Things to do when the power goes out

Our thoughts are with all the Stunt Dads who are dealing with flooding, power outages and most important...closed schools. We would also like to share that a power outage is a great time to teach kids what life was like before 500 cable channels, Wii, X Box, iPhones and iPads. When we were kids (us Stunt Dads) we played with cardboard boxes instead of X Boxes. And when we were bored of that we played board games. We played hide and seek in the dark. We played cops and robbers with our hands and feet instead of a joystick, tag was a game and not a way to categorize a Facebook pic. we made games up, changed the rules of dodgeball so it could be played with a potatoe and enjoyed whatever our imaginations could create. All we really needed was our undivided attention to the goal of having a good time. Remember? Remember when a paper towel roll became a sword and a toilet paper roll was a telescope? Do you even remember anymore how to turn a marker into a gun by holding it over your closed fist with your thumb? Think your kid knows that one?

If you are one of the unfortunate people without power, we hope that your home is quickly restored back to normal, but also that you Stunt Dad (yes its a verb too) the moment by making the most of it and playing with your kids the way you played with your best friend a few decades ago; with imagination. Hell it sounds so good I may just flip the breaker when I get home tonight and play along.

Be safe,
Stunt Dad

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Halloween's coming - get inspired

With Halloween just around the corner it's time to get your costumes pulled together, pull the skeletons out of the closet and get ready for the big night. We've created a Pin Board on Pinterest to get your creative juices flowing for Halloween Costume Ideas.

+ Here are 10 interesting facts about Halloween

+ 12 Treats that will get your house egg'd

+ See if your decorating is up to the challenge of Halloween light show Gangnam Style

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Work Life Balance for Working Dads

Lots of talk about the trials and tribulations for mothers trying to balance the demands of work and mommyhood. The Harvard Review sheds some light on the same challenge facing today's more engaged father... Er Stunt Dad as we call em.

http://blogs.hbr.org/cs/2012/10/what_about_working_fathers.html?utm_source=feedburner&utm_medium=feed&utm_campaign=Feed%3A+harvardbusiness+%28HBR.org%29

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6 Words banned from Stunt Dad dictionary

A few weeks ago a friend opened my eyes to the impact of negative language. He gave a few examples from his personal life that were compelling enough for me to give it a try both when interacting with my kids, but also at work. And just after a few weeks I can report back that the way you talk and the words you use instantly shape your existence. For that reason there are now 10 words that ate being banned from Stunt Dad vocabulary.

1. Can't
2. Don't
3. No
4. Hate
5. Wrong
6. Won't

These words are often a short cut to explaining the full truth and reason something could, should or can be. They lack insight and care. Words like can't, no and don't should be replaced with full explanations and the logic why a path or decision is ultimately detrimental. Wrong is a lazy way out of having to identify the right answer. And hate should never have been invented.

Give it a try and let us know your results. Pin It Now!

Who had more fun? Dad or son?

We got Q-Ba-Maze 2.0 which is the next generation of marble mazes. You build a structure out of colored blocks that creates a variety of paths for marbles to tumble down. To add a challenge, you can try to build structures that resemble objects like animals. Here is my attempt at fish. And I am not sure who had more fun, the kid or the dad?

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Steve Van Zandt is a Stunt Dad...Springsteen too!

Read why here >>

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9 year old wins Texas State Fair Spam Cooking Contest

If there is one thing kids need to know before entering the fifth grade, it's how to cook Spam. And finally, 9 year olds everywhere can look to Lawson Sanders of Fort Worth as their inspiration. The acclaimed Spam cooker starting entering contests at the age of 6, and just 3 years later he has seized the coveted blue ribbon. Read more here....

Or get your Spam on with these delicious recipes..

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Level up your Halloween Costume this year...head to Washington D.C. SpyMuseum

On October 20th you can become one of the worlds most bad ass dads by taking your kid the International Spy Museum in Washington D.C. There, you and your jubilant kid(s) will the craft of disguise, spy style. Not only will you learn how to change your appearance, but to think and act like a new identity. Once the transformation is complete you will put your disguise to the test by engaging in a undercover mission.

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Cheapest Toy Ever - Cardboard

As I was just about to throw away a bunch of boxes that were the remnants of an Ikea and Costco excursion, my boys broke out into another fight. Determined to avoid my chores I decided to divert the boys attention and mine to something a little more fun...cardboard spaceships. 2 hours in, no fights, plenty of laughs and there is still plenty of coloring, wing building and flying to go.

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Failure is not a life lesson

"Life is hard", "Pick yourself up after getting knocked down", "You can't always get what you want". Sound old and crotchety? Ya, that's because these statements are from the old dad order. And while its good to teach your kids how to deal and bounce back from failure. It's way more awesomer (shut it English snob) to talk and teach your kids about success and how to achieve it.

Don't believe me? Read the words of a successful child behavioralister.

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Background TV, Kinda like Second Hand Smoke...it's bad for you

Most parents (all Stunt Dads) know that TV is bad for your kids. And most try to limit the time that kids are watching tv. However some parents don't count background TV as TV time, like having the news on or the game. The bottom line? Background TV can hurt cognitive skills as well and should be limited. Check out this article for the details.

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