Received: from beru.its.uow.edu.au (130.130.68.31) by staffmail.uow.edu.au (10.5.102.13) with Microsoft SMTP Server id 8.1.291.1; Sun, 14 Sep 2008 09:30:47 +1000 Received: from febris-nat.its.uow.edu.au ([130.130.68.210] helo=febris.its.uow.edu.au) by beru.its.uow.edu.au with esmtp (Exim 4.69) (envelope-from ) id 1KeeZj-0007KY-IN for blane@uow.edu.au; Sun, 14 Sep 2008 09:30:47 +1000 Received: from c3.confirmedcc.com (c3.confirmedcc.com [64.95.77.164]) by febris.its.uow.edu.au (MOS 3.8.7a) with ESMTP id NYD19878; Sun, 14 Sep 2008 09:30:43 +1000 (EST) Received: from p1-ws208.ad.prodcc.net (unknown [10.250.0.101]) by c3.confirmedcc.com (Postfix) with ESMTP id 59DD43FE099 for ; Sat, 13 Sep 2008 17:33:15 -0400 (EDT) From: Fatherhood Foundation To: Brian Lane Date: Sun, 14 Sep 2008 09:30:41 +1000 Subject: Seven Secrets for Success Thread-Topic: Seven Secrets for Success Thread-Index: AckV+MA7VbpleMC4S2KQ1pXyJJBgaw== Message-ID: <1102239416080.1101938345415.1211.8.108193002@scheduler> List-Unsubscribe: http://visitor.constantcontact.com/d.jsp?p=un&v=001jm8CFGIzLJHYg-gJRLc-3d90mBLDU8ykOBkzKFNhlnpaXQvwKTdjgg== Reply-To: "info@fathersonline.org" Accept-Language: en-AU, en-US Content-Language: en-US X-MS-Exchange-Organization-AuthAs: Anonymous X-MS-Exchange-Organization-AuthSource: excasht01.ad.uow.edu.au X-MS-Has-Attach: X-MS-TNEF-Correlator: x-junkmail-status: score=10/49, host=febris.its.uow.edu.au x-junkmail-sd-raw: score=unknown, refid=str=0001.0A09020B.48CC4D27.0066:SCFMA772204,ss=1,fgs=0, ip=64.95.77.164, so=2008-05-01 23:44:25, dmn=5.7.1/2008-09-02 x-junkmail-iwf: false x-return-path-hint: ESC1102239416080_1101938345415_1211@in.confirmedcc.com x-roving-id: 1101938345415.1211 x-lumos-senderid: 1101938345415 x-roving-campaignid: 1102239416080 x-roving-streamid: 0 Content-Type: multipart/alternative; boundary="_000_1102239416080110193834541512118108193002scheduler_" MIME-Version: 1.0 --_000_1102239416080110193834541512118108193002scheduler_ Content-Type: text/plain; charset="iso-8859-1" Content-Transfer-Encoding: quoted-printable [http://origin.ih.constantcontact.com/fs007/1101938345415/img/11.jpg?a=3D11= 02239416080] 15th September 2008 Inspiring Fathers Encouraging Families Issue 317 [http://img.constantcontact.com/letters/images/1101093164665/people3_header= 1.jpg] Seven Secrets for Success Dear Brian, Welcome to the Fatherhood Foundation newsletter and email information servi= ce for fathers and families as we present Seven Secrets for Success In This Issue Frontline...Seven Secrets Laughter.. Where's the Kid Grandfathers...Live for Kids Single Dads...Raising Children All You Need is Love..10 Things for Healthy Marriage Special Feature...Adventure of the Heart News & Info..News Links for Parents Dad's Prayer..What Makes a Dad Next Week The Shack Join our Mailing List! [http://img.constantcontact.com/ui/images1/ftf_btn_1.gif] Quick Links Fatherhood Foundation Dads in Distress Men to Men Malachi Global Choicez.com Beyond Blue Australian Family Association Fathers & Daughters Raising Children Network (Aus) CSA Adverts Thought of the Week [http://origin.ih.constantcontact.com/fs007/1101938345415/img/415.jpg?a=3D1= 102239416080] We must become the change we seek. Mahatma Gandhi Editor's Note: John, brave dad from the Frontline story, nominated this saying as Thought for the Week Link of the Week First Time Dad Frontline [http://origin.ih.constantcontact.com/fs007/1101938345415/img/405.gif?a=3D= 1102239416080] A few weeks ago I spoke at a Seven Secrets for Success for Fathers Seminar = in Kalgoorlie, Western Australia. Kalgoorlie is not famous for fatherhood but rather for its skimpies (semi-n= aked female drink waitresses) and its brothels. Our goal is to make it famo= us for its many great fathers. My family and I have played music in Kalgoor= lie many times over the last few decades, so it was good to be back in this= rough and tough gold mining town, but this time to talk about fatherhood. = I even had opportunity to speak to teachers and staff at one of the local p= rimary schools about fatherhood - a scary experience at the best of times. Before the seminar was held, also at a school, we had a barbecue for those = going to the seminar. Such an event does two things - its helps create a tr= ue community of learning (a sense of friendship amongst the dads who attend= ) and it gives me an opportunity to explore the issues and concerns that th= e men have regarding their role as a father. I approached the barbeque to talk to a confident broad-shouldered man who l= ooked like he used to play front row for the All Blacks. His name was John.= The conversation went something like this: "How's it going?" I asked. "Good," John replied. "What brings you here?" I enquired. "I want to be a better dad!" said John. Already I was taken aback. Such honesty is rare. It's very hard for a man t= o admit that he needs to improve on anything, let alone admit he needs to b= e a better dad. "Tell me about it?" I asked. "Well, I have two beautiful daughters. The youngest is 10 years old and I a= m very close to her. The other is 13 going on 23 years old," he said with a= smile. I returned his comment with a similar smile as I told him that my daughter = was 15 going on 25 years old. He continued the conversation with a more serious tone, "I really love her = but I am afraid I will lose her. She is a bit of a handful at times, but sh= e is a really good kid." Later in the evening I asked my new found friend if he would mind sharing h= is story with the other men in the group. He told us how he often had to dr= op his elder daughter off to school a block away so that he wouldn't be see= n by her friends. I had to 'fess up to the other guys in the seminar about = how, as CEO of the Fatherhood Foundation, I had much the same problem with = my own daughter, who preferred me to drop her off some distance from the sc= hool gate. Things have changed of late and recently I had the pleasure of s= inging and playing guitar at a school assembly with my daughter, which was = unthinkable only a year or two ago. I asked the other men what suggestions they had for this devoted father, wh= o loves his daughters so much, but was stymied by his elder daughter's lack= of response. Many of the guys then shared their own difficulties and chall= enges. They also gave John a few good ideas from their own experience. [http://origin.ih.constantcontact.com/fs007/1101938345415/img/406.jpg?a=3D1= 102239416080]This was the turning point in the seminar. One man's bravery a= nd realness about his problems had brought every man out into no-man's land= . The land of self-disclosure and honesty is seldom visited. Thoreau said, = 'Men lead lives of quiet desperation.' Bob Dylan aptly sang, 'Shine your li= ght on me 'cos I just can't make it by myself, I'm a little too blind to se= e'. Sometimes it is the very act of self-disclosure, in the company of othe= r men, that can bring healing to the heart and soul. Speaking to John's wife a few weeks later I was told that there had been an= improvement in relationships between father and daughter since the Seven S= ecrets for Success Seminar. She said her husband got a lot out of the semin= ar. Perhaps we will never know how and why things have changed for the bett= er. Possibly it will always remain a secret, but one thing I do know, 'No man i= s an island', as John Donne wrote almost 400 years ago. Something happens w= hen men get together to learn how to build better relationships. It borders= on the miraculous. I find it deeply spiritual in a practical way. The more= honest men can become, the more the process of change is magnified. It is = always a joy to behold and an even greater joy to be part of. Lovework Discover the secrets of success for yourself. Get together with some other = guys and forge a path forward to become the dad your children really deserv= e. Letting us assault you, through this newsletter, with good ideas and cha= llenging stories on a weekly basis is part of the process. Congratulations for sticking with us on the journey! Yours for more forward motion Warwick Marsh PS Next week I will be sending out a special letter about a school with a h= eart for Dads to see how we can work with the children of that school to ma= ke a difference for children everywhere. We also encourage you to enter our competition at www.dads4kids.org Give us= your ideas to help the children of Australia. Get your friends to enter th= e competition too. Together we can make a difference! Our theme for the next few months will be about harvesting good ideas. We w= ant to hear your good ideas. ____________________________________________________________________ Warwick Marsh has been married to Alison for 32 years. He is the grandfath= er of two children and father of five children, four boys and one girl, ran= ging in age from 27 years to 15 years. Warwick is a musician, songwriter, = producer and public speaker who likes to think he can still laugh at himsel= f. Laughter [http://origin.ih.constantcontact.com/fs007/1101938345415/img/409.gif?a=3D= 1102239416080] With all the new technology regarding fertility recently, a 75-year-old fri= end of mine was able to give birth. When she was discharged from the hospit= al and went home, I went to visit. 