Disclaimer: This is a sponsored post in partnership with Disrupt Aging from AARP. All opinions are my own. #ad
I grew up playing 3 sports a school year in some cross between baseball, basketball, soccer, wrestling, track&field. Like any young boy no matter what happened I bounced back the next day (thankfully I never had a broken bone). I have 18 months till I hit 40. 40 years old. DEEP BREATHE. FORTY YEARS OLD…. Ok I’m slightly panicking about this one.
If I’m brutally honest with myself I dont know that I’m completely happy… Dont get me wrong – I married an amazing women who gave me 3 out of this world children. Career has had starts and stops and I know I should be happy to work for an organization but there are moments when its tough and then you think about jumping to be self employed (but those thoughts are far from every day)…. the thing that weighs on me is about housing. We’re renting and that kind of bums me out – cause I always thought by 40 we’d own something.
So I’m trying to fight back against the thoughts that age is a limit or that I’m old… Sure I will be eating more healthy, going to see doctors (more so then saying I will and putting it off for as long as possible), going to push myself out of my comfort zone, make sure we’re planning more fun family outings (get out of the routine), seeing my mom and dad and stepfather more, seeing my grandmothers who I’m lucky enough to still have, and trying to hit that big goal of owning some property (somewhere – and I think thats become a new key for me).
I think its important to always keep in mind that there’s data supporting the statement that the average child in the US has a 50% chance of living to at least 104. I want to make sure I raise good children, to make sure they’re good people, cause they might be here a while.
And really whats old? Certainly not 30 or 40 is 50 really that starting point – I know many 50 year olds that act younger then some 25 year olds…. I really think age is just how you feel…. and maybe its time to disrupt that feeling.
My father certainly isnt OLD… well he’s certainly older then I am, and we’re certainly having very different discussions (actually in a weird way its the other end of the spectrum of the conversations I’m having with my son about puberty) we talk a bit about planning, goals, wishes and wish lists in many ways they’re the same just a generation apart.
For more information about AARP and the work they’re doing to reshape our conversation about age, please go check out AARP’s website and social media channels:
Every year its a bit harder to shop for people there are sooooo many amazing choice of what products to pick up for who and where… Worry no more because I’ve partnered up with Verizon to bring you an ultimate gift guide for anyone that loves technology. Most of these items can be found in store but all these items are available right now on their website.
Wireless headphones are a must these days…Some phones dont even have a headphone jack anymore, so here are two choices: over the head and in-ear.
For the in-ear headphones: I’ve been crushing hard on these Bose SoundSport Free, they’re completely wireless. Comes in three colors Orange/Navy, Black, and Navy/Citron (my personal favorite). Shop from Verizon.
For the over the head: You cant wait on a subway train during rush hour and not see at least two or three of the Bose QuietComfort 35 Wireless Headphones II on people’s ear. The noise cancellation feature is some of the best around and will turn a large noise subway car in to a little more then a mumble and imagine taking that on a flight. Shop from Verizon.
I carry one almost everywhere I go these days cause no matter how new my phone is that battery never lasts long enough… sure I’m a power user on instagram and twitter all day long but by 6pm if I have plans to go out at night I’m needing to recharge my phone. the mophie powerstation plus 6000 with Switch-Tip Cable is perfect for both android and apple products and will give you two additional charges. Shop from Verizon.
Now if you’ve gotten a new phone in the last year or so you’ve heard it has the ability to charge wirelessly but it comes with a cord to charge… so rarely do people splurge on a wireless charging pad which makes them a great gift. mophie charge stream pad plus is optimized for Apple, Samsung and other Qi–enabled smartphones. Shop from Verizon.
I’m sure by now you’ve seen someone with a smart watch but this year apple announced that their watch no longer needs a phone to connect to the internet (sure an additional monthly fee for a smart device will apply) but thinking that you can call from a smartwatch that is now fully waterproof is pretty amazing. I love how this version comes with an enhanced heart rate app too. Shop from Verizon.
These are just a few of my favorite things and you can find a ton more great gifts over on Verizonwireless.com and in the Verizon stores this holiday season. PS. if anyone gets me anything off this list for my holiday gifts, you win 😉
Editor’s Note: I have partnered with Life of Dad and Entenmann’s® Little Bites® for this campaign, but the story and thoughts are my own.
I want to share my typical mornings with you.
I’m the one always dealing with morning rush to get out of the house and get the kids to school… so I have just a few moments to think about getting a breakfast together, but typically my son doesn’t want more than a snack. Therefore, I’m always looking for convenient breakfast snack solutions that’ll work every day. Entenmann’s® Little Bites® muffins pack the perfect portion that will be sure to keep us smiling together, and him awake for class.
These delicious baked muffins are made with real ingredients like blueberries, banana and cocoa, with zero Grams of trans fat and no high fructose corn syrup. Also once in a while they’ll run Seasonal flavors like the new Chocolate Party Cakes, which have been a big hit in my house. I also really LOVE the Strawberry Yogurt ones so much – I was eating them for breakfast on the subway. They were originally part of the Seasonal Favorites line and have been recently introduced to the everyday lineup! There are more than 10 varieties, there’s a flavor to fit every snacking occasion. And for members of the tribe, they’re certified Kosher.
Best part, I can easily grab a pouch or two and toss it into my bag for the kids when we go out for the day. Most varieties are 200 calories or less per pouch, so I can feel good about what we’re eating.
