Issue Index
Full-Time Dads;
The Magazine for Caregiver Fathers
Issue 16, originally appeared in print - July 1995
From Storytime Creations
When my kids were small, they needed a made-up story every night before they went to sleep. Mom called them "Imagines," and she seemed to be able to pull an endless string of marvelous stories out of thin air.
I, on the other hand, lack the inspiration to tell these stories. It seems to be the beginning that gives me a hard time. I never know how to begin.
Story Time Cards are another of those things that you see, and then smack your forehead and say, "Why didn't I think of that?"
Volume One is a set of 36 cards, each with a picture and word. The cards are divided into four categories-characters, places, activities and things-which form the basis for your own stories, and the 101 games included in a small pamphlet that comes with the cards. There are blank cards for you to add your own ideas, and a form to write down your favorite Story Time Cards story. A free T shirt is offered to anyone who sends a story in.
In addition to the basic Story Time set, other sets-Magical Kingdom, Scared Silly, Pirates and Under the Sea-offer continued fun for parent and child. There are also two sets of Story Time Adventures, a Science and Nature Edition and a Space Exploration Edition which include more story ideas and lots of fun facts about the picture on the front.
Story Time Cards are printed in bright colors on heavy card stock. They are a must for long car or plane trips, and dads like me, who have trouble getting started, will find these cards an indispensable aid at bed-time. To find out where to get them near you, call 1-800-55-STORY.
From time to time, publishers of new newsletters send their publications to me. I guess there must be a list that my name is on someplace. If there is, I wish I could get a copy of it.
One such magazine is The Parenting Path, A Newsletter for Sharing the Spiritual Journey with Children. The publisher, Susan Bagby, writes of watching a PBS program about religion with her daughter, then 2 1/2. "Anna," Bagby asked, "do you know who God is?" The little girl answered, "God damn it?" Bagby took that as a wake-up call.
The first issue of The Parenting Path contains a long article about How to Pray with your Child, and while the word "God" is used quite freely throughout the pages, it is followed in several places with the disclaimer, in parenthesis, "or whatever name you choose." This is a gentle publication, with a deeply spiritual though not a religious bent. The idea here is to find ways to get parent and child involved in things spiritual together.
There are two pages of prayers from around the world, comments and artwork from children, resources, and a calendar of daily affirmations. If you feel a spiritual lack in your family, or if you are a spiritual parent looking for ways to help share that part of yourself with your children, you owe it to yourself to spend some time with The Parenting Path. A subscription is $25, and a sample copy can be had for the asking, from Susan Bagby, Bagby Publishing, 1712 Escalona Dr., Santa Cruz, CA 95060. Tell her you saw it in FTD!
Copyright 1994 Full-Time Dads
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