'May I see the new baby?' I asked 'Not yet,' She said 'I'll make coffee and we can visit for a while first.' Thirty minutes had passed, and I asked, 'May I see the new baby now?' 'No, not yet,' She said. After another few minutes had elapsed, I asked again, 'May I see the baby n= ow?' 'No, not yet,' replied my friend. Growing very impatient, I asked, 'Well, when can I see the baby?' 'WHEN HE CRIES!' she told me. 'WHEN HE CRIES?' I demanded. 'Why do I have to wait until he CRIES?' 'BECAUSE I FORGOT WHERE I PUT HIM, O.K.?!! Grandfathers [http://origin.ih.constantcontact.com/fs007/1101938345415/img/251.jpg?a=3D1= 102239416080] Live so that when your children think of fairness, caring and integrity, they think of you. H. Jackson Brown, Jr Single Dads A Single Dad's Struggle to Raise his Children [http://origin.ih.constantcontact.com/fs007/1101938345415/img/407.jpg?a=3D1= 102239416080] Dear Editor I think you touched a tender, but very true point in the article, Sunday Ma= il, p25, 'Putting Babies in Child Care'. My ex-wife left me in late 1997 wi= th two, a 39 month and nearly seven year old, girls. I was a mining dad in = Charters Towers, North Qld. I was advised of Child Care and the financial benefits. I took then what se= emed the only choice. The company I worked for went into receivership that Christmas whilst I was= on holidays and my pay never went into my bank (I got it nearly 3 years la= ter). I came back to Far North Queensland from after Christmas with family = in NSW and worked in various positions using Child Care for 3 or 4 months. = I sensed my children were not happy going to Child Care each morning and so= metimes in tears at night at pick-up. So I did a brave thing! I took them f= rom Child Care and became a full-time stay-at-home dad for 12 months with s= ubsistence living to keep the mortgage going on our home. I then took, for = 3 years, a hotel cellar man's position that started after I dropped my chil= dren at school and finished so I could pick them up at finish of school. Li= ving was not luxurious, though we always paid bills, and then and now, alwa= ys have cupboards full of food. When my girls were in grade 4 and 7, I went to work full-time 26m across th= e road from my home at a steel fab/supply industry. I still had to let my f= amily come first. Once the boss argued with me when I wanted to pick the yo= ung one up at primary school as I had a customer and it was raining. I told= the customer to wait and told boss that if he did not like it to shove the= job up his arse. I came back, apologized to the customer - there had been = only 7 minutes delay, and never had an argument with the boss again. Now my girls are at the local High School in Grades 12 and 9. Work has grow= n and moved, but I'm still there and life is very blessed. It's not big mon= ey, though teaching the girls about money is not everything. My girls under= stand values that many of their friends do not have, where both parents wor= king income combined is 5 times my income. They are pleased I gave up many = things for them, as they realised that what I shared with them, money could= not buy, I am a very proud dad of my 2 girls. The little one still commen= ts on how she hated Child Care women. She reckoned they were so mean, and h= ow other children told lies and she got into trouble. Yes, I am proud my gi= rls tell me the truth, usually led by: "Don't get angry dad, but...........= " I honour that honesty and it is hard to be angry many times, as we all ma= ke mistakes. Thank you for your article in the Sunday Mail and opportunity to give you s= ome comments on Child Care. We choose to have children, they do not choose to have us. I feel it is our responsibility to give as much as we can, be it $80 toy (n= o way) or toilet rolls and coloured paper. Kids, I've found, generally got = more amusement out of the latter. Money is not the necessity we make it out to be. How old is love? How much does love cost? Michael Perkins Charters Towers, QLD All You Need is Love 10 Things You Can Do To Have a Healthy Marriage[http://origin.ih.constantcontact.com/fs007/1101938345415/i= mg/410.jpg?a=3D1102239416080] It takes work to have a healthy marriage but it is possible. Just like good= nutrition and regular exercise can help you have a healthy body, there are= things you can do to have a healthy marriage. Here are 10 Tips you can use to strengthen your marriage: 1) Spend Time with Each Other. Married partners need time with each other i= n order to grow strong together. Plan regularly scheduled date nights and w= eekend activities. If a getaway is not immediately possible make it a goal = that you will work toward. By spending time with your partner, you will bet= ter understand your differences and how to negotiate the problems they may = cause. Forget the "quality vs. quantity time" discussion - healthy marriages need = both. 2) Learn to Negotiate Conflict. Conflict is a normal part of a relationship= . There is a point however when it can increase in intensity and become emo= tionally and sometimes physically unsafe. Working out problems in a relatio= nship starts with understanding what your issues are and how to discuss the= m. There are many resources available to help you learn how to deal with co= nflict. Using these resources can go a long way in preserving how safe you = and your partner feel. 3) Show Respect for Each Other at All Times. When a couple fails to respect= each other they often slip into negative habits. Research shows that nothi= ng can damage a relationship quicker than criticisms and put - downs. Treat= ing your partner as you would like to be treated will do a lot to strengthe= n the bond between you. Paying your partner a compliment is a quick and eas= y way to show them respect. When you are tempted to complain to someone abo= ut one of your partner's flaws, ask yourself how you would feel if they did= that to you. 4) Learn About Yourself First. Make it a point to work on self discovery. M= any partners enter into relationships without knowing enough about themselv= es. As a result they can also have difficulty learning about their partners= . Learning about yourself will better equip you to grow as an individual an= d a partner. Regardless how long you've been together, there are always mor= e things you can learn about him or her. What are his dreams for the future= ? What is her worst fear? What is the way he or she best gives or receives = love? Imagine the intimacy and bond you will share over a lifetime together= if you commit to discovering new things about one another! 5) Explore Intimacy. Marital intimacy can open your relationship to a whole= new level of enjoyment and closeness. It is important, however, to remembe= r that intimacy does not always mean sexuality. An often forgotten aspect o= f intimacy is the emotional type. An example of emotional intimacy is creat= ing a safe space for your partner to share his or her emotions without fear= of you being judgmental or making light of them. Learn the difference betw= een emotional and physical intimacy and when each one is most appropriate. = Offering your partner one type when they really need the other can create p= roblems in your relationship. 