch for warning signs of heat-related illnesses: confusion, nausia, headache nausea, vomiting, light headedness, weakness, fainting, flushed skin, poor concentration @JoeyfromSC @cnaes

More information:
Beat the Heat! Campaign
Preventing Heat-Related Illnesses (PDF)
Heat Safety (PDF) | Hydration Tips (PDF)

Has Your Teen Done the Right Thing Over the Summer?

Here's a little homework for your kids, something to tide them over the last few days of summer.  Hopefully it's been productive and relaxing and fun, all the things summer should be!

Liberty Mutual (a client of Mom Central) is sponsoring a essay contest for teens 13-17, where they can win $500 for the charity of their choice.  All they need to do is write about how they've helped someone else during the summer.  Did they help the neighbors with a project without getting paid? Did you help your family or friends with babysitting?  Or help with recycling?  Or volunteer at the Boys and Girls Club?  Or help out coaching a teammate on your soccer team?  I'm sure your kids did something worth submitting.

Submissions only need to be 300 words or less--so even if your kids writing has atrophied during the summer, they shouldn't have a problem with this short essay!  Deadline is August 31, so you still have a few weeks.

Check out the Responsibility Project website, or the video below for more information.