On The Daddy Tip #12

Daughter's newest trick is to stand up, stick her butt out, move her hips from side to side and chant "My booty, my booty." I don't know where it came from and I kinda don't want to know. It gives her something to do and makes her happy, so it makes wife and I happy. I've found that - betwixt meals, getting dressed and other required things (but not diaper changes; that's right, my two year old is potty trained. Is yours?) - daughter needs stuff to do. Which brings me to the tip: Give your kid something to do. I headed to Wal-Purgis Mart and picked up this. Now "Goldfish" (yes, that's his name) has a place to swim, frolic and sleep. Also, it's an awesome night-light. And, daughter has something to do, i.e. feed Goldfish. Feeding time is slotted right in between teeth brushing (Spin Brush) and the bedtime story ("Brown Bear See" or '"Night Moon" or "Elmo Book" or "Mag-Seen"). As an added bonus, Goldfish is also a regulator; "What, you don't want to brush? Well, Goldfish is brushing." Or "You don't want to sleep? Well, Goldfish is going to sleep." Goldfish even has a voice. Even though wife is the only person to have heard it.... In short: Getting your kid a cheap fish tank and a fish that only cost a buck fifty so He/she can feel good about having some responsibility: Priceless.