Regardless of your thoughts about the recent election, this point in time is unique in our history. It marks the inauguration of the 44th US President.

The President of the United States is a position of immense power, unique prestige, instant fame, and world notoriety.

But you know what? Our role as dads is more important. It really is… Yes, it **REALLY** is.

Presidents come and go. Just think about all the presidents that have served so far in your lifetime. Sure, they make decisions that affect the direction of the country. And this next president will do likewise.

But as dads, we have something that no one… and I mean NO ONE… else has.

We have “father power.” It is the tremendous influence that we have in the lives of each of our children.

It is the power of our relationship with them, simply because we are their earthly father.

It is the ability and opportunity that we have as their dad to impact them, for all their lifetime, as well as their children and future generations of our family.

It is the privilege and responsibility we Dads have to instruct them, model to them, and disciple them in spiritual matters.

It is from us, Dad, whom our son will learn about masculinity, what it means to be a man, what it means to be a father, what it means to relate to a man, and if he has what it takes to be a man.

It is from us, Dad, whom our daughter can learn what it means to be truly cherished, how to relate to a man, what qualities to look for in her future husband, and if she is lovely as a woman.

With all due respect to Mr. Obama… even now… his greatest importance and lasting influence will be in the lives of his two daughters.

He, like each of us dads, has a power even greater than the position of President of the United States:

“Father Power!”

Let us remember this amidst the media adulation and attention being given at the inauguration and in the months ahead to the new US President.

Blessings to you and your family,

Joey Watkins

Founder, FamilyDads

FamilyDads is a dad-founded and dad-focused organization committed to helping dads prioritize and lead their family. Learn more at http://www.FamilyDads.com

What’s the difference between a seven-year-old and a really bad comedian? Their age. In my experience, every boy and most girls go through a phase where they discover jokes and set out to be funny. And truth be told, we all still have remnants of our first childish experiments with being funny – especially dads who can revert to boyish humor in a moment’s notice.Hey, we can have a lot of fun with young children by letting our sense of humor slide back a few years and getting into a good round of knock-knock jokes with them. When my kids went through this stage, I released my inner 10-year-old and really got into it. In my case, I have to admit I didn’t do it on purpose. It just happened.

It’s good to laugh and just have fun with our children. If each moment becomes a “teachable moment,” a “correctable moment,” or a “meaningful moment,” your children will start to close their ears every time they see your mouth open. Laughter helps dismantle the defenses and opens up communication, but most important, because you’re willing to just have fun with your children, it lets them know that you like them and like being with them.

When someone sends me a good joke on the Internet, I make a point of remembering it or printing it out and then telling it to my kids during a lull in the conversation – or when I want to start up a conversation. It takes only a minute to remember and tell a joke, and it always amazes me how often meaningful and fun conversations follow a punch line.

Here are a couple corny jokes you can use to get started:

• How do you catch a unique rabbit? Unique up on it!
• What do you call a boomerang that doesn’t work? A stick.
• Knock, knock? (Who’s there?) Banana! Knock, knock? (Who’s there?) Banana! Knock, knock? (Who’s there?) Banana! Knock, knock? (Who’s there?) Orange. (Orange who?) ORANGE YOU GLAD I DIDN’T SAY BANANA!
• What does an octopus wear in the winter? A coat of arms.
• What do porcupines say when they kiss? Ouch.
• What does a cat like to eat on a hot day? A mice cream cone.
• Why are elephants so wrinkled? They’re way too hard to iron.
• Why did the banana go to the doctor? He wasn’t peeling well.