6) Explore Common Interests. Couples thrive when they share similar interes= ts. That doesn't necessarily mean each partner will enjoy every activity but it= opens up the opportunity for greater sharing and compromise. Doing things = separately is not bad but common interests are important to healthy marriag= es. A common interest may be cooking or eating new foods together, going fo= r walks or playing cards. The goal is to have something outside of your fam= ily that you both enjoy. 7) Create a Spiritual Connection. Many couples grow closer when they share = some form of spiritual connection. This can be done in many different ways.= For example it may be achieved through an affiliation with a church, synag= ogue or mosque, through meditation or by simply spending time in nature or = intimate conversation. 8) Improve Your Communication Skills. The ability to talk and listen to eac= h other is one key to a healthy marriage. You should never assume your part= ner knows what you are thinking or feeling. Tell your spouse what is going = on - and, as a spouse, know when to simply listen. Learning to really hear = your partner is a skill that may require practice. There are many resources= available like books, marriage education workshops and online courses. All= of these options can help couples learn how to communicate more effectivel= y. 9) Forgive Each Other. If he or she hasn't already, your partner is going t= o do something that hurts, frustrates or upsets you. Guess what, you are go= ing to do the same thing! Sometimes it might even be on purpose after an ar= gument or misunderstanding. Forgiveness is a tricky but important virtue in= a marriage, especially since no one is perfect. Try to allow your partner = some room to make a few mistakes because you will also make some of your ow= n. When you make a mistake, act quickly to apologize and fix problems. Doin= g so will help to encourage forgiveness and strengthen your marriage. 10) Look for the Best in Each Other. When you met your partner, you fell in= love with some of his or her wonderful qualities. Over time however, your = view of those qualities may have changed. For example, he may have been rea= lly good at saving money when you met. Now you just think he's cheap! Give = each other the benefit of the doubt and create a list of all the things you= love about your partner. It will help you to fall in love all over again! Taken from the USA website: National Healthy Marriage Resource CentreThank you to David Jones, a Certified Family Life Educator= and author of a variety of relationship tools for fathers, for contributin= g to this tip sheet. Disclaimer: These tips are designed to assist couples in improving their re= lationships however they are not meant to be a substitute for professional = help and advice. Special Feature A 'Crucial' Adventure of the Heart [http://origin.ih.constantcontact.com/fs007/1101938345415/img/412.jpg?a=3D= 1102239416080] The other week, in his introduction, Warwick Marsh mentioned the phrase, "a= dventure of the heart". I liked it, and it got me to thinking about adventu= re. Oh sure, many adventures are somewhat physically challenging. Further, = more require us to be mentally "on our game". We engage in many more again = at the level of our emotions, as all "real" adventure requires us to take a= risk, and face our fears. But all forms of adventure engage us at the leve= l of our heart. John Eldredge in his best-selling book, Wild at Heart, says= it this way, "Adventure with all it's danger and wildness, is a deeply spi= ritual longing written into the soul of every man." He goes on to explain t= hat there are three levels of adventure...casual adventures, crucial advent= ures, and critical adventures. Some examples of "casual adventures" are white-water rafting, rock climbing= , abseiling, fishing, skiing, golfing, travel, and even financial decisions= . These adventures are important, because they awaken something within us. = They are like warming up for something more important. Staying only at this= level of adventure though, will lead to selfishness and self-centredness. = The casual adventures are there to lead us on to the "crucial adventures" e= .g. loving your wife... entering into those conversations that you know you= have to have with her, knowing and caring for your children's hearts, chan= ging jobs or careers. The list goes on. One of the many crucial adventures that I have faced over the years, involv= es my third son Joseph. He turns nine in just two weeks time. Joseph is a c= lassic candidate for "middle-child syndrome". He is quiet, sensitive, creat= ive, and artistic... nothing like any of my other three boys. When Joseph w= as just four, he was riding our little peewee 50 mini-bike in our backyard,= with me running behind him holding the back of the bike steady. I knew he = was skilled enough to handle the bike on his own, so I released the bike to= his control, but of course when Joseph discovered that I had done so, he b= ecame distracted, ran into the sandpit, and the bike fell onto one of his u= ncovered legs. The hot exhaust pipe had left a nasty burn and subsequent sc= ar, but it had left a wound far greater than the physical manifestations of= the accident... it had left him with a distrust of Dad. "Why would Dad hav= e allowed this to happen to me?", was a question I'm sure he had asked hims= elf over and over subconsciously ever since. It had not gone un-noticed tho= ugh. Whilst all of my boys grew into larger motorbikes, Joseph had no desir= e to get back in the saddle so-to-speak. Whist he never spoke of it, he had= come to believe that he wasn't capable of riding a motorbike, and out of a= fear of failure that all of us males have, he went into hiding. He used ev= ery excuse under the sun to avoid having to take that challenge again. A few months ago now, in front of his brothers, I made a big deal of my des= ire to spend some all-important one-on-one time with him. I told him that I= wanted to take him out alone to give him another opportunity to ride the p= eewee. I figured that if he was ever going to give it another go, it wouldn= 't be in front of his more experienced, older brothers. He agreed. By the t= ime the day actually rolled around, I had been overwhelmed with busyness...= oh how I hate that. At one level, it would have made perfect sense to resc= hedule my time with Joseph, but his heart was, and is, more important than = any other work-related commitment I have. So off Joseph goes... dressing hi= mself in full-length clothes to protect himself from further pain. I go to = start the bike. It wouldn't start. I check the fuel... the tank was full, a= nd the valve was on. I checked the oil... it was bone-dry. I filled it, and= the bike starts. Next problem... flat tyre. Everything seemed to be scream= ing, "Just forget it. It's not worth the hassle." I persevered. Joseph and = I strapped the bike down into our trusty utility, and drove off into the bu= sh together...presumably for Joseph to go for a ride, whilst Dad cheered fr= om the sidelines. Of course, it wasn't to be that easy. When we arrived at a flat, shady area, I helped Joseph get his helmet on, a= nd started the bike. I told him that I was going to ride the bike with him,= and motioned for him to climb on. He shook his head. I encouraged him once= again to climb on. He shook his head again. I turned the bike off, and ask= ed him what was wrong. He explained that he wanted to go home. I felt mysel= f starting to get angry. Was he not aware of what I had given up? Had he no= t seen all that had to be overcome to get there? He began to sob. I lifted = him up onto the bonnet... I looked into his eyes, and explained that there = was more going on at that moment, than just a motorbike ride. He had to fac= e and overcome his fears. I assured him that I would be with him every step= of the way. Still, his answer was no. I apologised for my part in his acci= dent four years earlier, and asked him for his forgiveness. He forgave me. = I climbed up onto the bonnet with him, put my arm around him, told him that= I loved him... that I was proud of him... and that it would be his decisio= n whether to ride or not... that whatever his decision was....it would be f= ine with me. Before he gave me his decision, I asked him to pray with me...