As the school year ends, I think back over the year of 3rd grade that my son just completed. We spent many (and I mean many) mornings talking about what his day had in store for him over those Little Bites muffins. It has become part of our breakfast ritual, I guess. Whether I was eating Little Bites with him, or watching him eat them as I rushed to get dressed, it was these little moments that shape our memories together. From talking about the latest math problems he was learning or some tidbit of New York City history that I either never knew or more than likely forgot. It was those moments getting him out the door and walking to school that I’ll cherish.
Of course when the weekend rolls around my daughter Harper would want to be just like her big brother and eat a pouch or two. I was more than happy to give her some Blueberry Muffins and sit and watch Saturday morning cartoons with her before the rest of the family was up.
Just remember it’s about the little things in life, those little moments we get to create with our kids.
Share your favorite fatherhood moment with a picture in the comments below for a shot at winning a $250 VISA Gift Card from Entenmann’s and Life of Dad.
TO ENTER (must do all):
Like Life of Dad and LittleBites on Facebook.
Share a photo of your favorite fatherhood moment.
Use #TheLittleThings in your post.
When a baby is born, a dad is born. This Father’s Day, Pampers celebrates that incredible feeling little ones bring to the hearts of dads through unconditional love.
I think I’m a pretty good dad… I try to gut check things but while there are books written on being a dad, its still all gut. Without Suzanne in my corner, I’m really not sure I’d be half the dad I am today without her loving support. First Suzanne gave me the best gift in the world of be coming a dad… Here are the first shots from the hospital bed of Marc being held by Suzanne after he was born.
I wasnt always a comfortable in those first few weeks… I’m not sure many first time dads are comfortable. I remember the bris, first I was a nervous wreck… dozens of friends and family members in a room celebrating the birth of my son and well the actions that are done during a bris. Suzanne was nervous (maybe the only one more so than me)… but she was a champ… me on the other hand I didnt have a clue… I got to take the first photo of four generations, my son, my father, and my grandfather in a photo. Since this photo was taken my grandfather has passed on, but thankfully he was able to see me grow into the man I am today… see his 3 great grandchildren and know that Marc got to know him.
Fatherhood is a journey… hopefully you grow and learn things about yourself, about the world around you, maybe when it comes time for homework maybe a new trick or two (if you have any for common core – I’m all ears)….
On this father’s day remember… we all were nervous, we all made mistakes, we all have stuff to deal with… but on this one day of the year hopefully you can block some of that out and just enjoy being a dad. Cause the time really does fly… in a blink of a year its almost been 9 years.
Pampers has released a new #ThanksBaby video that captures the amazing relationship that is created between a dad and his baby when a baby is born and the beautiful journey of fatherhood begins.
Pampers honors dads for just being dads and thanks them for all the amazing things, big and small, they do to help little ones have a better, loving, more fulfilling life.
Please join us by tweeting why you are most thankful for baby with the hashtag #ThanksBaby.
For more than 50 years, moms and dads have trusted Pampers to care for their babies’ happy, healthy development. Pampers offers a complete range of diapers, wipes and training pants designed to provide protection and comfort for every stage.
Visit www.pampers.com to learn more about Pampers products, join the Pampers Rewards program, and find ideas and information to help your baby get the most out of love, sleep and play.
Disclosure: I have partnered with Life of Dad and Pampers for this promotion.
One of man’s greatest pet peeves about cleaning is most of the soaps leave you smelling flowery-fresh. Which sometimes is ok, but other times I’d rather just be clean. Enter Hero Clean this new product—that’s made in the USA—is pretty awesome, but the best part … Every bottle sold supports our nation’s veterans.
My wife and I have a “soft” rule about whoever cooks dinner, the other person cleans. I say soft because there is a number of times we order in food and I’m still doing the dishes but I guess its all worth it for the happy wife, happy life aspect. So I do two or three pumps into a sink full of dishes and Hero Clean goes to work. it makes great soapy water and has world class Grease Cutter, No-Scrub Technology for dried on food, has been dermatology tested, and is Bleach and Phosphate Free.
The Hero Clean All-Purpose Cleaner is fragrances with Juniper…. Why Juniper? Well, it’s the flavoring ingredient in Gin. Ahhhh, now you got it. And the All-Purpose cleaner is really just that it could be used on tile, wood, laminate, pretty much anything.
Ready to Hero Clean your home?
Hero Clean products are available now in select stores: Ace Hardware, Wegman’s, Runnings, and Target.
Disclosure: I received compensation in exchange for writing this review. Although this post is sponsored, all opinions are my own.
I grew up playing 3 sports a school year in some cross between baseball, basketball, soccer, wrestling, track&field. Like any young boy no matter what happened I bounced back the next day (thankfully I never had a broken bone). I have 18 months till I hit 40. 40 years old. DEEP BREATHE. FORTY YEARS OLD…. Ok I’m slightly panicking about this one.
So I’m trying to fight back against the thoughts that age is a limit or that I’m old… Sure I will be eating more healthy, going to see doctors (more so then saying I will and putting it off for as long as possible), going to push myself out of my comfort zone, make sure we’re planning more fun family outings (get out of the routine), seeing my mom and dad and stepfather more, seeing my grandmothers who I’m lucky enough to still have, and trying to hit that big goal of owning some property (somewhere – and I think thats become a new key for me).
My father certainly isnt OLD… well he’s certainly older then I am, and we’re certainly having very different discussions (actually in a weird way its the other end of the spectrum of the conversations I’m having with my son about puberty) we talk a bit about planning, goals, wishes and wish lists in many ways they’re the same just a generation apart.
