Rexanne's Web Review 
Web Sites & Insights

Issue #69 - June 1, 2003 

Brought to You By: Rexanne.com

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Welcome All Newcomers! 

It's Dads and Grads month. Gotta love the dads of the world, without whom we wouldn't be moms. Show them how much we love and respect them this year with special surprises, lots of hugs and tons of kisses. They love that. :-) For inspiration and all your Father's Day needs, have a blast rummaging through my Father's Day site ... you'll be glad you did. ;-) And remember to pass the link on to friends and family:
Rexanne's Father's Day

In the Parenting and Family Topic of the Month, we have a beautifully written and inspiring article by Johann Christoph Arnold, In Praise of Fatherhood. Enjoy!

And congratulations to all our grads! Go forth and conquer. :-) 

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Reader's Comments:

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Gloria wrote about the poem, My Hands Were Busy, from last month's newsletter:

"I just loved the poem. Thank you for posting it. I think about all the times I've told my daughter to wait while I was busy doing something really unimportant in the grand scheme of things and I feel ashamed. I'm going to try so hard to give her the attention I know she needs and deserves from now on!"

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And Patty wrote:

"Thanks for sharing the Easter Bunny letters from kids in your newsletter. They are so cute!" 

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Gosh ... you're welcome ladies! :-) 


OK, here's the scoop:

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Quote of the Month: My father didn't tell me how to live; he lived, and let me watch him do it. -  Clarence Budington Kelland

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Supporting the sponsors and advertisers in Rexanne's Web Review keeps this newsletter alive. Each advertiser has Rexanne's Seal of Approval. Please visit them today.

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This Month's Web Review Sponsored By:  The Mom Team

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Do you need to bring in extra income, but don't want to work outside of the home? Do you fear falling for yet another scam? So did I. Thankfully, I found a group of women dedicated to earning an honest 
income from home - by working together. Interested? Visit us today: The Mom Team

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Parenting & Family Topic of the Month:  In Praise of Fatherhood

In Praise of Fatherhood
By Johann Christoph Arnold

Mother's Day is over, and Father's Day is just around the corner. For some reason, it is easier to write a positive article about mothers than about fathers. May the time come when this is reversed!

One of the oldest pieces of advice for families is the Fifth Commandment of Moses: "Honor your father and your mother," which continues, "that your days may be long in the land..." This is the only one of the Ten Commandments that includes a blessing and a promise. And we know it is not an empty one: whenever and wherever families are knit together by mutual love, honor, and respect, things go well for them.

When a family is formed and children are brought into the world, their emotional stability depends on the father's recognition of his duty to lead his family and take primary responsibility for their well-being. The greatest gift a child can have is a father who loves and respects the mother and does not tolerate disobedience or disrespect on the part of their children. In our confused society, children need this living example of a true husband and father.

The goal of education should never be to make our sons smart and successful in the eyes of the world. Rather, we should teach them to become good husbands and fathers--a goal the great Cuban poet José Martí once called "the greatest aim in education." Young men who become true fathers will influence and change the lives of countless people, because true fatherhood does not only mean being a father to one's own children. They can be fathers to all children around them, especially to those who grow up in single parent homes, or those whose fathers are in some way absent from their day-to-day lives.

Unbelievable as it seems, more than half of the world's children are estimated to spend at least part of their childhood without a father in the home. Never before have so many men abandoned their wives and children. Because of this, fatherhood is actually a duty that ought to be entrusted to every male, whether or not he has children of his own.

I have been married almost forty years now, and my wife and I have eight children. Looking back, I can see many times when I was not a good father, even though I always wanted to be one. Having grandchildren and being in contact with many other children gives me a chance now to make up for lost time.

One person who always inspired me was Delf, a teacher who later became a close friend. Delf accidentally killed his own son by backing a truck over him. After this tragedy, Delf spent the rest of his life being a father to other boys--including me. Then there is my friend, Steven McDonald, a former New York City detective, who was shot seven months before his son was born. Now a quadriplegic, he has never been able to play ball with his son, or hold him, or hug him. Yet Steven insists on attending every game at school, picking his son up and taking him to school as often as possible, even though he himself has to be driven.

Steven is a better father than many fit ones. He also travels and speaks to elementary and high school students, providing leadership and inspiration to thousands of young people. Over the years I have known and met many others--coaches, teachers, mentors, and others who were, like Steven, an important (if not the only) father figure to the children around them.

Children hunger for masculine role models whom they can trust and admire. And humility and love go a long way toward earning admiration. A good father is willing to make mistakes, to learn from them, and even apologize for them; his aim is never to prove himself, but to make life a little more joyful for everyone with whom he comes into contact.

Thankfully I had a good father and a good mother. Even if during my childhood my father was away a lot, I always knew he loved me. He also set firm boundaries and demanded that we children love and respect our 
mother. Because of the security he gave us, we adored our father, and believed he could do anything.