= to see what God thought he should do in this situation. We did just that, a= nd then waited a little for a response. I felt the answer to our prayer was= "Yes... ride", but this was my son's heart at stake here, so I asked quiet= ly a second time. The same response. I asked Joseph if he had heard anythin= g. He said that he hadn't. I told him that I had believed I had. [http://or= igin.ih.constantcontact.com/fs007/1101938345415/img/411.jpg?a=3D11022394160= 80] That we were to stay... and he was to ride. To cut a long story short, = we shared a wonderful afternoon together. Joseph rode. He rode with great c= ourage. He rode with a new-found strength. He rode, whist I stood back in a= we of all that had just taken place. On our drive home, Joseph confided in = me. He had heard God's response to our prayer. He had heard a "Yes... ride"= , as I had heard... what an adventure. With all that I have learnt and expe= rienced in fatherhood, oh how glad I am that I am not alone in my fathering= . Strength and Honour, Darren Lewis Darren has been married to his beautiful wife Melissa for 17 years, and is = father to his four courageous sons, ranging in age from 14 years to 5 years= . Darren has not given up on his desire to live life to the full. Darren Lewis Fathering Adventures Ph: (07) 4723 2941 Fax: (07) 4723 2941 Mob: 0431 839 035 email: info@fatheringadventures.com.au web: www.fatheringadventures.com.au News & Info [http://origin.ih.constantcontact.com/fs007/1101938345415/img/413.jpg?a=3D= 1102239416080] Father's Day cards banned in Scottish schools Thousands of primary pupils were prevented from making Father's Day cards a= t school for fear of embarrassing classmates who live with single mothers a= nd lesbians. Teens popping parents pills ALMOST one in four teenagers is raiding their parents' medicine cabinets fo= r prescription drugs in a new trend dubbed "pharming". DADS4KIDS COMPETITION NEWS Fatherhood Foundation is asking Australians to help Dads4Kids with the= ir ideas on how to solve the problems that Australian children face. Dads4K= ids is an initiative of the Fatherhood Foundation which is a harm pr= evention charity. Find out more information or enter the Dads4Kids Competit= ion. View Community Service Announcements at: http://www.dads4kids.org.au/Media The following stations are airing our Matthew Hayden 'Dads4Kids' community = service announcements. 9 - NTD Darwin 9 - NWS Adelaide Imparja Alice Springs TEN - Southern Cross TAS TEN - Southern Cross Canberra TEN - Victoria/Bendigo TEN - Coffs TEN - QTV Townsville/ 7 Dar= win TEN - Southern Cross Melbourne TEN - ADS Adelaide TEN - GTS Port Pirie WGN Bunbury WIN Griffith WIN SA Mt Gambier WIN TV Ballarat WIN TV Hobart WIN TV Rockhampton WIN TV Wollongong WIN WA Stress & the City 2008 What ticks men off...What makes them tick...and keeps them ticking! Wednesday October 8 2008 6.30pm - 10.00pm (Be early - seats are limited) Cranbourne Community Theatre C/- Cranbourne Secondary College Brunt Street, Cranbourne, Melbourne, VIC [http://origin.ih.constantcontact.com/fs007/1101938345415/img/408.jpg?a=3D= 1102239416080] Featuring Dr John Tickell Your life-changing appointment with the Doc who is an international speaker, best-selling author and television personality; the expert who has spent the last 25 years researching the health, well-being and longevity patterns of people around the world. MEN, WOMEN AND TEENAGERS WILL ENJOY THIS! Warwick Marsh Director of Fatherhood Foundation - the man with his finger on the pulse of men's work in Australia. Di Padgett CEO of Cardinia Foundation and founder of You Are Special provides a women's perspective on men. Anthony Byrne MP Parliamentary Secretary to the Prime Minister - supporting men's health and healthy families. Enquires: David Esmore 1300 787 624 Rob Koch 0432 439 943 ___________________ Wild at Heart Boot Camp Australia As a reminder, the next Wild at Heart Boot Camp, Tops Conference Centre, Sy= dney, will be December 4-7th, 2008. There are still registration spots ava= ilable at http://www.wildatheartaustralia.com.au = If you haven't already registered, we would love to have the chance to jour= ney with you this December, so register soon if you have opportunity to joi= n us. ___________________ Letters Dear Fatherhood Foundation Always great to read digest and internalise properly the contents of what y= ou are doing and the long term ripple effects of your work on our community= . Congratulations! Regards Dr Jim Turner ______________________ Dear Fatherhood Foundation First up I wish to congratulate you, your team and all for the outstanding = job done with producing and distributing the Fatherhood Foundation newslett= er and I acknowledge that it has helped me to be a better husband, father, = friend, and person. I am thankful that I have a happy and healthy close fam= ily and my heart goes out to fathers who do not, or cannot, see their child= ren. I can only imagine their despair. Regards Craig Murray Editor's Note: Craig gave us some great ideas for improving communication a= nd building a great family. We will feature some of his ideas in the next f= ew weeks and would also like you to give us your ideas. How about you take = the time to enter our competition? Go to www.dads4kids.org.au Dad's Prayer Editor's Note: What makes a Dad is an inspirational thought to encourage all those who doubt their high calling as a father. [http://origin.ih.constantcontact.com/fs007/1101938345415/img/414.jpg?a=3D= 1102239416080] What Makes A Dad? God took the strength of a mountain, The majesty of a tree, The warmth of a summer sun, The calm of a quiet sea, The generous soul of nature, The comforting arm of night, The wisdom of the ages, The power of the eagle's flight, The joy of a morning in spring, The faith of a mustard seed, The patience of eternity, The depth of a family need, Then God combined these qualities, When there was nothing more to add, He knew His masterpiece was complete, So He called it ... Dad Author is unknown Help Us! The Fatherhood Foundation is a Harm Prevention Charity. Fatherlessness and inadequate fathering has been proven to be a source of h= arm. The Fatherhood Foundation helps children by promoting excellence in f= athering. Excellent fathers are in word and deed: responsible, involved, pr= otective, loving and committed to the well-being of their children and thei= r children's mother. If you would like to give financially to the Fatherhood Foundation Public F= und and receive tax deductibility: Fatherhood Foundation Public Fund (Name, address and amount details must be emailed for a receipt for tax ded= uctibility) Westpac Branch Wollongong DONATE ONLINE BSB: 032 695 A/C: 25-5558 Or mail cheque and address details to: PO Box 542 UNANDERRA NSW 2526 AUSTRALIA The Fatherhood Foundation Public Fund is a public fund listed on the Regis= ter of Harm Prevention Charities under Subdivision 30_EA of the Income Tax = Assessment Act 1997. You have received the fathersonline.org newsletter because you have subscri= bed, or you have been subscribed by a friend. If you do not wish to receiv= e future emails, please click the UNSUBSCRIBE button below. Forward email [http://img.constantcontact.com/letters/images/safe_unsubscribe_logo.gif] This email was sent to blane@uow.edu.au by info@fathersonline.org. Update Profile/Email Address | Instant removal with SafeUnsubscribe(tm) | Pri= vacy Policy. Email Marketing= by [http://img.constantcontact.com/letters/images/cc-logo-color-sm.gif] Fatherhood Foundation | P.O. Box 542 | Unanderra | NSW | 2526 | Australia --_000_1102239416080110193834541512118108193002scheduler_ Content-Type: text/html; charset="iso-8859-1" Content-Transfer-Encoding: quoted-printable
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3D"FF
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15th September 2008  &= nbsp;  Inspiring Fathers  Encourag= ing Families Issue 317
Seven Secrets for Success
<= /td>
Dear Brian,

