James Levine, author of "Working Fathers" and director of the Fatherhood Project at the Families and Work Institute, emphasizes the importance of daily connection with children to keep the relationship strong and growing.  Creating a ritual with each child - a hobby or sport to enjoy together, a bedtime story or even a walk to the park - builds a tradition that makes lasting memories. 

Kids need dad's physical and verbal affection regularly and often - even when they squirm with embarrassment.  A hug and expressions of affection are power surges of support to growing children, both boys and girls.  Levine cautions fathers not to get sidetracked by "the sissy myth," reserving most hugs and kisses for their daughters.  Research shows that the single best predictor of masculinity in sons is actually the father's warmth and closeness. 

Reconnecting with a child at the end of the workday becomes even more complicated when the child has his own full schedule.  "Try to get in sync with whatever your kids are already doing," Levine suggests.  It's important to enter into the child's flow rather than expect him or her to enter into the parent's.  To get kids to open up, avoid the standard "What did you do today?" and ask a specific question instead.  If he's at the computer, "Can you show me how to do that?" opens the door to dialogue and further interaction. 

Children may be allergic to performing household chores, but when invited to work on a task WITH a parent, several benefits can occur: the job gets done; the child learns responsibility; and the parent/child relationship is enhanced.  Younger children like going to the post office, helping clean out the garage or washing the dog.  Including kids in weekend chores may slow down the work, but it will achieve the greater goal of creating quality time for both dad and child. 

by:  Ann Clutter, Family & Consumer Sciences Specialist, OSU Extension, Southwest District 

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We can affect this development by interacting with babies in ways that stimulate their brains and help them grow. While these early experiences have a direct effect on the way the brain is wired, they don't have to be special activities to appropriately stimulate the brain. 

The most important thing adults can do to stimulate the development of a baby's brain is to develop a warm and caring relationship with the baby. Holding, touching, talking, and responding promptly to a baby's cry is vital in helping the baby learn to develop trusting relationships with others. Surrounding children with language is vital. Talk to them about what is happening around them and give them the chance to respond to you through their body movement or first sounds. Give babies many opportunities to explore a variety of materials and let them try to solve their own problems in their daily lives, rather than doing it for them. 

Respond to cues babies send you about when they have had enough. Cues such as turning the head away from you should let you know to stop interacting and let your baby relax. Overstimulating a baby will result in frustration, not extra learning. 

by:  Kimberlee Whaley, Human Development & Family Science Specialist, OSU Extension 

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A lunch that won't be refrigerated needs special considerations. Follow these safety tips: 

Sandwich. Use a frozen meat spread or frozen meat loaf as the sandwich filling. If the lunch will be at room temperature for 3 to 4 hours, don't pack egg, meat or creamy mixtures. Peanut butter and aged cheeses are safer choices. Or pack a single-size serving container of tuna or another meat. Also remember to wrap toppings, like lettuce and tomato, separately, to be put on the sandwich when eaten. 

Soups. Use a wide-mouthed insulated container for soups, stews, casserole servings, or other foods that need to be kept hot. 

Fruits and vegetables. Pack sliced items in new plastic bags or wraps. Single-serving sizes of canned fruits and fruit juices can be frozen and packed. They will be thawed by lunch time and can help keep the entire lunch cold until eaten. A wide mouthed insulated container can also be used to keep a salad cold and fresh. 

Desserts. Pack a pudding cup, especially if milk isn't part of the lunch. A muffin is also a safe choice. Or, try dried fruit or a dried granola mix for some variety. Never pack homemade custards or puddings if refrigeration isn't available. 

by:  Sharon Strouse, Family & Consumer Sciences Agent, OSU Extension, Holmes County 

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If you want to make sure about yours, pack a lunch on a day that you are home and put a food thermometer in the box. Be sure the thermometer is on top of a non-refrigerated food, like cookies or raisins. Let it set for the amount of time you would on a working or school day, then check the temperature.  

If the thermometer is above 40 degrees, it is in the danger zone. Food should not be left above 40 degrees for more than two hours, or one hour if it's really hot.  

If you are thinking of purchasing an insulated lunch box, read the fine print to see if it has been tested. Here are some other tips for safe lunch: 

• Pack food that is already cold -- don't expect the container to cool the item you pack.
• Use a frozen ice pack or frozen juice box to keep things cold.
• Make sure your container fastens securely, so warm air doesn't get in or cold air, out.
• Fill the container as much as possible. Empty space is hard to keep cold.

When you have a long time horizon, invest in higher-return growth stocks/mutual funds to gain more in interest, since you have time to ride out market fluctuations.  With shorter time frames, look at U.S. Savings Bonds (no federal income tax on Series EE if used for qualified higher education expenses), home equity or other loans, and student financial aid. 

In Ohio, you can consider the Ohio Tuition Trust Authority's (OTTA) prepaid tuition plan.  Units cost $45.50 (through Sept. 30, 1999).  Buy whole or partial units through payroll deduction or cash transfer from a bank account ($15 minimum).  Federal tax is deferred on the appreciated value (that is, value over the original purchase price) until funds are used for college tuition and expenses, and then the tax is at student's rate.  (There's no Ohio tax on appreciation.) 

Parents can claim the federal Hope tax credit (up to $1,500/yr. for the first two years of college; then up to $1000 in Lifelong Learning credits in subsequent years).  Only tuition and related expenses (not room and board) are allowed for Hope credit, and eligibility limitations are $40,000-$50,000 for individuals and $80,000-$100,000 for couples filing jointly. 

In Education IRAs, annual contributions of up to $500 per child grow free of federal taxes if used for qualified higher education expenses.  If any contribution is made to a prepaid tuition plan in a given year, NO contribution may be made to an Education IRA for that same beneficiary by ANYONE in that same year.  You can't claim the Hope credit if an Education IRA is used. 

Student and family financial assets may jeopardize some chances for financial aid.  Carefully study possible consequences of any investment or prepaid tuition plan.  Additional information is available:  OTTA, 1 (800) AFFORD-IT or http://www.prepaid-tuition.state.oh.us; savings bonds, 1 (800) 4US-BOND; Consumer Information Center, http://www.pueblo.gsa.gov; financial aid, http://www.finaid.org. 

by:  Carolyn McKinney, Family Resource Management Specialist, OSU Extension 

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