All of you clueless dads out there willing to learn the ropes of fatherdom are in luck: The Obama administration has launched a new website dedicated to fathers and improving their ability to raise intelligent, responsible, productive children with high morals.
The footer of the website clearly states: “The White House” with a picture of the structure, and one line below it says “Promoting Responsible Fatherhood and Strong Communities”. I commend The White House for taking such an initiative as faulty parents can lead to dysfunctional children that have problems throughout their lives, whether it’s with school, the law, keeping a job, choosing friends, etc. Luckily, Fatherhood.gov will help combat this and will educate dads on ways to properly raise children as well as the negative impacts certain actions can have. I feel everyone should raise their kids as they so choose, though having a source of information can never be a bad thing.
Website Design
The Fatherhood.gov website is quite basic with a variety of earth tones, which gives it an organic, natural vibe. Having these colors nicely compliments the section for green initiatives, which I have listed below the article. The layout of the site reminds me of a Joomla or WordPress platform with a variety of widgets areas, some of which bring in dynamic content (news, etc.). It’s good to see a government website shy away from the conventional, boring look of most .gov sites. Kudos!
To see the new Fatherhood.gov website simply Click Here.
Sincerely,
Aaron Schoenberger
The Brainchild Group
Green Dads Tips (from fatherhood.gov)
1. Gather your already read books and donate them to a local library, school, or shelter. The books will be enjoyed again, you will reinforce to your children the value of reading, and they will gain a better understanding of the importance of giving to others.
2. Turn off the water while you brush your teeth in the morning and before bedtime. You can save up to eight gallons of water a day.
3. Many electronic devices and appliances use power even when they’re switched off or not in use. You can save money and energy by unplugging items when they aren’t being used.
4. Earth-friendly cleaning products are widely available and are kinder to our air and water. Or you can make your own cleaning supplies with white vinegar, lemons, baking soda, and other basics you probably have in your kitchen already. Check online or at your local library for the step-by-step of cleaning green.
5. Bike or walk to a park, trail, or other outdoor spot. Leaving the car at home will reduce carbon emissions and you will add exercise to your day without even trying.
6. For Father’s Day, let your family know you would like to share a family activity rather than receive gifts. Instead of collecting another tie, take photos of yourself and your children enjoying your time together. Eliminating wrapping paper and taking digital photos generate less waste on dad’s special day.
7. Take a break from the summer heat with a craft project you and your children can work on together indoors or in the shade. Gather magazines, newspapers, fabrics, and other materials that are scheduled to be thrown away and turn them into attractive and useful items such as greeting cards you can send to family and friends.
8. Visit a farmers market or farm where you can pick your own produce. Locally grown fruits and vegetables do not need to be shipped, which contributes to reducing carbon emissions. Before your trip, go online with your children to find out what is in season in your area and how you can use those items in putting together a fresh, healthy dinner menu.
9. Bring your own bag to the grocery store. You probably can pack more items per bag and many stores offer a discount for using your own bag. Repurpose old backpacks, handbags, and tote bags you already have at home.
10. Instead of buying Halloween costumes, help your children create them using items you already have at home. Or ask a group of friends to join you in swapping (recycling!) costumes the kids wore for previous Halloweens.
11. Buy compact florescent light (CFL) bulbs, which last about 5 years and use less energy. Switching just one standard bulb to a CFL can help you reduce your electricity bill by as much as 75 cents per month.
12. In 2008, Americans spent nearly $11 billion on more than 8 billion gallons of bottled water, and then tossed more than 22 billion empty plastic bottles in the trash. Instead of buying bottled water, use a water filter on your tap and keep a pitcher of filtered water in your refrigerator to fill a reusable bottle.