Welcome to the Fatherhood Foundation newsletter and email inform= ation service for fathers and families as we present Seven S= ecrets for Success

=09
In This Issue
Frontline...Seven Secrets
Laughter.. Where's the Kid
Grandfathers...Live for Kids
Single Dads...Raising Children
All You Need is Love..10 Things for Healthy Marriage
Special Feature...Adventure of the Heart
News & Info..News Links for Parents
Dad's Prayer..What Makes a Dad
Next Week&nb= sp;
 The = Shack
 =09 =09
 
Join our Mailing List!
 
=09 =09 =09
Quick Links
<= /tr>
 Thought of the Week
3D"Dad 
 
 We m= ust become the change we seek.
 
Mahatma Gan= dhi
 
Editor's Note:
John, brave dad f= rom the Frontline story,
nominated this saying as Thought for the Week=

<= b>Link of the Week


First = Time Dad 

Frontline
 3D"Dad
A few weeks ago I spoke at a Seven Secrets for= Success for Fathers Seminar in Kalgoorlie, Western Australia.
 =
Kalgoorlie is not famous for fatherhood but rather for its skimpies (= semi-naked female drink waitresses) and its brothels. Our goal is to make i= t famous for its many great fathers. My family and I have played music in K= algoorlie many times over the last few decades, so it was good to be back i= n this rough and tough gold mining town, but this time to talk about father= hood. I even had opportunity to speak to teachers and staff at one of the l= ocal primary schools about fatherhood - a scary experience at the best of t= imes.
 
Before the seminar was held, also at a school, we ha= d a barbecue for those going to the seminar. Such an event does two things = - its helps create a true community of learning (a sense of friendship amon= gst the dads who attend) and it gives me an opportunity to explore the issu= es and concerns that the men have regarding their role as a father.
&n= bsp;
I approached the barbeque to talk to a confident broad-shouldered= man who looked like he used to play front row for the All Blacks. His name= was John. The conversation went something like this:
 
"How= 's it going?" I asked.
"Good," John replied.
"What brings you her= e?" I enquired.
"I want to be a better dad!" said John.
 Already I was taken aback. Such honesty is rare. It's very hard for a ma= n to admit that he needs to improve on anything, let alone admit he needs t= o be a better dad.
 
"Tell me about it?" I asked.
 = ;
"Well, I have two beautiful daughters. The youngest is 10 years= old and I am very close to her. The other is 13 going on 23 years old," he= said with a smile.
 
I returned his comment with a similar = smile as I told him that my daughter was 15 going on 25 years old.
&nb= sp;
He continued the conversation with a more serious tone, "I really = love her but I am afraid I will lose her. She is a bit of a handful at time= s, but she is a really good kid."
 
Later in the evening I a= sked my new found friend if he would mind sharing his story with the other = men in the group. He told us how he often had to drop his elder daughter of= f to school a block away so that he wouldn't be seen by her friends. I had = to 'fess up to the other guys in the seminar about how, as CEO of the Fathe= rhood Foundation, I had much the same problem with my own daughter, who pre= ferred me to drop her off some distance from the school gate. Things have c= hanged of late and recently I had the pleasure of singing and playing guita= r at a school assembly with my daughter, which was unthinkable only a year = or two ago.
 
I asked the other men what suggestions they ha= d for this devoted father, who loves his daughters so much, but was stymied= by his elder daughter's lack of response. Many of the guys then shared the= ir own difficulties and challenges. They also gave John a few good ideas fr= om their own experience.
 
3D"D=This was the turning point= in the seminar. One man's bravery and realness about his problems had brou= ght every man out into no-man's land. The land of self-disclosure and hones= ty is seldom visited. Thoreau said, 'Men lead lives of quiet desperation.' = Bob Dylan aptly sang, 'Shine your light on me 'cos I just can't make it by = myself, I'm a little too blind to see'. Sometimes it is the very act of sel= f-disclosure, in the company of other men, that can bring healing to the he= art and soul.
 
Speaking to John's wife a few weeks later I = was told that there had been an improvement in relationships between father= and daughter since the Seven Secrets for Success Seminar. She said her hus= band got a lot out of the seminar. Perhaps we will never know how and why t= hings have changed for the better.
 
Possibly it will always= remain a secret, but one thing I do know, 'No man is an island', as John D= onne wrote almost 400 years ago. Something happens when men get together to= learn how to build better relationships. It borders on the miraculous. I f= ind it deeply spiritual in a practical way. The more honest men can become,= the more the process of change is magnified. It is always a joy to behold = and an even greater joy to be part of.
 
Lovework
 
Discover the secrets of success for yourself. Get t= ogether with some other guys and forge a path forward to become the dad you= r children really deserve. Letting us assault you, through this newsletter,= with good ideas and challenging stories on a weekly basis is part of the p= rocess.
 
Congratulations for sticking with us on the journe= y!
 
Yours for more forward motion
Warwick Marsh
&= nbsp;
PS Next week I will be sending out a special letter about a scho= ol with a heart for Dads to see how we can work with the children of that s= chool to make a difference for children everywhere.
 
We als= o encourage you to enter our competition at www.dads4kids.org Give us your = ideas to help the children of Australia. Get your friends to enter the comp= etition too. Together we can make a difference!
 
Our theme = for the next few months will be about harvesting good ideas. We want to hea= r your good ideas.
 
____________________________________________________________________
Warwick Marsh  has been married to Alison for = ;32 years. He is the grandfather of two children and father of five childre= n, four boys and one girl, ranging in age from 27 years to 15 years.&n= bsp; Warwick is a musician, songwriter, producer and public speaker who lik= es to think he can still laugh at himself.
Laughter
=
 3D"Funny
With all the new technology regarding fertility recen= tly, a 75-year-old friend of mine was able to give birth. When she was disc= harged from the hospital and went home, I went to visit.

