If you have been in a hole in the past two years you probably have no idea what I am talking about when I reference social media or social networking. One might ask how anyone hasn’t heard about these buzz words? I don’t know but today my mom asked me about something called a Kindle and Gmail. I laughed until I realized she was serious. At any rate, for those might no know I have define them below:

Social Media – A category of sites that is based on user participation and user-generated content. They include social networking sites like LinkedIn or Facebook, social bookmarking sites like Del.icio.us, social news sites like Digg or Reddit, and other sites that are centered on user interaction…from searchinenginewatch.com/define.

or maybe….

Social Media – Any website or web service that utilizes a ’social’ or ‘Web 2.0′ philosophy. This includes blogs, social networks, social news, wikis, etc…from http://webtrends.about.com/od/web20/a/web20-glossary_2.htm

About Me and Social Media

Before I get down to business I am going to talk about why you might consider listening to me. I graduated high school in 2001. While I am young I have traveled through major aspects of what makes the web what it is today. I wouldn’t say I have helped form the web. I would just say I made the journey with everyone else. I was a junior in high school when AIM (AOL Instant Messenger) and MSN Chat (now Window Live Messenger) was very popular. I was a freshman in college when Peer 2 Peer took off. I was a senior in college when Facebook made its way to main stream media. Again, I just happen to be a teen/young adult when high speed internet became readily available to most middle class families. I didn’t do anything special, I was just there when it happened.

Secondly, I am certified high school teacher…business education non the less. While business would appear to be at the root of my degree, it actually catered to the technology industry as well. While I was teaching I taught web design and computer applications to grades 9-12. I can’t even begin to tell you the number of times I had to handle internet related problems in class. I know it is different when you deal with your own child, but I have had to deal with lots of teens and the impact that the internet has had on them.

Lastly, I am a dad. While I have a lot to learn in regards to being a parent, this one area I have l little knowledge on. I can remember being in chat room when I was about 14 talking with random people all over the world. I thought it was cool until I was cyber bullied…that wasn’t even a word when I was 14.

Why Social Media Should Be Embraced

If we think the internet has a hold over life now, just think about where we were 15 years ago and where we will be in 15 years. As technology grows it create more technology. For those who haven’t embraced the internet and social media–it is not going away. While I am not sure social media will stay what it is today, I feel as though we will not let go of the internet.

As with anything, just because things are taken advantage of doesn’t mean we quit using them altogether. For instance, just because a church in the past has mishandle money doesn’t mean we stop giving. We don’t stop buying house and getting mortgages because of the housing bubble and scam artists. What we do as a society is learn to embrace change and watch for signals. As long as the world exists we are going to deal with individuals who take advantage of the system.

Reasons why parents should embrace social media…

1. Creates a great way for individuals to meet new people (I do believe their is an internet etiquette).
2. Social Media and the internet has created a great way for individuals to stay connected.
3. Allows business to be world wide.
4. Broadens your child’s learning surroundings.
5. Great place to play games.
6. Sharing of information and advice.
7. Levels the playing field among businesses.

Preparing Yourself As Parents

Learn The Game – Learn how certain popular websites work and teach your kids about them. Don’t take a back seat and let your kids teach you. Teach your kids about what should and should not be displayed as public knowledge. Teach them that once it is on the internet it is on for good.

Be Ahead Of The Game – While it is not my business to tell you how to raise your kids or at what time you should expose them to certain things, other children don’t necessarily feel the same way I do. Maybe you should introduce a few topics to your child before your child’s friend does on the back of the school bus. For example, I know a child who heard from a friend that the Playboy website had great kid games for boys. How shocked this child actually was when he went to the site.

Lock It Down – Don’t be afraid to lock down your personal network at your home. There are several options that make this process easy. I have used a company called Spector Pro. This program runs silently on your computer and monitors everything. Another program is called Net Nanny. But the best solution is installing an external firewall. With an external firewall you can completely control incoming traffic before it reaches your network. You can block sites by category, URL, or keyword. I have an external firewall on my network.

Explain The Importance Of Privacy – Explain the long term things that might arise by befriending just anyone. Let them know that some things should never be told–like personal address and phone numbers.

Laws – Explain the laws about internet bullying, how to avoid it, and why it should be reported if you hear about it. Let them know that the internet is not a place for spreading rumors, spreading spam, abusive language or damaging someones reputation.

Speaking Openly – Encourage your children to speak openly about their internet habits. If you always practice this technique it will not be out of the ordinary for your kids.