Perhaps the biggest problem with today's fathers is that they are afraid to be real men. By "real" I do not mean macho. To me, a true father has something of a mother in him--something tender. He will also be selfless, focused, ready to provide leadership, and eager to go to bat for those in his care. Think of the problems that could be solved if men gave as much love and time to their wives and children as they do to following sports, or watching TV?

Life in today's world is life in a war zone, and too many fathers are unwilling to be called up--to be soldiers, twenty-four hours a day, on their own home front. As in any war, there will be casualties. But the greatest gift a father can give his family is the knowledge that he is there for them, unafraid, and ready to exert all he has for their sakes, physically, mentally, and spiritually, at any time of the day or night.

We men should encourage one another to become true fathers again. We live in an age when fear seems to dominate every relationship. Through the recent wars in Afghanistan and Iraq and the increased violence and 
threats of terror, true fathers are needed more than ever. Our world is so full of loneliness and isolation, crime and mental illness. Why can't we fathers do more to provide beacons of light and stability and hope?

Wherever there are true fathers, they should be congratulated. Wherever there are men who long to be true fathers but have not quite achieved it, they need to be encouraged, because even if fatherhood is becoming a lost art, it can be rediscovered and celebrated--and not only on Father's Day.

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Johann Christoph Arnold is a family counselor and author of ten books. Read more of his articles and books at: http://www.ChristophArnold.com

Reprinted from http://www.bruderhof.com
Copyright 2003 Bruderhof Communities. Used with permission.

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Know of a good parenting or family site your fellow readers might enjoy? Please send it for possible publication in an upcoming issue. Click here: Parenting Site

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Food & Cooking Site of the Month:  Dottie's Place

From our Food & Cooking Editor, Martha Jones, AKA Queen Can-ivore:

Go first to "All the 'This and That' Household and Food Tips" at Dotti's Place for a great variety of new ones on me (that ain't easy, I'm a hint junkie).

Proceed to: mixes for from-scratch taco seasoning to Kool-Aid sherbet to homemade finger paints and play-dough. Find more goodies under sewing and crafts, clothing, jewelry and accessories categories (fill lacy kid socks with potpourri and sew the tops closed or tie them shut with a ribbon).

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Queen Can-ivore is also known as The Real Martha. Find her at: The Real Martha - real easy 
recipes for real busy, real people. Not for fans of the UnReal Martha.

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Bon Appetit!

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Advertisement: Name a Star 

Send Dad or your favorite grad's heart flying and give a gift that will be treasured forever. Name a star for the special guy or grad with the officially licensed star registry. Secure a lifetime place in the cosmos and they'll shine forever. ;-) 

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Kid's Site of the Month:  Father's Day for Kids

Dad would love the crafts kids can make from this page, the activities will amuse the children and you'll find plenty of Father's Day goodies pertaining to munchkins all in one place.

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Freebie of the Month:  Manuscript & Cursive Worksheets

These are ideal to print up for the kids to keep their manuscript and cursive skills sharp over the summer months:

Manuscript worksheets

Cursive worksheets

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Advertisement: Wild Ties

Wild Ties isn't just for wild men! From silk designer ties to fun, musical and whimsical ties, you'll find something wonderful to impress the dad or grad in your life. Visit Wild Ties today for sensational spring savings and the largest collection of neckwear on earth. Ties priced as low as $5.00! 

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Tip or Trick of the Month:  Play Pens and Recent Picture Tip

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Play Pens:

Your baby's playpen can be used as a bed or a play area. You can also put a sheet over the top of the play pen for shade in the summer heat. Take it along on outings, visits or trips. Or buy a used or new play pen to keep in the trunk of your car. 

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Recent Picture:

Take a Polaroid picture of your child the day you go on vacation or to any crowded area. If your child becomes lost, you will have a recent picture, possibly with the same clothes the child is wearing, which will improve your chances of finding your child. 

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Have a tip or trick your fellow readers would enjoy or could use? Please send it here for possible publication in one of the next issues: Tips

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Time Waster of the Month:  Father Trivia Game
Because life is supposed to be fun!

Here's a fun trivia game about fathers. See how well you know American television dads, world history pertaining to fathers and your own dad, too. This one is for adults. Nothing racy, just "old folk" questions the kids wouldn't have a clue about. :-)

Feed the kids first ...

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Featured Site of the Month:  No Sir

Many of you will be familiar with the song that inspired this great web page. A man tells his future father-in-law that, although he will be "taking his little girl from him," he respects the love her father has for his future wife. This is a touching, beautifully designed page, complete with music and lyrics.

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KingSizeBedding.com has everything you need, all in one place. SALE: SpringMaid 200 tc King Size sheet set for only $35! Visit http://kingsizebedding.com/sp200thcokis.html?s=rx  for this & other incredible deals. We also carry comforters, duvets & lots more!

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