'May I = see the new baby?' I asked
'Not yet,' She said 'I'll make coffee and w= e can visit for a while first.'

Thirty minutes had passed, and I asked, 'May I see the new baby = now?'
'No, not yet,' She said.

After another few minutes ha= d elapsed, I asked again, 'May I see the baby now?'
'No, not yet,' rep= lied my friend.
Growing very impatient, I asked, 'Well, when can I see= the baby?'

'WHEN HE CRIES!' she told me.
'WHEN HE CRIES?' = I demanded. 'Why do I have to wait until he CRIES?'
'BECAUSE I FORGOT = WHERE I PUT HIM, O.K.?!!

<= a name=3D"LETTER.BLOCK12" />
Grandfathers
 
3D"Kid 
 Live so that
when your children think of fairness,
c= aring and integrity,
they think of you.

H. Jackson Brown, = Jr

Single Dads
 
A Single Dad's Strugg= le to Raise his Children=20
3D"Dad
 
Dear Editor
 
I th= ink you touched a tender, but very true point in the article, Sunday Mail, = p25, 'Putting Babies in Child Care'. My ex-wife left me in late 1997 with t= wo, a 39 month and nearly seven year old, girls. I was a mining dad in= Charters Towers, North Qld. 
 
I was advised of Child= Care and the financial benefits. I took then what seemed the only choice. =
 
The company I worked for went into receivership that Chri= stmas whilst I was on holidays and my pay never went into my bank (I got it= nearly 3 years later). I came back to Far North Queensland from after= Christmas with family in NSW and worked in various positions using Child C= are for 3 or 4 months. I sensed my children were not happy going to Ch= ild Care each morning and sometimes in tears at night at pick-up. So I did = a brave thing! I took them from Child Care and became a full-time stay-at-h= ome dad for 12 months with subsistence living to keep the mortgage going on= our home. I then took, for 3 years, a hotel cellar man's position tha= t started after I dropped my children at school and finished so I coul= d pick them up at finish of school. Living was not luxurious, though we alw= ays paid bills, and then and now, always have cupboards full of food. =
 
When my girls were in grade 4 and 7, I went to work full= -time 26m across the road from my home at a steel fab/supply industry. I st= ill had to let my family come first. Once the boss argued with me when I wa= nted to pick the young one up at primary school as I had a customer an= d it was raining. I told the customer to wait and told boss that if he did = not like it to shove the job up his arse. I came back, apologized to the cu= stomer - there had been only 7 minutes delay, and never had an argument wit= h the boss again.
 
Now my girls are at the local High Scho= ol in Grades 12 and 9. Work has grown and moved, but I'm still there and li= fe is very blessed. It's not big money, though teaching the girls abou= t money is not everything. My girls understand values that many of their fr= iends do not have, where both parents working income combined is 5 times my= income. They are pleased I gave up many things for them, as they realised = that what I shared with them, money could not buy, I am a very proud dad of= my 2 girls.  The little one still comments on how she hated Child Car= e women. She reckoned they were so mean, and how other children told lies&n= bsp;and she got into trouble. Yes, I am proud my girls tell me the truth, u= sually led by: "Don't get angry dad, but..........." I honour that honesty = and it is hard to be angry many times, as we all make mistakes.

Thank you for your article in the Sunday Mail and opportunity to give you = some comments on Child Care.
 
We choose to have children, = they do not choose to have us.
 
I feel it is our responsib= ility to give as much as we can, be it $80 toy (no way) or toilet rolls and= coloured paper. Kids, I've found, generally got more amusement out of= the latter.
 
Money is not the necessity we make it out to= be.
 
How old is love? How much does love cost?
 = ;
Michael Perkins
Charters Towers, QLD
=
All You Nee= d is Love
10 Th= ings You Can Do To Have a
Healthy Marriage3D"Healthy
 
It takes work to have a heal= thy marriage but it is possible. Just like good nutrition and regular exerc= ise can help you have a healthy body, there are things you can do to have a= healthy marriage.=20
 
Here are 10 Tips you can use to strengthen your marriage:
1) Spend Time with Each Other. Married partners need time with ea= ch other in order to grow strong together. Plan regularly scheduled date ni= ghts and weekend activities. If a getaway is not immediately possible make = it a goal that you will work toward. By spending time with your partner, yo= u will better understand your differences and how to negotiate the problems= they may cause.
Forget the "quality vs. quantity time" discussion - h= ealthy marriages need both.
2) Learn to Negotiate Con= flict. Conflict is a normal part of a relationship. There is a point howeve= r when it can increase in intensity and become emotionally and sometimes ph= ysically unsafe. Working out problems in a relationship starts with underst= anding what your issues are and how to discuss them. There are many resourc= es available to help you learn how to deal with conflict. Using these resou= rces can go a long way in preserving how safe you and your partner feel.3) Show Respect for Each Other at All Times. When a cou= ple fails to respect each other they often slip into negative habits. Resea= rch shows that nothing can damage a relationship quicker than criticisms an= d put - downs. Treating your partner as you would like to be treated will d= o a lot to strengthen the bond between you. Paying your partner a complimen= t is a quick and easy way to show them respect. When you are tempted to com= plain to someone about one of your partner's flaws, ask yourself how you wo= uld feel if they did that to you.
4) Learn About Your= self First. Make it a point to work on self discovery. Many partners enter = into relationships without knowing enough about themselves. As a result the= y can also have difficulty learning about their partners. Learning about yo= urself will better equip you to grow as an individual and a partner. Regard= less how long you've been together, there are always more things you can le= arn about him or her. What are his dreams for the future? What is her worst= fear? What is the way he or she best gives or receives love? Imagine the i= ntimacy and bond you will share over a lifetime together if you commit to d= iscovering new things about one another!
5) Explore I= ntimacy. Marital intimacy can open your relationship to a whole new level o= f enjoyment and closeness. It is important, however, to remember that intim= acy does not always mean sexuality. An often forgotten aspect of intimacy i= s the emotional type. An example of emotional intimacy is creating a safe s= pace for your partner to share his or her emotions without fear of you bein= g judgmental or making light of them. Learn the difference between emotiona= l and physical intimacy and when each one is most appropriate. Offering you= r partner one type when they really need the other can create problems in y= our relationship.
6) Explore Common Interests. Couple= s thrive when they share similar interests.
That doesn't necessarily m= ean each partner will enjoy every activity but it opens up the opportunity = for greater sharing and compromise. Doing things separately is not bad but = common interests are important to healthy marriages. A common interest may = be cooking or eating new foods together, going for walks or playing cards. = The goal is to have something outside of your family that you both enjoy.7) Create a Spiritual Connection. Many couples grow cl= oser when they share some form of spiritual connection. This can be done in= many different ways. For example it may be achieved through an affiliation= with a church, synagogue or mosque, through meditation or by simply spendi= ng time in nature or intimate conversation.
8) Improv= e Your Communication Skills. The ability to talk and listen to each other i= s one key to a healthy marriage. You should never assume your partner knows= what you are thinking or feeling. Tell your spouse what is going on - and,= as a spouse, know when to simply listen. Learning to really hear your part= ner is a skill that may require practice. There are many resources availabl= e like books, marriage education workshops and online courses. All of these= options can help couples learn how to communicate more effectively.
<= strong>9) Forgive Each Other. If he or she hasn't already, your pa= rtner is going to do something that hurts, frustrates or upsets you. Guess = what, you are going to do the same thing! Sometimes it might even be on pur= pose after an argument or misunderstanding. Forgiveness is a tricky but imp= ortant virtue in a marriage, especially since no one is perfect. Try to all= ow your partner some room to make a few mistakes because you will also make= some of your own. When you make a mistake, act quickly to apologize and fi= x problems. Doing so will help to encourage forgiveness and strengthen your= marriage.
10) Look for the Best in Each Other. When = you met your partner, you fell in love with some of his or her wonderful qu= alities. Over time however, your view of those qualities may have changed. = For example, he may have been really good at saving money when you met. Now= you just think he's cheap! Give each other the benefit of the doubt and cr= eate a list of all the things you love about your partner. It will help you= to fall in love all over again!
 
