Underage drinking is an epidemic

According to Newsweek: "People who drink before they're 15 are four times as likely to be alcohol-dependent or have alcohol problems when they're adults. Even though drinking under the age of 21 is illegal in all 50 states, 41 percent of ninth graders reported drinking in the past month, according to National Institutes of Health literature." Underage drinking is a serious problem. If you think your pre-teen or teen is hitting the bottle, don’t sweep it under the rug. It's not a rite of passage; it's a prescription for disaster.

Why is underage drinking more dangerous for girls? Click here!

Preparing for marriage, not a wedding

When your son or daughter finally meets Mr. or Ms. Right, if they move too quickly, they'll be preparing for a wedding, not a marriage. I can't give you an ironclad timeline, but I would suggest that they be together for at least a year and a half before they marry. The last six months will be pretty focused on the wedding, so that gives them a year to really know each other and discover core beliefs. Encourage your kids not to rush to tie the knot, or they may inadvertently create a noose.

Questions your kids should ask before they say "I do": click here!

Save, Share and Spend

By the time a child reaches the age of twenty, he's received an average of $33,000 in allowance. That's a lot of money! So use it as a tool to teach your children about saving, sharing and spending. First, have chores your children can do to earn the money. Next, have your kids save half of their allowance. Then help them develop a giving heart by setting aside money for church or charity.

Finally, let them spend a portion of their hard-earned money both on present wants, and earmark some for future wants. If you teach your children how to save-share-spend, you’ll be making a profound investment in their future family.

For more on teaching your children about money, click here!

Write out your goals

A Harvard study followed the progress of students who had written out their goals while still in college. Years later, those students were found to be more satisfied with their lives and more successful than those who had not put their goals down. So, to help achieve your dreams, put your aspirations to paper. First, be specific with your goals and include a timeframe. Next write out three things you can do to reach each one. And finally, evaluate your progress every year. Start with family goals and work from there.

Set a goal to help 5 fathers become better dads by asking them to sign up for the Play of the Day e-mail. Please send them the following link: click here!

Warm your heart and stomach

Does your family consistently go out to eat at least once a week? How about -- once a month -- substituting that outing by staying home and eating oatmeal? No, I'm not trying to lower your cholesterol, but raise poverty awareness. Take that same money you would have spent going out to eat and have your children pick a charity to donate to. You can do this monthly or save up and give it all at the end of the year. The oatmeal will warm your stomach and the giving will warm your heart.

You don't have to just give money. Teach your children the value of giving their time as well - Click Here

Reading minute milestones

If your kids are past the "read to me" stage, you’ll need to try a different approach. One way is to set "minute milestones." Set up a chart and have your kids record how many minutes they read each day – you might want to set a 10-minute daily minimum. This is reading done outside of homework. Then, each time they hit the 100-minute mark; do something special for them. You can also apply this approach by keeping track of the number of books they read. Set a goal and a deadline. Agree on a reward for reaching the mark, and let the doorways of imagination swing open for your children.

For a recommended reading list for your kids, click here!

More family dinners = better kids

According to Parade magazine, a recent study from the University of Minnesota reported that teens who had regular meals with their parents had better grades and were less likely to be depressed. Harvard University reports that children are fifteen percent less likely to be overweight if they eat with their families.

Researchers at Emory University found that preteens whose parents tell family stories at dinner have higher self-esteem and better peer relationships. And a study at Columbia University showed that teens who have two or fewer family dinners a week are more likely to smoke, drink and hang out with sexually active friends. And they are six times more likely to use marijuana. The study also revealed that 84% of teens said they’d rather eat with their parents than alone.

Cut to the chase. If you're not having dinner regularly with your kids, you're not being a good father. For a different, better and realistic way to eat more meals together as a family, click here!