Project Dad Giveaway with Dr. Todd Cartmell
NOTE: My site will be switching servers over the long holiday weekend and may be unavailable for a day or two. We’ll be back early next week. :-)
Congratulations to the winner of the giveaway with Connie Hughey. Here is how she was chosen:
Connie said: “I had John Mark choose a number between 1 and 23 (I excluded Karen’s two comments and one repeat) and he chose the number 5 which is psnichols01.” Yeah! Send your home address to [email protected] to claim your prize!
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If you have a man in your life who is also a father, have I got someone for you to meet! He is a clinical psychologist who will help them be an awesome dad and you’ll want to get his latest book for them for Father’s Day. Who is this helpful and wise man?
No, not Dr. Phil….Dr. Todd!
Dr. Todd Cartmell & I became friends nearly two decades ago when we both began speaking at Hearts at Home conferences. His popular workshops always had excited moms streaming out, ready to apply his concepts in their parenting.
Not only is he top-notch in his profession, but he is also a great sport too. I seem to recall a main stage skit where he donned a baby-carrier and changed a diaper and powdered a baby doll’s bottom, but since I want to stay friends with him and his sweet wife Lora, I won’t post any pictures! :-)
Now, meet Dr. Todd:
Dr. Todd Cartmell is a clinical psychologist who works with children, adolescents, and families. He is the author of several books, including Project Dad, Respectful Kids, and Keep the Siblings-Lose the Rivalry. Dr. Cartmell is a popular workshop speaker and regularly speaks on parenting issues throughout the country. Currently practicing in Wheaton, Illinois, Dr. Cartmell and his wife, Lora, have two sons.
Project Dad is a humorous, biblically based guidebook to becoming a great dad. With short, entertaining chapters that cover the five key components for “Great Dadness,” this guidebook encourages fathers to take inventory of how they look at, talk to, connect with, act toward, and lead their children. Dr. Todd’s message to dads is simple: God made you to be a great dad and coincidentally, that’s just what your kids are looking for.
~ Todd, what prompted you to write Project Dad?
I’ve had the chance to work with hundreds of boys and girls and as a result, have had the chance to see the huge impact that dads make in the lives of their kids. I’ve seen many dads who love their kids and do a great job in some areas, but yet struggle with other areas, such as discipline, anger, or building a strong relationship connection with their kids.
However, I’ve seen many of these dads get serious about becoming a great dad and have been amazed at the impact it has had on their kids. Boys and girls who had been sobbing in my office because of their dad’s harsh words now were grinning from ear to ear as they told me of their new relationship with their dad.
Bottom line: Every dad can be a great dad. That’s a big part of who God made us to be. I wrote Project Dad to be a light-hearted and practical guidebook that will show every dad how to be the great dad his kids need.
~ What do you think is the greatest challenge facing dads today when it comes to following through on their intentions to be a good father?
The greatest challenge facing dads that I see is getting connected and staying connected with their kids. After all, dads are busy guys, with work demands, things to fix around the house, and NASCAR races to watch.
Sometimes, we just get sidetracked and forget to do the things that keep us connected with our kids. Other times, we do things that actually disconnect us from our kids, such as yelling, making critical comments, or forcing them to watch the Cubs.
Either way, here are five simple things dads can do to get connected and stay connected with their kids:
-Daily warm physical touch (e.g., hugs, squeezes on shoulders and arms)
-Ask them about their activities
-Point out their positive choices (even the small ones)
-Play with them
-Pray together at bedtime
~ Since most of my blog readers are women, what can wives do to help facilitate the father-child relationship?
First, they should buy their husbands (and all their friends and co-workers) a copy of Project Dad. :-)
Second, wives should be encouraging to their husbands (think puppy training) by pointing out the positive ways they already connect with their kids and times when they handle situations in a strong and caring way.
Third, when a wife does have a suggestion, she should offer it in a positive way. For example:
-GOOD: “I think Billy would really love to spend more time with you, what do you think?
-NOT AS GOOD: “Why don’t you try to pry yourself away from the TV for a split second so you can remind Billy that he ACTUALLY HAS A FATHER!”
Fourth, did I mention that they should get their husbands a copy of Project Dad?
~What do you most hope men who read this book will walk away with?
Project Dad is divided into five simple parts: how you look at, talk to, connect with, act toward, and lead your kids. Dads will leave Project Dad feeling encouraged and equipped to become the dads they have always wanted to be.
For example, dads will learn how to:
-Look for the positives
-Use their words to shape their kids from the inside out
-Be a great listener
-Build a strong relationship with their kids
-Teach lessons like a coach, not a referee
-Lead their kids through the power of their example
~ You are offering a great giveaway to one of our readers. What is it?
In keeping with my civic duty to help as many dads as possible become great dads, I am going to give away two signed copies of Project Dad, one for the winner’s husband and one for a friend. God bless America!
Okay readers. If you would like to be entered in this giveaway, leave a comment on this post. Tell us a little about a dad in your life or to whom you’d give the second copy. The winner will be announced Wednesday.