Taken from the USA websit= e: National Healthy Marriage Resource CentreThank you to David= Jones, a Certified Family Life Educator and author of a variety of relatio= nship tools for fathers, for contributing to this tip sheet.
Disclaime= r: These tips are designed to assist couples in improving their relationshi= ps however they are not meant to be a substitute for professional help and = advice.
=09

Special Feature

<= /font>
A 'Crucial' Adventure of th= e Heart
 3D"Dad
The = other week, in his introduction, Warwick Marsh mentioned the phrase, "adven= ture of the heart". I liked it, and it got me to thinking about adventure. = Oh sure, many adventures are somewhat physically challenging. Further, more= require us to be mentally "on our game". We engage in many more again at t= he level of our emotions, as all "real" adventure requires us to take a ris= k, and face our fears. But all forms of adventure engage us at the level of= our heart. John Eldredge in his best-selling book, Wild at Heart, says it = this way, "Adventure with all it's danger and wildness, is a deeply spiritu= al longing written into the soul of every man." He goes on to explain that = there are three levels of adventure...casual adventures, crucial adventures= , and critical adventures.
 
Some examples of "casual advent= ures" are white-water rafting, rock climbing, abseiling, fishing, skiing, g= olfing, travel, and even financial decisions. These adventures are importan= t, because they awaken something within us. They are like warming up for so= mething more important. Staying only at this level of adventure though, wil= l lead to selfishness and self-centredness. The casual adventures are there= to lead us on to the "crucial adventures" e.g. loving your wife... enterin= g into those conversations that you know you have to have with her, knowing= and caring for your children's hearts, changing jobs or careers. The list = goes on.
 
One of the many crucial adventures that I have fa= ced over the years, involves my third son Joseph. He turns nine in just two= weeks time. Joseph is a classic candidate for "middle-child syndrome". He = is quiet, sensitive, creative, and artistic... nothing like any of my other= three boys. When Joseph was just four, he was riding our little peewee 50 = mini-bike in our backyard, with me running behind him holding the back of t= he bike steady. I knew he was skilled enough to handle the bike on his own,= so I released the bike to his control, but of course when Joseph discovere= d that I had done so, he became distracted, ran into the sandpit, and the b= ike fell onto one of his uncovered legs. The hot exhaust pipe had left a na= sty burn and subsequent scar, but it had left a wound far greater than the = physical manifestations of the accident... it had left him with a distrust = of Dad. "Why would Dad have allowed this to happen to me?", was a question = I'm sure he had asked himself over and over subconsciously ever since. It h= ad not gone un-noticed though. Whilst all of my boys grew into larger motor= bikes, Joseph had no desire to get back in the saddle so-to-speak. Whist he= never spoke of it, he had come to believe that he wasn't capable of riding= a motorbike, and out of a fear of failure that all of us males have, he we= nt into hiding. He used every excuse under the sun to avoid having to take = that challenge again.
 
A few months ago now, in front of hi= s brothers, I made a big deal of my desire to spend some all-important one-= on-one time with him. I told him that I wanted to take him out alone to giv= e him another opportunity to ride the peewee. I figured that if he was ever= going to give it another go, it wouldn't be in front of his more experienc= ed, older brothers. He agreed. By the time the day actually rolled around, = I had been overwhelmed with busyness... oh how I hate that. At one level, i= t would have made perfect sense to reschedule my time with Joseph, but his = heart was, and is, more important than any other work-related commitment I = have. So off Joseph goes... dressing himself in full-length clothes to prot= ect himself from further pain. I go to start the bike. It wouldn't start. I= check the fuel... the tank was full, and the valve was on. I checked the o= il... it was bone-dry. I filled it, and the bike starts. Next problem... fl= at tyre. Everything seemed to be screaming, "Just forget it. It's not worth= the hassle." I persevered. Joseph and I strapped the bike down into our tr= usty utility, and drove off into the bush together...presumably for Joseph = to go for a ride, whilst Dad cheered from the sidelines. Of course, it wasn= 't to be that easy.
 
When we arrived at a flat, shady area,= I helped Joseph get his helmet on, and started the bike. I told him that I= was going to ride the bike with him, and motioned for him to climb on. He = shook his head. I encouraged him once again to climb on. He shook his head = again. I turned the bike off, and asked him what was wrong. He explained th= at he wanted to go home. I felt myself starting to get angry. Was he not aw= are of what I had given up? Had he not seen all that had to be overcome to = get there? He began to sob. I lifted him up onto the bonnet... I looked int= o his eyes, and explained that there was more going on at that moment, than= just a motorbike ride. He had to face and overcome his fears. I assured hi= m that I would be with him every step of the way. Still, his answer was no.= I apologised for my part in his accident four years earlier, and asked him= for his forgiveness. He forgave me. I climbed up onto the bonnet with him,= put my arm around him, told him that I loved him... that I was proud of hi= m... and that it would be his decision whether to ride or not... that whate= ver his decision was....it would be fine with me. Before he gave me his dec= ision, I asked him to pray with me...to see what God thought he should do i= n this situation. We did just that, and then waited a little for a response= . I felt the answer to our prayer was "Yes... ride", but this was my son's = heart at stake here, so I asked quietly a second time. The same response. I= asked Joseph if he had heard anything. He said that he hadn't. I told him = that I had believed I had. 3D"BoyThat we were to stay... and he was to ride. To cut a long story short= , we shared a wonderful afternoon together. Joseph rode. He rode with great= courage. He rode with a new-found strength. He rode, whist I stood back in= awe of all that had just taken place. On our drive home, Joseph confided i= n me. He had heard God's response to our prayer. He had heard a "Yes... rid= e", as I had heard... what an adventure. With all that I have learnt and ex= perienced in fatherhood, oh how glad I am that I am not alone in my fatheri= ng.
 