Related posts:

1. Can Social Media Take Over The Web?
2. The Neighborhood Mom

From the beginning of my professional life I have always been able to slide by on the charm and good looks I inherited from my grandfather.  But even he said that his charm and good looks would only get me so far—that I would need to develop things of substance in my life—like character and knowledge.  Great advice, Grandfather, for most things in life.
I quickly discovered that my new son was not impressed with my charm, good looks, character, or knowledge.  I spent most of the first month sleeping on the sofa, walking bleary-eyed to the bassinet, and trying to figure out what this tiny, screaming human wanted from me.  Thank goodness my wife was the oldest of five and knew something about babies.  She was the reason we, and our son, survived the first year.

I have compiled a list of things every father should learn/do/expect before that first child arrives.  I will follow up with some great tips from some of my Twitter followers.

1. Free Time Is No More – In fact, free time is now called bed time. When experts say that parenthood is 24 hours a day they literally mean 24 hours a day!
2. Stay Focused During Delivery Day – Never ever ask a random hospital worker to accompany your water-leaking, laboring wife up the elevator while you take the stairs (unconquered fear of elevators).  Yes, sadly, I tried it.  But when my wife’s head spun around and she growled, “Get in the elevator” I suddenly overcame my fear and made the ride with her.  Then my wife yelled and swore to skin me alive if I did one more stupid thing (were these goofy things the mistakes my mother had been referring to?).  Things do calm down if your wife chooses to have an epidural (my wife did…Hallelujah).
3. Baby Care Class – I can’t believe I am a full time SEO for a travel company and I didn’t think to at least Google a video about baby care. Learning a few tricks and practicing a few diaper changes can make a world of difference.
4. Patience – Things from here on out will never go as planned. I once caught poop in my bare hands in a Baby’s R Us parking lot because I didn’t want it to get in the backseat of my car. Luckily, my wife did get that 10% off she was arguing about (first paragraph post).
5. Play Time – This one was easy for me. My son loves to play, and many times he wants me to play with him. But all the time he wants me to watch him.  I am told that this odd phenomenon will never go away.  “Hey Dad, watch this” and “Hey Dad, watch me.”  Who knew??
6. Guys Night Out - They don’t completely go away, but they become very random, much shorter, and start at about 10:00 p.m.
7. Ask Your Pediatrician Questions – They actually like helping, and it’s nice to know the right answers.
8. Learn the Metric System – “Honey, can you give “Champ” 5 ml. of his antibiotic?” This one is not that hard but important.
9. Enjoy Your Last Full Nights Sleep – My son was breastfeed until he was about 10 months old. Like clock work, he woke up every 2 hours. My wife was a trooper. (Just on a side note we are going to supplement with formula the first few days so our next child will get on a better sleeping schedule)
10. Basic First Aid – Things happen. . .not often, but it will add a little assurance if something goes wrong.
11. Fashion Matters – Apparently it matters what your toddler is wearing. I think a diaper and Stride Rite shoes make a pretty good outfit. My wife thinks differently.
12. It Always Costs More – Regardless of how much you plan and budget, you will always spend a few more dollars. For my family this reality applies to buying formula, buying diapers, and even buying clothes.
13. Intimacy – You have to wait 6-8 weeks to be intimate with your wife once your child is born–maybe longer if there are complications.  More importantly, you and your bff will never be truly alone again.  But, it’s okay.  You and she will make the adjustment, and you will never really want to go back to life “before baby.”

Some responses from Twitter followers…

@digitaldads – Basic first aid, how to cook, patience and how to play!

@dadtrends – Definitely should learn about PPD – how to spot it and what to do about it.

@SeattleDad – Read ‘The Expectant Father’ by Armin Brot. Dial back personal time, since it won’t exist much afterwards.

@SuperMegaDad – The thing that helped me the most was the baby care classes. How to change a diaper, how to dress your kid, & no spare time!

@gladdads – I tried to get at that answer when I wrote this post: http://www.gladdads.com/2009/11/5-things-parents-must-get-right.html

@UKDad – Most important thing – try to enjoy the early days, don’t get too stressed it will all work out in the end.

Related posts:

1. What An Actress!?!?
2. Baby Number 2

Now, while being a great daddy is fun, it is not the only thing important to your child’s life. Sometimes, for growth purposes, I am going to have to be a parent. This task is what makes me so nervous. Learning to discipline, disciple, and help facilitate growth seem so daunting. There are so many questions left unanswered by the pediatricians and delivery nurses. Do you spank? How long should time out last? When is dating appropriate? Should you buy a car for your child? What about candy? The list literally goes on forever. How in the world can I answer these questions when I had to sleep on the sofa for the first month of my son’s life (feedings every 2 hours were tough…my wife did a great job)?

Much like Mommy Monday, I plan on blogging weekly about my journey as dramatic, devoted, and determined daddy.

Last Few A Dad’s Life Posts

1. Parenting: The Social Media Guide
2. Expectant Fathers Should Know What?

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1. Expectant Fathers Should Know What?

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