Strength and Honour,
Darren Lewis
 Darren has been married to his beautiful wife Melissa for 17 years, and = is father to his four courageous sons, ranging in age from 14 years to 5 ye= ars. Darren has not given up on his desire to live life to the full.
&= nbsp;
 
Darren Lewis
Fathering Adventures
Ph: (0= 7) 4723 2941
Fax: (07) 4723 2941
Mob: 0431 839 035
= email: info@fatheringadventures.com.au  
web: www.fatheringadventures.com.au&nb= sp; 
News & Info
=
 3D"Father 
Father's Day cards banned in Scottish school= s
Thousands of primary pupils wer= e prevented from making Father's Day cards at school for fear of embarrassi= ng classmates who live with single mothers and lesbians.
 
ALMOST one in four teenagers is raiding their parents' medi= cine cabinets for prescription drugs in a new trend dubbed "pharming".
 
DADS4KIDS COMPETITION NEWS

 
Fa= therhood Foundation is asking Australians to help Dads= 4Kids with their ideas on how to solve t= he problems that Australian children face. Dads4Kids is an initiative of th= e <= font color=3D"#0000ff">Fatherhood Foundation which is a harm prevention charity. Find out more information or enter= the Dads4Kids Competition.  
View Community Service Announcements at:
http:= //www.dads4kids.org.au/Media   = ;
 
The following stations are airing our Matthew Hayden 'Da= ds4Kids' community service announcements.
 
9 - NTD Darwin&= nbsp;           &nbs= p;            &= nbsp;     9 - NWS Adelaide
Imparja Alice Springs&n= bsp;            = ;           TEN &nbs= p; -  Southern Cross TAS
TEN -   Southern Cross Canberr= a        TEN -   Victoria/Bend= igo
TEN -  Coffs        &= nbsp;           &nbs= p;            &= nbsp; TEN -  QTV Townsville/ 7 Darwin
TEN -  Southern C= ross Melbourne       TEN - ADS Adelaide
= TEN - GTS Port Pirie         &= nbsp;           &nbs= p;  WGN Bunbury
WIN Griffith     &n= bsp;            = ;            &n= bsp;     WIN SA Mt Gambier
WIN TV Ballarat&nb= sp;            =             &nb= sp;     WIN TV Hobart
WIN TV Rockhampton = ;            &n= bsp;         WIN TV Wollongong=
WIN WA 
 
Stress = & the City 2008
What ticks men off...What make= s them tick...and keeps them ticking!
Wednesday October 8 2008
6.= 30pm - 10.00pm
(Be early - seats are limited)
C= ranbourne Community Theatre
C/- Cranbourne Secondary College = Brunt Street,
Cranbourne, Melbourne, VIC 
 3D"John
Featuring
Dr John Tickell
Your life-changing appoin= tment with the Doc who is an international
speaker, best-selling autho= r and television personality; the expert
who has spent the last 25 yea= rs researching the health, well-being
and longevity patterns of people= around the world.
MEN, WOMEN AND TEENAGERS WILL ENJOY THIS!
&nbs= p;
Warwick Marsh
Directo= r of Fatherhood Foundation - the man with
his finger on the pulse of m= en's work in Australia.
 
Di Padget= t
CEO of Cardinia Foundation and founder of You AreSpecial provides a women's perspective on men.
 
= Anthony Byrne MP
Parliamentary Secret= ary to the Prime Minister -
supporting men's health and healthy famili= es.
Enquires: David Esmore 1300 787 624 Rob Koch 0432 439 943
 <= br />___________________
 
<= font size=3D"3">Wild at Heart Boot Camp Australia
&nbs= p;
As a reminder, the next Wild at Heart Boot Camp, Tops Conference Ce= ntre, Sydney, will be December 4-7th, 2008.  There are still registrat= ion spots available at http://www.wildatheartaustralia.com.au<= /font>    If you haven't already regi= stered, we would love to have the chance to journey with you this December,= so register soon if you have opportunity to join us.
 ___________________
 
Letters
 
Dear Fatherhood Foundation
 
Always great to re= ad digest and internalise properly the contents of what you are doing and t= he long term ripple effects of your work on our community.  Congratula= tions!
 
Regards
Dr Jim Turner
 
_______= _______________
 
Dear Fatherhood Foundation
 
First up I wish to congratulate you, your team and all for the outstandin= g job done with producing and distributing the Fatherhood Foundation newsle= tter and I acknowledge that it has helped me to be a better husband, father= , friend, and person. I am thankful that I have a happy and healthy close f= amily and my heart goes out to fathers who do not, or cannot, see their chi= ldren. I can only imagine their despair.
 
Regards
Crai= g Murray
 
Editor's Note: Craig gave us some great ideas for= improving communication and building a great family. We will feature some = of his ideas in the next few weeks and would also like you to give us your = ideas. How about you take the time to enter our competition? Go to <= a href=3D"http://rs6.net/tn.jsp?e=3D0018oU_dJLXBVQSNek8-YOUfomNg-fNQAtie4Cd= mbvgYf1htzGoXKR8c4e9j7cO6_7H0CJeEFiULWrUvw9zByIirJQSuxk11-0sS09mNCVTXvmRgcC= IOVaMZQ=3D=3D" target=3D"_blank">www.dads4kids.org.= au

Dad's Prayer

           &nbs= p;       
           &nbs= p;            &= nbsp;
<= font size=3D"4">Editor's Note:
What makes a Dad is an inspirational t= hought
to encourage all those who doubt their high calling as a fathe= r.
 3D"Hand
What Makes = A Dad?
 
God took the strength of a mountain,
The majes= ty of a tree,
The warmth of a summer sun,
The calm of a quiet sea= ,
The generous soul of nature,
The comforting arm of night,
= The wisdom of the ages,
The power of the eagle's flight,
The joy = of a morning in spring,
The faith of a mustard seed,
The patience= of eternity,
The depth of a family need,
Then God combined these= qualities,
When there was nothing more to add,
He knew His maste= rpiece was complete,
So He called it ... Dad
 
Author i= s unknown
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Help Us!

The Fatherhood Foundation is a Harm Pre= vention Charity.
Fatherlessness and inadequate fathering has been pro= ven to be a source of harm. The Fatherhood Foundation helps children b= y promoting excellence  in fathering. Excellent fathers are in word an= d deed: responsible, involved, protective, loving and committed to the well= -being of their children and their children's mother.

 

If you would like to give financially t= o the Fatherhood Foundation Public Fund and receive tax deductibility:

 

Fatherhood Found= ation Public Fund
(Name, address and amount details must be = emailed for a receipt for tax deductibility)

 Westpac Branch Wollongong      &nb= sp;            =   DONATE ONLINE

BSB: 032 695
A/C: 25-5558
 

Or mail cheque and address details to:<= br />PO Box 542
UNANDERRA  NSW&nbs= p; 2526
AUSTRALIA

 

The Fatherhood Foundation Public Fund&n= bsp; is a public fund listed on the Register of Harm Prevention Charities u= nder Subdivision 30_EA of the Income Tax Assessment Act 1997.=

 

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Fatherhood Foundati= on | P.O. Box 542 | Unanderra | NSW | 2526 | Australia
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